Three Years Later
"Uzumaki Naruto, go over there and keep practicing. You can only eat when I say you're allowed to!"
Kakashi clenched his fist, glaring at Naruto and ordering him to the corner of the training field to continue practicing the Clone Jutsu.
What should've been a simple Clone Technique had become something completely unwatchable in Naruto's hands.
Either he couldn't form any clones at all, or what did appear collapsed like a pile of sludge, and sometimes it was just a tiny, stunted figure.
At first, Kakashi had thought it wasn't Naruto's fault. But now, after several years of training, Naruto still couldn't perform the technique. Even the best-tempered person would run out of patience.
There was only one year left before these two brats would graduate and become Genin. At this rate, even passing the final exam would be questionable.
"Sasuke, look at this—Kakashi-senpai's being way too harsh…"
Naruto had moved to the corner, but stood there looking pitifully at Sasuke, his eyes filled with a hint of expectation.
Being scolded didn't bother him at all.
Because every time he messed up the Clone Jutsu this badly, Sasuke would always glare at him with a dark expression—but there would be a smile hidden in his eyes.
Over the past three years, as Sasuke's presence had grown increasingly colder, Naruto had made it his mission to shield Sasuke from the constant stream of unwanted admirers—and more importantly, to find ways to make him smile.
Even if it was just a glimmer in his eyes, it felt like a huge accomplishment to Naruto.
"Kakashi-senpai, let him rest for a bit. Naruto still needs to cook later."
Sasuke caught Naruto's pleading glance, and the coldness in his expression softened slightly.
In these past three years, aside from his interactions with Naruto, Sasuke had focused seriously on mastering various ninjutsu and refining his chakra control.
The deeper he sank into his hatred for Uchiha Itachi, the more at ease Konoha's leadership seemed to feel. The surrounding ANBU presence had gradually thinned. Now, aside from two regular mid-ranking ANBU on watch nearby, the others hadn't shown up in a long time.
As expected, the higher-ups in Konoha—their intentions were still crystal clear.
"You keep covering for him? Fine, then you do it. Taijutsu basic training—triple the reps. If you don't finish, no food!"
Kakashi let out a cold snort. After assigning Sasuke a punishing task, he turned and walked off.
He knew Sasuke would stand up for Naruto. And precisely because of that, he had to give Sasuke a harsh-looking punishment.
He still remembered clearly how, two years ago, he had merely taught them a basic Fire Release jutsu—and was immediately summoned to the Hokage's office.
Elder Danzō, with the Third Hokage watching silently, gave him a thorough "instruction" on the rules for raising these two special boys.
Since that day, he hadn't taught either of them any more ninjutsu—not even taijutsu combat techniques.
Even intense basic training could only be disguised as "punishment." Every day, he had to rack his brain to come up with new reasons to "punish" the two brats.
"What are you standing there for? Go cook already!"
While Sasuke was training in the courtyard, he noticed Naruto just standing there like a dummy against the wall and immediately barked at him to get moving.
Naruto's training was different from his. With that protagonist aura around him, as long as Naruto didn't slack off too much, he'd never truly be weak.
But as the "second male lead" who looked cool for no more than three seconds per appearance, Sasuke could only grow through relentless hard work. Besides—
If he let Naruto take part in the "punishments" with him, Kakashi would be dragged in again for another brainwashing session.
Back when Kakashi's attitude suddenly changed, Sasuke had seen through everything perfectly.
Fortunately, the system continued to provide him with choices every now and then. With his improved aptitude, ninjutsu, and chakra control, he could now barely live up to the word genius.