Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

The central tower stood in the southeastern corner of the Forest of Death.

"Sasuke, who got knocked out by Naruto with a single hit, just took down Kiba in less than a minute. So it's not that Sasuke's weak—it's that Naruto's insanely strong. Just how strong is Naruto?"

"Can I really keep up with him anymore?"

Sakura stood frozen, deeply shaken. Not long ago, she'd told Sasuke about the rumors spreading in the village, and the moment he heard them, something in him snapped. His eyes turned crimson with fury, and he looked ready to fight anyone who crossed his path.

That's when a group of Naruto's challengers somehow stumbled onto their hiding spot, as if by sheer coincidence. But when they saw Naruto wasn't with them, they asked if he had run away.

That would've been fine—until Inuzuka Kiba made the mistake of provoking Sasuke, even taunting that he'd been "played" by a guy.

Then—

Inuzuka Kiba ended up on the ground, completely defeated.

After realizing he could easily take Kiba down, Sasuke's mood took a sharp turn for the better. He declared he'd defeat every last one of Naruto's challengers in his place.

And that led to the current standoff.

"I didn't think his progress would be this terrifying."

"I even trained my Fang Over Fang technique… How did I lose so fast?"

Aburame Shino watched Sasuke's smug attitude with a rare look of shock on his face.

"Lee, don't act recklessly. I don't think even I could beat Kiba that easily. This Uchiha Sasuke is definitely strong," Hyuga Neji warned, placing a hand on Rock Lee's shoulder.

"Don't worry. I'm strong, too," Lee replied with a serious nod. He turned to face Gaara. "You want to go first, or should I?"

"I want to fight Uzumaki Naruto," Gaara said bluntly, closing his eyes as if bored.

"Then I'll go first." Lee entered a taijutsu stance and faced Sasuke. "Uchiha Sasuke—are you ready?"

"Get this trash out of here," Sasuke said with disdain, pulling his foot off of Kiba and stepping forward. "Naruto once told me, people who talk too much in battle usually die first. I think you're that kind of person."

Lee didn't say another word.

After Shino dragged Kiba to safety, Lee rushed in. With lightning speed, he spun and aimed a whip kick right at Sasuke's neck.

Fast—but nowhere near fast enough for the Sharingan. Sasuke raised his arm and blocked it easily, sneering. "Your moves are too basic. You're nothing like Naruto."

Lee's eyes narrowed. He twisted his palm and stepped in with a punch, only for Sasuke to dodge. Lee's strike turned into a claw, swiping at Sasuke's temple.

A feint. A test of skill.

"Tch. Boring tricks. Naruto said real battles end in an instant. This slow back-and-forth stuff is just for kids."

Sasuke bent backward and evaded the swipe effortlessly.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

A massive fireball exploded from his mouth, crashing toward Lee and covering the field in smoke.

As Lee leapt to the side to avoid it, Sasuke already finished his next hand signs. The forest echoed with the sound of a thousand birds.

Chidori.

Lee barely recovered in time to see Sasuke charging straight at him, Chidori in hand, tearing the air apart.

Panic surged. Lee opened the First Gate of the Eight Inner Gates at the last second—but it wasn't enough. Chidori sliced through his left side, tearing into his rib and upper arm. Blood gushed out.

Wincing from the searing pain, Lee realized his rib was likely broken. He couldn't even move his left arm.

"After fighting so many challengers, I've learned Naruto's combat style. I'm not at his level yet—but I'm getting there."

Sasuke hadn't expected to win so easily. He struck a pose, flipping his thumb toward his eyes with pride. "I won't lose to anyone."

Damn it...

Lee was still stunned. Who the hell opens a fight with their strongest move? Don't ninja usually start slow, feeling out the enemy?

He hadn't even removed the training weights on his legs—and he lost just like that.

"I can still fight. Let's keep going."

But Tenten and Neji rushed over before he could stand up again.

"Lee, stop!"

"I haven't lost yet—!"

"Enough already! You told me before the exam to stay low-key, but since Day One you've been chasing that pink-haired girl and picking fights. Can you stop now?" Tenten shouted, visibly frustrated.

Lee bowed his head and stayed quiet.

"They're right," Sasuke said coldly. "With your level of strength, you're not even qualified to fight Naruto. If you keep pushing it, I won't hold back next time—I might kill you."

After delivering the line, he exhaled deeply.

That felt good.

"You jerk," Tenten snapped, glaring at him. Sasuke might look cool, but the way he talked was downright punchable.

The others felt the same way.

He was too smug. Too full of himself.

And he kept mentioning Uzumaki Naruto—as if worshiping him. Like some kind of loyal underling.

Had Naruto really beaten Sasuke before?

Considering the wound on Sasuke's back, that didn't seem so far-fetched.

"How strong is that kid?" Tenten wondered in awe.

Hinata, standing beside Shino and Kiba, quietly felt proud of Naruto.

Temari, on the other hand, looked grim. She was getting nervous about Gaara. She wanted to persuade him to step back—but the cold look in his eyes said she wouldn't get through to him.

"Heh… So I'm not weak after all," Sasuke muttered to himself, enjoying his moment of dominance. But inside, his focus was elsewhere.

His next match against Naruto.

He was determined to do things differently next time. To go all out right from the beginning, just like Naruto did.

Sure, it burned through chakra quickly—but the thrill of ending a fight in seconds was totally worth it.

Naruto… next time, I'm taking you down.

"That red-haired guy—your turn. You're the last one."

"Hmph. I'll use you as a warm-up before fighting Uzumaki Naruto."

Inside the tower…

Several instructors were watching the action unfold through the crystal ball. Their expressions weren't great.

Kiba Inuzuka—Kurenai Yuhi's student—and Rock Lee—Might Guy's protégé—had both lost too fast, and their sensei couldn't even look anyone in the eye.

Kakashi, who had been smug at first, now found himself trying to save face. Since the crystal ball had no sound, he'd taken it upon himself to "interpret" the lip movements on-screen, providing a dramatic running commentary.

But then Sasuke kept going on and on about Naruto.

"Kakashi, that kid really respects Naruto, doesn't he?" Kurenai said coolly.

Might Guy couldn't help but remember the smug grin on Kakashi's face back at the training grounds—when he was convinced Sasuke would outperform everyone.

Now?

He could barely keep from laughing.

"The students from Team 7 always seem to have good chemistry," Kakashi said with a cough, trying to recover.

But it was awkward. The student he had trained the hardest had lost to the one he had basically ignored.

Truly humiliating.

"Shh. Do you hear that?" Guy suddenly said, alert.

The Third Hokage nodded. "Yes… sounds like movement nearby. Could it be one of the candidates? Let's check."

Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest…

Naruto had his senses on high alert. The moment he heard something on the left, he immediately formed a massive Rasengan and hurled it.

BOOM!

The Rasengan slammed into Orochimaru, blasting him through a dozen trees.

But when the smoke cleared, all that remained was a heap of discarded, rotting snakeskin.

"Again?" Naruto muttered.

This had happened over ten times already. Orochimaru was toying with him—like a cat playing with its prey.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Naruto sprinted toward the central tower.

This lunatic was supposed to be after Sasuke—so why was he hounding him instead?

He needed to make noise. Draw attention. Lure in Konoha's ninja.

If not, then aside from unleashing the Nine-Tails, Naruto couldn't think of any other way to deal with Orochimaru.

"This guy's insane! Shouldn't he be chasing Sasuke right now?"

"I'm going nuts!"

A cold, mocking voice suddenly echoed from above.

Orochimaru appeared, blocking Naruto's path. "Where do you think you're running off to?"

Before Naruto could answer, Orochimaru's head morphed into a giant snake, lunging straight for his neck.

The curse mark.

He wanted to brand Naruto.

Orochimaru desired the Uchiha's eyes—but the Jinchūriki's bloodline was just as tempting.

"Damn it!"

In an instant, Naruto erupted in the Nine-Tails' chakra cloak. A Rasengan spun in his right hand, while his left flared with fiery red chakra.

"You think I'll just let you mark me, snake freak?!"