"Achoo!"
While eating, Sasuke let out a sneeze, drawing puzzled looks from the Ino-Shika-Cho trio and mocking laughter from Naruto.
"Haha! Sasuke, even your body is weak!"
As soon as Naruto finished speaking, he saw Sakura, her face full of concern, hand her own handkerchief to Sasuke. Seeing that, his expression turned completely sour.
Was this... a public display of affection?
Was this for real?
Oh right, Sakura wasn't his girlfriend anyway, so it was fine... like hell it was!
His heart ached so much!
Watching Sakura and Sasuke share that affectionate moment made Naruto feel like all his one-sided love had gone down the drain.
Let this loveless world burn already...
*Whack!*
A powerful "fist of love" landed on Naruto's head.
"Naruto, eat properly! If you want a cute girlfriend, I can introduce you to one!" Hikari couldn't stand watching Naruto's pitiful lovestruck face anymore. He decided it was time to steer things a bit differently.
A girl like Sakura was better left for Sasuke anyway.
Naruto... was definitely a better match with Hinata.
"R-Really? Hikari-senpai... Ahem, never mind, forget it!"
Naruto, who had been about to agree enthusiastically, caught Ino's disdainful glare and instantly deflated.
"Alright, we'll talk about that later. As for you all, stop thinking about romance all the time. At your age, improving your strength should be your top priority, understood?" Hikari said earnestly.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, well-taught by their families, understood as well. Only Sakura and Naruto still didn't quite grasp it.
"Hikari-senpai, we've been training on those rocks, but we can't maintain our balance for long. Maybe your method doesn't really work?" Shikamaru voiced his skepticism.
But to Hikari, this wasn't skepticism—it was a challenge.
"What's the matter, Shikamaru? Can't handle it?"
Considering their current physical condition and skill level, this waterfall training was indeed tough. But Hikari firmly believed that for Naruto and Shikamaru, it was entirely possible.
A man can't just say he can't do it.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes helplessly. He had only wanted to provoke Hikari a little, but ended up getting provoked himself.
What could he say to that?
It was just that he was too young, too thin-skinned.
"Hikari-senpai, I'll definitely do it!" Naruto declared.
For Naruto, Hikari's response was different—not because Naruto was the "main character" of the world, but because Hikari knew how desperately he sought recognition.
As an orphan, Naruto's heart was extremely sensitive.
Until the day he officially earned Konoha's acknowledgment as a true shinobi, he would always yearn for approval.
"I believe in you, Naruto."
"This challenge won't stop you. From now on, your training under this waterfall is to find your body's center of balance. When you can sit calmly without being disturbed by the crashing water, your current stage of training will be complete."
With Hikari's approval, Naruto nodded vigorously. "Got it, Hikari-senpai. I'll give it everything I've got!"
In other areas, Naruto could use Shadow Clones to speed things up, but the waterfall's relentless force would just smash them apart, putting his Shadow Clone cheat on temporary hold.
Still, with the Uzumaki clan's massive chakra reserves and the Nine-Tails' regenerative power, his stamina and endurance were far beyond normal humans.
"Shikamaru, I've got some news for you."
At those words, Shikamaru immediately tensed up. From experience, he knew that whenever Hikari said that, it was never simple.
"Hikari-senpai, is it good news... or bad news?" he asked cautiously, mentally preparing himself for the worst.
Hikari rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then shook his head. "Not sure if it's good or bad. But here it is—the command authority of Team 10 is being transferred... to Ino. So, you know what that means."
Shikamaru: ???
Shikamaru: 'I don't want to know! Hikari-senpai, save me!'
*Slap!*
Ino struck a big-sister pose and smacked Shikamaru on the shoulder. "Don't worry! As the new leader of Team 10, I'll take good care of both of you—especially you, Shikamaru!"
Choji, who had been eating on the side, unusually set down his bowl and chopsticks. He pulled two bags of snacks from his ninja pouch and handed them to Ino. "If that's not enough, I've got more!"
Shikamaru's eyes widened. He never expected that at such a critical moment, the first person to betray him would be Chōji—the honest, dependable Chōji!
'I misjudged you, Chōji... You've betrayed my trust!'
"Good job, Chōji! From now on, you're my second-in-command!" Ino said sweetly, accepting the snacks and assigning him a new title.
When Shikamaru finally recovered, he realized that behind Chōji's round and simple face hid a hint of cunning.
"Um, Ino-sama, I think a crucial role like second-in-command should go to someone like me. I can help you manage the team better, don't you think?" Shikamaru tried one last desperate move to avoid being the lowest-ranked member.
Ino nodded in understanding—but then smiled mischievously. "Don't worry, I've got this under control."
"Team 10 is a harmonious, loving family. We can't play favorites."
Listening to her perfectly diplomatic speech, Shikamaru felt his heart slowly sink to the bottom of the lake in front of him.
"Before, you were always giving us orders, Shikamaru. Now that I'm the leader, it's only fair I share the benefits around, right? So, as my first official command as Team Ten's captain: Chōji is second-in-command, and you're our labor force. Both of us can give you orders. Got it?"
Shikamaru shook his head. "Nah, I don't get it."
Ino tilted her head and gave him a sharp look. "Hm?"
Immediately, Shikamaru bowed his head. "Understood, Ino-sama!"
"Good boy. Don't worry, your captain won't treat you badly!" Ino said cheerfully, patting his shoulder.
Then she noticed Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto staring at them in complete disbelief.
"What? Is it that strange?" she asked playful grin.
Sasuke pretended not to care, maintaining his cool demeanor—but his curious glance betrayed him.
Naruto gave Ino a thumbs-up. "Looking forward to working with you, Team 10's captain! Allow me to introduce myself—I'm Uzumaki Naruto, captain of Team 7!"
"Idiot! Can't you tell they're just messing around?" Sakura punched Naruto again, sending him sprawling.
As he collapsed, she quickly glanced at Sasuke, worried that her violent tendencies might ruin his impression of her.
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