"You don't have to be the strongest. You just have to be the one who knows where to strike."
Academy. Grand Courtyard
Iruka-sensei announces:
"Today, there will be a competition between teams. Three on three. The conditions are to win by capturing the scroll or immobilizing all opponents. Sneak attacks are welcome."
Sasuke (loudly):
"I want to be on a team with Hirito!"
Naruto (even louder):
"I DON'T want to be on a team with Hirito!"
Hirito:
"Thank you for voting, democracy has won. I'm with Ino and Hinata."
Ino (winking):
"We're Team Charming." Only with knives.
Hinata (blushing):
"C-c-can we have Charming and Solar Plexus Strike?"
Round 1: Team Hirito vs. Team Kiba
Opposing team: Kiba, Shino, and a random guy from the background.
Tactics:
Hirito uses his useless items as distractions (yes, socks and a frog charm were used).
Hinata attacks from ambush - pinpoint and almost silently.
Ino duplicates Hinata's movements to confuse the enemy (and annoys Kiba by constantly commenting on his "smell").
Moment: Hirito vs. Shino
Shino, controlling the insects:
- You're predictable. I've already surrounded you.
Hirito (calmly):
- Do you know that your bugs are afraid of the sound of a croaking frog?
Shino:
- What?
The amulet on Hirito's belt suddenly croaks. All the bugs run away.
- ...what?..
Victory.
Hirito's team wins 3-1 without taking a single hit.
[✓] Hidden teacher evaluation: "High level of unconventional thinking."
After the fight. Comments
Sasuke looks at Hirito from under his brows:
— You hide your power. Your chakra is different. Not like ours.
Hirito:
— And yours is different. Only you wear it like a flag, and I wear it like a shadow.
Sasuke (quietly):
— Be careful. Shadows can be cut too.
Tension begins between Sasuke and Hirito. Not hostility, but... hostility.
Evening. The way home
Ino walks next to him:
— I like being on your team. You're... calm. But not boring.
— That's because I try to moderate the chaos that's around.
— Or do you just want everyone to think that you're in control of yourself.
— …maybe.
Hinata approaches from the side, quietly:
— Today… you were great. Thank you.
[✓] Emotional attachment level:
Ino: 55%
Hinata: 41%
The system activates briefly
Passive synchronization with Kurama's Yin Chakra achieved at 12%
Kurama's current emotion: curiosity
— Hmm… you're not as useless as you seemed. Interesting.
Victory in the competition — without brute force, only tactics.
Sasuke — felt a threat. And that's important.
Both girls — began to fall in love in their own way, and now they are not backing down.