Chapter 12: You Boys Are So Immature
The Next Day – Ninja Academy
"No way… am I seeing things? Isn't Naruto the dead-last? Yesterday his test results were a fail, and now his name is on the enrollment list today."
"I'm confused too. I just asked the teacher—they said there's no mistake. Apparently Naruto's Shadow Clone Technique exam was supervised directly by Iruka-sensei!"
"Huh? Iruka-sensei and Naruto are pretty close… you don't think he covered for him and let him cheat his way through, do you?"
"Now that you mention it… it's not impossible."
"Ugh, gross! I don't want to be in the same class as a cheater."
"Don't worry—I heard we're getting team assignments today. I just hope I don't end up on a squad with him."
"…"
Class hadn't even started yet.
During the break, the classroom was buzzing with noise.
Naruto, who had slept late last night, was the last one to arrive.
He pushed open the classroom door and stepped inside.
Instantly, every student's eyes locked onto him.
They could all feel it—today's Naruto felt completely different!
Normally he would burst in shouting and making a scene to draw attention.
But today he did none of that.
Some sharp-eyed girls were the first to notice the change on his face.
"Huh? Naruto, where did those weird whisker marks on your face go?"
"Oh wow—it's true! And honestly… without those strange marks, if you look closely, Naruto's actually pretty good-looking."
"Holy crap! He's even more handsome than me. Naruto, be honest—were you deliberately making yourself look ugly in front of us before?"
"…"
Ignoring the chatter from the kids,
Naruto walked straight to his seat.
"Hey, Naruto—you're acting super weird today. But quick, take this… if the teacher comes in it'll be too late."
Kiba Inuzuka, sitting nearby, handed him a blackboard eraser.
This was their usual prank:
place the eraser above the door so when the teacher pushed it open, it would fall and hit them on the head.
Teasing teachers had become the boys' daily ritual.
And usually Naruto was the one who took the blame.
They got to enjoy the fun without consequences.
"Immature."
With that single word, Naruto closed his eyes to rest.
He ignored the rest of these barely-pubescent brats.
Huh???
Kiba froze.
Shikamaru froze.
Choji froze.
The entire class froze.
Wasn't pranking the teacher Naruto's favorite daily hobby?
Day after day, year after year—he never got tired of it.
So why today was he suddenly calling them immature?
Hold on—you're the one who used to lead these pranks!!!
"Pfft… hahaha! Naruto's right—you boys really are immature."
A beautiful girl with long yellow hair and slanted bangs covering half her face smiled sweetly.
She was graceful and poised—destined to grow into a stunning beauty.
"Ino, why are you suddenly taking Naruto's side today?"
Sakura asked curiously.
This rival of hers usually looked down on Naruto.
Why the sudden change of heart?
Something fishy was going on!
Yes, Naruto without the weird whisker marks was undeniably handsome.
But Yamanaka Ino—you switched sides way too fast!
Sasuke has real strength, okay?
Being handsome doesn't put food on the table.
"Heh heh… can't I just like him?" Ino crossed her arms and gave a cold smirk.
"Hmph. Do whatever you want." Sakura pouted and huffed unhappily.
"Naruto-kun…"
Remembering yesterday's events,
Hinata's pretty face flushed as she shyly stared at him.
"Naruto, you weren't like this before. If you quit now, what are the rest of us prank members supposed to do?"
Choji panicked.
Losing the core leader of their mischief squad meant the group would fall apart.
That was the last thing he wanted to see.
These little kids are such a hassle.
Naruto didn't reply. Eyes closed, nose to mouth, he sat like an old monk in meditation.
"Naruto, what's wrong with you today? Why'd you suddenly stop doing your job?"
"Yeah—you owe us an explanation!"
"Exactly! If you don't explain, we're not letting you off today…"
Three random bratty boys shouted aggressively.
They were also part of the class prank crew.
But they weren't mad because he stopped pranking.
They were furious because the suddenly handsome Naruto had stolen all the girls' attention!
Imagine: a plain-looking classmate you grew up with,
then overnight he turns into a super hot guy
and all the girls start staring at him.
How could anyone not be jealous?
They spent so much effort trying to impress the girls they liked.
The girls wouldn't even glance at them.
We're all brothers in arms—we're all ugly together.
Then the next day you tell me you were secretly a mega handsome guy all along?!
How is anyone supposed to tolerate that?!
The more they thought about it, the angrier they got, the more cheated they felt.
So they came over to pick a fight with Naruto.
They wanted to teach him:
Being handsome doesn't mean everything!
Real power comes from having the hardest fists!
Naruto completely ignored the three brats' behavior.
He continued meditating with eyes closed.
The three boys—already feeling guilty because the girls they liked were staring at Naruto—finally snapped.
You ignore us when we come to talk to you? Acting all high and mighty?
You're asking for it!!!
"Answer me… you jerk."
A chubby boy who looked like the leader of the trio reached out to grab Naruto's collar and demand answers.
Naruto casually caught his fat wrist.
Then twisted lightly.
Crack—
The sound of breaking bone echoed.
"AHHHH!!"
A pig-slaughtering scream rang through the classroom.
The boy's eyes filled with tears from the pain.
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