Second Defeat of Sasuke

"Hinata, why were you sneaking looks at me?" Naruto sat across from Hinata with a cheeky grin and said:

"If you like looking at me, you can do it openly from now on. I'm not that stingy."

"Um, well..." Hinata lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers, unable to get a word out.

"Ah, all right." Naruto had no idea how to handle Hinata for now. He sighed and turned away. He had more important things to do.

He returned to Sasuke and asked him:

"Have you thought about what I said earlier? We're going to be on the same team anyway, so why don't we start working together to get stronger today?"

Sasuke considered it for a moment, his face impassive. Then he looked at Naruto. "We need to fight again! That last one didn't count!"

"Heh." Naruto smiled. "Still sore about me beating you up, huh? Fine. Let's go to the Training Ground this time!"

The two soon reached the school's Training Ground. Classes were over, so no one would come to school except the graduating students.

And those students had each found somewhere to eat lunch.

The entire area around the Training Ground was deserted.

But just as Naruto and Sasuke arrived, Sakura noticed Sasuke was gone from the classroom and came looking for him. She stood at the edge of the Training Ground and shouted:

"You can do it, Sasuke-kun! Beat Naruto and show that dead-last loser what you can do!"

Naruto rolled his eyes and said to Sasuke, "We've got an audience this time. You'd better put on a good show!"

With that, he brought his hands together. Shadow Clones appeared around them, one after another, and swarmed toward Sasuke.

"Hmph! That move again? You won't catch me off guard this time!" Sasuke snorted, immediately formed Hand Seals, and drew a breath.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A huge fireball shot straight at Naruto.

"Hah, are you insulting me, Sasuke? You're using a Ninjutsu that can't hit anyone."

As he spoke, Naruto used several Shadow Clones as a human ladder, sprang off them into the air, and dove toward Sasuke from above.

Sasuke snorted and raised his head. The fireball from his mouth swept upward, engulfing "Naruto" in midair.

Unfortunately, that was only a Shadow Clone.

At that moment, several Shadow Clones closed in on Sasuke from both sides and behind.

"Sasuke, look out!" Sakura shouted from a distance.

"Hmph. What a nuisance!" Naruto muttered.

Sasuke had been focused on breathing fire upward and hadn't noticed the attacks from the sides and rear. Naruto's plan had been about to succeed, but Sakura's warning ruined it.

Bang, bang, bang.

Sasuke burned away the Shadow Clones on either side with his Great Fireball Technique. Then he stopped using Fire Release, turned, and kicked apart the clone behind him.

"Sasuke, above you!" Sakura warned again from afar.

Startled, Sasuke looked up. Somehow, two more "Narutos" were dropping from high overhead, their feet about to strike his head.

Sasuke dodged quickly. Frowning at the two "Narutos" who landed before him, he swept his gaze around and confirmed there were no other Shadow Clones nearby.

"Even with Sakura warning you, you still can't beat me, Sasuke!" Naruto said with a sneer.

Sasuke felt the insult. He turned toward Sakura and said coldly, "Get lost!"

Sakura froze, her expression stiffening as she stood there at a loss.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Naruto brought his hands together again, and dozens more Shadow Clones rushed Sasuke.

Sasuke frowned, formed Hand Seals once more, and spat another Great Fireball straight at the clones.

"Sasuke-kun! Watch your back!" Sakura's voice rang out again.

Sasuke was thoroughly fed up. Still, he didn't consider himself a fool. Annoying as Sakura's warnings were, he wasn't about to ignore one.

And that was how Sasuke made a fool of himself...

There was nothing behind him! Naruto had imitated Sakura's voice.

By the time Sasuke realized he'd been tricked, it was too late. Several Shadow Clones pounced and pinned him down tight.

"You lost. That's twice now, Sasuke." Naruto dispelled his Shadow Clones and smiled at him.

"Hmph!"

Losing twice to the dead-last loser he had always looked down on was hard enough to accept. Having Sakura there to see it made it even more humiliating.

Sasuke turned and walked away. As he passed Sakura, he shot her a cold glare. Whatever she had been about to say died on her lips; her eyes reddened, and tears spilled down her cheeks.

Ding! Long-term achievement quest issued: [Seven Defeats of Sasuke]. Reward: Unknown Mysterious Reward!

Ding! This quest requires no choice from the host. Complete it to claim the reward.

"Seven Defeats of Sasuke? Is this like Zhuge Liang's seven captures of Meng Huo?" Naruto murmured, raising an eyebrow. "And a Mysterious Reward? I love a mystery! Haha!"

Full of enthusiasm, Naruto left the Training Ground. He passed Sakura, who was still crying, and started to speak. "Sakura, I..."

"You're the idiot I hate most!" Sakura screamed at him:

"You dead-last loser! Why did you imitate my voice to trick Sasuke? He must hate me now! You can only beat him with dirty tricks! Idiot! Loser!"

With that, Sakura turned and ran off, apparently chasing after Sasuke.

Naruto watched her disappear into the distance and sneered. "Moron."

Naruto left the Training Ground, breathing hard. Beating Sasuke and receiving a long-term quest had put him in a good mood. Now that was gone.

After lunch, the students returned to the classroom.

Naruto ran in, panting, and sat down. He had spent the whole time running laps at the Training Ground to build his stamina.

Though his Uzumaki Clan Sage Body had reached Level 3, it had only increased his cells' vitality and the amount of Chakra in his body. It hadn't improved his physical endurance or strength.

"Sasuke, have you decided? Let's work together to get stronger. When the time comes, I'll help you get your revenge!"

Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked as he sat beside Sasuke.

Sasuke said nothing, his face still cold. If he agreed now, it would look as though he were doing it because Naruto had beaten him. He couldn't stand that.

"All right, think it over some more. Maybe you'll agree after I beat you next time." Naruto rolled his eyes and spoke helplessly.

Sasuke snorted, his expression darkening.

Before long, the Jonin assigned to lead each team came in and took their three-person squads away.

When Hinata saw Kurenai Yuhi enter and call their names, she stood and headed out. As she passed Naruto, she whispered so softly it was barely audible, "Do your best, Naruto-kun!"

"Hinata, you're too quiet!" Naruto looked up with a grin, suddenly caught her hand, and said:

"But I heard you! You have to work hard too, or you won't keep up with me!"

"Mmm." When Hinata realized Naruto was holding her hand, she nearly fainted. She finally managed to pull free and ran out, blushing from head to toe.

Kurenai Yuhi watched with an amused smile, reminded of her younger days with Asuma.

"Hmph. Hinata ranked third in our class, right behind Sasuke-kun and me. You want her to keep up with you? As another dead-last loser?"

Sakura's voice came from behind him, her contempt undisguised.

"Hey! Has anyone ever told you how annoying you are, Forehead?"

Naruto turned and shot back with a sneer.

"Forehead" was Sakura's signature nickname...