Since the last encounter with Uchiha Tobirama, Naruto had avoided excessive contact with the Uchiha clan, except for Sasuke. There was no choice—they were classmates and desk mates, so ignoring each other was impossible.
Unlike the typical brooding, cold, and angsty Uchiha Sasuke who hadn't experienced a clan massacre, this Sasuke always sought attention from Naruto, whether there was a reason or not. Perhaps it was because he was too popular with girls, and Naruto's indifference frustrated him.
At the Ninja Academy, students often practiced taijutsu on the training grounds to improve their combat skills.
"Ah! Sasuke!"
Amidst the girls' screams, Naruto mercilessly turned Sasuke's handsome face into a pig's, hands on hips, foot pressing down on the defiant Sasuke's backside.
"Still glaring at me? Tell me, do you admit defeat?"
Hmm… this butt is pretty bouncy. Little Sasuke, you've got talent for being a gay icon! Naruto thought with a mischievous grin.
Whether in chakra control or taijutsu, Naruto far surpassed Sasuke, who hadn't awakened his Sharingan. This meant Sasuke was often on the receiving end of Naruto's attacks, especially under the confusion of Naruto's bizarre transformation jutsu.
No one knew how Naruto had mastered the hand seals for transformation jutsu so flawlessly, releasing it almost instantly. To become her favorite anime characters, Naruto had practiced tirelessly in front of the Nine-Tails. Coupled with her Uzumaki bloodline, her monstrous chakra reserves allowed her to use transformation jutsu repeatedly in combat with ease.
She never had to worry about running out of chakra—could ordinary ninjas even comprehend that? A white-haired ninja, often low on chakra, watched Naruto and Sasuke fight and sighed enviously from under a tree.
"That kid's chakra reserves are astonishing."
"Ah! Naruto! Get your foot off Sasuke!"
The girls, furious at seeing their crush bullied, threw stones at Naruto.
"Naruto!"
Hyuuga Hinata was one of the few girls who didn't throw stones. Seeing so many rocks aimed at Naruto, she grew worried.
Naruto quickly formed hand seals, transforming into a squirrel and nimbly dodging all the stones before landing gracefully and reverting to her original form.
"Naruto, that was amazing!"
Hinata, whose eyes had been fixed on Naruto, watched her dodge the stones in such a quirky yet cool way. A blush crept onto her fair face.
After being treated by the school's medical ninja, Sasuke's pig-like face finally returned to normal. The defiant Uchiha intercepted Naruto after school.
"Stop! Uzumaki Naruto! I challenge you!"
Does Sasuke not have enough beatings? After being turned into a pig today, he's coming back for more? Did I hit him so hard his brain got damaged early?
If Itachi, the brother-obsessed, found out, he'd probably skin me alive. Damn, I need to run!
Naruto slapped away Sasuke's pointing finger, sidestepped him, and continued walking. "Sorry, I'm hungry and rushing home to eat."
Minutes later, at Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto stared at the expensive bowl of seafood ramen, her heart sinking.
What the hell! My monthly allowance isn't even enough for a few bowls of this ramen, and Sasuke's treating me just to get beaten up?
Naruto sniffed, holding back tears of gratitude, and inhaled the ramen's aroma deeply. This was her first time eating Ichiraku's high-end seafood ramen!
At this thought, Naruto couldn't help but shed tears of poverty.
"Hurry up and eat! Don't forget our deal afterward!" Sasuke, thinking Naruto was stalling, urged her to eat faster.
How could Sasuke know that Konoha's allowance for Naruto couldn't even cover seafood ramen?
Naruto was genuinely poor. She wondered if her idiot father's inheritance had been embezzled by Konoha. Whenever she thought about it, she'd complain to the Nine-Tails, her heart aching.
Each time Naruto griped about money, the Nine-Tails, who had never understood the concept of currency, wore a pained expression, pretending to listen.
After happily finishing the ramen—even slurping up the broth—Naruto burped contentedly. If only Sasuke weren't glaring at her with resentment, it would've been perfect.
On an empty lakeside field, Naruto waved at Sasuke across from her.
"Come on!"
"Bring it on!"
Sasuke charged at Naruto, shouting.
Calculating the distance, Naruto slightly lifted her foot as Sasuke stepped into a trap. A rope suddenly sprang from the ground, tripping him.
Poor Sasuke face-planted into the dirt, and Naruto stifled a laugh, covering her mouth.
"You! That's cheating!"
Sasuke got up, saw the rope that tripped him, and his face turned bright red with anger.
"A ninja can never let their guard down! That's what Iruka-sensei taught us!" Naruto stood with hands on hips, acting utterly shameless yet righteous. "Didn't you listen to Iruka-sensei's lessons? He'd be sad if he knew!"
"…"
Sasuke was momentarily overwhelmed by Naruto's logic, feeling she had a point. He pointed at her angrily. "Next time, I'll never lose to you!"
What a hassle, this Sasuke… But if he keeps treating me to seafood ramen for playtime, it's not a bad deal! After all, she's genuinely poor, unlike the Uchiha clan, who remained filthy rich even after being exiled from the village's power center.
Being in the Police Force is a great way to make money!
Poor Sasuke had no idea that in Naruto's mind, he wasn't a rival but a meal ticket.
That night, Uchiha Itachi watched Sasuke train diligently in taijutsu, puzzled. Sasuke had never been this dedicated before—what had changed?
Recalling Sasuke's disheveled return, Itachi furrowed his brow.
Was he bullied at school?
"Sasuke."
Itachi approached, wanting to understand what had happened at the academy.
"Brother! What are you doing here?" Sasuke paused his punches, looking at his approaching brother.
"Did something happen at school? If you're upset, you must tell me!" Itachi gently patted Sasuke's head.
"Nothing! How could I be bullied?"
"Then why are you suddenly training taijutsu so hard?"
"Because…"
Sasuke puffed out his cheeks, looking adorably sulky. Itachi smiled warmly, listening as Sasuke explained everything. Reassured, he nodded.
"Wind Style: Gale Palm!"
Naruto, striving to sense the nature of wind, tried to compress it into her palm as she released the technique.
With a "bang," the skin on Naruto's fingers burst, revealing red flesh. Blood dripped to the ground.
"Failed…"
Naruto winced, sucking in a cold breath, and wrapped her fingers in bandages. Such an injury would heal instantly with the Nine-Tails' chakra, but she didn't want that.
She didn't want the ANBU to notice the Nine-Tails' chakra could heal her so quickly. Even when healing, she'd slow the process.
The more hidden cards she had, the better for her.