Sasuke's Request

As Tejima Shinichi's voice fell silent, the training ground sank into brief silence.

Aside from Uzumaki Naruto, who was still staring blankly at the air with flushed cheeks, everyone else wore thoughtful expressions.

Uchiha Sasuke pressed his lips together tightly, shifting his gaze from Tejima Shinichi's calm face to the ground.

His hands at his sides slowly unclenched, and his tense shoulders slumped slightly.

"So... that's how it is!"

He muttered something under his breath, so quietly that no one could hear him.

But Sasuke understood that the gap between him and Tejima Shinichi was not merely one of strength. In his understanding of ninjutsu, his use of tactics, and even his insight into people's hearts, there was a terrifying chasm between them.

That realization made his heart sink to the depths, helplessness flooding his entire body.

At that moment, the thought of challenging him completely vanished!

Winning without fighting!!!

Kobayashi Ken nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Tejima Shinichi. "Shinichi, you're amazing! You even came up with a way to use that kind of ninjutsu like this!"

Sato Yu nodded as well, his face full of admiration. "As expected of Shinichi. You always look at things from angles no one else would ever think of."

Haruno Sakura snapped out of her embarrassment and indignation. She looked at Tejima Shinichi, then at Naruto, who was still grinning foolishly, before her complicated gaze finally landed on Sasuke, who seemed to have given up on challenging him.

She felt a little unsettled, but she had to admit that what Tejima Shinichi had said made sense.

"Hmph, even if it makes sense, you still shouldn't casually use someone else's appearance!"

In the end, she could not help muttering, though she no longer sounded quite so angry.

At that moment, Uzumaki Naruto finally fully recovered from his dazed state. He scratched the back of his head, his face carrying an embarrassed yet expectant blush as he moved closer to Tejima Shinichi.

"Um... Shinichi," he fidgeted, "could you... use that jutsu again? Just once!"

Tejima Shinichi glanced at him. There was little change in his expression, but the meaning in his eyes was obvious—Are you addicted to it already?!

Before Tejima Shinichi could respond, the anger Haruno Sakura had been building up finally found an outlet.

"Naruto!!!"

She roared, a vein bulging on her forehead as her clenched fists crackled.

"What the hell are you thinking, you idiot?!"

She lunged forward in a single step, her fists raining down on Naruto's head and body like a storm.

"You still dare bring it up! You still dare bring it up! You pervert! Idiot! Dead last!"

"Ow! That hurts! Sakura, why are you hitting me again?!"

Uzumaki Naruto crouched down with his head in his hands, crying out as he tried to evade her.

"I'm hitting you because you deserve it!"

Haruno Sakura's final heavy punch sent Naruto straight to the ground, a huge bump rising on top of his head.

"Hmph!"

Still fuming, she shook out her hand and turned her face away.

Tejima Shinichi no longer paid attention to the commotion behind him and turned to his two teammates.

"Since Teacher Yamato specifically arranged for us to rest this afternoon, he must be preparing for what comes next." He looked at Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu. "After several months of intense training, we do need to adjust. Relax this afternoon. There's no need for extra training on your own."

Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu exchanged a look, both letting out a sigh of relief.

"You're right." Sato Yu nodded. "It'll be good to relax once in a while."

Kobayashi Ken grinned. "Then we won't hold back! See you tomorrow, Shinichi!"

"See you tomorrow, Shinichi."

The two clearly already had plans. Talking and laughing, they hurried off in another direction, quickly disappearing around a street corner.

Tejima Shinichi curled his lip when he saw that.

I'd noticed something was off between those two long ago. I didn't expect them to be getting together already!

Tejima Shinichi did not dwell on it and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he noticed movement behind him.

Uchiha Sasuke stood where he was, his gaze fixed on Tejima Shinichi's retreating back. His feet moved forward of their own accord, as though he wanted to follow.

"Sasuke!"

Haruno Sakura's voice stopped him.

Uchiha Sasuke turned around and saw Haruno Sakura jogging up to him. Her cheeks were slightly red, and her fingers twisted together unconsciously.

"Um... since we're resting this afternoon," she said softly, hope in her voice, "why don't we practice together? Work on our teamwork..."

Her intentions were obvious. She wanted an opportunity to be alone with Sasuke.

But Uchiha Sasuke's mind was nowhere near that at the moment. He glanced in the direction Tejima Shinichi had left, then looked at Haruno Sakura with a slight frown.

"You're not even as good as Naruto, that dead last." His voice was cold. "Figure out how to improve your own strength first."

With that, he did not wait for Haruno Sakura to respond. He turned and strode away, heading in the same direction as Tejima Shinichi.

Haruno Sakura froze in place, the blush quickly draining from her face.

Her lips parted, but in the end, she said nothing and merely lowered her head in silence.

Tejima Shinichi walked at an unhurried pace. Though he had noticed someone following him, he did not turn around.

He only stopped when he reached a street corner.

"You've followed me for so long, but you won't come up and say anything. What exactly do you want, Sasuke?"

Uchiha Sasuke stepped out of the shadows and stood before him.

His lips were pressed tightly together, his hands clenched into fists as though he were undergoing an intense inner struggle.

Tejima Shinichi watched him quietly without urging him.

Finally, Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath. As though he had made up his mind, he lowered his head slightly. For someone as proud as him, the gesture was extremely rare.

"Shinichi, please... teach me how to become stronger."

Tejima Shinichi looked at the bowed Uchiha Sasuke, raising an eyebrow in slight surprise at the request.

"Why are you suddenly asking for that? Don't you have Teacher Kakashi guiding you? He... is a powerful Jonin."

At the mention of Kakashi, Uchiha Sasuke immediately frowned.

He raised his head and said in dissatisfaction, "Teacher Kakashi is strong... but aside from teaching us to climb trees and walk on water, he's never taught us any ninjutsu. Then it's just endless D-rank missions... I've had enough of it!!!"

His voice gradually grew more emotional.

"Shinichi, you're strong—stronger than all of us. I want to know how you trained. I want to walk the path you've walked. I don't want to keep standing still like this..."

Uchiha Sasuke clenched his fists, his voice dropping low.

"You're getting farther and farther ahead now... Even the Hokage has taken you as his disciple. I... truly don't know what to do!!"

He paused, as though finally shedding all his pride, and deeply lowered his head.

"I'm begging you. Please teach me how to become stronger."

After saying that, Uchiha Sasuke solemnly bent at the waist and bowed to Tejima Shinichi.