"Naruto-kun, con-congratulations..."
Her eyes sparkled with brilliant light.
Although Ino was shocked, she felt a sense of satisfaction after glancing at Hinata.
While she didn't want to see Sasuke lose, seeing Naruto win was another kind of perfect ending... at least for Naruto and Hinata.
As for everyone else... she involuntarily looked towards Sakura Haruno.
At this moment, Sakura was still immersed in shock and surprise, unable to extricate herself, even forgetting to help and look after Sasuke. It was Iruka-sensei who went to check on Sasuke's condition.
"How can this be? Sasuke-kun actually lost..."
"And to that guy, Naruto?!"
Sakura's reaction actually represented the thoughts of most people.
But Iruka-sensei calmed Naruto's emotions and solemnly announced the final result.
"The winner is..."
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
Immediately, Naruto beamed with joy, cheering and leaping around, even running continuously around the entire training ground. The Chakra and stamina he had just expended seemed to have recovered quite a bit... However, Sasuke felt as if he had fallen into the abyss of hell.
The expression on his face was terrifying.
Although his Sharingan was already closed, his eyes were still blood-red, burning with the furious flames of unwillingness and despair!
"Naruto!"
Iruka-sensei quickly said, "The victor has been decided. Please, both of you, form the Reconciliation Seal!"
However, Sasuke had already roared and fled without looking back.
Iruka-sensei reached out his arm as if to dissuade him.
But then he pulled it back.
He understood that with Sasuke's proud and aloof personality, losing to Naruto in front of everyone would naturally be difficult for him to accept for a while. Letting him vent and be alone was the best approach.
He sighed and continued with the next round of Ninja sparring.
Of course, under the brilliance of Naruto and Sasuke, any other group's battle seemed as childish and ridiculous as children playing house.
Soon, the entire final assessment came to a complete close.
Iruka-sensei said, "The final score is a total evaluation combining three assessments."
"The results will be out tomorrow."
"That's all for today..."
Hearing his words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing and dispersing in groups of three or five.
Naruto, however, sought out Iruka-sensei.
"ano sa, ano sa..."
"Iruka-sensei, I'm sure I'll be in the top ten this time, right?!"
He widened his eyes, which were bright and full of anticipation as he looked at Iruka-sensei.
"I won't know until the results are out."
Seeing Naruto's somewhat dejected expression.
Iruka-sensei smiled slightly and patted Naruto's head.
"However, I believe there won't be any problems!"
Naruto then became overjoyed: "That's great!"
"So many days of hard work have finally paid off!"
"And I won't have to be..."
At this point, he couldn't finish the second half of his sentence.
Although Iruka-sensei was curious, he didn't press for details.
He glanced at the distant figures of the dispersing crowd and sighed.
"Naruto, do you want to go and have a good talk with Sasuke?"
"With Sasuke?"
"Yes, I'm very happy for you that you were able to defeat him, but..."
"That guy Sasuke is probably deeply shaken. I'm just afraid he'll become mired in it and unable to recover..."
Naruto listened, half understanding.
But he still shook his head.
"Iruka-sensei, I know what you want to say, but me going to comfort that guy Sasuke would probably be the worst outcome..."
"He'll only get angrier when he sees me, right?"
Iruka-sensei's heart stirred. Given Sasuke's temper, that was indeed true... Not only was he defeated by Naruto, but he would also be pitied and comforted by him... He'd probably explode directly?!
"Ah, you're right..."
"Then I'll go talk to him."
Iruka-sensei changed his expression: "By the way, Naruto, what's your mood now that you've finally defeated Sasuke?"
Naruto wasn't shy at all.
"Of course, I'm happy!"
"It's practically the best day of my life!"
Iruka-sensei smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Even so, that guy Sasuke will definitely try to get his revenge, so don't let your guard down!"
Naruto nodded: "I know!"
"That bastard Sasuke and I, neither of us will concede. Now that he's lost, he's definitely going to fight with all his might, so I need to work even harder!"
"Besides, I don't just have Sasuke as a goal now, there's also that bastard Hyuga Neji!"
Iruka-sensei's heart stirred.
"Hyuga Neji?"
"Indeed, he was a top student in the previous class. In terms of current strength, he should indeed be above Sasuke..."
"In any case, it's good that you have goals, but don't let it truly turn you into enemies. After all, everyone is a comrade from Konoha Village..."
Naruto clenched his fists: "I know, Iruka-sensei!"
"Precisely because they are comrades from the same village, those muddle-headed bastards need to be woken up by my own hands!"
Iruka-sensei smiled.
"Alright, I need to go grade papers now, and I also need to find time to talk to Sasuke..."
"Bye-bye, Iruka-sensei!"
Naruto grinned and also prepared to go home to continue his training.
At this moment, all the teachers and students at the Ninja Academy looked at Naruto with completely different eyes.
The Diao Che Wei who was once there had suddenly risen, making a name for himself!
He had even defeated Uchiha Sasuke!
Now, no one dared to underestimate Naruto.
Just then.
"Naruto!"
A vibrant voice called from behind.
Naruto turned to look, and it was Rock Lee.
"Lee! How did you do on your test?!"
Rock Lee dashed forward, scratched his head, and smiled: "Hahaha, so-so!"
"I'm not very good at cultural classes, and Ninjutsu is even worse..."
"Only in Ninja sparring did I win, but unfortunately, I didn't get to fight Neji..."
"My overall score will probably still be at the bottom..."
"What about you, Naruto?"
Naruto smiled triumphantly: "Hehe, I'm not a Diao Che Wei anymore!"
"I should be able to steadily get into the top ten!"
Rock Lee couldn't help but admire him: "Naruto, you're really amazing..."
"You were a Diao Che Wei just like me not long ago, but your progress has been too fast in such a short time!"
"Is this the ultimate essence of youth?!"
Naruto didn't know what the ultimate essence of youth was, but it sounded pretty good.
"Oh! I guess so!"
Just then, that familiar yet unfamiliar figure appeared before them again.
It was Hyuga Neji.
"Hmph, how much ability do those who constantly shout about youth truly possess?"
"Are they only strong in words?"
Naruto got angry at the sight of Neji, and hearing his cold sarcasm made him furious.
"You bastard Hyuga Neji, what did you say?!"
"Want to fight?!"
Just then, another gentle and timid voice came.
"Na-Naruto-kun..."
"And... Neji-nii?!"
Chapter 72: Neji and Hinata! We are all caged birds! Please give me your monthly votes!!!
This voice, without a doubt, belonged to Hinata.
She and Ino were about to go home together when they heard Naruto and Neji arguing and couldn't help but call out.
After all, both of these people were closely related to her.
"Wh-what are you two doing..."
In Hinata's eyes, Naruto was fuming, ready to roll up his sleeves and start a fight.
And Hyuga Neji remained cold and gloomy, looking at him with disdain.
Without a doubt, a big battle was imminent.
Naruto glanced at her: "Hinata?"
"This bastard is always provoking us!"
"And, it's not just me, he... he even included you..."