The sound of steel rang out.With a single strike, Naruto sent Sasuke flying again. Dust burst around the Uchiha heir as he hit the ground.
This time, Naruto didn't wait for him to recover.He darted forward, his movements sharp and practiced, then pinned Sasuke with a kick to the chest. Before Sasuke could even blink, a kunai glimmered at his throat.
"You lost again," Naruto said calmly, his tone flat, almost bored.
Sasuke scowled, but the corner of his mouth betrayed the faintest, bitter smile.This had become routine. Everyone watching the sparring field already knew how it would end. No matter how much Sasuke trained, Naruto always stayed one step ahead.
Sure, on paper, they were tied for first place in class rankings. But when it came to real combat—chakra control, reflex, intent—Naruto's superiority was obvious.
No one dared to talk trash about Sasuke's losses anymore.The last kid who tried had to learn that lesson the hard way—by spending a month in the hospital.
Since then, the academy learned two rules:One: Don't mock Sasuke Uchiha.Two: Don't provoke Uzumaki Naruto.
Because even the class clown had teeth now.
In the early days, Naruto used to smile after getting punched, as if pain didn't bother him. That version was gone.The new Naruto didn't hit to vent anger—he hit to teach lessons.And somehow, the lessons stuck.
His strikes weren't even chakra-based. They targeted pressure points—acupuncture zones he'd learned from obscure scrolls. The victims didn't bleed, but they couldn't move properly for three to five days. The med-nin couldn't even find the cause.
When rumors spread that something was "wrong" with Naruto, the Hokage personally shut them down. The Hyūga Clan added quiet pressure of their own.After that, the academy fell silent.
In Konoha, strength was speech.And Naruto's voice had gotten loud.
"I'll win next time," Sasuke said, brushing the dirt off his clothes, eyes gleaming with quiet defiance.
"Sure," Naruto said with an easy grin. "Once you've hit Genin level, maybe."
Sasuke huffed. "It's coming. I can feel it. That barrier—I'm close to breaking through."
Naruto chuckled. "Then keep at it."
He turned, cracking his neck. "Anyway, I'm heading out. Gotta tell the teacher I got lost on the road of life again. Seems to happen every morning."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You really think Iruka-sensei's gonna buy that again?"
Naruto didn't answer—just waved lazily and started walking.
He hadn't been attending classroom lectures much these days. Training grounds felt more honest. His chakra reserves grew naturally, fueled by the Nine-Tails' bloodline and the vitality of the Uzumaki clan.
As for his Spirit Reserves—it was already at 49. The academy's methods couldn't push him any further. No point sitting through theory when real growth waited outside.
"Baka Naruto! Don't pretend you didn't hear me!" Iruka's voice cut across the field.
The man looked exasperated, clipboard in hand.If he had the choice, he'd probably rather be anywhere else.
"It seems like someone's talking…" Naruto said, glancing around innocently. "Weird. Must be the wind. Anyway, see you, Sasuke."
He flicked a hand sign and vanished in a flash of smoke.
"BAKA NARUTO! Don't ignore your teacher!" Iruka's roar echoed through the Academy courtyard, startling a few sparrows from the trees.
By then, Naruto was already gone, wind trailing where he'd stood.