Naruto stood up, stretching his arms toward the rising sun, his body still humming with the adrenaline of the morning's events. As he gazed at the faint silhouette of Hinata running away, a soft voice escaped his lips."Hinata…"Hinata froze mid-step, turning back with a look of unease and surprise."W-what is it, Naruto-kun?" she stammered, her small hands fidgeting nervously at her sides.Naruto smiled, a bright, sunny smile that radiated sincerity. "Thank you."The simple words struck Hinata like a bolt of lightning. Her face flushed crimson, and she could only nod slightly, almost imperceptibly, before turning and fleeing, heart pounding in a mixture of embarrassment and delight.Naruto's gaze lingered for a moment, wanting to say more, but a new notification interrupted his thoughts.[Host, please start your Chakra Refining Technique training now!][Warning…][Warning…]Naruto blinked, snapping himself out of his emotional haze. The morning sun, the gentle warmth, and Hinata's sudden courage were all overwhelming—but training had to come first. He shook his head, pushing aside lingering thoughts, and sprinted toward the classroom. His mind focused, he prepared to fully immerse himself in the next stage of his education.Sasuke, leaning against a tree nearby, watched the scene unfold with his usual detached air. "Boring," he muttered under his breath. Yet, he couldn't stop his eyes from observing Naruto.The boy's gaze, filled with an unyielding fighting spirit—and a subtle undercurrent of lethal intent—sent a shiver down Sasuke's spine. Even if he claimed otherwise, a part of him wanted to turn and run. Naruto alone, with his stubborn determination, could instill fear in him.No. He told himself firmly, it was impossible to be afraid of Naruto. But deep down, he couldn't deny the truth.The memory of Uchiha Itachi's voice echoed in his mind, haunting and merciless. "My stupid little brother… if you want to avenge our clan and parents, hate me. Be angry. Live in ugliness, run with all your might, and cling to life at all costs."Even though Itachi had been the one Sasuke loathed the most, her words, cold and precise, had left a lasting imprint. The fear, the desire to run, the pressure—it was all ingrained in him. Yet here, facing Naruto, Sasuke's inner struggle intensified. He had no reason to feel threatened—Naruto was not an enemy—but the boy's burning spirit reminded him of all he needed to overcome."Damn it…" Sasuke muttered, grinding his teeth. His fists clenched, knuckles cracking audibly. He had to grow—fast. Strength alone wasn't enough; he needed mental fortitude, strategy, and resilience. Otherwise, Naruto would surpass him, and Itachi's shadow would remain insurmountable.As the crowd gradually dispersed, Choji munched on potato chips, observing everything with a characteristic blend of amusement and contemplation."Shikamaru, what are you thinking?" he asked between bites.Shikamaru yawned, exhaling lazily into the morning air. "Women… truly the most problematic creatures," he muttered. "My mom, Ino, Sakura… even the shy Hinata has a side that's terrifying when provoked. Honestly, this is why I'll probably never find a woman in my life."Choji chuckled, crumbs falling from his mouth. "Don't say that so fast, Shikamaru…"Meanwhile, inside the classroom, Iruka Sensei stepped in, immediately sensing the unusual tension. He frowned, noticing the absence of Sakura and Ino."Hmm? Where are they?" he asked aloud, scanning the room.Hinata lowered her gaze, her fingers nervously twisting together. The guilt in her posture was subtle but palpable. Naruto, however, was entirely focused, his eyes wide and sharp, analyzing every detail, evaluating every possible threat and opportunity. He hadn't even registered Iruka Sensei's words.One girl spoke softly. "Iruka Sensei, Sakura and Ino… had a fight."Iruka's brow furrowed. "Is that all there is to it? Are they serious?""Yes, Sensei," she replied shyly. "It's because of Naruto-kun…"Iruka's eyes widened slightly. Following the crowd's glances, he quickly realized the target of their attention—Hinata, Naruto, Sakura, and Ino. Could this be a love triangle? A battlefield of emotions forming around Naruto?Iruka shook his head slowly. "Well… never mind. I'll talk to them when they return. For now, lesson starts."Naruto snapped back to the present. [Presenter, it's class time. Please enter the state of Knowledge Absorption while maintaining the Chakra Refining Technique, using Divided Attention, and listening carefully.]His heart sank slightly. Doing the Chakra Refining Technique while simultaneously absorbing knowledge was no small feat. Even his earlier attempts at training, balancing physical movement with mental focus, hadn't been this complex.Focus the body… let it refine chakra subconsciously… muscle memory… let the brain handle the lecture…Naruto analyzed the problem quickly. For Knowledge Absorption to work, he needed his brain fully engaged. To use Divided Attention effectively, his body had to operate automatically. In other words, every movement had to rely on his muscle memory.It was not impossible. Many skills and tasks, once mastered, could be performed without conscious thought. Walking and talking simultaneously, performing hand signs, and executing chakra control during combat—all were proof of this principle.Now, Naruto faced a more complex challenge: refining chakra while absorbing knowledge from a lecture. Both tasks required different faculties, but his earlier increase in Divided Attention proficiency gave him the confidence to attempt it.Alright… muscle memory, body on autopilot, brain focused. Let's see if I can do this.He positioned himself, breathing steadily, letting his body assume the correct posture for Chakra Refining Technique. Slowly, he felt the flow of chakra through his body, circulating smoothly, guided by instinct and repetition. At the same time, he listened intently to Iruka Sensei's lecture, words filtering into his mind and registering clearly, almost effortlessly.Minutes passed, and sweat began to bead on Naruto's forehead. His muscles burned from maintaining perfect form, yet his mind absorbed information with increasing clarity. Each passing second strengthened both his chakra control and mental acuity, a perfect synergy forming between body and mind.The classroom remained quiet, students watching in a mix of awe and disbelief. Even Hinata, observing from the side, felt a swell of pride. Naruto's relentless effort, his unyielding spirit, and his ability to balance complex tasks inspired her in a way that words could not capture.Sasuke, lurking at the edge of the room, clenched his jaw. He had to admit—Naruto was growing stronger, faster, and more adaptable than ever before. The boy's sheer determination, coupled with his unorthodox methods, was a force to be reckoned with.Naruto, meanwhile, entered a rhythm. His body moved fluidly, chakra circulating effortlessly, while his mind absorbed lessons on ninjutsu theory, strategies, and the fundamentals of chakra control. It was as if he had become a perpetual motion machine, a fusion of instinct and intellect, learning faster than ever before.By the end of the session, Naruto collapsed lightly on his desk, breath coming in ragged pants. [Chakra Refining Technique proficiency +2, current level: 82][Divided Attention skill increased slightly, current proficiency: 52]A smile tugged at his lips despite exhaustion. The training was grueling, but the sense of achievement was unmatched.Hinata approached cautiously, still flushed from the morning's events. "Naruto-kun… are you… alright?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Naruto looked up, meeting her gaze. "Yeah… thanks to you this morning, Hina. You… really helped me."Her cheeks burned again, and she nodded silently, not trusting her voice. For a shy, timid girl, this small exchange of words and acknowledgment meant the world.Meanwhile, Sasuke's mind was a storm of conflicting thoughts. Naruto's growth, Hinata's courage, and the events of the morning left him unsettled. He needed to train harder, grow faster, and surpass not only Naruto but also the shadow of his own past.As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the young ninja of Konoha carried on with their day. But for Naruto, today had marked a turning point: the fusion of mind, body, and spirit, guided by friendship, courage, and determination. The path ahead would be long and arduous, but he was ready—stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.And beside him, whether shy or quiet, there would always be those who believed in him.---
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