"Uchiha Sasuke vs. Uzumaki Naruto—Uchiha Sasuke wins!"
During the combat training class, Iruka Umino announced the result.
"Darn you, Sasuke! I'm not going to lose to you next time!"
Naruto got up from the ground, groaning. He had lost again. But Sasuke had seemed so weak just recently—how could his kick have been so vicious?
His waist still hurt. And this morning, Sasuke had even praised the porridge he made!
"Go home and train properly. If you keep slacking off, you'll keep losing."
Sasuke glanced at him with mild disgust, made his comment, then walked off to the side to rest.
As for the rest of the students at the academy, he couldn't care less. This time he was able to take Naruto out in a flash—partly because his strike was quick and precise, but mostly because Naruto just couldn't bring himself to seriously fight him.
Otherwise...
Given Sasuke's current physical condition, plus his pre-transmigration habits as a shut-in, trying to spar with these young ninja would be a straight-up embarrassment.
He needed to study. And study well.
His main body had Kakashi teaching him—who would surely find a way to give him extra help.
And his shadow clones were learning from Uchiha Itachi. Though that brother of his had a twisted mindset, his desire to help Sasuke grow was undeniably genuine.
"Sasuke-kun..."
A voice suddenly called out, interrupting Sasuke's train of thought.
"Yamanaka Ino? What is it?"
Sasuke had been focused on his training plan. Now he looked up at Ino, his expression calm—so calm it seemed almost cold.
He really didn't understand it. Why did girls like him when he clearly ignored all of them? Was it really just this face?
In his previous life, even as a shut-in, he'd been chased by girls a few times. But all he felt was that they were annoying. One phone call would interrupt his gaming, and then they'd ask him to take them out to eat.
They weren't even close—why didn't those girls understand the concept of personal space?
It was just like now. Ino and Sakura knew nothing about him, and yet they kept sticking around despite being constantly rejected.
Apparently, even in another world and another identity, Sasuke was sure—he'd never understand how girls' minds worked.
"Um... I brought a lunch. Would you like to try some? I just learned how to make it..."
Ino held out a bento box. She had prepared it especially that morning.
She hadn't noticed it before, but Sasuke hadn't been eating lunch these past few days. That must be it—no one was making lunch for him. So this was her perfect chance to get close to him.
"No need."
Without even glancing at her, Sasuke stood up and walked straight over to Naruto, sitting down beside him.
"I'm hungry. Hand over the bento."
Sasuke spoke bluntly, extending his hand toward Naruto without any courtesy.
"Huh? Lunchtime already? I almost forgot. This one's yours, and this one's mine."
Naruto pulled out two lunch boxes from his bag, and after checking them, handed one to Sasuke.
The two bentos were mostly the same, but since Naruto ate more, Kakashi-sensei had packed him two extra rice balls.
"Uzumaki Naruto—you... why do you have Sasuke's lunch?!"
Sakura had already been fuming when she saw Ino trying to offer Sasuke a bento. But after seeing her rival rejected, her mood had calmed somewhat.
Now, seeing Sasuke eating the lunch Naruto brought, she was stunned.
How was this even possible?!
When had it happened—when did the Sasuke she admired start getting so close to the Naruto she used to look down on?