Inside the classroom, it wasn't just the soon-to-graduate students present.
Iruka-sensei was there too.
Sasuke… he actually kissed Ino right in front of everyone?!
Outrageous.
Brazen.
Completely unrestrained.
And yet—
He was the academy's top genius. The last heir of the Uchiha clan.
More importantly—
Judging from Ino's flushed cheeks and trembling lashes…
She didn't look unwilling.
With graduation just around the corner, even if Ino chose to sleep beside Sasuke, technically, Iruka had no authority to interfere.
Still—
The scene unfolding before him was beyond awkward.
…
The students watching were stunned.
"Wait… didn't Sakura just become Sasuke's girlfriend?"
"So why did he suddenly kiss Ino?"
"Did my brain just short-circuit?"
"And why isn't Sakura exploding right now?!"
Exactly.
Based on everything they knew about Sakura—
She should've been furious.
Yet she stood calmly beside Sasuke, as if her boyfriend kissing another girl was perfectly natural.
Unbeknownst to them—
The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan's genjutsu was at work.
None of them had ever witnessed such high-level ocular power.
They had no idea Sakura's thoughts had already been gently reshaped.
…
Because it was Sasuke—
Even if he crossed lines, Ino couldn't reject him.
She was overwhelmed, confused.
"Sasuke… what… what does this mean?"
Why kiss her in front of everyone?
Was he pitying her?
Mocking her?
Sasuke studied her face.
He had just adjusted her hairstyle, brushing her bangs aside.
With her full features revealed, her beauty was striking.
His fingers lingered on her cheek as he smiled.
"Silly girl. Did you think I didn't know how you felt about me?"
"You just weren't as bold as Sakura."
"A few days ago, she confessed to me. I accepted."
"Now, I accept your feelings too."
Then—
With unmistakable confidence—
He wrapped one arm around Sakura's slender waist,
And the other around Ino's soft one.
Silence.
Total silence.
Shikamaru. Choji. Shino. Kiba.
Naruto.
Even Hinata.
All of them stood frozen.
Iruka, who had never even had a proper girlfriend, felt his worldview cracking.
"Ino—"
Her heart felt like it might burst from her chest.
"S-Sasuke… are you serious?"
"This… this kind of thing…"
She couldn't even form a proper complaint.
Sasuke leaned in again, brushing his cheek lightly against hers.
Her face burned bright red.
Is this really Sasuke?
Why is he treating me like this…?
And in front of everyone, no less.
…
After a long moment, Sasuke finally pulled back.
"Ino," he said lightly, "all you need to tell me is—"
"Are you willing to be my girlfriend… together with Sakura?"
Ino's mind went blank.
She glanced at Sakura, who showed no sign of anger.
"Would… would Sakura agree?"
And then the realization hit her.
She was actually considering it.
Agreeing to share a boyfriend.
Was Sasuke some kind of emperor?
Only emperors had harems.
And yet—
In the Hidden Leaf Village, most couples were strictly one-to-one.
What Sasuke was proposing…
Was unheard of.
"Don't worry about Sakura," Sasuke replied calmly.
"She loves me."
"As long as it's something I want, she'll agree."
He waited.
He knew she wouldn't refuse.
And she didn't.
"If… if Sakura agrees…"
"I'm willing."
"I'm willing to be your girlfriend too."
"Excellent."
Sasuke pulled both girls into his arms.
Just like that—
His harem officially began.
He felt exhilarated.
…
But while Sakura and Ino accepted it—
The rest of the class was in shock.
Especially Naruto.
He stepped forward, face flushed with anger.
"Sasuke! You said you'd make Sakura happy!"
"And now you—"
Sasuke's presence surged.
"What about now, Naruto?"
"Don't act self-righteous."
"Sakura and Ino have liked me for years. Everyone knows it."
"If I want both of them to be happy, then I'll accept both."
Naruto fell silent.
He looked at Sakura, heart aching.
Even like this…
She was willing?
Shikamaru finally spoke up.
"Ino, think carefully."
"If Sasuke were only yours, maybe that'd make sense. But—"
Before he could finish—
Sasuke's chakra burst outward.
The sheer pressure forced everyone to stagger back.
Even Iruka's eyes widened.
What terrifying chakra…
Shikamaru's face went pale.
"Shikamaru," Sasuke said coldly, "don't test my patience."
"When I'm in a good mood, don't make me regret it."
"How I live my life is none of your concern."
"Sakura and Ino are my girlfriends now."
"If anyone dares gossip—"
"I won't hold back."
He spared them only because they were classmates.
Otherwise, words wouldn't have been enough.
Shikamaru shut his mouth.
His mind raced.
This level of chakra…
Is that really Sasuke?
And just then—
A new presence stepped forward.