Chapter 13: *Count Me In—I'm Not Very Good at Fighting!*

+5

The number in front of Sasuke’s eyes jumped again, the sharp ding ringing like a victory chime. This was his highest gain in points yet—a new record for his mysterious system.

Classic line, Sasuke thought, mentally tipping his hat to One Piece’s Bellamy. Before crossing into the Naruto world, he had devoured countless WebNovel stories and anime series, amassing a treasure trove of sassy, scene-stealing quotes.

The effect was immediate.

Sakura stood as if struck by lightning, her entire body frozen in place. Her lips trembled, but no words came out.

Yeah, she thought bitterly, what does it have to do with me?  

Her frustration and embarrassment were palpable, but the surrounding students couldn’t help nodding at Sasuke’s logic. Many secretly thought Sakura had crossed a line, prying too much into Sasuke’s choices.

Meanwhile, the girls in the class who admired Sasuke were practically glowing with glee. To them, anyone vying for Sasuke’s attention was an enemy, and Sakura’s public rejection felt like a personal win.

“Sasuke, wasn’t that a little harsh?” Naruto whispered, leaning toward his friend. While he personally appreciated the distance Sasuke was creating between himself and Sakura, Naruto still felt bad for her.

“Don’t be a hypocrite, Naruto!” Sakura snapped before Sasuke could respond. Her sharp voice bristled with anger. “I don’t need your fake sympathy!”

She spun around and stormed to the other side of the classroom, her frustration leaving a heavy silence in her wake.

“I... did I say something wrong?” Naruto scratched his head, watching Sakura’s retreating figure with wide eyes.

“Yes,” Sasuke replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

Naruto blinked. “What should I have said?”

“You should’ve told her to get lost,” Sasuke replied, barely sparing him a glance.

+2

The system rewarded Sasuke with another satisfying ding.

“What?!” Naruto’s jaw dropped. “I can’t say that!”

Sasuke sighed, shaking his head. “Naruto, you’re just too slow.”

“Slow? How?” Naruto frowned, confused.

“You’re so focused on the person you like that you don’t see the person who silently likes you,” Sasuke said, his voice calm but pointed.

“The person who likes me?” Naruto repeated, blinking. His thoughts instinctively turned to Sakura, the girl he admired, but Sasuke’s words suggested someone else.

Someone who liked him silently?

Naruto’s pupils shrank as realization dawned. His gaze snapped to Sasuke, his cheeks flushing a deep red.

No way... could it be... him?!  

Naruto’s heart raced, and his breathing quickened. The thought hit him like a lightning strike, leaving him completely off balance.

“Haven’t you noticed?” Sasuke asked, raising an eyebrow.

Naruto turned away quickly, his face burning.

Sasuke sighed again, running a hand through his hair. “Unbelievable,” he muttered.

From his vantage point, Sasuke had already spotted Hinata Hyuga at the back of the room. She was fidgeting nervously, tapping her fingers together as her wide, pale eyes stayed fixed on Naruto.

Her crush was painfully obvious, and Sasuke couldn’t help but smirk slightly. While other girls in the class had their eyes glued to him, Hinata’s unwavering focus on Naruto stood out.

As expected of the future Mrs. Uzumaki, Sasuke thought, amused. Maybe nudging Naruto toward Hinata now would save everyone a lot of unnecessary drama down the road.

“I... I didn’t notice,” Naruto admitted, his voice small.

Of course you didn’t, Sasuke thought, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

Before the conversation could go any further, the classroom door creaked open, and their teacher strode in, signaling the start of a theoretical review session.

---

The Dreaded Theory Review

Ninja school wasn’t just about kunai and jutsu. The upcoming graduation exam included a hefty portion of theoretical knowledge, and the teachers were intent on drilling it into their students.

“This stuff is so dull,” Sasuke muttered under his breath, flipping through his textbook.

Having no memory from the original Sasuke, he was effectively starting from scratch. As he skimmed through the dense material, an overwhelming sense of déjà vu hit him.

I can’t believe it. I crossed over to another world and still can’t escape school exams!  

Sighing, Sasuke leaned into his task. He had no intention of failing, and this body’s sharp mind made the process faster than he’d expected. Within minutes, concepts clicked into place, and memorization felt effortless.

Maybe this is what it’s like to be a genius, he thought smugly, the corners of his lips curling upward.

---

Afternoon Practice

The afternoon brought a much-needed break as the students headed outside for self-practice. Naruto was already on the training field, furiously attempting the clone technique.

Unfortunately, his clones were as pitiful as ever, more akin to deflated balloons than convincing replicas.

Nearby, a group of boys gathered, their mocking laughter cutting through the air.

“Yo, it’s Naruto! Still trying to master that lame jutsu?”

“Yeah, maybe you should give up and repeat the year. Again.”

“Why not drop out already?”

Naruto clenched his fists, his face red with anger. “What did you say?!”

One boy sneered, stepping forward. “Need me to repeat it, loser?”

“Bastard!” Naruto growled, stepping toward him.

“Oh? Are you gonna fight us?” The group laughed, their confidence bolstered by their numbers.

“A fight?”

The voice that interrupted was cold, calm, and utterly commanding.

The boys turned, their laughter dying instantly as they saw who had spoken.

Uchiha Sasuke.

“Count me in,” Sasuke said, his tone casual as he approached. His dark eyes gleamed with quiet intensity. He held up a single finger, shaking it lightly.

“I’m not very good at fighting,” he added, his indifferent expression carrying an aura of absolute dominance.

---

*End of Chapter.*