In the Ninja Academy's deep courtyard, practical combat lessons were always something to look forward to, though they were also full of challenges.
Sunlight slipped through the gaps in the stone walls and fell across the path around the training ground, adding a little warmth to the tense atmosphere.
The students wore matching ninja uniforms and waited intently for class to begin.
As soon as the bell rang, the practical combat lesson officially began.
"Today, I'll be teaching your practical combat lesson. Iruka-sensei will teach you next time. He and I take turns, but he is your homeroom teacher, while I teach this course, so he'll be teaching most of your practical combat lessons."
Standing on the training ground, Uchiha Ruri faced the students, who were filled with anticipation and nerves, and spoke in a calm, resolute voice.
Sunlight pierced the clouds and cast her shadow across the ground, lending the scene a solemn, almost sacred air.
Her gaze swept over each student's face, as if trying to see through to their thoughts and feelings.
Practical combat was one of the most important subjects at the Ninja Academy. It tested not only the students' ninja skills, but also honed their resolve and ability to work as a team.
And today, they would be receiving personal instruction from Ruri, an experienced ninja.
"Practical combat isn't just a contest of skill. It also tests your resolve and state of mind," Uchiha Ruri continued. "You must always stay alert and assess the situation accurately if you want to remain undefeated in battle."
At her words, the students straightened their backs, determination showing on their faces.
They knew today's lesson was a rare opportunity. They would get to experience the atmosphere of real combat firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the ninja world.
The training ground was tense, yet filled with anticipation. Uchiha Ruri stood there holding a roll book,
with everyone's names recorded inside. Her voice rang across the entire training ground.
"The roll book in my hands has all your names. I'll call them out one by one, and when I call your name, you'll fight another student. Pay attention: don't injure anyone during the matches. And since I'm here, you can relax and fight each other freely. That'll help you bring out your full potential."
Her words eased many of the students' nerves. After all, they were fighting their classmates, so there was no need to worry too much.
But now they were also curious and nervous about who they would face. Ruri opened the roll book and glanced over everyone present. She knew each student had their own strengths and talents, and this match would put them to the test.
Uchiha Ruri stood before the students, the roll book in her hands seeming to hold all their fates.
She took a deep breath, then announced clearly and firmly, "First match: Sasuke versus Naruto."
The moment those two names were called, the crowd erupted in excitement.
Sasuke and Naruto were both household names in the village. Their showdown was sure to be a thrilling contest.
Sasuke, the genius boy with the cold gaze, was so formidable in both strength and intelligence that he left others in awe.
Naruto, meanwhile, was the hot-blooded boy who never gave up. His perseverance and determination always inspired those around him.
Ruri looked at the two boys, anticipation filling her heart as well.
Man, I get to see the two protagonists fight in person! This is even more exciting than Boruto: Naruto Next Generations!
She knew this match would test not only their strength, but also their resolve and convictions.
"Once I finish calling the names, Sasuke and Naruto, get ready." Ruri's voice echoed across the training ground, heralding the battle about to begin.
"Sakura Haruno versus Ino Yamanaka," Ruri announced. The atmosphere on the training ground immediately grew tense.
Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka were both outstanding kunoichi from the village. Each had her own strengths, and both were formidable.
Sakura Haruno was known for her grit and perseverance, while Ino Yamanaka was famous for her unique ninjutsu and strategies.
When Sakura Haruno heard her name, she took a deep breath, determination shining in her eyes.
She knew that her match against Ino would be a contest of will and skill. Ino, meanwhile, smiled faintly, seeming to look forward to the fight.
"Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga," Ruri continued. This match drew just as much attention.
Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga were both outstanding members of the Hyuga Clan. Their powerful Byakugan made them some of the village's finest.
When Hinata heard her name, a fierce fighting spirit welled up inside her.
She knew there was a considerable gap between her and Neji, but she wasn't afraid of a challenge.
She believed that if she worked hard, she could narrow the gap between them.
Neji, meanwhile, smiled calmly, as if he were already confident of victory.
"Shikamaru versus Rock," Ruri announced. This match surprised the crowd a little.
Shikamaru was known for his intelligence and strategies, while Rock was an opponent known for his strength.
Their styles were completely different, making this a clash of brains and brawn.
When Shikamaru heard his name, a confident smile tugged at his lips.
He knew strategy was his strong suit, not strength, but he believed his intelligence could overcome anything.
Rock, meanwhile, roared, showing off his tremendous strength.
"Great Strength King versus Muscle Tyrant..." Ruri read out the final match. The moment the two names were announced, laughter burst from the crowd, as if someone had flipped a switch. The entire training ground instantly became a sea of laughter.
Standing before the students, Ruri was caught off guard by the sudden laughter, and her feelings were mixed.
She couldn't hold it in. The corner of her mouth twitched, and she wore an expression halfway between laughter and tears.
Those names were downright ridiculous! Great Strength King sounded like a giant with incredible strength, someone who could punch through a mountain. Muscle Tyrant brought to mind a hulking, muscular brute.
Together, the two names made them sound like a pair of clowns. It was impossible not to laugh.
Ruri couldn't help teasing them. "Seriously, you two—Great Strength King and Muscle Tyrant—did you walk straight out of a comedy show? Those names are hilarious! Great Strength King, do you eat ten pounds of beef at every meal to get that strong? Muscle Tyrant, do you sleep with a dumbbell in your hands to build those muscles?"
Ruri's teasing set off even more laughter. The crowd seemed to relate, and they chimed in with their own comments.
Great Strength King and Muscle Tyrant stood facing each other, both looking embarrassed. Great Strength King rubbed his bald head and chuckled. "Sensei, don't underestimate me. I didn't get this name for nothing. You'll see what I can do in a moment!"
Muscle Tyrant patted his chest, grinning proudly. "Sensei, I didn't build these muscles by eating vegetables. Great Strength King had better watch out, or I'll make him cry!"
Great Strength King and Muscle Tyrant were both ninjas from the village known for their strength. Their match would be a pure contest of power.
Hearing their names, Great Strength King and Muscle Tyrant both grinned excitedly.
They knew this match was the perfect chance to show off their strength. They looked at each other, brimming with enthusiasm, as if already squaring up to fight.
Ruri shook her head helplessly. She never would have guessed that today's matchups would be this bizarre.
She thought to herself, Did their parents not put any thought into their names? Still, now that she'd announced them, she might as well keep going.
So Ruri took a deep breath and continued reading the matchups. She tried to keep her voice serious, but every time she came across another ridiculous name, she couldn't help making a snarky comment in her head.
"Next up... Storm versus Lightning Gale!" Ruri announced. The moment the names were read, laughter broke out across the training ground again.
Ruri thought, These two names sound like weather conditions in a forecast. How did they end up being the names of two fighters?
She couldn't help teasing them again. "Storm versus Lightning Gale. Did you two plan this so you could put on a battle of the elements? Just remember, this is a training ground, not a weather station!"
Laughter rang out again. Ruri figured her teasing had become part of the entertainment for the crowd.
She didn't mind. An atmosphere like this could make the fights more fun.
It was better to help the little ones relax a bit.
At last, Ruri finished reading all the matchups. She stood on the platform and looked down at the laughing students, feeling a little more at ease herself.
Some of the names were bizarre, but that silly atmosphere made the matches all the more fun and memorable.
Ruri took a deep breath, smiled at the crowd, and said, "All right, everyone. I've finished reading the matchups. We'll start with the first pair, then move through the rest in order."
"Now, ninja match—begin!"
With all the matchups announced, the atmosphere at the training ground reached its peak.
After calling out the matchups, Ruri went straight over to little Naruto and little Sasuke. Her face was warm with a gentle smile, and her eyes showed how much she cared about and looked forward to seeing the two young protagonists in action.
She said softly, "Don't get too carried away when you fight. Be careful, and protect both yourselves and each other."
Little Naruto and little Sasuke were both spirited young boys. They nodded at Ruri's words to show they understood.
Little Naruto scratched his head and grinned. "Don't worry, Sensei. I'll keep my strength under control."
Little Sasuke remained calm. He glanced at Naruto and said coolly, "I'll give it my all, but I'll be careful not to go too far."
At the sound of Ruri's whistle, little Naruto and little Sasuke's match began.
They quickly took up their stances, ready for a fierce contest.
Little Naruto was agile. He charged at little Sasuke, trying to use his speed to gain the upper hand.
But little Sasuke stayed calm. With a quick movement, he easily dodged Naruto's attack.
Then little Sasuke counterattacked. He clenched his fists, gathered a powerful force, and suddenly drove a punch toward little Naruto.
The punch surged forward with tremendous force, as if it would knock little Naruto down in an instant.
But little Naruto reacted quickly. A glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes as he dodged to the side, easily avoiding little Sasuke's attack. His figure traced a graceful arc through the air before landing steadily on the ground.
Little Naruto didn't give little Sasuke a chance to catch his breath. He followed up with a kick, moving as fast as lightning and leaving the onlookers dazzled.
Little Sasuke's heart skipped a beat at the sight, but he didn't panic. He swiftly adjusted his stance, ready to counter Naruto's attack.
Their fight was fierce, their movements so fast they were hard to follow.
Every attack and defense was packed with power and skill, leaving the crowd impressed by their abilities. The spectators were captivated by their performance and cheered again and again.
As the fierce battle went on, however, little Sasuke gradually revealed his advantage.
His movements were faster, his strength greater, and every attack put more pressure on little Naruto.
Little Naruto kept struggling to hold his ground, but before long, he began to feel overwhelmed.
At this crucial moment, little Sasuke suddenly unleashed his trump card.
Little Sasuke's eyes widened abruptly, a strange red gleam flashing in them.
In that instant, something seemed to stir deep within his eyes, and the One-Tomoe Sharingan activated.
But this sudden change didn't give him the boost in strength he'd expected. Instead, he felt weak.
At the same time, little Sasuke's presence surged, as if he'd become an entirely different person.
A sharp gleam shone in his eyes, and an overwhelming aura radiated from him, filling the students around him with an indescribable sense of pressure.
This guy... Little Naruto was startled. He could feel the change in little Sasuke and knew his opponent was ready to go all out.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and quickly adjusted his own state as well, preparing for the battle ahead.
"Three Body Technique!" little Naruto shouted. His figure blurred, and two clones appeared, charging at little Sasuke from the left and right.
The Three Body Technique was little Naruto's signature move, but at that moment, unease stirred in his heart.
Little Sasuke calmly watched the three Narutos charging at him, his gaze utterly unruffled.
Just as the clones' fists were about to hit him, he moved aside and dodged with ease. Then, with another swift movement, he appeared right in front of little Naruto's real body.
"Clone Technique may be powerful, but if you don't understand your opponent's abilities, it's hard to use it to its full potential," little Sasuke said coldly.
Little Naruto's heart tightened. He knew little Sasuke was right.
He had planned to use the Three Body Technique to confuse little Sasuke, then look for a chance to attack. He hadn't expected little Sasuke to break through his move so easily.
As little Naruto was thinking of a countermeasure, little Sasuke had already launched his attack.
He moved in a flash, appeared right in front of little Naruto, and landed a hard punch in his stomach.
Little Naruto felt a tremendous force slam into him. It was as if he'd been struck by a sledgehammer, and his body instantly went limp.
His vision began to blur. He heard the other students cry out, but it all seemed so far away.
All he could feel was his body sailing through the air in an arc, about to crash hard into a nearby tree trunk.
"I told you to hold back. Honestly, Sasuke..." Ruri sighed helplessly, her voice tinged with worry and alarm.
She knew how strong little Sasuke was, and she also knew little Naruto was at a disadvantage in this fight. She'd hoped little Sasuke would rein in his strength a little and give Naruto room to grow, but he'd still hit him too hard.
Without hesitation, Ruri rushed toward little Naruto. Her figure flashed past the crowd like a bolt of lightning. She moved so quickly that she reached him in the blink of an eye.
She stretched out both hands and caught little Naruto just before he could hit the tree trunk.
Her hands seemed to hold some kind of miraculous power. They completely absorbed the force of his impact, letting him land safely on the ground.
Lying in Ruri's arms, little Naruto felt a wave of warmth wash over him. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the concern in hers.
"Sensei..." little Naruto murmured, his voice weak but grateful.
Ruri gently helped little Naruto up and settled him against the tree trunk. She carefully checked him over and confirmed that he hadn't suffered any serious injuries.
"You're safe with me, little Naruto. Don't be afraid," Ruri said gently, her voice like a spring breeze, soothing and warm.
She lightly patted little Naruto's shoulder, telling him to relax.
Little Naruto looked up at Ruri, and the fear and unease in his eyes gradually faded.
He felt her concern and comfort, as if a warm current were flowing through his heart.
"Teacher Liuli, I..." Little Naruto started to say, but Ruri interrupted him.
"You don't have to say anything. I understand," Ruri said with a smile. "Sasuke did hit you rather hard, but that's just how he is. Don't take it to heart. You're both students, and you still have a long way to go."
Little Naruto nodded, feeling a little less frustrated. He knew there was still a lot he needed to improve, and the fight had made him keenly aware of his weaknesses.
"Teacher Liuli, I'll train hard and get stronger," little Naruto said firmly, determination shining in his eyes.
Ruri looked at little Naruto, her heart full of pride. She knew he had potential and that, if he trained hard, he could become an excellent ninja.
"Good. I believe in you. You can come to my house this weekend, and I'll help you with your training," Ruri encouraged him. "For now, get some rest. I'll go talk to Sasuke."
With that, Ruri turned and walked toward little Sasuke. She knew the fight was over, but there was still plenty to deal with.
"The next match will continue. Naruto isn't seriously hurt, so don't worry."
Ruri's voice echoed through the air, carrying a reassuring strength. As soon as she spoke, the tense atmosphere eased considerably.
Everyone looked toward little Naruto. He was sitting on the ground, pale, but his gaze was remarkably resolute.
He felt the other students' concerned looks and warmth welled up inside him.
"I'm really okay. Teacher Liuli already checked me over," little Naruto said with a smile. His voice was a little weak, but it was full of spirit.
Ruri looked at little Naruto, approval flashing in her eyes. She knew that although he was young, he already had an unyielding spirit. A student like that would surely grow into an outstanding ninja.
"All right, don't crowd around him. Let Naruto rest for a while," Ruri said, gently waving for everyone to move away.
The students followed Ruri's instructions and stepped back, leaving little Naruto some quiet space.
Ruri walked over and crouched beside him, asking with concern, "Naruto, rest here for a bit. If you need anything, just tell me."
Little Naruto shook his head and smiled. "I'm really okay, Teacher Liuli. I'm just a little tired. I'll be fine after some rest."
Ruri nodded and stood up, reassured. She knew little Naruto's body was tired, but his spirits were still high. He was in good enough shape to face whatever came next.
Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka walked to the center of the training ground and took their places, their gazes resolute, as if a fierce contest were about to begin. Their classmates gathered around to watch, their chatter rising and falling as they all looked forward to an exciting match.
Ruri walked over to Sasuke and looked at him in confusion. Sasuke remained expressionless, as if his fight with little Naruto had not affected him at all.
Ruri knew Sasuke was strong, but she couldn't understand why he had hit little Naruto so hard.
"Sasuke, you hit him a little too hard just now," Ruri said softly, a hint of reproach in her voice. She stood beside Sasuke, looking into his deep, dark eyes, hoping to understand what he was thinking.
Sasuke turned to look at Ruri and raised an eyebrow, as if wondering why she would say that. He replied flatly, "Too hard? I was just following your instructions and giving it my all."
Ruri furrowed her brows slightly. She knew Sasuke was far stronger than the other students his age, but he seemed to have misunderstood her.
She took a deep breath and patiently explained, "Sasuke, I know you're strong, but giving it your all doesn't mean hurting your opponent. Little Naruto has improved a lot, but he's still a child. Your strength may have been too much for him."
Sasuke fell silent for a moment, seemingly considering her words. A complex emotion flickered in his eyes, but in the end, he stood by his point. "I was holding back. I hit him in the stomach. It wasn't that hard."
Ruri looked at Sasuke's resolute gaze and knew she wouldn't be able to change his mind anytime soon.
But she didn't give up. She believed that, with time, Sasuke would understand what she meant.
So she gently patted Sasuke on the head and said warmly, "All right, maybe you're right. But remember, this is a school, and what we're doing is practice, not a fight to the death against an enemy. Giving it your all is fine, but what matters more is learning to control your strength and respect both your opponent and yourself. Only then can a fight truly help you grow."
Sasuke felt the warmth of Liuli's palm. He lowered his head slightly, a complicated emotion flickering in his eyes. It wasn't that he didn't understand what Liuli was saying. It was just that deep down, he had such a strong competitive streak that it was hard for him to let his guard down completely during a fight.
Liuli watched Sasuke fall silent and knew he needed some time to take in what she had said.
She didn't rush him. Instead, she quietly stayed by his side, waiting for him to work things out on his own.
After a while, Sasuke lifted his head, a hint of resolve in his eyes.
He took a deep breath and said to Liuli, "I understand, Sis. I'll remember what you said and learn to control my strength in battle. Thank you."
Hearing Sasuke's response, Liuli felt a rush of relief.
She knew Sasuke was a smart, proud boy. As long as he understood and accepted her advice, he could change the personality he had in the original story.
Nearby, Shikamaru Nara, Kiba Inuzuka, and Rock Lee had gathered together, and all three of them found themselves looking toward Sasuke and Liuli.
When they saw Liuli gently pat Sasuke on the head and watched him wear a rare, bashful expression, the three of them were stunned.
"Hey, hey, did you see that? Sasuke... he actually blushed!" Rock Lee's eyes went wide as he pointed toward Sasuke, looking utterly incredulous.
Shikamaru Nara rubbed his eyes. Once he was sure he hadn't imagined it, he couldn't help but laugh. "Ha! That's a rare sight. Sasuke's always acting so cool. Who knew he could get this shy?"
Kiba Inuzuka looked at Sasuke and Liuli with envy. "I'm so jealous. Teacher Liuli is so gentle with Sasuke. I want Teacher Liuli to pat me on the head too..."
Before he could finish, Rock Lee burst out laughing at him. "Ha! Give it up, Kiba. Teacher Liuli is Sasuke's sister. She's only that gentle with him."
Shikamaru Nara laughed too and patted Kiba Inuzuka on the shoulder. "Kiba, you might as well give up. But come to think of it, Sasuke and his teacher really are close. Every time I see them together, it feels so heartwarming."
Shikamaru Nara gave a slight shake of his head, as if trying to shake off his astonishment. Half joking and half serious, he said, "Looks like Sasuke has a soft spot after all. Who would've thought this guy, who usually looks too cool to have any friends, could get shy?"
Kiba Inuzuka thoughtfully rubbed his chin, as if he'd uncovered some big secret. "Don't you think Teacher Liuli treats Sasuke differently from the rest of us?"
Rock Lee's eyes widened, as if he'd just realized something. "You mean... Big Sis Liuli favors Sasuke?"
"It's not favoritism. She just cares about him in a special way," Shikamaru Nara corrected him. "She treats Sasuke like her own little brother. None of us has ever gotten that kind of gentleness and patience from her."
Kiba Inuzuka nodded in agreement. "True, Teacher Liuli really cares about Sasuke. It seems like she patted Naruto on the head too... Wait... I've never been patted on the head."
Rock Lee sighed, sounding envious. "I wish I had a big sister like that."
The three chatted as they occasionally cast envious glances toward Sasuke and Liuli.
They all knew that, even though Sasuke didn't say much, deep down he longed for family affection.
Especially after news of the massacre had spread throughout the village.
And Liuli, as his older sister, had undoubtedly given him a great deal of support and affection.
By now, Sasuke had regained his usual composure, but the blush on his cheeks still hadn't faded.
He tried to cover up his embarrassment with a cough, but Liuli didn't seem inclined to let him off the hook.
"Oh, Sasuke, you're blushing! You blushed in my room this morning too, didn't you?"
Liuli gave him a mischievous smile, watching him as if she were enjoying a rare and amusing sight.
Sasuke felt his cheeks growing hotter and hotter. He knew he must be blushing, but he didn't want to admit it in front of Liuli.
He turned his face away, trying to hide his discomfort behind a cool expression. His voice grew stiff as he said, "As if. I'm not blushing."
Liuli didn't seem bothered by Sasuke's cool response. She deliberately moved closer, her bright eyes fixed on his face as if she meant to see right through him.
She studied his face carefully, the corners of her mouth curling up in a teasing smile. "Really? Because your cheeks look red to me, like ripe apples."
Liuli's voice was soft and sweet, like a spring breeze rippling across a lake, soothing the heart.
Her words made Sasuke's heart beat faster despite himself, and his cheeks grew even hotter.
Sasuke tried to stay calm, attempting to answer Liuli's teasing with a cool stare.
But Liuli didn't seem willing to let him off the hook. In that same sweet voice, she continued, "Sasuke, you know, blushing is actually kind of cute."
There was a playful, teasing note in her words, leaving Sasuke feeling rather helpless.
He knew he couldn't escape Liuli's teasing, so he could only try to stay calm and keep himself from getting even more embarrassed.
"So what if I'm blushing? You already know, Sis." Liuli teased with a smile. Her playful tone made it seem as though she enjoyed seeing him like this.
Listening to Liuli, Sasuke felt his embarrassment and bashfulness grow even stronger.
He tried hard to keep calm, but the heat in his cheeks was as impossible to hide as a flame.
He glared at Liuli, a hint of displeasure in his voice. "Sis, stop making fun of me."
Liuli didn't seem to mind his displeasure. She continued smiling as she said, "Oh, Sasuke, you're really cute like this. You know, blushing is charming too."
Her words only made Sasuke more embarrassed. He knew Liuli had gotten him flustered, but he didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone.
He took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice steady. "Sis, stop teasing me. I... I just feel a little uncomfortable, that's all."
Seeing Sasuke like this, the mischief in Liuli's heart gradually faded, replaced by warmth and concern.
She gently patted him on the shoulder, her voice softening. "All right, all right, I'll stop teasing you. I just think you're cute like this. I didn't mean anything by it."
Liuli's words eased Sasuke's embarrassment a little.
He looked up at her, a trace of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you, Sis."
Liuli smiled but said nothing more.
She knew Sasuke was an introverted, sensitive boy who needed more understanding and acceptance. And she was willing to be someone who understood and accepted him.
Their conversation gradually died down, but they continued to communicate their feelings without a word.
Sasuke felt his embarrassment and bashfulness slowly fading, replaced by a more ordinary state of mind.
"So next time, don't hit Naruto so hard. You two are classmates, and friends too."
Liuli's words echoed in Sasuke's ears like a gentle spring breeze, softly brushing against his heart.
Sasuke froze. He hadn't expected Liuli to bring that up at a time like this.
His gaze dipped as he avoided Liuli's eyes, a complicated feeling welling up inside him.
Sasuke had always been an independent and proud person. He rarely listened to other people's advice, let alone suggestions about how he should behave.
Yet Liuli's words pierced straight into his heart, like a needle.
He knew his sister cared about him and was reminding him not to go down the wrong path.
He frowned and said helplessly, "I understand. Next time, I'll hold back." Though his voice carried a hint of reluctance, Sasuke still chose to listen to Liuli.
He understood that her simple words carried deep concern and hope. He didn't want to disappoint her, and he didn't want to regret it himself.
Liuli looked at Sasuke, a hint of relief in her eyes. She knew he was a smart, sensible boy, just a little too stubborn and impulsive at times.
So Liuli said no more. She simply patted Sasuke on the head and then turned to leave.
She knew her words had gotten through to him. Sasuke would reflect on his actions and do his best to change.
Liuli slowly made her way over to the group of students. Her steps were steady and strong, each one seeming to follow a rhythm of its own.
Her gaze happened to fall on Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno, who were arguing. A puzzled expression appeared on her face.
Liuli had expected to see a fierce fight. After all, the message she'd received said a match was about to take place here. But the scene before her left her at a loss for words.
A match? How was this a match? It was clearly just two girls arguing!
She stopped and quietly observed them. Ino had her hands on her hips, her face full of anger. Her voice trembled slightly, clearly hurt by Sakura's words.
Sakura, meanwhile, looked stubborn and refused to back down as she answered Ino's accusations. Her eyes shone with determination.
Their voices overlapped, creating a tense and heated atmosphere.
The other students cast curious glances their way. Some had even started whispering among themselves, discussing the sudden argument.
Liuli couldn't help thinking that arguments between girls were impossible to figure out.
She knew there had to be a deeper conflict or misunderstanding behind their argument.
She decided to step in and help settle things between them. The other students still needed to get their practical training in, and she was their teacher, after all.
She walked over to Ino and Sakura and said softly, "Ino, Sakura, stop arguing."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a firmness that was hard to ignore.
At the sound of Liuli's voice, Ino and Sakura both froze for a moment and turned to look at her.
Ino's face was still flushed with anger, while Sakura frowned tightly, looking utterly unconvinced.
Looking at them, Liuli continued, "This is practical combat class, not a place for you to throw tantrums. Which one of you won?"
Her words were stern, making them both realize how serious the situation was.
Ino and Sakura exchanged a glance, then fell silent. It seemed Liuli's words had reminded them that this was practical combat class and they shouldn't waste time arguing.
After a while, Ino spoke first. "We... we haven't actually started fighting yet."
Her voice trembled a little, clearly showing that she hadn't quite recovered from her anger. Sakura spoke up too. "I was just trying to tell her some facts, but she misunderstood what I meant." Her voice held a hint of hurt.
Hearing what they said, Liuli began to understand. She gently patted them both on the shoulder and said, "I know there's been a misunderstanding between you, but this isn't the time to sort it out." She paused, then continued, "This is practical combat class, and the other students are still waiting in line. If you have a problem with each other, you can find a suitable time and place to talk it out after class. For now, let's get back to training."
Ino and Sakura nodded, agreeing with Liuli.
They knew she was right. They couldn't let a momentary argument get in the way of their practical combat class.
Watching Ino and Sakura's expressions gradually calm, Liuli finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She couldn't help grumbling to herself: These two girls getting into an argument during practical combat class was more absurd than a ninja war!
Thinking back to what had just happened, she found it both amusing and exasperating. These two girls usually seemed sharp and capable, but the moment they started arguing, their intelligence plummeted. They cast even the most basic logic and reason to the winds.
Liuli couldn't help muttering to herself: Practical combat class was supposed to be a place to build strength and skills, but these two had gone and put on a "war of words." If word got out, the whole Ninja Academy would be laughing themselves silly.
As she thought about it, she couldn't help laughing out loud.
Ino and Sakura heard Liuli laughing and turned to look at her, embarrassment showing on their faces.
Liuli quickly stifled her laughter, coughed twice, and said solemnly, "All right, all right, don't look at me like that. I'm not laughing at you."
But she was thinking to herself: Even I don't believe that.
Ino and Sakura exchanged a glance. They both knew better.
Before you continue