Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno weren't close enough to call each other by first names.
Naruto's attempt to do so was a deliberate bid to bridge the gap with her.
Like with other classmates, he sought connection.
During this time, the Konoha Twelve from the original Naruto story, his classmates, varied in their attitudes toward him.
Many didn't care about his status, but Sakura's reaction was different. Her brow furrowed at his familiarity.
"Everyone calls me Sakura. You can too, Naruto-kun."
Though inwardly displeased, Sakura hid it.
She smiled politely before turning to leave.
[Everyone's finally starting to accept me.]
[This is great!]
Chu Ran's voice in Naruto's subconscious offered strong affirmation.
This boosted Naruto's confidence, and he spent the entire afternoon's classes with a smile.
When school ended, Naruto followed Sakura to the playground behind the academy.
By then, most students had left, leaving just the two of them.
"Sakura, what did you want to ask me?"
Naruto, fond of the cute girl, felt a spark of affection.
He had no guard up around Sakura, even hoping to help her.
But the Sakura before him was no longer the gentle, sweet girl from earlier.
Her face was calm, her eyes cold with a hint of disgust.
"Stay away from Sasuke. What makes you think you're worthy of being his rival?"
"Don't act high and mighty just because you have some talent. Sasuke's far better than you!"
Sakura glared at Naruto, her mind flashing to times he'd defeated Sasuke Uchiha in sparring.
Those memories made her uncomfortable, even fueling her contempt for Naruto.
To her, Sasuke was flawless.
Like many female classmates, she believed someone as exceptional as Sasuke shouldn't lose.
If he did, it certainly shouldn't be to someone as despised as Naruto.
Though their matches were evenly split, Naruto hadn't realized he was still unaccepted.
Or rather, that acceptance was impossible.
Only a few classmates acknowledged him; most still harbored the same disdain.
Naruto froze. For a child, such cutting words were like a dagger.
They pierced his heart, making him question whether his efforts to grow stronger were worthwhile.
If striving didn't earn others' affection, what was the point?
[Why does everyone love Sasuke and hate me?]
That thought sank Naruto's mood to rock bottom.
He didn't understand, utterly baffled by what he'd done to deserve this.
In his subconscious, Chu Ran had anticipated Sakura's attitude and words.
[As expected, whether in the original story or here, Sakura's just as detestable.]
[I can't fathom what Naruto saw in her in the original.]
[Everything about her reeks of unpleasantness.]
Chu Ran shook his head in the subconscious, sighing.
A girl who'd abandon a lifelong friend for her crush, then shamelessly accept help.
Weak and timid herself, yet demanding Naruto do this or that.
Always using Naruto, even belittling him at school to win Sasuke's favor.
Sakura's actions and presence were perfect for accelerating Naruto's blackening.
[Ding! Blackening Progress increased by 0.05%!]
As expected, Sakura's words left Naruto stunned.
That shock fueled his blackening, as he began to doubt himself.
[Host: Chu Ran]
[Host Vessel: Naruto Uzumaki]
[Physique: 1.4]
[Soul: 4]
[Blackening Progress: 12.47%]
[Blackening Points: 520]
[Blackening Shop: Unlocked]
Seeing the rising Blackening Progress, Chu Ran smiled.
Meanwhile, Naruto stood frozen, Sakura long gone.
Chu Ran knew staying silent, rather than consoling, was the best move now.
…
The next day, reeling from Sakura's attack, Naruto skipped school.
His absence went largely unnoticed in the classroom.
The teacher simply marked him absent.
In the afternoon, Sakura glanced at the back row.
She meant to sneak a peek at Sasuke, but seeing Naruto's empty seat, she hesitated.
"Did I go too far yesterday?"
As a child, Sakura briefly wondered if her words were too harsh, causing Naruto's absence.
"No, not at all."
"That guy doesn't deserve to be compared to Sasuke."
"Someone like him disappearing is for the best!"
That flicker of regret vanished quickly.
Her thoughts grew even crueler, wishing Naruto would never return.
Sasuke, however, was distracted all afternoon.
"Why didn't that guy come to school?"
"No one even reported him absent. Is he sick?"
Sasuke glanced at Naruto's seat, concerned for his only rival.
The afternoon's shuriken practice lacked a worthy opponent to spark his interest.
His goal was to surpass his brother, Itachi Uchiha.
To do that, he needed a strong rival to push him forward.
For Sasuke, Naruto was a significant motivator.
"School's out?"
"Maybe I'll ask the teacher where that guy lives."
As the dismissal bell rang, Sasuke stood and headed out.
A gaggle of fangirls trailed him, but he had no interest in girls who lacked ambition, avoided training, and were weak.
Naruto, his only childhood rival, held his attention far more.
(End of Chapter)