Even Neji could sense the tension in Sasuke's words. As an outsider, he stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do. In this situation, should he leave or stay?
Would leaving seem too deliberate? Well, if he stayed, he'd just pretend not to hear!
"Sasuke, you bastard, what do you mean? You said I was sleeping here, but aren't you the same?"
Naruto was indignant. Clearly, both of them had been sleeping, and it was Sasuke who had softened up first before. Why was he the only one being criticized?
Moreover, he had mastered many kinds of Ninjutsu and could be called a genius. Why did Sasuke still not recognize him?
"I just think you've been over - hyped recently and your strength doesn't match. What would you do if Orochimaru took your comrade to a place you could never find?"
Naruto stared into those pitch - black pupils, unable to read Sasuke's emotions. He didn't understand why Sasuke asked such a question, whether it was out of fear after facing Orochimaru's attack today.
But anyway, if his comrade was taken away by Orochimaru...
"Sasuke, I won't boast about other things, but I'll chase him to the ends of the earth and never give up on this one thing!"
Sasuke frowned tightly. Where did this kid get the nerve to talk big? He was still being crushed by others.
"Humph! Guys like you who don't understand anything only know how to talk big!"
"What!"
Naruto always felt that Sasuke was acting abnormally today. First, he showed unwarranted weakness when facing Orochimaru, and they hadn't even fought.
Moreover, Sasuke didn't seem very scared but bowed his head and softened up first, which was inconsistent with his usual style.
And this nagging at him, although Sasuke nagged him normally, it had never been as bad as today! Naruto always felt a sense of urgency in his words. What on earth was he in a hurry about?
.................
"Naruto, Sasuke, come here for a moment."
"Sakura, what's up?"
"It's about the allocation of the Scrolls left by the others."
Sakura looked at Sasuke and Naruto with a hint of guilt.
"I want to give them to Rock Lee. After all, he was badly injured to save us. Sorry, I didn't discuss it with you beforehand."
"It's okay, Sakura. We can grab more Scrolls. Let's give this one to Rock Lee's group first."
"There's no need for that. I've already collected both the Heavenly and Earthly Scrolls!"
!!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ
"Hey? When did you collect them? How come I didn't see it?"
Naruto carefully recalled the groups they had encountered on the way and realized Sasuke simply hadn't had the time to grab Scrolls from other groups. Where did he get them?
"While you were snoring away, I snatched them from the enemy groups! Just in time, I got a pair of the Heavenly and Earthly Scrolls."
Looking at the pretty - boy with his chin slightly raised and a smug look on his face, Naruto gritted his teeth in anger, wanting to vent but unable to.
"Sakura, you brought the Scrolls. You decide how to allocate them!"
"
"Sasuke..."
.....
"Rock Lee..."
"Thank you, Sakura. Thanks for your kindness, but I can't accept this Scroll. I came here to help out of my own will. Although I wasn't of much use, as a man, I definitely can't take your gift!"
"How could that be? If it weren't for you, Rock Lee..."
"I also disagree!"
Neji crossed his arms. Having just escaped the awkward atmosphere, he immediately spoke up to refuse.
"Sakura, thanks for your kindness, but as Konoha Ninjas, we also have our pride. We definitely can't accept this Scroll!"
Tenten ran over and clasped Sakura's arm, pulling her to the side.
"Sakura, don't mind these boys. They're so full of pride and always arguing over stupid things to save face. Let me tell you, you know~ Neji was the top rookie in the previous year, and Sasuke is the top rookie this year. Neji actually has the idea of secretly vying with Sasuke."
"Ah~ How could that be?"
Sakura turned her head and sneaked a peek at Neji, who looked dead - serious.
"Neji looks so mature. How could he do such a boring thing?"
Tenten smiled helplessly.
"Guys are like this. They'll never admit they're weaker than others. So, thanks for your kindness!"
"I see. Then there's nothing I can do."
"What do you mean there's nothing you can do!"
Ino interrupted. Her burning gaze was fixed firmly on the Scroll in Sakura's hand.
"Ahem! Sakura, did you forget there's someone else you should thank?"
Sakura looked around, raising her head.
"Who? I don't see anyone."
"Me! Me! Just now you said you wanted to give it to Rock Lee because he was so brave in protecting you and got so badly injured. Of course, I didn't want to vie with him for it. Anyway, your group has already gathered all the Scrolls. Why not give it to me~"
"I did have that idea, but I'm afraid Shikamaru and Chōji's pride will be hurt."
"Ah, you're overthinking it. They don't have such things."
"Yeah, Sakura. We just want to obtain the Scroll and leave this godforsaken place as soon as possible! If you have any extra, give it to us!"
Ino took the Scroll from Sakura's hand and let out a sigh of relief.
"Ah, great! Finally, I don't have to be on tenterhooks doing wilderness survival in the forest anymore!"
"Ino, I just asked Naruto and Sasuke. We're planning to head for the target building. Do you want to come with us?"
"Eh? Is that okay?"
"What's wrong with that? Anyway, both our groups have gathered all the Scrolls, and we're from the same village. We can take care of each other on the way and have some company!"
"Ah, great! Thank you, Sakura!"
...................
After parting ways with Neji, Rock Lee and the others, Sasuke and the other six people headed towards the meeting point.
"What's up between those two? Why is the atmosphere so awkward?"
"
"From what I heard, it seems they had an argument on the way!"
"Really? Don't they always get along well? How could they have an argument? Is it all right?"
Sakura watched their backs. Ever since they encountered that strange and powerful enemy last time, they've been in this state. They angrily turned their heads away from each other and ignored each other. She heaved a heavy sigh.
These two kids. How long are they going to keep arguing like this?
..................
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