After securing Sakura's unwavering devotion, Naruto turned his sights to his next goal—Ino.
Unlike Sakura, who had already admired and followed him willingly, Ino was different. She was strong-willed, confident, and proud. She also had the entire Yamanaka Clan behind her.
Winning her over would require a different approach, one that played on her emotions, her competitiveness… and most importantly, her desire not to be left behind.
Hinata, of course, was already his. She was obsessed with him, and he could claim her whenever he wanted.
But Ino was a challenge, and Naruto enjoyed challenges.
His plan was simple: make her jealous.
He didn't need to force her. No, she would come to him on her own, begging for his attention.
And so, his game began.
------
At school, Naruto allowed Sakura to be a little bolder around him. She clung to his side, whispered in his ear, and leaned in just a little too close when they spoke.
It wasn't anything outright scandalous, but the undercurrent of intimacy was impossible to ignore.
And Ino definitely noticed.
At first, she tried to dismiss it.
It's just training, She told herself. Sakura's probably overacting like always. No big deal.
But then came the conversations.
The ones that were just loud enough for her to overhear.
One afternoon, Naruto and Sakura sat near the open training grounds, speaking in hushed tones.
Ino, standing nearby, tried not to listen—but their words pulled her in like a magnet.
"Narutooo," Sakura purred, tugging playfully at his sleeve, "You're so mean… my legs are still sore from last time!"
Naruto smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. "Hey, I did warn you. You begged for it, didn't you?"
Sakura pouted. "I had to! How else was I supposed to keep up with your private training?"
Naruto chuckled, his tone smooth and teasing. "Well, if you can't handle it, I could go easier on you…"
Sakura gasped, placing a hand on her chest dramatically. "E-Eh?! No way! I want the full experience!"
"That's what I thought," Naruto mused, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
Ino clenched her fists.
What the hell are they talking about?
A slow heat crept up her neck as her mind tried to brush it off—but their tone, their body language, everything felt… off.
It was too familiar. Too secretive.
And the way Sakura giggled after every little comment made Ino's stomach twist.
"Naruto~" Sakura whined, shifting closer. "You barely even praised me yesterday… don't you think I deserve a little reward?"
Naruto glanced at her with a knowing smirk. "Maybe… if you behave today."
Ino felt her eye twitch.
What. The. Hell.
She hated how casual they sounded, how effortlessly they seemed to communicate in their own little world.
Was this what Sakura had been hiding?
She stole a glance at Hinata, who sat nearby, hands neatly folded in her lap. The Hyūga heiress hadn't said a word, but her pale lavender eyes stayed glued to Naruto, absorbing every detail like a devoted disciple.
Unlike Ino, Hinata's expression wasn't irritated—it was infatuated.
And somehow, that only made it worse.
Over the next few days, it only got worse.
Every time Ino turned a corner, she caught Sakura practically glued to Naruto's side, whispering to him with that smug little smirk.
Every training session, she heard Sakura drop hints about their 'special lessons', her voice carrying just enough to make sure Ino heard every word.
And Naruto?
He didn't stop it. He let it happen.
No—he encouraged it.
And the worst part?
Every damn time Ino confronted them about it, they just laughed.
One afternoon, unable to hold back anymore, she crossed her arms and glared at them.
"Okay, seriously—what is with you two?"
Sakura blinked innocently. "Huh? What do you mean, Ino?"
"Don't play dumb!" Ino snapped.
"You—" She pointed at Sakura, then at Naruto "—and you! You've been acting all weird lately. Always together. Always whispering. What's going on?"
Naruto chuckled, tilting his head. "Sounds like you're jealous."
Ino froze.
Sakura gasped, covering her mouth. "Oh my gosh, Ino! Are you jealous?"
"N-No!" Ino huffed, her face burning. "I don't care what you two do!"
Naruto leaned in, lowering his voice just enough to send a shiver down her spine. "Then why does it bother you?"
Ino opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out.
She had no answer.
And that infuriating smirk on Naruto's face told her that he knew it.
Naruto watched Ino's expression shift—annoyance, frustration, uncertainty—and knew she was right where he wanted her.
The seed of jealousy had been planted.
And soon enough… she would come to him.
And she did. Ino did the one thing Naruto had been waiting for.
She confronted him.
After school, Ino caught Naruto alone.
"Alright, spill it." She crossed her arms, looking up at him with narrowed eyes. "What's the deal with you and Sakura? You've been training her, haven't you?"
Naruto leaned back against the tree, watching her with amusement. "And if I have?"
Ino frowned. "That's not fair! Why is she getting special training and not me? What, am I not good enough?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow, hiding his smirk. Hook, line, and sinker.
"You want me to train you?" His voice was smooth, almost teasing.
"Of course I do!" She huffed, then quickly added, "I mean—it's only fair! I'm just as good as Sakura, if not better! You can't just ignore me like this!"
Naruto sighed, shaking his head. "I didn't ignore you, Ino. You never asked me."
Ino faltered. That wasn't entirely wrong… but still!
"W-Well, I'm asking now." She lifted her chin, trying to regain her confidence. "So? Are you gonna train me or not?"
Naruto stared at her for a moment, his piercing gaze making her shift uncomfortably. Then, he smirked.
"Fine. I'll train you."
Ino blinked. That was… easy.
"But…" Naruto leaned closer, his voice dropping into a lower, almost dangerous tone. "My training isn't like the Academy's. It's personal. It's intense. It's not for just anyone."
Ino swallowed. Why did that sound so… enticing?
"I can handle it," She said stubbornly, ignoring the sudden heat in her chest. "I'm not weak, Naruto."
Naruto chuckled. "We'll see about that."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ino standing there, her heart beating just a little too fast.
She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into.
As Naruto walked away, he smirked to himself.
This was only the beginning.
Unlike Sakura, who had willingly devoted herself to him, Ino was still resisting—still clinging to her pride.
But that would change.
Because Naruto didn't just take what he wanted.
He made them give it to him.
And soon, Ino would be just like Sakura—his.
All she needed was a little… training.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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