Sasuke's Astonishing Discovery

The ANBU ninja could not figure it out and ultimately concluded that the big dog was simply too sensitive to dare approach Naruto, the Jinchūriki.

As for Naruto.

He had already walked away indifferently, calmly heading toward the Ninja Academy.

Naruto knew perfectly well that the reason the big dog had been so terrified was actually because of the Saiyan Blood. He now had thirty drops of blood, and while there did not seem to be any major changes, still...

Some hidden benefits had gradually begun to emerge, such as the intimidation from earlier, heightened sensitivity to prying eyes, and his body's reaction speed and combat instincts.

These hidden benefits were growing more numerous, benefiting Naruto in every way and leaving him richly rewarded.

The only thing troubling Naruto was that he still had not succeeded in extracting 'ki.' Instead, he had extracted another pile of chakra, leaving him speechless.

He urgently wanted to know how many points of Saiyan Blood were needed to meet the minimum requirement for extracting ki. That was also why he intended to unlock the Data Panel.

Since the Data Panel had such a function, there was a certain chance it would display his detailed personal data—at least a fifty percent possibility. So Naruto decided he would find an opportunity to exchange for it later.

Having made up his mind, Naruto hurried to the academy. When he entered the classroom, he discovered that the seats were nearly full. Clearly, he was among the late arrivals.

Under the watchful eyes of those around him, Naruto returned to his seat and prepared to think about how to earn Experience Points when he suddenly noticed something in his desk.

He took it out curiously, and a smile immediately curled across Naruto's lips.

It was actually a set of ninja equipment: a ninja tool pouch, kunai, shuriken, bandages, and other such gear.

There was also a small note inside the tool pouch. Naruto opened it curiously, and a line of writing came into view.

[Naruto, thank you for the painting and the statue. I really liked them. This is my gift for you—Hinata.]

Seeing the note's contents, Naruto instantly understood everything. Smiling, he turned around and met Hinata's gaze in the back row.

With a hint of mischief, Naruto winked at Hinata, immediately making the little girl lower her head shyly, too embarrassed to look at him again.

[Experience Points +1]

"Eh?"

Naruto was speechless. He quickly turned back around and stopped teasing Hinata. He had never expected that merely winking could earn him Experience Points.

Though it troubled him, it also made him consider using this method to earn Experience Points from others, such as Sasuke beside him.

But if he, a guy, winked at someone, it seemed rather strange. Naruto considered switching to female characters instead, like Ino or Sakura.

But after thinking it over, he gave up on that idea too. That sort of wink seemed even more inappropriate, carrying a flirtatious implication no matter how he looked at it.

"Forget it. I'll go with Sasuke. That brat gives the most Experience Points, so consider him unlucky." Naruto muttered to himself as he turned to look at Sasuke beside him.

From the side.

Sasuke had his hands clasped beneath his chin, staring ahead in a cool pose. But after yesterday's events, he had begun paying more attention to Naruto.

After all, the perennial dead last could actually carve and paint. That had dealt Sasuke quite a blow, so ever since Naruto arrived, Sasuke had kept him in the corner of his eye.

But.

Sasuke, who had merely been watching him, suddenly noticed Naruto looking at him. He immediately frowned. "What is it?"

"Nothing." Naruto answered blandly, then rapidly blinked his eyes.

"Uh..."

Sasuke was baffled by the gesture. He had thought Naruto needed something, but what was with winking at him? Why did it feel so weird?

Thinking he might have seen wrong, the annoyed Sasuke studied Naruto's face carefully. But the moment he looked, Naruto began blinking at him over and over.

[Experience Points +1]

[Experience Points +1]

Sasuke quickly looked away from Naruto. He could not help it—the blinking made a chill run down his back. It was even more terrifying than being attacked.

So he never looked at Naruto again, simply staring straight ahead with a cool expression.

At this.

Naruto shrugged, abandoned that method, and began considering other ways to earn Experience Points.

"Naruto, can you teach me wood carving? You're really good at it." Sakura leaned over and asked.

"You can't learn it. You don't have the talent for it." Naruto refused without hesitation.

Carving was not something one could learn easily. It required countless efforts and much sweat. More importantly, it required talent and patience.

For someone like Sakura, who only wanted to play around with carving on a whim, it would be a complete waste of time. So Naruto refused directly.

[Experience Points +1]

"I can learn it. I work very hard." Sakura said, somewhat unconvinced.

"If hard work were enough, what would geniuses be for?" Naruto began feeding her poisonous motivational nonsense.

"Naruto, I'm a girl. Is that how you treat girls?" Sakura demanded angrily.

"Do I?" Naruto raised a brow.

"Of course you do. You obviously look down on people. Don't you consider a girl's self-respect? That really hurts." Sakura said angrily.

"I see. I don't know why, but seeing you unhappy makes me want to laugh."

"Naruto!!"

Sakura was furious. Today's Naruto was simply too infuriating, so much so that she wanted to hit someone.

But with Sasuke beside her, she could only keep silent in a huff to preserve her ladylike image.

[Experience Points +1]

"Why aren't you saying anything? You're giving up after just a few words?" Naruto suddenly asked in a gentle voice.

"You're willing to teach me?" Seeing Naruto's manner, Sakura's eyes filled with a hint of anticipation.

"No." Naruto shook his head.

"You!"

Sakura clenched her fists, looking ready to explode. But with Sasuke present, she held it in and spoke in a dangerous tone.

"Naruto, aren't you ashamed of making me this angry?"

"Not at all. My happiness is built on other people's misery." Naruto replied without even looking up.

"Naruto!!"

Sakura could no longer endure it. She raised her fist and punched at Naruto. In her rage, she was remarkably fast. If caught off guard, even Sasuke might have been struck.

But.

Just as her fist was about to land on Naruto, a strong hand easily caught her wrist, preventing her from striking again.

[Experience Points +1]

"Girls shouldn't be so violent. Look at how adorable Hinata is. You should learn from her." Naruto said blandly as he released Sakura's wrist.

"You... Hmph."

Sakura glared at Naruto indignantly, then ignored him.

However, Sasuke beside them frowned slightly.

Because Sasuke had seen what happened just then. Sakura's fist had nearly hit Naruto before Naruto made his move.

And Naruto had moved incredibly fast, stopping Sakura almost instantly. Even he could not accomplish such speed, which left Sasuke utterly astonished.

Something's wrong. Naruto was way too fast just now. That definitely isn't something a student can display. Even I, the top student, can't do it. Could Naruto be hiding his strength?

Thinking of this, Sasuke rapidly reviewed Naruto's past, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat.