**Chapter 34: How Do I Show Off?!**

+3
As soon as Sasuke finished speaking, the number in front of him jumped. The system had determined that he had successfully shown off.

The sudden increase startled Sasuke.

**He was just shifting the blame!**
If that counts as showing off, then it seems like a strategy worth exploring. After all, there are plenty of people in Konoha who could shoulder the blame!

---

Iruka's lips twitched.

**Ask the Third Hokage?**
Only Sasuke would dare suggest that!

As a Konoha civil servant, Iruka's work was organized by the Third Hokage. He had a stable income, holidays, and no reason to question his leader.

Iruka studied Sasuke’s impassive expression for a moment. He couldn't tell if Sasuke was serious or lying.

But it felt like a lie.

And yet, from the moment Sasuke mentioned the Third Hokage, Iruka had no choice but to take his words at face value.

"I understand."

Iruka nodded slowly. At this point, the truth didn’t matter. What mattered was Naruto’s visible progress. As a teacher, Iruka was genuinely happy for him.

"Naruto, I’ll treat you to ramen tonight," he said, ruffling Naruto’s hair with a grin that couldn’t hide the worry in his eyes.

"Alright!"

Naruto jumped up, grinning from ear to ear. Ichiraku Ramen was his favorite, and having someone treat him made it even better.

"I’ll be going now," Iruka said, waving as he left. But his mind was already racing. He needed to investigate the jutsu Naruto had used to ensure it wouldn’t lead to any unforeseen risks.

---

Once Iruka was gone, only Naruto and Sasuke remained on the training ground.

The other students lingered at a distance, stealing glances at Naruto.

But none dared to approach.

“Sasuke, so this jutsu was really from Grandpa Third Hokage!” Naruto beamed, his innocence shining brighter than the sun. Adjusting his goggles, he added, “Grandpa Third Hokage is the best!”

“You believed that?” Sasuke asked, his voice flat.

“Of course! I believe everything you say!” Naruto replied, his sincerity unwavering.

“...”

Sasuke was momentarily at a loss for words.

This guy’s thought process was… peculiar. Even Iruka hadn’t bought that flimsy excuse, but Naruto swallowed it whole.

Still…

What should have been frustrating instead felt oddly disarming in the face of Naruto’s genuine faith.

“I stole the jutsu from the Third Hokage,” Sasuke admitted bluntly. How could he let the Third Hokage take credit for the seeds he had carefully planted? At best, the old man was an unwitting scapegoat.

+10
“W-What?!” Naruto’s grin vanished, replaced by wide-eyed shock.

“I won’t go into details,” Sasuke continued. “You just need to know that I stole it and gave it to you. If the Third Hokage had wanted you to have it, he would’ve done so long ago.”

+10
The system numbers rose again, mirroring the impact Sasuke’s words had on Naruto.

This wasn’t even deliberate—it was just Sasuke being honest.

When he’d observed Naruto earlier, it was clear the Third Hokage had no intention of teaching him these jutsu. Even when Naruto obtained the Scroll of Seals, the Hokage seemed more concerned about the risks it posed.

“T-This…” Naruto stammered, too stunned to process the deeper implications of Sasuke’s words. He was still reeling from the revelation that Sasuke had stolen the scroll.

---

“Your Shadow Clone Jutsu is solid now,” Sasuke said, his tone businesslike. “Our special training can end here.”

Naruto’s face fell. “What? You’re not going to guide me anymore?”

“You don’t need me,” Sasuke replied.

“Why not?”

“Because you’re stronger than me now,” Sasuke stated matter-of-factly.

Naruto froze, his mind struggling to process the unexpected declaration.

+5
Another number floated in Sasuke’s vision.

**MMP**
What kind of system is this?

Does it hand out points randomly? Even acknowledging someone else’s strength counts as showing off?!

Sasuke sighed inwardly but pressed on. “I mean it. You’re stronger than me now.”

“Does that mean… I’m the top student in the class now?” Naruto asked, his excitement barely contained.

“I guess so,” Sasuke replied after a moment’s thought. Aside from himself and Naruto, the only real competition came from the Rookie Nine, and Naruto’s mastery of the Shadow Clone Jutsu put him a cut above the rest.

“I see.” Naruto nodded solemnly. Then, taking a deep breath, he looked at Sasuke with a newfound determination. “But I’d rather stay second!”

“…What?” Sasuke blinked, completely baffled. Naruto’s train of thought was as unpredictable as ever.

“You’ll stay number one, and I’ll be number two!” Naruto declared with a confident grin, giving Sasuke a thumbs-up. “That way, anyone who wants to challenge you has to get through me first!”

“...”

Sasuke was speechless once more.

This crown prince could be surprisingly endearing at times.

But…

If you block all my challengers…

**How am I supposed to show off?!**

(End of Chapter)