Chapter 228 - 6

Chapter 6: Because I am Uzumaki Naruto!"Don't worry, as long as you don't hold me back, I won't mind."Naruto turned his head and smiled at Sasuke and Sakura sitting beside him."What did you say, you bastard Naruto?"Sakura clenched her fist, the veins on her forehead throbbing.This guy is clearly a dead last, yet he's putting on airs here, telling others not to hold him back.It would be one thing if it were just her, but Sasukeis a genius with the top grades; it would be a miracle if Naruto didn't hold him back instead!But at the thought of Sasuke, Sakura barely managed to suppress her anger. She stole a glance at the cool youth beside her, wanting to leave a good impression."Tch, dead last."Sasuke rested his chin on his hands and let out a disdainful snort.He was completely unmoved by Naruto's provocative words.He was just a guy who struggled even to pass the exam; it was only natural for him to talk big.Even if this guy's taijutsu had improved a bit, that was all there was to it.His goal had always been to defeat his brother.Everyone else, whether they were dead lasts or fan-girls, were just flowers grown in a greenhouse, not worth his attention at all."Hmm, a love-struck girl and a cool guy living in his own world. Are these my future teammates?"Naruto withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, inwardly sighing at the trouble.Just a few days ago, his companions were Joseph, Jotaro Kujo, Noriaki Kakyoin, Jean Pierre Polnareff, Avdol, and Iggy.Now they had been replaced by two children, both of whom were somewhat unreliable. How could his head not ache?Ignoring the awkward Team 7, Iruka quickly finished reading the team assignments and put away the list. "Your Jonin instructor will come to pick you up this afternoon. Dismissed!"As soon as those words were spoken, the quiet classroom erupted once again.The students gathered with their new teammates and left the classroom one after another, imagining their future lives as Ninjas.Team 7, however, was an exception.The usually hyperactive Naruto was unexpectedly calm. He didn't run over to strike up a conversation with Sakura as she had expected, but instead leaned back leisurely in his chair, lost in thought.Sakura herself kept glancing at Sasuke, wanting to go up and talk to the Campus idol, but she could never muster the courage to take a step.As for Sasuke, he completely ignored the existence of his two teammates, standing up and walking toward the door with his hands in his pockets.It was nearly noon, time to go eat.Seeing Sasuke leave, Sakura stood up as well, but she hesitated, not daring to follow.She gripped the hem of her clothes, her heart filled with conflict.Should she go? She had finally been placed in the same team as the person she liked; she had to seize the opportunity, right?But even if she went over, she might be rejected. After all, her chest and butt couldn't compare to others, and her only notable feature was her wide forehead..."Aren't you going to chase after him?"Naruto's voice rang out abruptly, startling Sakura. "Ah! What are you doing, you bastard Naruto!""It looks like you like Sasuke, don't you? Now that you're in the same team, why not take the chance to confess?" Naruto said, resting his chin on his hand.Teasing a little girl was something one never grew tired of, no matter the age.Her thoughts exposed, Sakura's face flushed red. She stole a quick glance at the slowly departing Sasuke. "But Sa-Sasuke, he...""Sakura, the cutest thing about you is your wide forehead. It makes people want to kiss it."Naruto imitated Sasuke's voice and tone, then broke into a grin. "Maybe if you confess, you'll hear an answer like that.""How could that be possible? That's definitely something that only happens in fairy tales..." Sakura waved her hands hurriedly.Though she said that, the involuntary curl of her lips betrayed her true feelings."If you try, you have at least a fifty percent chance of success. But if you don't, your chances are zero."Naruto's casual bit of inspirational advice struck a chord deep within Sakura.She took a deep breath. "You're right, Naruto. No matter the outcome, I should try at least once."As she spoke, she gave Naruto a rare, heartfelt smile. "I've realized you really are different from before, Naruto.""Oh? What kind of person was I in your heart before?" Naruto became curious."The old you was always ruining things for me and enjoyed teasing me. You didn't understand me at all and were just annoying." Sakura tilted her head slightly, reminiscing.Facing Naruto, she lacked the restraint she felt with Sasuke, speaking her mind without hesitation. "But that's normal. Since you don't have parents, you can do whatever you want. If I acted out, my parents would scold me to death!"While Sakura was talking incessantly, she didn't notice that Sasuke, who had reached the door, also heard her words, his footsteps freezing for a moment."Actually, I'm quite envious of you. Living alone without parents nagging in your ear, you can do whatever you want!""So that was the image I had before?"Naruto rubbed his nose. Instead of getting angry, he thought about his former self with interest.It wasn't just because of his mental resilience, but because while on Earth, Naruto had already experienced the care and warmth of family and companions. He was no longer that boy who craved attention and used pranks to get it."Ah, sorry. I think I went a bit too far." Sakurawasn't a malicious person and immediately realized how hurtful her words were, quickly covering her mouth in embarrassment.Naruto waved it off dismissively and reminded her, "Sasuke is getting away."Hearing this, Sakura cried out. Without another word to Naruto, she bolted out of the classroom.Soon, she caught up to the boy she longed for in the hallway. After catching her breath, she looked at his back nervously. "Sasuke-kun, I... I actually li—""Loneliness, sadness, and pain..."Sakura's words were cut short by Sasuke's blunt interruption. "...are not things someone like you could ever understand.""Sasuke?""You're annoying." Sasuke turned around, the disgust and contempt in his eyes like sharp knives piercing the girl's heart. "Get lost!"..."Hmm♪ Hmm♬ Hmm♩ Hmm~, Hmm?"Naruto hummed a little tune, walking out of the classroom like an old man taking a stroll. After a few steps, he saw the girl leaning against the wall in the hallway, looking despondent.He wasn't surprised at all. After all, Sasukeseemed like a cold, heartless fellow."Confession failed?"Naruto asked casually, not expecting a response.However, Sakura looked up and looked at him seriously. "I'm sorry, Naruto.""Huh?""So this is what it feels like to be hated... I can understand how you felt before now. I should have been kinder to you..."Sakura's eyes were watery, revealing a softness she had never shown to Naruto before.Was the hurt of being rejected that great?Naruto scratched his chin, quite confused by the girl's sudden change.Confusion aside, facing the girl's apology, Narutogave her a thumbs up. "It's fine, because I am Uzumaki Naruto!"