Damn, translating all the chapters is getting tiresome.
Anyway, after the English version, there's the original for anyone who wants to read it in Spanish.
Anyway, look who's putting in extra hours for you guys, I deserve a review, don't you think?
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— Did you hear that?
— Yeah, I didn't think Ino was that brave.
— Well, it's not that surprising. After all, who doesn't like Sasuke?
— But it's one thing to know it and another to admit it.
— It's not like she confessed, right?
— Yeah, but if she's already accepted it, the next step is obvious.
— When do you think…?
Yashin, unaware of Sakura's sudden halt, bumped into her back.
— Hey, stop wasting time.
— D-did you hear that?
— What? That your little friend soaking her panties for the same guy as you? Wasn't that obvious? Why are you surprised now?
— That's not…
With no interest in his sister's complicated thoughts, Yashin stretched out his arms to push her inside the classroom.
He'd already dealt with too much nonsense this morning.
Getting tangled up in yet another one of Sakura's silly schemes wasn't part of his plans.
Especially if that scheme had anything to do with the spoiled brat from the Uchiha clan and his desperate admirers.
Besides, what kind of idiot wouldn't realize she likes the same guy as her friend, when there's practically never a moment when one of them isn't drooling over him?
Most likely, her disappointing sister had always ignored the signs, but now that she'd heard it straight from the horse's mouth, she felt betrayed; even so, none of that had anything to do with Yashin.
After pushing her through the door, the redhead immediately headed toward the unassuming Aburame.
…
— I'm telling you. The potential of these things is immense. By selling them to you for less than a hundred million, I'm the one taking a loss.
— It doesn't matter what you say. I don't have that much money, and the clan can't afford that much either.
— Hmph… nonsense. What a load of rubbish. You should sell all your family's land so you don't miss out on this opportunity. Anyway, instead of wasting time, I'd better show you what it can do.
After watching Aburame and Haruno disappear around the corner of the hallway, Natsuki turned her gaze toward the second-year boy not far from her, who had been watching the redhead with obvious anger.
In a way, it was even comforting to see that someone other than her and her brother could also attract such a level of hatred. As if she took solace in the fact that the world didn't direct its malice solely at them.
Although for Natsuki, the hatred directed at the youngest Haruno must have been more than justified.
That's why she did nothing when the second-year boy stepped forward to chase after his classmate.
Unlike Chōji, Yashin wasn't a helpless lamb. Besides, she didn't want to get involved in matters she clearly didn't understand.
From the fight the day before, it was obvious that the Haruno and the second-year boy had a history. Sticking his nose into such a sinister affair wasn't a good idea.
Even more so for someone in her position.
Besides, he also seemed to have her own problems to deal with.
Feeling the sharp, hostile stares fixed on her from somewhere unknown, Natsuki could only let out a sigh before starting to walk toward a secluded spot on the school grounds.
Natsuki didn't even wonder why the hostility had been following her since that morning.
It made no sense.
Any excuse was good enough to hate demon foxes.
The only difference was that most people didn't act on those negative emotions; however, at school there were always a few kids who were much more impulsive.
…
Not far from that spot, Sarada, who had managed to escape the strange mood that had engulfed her group of friends, wandered aimlessly with her mind in chaos through a desolate section of the school.
The sudden distance between Sakura and Ino was one thing, but the mission Mikoto had given her—to approach Natsuki and try to befriend her—was even harder to tackle.
How to approach that unfriendly girl and why she should do so were things that were beyond her comprehension.
Still, since it was Mikoto-san who had asked her, Sarada knew she had to find a way.
Frustrated, the girl began twirling her hair; however, before she could open her mouth and shout her exasperation, some voices beyond the window caught her attention.
— You realized we were following you, right? I thought your victory over Neji was just luck, but it seems the eldest Demon Fox is more interesting than I thought.
— I don't think I've ever had any trouble with a sixth-year student, let alone a Hyuga. So I don't understand why they're following me now.
Curious, Sarada poked her head out the window to see where the noise was coming from.
Down below, in a secluded corner of the courtyard, a girl with a pair of blonde pigtails was cornered by four students with black hair and pale eyes.
— Of course you haven't had any trouble with us. You're not worthy. But yesterday you beat one of the… lower-ranking members of my clan. He told us you took advantage of him because he'd already fought two matches before, so today we're just helping him out.
— …You're lying.
Whether it was Natsuki or Sarada watching from the window, it was obvious that the older Hyuga was lying. They didn't even need to think about it; all they had to do was listen to his contemptuous tone and see Neji's downcast expression, as docile as a punished puppy standing by his side.
In response to the Uzumaki's statement, the only Hyuga there without the unsightly mark on his forehead let out a long, hearty laugh.
— Accusing others like that… it shouldn't surprise me; after all, you're just an orphan. But still, being called a liar isn't pleasant. Why don't you explain it to him, Neji?
Neji's body trembled slightly, but he said nothing and didn't look up.
— Neji, didn't you hear me?
The boy's voice was soft, yet his eyes foreshadowed the danger behind his words.
Neji clenched his fists and jaw before forcing himself to lift his head to look at Natsuki.
— W-what Tenma-sama says is true.
— You see. Neji himself has confirmed it. Now, why don't you accept the challenge and show us all whether or not you're capable of crushing our clan's genius?
Sarada, unable to bear watching the spectacle any longer, leaped from the second floor down to where the group was gathered.
None of those present were surprised by her sudden arrival.
— I didn't expect one of the curious mice to be from the Uchiha clan.
Before responding to Tenma's provocation, Sarada stepped forward to stand beside Natsuki.
No matter how unlikable her classmate seemed to her, the Uchiha would not under any circumstances allow someone from her class to be bullied right before her eyes.
— I never thought the Hyuga would have such unruly members. I wonder what Hinata or Hanabi would think if they saw what you're doing."
Unlike Neji's barely contained expression and Tenma's growing smile, the other two children, members of the Hyuga's secondary branch, stepped forward with expressionless faces as soon as their leader waved his hand.
— I wouldn't dare guess what Lady Hinata would think about this, but I'm sure Lady Hanabi wouldn't mind; after all, we have a good relationship.
Whether it was Natsuki or Sarada, both of them took a slight step back when they saw them starting to approach.
Although the Hyugas were still academy students, they were both much older than the girls.
No matter how proud or confident they were, they knew they couldn't take them on alone.
— You… are Tenma Hyuga, right? Are you really willing to break the academy's rules by starting a fight with underclassmen?
— Oh, but I haven't moved. Why are you implying that I'm going to break the rules?
— You…
Before Sarada could continue arguing pointlessly with the shameless Hyuga, Natsuki stepped forward.
— Enough. It's fine. I'll fight him.
Although the blonde didn't understand why someone from that clan full of cold and proud people would want to help her, she wasn't willing to accept her help and drag her into her conflict either.
Besides, the Uzumaki had already realized from Tenma's tone and gaze that the problem wasn't with her, but with Neji.
The best thing for everyone was to go along with them and get this over with as quickly as possible.
After all, even if she ran away and reported the Hyuga, she'd most likely end up being the one reprimanded.
It wouldn't be the first time.
However, she hadn't expected his stubborn, bespectacled classmate to be the one to stop her from getting out of that situation.
—No. It doesn't matter who they are. I won't let anyone break the school rules.
Fed up with the constant interruptions, Tenma signaled for everyone to start moving; even the reluctant Neji took a step forward.
Tenma's henchmen were quick to attack. Without hand seals, without warning, the Jūken went straight for each of them, forcing Sarada and Natsuki to separate.
Immediately, both Hyugas pounced on the Uchiha, clearing the area for Neji to face the Uzumaki.
Sarada immediately tried to break out of the encirclement, but whether in speed, technique, or strength, she was completely outmatched.
All she could do was defend herself with basic moves while waiting for an opportunity to counterattack, but a counterattack was nothing more than a chimera in her head.
In her inexperience, she hadn't even realized that every blow she received was sealing her tenketsu.
But even so, she tried to stand her ground against the casual attacks from the branch members.
Meanwhile, Natsuki and Neji were locked in a half-hearted exchange of blows.
They both knew it.
Neither of them wanted to fight.
Yet, because of some brat's whim, they were forced to do so.
However, the show they were putting on couldn't go on forever; whether it was Tenma's patience or Sarada's situation, everything had its limits.
— What's going on, Neji? Weren't you supposed to be the so-called genius of the family branch? What kind of embarrassing spectacle are you putting on?
Taking advantage of the Hyuga's distraction, Natsuki kicked him backward before moving to try to help Sarada.
However, the Hyugas' 360-degree vision wasn't just for show.
Calmly, one of Tenma's subordinates spun around to land a hard blow on the reckless blonde's shoulder.
— Natsuki!
Sarada's scream was silenced the moment it left her lips, yet it was enough to further sour Tenma's mood.
Realizing this, the branch members intensified the ferocity of their attacks.
Sarada finally realized that up until now, they had only been toying with her.
A couple of exchanges were enough to bring her to her knees on the ground.
Her body felt heavy, and her chakra seemed like stagnant water.
She finally understood the impact of every blow she'd taken, but it was already too late.
— I'm disappointed.
Tenma's apathetic voice made Neji shudder.
Natsuki, still recovering from the blow she'd taken, looked at him strangely, confused as to why he was so apprehensive.
— Or are you holding back? I remember your performances in the clan were much better than this. Tell me, Neji, do you need me to give you a little motivation?
The veins around Neji's eyes bulged.
He didn't know where to strike.
He didn't know how to prepare for the pain that was surely about to befall him.
His Byakugan, despite its pale nature, flushed red at the edges.
Even the mark on his forehead seemed to begin to boil.
But before anything could actually happen, a child's pitiful cry followed by unrestrained laughter drew everyone's attention.
*****
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A new chapter every three days.
Below is the original chapter in Spanish.