"Protecting his eyesight?"Ino's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. True to her Yamanaka heritage, her observational skills were nothing short of terrifying. She didn't miss a single detail—every twitch, every pause, every subtle pattern in Naruto's movements was analyzed with precision.She tilted her head, a thoughtful hum escaping her lips. "Hmm… when Naruto is this focused… this meticulous…"Her gaze softened. "He's… actually quite handsome."It was a surprising realization. She had never noticed it before. The old Naruto had been loud, chaotic, and utterly carefree—always skipping class, playing pranks, or making exaggerated faces. But now… this version of Naruto was different. Focused, hardworking, serious… and somehow, alluring in a way she hadn't anticipated."No wonder Hinata likes him," she whispered to herself, unable to hide a small, secret nod of approval. "It's understandable now…"Meanwhile, Sakura Haruno struggled to calm her racing heart. She had just endured repeated hits and tried to maintain her composure, but her thoughts betrayed her. She kept glancing, almost unconsciously, toward a familiar figure—Sasuke. Why was his expression always so cold? Why couldn't he show even a glimmer of warmth or reassurance?As Sakura's gaze drifted across the classroom, she couldn't ignore Ino. Her friend—or perhaps now her rival—was staring intently at Naruto, almost like she was mesmerized."Ino… she… what is she doing?" Sakura's heartbeat quickened. "Could it be… she's interested in someone else?!"The shock was almost as intense as if Sasuke himself had confessed his feelings to her. Sakura knew Ino too well. She understood that Ino had once been entirely devoted to Sasuke, so much so that they had fought repeatedly over him. For Ino to suddenly shift her attention to Naruto… it was inconceivable.More confusingly, it wasn't just Ino. Hinata, Sasuke, and now even Ino… everyone seemed drawn to Naruto in some inexplicable way. It was as if the entire world was revolving around him.Sakura forced herself to take a deep breath. "Calm down, calm down… Ino is probably just observing him… analyzing, as usual."But as her eyes flicked back toward Naruto, panic rose again. Ino wasn't just observing—she was completely focused on him, drawing something on a piece of paper, perhaps even sketching a portrait. "Not only did she betray me… she's acting so infatuated?!"Sakura's inner turmoil erupted. One of her hidden traits—an internal duality, angel and devil battling for dominance—took over."What's going on, Ino?! Even if you abandoned me… has your sense of aesthetics really fallen so low?!" she thought bitterly. "What's so good about a scoundrel like Naruto?!"Her gaze followed Ino's, and for a moment, she couldn't deny what she saw: Naruto, concentrated and serious, looking completely absorbed in his work. She had to admit, even if grudgingly, that he wasn't ugly. In fact… under the right light, his focused profile was… a little handsome."What am I doing?" Sakura shook her head violently, trying to clear her thoughts. "My heart belongs only to Sasuke! I will never let anyone else take it, even if it means breaking my friendship with Ino!"Turning her attention back to Sasuke, she let out a relieved sigh. "Yes… Sasuke-kun is far more handsome, of course. But… Ino… could it really be true?"Despite her efforts, she couldn't stop glancing at Ino, who was still entirely absorbed in observing Naruto. The girl's actions—her intent gaze, her sketches—made Sakura's heart sink. How could she compete with that level of fascination?Meanwhile, Iruka Sensei had been watching the whole scene unfold. Naruto's improvement and newfound focus were reassuring, but the surrounding chaos puzzled him. Only Hinata had been expected to notice Naruto. Now, Sasuke, Ino, and even Sakura were stealing glances at him intermittently, creating a web of complicated emotions and unspoken tensions.Clearing his throat, Iruka raised his voice. "Ino! Sakura! Pay attention! Stop staring around!"Caught red-handed, Ino stuck out her tongue in embarrassment, cheeks flushing. "Ah… yes, Iruka Sensei," she muttered.Sakura also pouted, though internally, her mind was still spinning. Ino actually blushed… could it really be that I guessed correctly?Naruto, oblivious to all the chaos surrounding him, remained focused. With his newly unlocked Divided Attention trait, he could concentrate on multiple tasks simultaneously. Immersed in his studies and training, he had no awareness of the complex web of glances, infatuations, and rivalries forming around him.The training itself was grueling. Consecutive classes left no room for breaks, and maintaining Divided Attention required tremendous mental stamina. It was more exhausting than any physical training he had done with Rock Lee, yet Naruto persevered, determined to refine his abilities.Finally, the bell rang for dismissal, but Naruto didn't move. A notification sound chimed in his mind, signaling a milestone."[Host's Divided Attention proficiency has increased to 70 points, unlocking a new trait ability… Divided Attention! When performing two actions simultaneously, you can either improve both efficiently or treat one subconsciously, minimizing brain occupancy while maintaining the effect of Divided Attention.]"Naruto's eyes lit up. "A new trait ability! This is amazing!"Even after the bell, he remained at his desk, eager to test the new skill. "Chakra Refining Technique!" he declared. At the same time, he attempted to study cultural subjects, combining both tasks.Initially, the two tasks interfered with each other. His efficiency wasn't perfect, but with the activation of his trait ability, the balance shifted. One task could now operate subconsciously while the other received focused attention, allowing him to maximize productivity without overwhelming his mind.This was another step toward his ultimate goal. With Divided Attention refined, Naruto could push his limits further than ever before, blending physical training, intellectual growth, and mental endurance in ways that set him apart from his peers.The classroom buzzed with quiet murmurs. Hinata continued to watch him with gentle admiration, her hands folded nervously in her lap. Ino's cheeks remained flushed, while Sakura's mind wrestled with disbelief and reluctant admiration. Even Iruka, though exasperated by the distractions, couldn't deny the progress he had witnessed in his student.Naruto, completely unaware of the intricate web of emotions surrounding him, felt only one thing: the joy of growth and the thrill of testing his limits. His focus, now sharpened to an unprecedented degree, allowed him to tackle challenges both ordinary and extraordinary, preparing him for the battles that lay ahead.In that moment, as his Divided Attention continued to develop, Naruto remained the center of attention without ever seeking it. The complex, tangled relationships around him—Hinata's affection, Ino's intrigue, Sakura's conflicted heart—were merely background noise to the single-minded pursuit of his own potential.And yet, unknowingly, his presence was changing everyone around him. The Yamanaka girl's admiration, the Haruno girl's conflicted emotions, the Uchiha boy's distant contemplation—all converged silently toward him, creating a subtle, invisible gravitational pull.Naruto, for his part, didn't notice. He didn't need to. His world consisted of chakra, technique, and relentless practice. Each second, each movement, each thought was directed toward mastery. Divided Attention had not only expanded his capacity but also intensified his understanding of himself, preparing him for challenges far beyond the ordinary.By the time the sun dipped low in the sky, Naruto's stamina remained remarkable. He had endured a full day of training, using Divided Attention to its limits. Fatigue tugged at him, but the exhilaration of discovery and improvement drove him onward. His mind, sharp and unyielding, reflected the culmination of hours, days, and months of relentless effort.For Naruto, the day had been long, exhausting, and exhilarating—a perfect blend of discipline, growth, and personal triumph. And while the subtle dramas of his classmates swirled around him unnoticed, he continued to move forward, forging a path defined not by admiration or rivalry, but by sheer determination and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence.As the last rays of sunlight filtered into the classroom, Naruto sat quietly at his desk, testing his Divided Attention further. He knew this was only the beginning. New challenges, new abilities, and new revelations awaited him—but he was ready.With a quiet smile and unyielding resolve, Naruto stepped into the next stage of his journey, unaware of just how much influence he had already begun to exert on the people around him.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)