Chapter 13
Ninja World #666 – Naruto lay listlessly on his desk.
Up on the podium, Iruka's passionate lecture couldn't even stir Naruto's lazy mood.
"That #007 world was pretty interesting."
Lost in thoughts about other ninja worlds, Naruto suddenly said inwardly, "System, open my status panel."
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Host: Uzumaki Naruto
Bloodline: Uzumaki Bloodline (Activation: 62%)
Chakra Nature: Wind (Mastery)
Overall Rating: 1688
Jutsu: Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, Shadow Clone Technique System Points: 1000
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"I didn't realize I'd gotten this strong without noticing?"
Seeing his overall rating at 1688, Naruto couldn't help feeling a little pleased with himself.
"Ding~ Please remain calm, host. The majority of your rating comes from the Uzumaki bloodline and Wind-Style mastery. Your actual combat experience is essentially zero—you're still not ready to challenge Kage-level… or even quasi-Kage."
Ignoring the system's cold water, Naruto asked, "Ding~ System, system points can be used in the system shop, right? Open the system mall for me."
"Ding~ System mall opened."
A transparent screen visible only to Naruto appeared before his eyes, listing a wide variety of items—even with a handy search function.
Unfortunately, only items from the Naruto world were available. No Devil Fruits, mechs, or anything like that~
Suddenly, Naruto spotted something he desperately needed.
[1,000,000 Ryō]: 100 system points.
"System, if I buy the ryō, will you just dump a million on my desk?"
"Ding~ Yes."
"Then… I'll pass for now."
He was in class. A million ryō falling from the sky would be way too bizarre and suspicious.
Time ticked by. Just as Naruto was dozing off, the morning classes finally ended.
Next came everyone's favorite part—lunch.
…
Konoha Ninja Academy Training Ground. No one usually came here during lunch break.
Naruto, two girls, and one girl pretending to be a boy had come to the field for some peace and quiet.
"Here, Hinata~ These are the meatballs Sakura made. They're pretty good."
Naruto placed a salty meatball in Hinata's bento, then dug into his own food.
Hinata took small, delicate bites, her curious gaze fixed on the training ground.
What exactly… had those two figured out?
Inside the field, Sakyo and Sakura stood facing each other.
Sakyo looked dead serious as she confirmed with Sakura, "Haruno Sakura, I will never be with you. Give up."
The blunt rejection hit Sakura hard.
But as a girl with unbreakable determination, how could she just give up?
Sakura clenched her fists, intent on proving herself. "Sasuke-kun, what kind of girl do you like? I'll change however I can!"
Sakyo narrowed her eyes, irritation clear in her expression.
As a girl herself, Sakyo was quickly reaching her limit with Sakura's "harassment."
A faint smile suddenly curved Sakyo's lips as she teased, "I like strong ones. And you, Haruno Sakura… your theoretical knowledge is barely passable, that's all."
"If you can place in the top two of the upcoming practical combat exercise, I'll seriously consider it."
There's hope!
Though it was slim, Sakura beamed. "Sasuke-kun, it's a deal!"
She was suddenly overflowing with motivation.
Sakyo nodded readily. "Yes, a deal."
"Until then, stop… bothering me so often."
Sakura nodded earnestly, pulled out her bento, and started eating.
She resolved to train seriously from today onward and aim for second place in the class by the end of the semester.
Then Sasuke wouldn't be able to ignore her anymore!
Accept me, Sasuke! That was the will of a girl in love!
Sakura quietly cheered herself on, brimming with confidence.
Sakyo merely huffed and ignored her.
After all, besides herself—Uchiha Sakyo—there was one other powerhouse in the class…
Uzumaki Naruto.
Sakyo knew his strength all too well.
Sakura beating Naruto?
Don't joke—impossible.
In the vast training ground, the few academy students ate in silence.
Naruto suddenly turned to Sakyo and said, "Sa… Sasuke, how's the taste?"
He winked at her as he spoke.
He'd almost called her "little Sakyo" in front of Hinata and Sakura.
Good thing he caught himself.
Sakyo had actually been thinking the bento Naruto prepared was delicious—perfectly suited to her tastes.
But his little stunt annoyed her, and she shot him a glare.
The meaning was clear: Watch it. If I get exposed, you're not getting off easy!
Naruto quickly signaled back: I'll be careful.
While they exchanged looks, Sakura stared dumbfounded at the flirting between "Sasuke" and Naruto, suddenly wondering: Am I the third wheel here?
Since when did Naruto and Sasuke get so close?
"Ding~ System mission issued: Achieve first place in the upcoming practical combat exercise.
Reward: Uzumaki Bloodline +50% activation."
Hearing the system, Naruto asked in confusion, "System, I'm already at 62%. If you give me another 50%, won't that make 112%?"
"Ding~ Note: Excess activation will be converted at the rate of [1% Uzumaki Bloodline activation] = [300 system points]."
"Hm, that's pretty reasonable."
Putting the system aside for now, Naruto turned his gaze to Sakyo as she ate.
Her delicate face showed no emotion—just cold, mechanical bites.
Noticing his stare, Sakyo glanced at him. "Something wrong?"
Naruto suddenly declared, "For today's practical exercise, I'm borrowing first place."
Sakyo: "?"
Sakura: "???"
The words shocked Sakura.
She reached out and felt Naruto's forehead. "Naruto, you don't have a fever, do you? Why are you talking nonsense?"
Even Hinata looked at him in surprise.
Clearly, Naruto's statement seemed absurd.
Everyone acknowledged Sakyo's strength.
In the entire grade, no one could beat her!
Uchiha Sakyo's first-place ranking in practical exercises was practically set in stone.
But now, Sakyo's eyes lit up with battle intent, as if Naruto had truly provoked her. "Very well. I accept your challenge!"