Chapter 26
A day of training was coming to an end, and for once, Sakura didn't show up to bother Sakyo.
After losing so badly here last time, it seemed Sakura had developed a kind of fear toward this place.
The next day, Sakyo and Naruto got up early as usual—prepared bentos, headed out, ate breakfast, and went to school.
Worth noting: this time when buying breakfast, the previously stubborn vendors didn't refuse to sell to Naruto anymore.
Hmm… probably had something to do with Naruto holding a kunai in his hand.
On the way to school, as expected, they "unexpectedly" ran into Sakura.
The three of them walked together. Sakura kept launching her usual verbal attacks on Sakyo—mostly just obsessive love confessions.
Naruto followed behind the two girls, his eyes glinting with mischief as he watched Sakura and Sakyo.
Sakyo noticed Naruto's gaze. When she turned back, she saw him raise an eyebrow at her…
Sakyo: "…"
Before long, the three arrived at school.
"What's going on today?"
Sakura saw a huge crowd of students and teachers gathered on the field and couldn't help feeling confused.
Sakyo observed more carefully and said, "It's the fifth-years and graduating class."
"No surprise—we're probably included too."
Right after she spoke, the three of them saw Iruka waving at them.
When they reached the main group, Iruka told them to wait first—many classmates hadn't arrived yet.
All around were fifth-year and graduating students—hundreds of them buzzing together. Once everyone showed up, there were probably over two hundred in total.
Naruto didn't spot Hinata and figured she hadn't arrived yet, so he felt a bit bored.
Right now, Sakyo was playing the role of the cool, aloof "Sasuke," so Naruto couldn't openly interact with her in a friendly way in front of everyone.
Watching a swarm of girls buzzing around "Sasuke," Naruto didn't feel envious—instead, he felt a little sorry for her.
Think about it from another angle: if Naruto had a crowd of boys around him wanting to "cross swords" with him, and they even got jealous and fought over silly reasons…
How terrifying would that be!
Soon, everyone arrived.
Naruto slipped through the crowd and snuck up behind Hinata. He suddenly covered her eyes with his hands. "Guess who~"
Hinata's voice came out a little embarrassed. She cautiously reminded him, "Um… Naruto-kun…"
"The Byakugan… can't be blocked…"
Naruto: "…"
After her reminder, Naruto calmly let go.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, the embarrassment belonged to everyone else.
"Haha… hahahaha~~~"
Suddenly, a weird, cackling laugh came from nearby. Naruto looked over.
Ino had one hand over her mouth and the other pointing at Naruto, laughing so hard she couldn't stand straight—like she had some kind of illness.
A big "well" mark popped up on Naruto's forehead. "What's so funny?"
"Right, Hinata? There's nothing funny about it!"
Hinata kept her head down, but the corners of her lips curled up. She tried to hold back her laughter and said, "Y-yes, Naruto-kun~ hehe~~"
Naruto: "…"
Iruka: "Quiet down, everyone!"
With one loud shout from Iruka, the buzzing crowd instantly fell silent.
All the students from both grades turned to look at Iruka.
Iruka announced to everyone:
"This week, the fifth-year and graduating classes will be holding a joint competition with Sunagakure Village. The destination is quite far, so everyone prepare yourselves mentally."
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