This Naruto Is a Player!

Outside the Hokage's office in the afternoon, Shikamaru, Choji, and Naruto, standing as punishment, looked at each other and instantly burst into laughter, snot bubbles forming.

Choji's laughter revealed his single remaining front tooth, which made Naruto laugh even harder.

Aside from that, both of them were bruised and swollen.

Choji was worse, with large bumps around his eyes and mouth, while Shikamaru's face was slightly less severe, a bit green, suggesting he'd taken fewer hits.

As for Naruto, his clothes were only slightly dirty.

"Naruto, why?" Choji mumbled, his mouth swollen.

"Why what?"

"Why are we both like this, but you look perfectly fine?" Shikamaru, beside Choji, added weakly.

"Hahaha. I have a unique trick for group fights. Otherwise, how do you think I've managed on my own all these years?"

In reality, there was no trick; it was all about raw strength.

With his strength, dealing with a few kids was effortless, wasn't it?

Seeing the two of them in this state, Naruto was actually quite touched. He held up two fingers and promised, "Twice."

"Yay!" both Choji and Shikamaru cheered.

"We didn't do it for the grilled fish, you know," Choji emphasized.

"Of course, because we're friends."

"Lord Hokage, he's a demon fox! He..." For some reason, a shrill voice suddenly came from inside.

Thump, thump, thump!

Before the sentence could be finished, it was drowned out by a loud noise, making it impossible for the three standing outside to hear what was being said inside.

Demon fox?

That term pricked at their nerves.

"Naruto."

Naruto looked up to see both of them staring at him with concern. He grinned broadly and said, "It's fine. Ignore it, just ignore it."

Did they think he was still three or four years old? He'd been dealing with this for so many years; he was completely used to it.

"Iruka, take them back first," the Old Man Hokage's voice came from inside again.

As the voice faded, Iruka walked out.

"You three."

Iruka scanned them one by one, his gaze finally resting on Naruto.

The discrimination against Naruto from those inside made even him, an outsider to this particular incident, feel extremely uncomfortable.

Had Naruto faced this kind of situation his entire life?

Yesterday's conversation with Kakashi-senpai reminded Iruka of his original intention to become a Konoha teacher.

Therefore, even facing Naruto, and facing the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, which had once killed his parents, the naturally kind Iruka was still prepared to open his heart and try to acknowledge and accept Naruto.

Because Naruto was his student, and also the first major test he faced in his teaching career.

"Naruto, sensei apologizes to you."

"Huh?" Naruto looked up, meeting Iruka's gaze head-on.

In his perception, the coldness and disregard had vanished, replaced by a touch of warmth.

"Why are you apologizing to me?" Naruto was quite curious; he didn't feel Iruka had done anything wrong.

Choji and Shikamaru perked up their ears, equally curious.

"Because I neglected you before, but from now on, I will definitely care for you more," Iruka said sincerely. The teacher who had previously taught him to deal with Naruto coldly was a renowned teacher who had taught Itachi, but Uchiha Itachi had already massacred his clan and defected. Iruka certainly didn't want Naruto to do something like that in the future.

So, Iruka decisively changed his strategy, choosing to educate Naruto his own way—with sincerity for sincerity.

Care for him more? Uh, maybe not.

While having more people care for him was nice, Naruto felt that extra attention from his homeroom teacher was something he'd rather pass on.

"To show my sincerity, I've decided to treat you to ramen."

"Yay!"

Naruto hadn't even moved, but Choji had already jumped up.

"Not now!" Iruka suddenly transformed from a friend back into a homeroom teacher, emphasizing, "Now! Immediately! Go back to class!"

"Eh!?" Hearing they had to go back to class, all three drooped their heads in unison.

The first-year class had been buzzing for a while, or rather, the entire school was abuzz.

Naruto Uzumaki's record of "one against seven" was quite glorious, astonishing a considerable number of elementary school students and making him explosively popular for a time.

Unfortunately, Naruto Uzumaki hadn't achieved any decisive victory, merely stalling those seven, otherwise it would have been even more sensational.

But simply by being a first-year and holding his own against seven fourth-year students was already impressive enough.

After this battle, Naruto instantly gained numerous titles.

Things like "Naruto One Against Seven" and "Naruto the Staller."

However, Naruto was unaware of any of this.

Naruto returned to his loyal first-year class before afternoon lessons even began.

As soon as he sat down, Naruto noticed something different: everyone was looking at him with new eyes.

As soon as class was dismissed, he was surrounded by many boys, all asking him about the battle.

Naruto looked left and right; Shikamaru and Choji had both gone to the hospital for bandaging and rest, leaving only him from the trio who knew the full story.

"I can tell you, but those sitting close have to buy a bag of chips and a bottle of soda." After collecting enough "admission fees," Naruto began to tell his tale.

During his storytelling, he glanced at Sasuke and noticed Sasuke secretly watching him. It seemed even Uchiha Sasuke, this "protagonist," was looking at him differently.

Naruto thought this small matter would end there; elementary school enthusiasm typically lasted a day or two before a new piece of gossip stole the academy's headlines.

However, someone else actually challenged him.

"What did you say your name was?"

Looking at the thick-browed guy in front of him, whose every move resembled Bruce Lee, Naruto was full of questions.

"Are you Naruto Uzumaki, the 'One Against Seven' from first-year class one?

I am Rock Lee from second year, and I hereby challenge a genius like you!" Rock Lee struck a stance, his gaze firm and his eyes stern.

"Alright, you win."

With that, Naruto simply walked past him.

He was still waiting to eat Iruka-sensei's ramen; he didn't have time for another fight.

Besides, this went against his policy of maintaining a low profile at school.

"Eh?"

Watching Naruto Uzumaki walk away, Rock Lee scratched his head in confusion.

Did he do something wrong?

Next time, next time he would just attack first, so the other person wouldn't have an excuse to avoid him.

During breakfast, Shikamaru asked his father about Naruto.

"Dad, I have a question."

"What?"

"Why does everyone avoid Naruto as if he's plague? Did he do something?"

"How do you see Naruto?"

Shikamaru was stumped by his father's counter-question. He thought before answering, "How... how do I see him? I haven't really thought about it, but he's quite interesting. His fishing skills are great, and the grilled fish he makes is delicious, very, very delicious.

Originally, while I didn't exactly ostracize him, I didn't really want to be close friends with him either. But after tasting his grilled fish, I wanted to become good friends with him."

"I see. Just do what you want to do."

His father didn't say much, but Shikamaru already understood the meaning.

"Is that so?" Shikamaru nodded, firming up his resolve