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"Since Sasuke said 'whatever,' that means it's fine!" Kiba immediately turned to Naruto with a wide, toothy grin. "In that case, I want in too—let's see how you teach that punk a second lesson!"
Seeing Kiba's trouble-making excitement, Naruto put on a mock-stern face and pointed a finger. "Anyone else is fine, but for you… you have to lend Akamaru to me for the whole morning."
Kiba didn't even hesitate. He simply reached across Hinata and carefully handed the still-dozing Akamaru over the table to Naruto. He knew Naruto too well—the guy was a sucker for dogs and just wanted an excuse to cuddle the pup.
Akamaru was still tiny—small enough for even a child to lift with two hands. The little ball of fluff curled in Naruto's arms, fast asleep and irresistibly cute. Kiba, a massive dog-lover himself, felt nothing but delight seeing his friend enjoy Akamaru's company.
Shino, quietly watching the exchange, adjusted his sunglasses and stated simply, "I'm coming too."
Choji swallowed a mouthful of chips and chimed in, "If it's Naruto's match, Shikamaru and I are definitely showing up."
Still sprawled on the desk, Shikamaru answered without lifting his head, his tone mock-serious. "Hey, Naruto, you'd better go all-out. Win, and we'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen." He paused deliberately, then added unhurriedly, "If you lose… tonight you're cooking us a full spread!"
Of course, that last bit was a bluff. Shikamaru thought to himself: Even if he loses, we'd still drag him off for ramen. Victory calls for celebration; defeat deserves consolation. That's what friends are for.
Right then, Hinata gathered her courage and whispered, loud enough for Naruto alone, "Naruto-kun… c-can Hanabi and I come watch?"
She'd noticed her father treating her far more kindly lately—thanks, she suspected, to Naruto. She wanted a chance to thank him by supporting him.
Naruto grinned. "Of course you can."
Yet, the courteous "Naruto-kun" and the request to bring her sister made several sharp minds in the room twitch. Unlike the carefree Kiba or the chip-focused Choji, Shikamaru slowly straightened, half-turning to meet Shino's shaded gaze in a silent question. Both saw curiosity in the other's eyes. Naruto-kun? Since when did Hinata and Naruto become so… familiar?
At their desks, Ino and Sakura had caught every word. Sakura was merely curious, but Ino's eyes sharpened. She studied the blushing Hinata with unmistakable wariness. Hinata… bringing her little sister? Since when were they so chummy with him? A vague sense of crisis flickered through Ino's heart.
At lunch, Sasuke climbed alone to the rooftop, found Naruto eating with Kiba's group, and curtly provided the coordinates for their afternoon match before leaving without a word.
The moment the three-o'clock bell rang, Naruto and Sasuke rose in perfect sync, shot out of opposite classroom doors, and vanished.
"Well, the stars have left the stage. Let's move," Shikamaru said, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Tell home we're skipping dinner so no one worries."
East of Konoha Village lay a remote, rarely used training ground. Thanks to his superior stamina, Naruto arrived first; he steadied his breathing and surveyed the terrain. Moments later, Sasuke appeared at the edge, breathing hard but eyes sharp.
The instant he stepped into the clearing—no small talk—the two locked eyes and, as one, raised right hands to form the Seal of Confrontation!
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
Sasuke's eyes spun into Twin-Tomoe Sharingan. His hands were a blur of seals as he blasted a roaring orb of flame straight at Naruto. Even as the fireball flew, he chased it with a kunai in hand, ready to strike under the cover of the blaze.
Naruto reacted instantly, side-stepping the fireball a hair before impact. In the same breath, he drew a kunai and parried upward with a sharp clang, catching Sasuke's weapon behind the fiery veil. Blades locked, their gazes clashed mid-air.
Seeing the perfectly symmetrical Twin-Tomoe Sharingan, Naruto felt a spark of surprise. Impressive growth—but until the Mangekyō, the dōjutsu mainly boosts perception. The real leap lies further ahead.
Sasuke pushed the Sharingan to its limit, tracking every micro-movement Naruto made. The heightened sight let him react faster than days before. Yet, when their kunai collided again, his arm went numb under the force.
What strength! Sasuke thought, gritting his teeth.
He had no idea Naruto's physique now far outclassed their peers'. Daily workouts under Might Guy's brutal regimen had forged a rock-solid foundation, and regular medicinal soaks tempered his meridians. After Sandaime's birthday, Naruto had even added fresh weights to his wrists and ankles.
Naruto's power, stamina, and explosive force were no longer on the scale of an Academy student.
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