After a ten-minute break, Naruto's chakra reserves had instantly increased by a full 3 points. Furthermore, the proficiency of his Chakra Refining Technique had also improved, reaching 58 points. In the future, his efficiency at extracting chakra during practice would be significantly higher.
Finally enduring until the next class began, Naruto let out a sigh of relief, already completely drenched in sweat. However, seeing Mizuki-sensei stride into the classroom, Naruto's heart filled with nothing but pure despair.
"Today, we will be continuing our study of Chemistry…"
Naruto screamed internally, "A-a-a-a-a-h! Why does a ninja even need to study something like chemistry?!"
Despite the silent roar in his mind, Naruto helplessly widened his eyes and forced himself back into a state of absolute concentration. Fortunately, having learned a hard lesson from the previous class, Naruto was able to enter the focused state much faster this time. The real problem was that his mental and physical endurance were rapidly approaching their absolute limits. If the last class was a living hell, then this class was truly hell itself.
However… to escape the baptism of Lightning Release, Naruto persevered with every last fiber of his being.
[You have fully concentrated on listening to the lecture for the first time. Your mastery of the [Chemistry] course has improved, proficiency +3, current proficiency 19 points!]
Naruto's eye twitched. "…It only went up to 19 points? That means it was only at 16 before?! It's even worse than my physics score…"
With such clear, unforgiving data, Naruto became even more keenly aware of his status as a bottom-feeder.
Naruto's astonishing transformation finally started to capture everyone's attention. The truth was, even as a loser, Naruto's 'presence' in the class was always off the charts. Both the students at the very bottom and the ones at the very top are always the most noticeable. The ones who truly lack presence are always the students who just barely pass.
This was to say nothing of Naruto's unique identity as the host of the Nine-Tails. Even though these children didn't know the specifics, they were all subtly influenced by the special way the adults treated Naruto, and it subconsciously affected their own perceptions.
However, being distant and cold toward Naruto didn't mean they couldn't see him. On the contrary, whether it was the original lazy, prank-loving Naruto who often skipped class, or the current Naruto who was suddenly listening with rapt attention and using every break to train, both versions firmly held everyone's focus.
"What is wrong with that Naruto?"
"He's suddenly like a completely different person."
"Do you think he is possessed by a demon or something?"
"Shh, don't say things like that. The last time I said something similar, my dad got really mad at me…"
"Did that kid get rattled by something?"
"Could it be… he's heartbroken?!"
"That's possible. He's always been obsessed with Sakura, but Sakura only has eyes for Sasuke-kun…"
"Plus, with how rough Sakura is with him, it wouldn't be surprising if he finally snapped…"
"So that's what happened…"
Sakura Haruno naturally noticed Naruto's change as well. Listening to the hushed discussions around her, she couldn't help but frown.
*'That Naruto baka… could it really be because of me that he's like that'*
*'Should I maybe go over and comfort him?'*
*'Hmph, I'd better not. That guy will definitely misunderstand, and I don't want him thinking he has a chance…'*
With that thought, Sakura Haruno once again moved to gather around Sasuke.
However… in reality, the person paying the most attention to Naruto was actually Uchiha Sasuke. His stern, indifferent face still showed no hint of emotion, but his heart was already a raging storm.
*'What in the world is that Naruto trying to pull?'*
*'Does a mere loser like him really think he can turn his life around?'*
*'Damn it… I will not lose to a guy like that…'*
*'I still have to… kill that man!'*
*'How can I afford to be lazy and negligent here when even the dead last is training?!'*
In Uchiha Sasuke's mind, a figure shrouded in blood and darkness appeared. As that figure suddenly turned its head, a pair of blood-red Mangekyo Sharingan burst forth with a terrifying light!
He immediately trembled, gritted his teeth, and clenched his fists.
"Shut up!" Uchiha Sasuke finally couldn't take it anymore and shouted fiercely at Sakura Haruno, Ino Yamanaka, and the other girls chattering around him.
"Sasuke-kun…"
Sakura Haruno and the others were startled. Seeing the terrifying expression on his face, they didn't dare ask any more questions and could only retreat resentfully.
"Sakura, what's wrong with Sasuke…" Ino Yamanaka asked with a pale, worried face.
"How would I know? And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Don't forget, we're rivals in love now!"
Ino Yamanaka made a face at her. "You're going to lose! Forehead!"
"Ino-pig!"
Uchiha Sasuke glanced at the girls with annoyance, and then… he himself immediately began to practice.
"Huh? Sasuke-kun is starting to practice too!"
"He's a genius, but he still has to work this hard?"
"Or could it be because of that Naruto guy…"
"No, it can't be. Sasuke-kun is so amazing, how could he possibly be affected by someone like Naruto?"
"Exactly! The two of them are on completely different levels!"
Uchiha Sasuke ignored them and immediately immersed himself in his own training.
Naruto heard the commotion from that side of the room and couldn't help but steal another glance. Seeing Sasuke's actions, his eyes widened in surprise. "That jerk Sasuke, he's actually starting to train too?"
"Ha, could it be that he saw me working so hard and now he's afraid of being surpassed?!"
"It must be true!"
[Warning, Lightning Release baptism countdown, 5… 4… 3…]
"Ahhh! You don't have to remind me! If that jerk Sasuke is working this hard, then I definitely need to work ten times, no, a hundred times harder than him!"
Naruto immediately re-entered his training mode. The two of them faced each other from across the room. Although not a single word was spoken, they were already competing fiercely. For a moment, the entire classroom was filled with an inexplicable, oppressive, and fervent atmosphere. It was as if an intense, scorching energy was emanating from both Naruto and Sasuke, violently intertwining and clashing in the air between them.
After enduring eight classes and every break time throughout a day that felt like an eternity, Naruto finally welcomed the sweet release of school ending. But he didn't get any rest.
[Detected that the host is about to go home. The journey is an opportunity to train taijutsu strength. Please return home by performing weighted frog jumps!]
Naruto's spirit broke. "…Frog… frog jumps? And weighted ones at that?! Give me a break! I really can't go on anymore…"
[Lightning Release baptism, countdown 5… 4… 3…]
"Ahhh! I'll jump! I'll do the jumps, is that okay?!"
Naruto had no other choice. He shoved his textbooks and ninja tools into his backpack, slung it over his shoulders, and with the posture of someone marching to their own noble sacrifice, he bravely squatted down.
"Hmm?"
Uchiha Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, and all the other teachers and students of the Ninja Academy couldn't help but stare dumbfounded in Naruto's direction. What on earth was wrong with that kid? Had he completely lost his mind?
*'He's working himself too hard…'* Only Iruka-sensei looked at this scene with a deeply gratified smile. *'Naruto… effort is a good thing, but don't overdo it…'*
On the other side of the school grounds, in front of a classroom one grade higher, a young man with a bowl cut and thick eyebrows couldn't help but let his eyes light up as he watched Naruto's weighted frog jumps gradually disappear into the distance. He clenched his fists tightly while Muttering something about youth.
At the same time, a short-haired girl with pale white eyes was silently gazing at Naruto's departing back, her hands clasped together as if in prayer for him. "Naruto-kun… g-go for it…"
"501, 502, 503…"
Naruto carried his heavy backpack, propelling himself forward with each jump, as if he were squeezing out the very last ounce of strength from his body. He was already soaked in sweat, and his legs felt completely numb. He had been mentally and physically exhausted at the academy, enduring a double torment. Now, after finally being done with school, he still had to do weighted frog jumps all the way home!
*I, Naruto, am truly bearing a burden that no one my age should ever have to!* he grumbled inwardly, but he still didn't dare to slack off in the slightest. That "Lightning Release baptism" was simply too stimulating. Once was more than enough; he never wanted to experience it a second time.