With the final sparring match finished, Iruka announced free time.
Everyone visibly relaxed. Students broke off into small groups, preparing themselves mentally for tomorrow's graduation exam.
Sakura and Ino hurried over to Sasuke, their voices careful—almost overly gentle—as they tried to comfort him.
"Sasuke-kun, don't take it to heart. Naruto was probably just lucky…"
"Yeah! Next time you'll definitely win it back!"
Sasuke's expression only darkened further.
Their comfort was like throwing oil onto a fire—igniting the humiliation and anger he'd been forcing down.
Sasuke knew perfectly well: Naruto hadn't won because of luck.
The Transformation Jutsu earlier.
The impossibly precise shuriken just now.
The way Naruto had evaded his attacks with effortless ease.
And that clean, decisive counterattack at the end—
All of it was real strength.
"Get lost." Sasuke's voice was icy. He didn't even look at them. "Stop bothering me."
Sakura and Ino froze on the spot.
They watched Sasuke walk away without a backward glance, their faces filled with confusion and hurt.
---
On the other side, Iruka stared at Naruto, questions piling up in his mind. He was about to call him over for a talk—when he saw Sasuke step in first, blocking Naruto's path.
Iruka paused.
'Forget it… I still have to take Naruto to clean the paint off the Hokage Monument this afternoon. I'll ask him then.'
Naruto wasn't in a hurry to leave.
He had already expected Sasuke to come.
With Sasuke's pride and sensitivity, there was no way he could accept such an unquestionable defeat—especially when the opponent was someone he'd always dismissed as the "dead last."
Everything Sasuke did right now was for the sake of revenge.
And the moment Naruto defeated him, it felt like all of Sasuke's effort up to now had been declared meaningless.
So Sasuke came over with a tangled storm of emotions, needing to know what was going on.
This had happened in many previous loops too.
Sasuke's voice was cold, but there was hesitation underneath it as he cut straight to the point.
"Hey… Naruto."
Naruto stopped. His gaze was calm as he looked over, as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
"Sasuke, huh. What is it?"
That "I already know" attitude only made Sasuke more furious.
Of course, Sasuke wanted to ask—
Why are you this strong? Tell me how.
But with Sasuke's personality, that was something he simply couldn't bring himself to do.
"Quit acting like you're above it!" Sasuke demanded. "Those moves you used today—who taught you? Or were you hiding your strength the whole time? What's your goal?"
Naruto understood. Sasuke was still trapped in his obsession with revenge. He wouldn't accept this easily.
And no matter what Naruto said now, Sasuke wouldn't truly hear it.
If Naruto wanted Sasuke's acknowledgement, it would take time—and the right moment.
For example: after graduation, when they were assigned to the same team…
On the day of the survival exercise.
So Naruto only replied evenly, "I learned it myself. And it wasn't easy. If you want to be strong, you have to pay the price."
Sasuke clearly wanted to press further.
But Naruto didn't give him the chance.
He turned casually, leaving behind a single line.
"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
With that, Naruto walked off—leaving Sasuke standing there alone, his face twisted with frustration.
...
About a minute later, Naruto stopped in a corner of the field and quietly thought:
What should he do about Sasuke…?
Naruto understood one thing very clearly.
What he did from here on could influence whether Sasuke would—
Join Orochimaru, abandon Konoha, and chase power through desperate shortcuts…
Or remain in the village, study and grow steadily, and one day face Itachi with his classmates and teachers at his side.
To be honest, Naruto hadn't handled things well in his first loop.
After he told Sasuke the truth about Itachi, Sasuke had become wildly unstable.
And when Kakashi-sensei learned about it, he'd warned Naruto with a stern expression not to reveal that information carelessly.
So in later loops, Naruto tried all kinds of ways to keep Sasuke in Konoha—so Sasuke could pursue revenge alongside his comrades.
To make that happen, Naruto needed to stand out now—
And then earn Sasuke's trust during the graduation exercise.
This period was the easiest time to form bonds with Sasuke—build goodwill, build a connection.
If it reached the Chūnin Exams, things would get far more complicated.
Naruto turned to leave the training grounds.
After only a few steps, he noticed Kiba Inuzuka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chōji Akimichi looking his way from not too far off.
But Naruto's eyes drifted past them almost unconsciously—to the other side.
To Hinata Hyūga.
No matter how many loops he'd lived through, she was always there in some quiet corner, watching him silently.
This time, Naruto felt differently than before.
After so many cycles, his stubborn crush on Sakura had long since worn away, fading into a calm acceptance of the past.
And Hinata's quiet, persistent gaze—
Through the lens of countless loops—
Had become clearer and clearer.
Naruto saw Hinata slightly lowering her head. She looked like she'd finally gathered her courage to walk toward him—taking a half-step forward…
Then freezing again, hesitating.
In earlier loops, Naruto either had no time to stop—too anxious about breaking the cycle—
Or he'd dismiss it as a small, forgettable moment.
But now, Orochimaru's words still echoed softly in his mind.
Naruto let out a quiet sigh.
This time, he didn't want to miss it again.
He walked over to her himself, stopped in front of her, and offered a gentle smile.
"Hi, Hinata."
Hinata stiffened instantly.
Her fair face flushed red at a visible speed—even the tips of her ears turned pink.
With Naruto approaching her first, she opened her mouth—
But not a single word came out.
She only stared at him with those pale, pure eyes, like a startled rabbit.
It made Naruto want to laugh… and also made him feel a little helpless.
From experience, Naruto knew that if he stayed any longer, Hinata wouldn't just blush.
She'd probably start steaming—
And faint on the spot.
Naruto didn't want to embarrass her in front of everyone.
So he simply nodded to her, said nothing else, and turned to leave quickly.
After a few steps, he could still feel that dazed gaze on his back.
A subtle feeling rose in his chest—something he'd never felt before.
Right as Naruto was lost in thought—
"Hey! Naruto!"
Kiba's loud voice came from the side.
Naruto snapped back to himself. Kiba had already rushed over, staring at him with open curiosity.
Shikamaru and Chōji followed.
Chōji, chewing potato chips, asked through a mouthful, "Naruto… what were you just saying to Hinata?"
Naruto smiled slightly, answering with the well-practiced tone of someone brushing off questions.
"It's nothing."
Kiba wasn't that easy to dismiss. He slapped Naruto's left shoulder and pressed eagerly.
"Don't try to slip past it! What's up with you today?!"
"Your Transformation Jutsu got better, your shuriken are insane, and you even beat Sasuke—the top student! Are you really the Naruto I know?"
The more Kiba spoke, the more exaggerated he got—until he grabbed Naruto by the shoulders and started shaking him hard.