*Chapter 50: Sasuke, Don’t Talk Nonsense!*

Sasuke walked down the hallway, feigning a slight shiver. He could feel Mizuki’s eyes boring into his back.

It wasn’t until he reached the classroom door that the sensation of being watched vanished.

Whew...  

He exhaled softly. Acting scared was tougher than he thought. If the hallway had been any longer, he might not have held in his laughter!

Improvisation is truly an art. Mizuki has no idea what’s coming.  

---

Knock, knock, knock!  

Sasuke tapped on the classroom door before stepping inside, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present.

“Sasuke, what did Mizuki-sensei want with you?” Iruka asked curiously.

“Mizuki-sensei told me not to tell you,” Sasuke replied flatly.

+3

The class fell silent, with most students trying hard not to burst out laughing.

Only Sasuke could pull off such a bold response—and deliver it with a perfectly serious face.

“...”

Iruka blinked, momentarily speechless.

This reply was so audacious that he couldn’t even muster a retort.

“Iruka-sensei, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to studying,” Sasuke added, his tone indifferent.

+1

Iruka sighed. “Fine, go ahead.” He decided not to push his luck. Another question would probably result in yet another “Mizuki-sensei told me not to tell you.”

“Understood.”

Sasuke nodded and returned to his seat, the picture of calm and focus.

The students resumed their studies, though a few still exchanged amused glances. After all, the Ninja Academy’s academic pressure didn’t leave much time for distractions.

---

“Sasuke, what did Mizuki-sensei talk to you about?” Naruto whispered as he leaned over, his curiosity on full display.

“I’m not telling you,” Sasuke replied bluntly.

“Why not?” Naruto pouted.

“You have a loose tongue,” Sasuke said without hesitation.

“Hey, I can keep a secret!” Naruto insisted, putting on a serious face. “I promise I won’t tell anyone!”

“Are you sure?” Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Positive!” Naruto nodded furiously, practically vibrating with determination.

“Mizuki-sensei asked me about my team preferences,” Sasuke said casually, skillfully avoiding the truth.

“Huh? What does that mean?” Naruto tilted his head, clearly intrigued.

“After we graduate, we’ll be divided into three-person squads. Mizuki-sensei wanted to know who I’d like on my team,” Sasuke explained, smoothly steering the conversation into safer waters.

“What did you say?!” Naruto asked nervously, leaning in closer.

“I gave him two names.” A sly smirk tugged at Sasuke’s lips, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

“Whose names?!” Naruto’s voice was almost a squeak, his nerves clearly shot.

“Sakura Haruno,” Sasuke said, his voice deliberately calm.

“Sakura?!” Naruto’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. “Sasuke...don’t tell me you like Sakura?”

“What are you talking about?” Sasuke rolled his eyes dramatically. “The second name was yours.”

“Me?!” Naruto froze, his brain short-circuiting. The idea of being in the same squad as both Sasuke and Sakura left him giddy.

“Yeah,” Sasuke said, draping an arm around Naruto’s shoulder. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “I picked Sakura for your sake. It’s a shame we can’t have a four-person team, or I’d have chosen Hinata too. That way, you’d have one on each side.”

“Sasuke! Stop it!” Naruto turned bright red, sneaking a glance at Hinata, who sat nearby. She seemed oblivious, but Naruto’s embarrassment was palpable.

Sasuke laughed, letting go of Naruto. “Sakura burns like fire, Hinata flows like water. Naruto, you’re living in a world of fire and water!”

“Sasuke, don’t talk nonsense!” Naruto stammered, his cheeks flaming. He had never really thought about Hinata, but Sasuke’s words planted an awkward seed in his mind.

“Think it over,” Sasuke said cryptically, returning to his book.

Naruto sat stiffly between Sasuke and Hinata, with Sakura seated just ahead of him. His mind spun with thoughts he couldn’t quite sort out.

---

Time slipped by, and soon it was lunch. Most students left the classroom, their stomachs grumbling.

“Sasuke, aren’t you going to eat?” Naruto asked, lingering by his desk.

“I’m not hungry,” Sasuke replied without looking up.

“Well, I am!” Naruto said before rushing off, leaving Sasuke alone in the room.

One by one, the classroom emptied, even the girls reluctantly heading to eat. Left in peace, Sasuke reached into his bag and pulled out a blank scroll.

---

Using his precision and memory, he wrote a series of carefully chosen words on the scroll before sealing it. Then, he pulled out another scroll—a larger one—and scribbled a modified version of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.

The chakra formulas were deliberately altered to confuse anyone attempting to use it.

“Perfect.” Sasuke sealed the second scroll and placed everything back in his bag. “Mizuki, you’re in for a treat tonight. I can’t wait to see your face.”

Satisfied with his preparations, Sasuke added one point each to his Strength and Spirit attributes. The resulting energy boost left him invigorated and ready to dive back into his studies.

Gotta ace the written exam. A genius failing the academic portion? That would be the ultimate disgrace.  

---

The day passed quickly.

When the school bell rang, Mizuki appeared at the doorway. His eyes gleamed as they landed on Sasuke, who was packing up his things.

“Sasuke, school’s out!” Mizuki said, his voice barely concealing his excitement.

Sasuke looked up, his face pale and “nervous.” “Mizuki-sensei! Finally! I’ve been so anxious all day—let’s hurry and get the scroll!”

He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward Mizuki, wearing a perfectly crafted mask of fear and worry.

Mizuki grinned, a sinister glint in his eyes. The Scroll of Seals was almost within his grasp.

(End of Chapter)