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Chapter 223 - Ch 31 - Academy Life

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***********************************

The warm morning sun streamed through the windows of Konoha Ninja Academy, bathing the classroom in golden light.

The chatter of students filled the air, but it all seemed to quiet down as Naruto Uzumaki strolled into the room.

Naruto carried himself with a confidence that made everyone sit up and take notice. His sun-kissed blond hair framed a handsome face with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a playful secret. Dressed in a slightly modified academy uniform, his relaxed swagger hinted at someone who knew he was the center of attention and reveled in it.

"Morning, everyone," Naruto said, his voice smooth as silk, flashing a charming grin. "Miss me?"

A chorus of giggles erupted from the girls. Sakura Haruno's hand immediately shot into the air, waving energetically to catch his attention.

"Naruto! Over here! Sit next to me!" She called, her green eyes sparkling.

Ino Yamanaka rolled her eyes but quickly leaned closer to Naruto. "Ignore her, Naruto. You should sit with someone who's actually fun to talk to."

Hinata Hyūga, who had shed her former shy demeanor for a confident air, leaned back in her chair, offering Naruto a sly smile.

"You're late again. Trying to keep us all waiting in suspense?" She teased, her lavender eyes glinting mischievously.

Naruto laughed, a rich sound that filled the room. "Now, now, ladies, there's enough of me to go around."

He winked before sliding into a seat that put him squarely between Sakura and Ino, much to their delight.

From the back of the room, Sasuke Uchiha glared, his jaw tightening. He'd always been the one to command attention, especially from the girls.

But since Naruto's arrival, Sasuke's status as the class's golden boy has been thoroughly challenged.

---

"Alright, settle down, everyone," Iruka-sensei's authoritative voice cut through the commotion as he entered the room. The students reluctantly fell silent, though a few sneaked glances at Naruto.

"Today, we'll continue practicing substitution jutsu," Iruka announced. "It's a basic but essential skill for any ninja. Watch carefully."

Iruka demonstrated the jutsu with practiced ease, swapping places with a wooden dummy in the blink of an eye. The students clapped politely, though Naruto leaned back in his chair with a lazy smirk, clearly unimpressed.

"Alright, who wants to go first?" Iruka asked.

Sakura's hand shot up, but Naruto stretched lazily and stood before Iruka could call on anyone.

"I'll take a crack at it, Sensei," Naruto said smoothly, striding to the front of the class.

"Naruto, we've barely covered this technique," Iruka cautioned. "Are you sure you—"

Naruto cut him off with a grin. "Relax, Sensei. I've got this."

The class watched with bated breath as Naruto formed a single-hand sign. In an instant, he vanished, reappearing in a flash of golden energy next to the dummy.

But instead of the usual substitution, the dummy even took the transformation of Iruka.

The room erupted in gasps and whispers.

"That wasn't just substitution!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Woah! He can even do that?" Kiba muttered, leaning forward in his seat.

Iruka stared, his mouth slightly agape. "Naruto... that was…"

Naruto smirked and leaned casually against the dummy. "Impressive? I know."

Hinata clapped lightly, her gaze lingering on him.

"Show-off," She teased, though the admiration in her voice was unmistakable.

Sasuke's glare intensified, and he crossed his arms. "Big deal. It's still just a substitution."

Naruto turned to Sasuke, his grin widening. "Jealous, Sasuke? Don't worry, I can give you some pointers later."

The class burst into laughter, and Sasuke's cheeks darkened.

---

During lunch, Naruto found himself surrounded by an almost comically large group.

Ino had claimed the spot to his left, while Hinata sat gracefully on his right. Sakura hovered nearby, offering him a homemade bento.

"I made this just for you, Naruto," Sakura said, holding out the box with a hopeful smile.

Naruto accepted it with a wink. "Thanks, Sakura. You're too sweet."

"She only made it because I told her you liked rice balls," Ino interjected, nudging him playfully. "Next time, let me make something for you. You'll love my cooking."

Hinata leaned closer, her voice smooth. "Or you could just come over to my place. I'll make you something unforgettable."

Naruto chuckled, clearly enjoying the attention. "You ladies sure know how to make a guy feel special."

From a nearby tree, Shikamaru Nara watched the scene with a sigh.

"Troublesome," He muttered. "He's like a magnet."

Kiba, munching on a sandwich, nodded. "Yeah, but look at him. Even Akamaru's jealous."

Naruto's response to the banter was another flash of his trademark grin. However, as light-hearted as the moment was, there was always an underlying sharpness to Naruto's gaze—a reminder that beneath his charm lay the mind of a cunning strategist.

Sasuke, sitting alone at a distance, clenched his fists. This was supposed to be his domain. He needed to find a way to reclaim his place at the top.

---

After lunch, the students were taken to the training grounds for taijutsu practice. Iruka paired them up, and to everyone's delight—and Sasuke's irritation—he was matched with Naruto.

"Let's see if you're as good as you think you are," Sasuke said, his voice laced with challenge.

Naruto smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Careful what you wish for, Uchiha. You might not like the answer."

The two squared off as the rest of the class gathered to watch. Sasuke struck first, his movements sharp and precise. But Naruto moved with a fluidity and grace that left everyone stunned. He dodged and countered with ease, his strikes powerful yet controlled.

At one point, Naruto feigned a stumble, drawing Sasuke in. With a sudden burst of anti-magic energy, he flipped Sasuke onto his back, pinning him effortlessly.

"Guess I win," Naruto said, leaning down with a grin. "Better luck next time, Sasuke."

The class erupted into cheers and laughter, while Sasuke lay there, fuming. Even from his prone position, Sasuke's dark eyes burned with determination, silently vowing to turn the tables someday.

Hinata approached Naruto as he dusted himself off.

"You made that look easy," She said, her tone admiring.

Naruto shrugged. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."

As the students began dispersing, Iruka clapped his hands to get their attention. "Good work today, everyone. Keep practicing and improving."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the students headed home, buzzing with excitement over the day's events. Naruto lingered for a moment, watching the fading light.

"This place always feels alive, doesn't it?" Naruto muttered, his sharp blue eyes following the golden hues of the setting sun. The Academy grounds were quieter now, but the energy of the day still lingered.

"It does," Hinata replied, stepping up beside him, her voice clear and confident. She met his gaze without hesitation, a small smile playing at her lips. "Especially when you're here shaking things up."

Naruto blinked, surprised for a moment before his signature smirk returned. "Shaking things up, huh? I'll take that as a compliment."

"It is." Hinata tilted her head, her lavender eyes sharp and unwavering. "You're different from the others, Naruto. It's hard not to notice you."

Naruto chuckled, folding his arms. "Well, I can't help standing out. Guess I'm not built for blending in."

"Good," She shot back without missing a beat. "Blending in is boring."

The bold response caught him off guard, but it made him grin wider. He liked this side of her—confident, composed, and not afraid to speak her mind.

Hinata Hyūga was no ordinary girl, and Naruto was starting to see it more and more.

"You're not so bad yourself, Hinata," Naruto said smoothly, his voice dropping just enough to make his words linger. He leaned in slightly, closing the space between them. "I like people who don't hold back."

Hinata smirked at the proximity, unflinching. "Then I guess you'll enjoy being around me more often."

Naruto chuckled, pulling back with a gleam of amusement in his eyes.

This girl's something else.

--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---

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