Sakura's Request for Guidance

After chatting a bit more about Naruto, the Third Hokage continued, "You said Naruto often provokes Sasuke at school and even challenges him?"

"Yes, Lord Third."

Iruka rubbed his forehead in resignation and gave a wry smile. "That guy Naruto is always like this. It's as if he thinks defeating Sasuke will make him the top student, but he just gets defeated by Sasuke in an instant every single time..."

"As I said, Naruto is a sensitive soul. Perhaps he has sensed the loneliness within Sasuke's heart."

"Heh heh..."

The Third Hokage chuckled, took a puff of his pipe, and wore a kindly smile.

"Iruka, sometimes, that is exactly how bonds are formed."

Through their daily interactions, the Third Hokage was suddenly reminded of his own students, Jiraiya and Orochimaru, as well as Team Minato's Kakashi and Uchiha Obito.

Naruto, who had been without a family or parents since he was small, had discovered the same inner loneliness in another and felt it deeply.

And based on the reports, Sasuke had never shown any rejection or impatience toward Naruto's challenges.

Perhaps, for Sasuke, two equally lonely people had found a mutual attraction and resonance.

Sometimes, bonds are formed inadvertently in such circumstances.

"Iruka." The Third Hokage pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems the two little ones have a real connection, so let nature take its course. You should put in a bit more effort on your end to guide them both into becoming the pillars of our Konoha."

Iruka's entire body trembled. His eyes grew firm, carrying a sense of sanctity as he declared, "I will not fail your expectations, Lord Third!"

"Mm, go on. I believe in you!"

After Iruka acknowledged the order and left the office, the Third Hokage gazed at the portrait of the Fourth Hokage on the wall, lost in thought. Only after a long while did he sigh and pull two more reports from his drawer.

One report was about Naruto's daily life.

The other was about Uchiha Sasuke's daily life.

Upon seeing that Sasuke had gone to the woods behind the mountain today, the Third Hokage merely showed a hint of contemplation before placing the two files back into the drawer. He continued to open his crystal ball, focusing the image on certain indescribable places.

Sasuke was naturally unaware of the conversation in the Hokage's office, and even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared; he would simply continue doing his daily routine.

Sasuke knew that, to a certain extent, he was currently under the joint protection of the Third Hokage and Uchiha Itachi.

As long as he didn't do anything that crossed the line within the village, he wouldn't cause too much of a stir.

Moreover, compared to the original Uchiha Sasuke—who was always aloof, filled with deep-seated hatred, and constantly spouting words of revenge and blood feuds—he felt he was handling himself quite well.

Ninja Academy.

"Uchiha Sasuke!"

"Here."

"Come up and get your report card, please."

Iruka called Sasuke's name and held out a report card.

"Thank you, sensei."

Walking forward, Sasuke took the report card and spoke calmly.

"Wait a moment, Sasuke!"

Iruka stopped Sasuke and pulled him aside to announce, "Students, let's congratulate Sasuke. He has taken first place in this month's exam again. I hope you all learn from him!"

"Wow, as expected of Sasuke-kun!"

"Sasuke-kun is so cool!"

"Boring..."

"Damn it... that stuck-up Sasuke!"

Iruka pointed at Naruto, who was sitting in the back row looking annoyed, and shouted, "Especially you, Naruto! You should ask Sasuke for advice more often!"

"Hmph!" Naruto slammed his hand on the desk and shouted, "Who would want advice from this guy? Iruka-sensei, just watch! Next time, I'll definitely defeat Sasuke and become the strongest in our class!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom erupted in jeers and laughter. Naruto didn't blush, maintaining an expression that said he was fearless and stood by his words.

Seeing this, Iruka's eyelid twitched, and a vein popped on his forehead.

Sasuke silently observed the emotional entanglement between the teacher and student before quietly walking back to his seat.

"Sasuke-kun, you're so amazing!"

As soon as he sat down, Haruno Sakura leaned in with a lovestruck expression.

"Thanks!" Sasuke responded in his usual lukewarm manner.

"By the way, Sasuke-kun, this time..." Sakura fidgeted for a moment before saying, "Your chakra control in the ninjutsu test was excellent. Is it because..."

"Ah, I have you to thank for that, Sakura."

Hearing this, Sakura's eyes sparkled, and she quickly asked, "Then can I ask you for advice now, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke pondered for a moment. Thinking that he did owe the young girl a favor, he replied, "For training chakra control, you can start with the basics of tree-climbing and water-walking. These are training methods where you cover your feet with chakra to stand on trees or the surface of water. Once you master these two, your chakra control will improve significantly. Of course, with your talent and foundation, you should be able to master them quite quickly."

"Is that so?"

Sakura looked thoughtful, then continued to ask, "What comes next?"

As expected, Sasuke liked talking to girls with good grades. Sakura was thrilled inside, but she feigned composure on the surface.

"Next..." Sasuke glanced at her and asked, "Sakura, what is your Chakra nature?"

Chakra nature?

Sakura was stunned for a moment, then quickly replied, "Earth and Water!"

Unlike Naruto, that academic underachiever who wouldn't figure out his own Chakra nature until after he turned sixteen, Sakura—who frequently took first place in theory and had parents who were both ninjas—had long since identified her Chakra nature using Chakra test paper.

Earth and Water, huh?

A look of contemplation appeared in Sasuke's eyes.

Adding in the fact that Sakura would later master medical ninjutsu, she possessed at least three natures: Earth, Water, and Yang.

Could it be such a coincidence?

Sasuke couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious about Sakura's family background.

In the original story, Shizune, who had followed Tsunade for over a decade, never learned Tsunade's super strength or inherited her mantle, yet Sakura had mastered it proficiently in less than three years.

Wildflowers of spring, Senju of the forest!

The original story provided no answer for the disappearance of the Senju clan, and the books in Konoha contained no records of it either.

However, through the books in the shrine, Sasuke knew why this great clan of the ninja world had mysteriously vanished.

It was because after the First Hokage founded Konoha, he disbanded the Senju clan and integrated them entirely into the village to ensure the unity of the village.

So, there was a reason why genius civilian ninjas had emerged in Konoha year after year.

Furthermore, the fact that Tsunade could return after being away for over a decade and ascend to the position of Fifth Hokage with unstoppable momentum had a lot to do with the massive public foundation of the Senju clan, in addition to her own prestige from her early years.

With thoughts racing through his mind like lightning, Sasuke spoke up: "If your Chakra nature is Water, you can try it this way..."

In the distance, Ino, who had just received her report card, witnessed this scene.

She was trembling with rage!

Why has Sasuke never taken the initiative to talk to me??

Why!?

Is it because I'm not standing high enough?

Ino glanced at the report card in her hand showing her fifth-place ranking, and secretly steeled her resolve.