Sasuke Has a Good Figure
The next afternoon during first period, the sun blazed through the open windows, white clouds drifting lazily across the sky. Outside, cicadas sang loudly, their chorus a constant background hum.
At the blackboard, Iruka-sensei wrote a few lines before turning to the class with a small smile.
"If tomorrow was the end of the world, who would you most want to be with?"
Naruto, seated at the back, wasn't paying attention—he was still carving small wooden chess pieces with a kunai, the shavings collecting on his desk.
Kiba raised a hand. "What kind of doomsday are we talking about?"
"Let's say aliens invade… or maybe the moon falls—" Iruka began, but Naruto suddenly interrupted.
"The moon won't fall!"
Iruka tilted his head. "Oh? Why not?"
Since speaking with the Third Hokage about Naruto's lonely childhood, Iruka had been paying closer attention to him. The boy rarely participated in class, but he had been different lately—more focused in training, less disruptive. And now, Naruto was speaking up on his own.
Naruto thought about how to answer. He couldn't exactly say, If you jinx it, old man, something bad really will happen. Instead, he puffed out his chest and declared, "Because I'm going up there to get married!"
Iruka chuckled. "I see… And who would you want to be with the most?"
Naruto's mind flickered between his family and Hinata who wants to be with him… but that's impossible. He opened his mouth to answer—
"Write it down," Iruka interrupted with a grin. "Everyone, write it down and keep it."
The classroom erupted into chatter as the students scribbled away.
Naruto glanced sideways and saw Hinata finish hers. Smirking, he leaned closer.
"So, who did Hinata-chan write about?" he teased.
Hinata instantly covered her paper, cheeks blazing. "Th-Then… who did Naruto-kun write about?"
Seeing her flustered expression, Naruto leaned in until his lips nearly brushed her ear.
"I… of course it's Hinata-chan."
"Th-Thunk—"
The next thing Naruto knew, he was rubbing his forehead where Hinata had accidentally headbutted him. Too fast again. Guess there's no little loli talking to me this afternoon…
---
Two classes later, Naruto and Sasuke headed for the rooftop to train—and ran into Iruka.
"Heading somewhere, Naruto?" Iruka asked.
"Yeah, see you later, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto waved with a grin, feeling the teacher's attitude toward him softening.
Iruka waved back absentmindedly—until it hit him. Wait… skipping class?!
He bolted up to the rooftop, but by the time he arrived, they were gone.
---
After three or four mornings of tree-climbing practice, both boys had mastered the technique. Naruto decided it was time for the next step.
"Sasuke, follow me."
The next day, as Sasuke continued attacking the same tree trunk, Naruto stopped him. "Oi, can't you let the trees rest for a few days?"
"…Tch."
They went to a narrow river near the grove, barely a meter and a half across. Naruto grinned. "We've conquered trees—time to conquer water!"
He demonstrated, focusing chakra into his feet and stepping onto the surface. For half a second, he stood tall—then splashed in.
Sasuke quickly grasped the concept. Like climbing trees, it required steady chakra control, but this time the flow had to adjust constantly to the moving surface. He stepped forward—and promptly fell in as well.
They practiced until half an hour before class, ending up stripped to their underwear by a campfire, drying their soaked clothes.
Naruto sat cross-legged, enjoying the warmth. Sasuke, however, looked awkward—he wasn't used to sitting this close to someone nearly naked.
"You've got a good body, you know?" Naruto teased, noting Sasuke's fair skin and defined muscles from constant training.
Sasuke froze. "…What?"
"It's a compliment."
"…Thanks?"
Naruto grinned. He rarely spoke to strangers, but once he got comfortable with someone, he talked endlessly.
---
By break time, Naruto was slumped over his desk, supposedly "practicing Sage Mode" (in reality, daydreaming).
Hinata hesitated by his side, lunchbox in hand. He… he said that yesterday, so maybe he's not shy…
She set it down. "N-Naruto-kun…"
Naruto blinked, eyes widening at the sight of the blushing girl. He accepted it as if she'd handed him a treasure. "Thank you, Hinata!"
"No… it's okay…" she murmured, twisting her fingers, ears red.
Naruto couldn't help pinching her cheek—only for Hinata to faint on the spot.
---
At lunch, they sat on the rooftop, sharing the meal. Naruto savored every bite. "This is amazing, Hinata! You're incredible!"
She ducked her head shyly.
As far as Naruto was concerned, Sasuke could eat wherever he wanted—if he dared to intrude on this moment, Naruto would chase him off, Uchiha clan heir or not.
That evening, after feeding Hinata some barbecue, giving her snacks for later, and walking her home at 6:30, Naruto felt completely satisfied.
Until, of course, the nightly shogi match with Kurama began…