Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
After finishing his training, Lee bid farewell to Guy and prepared to look for Naruto.
Yesterday was the graduation day for Academy students, the day when Konoha Ninja headbands were handed out.
Lee had pushed his training too hard and passed out.
By the time he woke up, he had already missed the time to offer his congratulations.
Still, making up for it today shouldn’t be too late.
He carried a gift, hoping to run into Naruto outside.
But after searching for a long time, he couldn’t find him.
“He’s not at the school either.
Where would Naruto be at this time?” Muttering to himself, Lee wandered the streets, occasionally asking people for information.
Unfortunately, no one knew where Naruto had gone.
“Such bad luck.
Maybe I should just ask Iruka-sensei.” However, just as Lee was about to go ask Iruka about Naruto’s whereabouts, he spotted Sasuke at a glance.
He didn’t know Sasuke’s name, but he knew that he and Naruto were in the same class.
So he immediately ran after him.
Meanwhile, Sakura, waiting in the park, didn’t know that the Sasuke she had just been on a date with was actually Naruto transformed.
Seeing the real Sasuke now, she happily stood up.
‘Sasuke was really shy when I confessed to him just now.
He even made up an excuse to go to the bathroom to prepare himself mentally, hehe.
But now, I can finally have a date with him.’ Thinking of embarrassing scenes, Sakura enthusiastically called out, “Sasuke, you really are shy.
Have you prepared yourself mentally now?
I’m all ready.” Sakura didn’t know the previous one was fake.
This real Sasuke still felt nothing for her and coldly walked right past her.
Sakura hurriedly shouted, “Wait, Sasuke!” Sasuke turned his head coldly and asked, “Where’s Naruto?” Sakura immediately said helplessly, “Oh, you’re avoiding the topic again.
Don’t worry about a guy like Naruto right now.” In Sakura’s heart, the depth of her liking for Sasuke was matched only by her hatred for Naruto.
She continued, “He’s always clinging to you, it’s so annoying.
Maybe it’s because he has no parents and is used to doing whatever he wants that he acts like that.
If I acted like that, my parents would definitely get angry.” Sakura was still lost in her own world, completely unaware that Sasuke’s expression had turned ugly.
Even Lee, who had followed Sasuke, clenched his fists.
‘So, this is how they see Naruto.
Someone without parents to care for him, so he’s disliked.’ At this moment, he finally began to understand a little of Naruto’s life situation.
Sharing Lee’s feelings was Sasuke.
His parents had died a long time ago, it wouldn’t be wrong to call him an orphan.
He understood the pain of being without parents.
That was…
“Loneliness.” Facing Sakura’s incessant chatter, Sasuke coldly uttered, “Loneliness is not something that can be compared to the sadness of being scolded by your parents a few times.” Faced with this suddenly unfamiliar Sasuke, Sakura asked in surprise, “Sasuke, what’s suddenly wrong with you?” Sasuke looked at her coldly and said, “You’re annoying.” You’re annoying…
annoying…
annoying…
Sakura never expected Sasuke to say that to her.
For a moment, she stood there stunned.
Lee, hiding in the shadows, chose to leave silently.
However, the matter of Naruto’s parents made him feel even more troubled.
After turning a corner, he quickly caught up to Sasuke and called out, “Sasuke, wait!” Sasuke looked puzzled at this stranger calling him.
But noticing Lee’s Konoha headband, he asked, “What do you want?
I’m busy.” Lee said apologetically, “I’m looking for Naruto, but I haven’t been able to find him.
Do you know where he is?” Sasuke answered, “He probably ran off to the school.” Lee felt a wave of helplessness.
He had just searched the school and ended up missing him completely.
Just as he was about to go with him, the long-silent barrage of comments started flying again.
[Wow, Sasuke is so cool, and he’s strong too.] [And that ‘you’re annoying’ line just now was awesome.] [Well, what can you do?
Sasuke’s parents died early too, so what Sakura said affected him as well.] [They’re all pitiful children.
I really want to go kill Danzo right now to avenge Sasuke.] Danzo?
Lee’s heart skipped a beat.
How were Sasuke’s parents connected to Danzo?
Unfortunately, for some reason, these comments didn’t explain the cause.
They were just fawning over Sasuke, making Lee feel a little jealous.
But thoughts aside and jokes aside, he still remembered some of the content from the earlier comments.
He rushed out and bought a small dumbbell at a shop and hurried back to the school.
Coincidentally, as soon as he arrived at the classroom, he ran into a cold-faced Sasuke and a weakened Naruto clutching his stomach.
He immediately called out, “Naruto!
Sasuke!” Hearing Lee’s voice, Naruto immediately cheered up, “Lee, what are you doing here?” Lee took out a golden dumbbell and said, “You got your headband, right?
I came specifically to congratulate you.
Here, this is my graduation gift for you.” Naruto happily took the dumbbell and treasured it.
This was the first gift he had ever received, he had to treasure it.
Then, Lee took out a black dumbbell and handed it to Sasuke, saying, “Congratulations on graduating, Sasuke.” Sasuke was momentarily stunned.
Was there really someone who didn’t know about the Uchiha Clan and was giving him a gift?
Wasn’t he afraid of being suspected?
Sasuke was genuinely at a loss.
Lee asked, “What’s wrong?
Haven’t used one of these before?” Thinking Sasuke didn’t recognize a dumbbell, he explained, “This is an important tool for witnessing youth.
It can make you stronger.” He even flexed his biceps for emphasis.
Unfortunately, the demonstration wasn’t very effective.
Naruto said indignantly, “Why are you giving him a gift too?
Hmph.” Lee laughed heartily and said, “Because we’re all friends.
If anyone bullies you in the future, you can come find me.
I’m really strong, you know.” At least for now, Lee felt he could protect them.
After giving the gifts, he asked curiously, “Didn’t you guys graduate?
Why are you still at school?” Naruto told him angrily, “We’re waiting for our team leader, but they haven’t shown up yet.
They’re so unpunctual.” Lee asked, “Who is your team leader?” Naruto shrugged, “They said we’ll know when they get here.
It’s all mysterious.” Lee nodded.
“Alright then.
In that case, I’ll head out first.
I haven’t finished today’s training yet.” With that, he clenched his fist firmly and shouted, “To punish myself for not completing the tasks these past few days, I’ll increase the load and run 1000 laps around the mountain!” Swish, swish…
In the blink of an eye, he had already rushed out of the school grounds.
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same question in each other’s eyes.
If I use this dumbbell, I won’t end up like that too, will I?