Naruto pouted, rotating his sore arm, trying to bring it back to life.
At that moment, Uchiha Sasuke walked by, surrounded by admiring classmates. Hands in his pockets, eyes half-closed in indifference, he didn't even glance at Naruto.
"Hmph, bottom of the class… Do you really think that kind of effort will change anything?"
Naruto froze for a second before erupting in anger.
"You bastard, Sasuke! What did you just say?!"
Sasuke only snorted lightly and kept walking, not even sparing him a look.
"Damn it! That annoying Sasuke! If my right arm wasn't useless right now, I'd challenge you to a one-on-one fight!"
"Hiss… ha…"
While Naruto was still fuming, a rapid pounding sound came from behind him. He turned his head and saw Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka racing shoulder-to-shoulder, practically glued together as they fought to get ahead.
"Sakura-chan…"
Naruto's eyes instantly lit up, as if all his pain and fatigue had vanished the moment he saw her.
But—
"Move it, Naruto!"
Sakura shoved him to the ground without hesitation before she and Ino resumed their battle, chasing after Sasuke.
Naruto climbed back to his feet, dusting himself off, and snorted as he watched Sasuke's retreating figure.
"Every single one of them only ever looks at Sasuke… Just wait. When I become Hokage, you'll all look at me differently. Hmph!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch…"
Still rubbing his sore arm and shoulder, Naruto trudged toward the Academy classroom.
Inside, groups of students were laughing and playing.
"Host detected—"
"Alright, alright! I get it!" Naruto cut the system off. "You want me to practice Chakra Refining again, right? I'll start now!"
He had already figured out the system's habits. Without waiting for it to nag, he sat down and began training.
No one paid him any attention, so he might as well use the time to improve.
The Chakra Refining Technique was currently his most proficient skill, and without Kurama's interference, his efficiency was only getting better. With his already high reserves, his Chakra grew steadily.
In fact, he had refined it so often that his body now performed the technique subconsciously—even when his mind wandered.
"To get into the top ten in class within a month…" he sighed. "How is that even possible?"
Naruto knew his limits well. Even with the system's help, the goal seemed impossible.
Still, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Oh, that's right! I can ask someone for tutoring! Aha, why didn't I think of that sooner?"
The first person who came to mind was, of course, Sakura. She wasn't just the top academic student in class—Naruto also adored her. Killing two birds with one stone!
While there was still time before class, Naruto stopped his refining. Seeing no warnings from the system, he relaxed and walked toward Sakura.
"Ano sa, ano sa… Sakura, can I ask you a favor?"
He clasped his hands together pleadingly.
Already annoyed from Sasuke brushing her off, Sakura snapped, "What is it, Naruto?!"
Naruto scratched his head and grinned nervously. "Well, uh… could you help me with tutoring?"
The words stunned not only Sakura but the entire classroom. Everyone turned to look at him, the room falling silent.
Sakura froze too, then quickly convinced herself this was just Naruto trying to get close to her.
"Naruto, stop fooling around! I'll never like you!" she declared impatiently before turning and striding away.
Naruto stood frozen, a cold breeze seeming to pass through him. A paper fluttered from a desk to the floor.
His plan had been perfect—except for one tiny flaw. Sakura Haruno wanted nothing to do with him.
Dejected, Naruto slumped like a beaten rooster and shuffled back to his seat.
Just then—
"Na… Naruto-kun…"
That faint, mosquito-like voice came from behind him.
"Hm? What's wrong, Hinata?"
The short-haired girl with pale eyes stood with her head lowered, her cheeks burning red. Her fingers twitched nervously as she tried to speak.
"Strange girl…" Naruto muttered, about to turn away.
But Hinata finally forced the words out. "Th-that… if… if you really need tutoring… I… I can help you…"
Naruto froze, then spun back around, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"R-really, Hinata?!"
Hinata ducked her head again, blushing furiously, and gave a tiny nod.
"That's amazing!" Naruto grinned. "Thanks, Hinata!"
In his excitement, he grabbed her small hand.
"Ah—!"
Hinata gasped, her entire face scarlet, her body trembling like a steaming kettle.
"Hm? What's wrong, Hinata?"
"N-Naruto-kun…" she whispered, dizzy with embarrassment.
Of course, Naruto had no idea. Even if he failed every subject in class, there was still one area in which he always scored a perfect mark—Hinata's affection for him.
No matter the world, no matter the universe, no matter how things might change… that one truth would never, ever waver.