Chapter 10: 10: Sasuke Won First Place, But Started to Worry
Orochimaru: "It's no surprise. Without a strong teacher, that's bound to happen."
Uchiha Fugaku: "If only we were still around to guide him."
Hatake Kakashi: "With Sasuke's potential, most of his time in the ninja academy was wasted."
Kakashi remembered how, when Sasuke first graduated from the academy, he didn't even know how to do basic chakra control like tree climbing. His Sharingan hadn't developed either, and he was far behind where he should have been.
But now? After receiving his bloodline rewards, Sasuke had awakened the Two Tomoe Sharingan and mastered Chidori, along with a new method to enhance his body using lightning chakra.
In contrast, during his academy years, Sasuke's progress had been slow. Though he always topped the academy, much of that time was spent on things that didn't push him further.
---
[Sasuke watched his classmates, the heirs of major ninja clans, receiving guidance from their families, while he had no one to rely on for training.]
[Sasuke could only train alone, practicing the same techniques over and over.]
[Despite this, Sasuke maintained first place in every exam at the academy.]
[But by age 12, as he graduated, a growing unease settled in.]
---
Namikaze Minato: "Those years are crucial. When I was at the academy, Jiraiya-sensei guided me closely, and my strength advanced quickly."
Minato recalled how, even before graduating, he had been singled out by Jiraiya for additional training. By the time he left the academy, Minato's strength was already comparable to a Jōnin.
Orochimaru: "Uchiha Sasuke, if you want to grow stronger quickly, come to me. I can assure you that my teaching surpasses Jiraiya's."
Hatake Kakashi: "Sasuke, don't be fooled. Orochimaru never offers help without a catch."
Sasuke stayed silent, processing the conversation. He didn't want to rely on Orochimaru's teachings—not if he could secure a reward for answering the comparison quiz correctly.
---
[The silver-framed screen paused, and the gold-framed screen began to play again.]
[Sasuke in the parallel world trained even harder, dedicating nearly every moment to cultivation.]
[He left daily chores and even ninja school homework to Sakura and Ino.]
[Whenever assignments were due, Sasuke would simply say, "Thanks, Sakura-chan!" and she'd happily take care of everything.]
[During practical assessments at the academy, Sasuke was always the favorite, with almost all the girls cheering him on.]
"Sasuke is number one in the world!"
[Meanwhile, the boys, like Naruto and Kiba, were constantly frustrated by his popularity.]
"Next up: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Uzumaki Naruto!" announced Iruka-sensei.
[Sasuke stepped into the ring, glancing at Naruto, who was clearly flustered. Then, in an unexpected move, he called out to his classmates.]
"Kiba, Shikamaru, Chōji, and Shino from Aburame's house, why don't you all come at me together?"
Naruto: "What the hell, Sasuke?!"
Kiba: "Hey! Do you think we're pushovers?!"
"This is so troublesome..." Shikamaru muttered.
"Fine, the sooner we finish this, the sooner we eat," Chōji sighed.
"...My name is Aburame Shino," Shino corrected quietly.
[With Sasuke's challenge, Naruto and the other four teamed up against him, eager to knock him down a peg.]
---
Uzumaki Naruto: "What a jerk! He doesn't take us seriously!"
Inuzuka Kiba: "I can't wait to punch that smug face of his!"
Nara Shikamaru: "I have a bad feeling about this..."
---
[The battle started. Naruto and Kiba attacked from opposite sides.]
[But to Sasuke's Sharingan, their movements appeared sluggish.]
[With effortless dodges and a slight push, Naruto and Kiba collided into each other.]
[Sasuke jumped, easily avoiding Shikamaru's Shadow Imitation Jutsu.]
[Meanwhile, Chōji had transformed into a rolling ball and rushed in, but Sasuke's Sharingan activated again.]
[Suddenly, Chōji found himself veering off course, heading straight toward Shino.]
"Chōji, snap out of it! That's an illusion—Sasuke's not there!" Shikamaru yelled.
[Realizing too late, Chōji swerved, only to crash into Kiba and Akamaru, knocking them down.]
[Meanwhile, Naruto was also caught in Sasuke's genjutsu, wildly attacking Shino, who could barely fend him off.]
---
Iruka-sensei: "The difference in power is overwhelming."
Hatake Kakashi: "A Two Tomoe Sharingan makes these academy matches almost unfair."
Orochimaru: "That's the power of a bloodline limit. Talent gaps are not easily bridged."
Nara Shikamaru: "Even if we had a solid plan, I doubt we'd stand a chance. The strength difference is just too great."
Aburame Shino: "And we're not exactly cooperating well..."
Uzumaki Naruto: "Man, that Sasuke is even more arrogant than the one here!"
Uchiha Sasuke: "???"
---
[With minimal effort, Sasuke defeated the five-man team, winning first place in the practical exam.]
[Cheers erupted from the girls in the audience, while Naruto and Kiba sulked in their defeat.]
[But despite the victory, Sasuke's face remained troubled.]
[Naruto and the others, seeing Sasuke's expression, thought he was just being smug.]
[But in reality, Sasuke was genuinely worried.]
[If it takes all five of them just to challenge me, and I've been stuck in this academy for years... will I spend the next five years at this level, fighting the same weak opponents?]
---
Inuzuka Kiba: "Who does that Sasuke think he is, calling us weaklings?!"
Orochimaru: "Hehe, I wonder how this Sasuke will grow from here. Let's hope he makes some bold choices."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone