"A man is innocent, but he is guilty of possessing a treasure."
Itsuki muttered to himself, "I don't know what just happened… but my strength suddenly increased, and there's a risk of losing control."
"This must not be known to anyone else! Otherwise, everyone will think I'm a monster, right?"
Having said that, Itsuki restrained his aura and returned to his harmless appearance.
"Hiss…"
The moment he moved, Itsuki couldn't help but gasp.
It hurt like hell!
He had just been beaten dozens of times by that fat boy and his lackeys. His muscles and bones weren't broken, but he could already tell his body was covered in bruises.
Fortunately, he had protected his head—his low-key but handsome face was intact.
I'll definitely find a chance to take revenge later.
[Ino Yamanaka: I told you, Itsuki isn't the scheming type. He's just quick-witted and smart.]
[Haruno Sakura: Are you sure he's not just used to… keeping a low profile?]
[Ino Yamanaka: Why the pause? Did you want to curse? Just say it!]
[Haruno Sakura: Get out!]
[Tenten: Sakura's been shocked three times already. How could she not learn her lesson? Right, Sakura!]
[Haruno Sakura: Tenten-senpai, why are you bullying me too?!]
[Tenten: Haha, sorry, sorry, just joking.]
[Hyuga Hinata: Am… am I safe now?]
[Ino Yamanaka: Hinata, you can't do that. Don't you want to get a buff? The group rules say the more loyal you are to the group leader, the stronger the buff.]
[Hyuga Hinata: Ah… but loyalty doesn't necessarily mean that, right? Just being friends should be enough.]
[Haruno Sakura: Don't bother with her, Hinata. She just wants you to test the waters. Look—she talks, but she doesn't dare act.]
[Ino Yamanaka: Who said that? I'll act right now!]
Before anyone could react, Ino stepped out from the shadows and walked straight toward Itsuki.
This sudden move startled the others.
Tenten's eyes flickered, and she immediately followed, catching up to Ino.
The two girls exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.
Sakura scoffed. She knew exactly why Ino and Tenten had approached Itsuki—because making friends with him clearly came with benefits.
The group rules, the future videos… everything revolved around Itsuki.
Now that the future video's authenticity was confirmed, it was obvious: whoever gained his favor would gain an advantage.
But when Sakura thought about the term "Itsuki Heroine Group," she felt nothing but resistance.
She still intended to quit the System chat group—though not before avenging the electric shocks she had suffered.
As for Hinata, she wanted to join Ino and Tenten, but her timid personality held her back. Charging forward now felt too abrupt, so she retreated with Sakura instead, taking a detour toward the ninja school.
Meanwhile, Itsuki had calmed himself and casually walked out as if nothing had happened.
As he stepped out of the intersection, he bumped directly into Ino and Tenten.
"Huh? Itsuki, what are you doing here?" Ino asked with feigned surprise.
If I hadn't seen her comments in the group, I wouldn't even know she didn't remember my name, Itsuki thought bitterly.
"Oh, Ino-san!" Itsuki put on an embarrassed look. "It's just… I suddenly felt a little urgent."
"…" Ino.
"…" Tenten.
Ino had originally wanted to strike up some casual conversation and get to know him, but Itsuki's words completely shut her down. She didn't know how to continue.
Tenten sighed, grabbed Ino's arm, and pulled her along quickly.
They barely know each other, and she's a girl. If this conversation continues, it'll just get awkward.
Watching their retreating backs, Itsuki smirked.
You little girls think you can play tricks on me? Not happening. Now it's not me chasing them—it's them chasing me. What you can't get will always make you restless… so I'll just let them dangle.
His mood brightened, and even the pain in his body seemed lighter.
Once they were far enough away, Ino cursed under her breath, "Damn, that guy is really…"
Before she could finish, Tenten covered her mouth.
"Do you want to get shocked again?" she whispered.
Ino's face stiffened. She quickly shook her head.
Tenten let her go with a sigh. "I think he did it on purpose."
"What do you mean?" Ino frowned.
"You saw what he went through just now," Tenten explained. "I think he was afraid we'd notice something. So, instead of letting us question him, he made up an awkward excuse to drive us away."
Ino thought about it and grudgingly nodded. "Makes sense… I underestimated him. He used to be a nobody in school, almost invisible. Could he have been hiding his true self on purpose? But why?"
"Who knows?" Tenten patted her arm. "You'll understand after spending more time around him."
"I can't stay for the second half of the video, so I'll leave now. Fill me in later, okay?"
"Sure. But don't tell Wide Forehead about this," Ino warned, waving goodbye.
Tenten chuckled and nodded.
If Sakura ever found out that Ino got shut down by one line from Itsuki and fled, she'd laugh her ass off. But of course, Tenten had no plans to tell her.
By the time Itsuki reached the classroom, the four flowers of Konoha were already there.
The room buzzed with excitement. From today on, everyone would be official ninjas.
Of course, none of them realized yet that two-thirds would be eliminated.
Itsuki's eyes scanned the room until they locked on the boy sitting by the window in the front row.
Uchiha Sasuke.
Early on, just a show-off. Itsuki wasn't particularly interested.
But he knew what was about to happen—the legendary scene.
Sakura leaned toward Sasuke, desperate to please him. Naruto's face twisted with jealousy and frustration.
When Itsuki looked over, Naruto had already jumped onto the table, glaring at Sasuke from just centimeters away.
"Get lost!" Sasuke growled, glaring back.
"Asshole Naruto, what are you doing? Don't you dare bother Sasuke!"
"Sasuke, beat that idiot up!"
The girls shouted angrily, ready to defend their prince.
At that moment, one boy in the front row waved his arms too widely while chatting, accidentally elbowing Naruto's backside. Naruto's body lurched forward.
And in the next instant, the classroom went dead silent.
Naruto and Sasuke… kissed.
Mouth to mouth.
The kind that couldn't be pulled apart.