Damned Charm

Sasuke knew that if Gekko Hayate hadn't lied to him before, then he would definitely have the upper hand in their exchange now, using the first form of the Dance of the Crescent Moon.

However, that was limited only to the first form, Wind Slash.

The way he cultivated with the help of the system seemed different from Gekko Hayate's path.

Others improved their overall strength, while Sasuke had to improve one move at a time.

He figured he would only unlock the next move once he had perfected the current one.

Regarding this, Sasuke felt quite frustrated.

After all, he who eats from the system's bowl must be soft-spoken, and he who takes from the system's hand must be short-handed...

Faced with his future, he had no choice but to submit to its whims.

Time passes in the blink of an eye, and the years slip away in the shadows.

A full day later.

When the morning sun—he didn't know which ray it was—shone onto Sasuke's backside, he finally crawled up, albeit reluctantly.

He had exhausted too much energy training last night, nearly causing him to oversleep.

Yet today was the day of the Ninja Academy graduation exam.

He had no choice but to make his way to the Ninja Academy...

And so, after splashing his face with water from the pool and tidying himself up, Sasuke was fully revived, stepping out of the Valley of the End with a handsome air once more.

Ninja Academy.

Relying on the original owner's memories, Sasuke arrived at his assigned classroom without any trouble.

But to his surprise, the classroom was in complete chaos, filled with a deafening roar of noise.

In the aisles, corners, and even on the podium, young children were chasing each other, laughing and playing.

It seems Iruka hasn't arrived yet...

With a bitter smile, Su Jian shook his head.

Although his body had yet to mature, his mind was long past the age of innocence.

Finding a secluded, empty corner, Sasuke walked over and sat down, silent and unobtrusive.

He didn't like to show off in front of others; as soon as he sat down, he slowly lowered his eyes and summoned the system panel, preparing to seize the time to practice the Dance of the Crescent Moon.

But just as Sasuke moved his thoughts and summoned the system panel, his ears twitched, and two whispers forcibly drew his attention:

"Is that Sasuke? I'm going to fall in love with him to death!..."

"Ino, why do you always like to compete with me for things? Other things are fine, but Sasuke is absolutely off-limits!..."

"Sakura, you're being unreasonable saying that."

"Ask yourself, from the time we were little until now, what good thing have I, Ino, not shared with you?..."

"I can't believe you'd say something like this today, I really... sigh..."

"That's different! Sasuke is a person, he's not a 'thing'!..."

The tone grew increasingly agitated, and the argument became more intense.

Hearing this, Sasuke couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Why do I feel like Sakura is insulting me?...

He thought to himself, figuring that Ino and Sakura were just children.

He didn't pay it any mind, preparing to focus his thoughts and enter a meditative state.

But at that moment, he heard Sakura scream at the top of her lungs:

"Besides, I won't share Sasuke with you. He's mine, and no one can take him away!..."

"Hmph! Sakura, those are the exact words I was going to say!"

"In that case, we are no longer friends!"

"From now on, we'll see who has the skill to win Sasuke's heart! Hmph!..."

"Fine, let's be done with it! For his sake, I won't back down! Hmph!..."

Hearing this, the arguing voices came to a sudden halt once more.

"Sigh... this plastic sisterhood; Sakura really hasn't changed a bit..."

Sasuke felt a sense of distaste regarding Sakura's attitude toward Ino.

Although all of this stemmed from his own good looks.

But regardless, judging from the previous dispute.

Ino had been thinking of her friend in every good thing since they were children.

Therefore, no matter what kind of irreconcilable conflict existed.

Sasuke believed that one shouldn't scream at the top of their lungs in public, leaving a friend who had been so sincere and open-hearted in such an embarrassing position.

This was no longer a matter of personal principles.

It was a matter of character—too self-centered, too overbearing...

As he thought this, a system notification suddenly rang in his mind:

[Ding! Congratulations to the host, Charm +2. Current Charm has risen to: 37.]

Looking at the line of information that only he could see.

Sasuke couldn't help but let out a wry smile, shaking his head helplessly as he mused:

"Sigh... my damned charm..."

Where did these two points of charm come from?

Sasuke realized it the moment he thought about it.

It must have come from Ino and Sakura, the two girls who were just fighting over him.

He suddenly realized a terrifying point.

That was, at his current rate of charm growth.

Would there come a day when all the beauties in Konoha would be turned upside down, unable to help themselves...

If it ever reached that point...

A tall tree catches the wind; if he didn't find a way to deal with it soon.

When that time came, Konoha would definitely take notice of him.

At that point, even if he wanted to stay low-key in the Konoha starter village for a while, it would be impossible...

Thinking of this, Sasuke felt a headache coming on.

He never expected that one day he would be worried about being too handsome...

"How about, after school, I learn from Kakashi and find a mask to wear first?..."

He was out of options.

This was the only relatively safe method he could think of.

After all, learning from Kakashi and wearing a ninja mask was much more pleasing to the eye than learning from Zabuza and wrapping a bandage around his face...

Although he had heard the entire argument between Sakura and Ino.

From beginning to end, Sasuke kept his eyes tightly shut.

Like a statue, he sat with his arms crossed, not moving in the slightest.

But in a corner he couldn't see.

A blue-eyed, blond-haired boy was glaring at Sasuke with resentment at this very moment, gritting his teeth!

"Damn it!..."

"Sakura-chan likes you so much, yet you're pretending to be indifferent!..."

His fists were clenched tight, and the whisker-like birthmarks on his cheeks were even crooked with anger...

In fact, the boy hadn't guessed wrong.

Because although the classroom was incredibly noisy just now.

The sound of Sakura and Ino's quarrel was quite loud; everyone around must have heard it to some extent.

He had heard it clearly, let alone Sasuke, who was even closer to the two girls.

Finally, the more he thought about it, the more the blue-eyed, blond-haired boy couldn't hold back...

He walked to the side of Sasuke's seat, his legs slightly bent, and then, as if equipped with springs, he jumped onto the desk in front of Sasuke in the blink of an eye!

The desk shook violently. The boy steadied himself, crouched down, stared at Sasuke, and slowly spoke:

"You annoying guy!"

"Stop pretending to be asleep!"

"Today, if you don't apologize to Sakura-chan, I won't let you off!..."

Closing his eyes in contemplation, Sasuke pondered what kind of mask he should buy after school to conceal his peerless countenance.

Suddenly, he felt his desk begin to shake.

He chose to ignore it; after all, the room was filled with nothing but children.

To fuss over it too much would only lower his own standing.

Yet, even as he thought this, a few shouts suddenly erupted right in front of him.

"What's the situation?..."

Feeling no anger, Sasuke only felt bewildered.

With a frown, he slowly opened his eyes.

But the next moment, his pupils constricted sharply, and he turned his gaze toward the blue-eyed, blond-haired boy before him, exclaiming in shock:

"Crown Prince?..."