"Hmph!"
At dismissal, Naruto glared at Sasuke with all sorts of annoyed looks.
Later, when he returned to the classroom, he naturally knew that the letter was from Hyuga Neji, but just thinking about that guy Neji—who had already graduated yet still was planning a challenge for a year later—made him even more unhappy.
If that's the case, he'd just practice with Sasuke at home. Who needed that arrogant Hyuga guy's attention anyway!
Sasuke clearly belonged to him, yet some people always had to come and try to snatch him away—each one more annoying than the last!
"Tonight you rest. We're going to eat ramen."
Sasuke grabbed Naruto's wrist and turned him around, heading straight toward Ichiraku Ramen.
They often came here before, but since most of the time they cooked at home, Naruto's obsession with ramen had lessened a lot.
Still, compared to other places, Ichiraku Ramen remained special.
"Sasuke, I knew it—you're the best!"
Naruto's expression instantly changed, happily walking beside Sasuke, his big eyes blinking excitedly.
"We can eat all you want. I brought plenty of money."
Even though Sasuke saw Naruto acting cute or pitiful several times a day, he still couldn't resist.
"Really? That's great, mister! I want a big bowl, a big bowl."
After rushing into Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto happily ordered and waited.
Sasuke, who was full after just one big bowl, watched Naruto quickly eat bowl after bowl.
By the time they finally finished eating and headed home, Naruto rubbed his stomach, smiling happily.
The first day of their last year at school passed like this, and Naruto's skipping class was already reported to the Hokage's office.
After returning home, Sasuke unusually didn't train that day. Instead, after agreeing with Naruto on what to eat for breakfast, he went straight to his room to rest.
That night, several ANBU Jonin appeared within the Uchiha clan territory. Among them was a Byakugan user from the Hyuga family, who kept a constant watch on Sasuke and Naruto's rooms, always alert for any possible changes.
But Sasuke, lying calmly in his bed, seemed to be peacefully asleep. Yet, he was actually sending a message into the space dimension.
Inside the system space, an Uchiha Itachi crow clone stood on the shoulder of one of Sasuke's shadow clones, directing several other shadow clones as they practiced ninjutsu sparring.
"Kakashi has been assigned a long-term mission. Do you think the Third Hokage is planning something against me, or maybe against Naruto?"
One of the shadow clones of Sasuke, who had not joined the sparring, suddenly spoke up and shared the current situation with Itachi's crow clone.
All along, Kakashi had done his best to protect Sasuke and Naruto whenever he was around. But now that he's been sent away, the underlying meaning of this move cannot be overlooked.
"Maybe it's also a test of Kakashi's loyalty."
The crow clone tilted its head and looked into Sasuke's eyes, voicing his speculation on the matter.
Although some of Kakashi's actions seemed to deliberately twist their original intentions, it was impossible to completely hide things from the Third Hokage.
With Sasuke's school graduation approaching, the Third Hokage needed to verify Kakashi's loyalty. If he passed their standards, perhaps Kakashi would be officially assigned as Sasuke's team leader in the future.
"Maybe. But just in case, there are members of the Hyuga clan monitoring the surroundings. The original body can't even get in. Do you have any ideas?"
Sasuke tilted his head to look at the crow clone. His brother's crow clone had already been 'spoiled.'
Or rather, it had developed different feelings. Who knew if releasing it back to his original self in the future would drive his already twisted brother into a split personality?