Sasuke shook his head.
"I've been too focused on that Diao Che Wei…"
"However…"
"He's certainly not as weak as everyone imagines…"
"Damn it!"
Sasuke looked at some Ninjutsu scrolls lying quietly on the ground.
"No, I can't stop here."
He gritted his teeth and took out a new scroll.
"A-rank Fire Release: Phoenix Fire Technique, and a C-rank Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique?"
"Although both are C-rank like the Great Fireball Technique, the difficulty is much greater…"
"It's not just about Ninjutsu skill, but also requires a high amount of Chakra…"
Sasuke hesitated for a moment.
Learning more powerful Ninjutsu was, of course, the right thing to do.
But sometimes exceeding one's limits could not only prevent improvement but also harm one's body and hinder one's training.
However, just then.
Suddenly, a night breeze blew past, rustling Sasuke's clothes and hair.
Sasuke suddenly had an ominous premonition.
He looked up in another direction of Konoha Village.
That was where Naruto-kun's house was, where he had been yesterday.
"Naruto-kun…"
"Why do I suddenly have a very bad feeling…"
A warning sign suddenly arose in Sasuke's heart.
"That guy… seems to be getting stronger every day and night, every moment!"
"Hmph."
Sasuke clenched his fists and still opened that scroll.
Fire Release, Phoenix Fire Technique.
Although his Chakra and stamina were completely depleted, Sasuke didn't stop at all. He immediately followed the contents of the scroll, gritted his teeth, and continued his training.
"Naruto-kun, I will definitely fight you again, and then…"
"Completely defeat you and make you submit wholeheartedly!"
Soon, in the dead of night, Sasuke's stubborn voice echoed across the Uchiha compound training ground.
"Fire Release! Phoenix Fire Technique!"
"Damn it…"
"Fire Release! Phoenix Fire Technique!"
…The next day.
Coincidentally, today's class at the Ninja Academy was about Ninja sparring.
Naruto-kun was startled, then overjoyed, and couldn't help but raise his arms and cheer.
"This is great! Hooray!"
Iruka frowned and said, "Naruto-kun, what are you so excited about?"
Naruto-kun looked at Sasuke without hesitation, his fists already clenched with confidence.
"Because…"
"Today, I'm going to properly defeat Sasuke!"
Immediately, everyone was stunned and looked at Sasuke in unison.
Sasuke's expression, however, was as cold as ever.
He had already anticipated Naruto-kun's reaction.
And… he was the same; his fighting spirit had long been ignited, and he was eager to fight!
"Hmph, Diao Che Wei, don't overestimate yourself!"
"What did you say, you bastard Sasuke?!"
Iruka couldn't help but sigh, rubbing his forehead.
"You two, can you please be quiet for a moment?"
Naruto-kun and Sasuke both snorted, turning their heads away at the same time.
Ino was now standing shoulder to shoulder with Hinata.
Since Sakura ignored her, and her apology was irreversible, Ino was helpless.
"They… they really have good chemistry, those two guys…"
Hinata also said with a blush, "Mm…"
Sakura remembered what Iruka had said yesterday and had originally wanted to change her opinion of Naruto-kun, but seeing his arrogant attitude towards Sasuke, she still felt a surge of anger.
How easy was it to change one's disposition?
Iruka coughed and said in a deep voice, "Ninja sparring at the Ninja Academy is, of course, for actual combat, but on another level, it's even more for mutual learning and mutual improvement."
"It's not for you to settle personal scores."
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke, for fairness, Ninja sparring is by random draw. I won't intentionally make you two fight!"
"…Oh."
"Hmph."
Iruka sighed, "Alright, Naruto-kun, you go first and draw."
Naruto-kun walked forward under everyone's curious gaze, fumbling in the lottery box for a while, silently praying in his heart.
"Sasuke, Sasuke… I want Sasuke…"
He finally picked a card, then suddenly raised his hand.
"It's decided! It's him!"
Iruka took it and glanced at it, and his expression suddenly changed!
"This… this is…"
Chapter 43: Husband and Wife Battle! Naruto-kun Amazes Everyone! Shocks the Audience! Please give me your monthly votes!!!
Naruto-kun saw Iruka's expression and couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
"Could it be…"
"Is it really Sasuke?!"
Iruka turned Naruto-kun's draw over and showed it to everyone.
The name on it was… "Hyuga Hinata."
"Ah—"
Naruto-kun and Hinata both gasped at the same time.
Uchiha Sasuke, however, frowned.
Clearly, he too greatly desired this battle with Naruto-kun.
Iruka saw through their thoughts.
"Ahem, Ninja sparring is a form of training; it's not for you to fight!"
"The lottery results are as they are, and they must be followed."
"Now, Naruto-kun, Hinata, prepare to begin!"
Although Naruto-kun was disappointed and helpless, he could only nod and say, "Yes, Iruka."
Hinata's small face was flushed, and she softly responded with her head down.
Ino Yamanaka in the crowd couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Hinata glanced at her, knowing she was making fun of her, and her face grew even redder.
Shikamaru yawned nearby.
Choji, however, secretly ate while asking, "Ino, what are you laughing at?"
Although Ino didn't want to hang out with these two good-for-nothings, the relationship between the three families was so special. Ino–Shika–Chō had long become the three pillar families of Konoha Village.
Because of their fathers' relationship, Ino had been very familiar with these two since childhood.
Ino rolled her eyes at them: "You two wouldn't understand even if I told you!"
"One only knows how to eat, and the other only knows how to sleep."
Choji didn't mind: "Hehe, don't say that. The other day, Sakura wanted to hit Naruto-kun, and Hinata stood in front of Naruto-kun. Everyone saw it."
"Hinata likes Naruto-kun a lot, right?"
Ino was actually surprised.
"Oh? I didn't expect you to have such a delicate side!"
"Much stronger than Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru rubbed his sleepy eyes: "Choji is naturally the type who is rough on the outside but delicate on the inside."
"As for me…"
"I don't understand women, and I don't want to. They're too troublesome…"
Ino shook her head vigorously: "You deserve to be single your whole life."
Shikamaru smiled: "Thank you, thank you. That counts as a blessing to me."
Ino: "…"
She couldn't help but glance at Sakura again, seeing her eyes wide open, not blinking, clearly also very interested in the two.
"Sakura…"
At this moment, Naruto-kun and Hinata had already walked to the center of the field, facing each other.
Iruka said loudly, "Form the Hand Seal of Confrontation. After the sparring, form the Hand Seal of Reconciliation."
Naruto-kun and Hinata both formed the Hand Seal of Confrontation.
"Na, Naruto-kun… please guide me…"
Naruto-kun chuckled: "Hinata, although you've helped me a lot, I won't go easy on you!"
Hinata lowered her head, blushing, but nodded resolutely.
"I… I'm the same…"
"Sparring start!"
With Iruka's command.
The highly anticipated battle instantly erupted.