As if anticipating every move, Sasuke Uchiha dodged Naruto Uzumaki's punches and kicks with precision.
He countered effectively each time.
This level of combat experience clearly showed that Sasuke had received extra training outside the academy.
[Damn it, I can't lose!]
Chu Ran's voice echoed in Naruto's subconscious, igniting a defiant spark in his eyes.
He had waited and worked too hard for this moment.
If he lost this match easily, he'd remain just Naruto Uzumaki, forever in the shadow of Sasuke's brilliance.
Boom!
Naruto's strikes grew fiercer than before.
Sasuke, blocking a punch with his arm, felt a tingling numbness spread through it.
He tried to pull back to create distance, but Naruto's current state unnerved him.
Naruto had abandoned defense entirely, focusing solely on offense.
This aggressive style created a formidable presence in the short term.
Though Sasuke had decent combat experience from training with Itachi Uchiha, it was just that—training.
Faced with this relentless assault in a real spar, he was momentarily at a loss.
Thud!
Naruto channeled his full strength, seizing the moment to press his advantage.
A heavy punch landed squarely on Sasuke's face.
In that instant, some onlookers thought they saw Naruto's blue pupils shift, briefly resembling the slit eyes of a beast.
Sasuke's body flew backward, tumbling across the ground a couple of times.
His swollen cheek left him in disbelief at his defeat.
Clutching his face, he clenched his other fist, his expression dark.
"I won…"
Naruto looked at Sasuke on the ground, a smile spreading across his face.
He began to imagine the crowd chanting his name, praising his strength.
But he didn't notice that the cheers he expected never came.
Instead, the looks from those around him had changed.
Unlike the envy and admiration Sasuke received for his top scores, these gazes held no praise.
They were filled with fear and disgust.
No one admired Naruto's strength for defeating Sasuke.
No one thought his victory proved his effort or skill.
From childhood, their parents had taught them to steer clear of Naruto, branding him a monster, a demon fox.
A powerful monster didn't inspire awe or respect—it only deepened fear.
Naruto saw the disgust and fear in their eyes.
His mind went blank, unable to comprehend why this was happening.
'Why… Why isn't anyone acknowledging me?'
'Why do they all seem scared when I haven't done anything?'
'I won! I beat Sasuke Uchiha!'
Naruto's pupils trembled, the spark in his eyes dimming.
Iruka Umino, watching Naruto's expression, felt a fleeting pang of pity.
For a moment, he thought Naruto looked pathetic, but the feeling passed quickly.
In the original Naruto story, Iruka had paired the underachieving Naruto with the prodigious Sasuke.
It was no coincidence—he knew Naruto couldn't beat Sasuke.
Iruka's intentions were easy to read.
"Naruto Uzumaki wins! Seal of Reconciliation!"
Iruka glanced at Sasuke, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He quickly called for the two to perform the Seal of Reconciliation.
But after forming the seal, Sasuke's gaze toward Naruto had changed.
Before, Naruto was just another classmate, insignificant to him.
Now, without realizing it, Sasuke saw Naruto as a rival.
"Next time, I won't lose."
"You won this time, but I'll win the next."
Sasuke stared at Naruto, his eyes burning with defiance.
Naruto blinked, caught off guard.
He felt that Sasuke was acknowledging him, in a way.
Though it was a declaration of rivalry, hearing those words lifted Naruto's spirits.
[Someone's acknowledged me. My efforts weren't in vain.]
[Even if these people don't accept me, it's fine. At least someone does.]
Chu Ran's voice resonated again, and a smile spread across Naruto's face.
"Next time, I'll still win!"
"Every time after this, I'll win, Sasuke."
Naruto grinned confidently, speaking with certainty.
From now on, he'd grow stronger, becoming so formidable that everyone would acknowledge him—so great he'd become Hokage.
"Hmph."
Sasuke snorted, turning to walk back into the crowd.
Naruto instinctively headed toward Mizuki.
In a class of dozens, Mizuki was the only one he felt comfortable with.
"Nice job, Naruto. Your training's really paid off."
Mizuki praised Naruto generously as he approached.
With Izumi Uchiha rarely leaving the Uchiha clan grounds lately, Naruto had spent much of the past few months training with Mizuki.
Though only a Chunin, Mizuki was skilled enough to teach a Ninja Academy student effectively.
"Yeah, thanks to your training, Mizuki-sensei."
"Sensei, I don't want to lose to Sasuke. Will you keep teaching me?"
Naruto nodded with a smile, speaking candidly.
Only Sasuke and Mizuki had acknowledged him, and he didn't want to disappoint them.
He especially didn't want to lose to Sasuke, the only peer who recognized him—losing might mean losing that acknowledgment.
"Of course, Naruto. You'll only get stronger."
"I guarantee it."
Mizuki smiled, but a cold glint flickered in his narrowed eyes, unnoticed by others.
(End of the Chapter)
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