WebNovels

Chapter 27 - Chapter 27 – Hinata and Sakura, One Woman's Battle

"Still not working!" Naruto shouted in frustration."The Physical Strength Monster skill is amazing, but when I activate Knowledge Absorption and enter full focus, I can only concentrate on textbooks. I can't manage weighted handstands at the same time!"He paused, thinking. A solution flickered in his mind. "I should use Divided Attention!"There was no turning back now. Naruto gritted his teeth, steeling himself for what seemed an impossible challenge. He knew he had to do it, no matter how grueling.Meanwhile, some of his classmates were observing him from a distance."What is Naruto doing?" Akimichi Choji asked vaguely, munching on a handful of potato chips as he watched Naruto struggle.Nara Shikamaru yawned lazily, lying in the warm morning sun. "Who knows…" he murmured, his voice trailing off.Choji tilted his head, crunching his chips thoughtfully. "Even if he's trying to impress someone, isn't he overdoing it a little?"Shikamaru shrugged, squinting at the clouds drifting across the sky. "From where? Everyone has different priorities. Naruto's just pushing himself because he wants to catch up with others and earn recognition. That's his way."Choji nodded slowly, beginning to understand. "True… he hasn't been around much because of that punishment thing, and I guess he felt lonely. But still, working this hard might actually be good for him."Shikamaru gave him a lazy smile. "Even if our goals differ, it's important to be happy with what we're doing. Are you happy every day?"Choji pondered. "I… I think so. Mostly.""Then it's not a waste of time," Shikamaru said. "Everyone has their own way of growing."While Choji and Shikamaru discussed Naruto's progress, Rock Lee was observing from another vantage point. His eyes lit up as he saw Naruto's silhouette under the morning sun, muscles straining, sweat pouring. A surge of admiration and competitive spirit filled him."H-how is he doing this?!" Lee stammered, amazed. "He usually complains about training, yet he's working harder than me! I won't be outdone! Weighted handstands while studying? Fine, I'll try it too!"Lee attempted the same exercise, but, like Naruto, he quickly collapsed after only a few seconds. "Damn it… again!" he shouted, frustration etched on his face.Hinata Hyuga, watching quietly from the side, blushed as she remembered their "date" at Ichiraku Ramen yesterday. A warm, sweet feeling filled her heart."Naruto-kun… is he really pushing himself this hard?" she whispered. "I… I shouldn't bother him. But I have to work harder too… I can't fall behind."Hinata continued observing silently, her support unspoken but unwavering. She refused to interrupt him, letting Naruto blaze his own path.Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Naruto reached the Ninja Academy, drenched in sweat, exhausted both physically and mentally. His training had doubled in intensity—far beyond anything he had faced before.Collapsing to the ground, he dropped the dumbbells and textbooks, gasping for air. His body trembled, but a sense of accomplishment surged through him.[Congratulations, Host, for completing a more challenging training session. Divided Attention skill improved! Proficiency +3, current proficiency: 51 points!]Naruto's eyes widened in surprise, then sparkled with joy. "So Divided Attention can be improved too? That's amazing!"At that moment, a shadow fell across him. Looking up, Naruto saw Sasuke standing with his hands in his pockets, face cold and expression unreadable."Hey… what—" Sasuke began, but Naruto's instincts took over."SASUKE!" Naruto shouted, leaping into the air and charging straight toward him.Sasuke's eyes widened. "What are you doing?!"It was understandable. Naruto had fought Sasuke thirty-seven times in his dreams, winning only three. But losing thirty-four times hadn't broken him—it had only fueled his desire to continue.Sasuke dodged instinctively, prepared for an attack, but before they could clash, a voice rang out."Stop it, you idiot Naruto!"Sakura Haruno's voice pierced the tense air. She leaped between them, arms flailing in desperation. But Naruto, fueled by determination and the energy of countless dream battles, barely noticed her.His body moved faster than thought. His fist exploded forward in a single, instinctive motion.Pat—It connected. Sakura's face was struck squarely by Naruto's punch. Blood spurted from her nose as her features twisted in shock and pain. She was sent flying into the air and crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.For a moment, the entire Ninja Academy playground was silent. Every student froze, eyes wide."What did Naruto just do?!""He actually punched Sakura Haruno!""But… hasn't he always admired her?!"The spectators whispered and gasped, unable to comprehend what had just occurred.Naruto himself froze, staring at his fist and then at Sakura, lying on the ground. Confusion, shock, and guilt flashed across his face."S-Sakura-chan…" he stammered. "W-what… what did I do?"Sasuke frowned, observing closely. He understood instantly—the punch had not been aimed at Sakura. Naruto had reacted instinctively, misjudging his target in the heat of the moment. His accumulated frustration and raw fighting instinct had overridden his awareness.Naruto had struck not out of malice, but because his body reacted before his mind could intervene. In his dreams, he had always charged forward, his spirit unrestrained. That same unfiltered aggression had carried over into reality.Sakura tried to sit up, wiping the blood from her nose, still dazed. She couldn't comprehend how Naruto could have attacked her.Ino Yamanaka rushed forward, concern etched across her face. "Sakura, are you okay? What happened?"Sakura's ears were still ringing, but Ino's explanation helped her understand. "Naruto… when he saw Sasuke, he instinctively leaped to attack, and you got in the way. That's why you were hit."Slowly, Sakura's expression softened, and she began to recover her composure. It had been an accident—but one that highlighted the sheer intensity and unpredictability of Naruto's training.Meanwhile, Naruto's chest heaved as he realized what had just happened. His focus, his drive, his relentless effort—they were both a blessing and a curse. The physical and mental strain of training at this level had pushed him past his limits, leaving him powerful, yet unpredictable.All around him, students and friends whispered and stared, unsure of what to think. Choji and Shikamaru watched in disbelief. Rock Lee clenched his fists, admiration and competitive fire burning brighter than ever. Hinata's eyes softened, filled with quiet respect.Naruto slowly stood, sweat dripping from his brow. Despite the chaos, the misunderstandings, and the accident with Sakura, he felt stronger than ever before. Every failure, every misstep, and every challenge had forged him into someone capable of growth beyond measure.This was only the beginning.The path to becoming Hokage, the journey to surpassing Sasuke, and the quest to master every skill at his disposal—these were the battles that would define him. Naruto's dreams, both literal and figurative, had prepared him for the hardships ahead.And no matter how impossible the challenge seemed, he would face it head-on, with unrelenting determination, unyielding spirit, and a heart that refused to back down.---

patreon (Obito_uchiha)

More Chapters