"Hmph, I didn't expect you to have some skill, but even if you made it to the opposite shore, I must have thrown farther!", Although Sasuke was a bit surprised that Naruto managed to make it across the river, he remained confident, his eyes filled with disdain.
The Uchiha clan was not weaker than anyone.
He also picked up a stone and, using the technique of throwing shuriken, flung it out.
Duang!
Duang!
Duang!
Plop!
After bouncing on the river three times, the fourth bounce sent the stone sinking to the lakebed.
For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.
Aoba could clearly see Sasuke's toes, exposed outside his ninja sandals, curling up slightly.
"Pfft~", He couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Haha, you lost! So, are we friends now?", Naruto was so happy he almost jumped for joy.
Sasuke gritted his teeth. Even though he didn't want to acknowledge this guy, he had indeed lost, "One more time!"
"Eh? You, you're not trying to go back on your word, are you? I hate people who don't keep their promises the most," Naruto was a little upset. If this guy was someone who didn't keep his word, then he didn't want to be friends with him anymore.
Sasuke's face immediately turned red—completely heated.
How could he be someone who breaks his word? But the pride of the Uchiha clan would not allow him to lose to anyone.
Even if it was just skipping stones.
"I won't break my word. But if I win this time... I... I'll still be your friend," Sasuke spoke through gritted teeth, his gaze at Naruto already burning with flames.
'This guy actually thought I will go back on my word. Is he looking down on the Uchiha clan?'
"Really?", Naruto's face instantly changed. Just a moment ago, he was angry, but now he was happy again.
"Hmph! The Uchiha clan never breaks their word," Sasuke started carefully selecting a stone. He felt that the reason he lost must have been because he didn't pick a good one.
"Hehe, then I'll help you too," Seeing that Sasuke was willing to be his friend, Naruto also crouched down and began searching for stones with him.
"I don't need your meddling!"
"When you throw, make sure to angle it slightly upward. That's the trick to skipping stones."
"Annoying! Of course, I know that! I just wasn't serious earlier!"
———
Then, after several more throws, Sasuke still failed to make it across the river.
The two of them started bickering. At first, Naruto was thrilled to have made a new friend, but as Sasuke kept refusing to admit defeat, Naruto started getting fired up too.
Aoba watched from the side, getting bored, "Looks like you two are getting along well. I'll head off now."
"Who's getting along with this guy?"
"Aoba, you're leaving so soon?"
The two, who had been arguing over stone-skipping techniques, spoke at the same time.
Naruto, upon hearing this, immediately ran to Aoba with a reluctant face.
"Can't you stay and play a little longer?"
Aoba shook his head and smiled, "If you want to find me, you can always go to the hospital. I'm usually there studying in the morning."
"Mm! I'll come find you tomorrow," Naruto nodded earnestly.
Just as Aoba was about to leave, Sasuke spoke up, "Wait!"
"Hm?"
Aoba looked at him curiously. He hadn't expected Sasuke to call out to him.
"What's up?"
Sasuke recalled the scene where his shuriken was deflected by Aoba's stone.
"I challenge you!"
Aoba blinked, "If it's another skipping stone contest, there's no need."
Sasuke's cold face showed an irritated expression.
"That's not what I meant!"
"I can tell—you're strong. So I want a ninja battle with you!"
Aoba frowned slightly, confused, "Why would I agree to fight you?"
"Because… because…", Sasuke suddenly got stuck. He stammered for a long time but couldn't find a reason.
Aoba didn't leave immediately. Instead, he was thinking about something.
'As the heir of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke shouldn't be short on money, right?'
A small smirk formed at the corner of Aoba's lips—a sly merchant's smile.
"How much is your daily allowance?"
"Two thousand ryo."
Sasuke answered instinctively, then asked, "Why do you ask?"
Aoba's mouth twitched as he tried to maintain his smile, but inside, he was cursing, 'Filthy rich kid!'
"Accepting your challenge would take up a lot of my time, so if you want to fight me, you'll have to pay 1,000 ryo per match."
Aoba wondered if he was asking for too much, but before he could reconsider, Sasuke's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he pulled out 1,000 ryo.
"No problem," To Sasuke, money was just a number. He didn't need much else, so he might as well use it to improve his strength.
Aoba took the money from Sasuke with a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment.
"How do you want to fight?"
"The first one to fall loses!"
"I'll be the referee!"
Seeing that there was a fight to watch, Naruto cheered excitedly.
The two stood several meters apart. Sasuke looked serious, while Aoba appeared casual.
"Can you take this seriously?", Sasuke was annoyed.
Aoba waved a hand dismissively, "I am serious."
"You—", Sasuke was so frustrated he turned to Naruto, signaling him to start the match.
Naruto grinned.
"Begin!"
Sasuke immediately charged at Aoba, swinging a punch.
Bang!
Before Sasuke's fist could land, Aoba moved even faster, landing a punch directly on Sasuke's left eye.
Sasuke collapsed, seeing stars, his mind spinning.
"You lost!"
Hearing this, Sasuke twitched as if someone had triggered a keyword in his brain. He shuddered and got up from the ground, looking dazed. With one big eye and one swollen small eye.
"What happened?"
"You lost."
Sasuke: "…"
"How did I lose?"
Still dizzy from the punch, Sasuke hadn't fully processed what happened.
Aoba rolled his eyes, "I was faster than you and knocked you down in one punch. So, you lost."
As his mind slowly cleared, Sasuke realized, he really did lose.
Which meant he just wasted 1,000 ryo.
And gained nothing, "Damn it!"
Having pocketed his earnings, Aoba was ready to leave and continue his training.
"Wait!"
Sasuke once again stood in front of him, his one big eye and one swollen eye staring at him.
"I still have 1,000 ryo!"
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