NOVEL NEXT Chapter 402: Don't Come Over Here, Itachi!
6 a.m. in the early morning.
The dawn arrived, and the morning light broke the silence of Konoha.
Sakura also went out early for a morning run before school, and Naruto, along with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, had already developed a biological clock and were waiting at their respective spots to join Sakura's group.
Passing by the Uchiha clan district, Sasuke was already up, and he was training on a nearby open space with his brother, Uchiha Itachi, doing exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, and gymnastics movements.
Although these movements were simple, flexibility was a must for a ninja. Therefore, starting such exercises from a young age was beneficial for physical growth.
"Good morning, Sasuke," Haruno Sakura and the others greeted Sasuke.
"Good morning."
Sasuke nodded, and Haruno Sakura and the others did not stop their running, but continued to run forward, while Naruto mischievously turned his head back and made a face at Sasuke.
"That guy!"
Sasuke clenched his fists and asked his brother, Uchiha Itachi, "Brother, do you have any way to make me grow taller quickly?"
"Are you envious of them?" Uchiha Itachi said with a smile.
"A bit, especially that Naruto Uzumaki. I must surpass him in every aspect," Sasuke stubbornly said. "But right now, except in academic performance and throwing shuriken, whether in Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, or even in height, he's surpassed me by a lot."
"The pride of the Uchiha cannot fall into my hands!"
Itachi chuckled.
Sasuke and the others hadn't even reached the second grade yet. The lessons on Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and shuriken hadn't even started yet.
"Don't be too anxious, Sasuke, you can take your time. The village is at peace now; there's no need to be so tense," Uchiha Itachi said, putting his forefinger and middle finger on Sasuke's head, "Also, forgive me, I have a mission to do. After you have breakfast later, go to school on your own."
"I got it," Uchiha Sasuke lowered his head in disappointment, but when he raised his hand, he found that Uchiha Itachi was already gone, pouting, "Brother really... he tricked me again... No, I must pick up the pride of the Uchiha clan again and defeat Naruto Uzumaki!"
About ten minutes later, Haruno Sakura and the others had finished their exercise and were heading to a nearby Tea Street to buy breakfast.
The vendors on Tea Street basically all knew Haruno Sakura and the rest. Although they still had cold expressions toward Naruto, with Sakura and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio around, they still sold things to him.
Naruto was touched because he knew this was thanks to Haruno Sakura and the others.
In fact, ever since Naruto stopped playing pranks, the villagers of Konoha had gradually come to view Naruto as a familiar stranger. Although they would still mutter among themselves from time to time, it was limited to that.
"Thank you all!" Naruto said with moist eyes, munching on the flatbread in his hand.
"Go on, get out of here! Don't eat here, you're affecting our business," the flatbread seller waved his hands in disgust, speaking with slight indifference, but inside, he felt somewhat shaken by Naruto's grateful expression.
After all, Naruto was just a normal child, and an orphan at that. Was it really right for them to treat him that way?
Sakura seemed to be touched as well, not only because the villagers were gradually accepting Naruto but also reflecting on the grudges between people within a large collective—
[Question: Under what circumstances can you repay evil with kindness?]
[Answer: When the other person has morality and conscience.]
The villagers of Konoha could be called ignorant or accused of lacking their own opinions, but isn't that the case for most people in a social group?
They follow the crowd without care.
They are not concerned with what is right or wrong; they only know that being different and standing alone is more likely to lead to isolation than to being celebrated.
Yet, they have a conscience and morals.
This baseline still exists in their hearts; otherwise, if they really wanted to kill Naruto, even with the Anbu secretly watching, the villagers of Konoha would have plenty of ways to do so.
After all, when Naruto walked on the streets, he had to come into contact with the villagers, didn't he?
If someone who lost a relative in the Nine-Tails incident had thoughts of revenge, they could hide a knife in their sleeve, and while getting close to Naruto, slit his throat with one swift cut, and the Anbu wouldn't even have time to react.
The Body Flicker Skill is not teleportation.
And once Naruto's throat was cut, even if he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki with strong regenerative abilities, he wouldn't be able to compensate for the instantaneous blood loss when his throat was slit, especially as a child.
The reason why such a thing had not happened was simple; aside from the Third Hokage's orders, the villagers themselves knew that Naruto could not be equated with the Nine-Tails.
But, the pain suffered during the Nine-Tails' rampage needed to be vented.
Naruto, who was at some point dubbed the "demon fox," coupled with the fact that he really did have whisker-like marks on his face, became a venting point for the villagers of Konoha.
[The villagers themselves are not guilty, but their ignorance and fear are the greatest sin!]
Sakura seemed to have had an epiphany, and also seemed to understand what she should do after becoming Hokage in the future, but the specifics would have to wait until she became Hokage.
For now—
"Let's go, let's head to the ninja school!"
After understanding the principle, Sakura felt heavy yet enlightened and said to Naruto and the others with a smile, "Especially you, Naruto, your academic grades are too poor, I need to give you a good lesson."
Naruto shivered: "But I've already passed!"
"Is passing enough?" Sakura countered.
"Of course that's not enough!" Naruto recalled the secret promise he had made with Sakura last semester. To become Sakura's boyfriend, he had to surpass her in written exam scores!
Shikamaru rolled his eyes at Naruto, who was suddenly fired up.
He had no interest in prying into whatever secret Naruto and Sakura shared, but it likely involved some guarantee Sakura gave to Naruto, who needed to meet some standard in written exam scores.
Choji munched on his chips, flexing his bulky muscles from time to time, while Ino walked and practiced her hand seals, not wanting to fall too far behind Sakura...
...
After a full day of classes, Iruka announced news about E-rank and F-rank missions to students like Naruto: "These missions can also be taken on by students."
Dissatisfied, Naruto raised his hand, "Mr. Iruka, isn't your news a bit outdated? We've known about this for a while."
"Oh, have you?" Iruka scratched his head, offering an embarrassed smile, "But even for E-rank and F-rank missions, only third-year students can take them, accompanied by their instructor."
"However, I believe our class has the capability, so I went and asked for permission from Lord Hokage..."
A student raised a hand and asked, "Mr. Iruka, did Lord Hokage agree?"
Mr. Iruka struck a triumphant pose with his fist, "Absolutely, he did!"
"Oh~~~~"
The students cheered; they would finally have a taste of ninja missions.
Shikamaru, however, just yawned, "I guess Lord Hokage agreed probably because of Sakura's ideas and, well, because our class has geniuses like us."
Ino didn't have as many thoughts as Shikamaru and excitedly said, "What kind of missions are we going to take on?"
Choji said, "I heard that the tasks are usually things like mowing the lawn or picking up trash."
"I bet it's fighting bandits! Is it my time to shine at last? This is the first step on my journey to becoming Hokage!" proclaimed Naruto.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
Did these guys even listen to what he said?
E-rank and F-rank missions were basically like being couriers and counselors; there was no way bandit fighting was involved!
"Let's go, future ninjas, I'll take you to get your missions!" Iruka said with a smile, then added, "If anyone doesn't want to take on a mission, that's fine too, as this is not mandatory."
What a joke!
This was a chance to experience life as a ninja; how could anyone pass that up?
Everyone followed Mr. Iruka out of the classroom, including Uchiha Sasuke.
Outside the school, Uchiha Itachi stood waiting to take Sasuke home, only to see Iruka leading a group of students out.
Haruno Sakura, Naruto, and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were particularly conspicuous.
"Are you going out for a meal?" Uchiha Itachi suddenly thought that it was nearing the end of the semester, so it wouldn't be strange for Iruka to take the students out for a meal.
"Oh, Itachi," Iruka greeted when he saw him, "Are you here to pick up Sasuke?" EnjoythestorybyreadingonM|V|LE%MPYR.
"Yes, Mr. Iruka, are you taking the students out for a meal?" Itachi asked tentatively.
"No, but that's a good idea," Iruka chuckled, "I've asked Lord Hokage to let them take on E-rank and F-rank missions, to give them a taste of ninja life."
"Really? Then I'll join you," Itachi was about to say that when he saw his brother glaring at him, eyes fierce and pleading.
'Brother, can you understand my look?'
'Don't come over here!'
'It's embarrassing!'
Uchiha Sasuke conveyed his feelings with his eyes; he definitely didn't want people saying that to complete E-rank and F-rank missions, he needed his 'Big Bro's' help.
That would be utterly mortifying!
His classmates would surely laugh at him, especially that Naruto guy!
Uchiha Itachi: "???"
What does Sasuke mean by this...?
As an older brother, Uchiha Itachi didn't understand why Sasuke was annoyed but under these circumstances, it was even more important for him to be there.
"Then, I'll join too!"
Uchiha Itachi said to Iruka, "After all, I'm of an age where I can just about do E-rank and F-rank missions, right?"
Iruka: "..." You're an upper ninja though!
But Itachi really does care a lot about his little brother.
Watching Itachi approach step by step, Uchiha Sasuke felt the envious and amused glances of others, especially when he turned to see Naruto's unwavering stare. He almost stiffened completely, inwardly screaming, "Don't come over here, Itachi!"