"Alright, you little brats — tree-climbing training ends here."
Ayato clapped his hands and called toward Naruto and Sasuke, who were still racing up the trunk.
"Gather."
In the distance—
"I'm almost about to beat Sasuke, no way I'm quitting now!"
Filthy from head to toe, Naruto sprinted up the trunk, shooting smug glances at Sasuke.
Sasuke didn't pause either. Running above Naruto, he turned back with a cold snort.
"Idiot. You're nowhere close."
"What are you so smug about!?"
Naruto gritted his teeth and charged harder.
The rivalry was fierce. Neither would stop until victory was decided.
"Naruto. Sasuke."
Ayato's voice suddenly turned icy, echoing across the field.
Both boys froze instantly.
Naruto's face went pale as he remembered past beatings. His feet locked up mid-run.
Sasuke also stiffened.
"Five seconds. That's my patience limit. One second over… and I strip you both and toss you onto the main street."
Ayato smiled — a gentle smile with the aura of a demon behind it.
Naruto and Sasuke shuddered.
Yes, punishment hurt.
But being thrown naked onto Konoha's busiest street?
They would rather die.
And worst of all…
Based on what they knew of Ayato so far —
he absolutely would do it.
They sprinted back to Ayato like their lives depended on it.
By four seconds, they were standing in perfect formation.
"Very obedient." Ayato nodded with satisfaction.
Uzuki Yugao, observing silently, muttered, "Clearly that was a threat…"
Naruto huffed, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Tch— I didn't reach the top, but beating Sasuke's enough!"
Sasuke's brow twitched. He could ignore most of Naruto's nonsense — but this one touched his pride.
"Don't talk nonsense. I obviously climbed higher."
Naruto snapped back, grabbing Sasuke's collar.
"What!? I was higher!"
Sasuke shoved him back. "A dead-last loser surpass me? Dream on."
They glared at each other, refusing to back down.
Sakura intervened angrily.
"Naruto! Let go of Sasuke!"
Naruto turned to Ayato.
"Ayato-sensei! Who climbed higher?"
Sasuke crossed his arms, confident.
"Obviously me."
Ayato stroked his chin and glanced at the tree.
Their markings were nearly identical.
"Hm… hard to say. I'll keep the result to myself."
Naruto exploded.
"What kind of answer is that!? You obviously saw it!"
Ayato smiled. "Where's my honorific?"
SLAP.
Naruto spun through the air like a launched frisbee.
He crashed into the ground, stars in his eyes.
Sakura sighed. "Naruto, you never learn."
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered.
Naruto knelt with a swollen cheek.
"I apologize, Ayato-sensei…"
Just you wait, stupid Ayato-sensei!
When I get strong, I'll totally beat you up!
Ayato glanced at him.
"Planning to teach me a lesson? Wonderful ambition."
Naruto froze.
He read my mind again!?
Ayato clapped his hands.
"Well, the winner doesn't matter. If you want a middle ground…"
Team Seven blinked.
Ayato smiled.
"Let's go eat ramen."
"Ramen!?"
Naruto instantly forgot everything, cheering at full volume.
"Ayato-sensei forever! I want five servings of chashu!"
Sakura groaned.
"That's your idea of a compromise?"
Sasuke's stomach growled. He turned away, cheeks faintly red.
"I… want tomato broth."
Yugao stared at the group like they were aliens.
This is Team Seven?! They're always like this??
Ayato suddenly slung an arm over Yugao's shoulders.
"No problem! Order whatever you want. This beautiful, generous big sister here—"
He patted her shoulder,
"—is treating us all today."
"Eh!?"
Yugao froze. She had only come to deliver a message from the Third Hokage.
How did this become her paying!?
Ayato leaned down and whispered in her ear:
"I remember you once secretly complained about the Third, didn't you? And during our mission last year… when pressure got too heavy, you snuck out at night to calm yourself down. I saw everything."
Yugao trembled, mortified.
H-He heard that?
Saw that??
She had assumed Ayato was asleep when she snuck away to de-stress quietly by herself…
But he had been pretending the entire time!?
Her face inside the mask burned with shame.
"Ayato…!" she hissed.
Ayato ignored her reaction, giving a wicked grin.
"So, you'll treat us, right?"
"I— I'll pay! Just don't say anything!"
Yugao nearly wailed from embarrassment.
Cold-tempered, composed Yugao had never felt this close to crying.
Ayato was the worst.
The absolute worst!
Naruto scratched his head.
"Wow, big sis, you're actually pretty nice!"
Sakura was less innocent. She eyed Ayato and Yugao suspiciously.
Something… felt off.
Yugao tried to return to the original mission.
"Um… regarding the Hokage's message…"
Ayato waved her off.
"He can wait. We'll go after lunch."
"Let's go."
He led Team Seven toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Yugao followed, seething, teeth gritted.
"…I hate that guy."
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