Chapter 53: Naruto’s Defiance, Iruka’s Patience

At the entrance of the Uchiha clan, chaos was unfolding.

Under Naruto's mischievous actions, Sasuke's poised, elegant demeanor as the aloof lady was completely shattered.

In the end, Sasuke had no choice but to personally climb up to the roof beam, retrieve the drenched clothes, and return home to hang them properly on the drying rack.

Enduring at the school gates.

Naruto and Sasuke raced toward the entrance at nearly 200 kilometers per hour.

The moment their feet crossed the threshold of the Ninja Academy, the preparation bell rang.

To their surprise, they ended up entering the classroom alongside Iruka-sensei.

As soon as they entered, over twenty pairs of eyes immediately fixated on them.

Most of the boys' gazes were glued to Sasuke.

"Damn it... Why did those two come to school together? What exactly happened?" Yamanaka Ino clenched her fists, images of various scenes flashing in her mind.

"Naruto, wait for your death today. The last class is practical combat training. Let's see how I'll beat you up!" Haruno Sakura's large forehead was covered in dark lines as she glared at Naruto's back, swearing silently.

At this moment, Naruto didn't say a word. As soon as he sat down, he laid his head on the desk and prepared to sleep.

After all, these past few nights, he had been secretly meeting with the Nine-Tails, and during the day, he was busy with both training and keeping an eye on Ichiraku Ramen and Hirokazu BBQ, so his energy was stretched thin.

If he didn't catch up on sleep during the day, he'd be done for in a few days.

However, Iruka-sensei, who usually ignored Naruto, couldn't turn a blind eye any longer when Naruto immediately lay down to sleep as class started. She raised her voice and scolded him in front of the entire class, "Naruto, you are not allowed to sleep in my class from now on!!"

Iruka's voice wasn't soft, and it immediately woke up the sleepy Shikamaru and the other students who had been dozing off.

Everyone looked at Iruka in confusion. They were all thinking, "Naruto sleeping in class isn't a new thing. Why are you suddenly taking it so seriously now?"

Of course, sleeping during class was wrong, so no one stood up for Naruto.

At this moment, all eyes were on Naruto.

Everyone was curious to see how this usually fearless, rebellious underachiever would handle Iruka-sensei's sudden firmness.

Among them, Yamanaka Ino, Haruno Sakura, and several of the boys looked at Naruto with a sense of gloating.

Due to the events earlier that morning, Sasuke was still upset with Naruto, and in class, when this incident occurred, she looked back at him, her gaze holding a trace of satisfaction, almost as if saying, "See, even the teacher can't stand you now."

With all attention turned toward him, Naruto slowly raised his head and locked eyes with Iruka.

In terms of gazes, neither side backed down.

Naruto was well aware that Iruka's sudden concern for him had some hidden agenda behind it.

To a pawn who was loyal only to the Third Hokage, Naruto certainly wasn't going to give any favorable response.

"From the first day I entered this class, didn't you just ignore me, showing no concern for me?" Naruto's voice was indifferent and calm, completely different from the wild, impulsive behavior he had shown earlier at the Uchiha clan entrance.

Iruka immediately flinched and couldn't meet Naruto's eyes, opting to lecture him from a moral high ground instead.

"Naruto, isn't your dream to become Hokage? You'll never make it with this attitude."

Upon hearing Iruka use the Hokage title to lecture him, Naruto immediately retorted, "Who says people who sleep in class can't become Hokage?"

"Naruto, you need to listen. This is for your own good," Iruka said, her tone serious. On the surface, she appeared to be genuinely concerned.

However, Naruto wasn't buying it. He had no good feelings toward Konoha's high-ups or the majority of its villagers.

"Oh, so you've been cold to me since I enrolled here, and that's supposed to be for my good?" Naruto's sharp gaze never left Iruka. "If that's the case, then stop bothering me while I sleep."

Iruka was left speechless by his retort.

The saying "eyes are the windows to the soul" couldn't be more true. Iruka's sudden kindness wasn't genuine. In that instant, her disdain for Naruto, like the rest of the villagers, was clear in her eyes.

Though the expression was quickly masked, Naruto caught it nonetheless.

"Hmph..."

His suspicions were confirmed. Naruto scoffed and slumped back down, preparing to sleep again.

"Don't anyone dare disturb me while I'm sleeping!!!"

[ Ding, received 3000 points of shock value from classmates! ]

[ Ding, received 500 points of negative emotion value from Iruka! ]

"Naruto... you!"

Iruka's face flushed with anger, but because of her secret mission, she had no choice but to suppress her urge to scold him.

"Class is starting!"

What happened in class was something no one had expected.

Especially Sasuke.

Upon hearing Naruto's last outburst, Sasuke's heart sank. She couldn't help but feel worried.

In the short time they had interacted, Sasuke knew that Naruto was carefree, lively, and optimistic. Normally, he would never let anything bother him.

Yet, at this moment, Naruto openly rebelled against Iruka in front of the whole class and even angrily warned everyone not to disturb him.

Sasuke couldn't understand what had triggered Naruto's emotional outburst in front of everyone.

What had happened to make this usually strong-willed Naruto lose control of his emotions in front of the class?

But, it was class time, and as Naruto's only real friend, Sasuke had no way to comfort him right now.

"Naruto-nii..."

Hinata, seeing the rift between Naruto and Iruka-sensei, was filled with concern. She thought to herself that she would comfort him after school.

"Hmph, who knows what got into Naruto to make him suddenly lose his temper?" Ino couldn't stand Naruto, but she could tell that his anger wasn't just a casual outburst.

"Iruka-sensei is too much. Naruto sleeping in class isn't new. Why is she suddenly making a big deal of it?" Sakura muttered under her breath, equally frustrated with Iruka's "I'm doing this for your own good" speech.

Sure enough, after Naruto's sudden defiance, Iruka didn't reprimand him again during class.

The class quickly ended.

Sasuke was about to stand up and ask Naruto what had happened when she noticed that Hinata had already reached Naruto's side first.

Even though the class had ended, Naruto still hadn't woken up, and Hinata didn't dare disturb him. Eventually, she returned to her seat by herself.

Time passed quickly, and before long, it was time for the last class of the morning.

"Class, the last lesson is practical combat training. Everyone, gather at the playground."

After two lessons had passed, Iruka's mood had lightened, and she treated the students more gently.

Practical combat training was held once a week, during the last class on Tuesday mornings.

Sure enough, after Naruto's defiant attitude, Iruka didn't wake him up herself but instead led the rest of the class out of the classroom.

As the majority of the students left, the only ones left in the classroom were the still-sleeping Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata.

In recent days, the rumors about Naruto and Sasuke's relationship had spread throughout the academy, and even the boys, like Hinata, knew about it.

Seeing Sasuke stay behind, Hinata nodded at her before returning to her seat and leaving the classroom by herself.

Among the boys in their class, Sasuke was cold to everyone except Naruto.

Now that the class was empty, Sasuke didn't hesitate. She walked over to Naruto's desk, bent down, and shouted in his ear, "School's out!"

"Ah... School's out? Time to eat again?"

---

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