After chatting about Naruto for a while longer, the Third Hokage continued, "You said Naruto often provoked Sasuke at school and even challenged him?"
"Yes, Third Hokage."
Iruka helplessly rubbed his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Naruto has always been like that. It is as if defeating Sasuke would make him number one. But every time, Sasuke defeats him in an instant..."
"As I said, Naruto is a sensitive child. Perhaps he sensed the loneliness in Sasuke's heart."
"Hehe..."
The Third Hokage chuckled, took a puff of his pipe, and revealed a kind smile.
"Iruka, sometimes, bonds are formed this way."
Through the boys' daily interactions, the Third Hokage suddenly thought of his own students, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, as well as Kakashi and Uchiha Obito from Team Minato.
Naruto, who had grown up without a family or parents, had discovered the loneliness within Sasuke, who had likewise lost his family, and understood it deeply.
And according to the reports, Sasuke had never shown rejection or impatience toward Naruto's challenges.
Perhaps, to Sasuke, two equally lonely people had drawn one another in and resonated with each other.
Sometimes, bonds had already formed inadvertently under such circumstances.
"Iruka." After pondering for a moment, the Third Hokage said, "It seems these two children are fated to meet, so let nature take its course. From now on, put more effort into guiding them and turn them into pillars of Konoha."
Iruka trembled all over. His gaze became resolute, carrying a certain solemnity as he declared, "I will not fail your trust, Third Hokage!"
"Mm, go. I believe in you!"
After Iruka answered and left the office, the Third Hokage stared blankly at the portrait of the Fourth Hokage on the wall. Only after a long while did he sigh and take two more reports from the drawer.
One report concerned Naruto's daily life.
The other concerned Second Pillar's daily life.
When he saw that Sasuke had gone to the back mountain today, the Third Hokage merely revealed a thoughtful expression before putting both documents back into the drawer. He then reopened the crystal ball and turned its image toward certain indescribable places.
Sasuke naturally knew nothing of the conversation in the Hokage's office. Even if he had known, he would not have cared and would still have continued doing what he needed to do every day.
Sasuke knew that, to some extent, he was under the joint protection of the Third Hokage and Uchiha Itachi.
As long as he did nothing in the village that crossed the line, it would not cause much of a stir.
Besides, compared to the original Second Pillar, who always kept others at arm's length, carried a bitter hatred, and constantly spoke of revenge and blood vendettas—
He felt that he was already behaving quite well.
Ninja Academy.
"Second Pillar!"
"Here."
"Please come up and collect your report card."
Iruka called Sasuke's name while holding a report card in his hand.
"Thank you, sensei."
Sasuke walked forward, accepted the report card, and replied calmly.
"Wait, Sasuke!"
Iruka stopped Sasuke, pulled him aside, and announced, "Everyone, let's congratulate Sasuke. He took first place in this monthly exam again. I hope everyone will learn from him!"
"Wow, as expected of Sasuke!"
"Sasuke is so handsome!"
"How boring..."
"Damn it... that smug Sasuke!"
Iruka pointed at Naruto, who sat in the last row with a displeased expression, and shouted, "Especially you, Naruto. From now on, ask Sasuke for guidance more often!"
"Hmph!" Naruto slammed his hand onto the desk and shouted, "Who wants guidance from this guy? Iruka-sensei, just watch! Next time, I'll definitely defeat Sasuke and become the strongest in our class!"
The moment he finished speaking, the classroom erupted with laughter and jeers. Naruto did not even blush, looking as though he had laid down his challenge and feared neither heaven nor earth.
Seeing this, Iruka's eye twitched, veins bulging on his forehead.
Sasuke silently watched the emotional entanglement between the teacher and student before quietly heading back toward his seat.
"Sasuke, you're amazing!"
The moment he sat down, Haruno Sakura beside him leaned over with an infatuated expression.
"Thanks." Sasuke's response remained neither warm nor cold.
"Oh, right, Sasuke, this time I..." After fidgeting for a moment, Sakura said, "Your chakra control was very good during this ninjutsu test. Was that because..."
"Ah, I should thank you for that, Sakura."
At once, stars seemed to shine in Sakura's eyes. She hurriedly asked, "Then can I ask you for guidance now, Sasuke?"
After pondering for a moment, Sasuke remembered that he did owe the girl a favor, so he replied, "For chakra control training, you can start with the two basics: tree climbing and water walking. Tree climbing and water walking are training methods where you use chakra to cover your feet and stand on trees or water. Once you master those two, your chakra control will improve noticeably. Of course, with your talent and foundation, you should master them quickly."
"Is that so?"
Sakura looked thoughtful, then asked, "What about after that?"
Sasuke really does like talking to girls with good grades. Sakura was thrilled inside, though she kept a calm face on the surface.
"After that..." Sasuke glanced at her and asked, "Sakura, what are your chakra affinities?"
"Chakra affinities?"
Sakura froze for a moment, then hurriedly replied, "Earth and water!"
Unlike Naruto, that poor student who would not figure out his chakra affinities until after turning sixteen, Sakura often ranked first in theory, and both her parents were ninja. She had long since used chakra paper to determine her chakra affinities.
Earth and water?
A thoughtful look appeared in Sasuke's eyes.
And Sakura later mastered medical ninjutsu, which meant she possessed at least three affinities: earth, water, and yang.
Was that really such a coincidence?
Sasuke could not help becoming somewhat suspicious of Sakura's family background.
In the original story, Shizune had followed Tsunade for more than a decade but had never learned Tsunade's Chakra Enhanced Strength or inherited her legacy. Yet Sakura had become proficient in it in less than three years.
Flowers of the spring fields, Senju of the forest!
The original story had never provided an answer for the disappearance of the Senju Clan, and Konoha's books contained no records of it either.
But through books in the shrine, Sasuke learned why that great clan of the Shinobi World had mysteriously disappeared.
After founding Konoha, the First Hokage had dissolved the Senju Clan and integrated them fully into the village to ensure its unity.
That was why talented civilian ninja had emerged from Konoha generation after generation.
Furthermore, when Lady Tsunade returned after leaving for more than a decade, she had been able to become the Fifth Hokage with unstoppable momentum. Aside from the prestige she had built in her early years, the Senju Clan's vast popular foundation had also played a major role.
Thoughts flashed through Sasuke's mind like lightning as he said, "Since water is one of your chakra affinities, you can try this..."
In the distance, Ino, who had just received her report card, witnessed the scene.
She was furious and trembling!
Why had Sasuke never taken the initiative to speak to me??
Why!?
Was I not standing high enough?
Ino looked at the report card in her hand, which showed fifth place, and secretly hardened her resolve.
Before you continue