The electronic board kept flashing as everyone stared at the changing names. At last, it stopped on Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka. Fighting spirit instantly flared between Sakura and Ino, and sparks flew as their eyes met.
Ino sneered. "Forehead Girl, I never thought you'd be my opponent."
"Neither did I, Ino Pig," Sakura replied. Naruto helplessly covered his face. He couldn't bear to watch.
Sasuke looked at Naruto's strange gesture and asked, "What's wrong with you? Why are you doing that? What's going on with those two?"
At Sasuke's question, Naruto fixed him with an unblinking stare, leaving Sasuke bewildered. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong with me?"
"Nothing," Naruto replied. "I'm just wondering why so many people like an icy, poker-faced guy like you."
Sasuke immediately bristled at his words. "Hey, you idiot! What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Seeing Sakura and Ino end up like this over a guy who doesn't know how to be gentle just makes me feel they're wasting their time."
Sasuke only grew more confused. "What do you mean? Explain yourself, you idiot."
Seeing that Sasuke genuinely seemed clueless, Naruto lost the will to argue. "Do you really not know, or are you pretending? Ino and Sakura used to be close friends. They only became bitter rivals because they both fell for you. And you call me an idiot? If you ask me, you're the biggest idiot here!"
"You're saying they became like this because of me?" Sasuke asked in surprise.
Naruto pressed a hand to his forehead. "What else did you think? If it weren't for you, would Sakura be trying so desperately to get stronger? Would Ino have come to me for advice? They're both working hard to get stronger so they can help you someday.