Iruka also knew his bad temper.
"Both sides form the Seal of Opposition."
Sakura's expression was complex, her heart filled with trepidation as she looked at the face that had filled her life, and even her dreams; she was somewhat at a loss.
At this moment, Iruka's words suddenly came to her mind.
If you like someone, you should make yourself better to be more worthy of being by his side.
Iruka… was right.
She must give it her all!
Precisely because it was Sasuke, she needed to earn his approval even more!
Thinking of this, she immediately formed the Seal of Opposition and said in a deep voice.
"Sasuke-kun, please guide me!"
Sasuke snorted coldly, not answering.
Iruka gave the command.
"Sparring match, begin!"
Sakura Haruno shouted and immediately charged towards Sasuke, throwing a powerful punch!
However… bang—
Sasuke didn't move from his spot; he merely shifted his body slightly, dodging the punch, then delivered an elbow strike directly to Sakura's back, knocking her to the ground.
This battle, before it even began, was already over.
"Sakura…"
Ino couldn't help but exclaim.
Even though Sakura treated her that way, their friendship of many years couldn't just disappear.
Naruto was also taken aback.
"Sakura-chan…"
However, his thoughts at this moment were no longer primarily about Sakura Haruno herself.
But rather, Sasuke's strength.
That strike just now, though seemingly effortless, actually demonstrated perfect insight, timing, skill, technique, and power.
Though he really didn't want to admit it, but… that bastard Sasuke was indeed impressive!
Naruto also clenched his fists.
Iruka frowned and stepped forward to help Sakura Haruno up.
"Are you alright, Sakura?"
Sakura Haruno was filled with shame and sadness; she shook her head, stood up again, but no longer dared to look at Sasuke's face.
"No, I'm fine…"
"Iruka, I lost…"
Iruka sighed.
"Sasuke wins."
"Form the Seal of Reconciliation!"
But Sakura Haruno had already run off, and Sasuke, conveniently, couldn't be bothered with any Seal of Reconciliation, so he snorted and also walked off the field.
Iruka could only shake his head helplessly.
"The next person to draw lots is…"
"Shikamaru…"
"Shikamaru! Wake up!"
"…Eh?!"
…In this Ninja sparring session, Naruto still stole the biggest spotlight.
His battle with Hinata was truly a spectacular debut, making everyone look at this Diao Che Wei with new eyes.
Even when walking on the road, people's gazes had changed significantly.
Naruto was triumphant, like a proud rooster, strutting with his chest out, walking with big strides.
Suddenly.
"Naruto."
"Hmm? Iruka!"
Naruto was overjoyed: "ano sa, ano sa, Iruka, wasn't my performance today amazing?!"
Iruka couldn't help but smile.
"Yes, very good."
Naruto burst into laughter.
"However…"
"You can't get too arrogant; there's still a long way to go."
Naruto didn't care: "Ah, I know, Iruka!"
"School's already over, why are you still so long-winded…"
"Hmm? What did you say, Naruto?!"
"Ah… nothing, nothing…"
Iruka rubbed his head as a form of punishment.
"Hmm, by the way, Naruto…"
"To celebrate your progress, how about I treat you to Ichiraku Ramen?"
Naruto was stunned for a moment, then immediately cheered.
"Really?"
"That's great!"
"Long live Iruka!"
"However…"
He already understood without even needing to hear the system's warning.
"I have to get there by doing frog jumps with weights."
Iruka: "…"
…Behind them, Ino and Hinata were watching their backs.
"Iruka is really biased towards Naruto, isn't he…"
Ino folded her arms and snorted.
"He's never treated me to any ramen!"
Hinata smiled gently, but then a hint of sadness appeared on her face.
"Because…"
"Naruto is all alone, and besides Iruka, there's no one else who can treat him to ramen…"
Ino's heart trembled, and she sighed, nodding.
"That's true."
"But Hinata, Naruto stole all the thunder today, and you ended up being his stepping stone…"
"But actually, you're also very strong…"
"And, similarly, you're unexpectedly strong, making people feel like you're also hiding your true abilities."
Hinata shook her head indifferently.
"I already did my best."
"Naruto-kun is indeed stronger than me…"
"I'm already very happy with this outcome."
Ino patted her little head.
"Oh, you silly girl."
At this moment, the two of them saw Sakura Haruno walking by silently.
At this moment, she had lost some of her arrogance and irritability, looking dejected like a defeated rooster, seemingly having lost her fighting spirit and strength.
"Sakura…"
Ino reached out and called, but Sakura Haruno didn't respond.
"She was miserably defeated by Sasuke-kun in one move; it seems she took a huge blow…"
Hinata, however, shook her head.
"I, I don't think Sakura is upset because she lost…"
"Sasuke is so strong; it's normal for anyone to lose to him…"
"Hmm, that's true…"
Ino rubbed her chin in confusion.
"Then what do you think it is, little Hinata?"
Hinata said softly.
"Sakura might be upset because Sasuke didn't look at her at all from beginning to end…"
Ino's heart stirred.
So that's it… "But, to be honest, Sasuke-kun doesn't have anyone in his eyes anyway…"
Hinata, however, showed a complex smile.
"No…"
"Sasuke is inexplicably concerned about only one person…"
Ino suddenly understood: "You, you mean…"
"Naruto?!"
Chapter 46: Self-taught Shadow Clone Technique! A true genius! Please give me monthly votes!!!
Ino understood Hinata's words.
She sighed: "So Sasuke only cares about Naruto?"
"Then we are truly failures…"
Hinata secretly chuckled softly.
"Actually, the person Naruto-kun cares about most is also Sasuke."