To his classmates, Naruto was a partner they could completely entrust with their confidence. And indeed, everything Naruto did lived up to that trust.
One day, Naruto witnessed Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura have a total falling out over Sasuke, which erupted into a fierce argument.
"You and your billboard brow!" Ino roared in a fit of anger.
Sakura's body trembled, her eyes wide with disbelief. Ino's words had undoubtedly reopened an old wound. For the longest time, she had been self-conscious about her wide forehead. It was Ino who had appeared, comforted her, given her a red ribbon to wear, and helped her regain her confidence, making her feel cute and even daring enough to show her 'billboard brow.' From that day on, they had become inseparable best friends.
But now, the person who had been a 'light' for Sakura had become the darkness pushing her into an abyss.
"Billboard brow… Ouch, that's harsh." "But now that you mention it, Sakura's forehead does seem kinda..."
Hearing the surrounding students' whispers, tears welled up in Sakura's eyes. She threw the red ribbon Ino had given her onto the ground and ran out of the classroom.
Ino regretted her words the moment they left her mouth.
"Don't maliciously mock your classmates. That's very rude," Naruto said, standing up. His usual gentle demeanor was replaced with a serious expression.
Chastened by Naruto, the students hung their heads in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry," Ino said, looking miserable.
"You shouldn't be apologizing to me, but to Sakura." Naruto gently ruffled Ino's blonde hair, his voice softening. "Jealousy is the most elusive of emotions; it can make you lose a dear friend. Cherish what you have; friendship is precious."
With that, Naruto picked up the red ribbon and walked out of the classroom, leaving a regretful Ino behind.
Sakura ran with all her might. She didn't know where she was going; she just wanted to escape the classroom that made her feel so anxious and ashamed. In the past, other children had teased her about her wide forehead, making her timid and insecure. Ino's appearance had changed her, helping her rediscover her confidence. They had studied together, played together.
Until Uchiha Sasuke appeared.
Although Naruto was also handsome, Sasuke's cool indifference fascinated them more. Even though Sasuke gave them the cold shoulder countless times, they seemed almost masochistic in their pursuit. It was just like the saying: the unobtainable is always the most alluring. What you couldn't have was always the sweetest. They became Sasuke's die-hard fans, both secretly competing in hopes of winning his affection.
But now, her most trusted friend had torn open old scars, making Sakura relive the pain she had endured throughout her childhood.
Billboard brow.
For a girl, appearance was paramount. At that moment, Sakura felt as if her entire world had collapsed.
She ran to the rooftop and hid in a corner, sobbing softly.
"Finally found you," Naruto's warm voice sounded nearby.
Sakura looked up, glanced at Naruto, then quickly lowered her head again, curling up in the corner, feeling utterly helpless and small. I must look so ugly right now, with tears all over my face.
Naruto sat down beside Sakura. Looking at the sun in the clouds, he said softly, "I was born completely alone. The villagers saw me as the demon fox, a monster. Every time I went out, I was cursed at. They called me a monster, asked me why I didn't just die, why I had to disgust them. In reality, I hadn't done anything wrong. It was only because a demon fox was sealed inside me."
A self-deprecating smile touched Naruto's lips. "That demon fox once destroyed Konoha, and I became the vessel to seal it."
Sakura stopped crying, listening quietly to Naruto's words. A girl's heart is often more sensitive; she could feel Naruto's pain. At the same time, she was a little confused. Naruto, who sealed the demon fox, should have been seen as a hero. Why was he ostracized by the villagers? Coming into contact with this hidden truth, Sakura felt a sliver of sympathy for Naruto's current situation and a touch of dissatisfaction with Konoha.
"But, you know, I didn't change. I didn't become depressed or lose hope because of all that malice. I trained as always, improved myself, faced life's ill will with a smile and optimism, trying to accept them, to change them. And now, as you can see, my efforts have paid off. I have friends, and the villagers don't curse me like they used to."
"The process was arduous, but the moment you attain happiness, all the hardships are in the past." Naruto's tone gradually brightened, and he smiled radiantly. "In my opinion, Sakura, you already possess a happiness I wouldn't dare to hope for—a caring family and trustworthy friends."
Naruto handed Sakura a handkerchief.
Sakura awkwardly took it. She looked up; Naruto's smile under the sunlight was dazzling, a warmth that seemed capable of melting any ice.
"Sakura, you're actually very beautiful. The first time I saw you, I was captivated by your pink hair. In this season, seeing a color like cherry blossoms is a kind of happiness in itself."
"You're not inferior to anyone. Don't live according to how others see you. Be yourself."
"A confident Sakura is very charming, you know."
Naruto gently tied the red ribbon onto Sakura's head, his voice soft. Once, her best friend had tied this red ribbon onto Sakura's pink hair, giving her confidence. Now, the person tying the ribbon was Naruto.
Different people, naturally, brought different feelings.
Feeling the warmth of Naruto's hand, Sakura froze, her heart pounding violently. Her mind was filled with Naruto's words: "Sakura, you're actually very beautiful."
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
In that moment, she had an epiphany. To think I ignored such a warm, caring guy and instead fell for an immature brat like Sasuke. I was truly blind.
"Thank you, Naruto." She clutched the handkerchief tightly, looking directly into Naruto's eyes with sincerity.
Seeing the girl regain her former confidence, Naruto smiled and gently patted Sakura's head. "Let's go back. Everyone's waiting for you."
"Mhm," Sakura nodded and followed Naruto back towards the classroom.
Inside the classroom.
Naruto walked in with Sakura. The students who had mocked Sakura earlier hung their heads in shame.
Ino rushed forward and hugged Sakura, apologizing sincerely, "I'm so sorry, Sakura."
The two exchanged some quiet words and finally made up, as good as new.
Back in his seat, Naruto immediately received Sasuke's "condolences": "I can't believe you'd actually waste time on a woman. Hmph, go ahead and slack off like this. That way, I'll surpass you, surpass everyone. I will be the one standing at the very top!" Sasuke thought, his expression a perfect picture of tsundere pride.
Internally, Sasuke was thrilled, and he focused even more intently on the Ninja Insights book Itachi had given him. He fantasized about the day he would defeat a Naruto who had grown weak because of women. He imagined stepping on Naruto's face, grinning triumphantly and ferociously, "Naruto, you're too weak! Run away! Hate me! Find some hole to crawl into and just survive. Don't show your face again until you have power like mine. And when that time comes, I'll use even greater strength to shatter your confidence!"
Having reconciled, Sakura and Ino seemed even closer than before. One moment they were viciously attacking each other, the next they were thick as thieves. The friendships between girls were sometimes just that incomprehensible.
Ino glanced towards Sasuke's direction and spoke first, "Sakura, I've thought about it carefully. Since we both like Sasuke, let's compete fairly. No matter who wins his heart, we'll still be best sisters for life."
"No, I don't like Sasuke anymore." Unexpectedly, Sakura shook her head. Under Ino's astonished gaze, she looked towards Naruto's direction with open admiration and said softly, "I've already found the person I truly like."
Ino: ???