# Chapter 38: Special Training
Rubik didn't return to the arena. He later learned the results of the selection matches from Team 7, who had come back.
Sasuke, due to the curse mark being sealed, was able to display his true abilities and won quite easily.
Naruto was the same as always—extremely unpredictable. He faced off against Kiba and wanted to end the battle impressively with a Rasengan, but at the crucial moment couldn't pull it off and nearly got countered. He ended up finishing the fight with a fart, leaving all the spectators torn between laughter and tears.
Sakura, just like in the original timeline, fought Ino to a draw.
Because of his own warning to Gai, Rock Lee avoided the fate of being crippled by Gaara, but it seemed he still suffered quite a blow. Hopefully he'd be able to pull himself together soon.
...
Inside Konoha's Yakiniku Q restaurant, the place was bustling with noise, mixed with the sizzling sounds of grilled meat and rich aromas.
Kakashi's Team 7, Jiraiya, and Rubik sat around a table—this was meant to celebrate Naruto and Sasuke passing the Forest of Death trial and successfully advancing to the third exam's selection matches.
"Cheers!" Naruto raised a glass of juice—Jiraiya had wanted to drink alcohol but was jointly suppressed by Kakashi and Rubik—and shouted excitedly, his face radiating pure joy. Sakura also raised her glass with a smile, though she looked worriedly at Sasuke beside her.
Kakashi put down his chopsticks, his one visible eye gazing at Sasuke with a lazy but slightly concerned look:
"Sasuke, that thing on your neck... how does it feel?"
He was referring to the Curse Mark of Heaven.
Sasuke was silently eating his grilled meat. At these words, he paused, raising his hand to lightly touch the area on his neck covered with sealing symbols. He could still feel a trace of cold throbbing there, but compared to the initial soul-tearing pain, it was much more subdued.
"Thanks to Rubik-san's sealing technique,"
His voice was calm, but his tone carried a barely perceptible hint of gratitude:
"It's temporarily suppressed. Nothing serious."
Despite his words, the lingering shadow deep in his eyes couldn't escape everyone's notice.
Sakura looked worriedly at Sasuke's profile, wanting to say something but hesitating.
"Pervy Sage! Look, look!"
Naruto was completely oblivious to the subtle atmosphere, excitedly gesturing at Jiraiya:
"I've already learned the Rasengan! In the Forest of Death, I used it to drive away a giant snake! Impressive, right?"
"Heh, bragging isn't a good habit. I saw what happened, you know—you couldn't pull it off during the selection match, right? How embarrassing!"
Jiraiya laughed heartily and patted Naruto's head.
"Ahh!!! Why does Pervy Sage know about that?!"
"Don't underestimate my intelligence network! You've still got a lot of practice to do, kid! (As the Third Hokage said)"
...
"Tch!"
Naruto's boastful words pierced Sasuke's heart like needles.
In the Forest of Death, when facing a terrifying existence like Orochimaru, it was Naruto—this guy he'd always considered the dead-last—who exploded with power at the most critical moment, using the high-level jutsu Rasengan that he himself had never been able to master, protecting everyone...
And he had been utterly helpless before Orochimaru, even having a curse mark planted on him. He clenched his fists, knuckles turning white. He had also learned Chidori from Kakashi-sensei ahead of time, but with such short training time, fully controlling the shape transformation of lightning-natured chakra was far from easy—he still couldn't successfully execute it.
Naruto's progress was like a mirror, reflecting his own weakness.
Rubik took in Sasuke's reaction completely. The boy's furrowed brow, the complex emotions churning in his eyes, and his extreme thirst for power.
He picked up his teacup and took a sip, the corner of his mouth curving into a knowing smile tinged with mischief.
'It's time,' Rubik thought to himself.
He set down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, his gaze directed at the silent Sasuke. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly cut through Naruto's noise and Jiraiya's laughter:
"Hey, Sasuke."
Sasuke looked up at the sound, his dark eyes questioning as they turned toward Rubik.
Rubik grinned, showing two rows of white teeth, his smile carrying an inscrutable meaning:
"When Kakashi trains you... you wouldn't mind if I joined in, would you?"
Sasuke's pupils dilated instantly, and the usual cold mask on his face showed obvious cracks. First came disbelief, then upon processing it, great joy. He even forgot to conceal his emotions, blurting out:
"Really?!"
His voice carried a tremor he himself hadn't noticed. He'd witnessed Rubik's strength in the Forest of Death—if he could receive his guidance...
This was definitely an excellent opportunity to increase his strength and get revenge on that man!
"What?!"
Naruto immediately exploded, forgetting about showing off the Rasengan, jumping up like a child.
"Rubik-san! That's not fair! Why only teach Sasuke and not me? I want special training with you too! I've already learned the Rasengan that Pervy Sage taught me!"
He glared at Rubik indignantly, then shot Sasuke an unhappy glance.
Rubik didn't answer Naruto directly. Instead, he raised his hand and pointed with his index finger toward the sealed curse mark on Sasuke's neck. His expression became serious and grave:
"Because of this."
Naruto followed Rubik's finger and saw the black mark on Sasuke's neck—bound by sealing symbols yet still emanating an ominous aura. All his complaints instantly caught in his throat.
Though usually carefree and constantly bickering and fighting with Sasuke, deep down, he valued this stubborn companion more than anyone. The sight of Sasuke collapsing in pain in the Forest of Death still haunted him.
"Oh..."
Naruto deflated like a punctured balloon, sitting down listlessly, scratching his bright golden hair and muttering quietly,
"Well... alright then. That bastard Sasuke really does need someone watching him..."
He awkwardly turned his head, pretending to focus intently on the sizzling meat on the grill, but the worry in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
With Rubik-san—this ridiculously strong guy—watching over Sasuke, Naruto felt genuinely relieved. He could focus on training with Pervy Sage, becoming stronger—strong enough to protect everyone!
Jiraiya observed all this, a pleased smile flashing in his eyes. He reached out and heavily patted Naruto's shoulder, his voice booming:
"Idiot apprentice! Your master is one of the legendary Sannin! More than enough to teach you! And..."
He leaned closer to Naruto, lowering his voice with a mischievous smile:
"Following me, you'll get special 'research training'! I guarantee your strength will advance by leaps and bounds—you'll make that Sasuke kid's jaw drop!"
When Naruto heard "advance by leaps and bounds" and "make Sasuke's jaw drop," his eyes immediately lit up again, temporarily pushing aside his disappointment:
"Really? Pervy Sage! You better not be lying!"
"Of course!" Jiraiya thumped his chest in assurance.
Kakashi watched this scene, his visible eye curving into a crescent:
"Ara ara, looks like everyone's going to be busy for the next month."
He looked at Rubik.
"I'll leave Sasuke in your hands then, Rubik-san."
Rubik nodded casually, his gaze returning to Sasuke. The joy and desire in the boy's eyes hadn't faded—he was staring at him intently.
"Don't get happy too soon,"
Rubik's lips curved into a challenging smile.
"My training methods won't be as 'gentle' as Kakashi's. Better prepare yourself."
Sasuke met Rubik's gaze without flinching, the fighting spirit in his eyes burning even brighter:
"I wouldn't have it any other way!"
The celebratory barbecue feast ended with everyone in different moods and plans for the upcoming special training. The streets of Konoha at night were lit with scattered lights.
Sasuke didn't go straight home. Instead, he came alone to Team 7's training ground. He stood in the clearing, looking up at the bright moon in the night sky, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the curse mark on his neck.
He slowly raised his hand. Lightning flickered faintly in his palm, emitting scattered crackling sounds. Blue electric light flickered on and off in the darkness.
Rubik emerged from the shadows nearby.
"Sasuke, there's a technique I want to teach you..."
...
A month passed just like that, and the final round of the Chunin Exam was about to begin.