Chapter 3: Haruno Sakura

Natsuwari looked at the pink-haired figure who was about to speak, his eyes a little complicated. She could be considered the female lead of Naruto.

Although Naruto's final wife was Hinata Hyuga, Hinata's role was not very significant, so the female lead's identity fell on Haruno Sakura.

Of course, if you consider Uchiha Sasuke as the 'female lead'... then you're right.

Haruno Sakura, although not well-received in the original work, her strength undoubtedly reached the top among ordinary people. Her effort and intellect were actually quite good.

The reason for her poor reputation, as far as Natsuwari knew, was probably due to her obsession with love. Her liking for Uchiha Sasuke, from the audience's perspective, basically remained at the level of infatuation, and her reasons were even less compelling than those of Karin Uzumaki, who later liked Sasuke.

Another reason was probably Sasuke's later defection. Sakura couldn't do anything herself and cried to Naruto for help. Although with Naruto's personality, he would have done it even without Sakura, Sakura's actions seemed like a form of emotional manipulation, making her unlikable.

Actually, Natsuwari didn't like Sakura when he was a child in his past life either, but the reason for his dislike back then was even simpler than the above. He identified with Naruto's perspective, so if you weren't good to Naruto, he didn't like you. Later, as he grew up, he became indifferent to it. He didn't particularly like her, but he had enough appreciation for her.

The reason why Natsuwari felt slightly indebted to Sakura was naturally because his goal was Sakura, or more precisely, Sakura's position.

After all, Sakura was the only person he could think of who had a chance of being replaced. Other positions, considering the identities of others, were unlikely.

First was Team 10's Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino. As Konoha's traditional Ino-Shika-Cho trio, they were basically inseparable.

Then there was Team 8's Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hinata Hyuga, all ninjas with special skills. Hinata's Byakugan, especially as a member of the main Hyuga family, was irreplaceable. Kiba and Shino also had their families, but it seemed like they could be replaced?

After all, their families weren't major clans in Konoha, but they themselves weren't easy to replace. Kiba's ninken and Shino's insects had unique abilities in reconnaissance.

If Natsuwari wanted to replace them, he would have to show extraordinary reconnaissance talent, and he was more likely to be assigned to a different team. The uncertainty was too great, and it was unclear whether he would have the opportunity to show enough reconnaissance talent in the six years of school, so he could only rule them out.

Finally, there was Sakura's Team 7. Naruto, as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Sasuke, as the sole survivor of the Uchiha clan in Konoha, were both irreplaceable.

After much thought, Natsuwari could only set his sights on Sakura. After all, Sakura also came from an ordinary family. Although she had good theoretical talent, it was nothing compared to Natsuwari. In contrast, her only advantage was probably being a girl.

This wasn't a joke. Although there was no explicit rule in Konoha's team assignments, most teams were formed with two boys and one girl. So, to replace Sakura, he not only had to surpass her in theoretical talent but also become the strongest in the class.

In that case, as the strongest, he was more likely to be assigned to an elite class. Then it wouldn't be a matter of whether he could get in, but how the Third Hokage would assign him. Surely, they wouldn't throw an all-around excellent genius into an ordinary class, right? Fortunately, although most teams were two boys and one girl, there was no explicit rule enforcing it. Teams of three boys or two girls and one boy had also appeared before.

Natsuwari wanted to become stronger, and his goal was naturally the elite class. After all, even in the elite class, the gap was so obvious. Team 7's Kakashi Hatake, although he had slacked off for a long time, still reached elite Jonin level. Team 10's Asuma Sarutobi was considered above average among Jonin. Team 8's Kurenai Yuhi could only be considered an ordinary Jonin with some specialty in Genjutsu.

If these elite classes were like this, there was no need to think about the Jonin leading other classes. If it was an ordinary Jonin, that would be considered good. It was more likely to be just a Tokubetsu Jonin.

Therefore, no matter what, for his goal, Natsuwari had to strive to enter the elite class. He could only apologize to Sakura. Although he admired her, his priority was himself.

Moreover, Sakura's upper limit was already evident in the original work. The new generation of Konoha's Sannin - Naruto and Sasuke, those two cheats, would surpass the previous generation. Sakura's upper limit wouldn't even reach Tsunade's level, she could only be a "little Tsunade."

After all, Tsunade was the princess of the Senju clan, with a special physique. What physique did Sakura have? If she took a different path, she might surpass Tsunade, but Sakura and Tsunade were on the same path. It was basically impossible to surpass Tsunade on this path.

And that was Sakura's upper limit. So what about Natsuwari's? He wanted to try it out. As an ordinary person, he wouldn't scheme for any special bloodline or Kekkei Genkai. What level could he reach as an ordinary person? Could he surpass the peak of ordinary people like Jiraiya or Might Guy who briefly opened the Eight Gates? Or would he not even be as good as Sakura?

No matter what, he had to try it out. Reborn into this world, with nothing else interesting to do, he could only set his goal on the unique aspects of this world.

"Kamikawa Natsuwari."

At this time, Iruka finally called Natsuwari's name. Natsuwari stood up and briefly introduced himself.

"I am Kamikawa Natsuwari. I don't have any particular favorite food. The people I like are myself and my mother. The food I hate is cilantro. I don't have anyone I hate for now. In the future, I want to become the strongest ninja."

Natsuwari's speech didn't cause much of a stir. After all, becoming the strongest ninja didn't have much real meaning to them. Many people's goal was to become Hokage, and in their eyes, the strongest ninja was probably the Hokage, so Natsuwari's introduction wasn't anything special.

However, when it was Naruto's turn, Natsuwari watched him say almost the same goal in an energetic voice, just changing "strongest" to "Hokage." Then, hearing the mocking laughter from the surrounding children, he sighed. Although it was much better than on the streets, the influence of adults on children was already evident.

During break time, Natsuwari didn't have any thoughts of striking up conversations or making friends. Naturally, no one came to actively approach him as he sat next to Naruto. After all, Natsuwari didn't seem to have any advantages. His looks were okay but not top-notch, his black hair was ordinary, and his height seemed to be much taller than his peers.

Then, Natsuwari looked at Naruto, who wanted to talk to him but was worried about bothering him. After thinking for a moment, he took the initiative to speak softly, "In the classroom, you don't need to be as cautious as in the village, but don't act overly close either. Just a normal classmate relationship is fine."

Natsuwari was thinking that as the future of Konoha, Danzo's hand probably couldn't reach into the classroom. He hadn't heard of any peers with the surname Shimura just now, so having normal and appropriate contact with Naruto as a classmate shouldn't be a problem.

After all, no matter what, Naruto had to have a deskmate. As long as he didn't show excessive closeness to Naruto, it should be fine.

Besides, for his goal, he needed to show enough talent in a short time to enter the Third Hokage's sight. If he succeeded, even if Danzo noticed him, his safety would be guaranteed for at least some time. He just didn't know when the opportunity to show his talent would come.

After hearing Natsuwari's words, Naruto's eyes lit up, and he asked nervously, "Then can we be friends?"

Natsuwari looked at Naruto, at his anticipation, recalling the treatment he had seen Naruto receive before, and smiled.

"Of course we can!"

However, Natsuwari quickly retracted his smile and returned to his indifferent expression. He looked around. Usually, it was best to maintain this expression. It was best if others saw him as an unlucky guy who had to be Naruto's deskmate.

(End of Chapter)