High-Popularity Cool Guy

The next day.

Naruto walked on the road to school.

The system's next mission was to win first place in the practical combat exercise.

This was not difficult for Naruto at the moment.

Just then, a voice came from the roadside into Naruto's ears.

"Classmate Uzumaki! Wait for me!"

Naruto stopped and looked to the side of the road, seeing Ino walking out of a flower shop with her schoolbag.

It's Ino?

Wasn't yesterday's scare enough?

As Naruto was thinking, Ino came up to him and said with a smile, "I didn't expect us to be going the same way. I never noticed before."

In this village where almost no one was willing to talk to Naruto.

Ino's friendly gesture surprised Naruto a little.

"Aren't you afraid of me?" Naruto asked curiously.

Ino shook her head, her golden hair swaying twice in the air. "I thought about it yesterday and realized you have a pretty good temper, Naruto~ If it were Sasuke who was bothered by us like that, he would have scolded us already."

The two walked towards the school while chatting.

When they reached an intersection, a pink figure darted out from the side and followed behind Ino.

Ino turned around and saw Sakura Haruno.

This was normal; Ino and Sakura Haruno usually went to school together.

Sakura Haruno walked behind Ino and, seeing Ino look at her, immediately raised her eyebrows at her.

Sakura Haruno used a secret communication method only she and Ino knew, silently saying:

Well, yesterday you said Classmate Uzumaki had a crush on you, and today you're coming over to him, aren't you?

A "well" character appeared on Ino's forehead: Don't talk nonsense. I just happened to see Classmate Uzumaki passing by my house.

Sakura Haruno: Hey, haven't you noticed that Classmate Uzumaki is a little more handsome than yesterday?

Ino: It seems so...

Sakura Haruno: See! You've fallen for Classmate Uzumaki, haven't you? Hahaha! That way, Sasuke will be mine.

Ino: You're talking crap! Don't spread rumors!

Ino: But you're right, why didn't anyone notice before that Naruto was also a little handsome?

Sakura Haruno: It's because he was too quiet. Otherwise, how could any of the handsome boys in the class escape my discerning eyes?

Ino: Heh heh... Brainless beauty chaser.

Sakura Haruno: You too.

Naruto suddenly spoke, "What are you two doing?"

His sudden speaking startled Ino.

Ino immediately raised her hands. "We weren't discussing handsome guys."

Naruto, Sakura Haruno: "..."

Humans are, after all, social animals.

After awakening his past life memories, Naruto began to enjoy solitude.

But it wasn't because he liked being alone.

Although the chat between the two girls was a bit boring.

It was mostly about girls' trivial worries and interests.

But the feeling of going to school with others was pretty good.

They soon arrived at the school.

Time ticked by.

Soon it was time for the afternoon practical combat exercise.

The most popular student in the class was undoubtedly Sasuke Uchiha.

This was because he was the first place in the practical combat exercise and had maintained this record for years.

The rules for the practical combat exercise were simple.

Everyone could challenge each other, and any student who hadn't fought by the end would be forcibly paired up by Iruka.

Sasuke Uchiha was strong; even Kiba Inuzuka had been defeated by him.

So, no one challenged Sasuke Uchiha.

Naruto remained silent, standing at the back of the crowd with Shino, blending into the background.

As the practice match was about to end, only four people hadn't fought yet.

Naruto, Sasuke, Shino, and Shikamaru.

Shikamaru looked at the other three and immediately said to Shino, "How about... we fight?"

Shikamaru was famously lazy and hated trouble.

He definitely didn't want to fight Sasuke.

Shino also nodded silently, "Okay."

Shino and Shikamaru walked to the center of the arena.

Iruka announced the start of the match.

By all rights, neither of them was weak.

But the fight was incredibly ugly.

Shikamaru didn't use his full strength, only wanting to go through the motions.

Shino also felt bad about hurting Shikamaru.

After a while, Shikamaru deliberately exposed a weakness, and Shino pushed him to the ground.

Iruka rubbed his temples and reluctantly announced, "Shino Aburame wins."

Shikamaru and Shino performed the reconciliation hand seal and both retreated behind the others.

As their teacher, how could Iruka not see that these two were slacking off...

The remaining participants who hadn't competed yet.

Only Sasuke and Naruto were left.

Sasuke was the first-place winner of the previous match.

If Naruto defeated Sasuke, he could directly claim the first-place title and complete the mission.

Iruka looked at the remaining Sasuke and Naruto and hesitantly announced, "For the final practical exercise, Naruto Uzumaki will fight Sasuke Uchiha."

As Sasuke Uchiha's name was spoken by Iruka.

The fangirls in the class all screamed...

Shikamaru covered his ears, his expression stiff.

Kiba Inuzuka looked at Sasuke with jealousy.

"Hmph..." Sasuke said coolly with a cold expression, "I don't think this match is necessary at all."

Everyone knew what Sasuke meant.

After all, the gap in their previous results was too large.

But these were the rules.

To improve the ninja students' combat experience.

Each student had to have one match in every practical exercise.

Iruka said to Sasuke with a headache, "Classmate Uchiha, this will improve your combat experience and prepare you for your future ninja career."

Sasuke didn't believe Naruto could improve his combat experience.

However, Naruto had already quietly walked into the arena, looking at Sasuke with a calm expression.

Sasuke noticed that Naruto, this guy who didn't meet the requirements, wasn't afraid of him.

Suddenly, he felt provoked.

So Sasuke snorted again, "I'll make you regret this."

Naruto naturally wouldn't engage in childish banter and waited for the match to begin.

Iruka: "Friendship first, competition second."

"The final practical exercise begins!"

Although Iruka didn't want to see Naruto get beaten.

It was better to get beaten now.

Wasn't it better than being killed after becoming a ninja later?

Perhaps seeing that Naruto didn't take him seriously.

Sasuke's temper flared.

As soon as Iruka finished speaking, Sasuke charged forward.

He wanted to defeat Naruto as quickly as possible!

"This is the difference between you and the Uchiha clan."

Sasuke said coldly.

This caused another wave of screams from the female classmates watching from the sidelines.

Naruto stared at Sasuke with great interest. "You're really popular, but..."

So slow!

In Naruto's eyes, Sasuke's movements seemed to have slowed down.

This was likely thanks to the physical enhancement provided by the system.

Moreover.

Naruto possessed taijutsu strength that could go toe-to-toe with Kakashi.

At this moment, in Naruto's eyes, Sasuke was riddled with openings.

To outsiders, Sasuke's figure had almost turned into an afterimage as he charged at Naruto.

Below, Sakura Haruno and Ino were squeezed among a group of girls, cheering wildly for Sasuke.

Only Hinata, watching from the side, looked at Naruto with concern.

She wondered if Naruto would get hurt.

Out of worry, Hinata unconsciously activated her Byakugan.