Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Only those who endure the toughest hardship can reach the top!

This sentence instantly inspired everyone.

Naruto continued, "But don't misunderstand, it's not like just enduring hardship makes you stronger. However, I can guarantee that it builds resilience, cultivating a spirit of endurance. As Shinobi, we should embrace these challenges, and today's dedication will only make you more composed in battle!"

"Squirtle, squirtle!"

Squirtle slapped the water enthusiastically.

As a turtle, patience was its strong suit.

Sasuke, Neji, Lee, and Tenten didn't say a word, but they were trembling all over, which made it clear that they could understand Naruto's point.

"Alright, enough with the sentiment. Focus on training! In a month, you'll need to be in peak form for the main event. Give it your all!"

Naruto clapped his hands, and the group responded with raised fists, shouting, "Give it our all!"

Immediately afterwards, they dove into intense training, the scene brimming with energy.

Watching them, Naruto relaxed back into his lounge chair, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

While Kakashi and Guy weren't around, he acted as a stand-in instructor and took pride in the group's progress.

Of course, his initial goal wasn't solely to motivate them. At first, he'd simply wanted a bit of entertainment, as the training had been lacking excitement.

But now, with Tenten's live throwing practice, Neji and Sasuke dodging madly while trying not to fall into the water, and Lee and Squirtle adding chaos, it felt like a high-stakes circus performance.

And the best part? Once Neji and Sasuke fully mastered their Chakra Control to move freely on the water, their eventual water battle would be even more thrilling.

The only thing that made Naruto unhappy was that there was an eyesore on the shore, Sakura.

Naruto couldn't help but say, "Sakura, if you don't want to train, just go home. Don't get in the way."

Sakura didn't say anything, just sobbing quietly.

'She's crying?'

'Did she think tears would solve things, evoke sympathy?'

Not to mention that Naruto hates this kind of meaningless crying, everyone in the water is training hard, who has time to care about Sakura?

"If you want to cry, do it at home. Don't worry, Konoha is still very safe. Even if you hide in Konoha for your whole life and don't become a Shinobi, your life will not be in danger."

Naruto said lightly.

In his opinion, there was really no need for Sakura to be a Shinobi.

Apart from getting into trouble and feeling wronged, how is she like a Shinobi?

Every Shinobi have their own way of doing things, and they go through all kinds of hardships to achieve their goals.

If Sakura's only aim was following Sasuke, wouldn't it be easier for her to just stay at home as a fangirl?

Naruto was genuinely frustrated watching her live so out of sync, putting in effort only to get nowhere!

Ding!

In the water, Neji used a kunai to block Tenten's shuriken, but the direction of the shuriken's bounce was random, and this shuriken bounced in the exact direction where Sakura was.

Naruto didn't notice it, but fortunately Sasuke used a shuriken to intercept it immediately, preventing Sakura from being hit.

"Sasuke, thank you."

Sakura said gratefully: "I knew you hadn't given up on me. For you, I'll try to adapt to this training."

"You think too much."

Sasuke replied coldly, "I saved you because you're a part of Team 7. But now you are holding us back… you really are an eyesore!"

"An eyesore?"

Sakura was stunned and her tears stopped instantly.

Sasuke frowned and continued, "I don't have time to play house with you. Just leave if you're not training, don't disrupt everyone's progress."

Not to mention that he never likes Sakura, he is now becoming more and more annoyed with her.

"But...but we're Team 7, a team!"

Sakura didn't give up.

"A team? Everyone is training, but you are the only one who is holding back. How am I supposed to rely on a teammate who's holding us back on the battlefield?"

Sasuke said coldly, "Naruto is right, you should not be a Shinobi, this path doesn't suit you. Frankly, you're even less reliable than Squirtle. You can go without worry. I'll explain everything to Kakashi and have Squirtle take your place on the team."

Even Squirtle, without any notable power, was giving its all in training, so what excuse did Sakura have to hold back?

From Sasuke's perspective, Sakura only wanted comfort and fun. But he was different… He still had revenge to seek, and he needed to grow even stronger!

For anyone who held him back, Sasuke had only one response, abandon them, for good!

"You think I'm worse than Squirtle? Are you saying I'm not even on par with a vile beast?"

Sakura screamed, utterly distraught.

She could never have imagined that Sasuke would actually compare her to a turtle.

"Squirtle... Squirtle..."

Squirtle paused its swimming. It couldn't speak, but it understood human words, and it slapped the water indignantly, its teary eyes full of grievance.

Plak!

This time, before Sasuke could say anything, Naruto appeared beside Sakura, delivering a fierce slap across her face.

Sakura, who was knocked to the ground, spit out blood, and a red and swollen palm print appeared on her face. She looked utterly disheveled.

"You actually hit me?" Sakura stared at Naruto in disbelief.

"Squirtle is my partner. If you dare call it a vile beast again, I'll make you regret it deeply!"

Naruto said, his voice laced with murderous intent. This is, he is really angry.

He had been irritated with Sakura before, but never to this extent. At most, he would stop associating with her, but he would not take the initiative to target Sakura.

Looking back, it was Sakura who took the initiative to provoke him every time, but Naruto endured it all because he had eaten at the Haruno household for a period of time.

But now? Even a Buddha would get angry!

Sure, Squirtle was just a turtle, and Naruto often joked about it himself. But from the moment he took Squirtle in, he had taken away its freedom, which meant he was responsible for it for life.

Even dogs deserved respect for their loyalty, so how could Naruto tolerate someone insulting his companion? And especially if it came from the one person he liked the least, Haruno Sakura!

Looking at Squirtle, whose face was filled with grievance and deep trauma, Naruto felt a deep anger, wishing he could punch some sense into Sakura.

"Forget it, Naruto. It's not worth it." Sasuke interrupted.

Hearing this, Sakura's expression brightened, her eyes full of hope, "I knew it, you still..."

Before she could finish, Sasuke continued, "There's no need for you to be investigated by the village because of her. It's not worth it. Just let her go wherever she wants. Out of sight, out of mind."

"If necessary, I'll do it!" Neji offered, clenching his fist.

As someone who felt indebted to Naruto, he was more than willing to defend him.

Nearby, Lee and Tenten, who were not Naruto's servants, also looked displeased.

Lee spoke solemnly, "I'm sorry, Sakura, but from now on, I won't pursue you. I used to think highly of you, but I never imagined you'd stoop to calling Squirtle a vile beast. That's something I can't tolerate."

Tenten nodded firmly.

To her, whether it is a Summoned Beast or other creatures that assist in combat, they are equal partners. Not to mention, Guy's Summoned Beast is also a Ninja Turtle, and the words 'vile beast' also makes the members of Team 3 feel uncomfortable.

"You... all of you…"

Sakura looked at everyone and felt that they were so strange and cold that it was frightening. Overwhelmed, she turned and ran away without looking back.

Naruto walked over to Squirtle and comforted it, "Don't worry, I won't let anyone bully you."

"Squirtle… Squirtle…" Squirtle's eyes filled with tears.

Seeing this, Naruto couldn't stand it anymore and said in a deep voice, "Keep up the training. I'm heading out for a bit."

"Don't do anything rash!" Sasuke grabbed Naruto's arm and said.

Naruto pulled his hand away and said icily, "Relax. She isn't worth dirtying my hands. But I will make sure she knows what social death is..."