Watching his goddess Sakura glare angrily at Naruto—
Naruto felt like dying on the spot.
Suddenly, as if realizing something, he scrambled to his feet and pointed at Sasuke.
"No—no!"
"Sakura, something's wrong!"
"Sakura, think about it! Sasuke never cared about girls before. He never liked you!"
Yes, Naruto could be rough around the edges, but he wasn't stupid.
He liked Sakura. Sakura didn't like him.
Sakura liked Sasuke.
And Sasuke used to like no one.
The Sasuke now standing before him was clearly different.
…
Sasuke didn't bother examining the Nine-Tails' chakra too closely.
With his invincible start, strength alone wasn't what excited him.
Crushing Naruto's pride and winning the beauty's heart—that was far more interesting.
So without hesitation, Sasuke pulled Sakura's soft body back into his arms and leaned close, brushing his nose lightly against her smooth cheek.
Naruto's blood felt like it was boiling.
His eyes turned red with fury and jealousy, yet he could do nothing.
"Naruto, you're wrong."
"I, Sasuke, have awakened. Why should I spend my youth frowning and drowning in gloom? Enjoying life—that's the true way."
As he spoke, he held Sakura even closer.
In the original story, Sasuke lived only for revenge.
But this Sasuke wasn't the real one.
Revenge meant far less to him.
Right now, enjoying delicious ramen and watching Naruto's heart shatter felt far more satisfying.
"Sasuke…"
At first, Sakura had been unbearably shy.
It was her first relationship, after all.
But with Sasuke's dominant presence beside her, she quickly adapted.
"Sakura!"
"Sasuke!"
"You—you're going too far!"
Naruto was so angry he felt like coughing up blood.
Never in his life had he imagined feeling so small.
He knew he couldn't beat Sasuke.
And whether Sasuke held Sakura's hand or kissed her cheek—
Sakura was willing.
As an outsider, what right did Naruto have to interfere?
His earlier impulse had only earned him Sakura's scolding.
…
He couldn't stay there another second.
Naruto turned to leave.
But Sasuke called out, "Wait."
Sakura frowned. "Naruto was being so rude. Why stop him?"
"Still… he does look pitiful."
"I can forgive his impulse just now. He can have this bowl of ramen."
Sasuke had ordered three bowls out of hunger.
Now he realized one was enough.
Rather than waste it, he might as well give it to Naruto.
After all, Naruto was the protagonist of this world.
His life had already been tragic enough.
Sasuke had no need to deliberately bully him.
As long as Naruto could accept that Sakura was now his girlfriend and stop harboring improper thoughts, Sasuke was willing to remain friends.
Naruto wasn't evil by nature.
Sasuke didn't want to be the one who pushed him into darkness.
"Sasuke… you're too kind."
Sakura felt even more admiration for him.
Naruto, however, was devastated.
Sakura sat there in her red dress, her fair legs visible beneath the fabric.
And resting casually on those legs—
was Sasuke's hand.
Naruto's heart bled.
He had always known Sakura liked Sasuke. That was why he had treated Sasuke as a rival.
In the original story, once Naruto grew stronger, the first person he wanted to defeat was Sasuke.
That obsession had defined his childhood.
He had never given up on Sakura.
He had even promised her he would bring Sasuke back when he became a rogue ninja.
But now—
Like a dream twisted into a nightmare—
Sasuke, once cold as stone, had suddenly accepted Sakura.
And in public, he showed no restraint in claiming her affection.
'Is this really Sasuke?'
For a moment, Naruto doubted it too.
But the arrogance, the pride radiating from Sasuke's bones—
That couldn't be faked.
"I won't eat!"
"You two eat!"
Even though his stomach growled, Naruto still had his pride.
"I ordered too much. It would be a waste to throw it away."
"But Sakura and I are sincere. I'll protect her and give her happiness."
"She never liked you, Naruto. You know that. You've always liked her. Maybe you'll never have her—but liking someone shouldn't mean possessing them."
Sasuke found himself lecturing.
In the original story, Naruto often won people over with words.
Sasuke didn't want to imitate him.
But right now, it had to be said.
Naruto looked too broken.
If he turned dark because of this, that would ruin everything.
"… "
Naruto stared at Sasuke in shock.
In all these years, Sasuke had never spoken so much to him.
"Sometimes… blessing someone from afar is also a kind of love."
"Naruto, if you wish us happiness, that would show your strength too."
This time, Naruto truly heard him.
Something in his chest loosened.
He wasn't bad at heart.
He only wanted acknowledgment.
Seeing Naruto on the verge of tears, Sakura softened as well.
"Go on. Eat. It won't taste good once it's cold."
At last, Naruto accepted.
He sat beside Sasuke and began devouring the ramen.
Whether it was the heat, the spice, or the surge of emotion—
tears dripped into his bowl.
Out of pride, he wiped them away quickly,
making sure Sasuke and Sakura wouldn't see.