Sakura Haruno: Why Is Everyone Gathering Around Naruto? Has the World Finally Gone Mad?!

Debris flew everywhere!

The wooden post shuddered violently!

"Was that... Naruto?!"

"When did he learn such a powerful taijutsu move?!"

While Sasuke was still in shock, Naruto's unbearably smug laughter rang in his ears.

"Bwahahahaha!"

"Next time we spar at the Ninja Academy, I'm gonna use that move to make Sasuke beg for mercy on his knees!"

Sasuke's blood instantly boiled, and his face flushed red with anger.

"Damn you, Naruto!"

"You think you can beat me with a cheap trick like that?!"

"But..."

"That taijutsu really is powerful. If I ran into it unexpectedly, I might actually get taken down before I could react... Damn it!"

"You lousy dead-last, are you trying to kill me?!"

Sasuke abruptly clenched a fistful of grass and squeezed hard, crushing it into a ball.

He immediately slipped away, his fists already clenched tight.

"Naruto..."

"You lousy dead-last, you think you can get ahead of me?"

"Hmph. I'll show you just how big the gap between us really is!"

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke stormed off toward the Uchiha Compound with the ingredients in hand.

He was clearly preparing to begin an even harsher, more rigorous training regimen.

Naruto hadn't noticed any of this.

But...

"Achoo—"

"Achoo!"

"Damn it, who's bad-mouthing me behind my back?"

"It's gotta be that bastard Sasuke..."

Rock Lee asked, "Sasuke Uchiha?"

"I've heard of him. He's a genius ninja from the Uchiha Clan, right?"

Naruto curled his lip. "Yeah, he's from the Uchiha Clan, but let's not go calling him a genius!"

Rock Lee shook his head.

"No, Naruto. Geniuses really do exist. I don't want to admit it, but it's the truth."

"Sasuke is one, and so is that guy in our class..."

"Neji Hyuga."

"Neji Hyuga? He's from the Hyuga Clan, just like Hinata..."

Rock Lee nodded. "He's the opponent I most want to challenge!"

"I train as hard as I can not only to prove myself, but also because I have a powerful goal like Neji to strive for. One day, I'll beat him with my own hands!"

Naruto immediately felt a surge of solidarity.

"Right! I'll definitely take down that bastard Sasuke, too!"

Rock Lee flashed a radiant smile and held out his palm to Naruto.

They looked at each other, then slapped their palms together.

"Naruto! This is our blood-pumping promise of youth!"

"Yeah!"

"Then let's start today's handstand-walking training right away!"

"Huh?!"

After another day of voluntary hard work and training, Naruto felt like his body was about to give out.

Fortunately, the system finally chimed in again with its delightful voice.

[The host has completed another taijutsu training session. Stamina increased by +3. Current stamina: 93!]

[Congratulations, host. You have gained a new trait...]

[Stamina Monster!]

[When the host is immersed in taijutsu training or combat, he can unleash stamina, endurance, and explosive power beyond his usual limits. His physical strength, recovery ability, and other attributes will also be enhanced across the board!]

Naruto froze for a moment. Then the corners of his mouth curled uncontrollably into a huge grin, and he leapt into the air with both hands raised.

"Awesome!"

"I didn't understand all of that, but it looks like I got a lot stronger!"

"Stamina Monster... Does that mean I really am suited to training in taijutsu?!"

"Sasuke, next time we spar at the Ninja Academy, I'm gonna beat you into the ground!"

Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Compound.

Sasuke was practicing the Great Fireball Technique under cover of night when he suddenly sneezed despite himself.

"Achoo—"

"What's going on? Is that dead-last cursing me?"

"Hmph!"

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

At once, a huge ball of blazing fire burst forth from the lakeside. Its flames roared, turning the entire lake crimson and lighting up the whole night sky.

Chapter 19: Sakura Haruno: Why Is Everyone Gathering Around Naruto? Has the World Finally Gone Mad?!

That night, Naruto only earned the right to sleep after finishing his Chakra Refinement Technique and Clone Technique training.

Before bed, Naruto checked his current stats.

Chakra: 42

Ninjutsu:

Clone Technique (55/100)

Transformation Technique (61/100)

Substitution Technique (45/100)

Chakra Refinement Technique (73/100)

Taijutsu:

Basic Taijutsu (58/100)

Shurikenjutsu (41/100)

Leaf Whirlwind (60/100)

"My chakra's up to 42. That's... 19 more than before!"

"I remember the system saying students at the Ninja Academy usually have around 10 chakra. That means I'm equal to four students now!"

"My Clone Technique has gone from a pitiful 16 all the way up to 55!"

"All that hard work hasn't been for nothing..."

Of course, what Naruto was most pleased about was the taijutsu move he'd just learned from Might Guy.

Leaf Whirlwind!

His proficiency had already reached 60!

It was his first real trump card.

Besides that, he also checked how much he'd improved in his academic subjects.

Hmm, his average score had gone from twenty or thirty to forty or fifty!

He was still only below average, but for Naruto, that was an incredible breakthrough!

Satisfied but utterly exhausted, Naruto soon fell into a deep sleep.

In his dreams, his body twitched from time to time, and his dreams grew increasingly complicated.

Eating ramen with Iruka-sensei, beating Sasuke in a spar at the Ninja Academy, training with Rock Lee, going on a date with Sakura...

But sometimes Sakura's face would suddenly blur, changing into someone else's.

It was...

Hinata's shy little face.

Mumbling in his sleep, Naruto had no idea why it had changed.

The next day, it was time to go back to class at the Ninja Academy.

For Naruto, it was the fifth day since he'd gotten the system.

It seemed like a short time, but to Naruto, it felt like he'd lived through an incredibly long stretch of days.

Following the system's "encouragement," he ate breakfast, shook off his sleepiness, and headed to the Ninja Academy on one hand.

After two brutal days of weekend training, this level of exercise didn't seem like much to Naruto anymore.

"Hey, Naruto! Morning!"

Naruto jumped. That voice could only be...

"Lee!"

Rock Lee was walking on one hand, too, flashing Naruto a radiant smile as he moved along.

"Let's race, Naruto!"

"Let's see who gets to school first!"

Without waiting to see if Naruto agreed, he burst out laughing and sped off like a streak of smoke.

Naruto felt his own competitive spirit rise.

"Hah! You wish!"

He unleashed his strength and quickly chased after Rock Lee.

For Naruto, having a like-minded friend was wonderful...

Even though the passersby thought they were both freaks and whispered and pointed at them, none of it could hurt Naruto anymore.

Naruto turned into a streak of smoke, racing ahead and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Rock Lee had greater explosive power, while Naruto had more endurance. In the end, they charged through the school gates at almost exactly the same time.

"Looks like I edged you out after all!"