While Moyu pushed himself toward greater heights, he also dragged those around him upward, sharpening them in his wake. He had sat in silence for nearly half an hour, thoughts tangled, gaze steady yet unfocused. Dwelling too long on such matters would not forge steel—his strength remained the only foundation.
Even so, unease pressed against the edges of his focus. Would Uchiha Sasuke appear at the training grounds tomorrow? Would he come with Naruto—or would the two simply dismiss Moyu as a liar, a man whose words were empty promises, not worth the weight of trust?
He could not know the answer. Everything now rested on the uncertainty of their choice. Yet despite the doubt, his conviction remained unmoved—he believed, with inexplicable certainty, that the two would arrive. Perhaps it was instinct, or perhaps it was the confidence that burned in those who walked with power.
The second day slipped past in the blink of an eye. By midday, the classrooms of the Academy were already filled, but Naruto and Sasuke's minds wandered endlessly. No matter how they tried, their thoughts circled back to yesterday's encounter. The image of Moyu's overwhelming strength replayed without mercy, stoking restlessness within their hearts.
"—Naruto!"
The sharp voice of the instructor tore through the classroom, cracking the haze of distraction. Anger curled in his tone, the patience of a teacher strained past its limits.
Naruto blinked, as if waking from a dream, the sound drowned beneath the whirl of his own thoughts. He hadn't heard a word.
"—Naruto!"
This time the voice bellowed, teeth gritted, reverberating across the room. Students turned, watching the scene unfold.
"W-what?" Naruto stiffened, shivering at the sudden weight of all eyes upon him. His gaze, wide and confused, rose toward the podium.
"What's the matter?"
The teacher's jaw tightened, fury threatening to burst. For the sake of his own image, he swallowed it down, speaking through clenched restraint.
"You fool… you've been drifting off in the middle of lecture. I called your name again and again, yet you ignored me completely. Out! Stand outside!"
"Why?" Naruto's voice cracked with protest, disbelief flooding his face. "I didn't even do anything wrong this time!" The injustice struck deep, his chest tightening with frustration.
"Why? You dare ask why?" The teacher's composure wavered. Though his tone stayed outwardly calm, the vein throbbing in his temple betrayed the effort it took to keep from exploding.
"Out. Now."
"…Fine." Naruto's shoulders slumped, his steps heavy with grievance as he dragged himself toward the door.
Minutes later, the class stirred again. This time Uchiha Sasuke, after a brief exchange with the teacher, was dismissed as well, sent to join Naruto in the hallway.
Naruto burst out laughing, his voice echoing down the corridor. "Hahaha! Look at you—guess I'm not the only one after all!"
"Shut your mouth." Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his tone cutting cold. "You're more embarrassing than I am. What right do you have to mock me?"
"Who said you'd never be punished?" Naruto grinned with mischief. "Seems you're no better off than me."
They glared at each other, sparks threatening to ignite, but underneath it all the truth lingered—their paths, so different in pride and in pain, had begun to converge. Both carried Moyu's shadow in their thoughts, both waited for tomorrow's test, and neither could deny the pull of that expectation.
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