*Chapter 9: Is This a Confession?*

Naruto's wholehearted nervousness added perfectly to his bluff.

Sasuke looked at Naruto, whose emotions were completely stirred up. The atmosphere was already tense, and Naruto's story seemed ready to step into a new chapter.

"Naruto."

Sasuke softly called Naruto's name, stood up, and patted him firmly on the shoulder. Leaning close to Naruto’s ear, he whispered, "During this time, train hard. When you pass the graduation exam, I'll tell you about your parents."

"This..." The corner of Naruto's mouth twitched. The anticipation that had just been sparked now felt like it had been suffocated.

"Whether it’s becoming Hokage or learning about your parents, you need to pass the academy graduation exam and become a Genin," Sasuke said, testing if he could alter Naruto’s path toward success.

"I understand." Naruto's expression turned resolute. He clenched his right fist and said with determination, "I'll master the clone technique and pass the exam! It's a promise!"

"Yeah," Sasuke nodded, satisfied that everything was proceeding according to his script.

"Hahahahaha..." Naruto laughed joyfully. He hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Today, he’d gained a true friend, a lead on his parents’ story, and the chance to eat three bowls of ramen at Ichiraku's. This day was already perfect.

Time flew by.

Within minutes, Naruto had finished his three bowls of ramen.

"I’ll give you my two bowls."

Sasuke gestured toward his untouched ramen. One bowl was plenty for him, and it was clear Naruto was still hungry.

"Really?" Naruto’s eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Yeah," Sasuke replied with a slight nod.

"Then I won’t hold back!" Naruto immediately grabbed the bowls and began devouring them.

---

By the time Sasuke finished his own bowl, Naruto had polished off all five and let out a satisfied burp.

"Naruto, head home when you're done. Special training starts tomorrow," Sasuke said, his tone suddenly cold and distant.

"Aren’t we leaving together?" Naruto asked in surprise.

"It’s not on the way," Sasuke replied flatly, shaking his head.

"Okay then! See you tomorrow!" Naruto didn’t push. He smiled brightly, stood up, and ran off toward his home.

Today was amazing!

As Naruto ran, he glanced up at Hokage Rock, glowing under the night sky.

From now on... no more graffiti.

No more doing crazy things for attention.

What others think doesn’t matter anymore.

As long as I have Sasuke’s approval, that’s enough!

---

After Naruto left, Sasuke remained seated. He opened his system panel.

*System Points:* 8.

It had been another productive day.

Sasuke immediately added the 8 points to his D-ranked physical attribute, determined to push it up to C-level.

*Physical Attribute: D (33/200)*

Almost instantly, Sasuke felt subtle but noticeable changes in his body. A sense of strength and satisfaction welled up within him.

"Uncle Ichiraku, the bill, please."

Sasuke handed over a 10,000 Ryo banknote, part of the system's beginner gift package. Aside from this money, he didn’t have any other resources. Whether there was hidden wealth in his clan’s compound remained a mystery, so for now, this was all he could use.

"Kids these days sure are generous!" Uncle Ichiraku remarked as he took the note, then counted the change.

"Your total is 420 Ryo," he said, handing Sasuke 9,580 Ryo. "Here’s your change—please double-check."

"No need," Sasuke said, quickly pocketing the money without counting. He trusted Uncle Ichiraku.

The gesture left the old man slightly stunned, thinking Sasuke didn’t want the change at all. Watching the boy put the money away, Uncle Ichiraku couldn't help but feel Sasuke was... different.

Sasuke stood and walked out of the ramen shop, heading toward the Uchiha compound. The streets were quiet under the moonlight when his gaze locked on something ahead.

A girl in pink stood leaning against a wall, her eyes fixed on him.

Sakura Haruno.

The controversial girl from the original story. She had been Sasuke’s wife in that timeline, but now...

To the current Sasuke, she was just another person. He wasn’t a Sakura hater or a Sakura fan. She simply didn’t matter.

If anything, his thought was simple: Stay away.

Respectfully, he could call her "Sister Sakura" for her persistence—but he had no intention of engaging. Sakura was tenacious to a fault. Unshakable. Terrifyingly so.

Sasuke spared her a single glance before walking on as if she didn’t exist.

Huh?

A notification popped up on his system panel. Points had increased.

Sasuke blinked. He hadn't done anything that seemed like showing off. What was this about?

---

Meanwhile, Sakura stood by the wall, her heart in her eyes as she gazed at Sasuke. His cold, indifferent demeanor only made her admiration grow.

“So handsome...” she murmured, her voice too soft even for herself to hear.

Sasuke ignored her completely and kept walking.

The system points jumped again. Sasuke’s mind began piecing together a theory: the system didn’t count what he thought was showing off—it only registered what system perceived as showing off.

"Sasuke!" Sakura suddenly called out, mustering her courage as she ran forward to block his path. She stood awkwardly, her index fingers fidgeting.

"Do we know each other?" Sasuke asked, tilting his head arrogantly. His posture oozed disdain.

"I... I... I..." Sakura stammered, overwhelmed.

"Do you need something?" he asked, his tone colder still. If the original Sasuke’s rejections hadn’t deterred her, he needed to ensure he gave her zero hope.

"I... I..." Sakura fumbled, finally producing a letter. A heart was drawn on the envelope.

Is this a confession?

Sasuke's pupils narrowed. The kids in Konoha were this bold?

"Sorry," Sasuke said flatly, brushing past her. "I’m not interested."

---

(End of Chapter)