You Boys Are So Childish

The next day, at the Ninja Academy.

"Is this a joke? I must be seeing things. Naruto's the dead-last, isn't he? He didn't even pass yesterday, but now his name's on the list of students who made it in."

"I'm confused too. I just asked a teacher, and they said there was no mistake. Apparently, Naruto completed the Shadow Clone Technique exam under Iruka-sensei's supervision!"

"What? Iruka-sensei and Naruto are pretty close. Could he have covered for him and pulled some strings?"

"Now that you mention it, that's not entirely impossible."

"That's disgusting! I don't want to be in the same class as a cheater."

"Don't worry, I heard they're assigning teams today. I just hope I don't get stuck on a team with Naruto."

"..."

Classes hadn't officially started yet.

The classroom was bustling during the break.

Naruto, who had gone to bed late the night before, was the last one to arrive.

He pushed open the classroom door.

And stepped inside.

The eyes of the entire class landed on him.

They could all sense that Naruto seemed different today!

Usually, the moment he entered the classroom, he'd start shouting and making a scene.

Trying to attract everyone's attention.

But today, he didn't do that.

Some sharp-eyed girls were the first to notice the change in Naruto's appearance.

"Huh? Naruto, what happened to those weird whiskers on your face?"

"Ah~ you're right. But without those strange whiskers, Naruto actually looks pretty good when you get a closer look."

"Holy crap! You're even more handsome than me. Naruto, come clean—were you pretending to be ugly in front of us all this time?"

"..."

Ignoring the little brats' comments,

Naruto walked over to his seat.

"Hey, Naruto, you seem so different today. Anyway, quick, take this... If we're late, the teacher will get here before we can set it up."

Kiba Inuzuka, sitting next to him, pulled out an eraser.

They usually put it on top of the door.

When the teacher opened it, the eraser would fall and hit them.

Playing pranks on the teacher was an essential part of the boys' daily routine.

Besides, Naruto usually took the blame anyway.

They were more than happy to leave him to it.

"Childish."

With that, Naruto closed his eyes to rest.

He paid no more attention to these little brats who hadn't even grown their first whiskers.

Huh???

Kiba Inuzuka was stunned.

Shikamaru was stunned.

Choji Akimichi was stunned.

The whole class was stunned.

Wasn't playing pranks on the teacher an indispensable part of Naruto's daily routine?

Day after day, year after year.

And he'd never gotten tired of it.

Why was he calling them childish today?

You were the one who used to lead all the pranks!!!

"Pfft, hahaha... Naruto's right. You boys are so childish."

A beautiful girl with long blond hair and side-swept bangs covering half her face smiled brightly.

She was already tall and graceful.

When she grew up, she'd definitely be a beauty.

"Ino, why are you taking Naruto's side today?"

Sakura Haruno asked, puzzled.

Her longtime rival usually couldn't stand Naruto.

Why was she suddenly saying nice things about him?

Something had to be up!

It was true that Naruto looked pretty handsome without those strange whiskers!

But Ino Yamanaka, you've changed your tune awfully fast!

Sasuke was talented, you know?

Being handsome didn't put food on the table.

"Hehehe... I can if I want to, can't I?"

Ino Yamanaka folded her arms and gave a cold laugh.

"Hmph, do whatever you want." Sakura Haruno pouted and snorted in displeasure.

"Naruto-kun..."

Thinking about what had happened yesterday,

Hinata gazed dreamily at Naruto, her cheeks flushed.

"You weren't like this before, Naruto. If you quit now, what are we supposed to do without you in our prank crew?"

Choji Akimichi panicked.

Their team had lost its main leader.

He could feel everyone drifting apart.

He didn't want that to happen.

Little brats are such a hassle.

Naruto didn't answer. He sat perfectly still, his eyes lowered, as if meditating.

"Naruto, what's with you today? Why would you suddenly stop doing your job?"

"Yeah, you owe us an explanation!"

"That's right. We won't let you off today if you don't explain yourself..."

Three ordinary-looking boys shouted at him menacingly.

They were members of the class's little prank crew too.

But they weren't mad because Naruto had stopped playing pranks!

They were mad because the suddenly handsome Naruto had stolen the attention of the girls they liked!

Imagine a plain-looking boy in your class.

Then overnight, he suddenly turns into a total heartthrob!

And all the girls start paying attention to him.

Wouldn't that make you mad?

They'd gone out of their way to impress the girls they liked.

The girls wouldn't even glance at them.

They were all good buddies who'd been ugly together.

Then the next day, he tells them he's actually a super handsome guy?!

How the hell were they supposed to put up with that?

The more the three brats thought about it, the angrier and more cheated they felt.

They came over looking for trouble with Naruto.

They wanted him to understand one thing.

Being handsome didn't mean you could do whatever you wanted!

Fists were what mattered!

Naruto acted as if he couldn't see or hear the three little brats.

He kept his eyes closed and rested.

The three brats, already feeling self-conscious under the gaze of the girls they liked, got angry.

They'd come over to talk to him, and he was acting all high and mighty.

He was asking for a beating!!!

"Answer me, you bastard..."

A short, stocky boy who looked like the leader of the kids

reached out to grab Naruto by the collar and demand an answer.

Naruto easily caught his chubby hand.

Then he twisted it slightly.

A cracking sound rang out as a bone broke.

"Ah!!"

A pig-like scream rang through the classroom.

The boy was in so much pain that tears streamed down his face.

P.S. It's a new month, and the author's going to go all out! Feel free to leave lots of comments.

If there are enough comments, I'll add more chapters. Please support me. Also, if you make it to the last page every day, please take a few seconds to watch the little ad. It would give me a real boost. The more people who watch, the more I'll earn. After all, this is a free website.

I used to write paid stories, and frankly, I need to make a living. Please, everyone.