Chapter 11: Physical Training

"Last set for today—50 laps around the field. Get ready."

A young teacher with light blue hair directed a group of little kids, leading them into the final stage of their physical training.

The moment his words landed, groans of despair erupted from the students.

"Again?! Nooo~~"

"But we just had a 10-minute break~~"

"Sensei, have mercy on us~~"

Despite their desperate pleas, the young teacher named Mizuki showed no signs of going easy on them.

"You have 30 seconds to get ready. If you're not in position by then, I'll add 10 more laps."

At this threat, the students immediately shut their mouths, scrambling to form two neat rows.

Sakura took a deep breath, steadying herself as she and her classmates joined the line.

"Ready—run!"

At Mizuki’s signal, a group of six-year-olds took off, launching into the final stretch of their training.

Standing beside Mizuki, Iruka reviewed the performance records in his hands.

"Iruka, what are you looking at?"

Seeing his friend absorbed in the records, Mizuki approached with a smile.

"Sakura did exceptionally well today."

Iruka’s gaze lingered on Haruno Sakura’s name—top scores in shuriken throwing, sprinting, and obstacle course running.

For the first time, the second son of the Uchiha clan had been knocked from first place to second.

***

Sakura maintained a steady pace, pushing herself to control her breathing as she ran forward.

She made no effort to hold back. She displayed her full strength without hesitation.

Even though her stamina had taken a hit from the previous training, she gradually left her classmates behind, one by one.

Now, the only one ahead of her was her so-called future husband—Uchiha Sasuke.

Well, that was in the original timeline.

Right now, Sasuke was panicking.

He hadn't expected to be overtaken by someone he had barely noticed before.

Shuriken throwing? Lost.

Sprinting? Lost.

Everything—he had lost to this pink-haired classmate.

And what made it even worse? She was a girl.

There was no way he would lose to a girl. He wanted to be as strong as his older brother.

This endurance run was his last chance—he refused to lose.

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke pushed himself to the limit, but no matter what he did, he couldn't shake off the girl trailing behind him.

30 laps...

35 laps...

40 laps...

Sakura overtook him.

45 laps...

Sakura widened the gap.

50 laps...

He—Uchiha Sasuke, the second son of the Uchiha clan—had lost.

Sasuke collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. Around him, his classmates lay sprawled out, completely exhausted.

His gaze locked onto the girl still standing—hands on her knees, sweat dripping from the tips of her pink hair.

He clenched his fists tightly.

I lost... again...

"Sakura-chan, that was amazing..."

A weak voice broke the silence. Sasuke turned toward the sound and saw a blond boy staring at the only person still on her feet.

"First place—Haruno Sakura."

At Mizuki’s announcement, Sakura felt like her lungs were about to explode.

Damn it! This little bastard runs way too fast! He almost stole my first place!

Sakura shot a sharp glare at Uchiha Sasuke before casually sweeping her hair behind her ears and dropping onto the ground next to Ino, who was still lying there, unable to get up.

...???

Sasuke’s mind went blank.

Did she just... glare at me?  

She totally glared at me, right?  

What did I do to her?!

---

 After School

As the school day ended, Sasuke sulked as he walked out of the building. The moment he stepped past the gates, a familiar voice called out to him.

"Sasuke! Over here!"

His face instantly brightened.

"Onii-chan!"

He ran excitedly toward his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.

"You seem a little down today," Itachi said, ruffling his younger brother’s hair with a gentle smile.

"...I lost to a girl in physical training today."

Sasuke's expression stiffened, but in front of his brother, he still reluctantly admitted the truth.

"I see. Then next time, work harder and surpass her."

Itachi's face remained calm, offering his brother a reassuring pat.

From his perspective, this was actually a good thing—it meant Sasuke had found a rival to push him forward.

With this, his younger brother now had one more reason to take things seriously.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it~~"

Sasuke wanted to grab Itachi’s hand, but since it was after school and the area was crowded, he hesitated.

At that moment, a flash of pink caught his eye.

Lowering his voice, Sasuke muttered, "Onii-chan, it's her."

Following Sasuke’s gaze, Itachi spotted a small girl with pink hair.

He blinked, momentarily surprised.

He had expected Sasuke's rival to be someone tall and muscular.

But instead, she looked... delicate.

Hearing the frustration in his brother’s voice, Itachi flicked Sasuke's forehead and said seriously, "She's your classmate. Speak about her with respect."

Almost as if sensing their conversation, Sakura turned and glanced their way.

Itachi met her gaze, smiling slightly as he gave a polite nod.

Sakura, however, quickly turned away, disappearing around the corner.

Oh hell no!  

That's Uchiha "Freakin’" Itachi!  

Gotta stay far away before I get dragged into trouble!  

I'm outta here—bye!  

---

 Hokage’s Office

After a long day of handling paperwork, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt his eyes straining. Stretching in his chair, his old bones creaked in protest.

Even so, he picked up the latest physical training records Iruka had just delivered.

There, in first place, was the name Haruno Sakura.

For a moment, Sarutobi was stunned.

That spot had always belonged to Uchiha Sasuke.

Not only was she excelling in academics, but now she was also leading in physical training?

A civilian ninja, yet this talented...

Sarutobi couldn't help but think of the young Hokage he had once placed high hopes on.

Well... if she truly has the ability to pass Iruka’s challenges, then I’ll let her be.

---

Sakura was utterly exhausted today.

A 10-kilometer endurance run in the morning, then another grueling workout at school in the afternoon—her six-year-old body had been pushed to its absolute limit.

After dinner, she took a quick shower and collapsed onto her bed, falling into a deep sleep almost instantly.

Time flew by.

In just one short month, the day of her first major challenge had arrived—

The exam to skip first grade and advance straight to second grade.

The examination room was nearly empty, with only three people present: Sakura, Iruka, and Mizuki.

"Sakura, you have two hours. Make sure to check your answers once you're done," Iruka said calmly as he placed the test in front of her.

---

(End of Chapter)