....
"Tsk~" Ino confidently lifted her chin, puffing out her slightly rounded chest. "You? If you lose, you have to agree to my conditions."
"Who's scared of who?"
"Hmph, arrogant forehead."
"Ino-pig!"
Aside from these two, the rest of the class paid little attention to the written exam.
After all, the ninja world revolved around strength.
What truly mattered were the practical results—the real rankings.
As Iruka lectured, he made his way toward Naruto's desk. Leaning down, he whispered, "Naruto, this written test is important—it affects your final grade. Make sure you answer carefully, got it?"
"I understand, Iruka-sensei," Naruto replied obediently.
Pleased, Iruka ruffled Naruto's hair affectionately.
Naruto: "..."
At that moment, a system prompt echoed in his mind.
[Ding~ New Task: Place first in the written test.
Reward: 1 Simulation Opportunity.]
A mission?
Naruto's eyes flickered toward the textbook on his desk.
The material wasn't difficult for him.
Before being reborn into this world, he had been an average college student. The ninja academy's curriculum—literature, history, basic math—was child's play compared to what he'd already learned.
Sure, the old Naruto had been a slacker, but now?
Elementary-level questions were nothing.
And since he'd been reborn as a child, he'd had years to adjust to this world's language and customs.
Soon, the test began.
And just as quickly, it ended.
During the final self-study period, Iruka graded the papers at his desk, preparing to announce the results.
At the front of the class, two girls—Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino—propped their chins on their hands, eyes locked onto the stack of tests in Iruka's grip.
From the podium, Iruka's expression shifted slightly. "Even I'm surprised. Today's highest score goes to… Uzumaki Naruto."
[Ding~ Task Complete. Simulation Opportunity +1.]
[Ding~ New Task: Place first in the practical combat exercise.
Reward: Simulation Opportunity +1.]
Naruto wasn't shocked.
Using university-level knowledge for elementary questions?
If he hadn't aced this, it would've meant he'd learned nothing at all.
Meanwhile—
Ino's bright eyes widened as she spun around to stare at the blond boy sitting calmly in his seat.
Sakura, on the other hand, furrowed her brows, her face scrunching up in confusion. (￣△￣)
Her mind raced, scrambling to recall anything about Uzumaki Naruto.
As mentioned before, Naruto was practically invisible in class.
Aside from Hinata's shy glances, most students barely registered his existence.
The only person who'd ever really interacted with him was Iruka.
Which meant Sakura was currently drawing a complete blank.
Snap. Snap.
Ino flicked her fingers in front of Sakura's face.
Blinking, Sakura wiped a bit of drool from her lip. "Huh? What, Ino?"
"You zoned out again," Ino sighed.
Instead of denying it, Sakura nodded. "Yeah… but, Ino, do you actually know who Uzumaki Naruto is?"
Ino: "…?"
After School
Naruto hurriedly packed his bag, eager to get home and start his next simulation.
This time, he'd get to draw four characters.
Unless his luck was abysmal, at least one of them would be strong.
But as he stepped out of the academy, two figures blocked his path.
Pink-haired Sakura leaned against Ino, hands stuffed in her pockets, while Ino crossed her arms, tilting her head with what she clearly thought was a menacing glare.
Naruto stopped.
Silence stretched.
Sakura's resolve wavered first.
Her lips trembled as she whispered, "Ino… why isn't he saying anything? Do we just keep standing here looking cold?"
Ino nudged her with a heel. "Stay strong. We have to intimidate him into confessing."
"But pretending to be tough is exhausting," Sakura whined, voice cracking.
Ino hesitated. "Maybe we're not being scary enough?"
Just as Sakura was about to break—
Naruto sighed. "You two done?"
Sakura slumped in relief. "So done. I never should've made that bet with you…" She stretched, muscles stiff from holding her 'tough' pose.
Their little wager was simple:
Sakura had lost to Ino by one point.
And Ino had lost to Naruto by one point—missing a perfect score.
Ino was baffled.
Naruto—the class ghost, the kid who barely scraped by—had suddenly aced the test?
She had to know how.
But rumors labeled Naruto a monster, and that scared her.
So she'd dragged Sakura along for courage.
Their 'intimidation tactic'? Standing in what they thought was a cool, threatening stance.
From Naruto's perspective?
He'd been confused when he spotted them frozen in place earlier.
And when he tried to walk around them, they'd shifted to block him again.
Ino cleared her throat. "Never mind us. Did you cheat or not?"
As she spoke, she and Sakura flanked Naruto.
Anyone familiar with the original series knew:
Kid Naruto was short. Shorter than Sakura.
So right now, with the two girls looming over him, it looked like a scene straight out of a schoolyard bullying PSA.
Naruto's lips twitched.
One pink-haired, one blonde—both forcing expressions that screamed "I'm totally not scared!"
It was obvious.
The "monster" rumors had rattled them.
But curiosity had won out.
Naruto answered plainly, "I didn't cheat."
Sakura brightened, tugging Ino's sleeve. "See? He said he didn't! Maybe he just never tried to get first place before!"
Ino huffed. "I won't lose next time! If you're so good, keep getting perfect scores!"
Ah, the competitive spirit of children.
Naruto studied Ino, amused.
"W-What're you staring at?!"
Under his gaze, Ino faltered, looking away.
Sakura giggled, nudging her. "Maybe Uzumaki-san likes you."
Ino's face flushed. She swatted at Sakura without thinking.
....