"I get it now!" Naruto rubbed his nose confidently, strutted over to the tree, then shut his eyes and formed a hand seal—looking as though he really knew what he was doing.
Sakura and Sasuke exchanged doubtful looks, watching Naruto as if waiting for him to pull off some miracle.
Could it be…?
Could the dead-last really…?
"You guys just wait and see! Climbing a tree is nothing!" Naruto planted one foot on the trunk and sprinted upward.
He took exactly one step.
BAM!
Naruto flipped backward like a ragdoll, crashing heavily onto the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Ow ow ow ow ow—! It hurts! My head!" Naruto rolled around, clutching the back of his skull.
Everyone's mouths twitched.
"Idiot…" Sakura rubbed her forehead, unable to keep watching.
"Super idiot," Sasuke muttered, equally unimpressed. Just a moment ago he thought maybe the dead-last had actually gotten it.
Naruto glared angrily. "You can't even climb up either! What right do you have to mock me!?"
"I'm an Uchiha. Don't lump me in with a loser like you." Hands in pockets, Sasuke walked up to the tree. He placed his foot against the trunk—
—then his face tinted red, and he slowly withdrew it.
…How was he supposed to climb?
If he kept going, he might end up flat on his back just like Naruto.
"Oh? Our great genius pulled his foot back? That's strange," Ayato said with a hand over his mouth, laughing softly. "Pfft… really funny."
Naruto clutched his stomach, roaring with laughter. "HAHAHA! Look at you, Sasuke! You can't do it either!"
"Shut up!" Sasuke barked, fists trembling inside his pockets, head lowered so his hair hid his expression. Even so, everyone could see how red his face was.
Ayato teased, "My my, why's your face so red? Don't be shy."
He really did enjoy watching arrogant geniuses embarrass themselves.
Sakura ignored the boys. She pressed a hand to her chin, thinking back on Ayato's explanation:
Feel your chakra.
Guide it to your feet.
Sakura lowered her gaze to her pale toes, eyes thoughtful, lost in contemplation.
How exactly was she supposed to move her chakra to her soles?
"Training dismissed," Ayato announced. "Until tomorrow, you're free to eat, sleep, or train—whatever you want. Team 7 has a mission tomorrow. But all of you must complete the tree-climbing training within three days."
"YES! Finally I can eat!" Naruto cheered. The moment he heard "dismissed," he tossed training aside and dashed off mentally to eat bowl after bowl of ramen.
He had gone hungry for a whole day.
Sasuke and Sakura also let out a breath; they were worn out.
"Anyone who finishes the training early gets to start the next lesson—and that means learning a very powerful jutsu ahead of the others," Ayato added, dangling the bait.
"A powerful jutsu…?"
Team 7 blinked.
"It's suuuuper powerful," Ayato exaggerated purposely.
He actually hadn't decided what to teach next—but dangling a reward would push them to complete the system's training requirements sooner.
Later on, more master-disciple tasks would come, and he could just combine those with regular training. Perfect.
"Super powerful…?"
Team 7's eyes lit up.
If Ayato-sensei said "super powerful," then it definitely must be.
For Sasuke and Naruto especially, the temptation was enormous.
Sakura wanted to get stronger too, though not with the same burning desperation as Sasuke.
Sakura asked, "Ayato-sensei, where are you going?"
"My pockets are too heavy with money. I'm going to… lighten the load."
Ayato was headed for high-class barbecue and drinks with beautiful big-sister types.
"If the big sisters are happy, I'll be happy. This money will be put to very meaningful use."
"And with that—work hard, kids."
With a flicker, he vanished using Body Flicker.
Naruto stared at the spot where he disappeared and yelled furiously, "YOU JERK! You're spending MY hard-earned money to drink with big sisters!?"
"Pervert teacher," Sakura muttered, pouting.
A teacher using student money to go drinking with women?
What kind of ninja world allowed this?
Probably only Ayato-sensei.
"I'm so hungry… I want ramen." Naruto patted his pockets and froze.
Empty.
He had used all his savings as "tuition."
He couldn't even afford ramen now!
"Idiot. Go slack off if you want. The one who'll obtain real power will be me," Sasuke said coldly. He was starving too, but he didn't plan on resting. He would finish the training all at once and then force Ayato to teach him the next technique.
Power.
He needed power—to avenge his clan.
"Hmph! That smug jerk! Ayato-sensei's super-amazing jutsu will definitely be mine—Naruto Uzumaki's!" Naruto pushed himself to his feet, his sunny smile mixed with determination.
If Sasuke was going to train, he would too.
Even if he was starving, he'd endure it—because he wanted to catch up to Sasuke, and surpass that genius once and for all.
BANG!
A large box dropped onto the ground.
Team 7 stared.
It was an ordinary cardboard box, but on the front was a chibi caricature—clearly of Ayato.
Naruto opened it curiously—and his eyes sparkled.
"THIS IS… INSTANT RAMEN!"
"There's bread too! And—whoa—fresh milk!" His stomach growled loudly; drool dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Sakura glanced at the chibi drawing of Ayato on the box. All her earlier resentment vanished instantly. She curled her lips slightly and muttered, "Ugh, the drawing is so ugly."
Naruto beamed. "Ayato-sensei is the best!"
Just one look at the box was enough to know who sent it.
Sasuke peeked inside, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "There are tomatoes…?"
How did Ayato know he liked tomatoes?
"Hmph."
Hands in pockets, Sasuke turned and walked back to the tree. He closed his eyes, trying to feel the flow of chakra.
He didn't care about food. He only cared about power.
"Sasuke…" Sakura murmured, worried.
Naruto happily dangled a sausage. "Ignore that stuck-up guy. Sakura-chan, let's eat!"
He really was starving.
"Wow—this sausage is delicious!"
"The ramen's ready! I'm digging in!"
"Ah—ah—hot hot hot!"
Naruto slurped loudly and stuffed his cheeks like a chipmunk.
Sasuke's face twitched. He clenched his teeth, trying to focus—
—but the aroma kept drifting over.
Finally his eyes snapped open. He stormed toward the box.
"IDIOT! The tomatoes are MINE."
…So fragrant.
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