22: The Distance Between You Is Not Only in Strength

Nara Shikamaru: "Naruto is in a bad spot... getting congratulations from the person he likes, but it might as well be Sasuke's order..."

Rock Lee: "Damn it, I'm still a little envious of Naruto!"

Might Guy: "Lee, there's no need to feel like this..."

Ebisu: "The person I worship is someone else's dog. Is there anything more tragic in the world?"

Shiranui Genma: "Well, Obito might understand that better."

Uchiha Obito: "???"

What the hell!

I don't know what you're talking about, Genma!

Are you tired of living, kid?

Believe me or not, I'll bring a Nine-Tails riot to your house!

"Obito, calm down! Remember, don't reveal your identity!"

Black Zetsu hurriedly tried to calm Obito, who was about to lose his temper.

This is exhausting!

If Obito keeps going like this, everything will be ruined!

Uzumaki Kushina: "Damn it, how did my little Naruto turn out like this?! Mikoto, get your Sasuke under control! Can he share some of his emotional intelligence with my Naruto?!"

Uchiha Mikoto: "That's from a parallel world, Kushina..."

Uzumaki Kushina: "Ah, I'm still so mad. No matter which Naruto it is, he didn't inherit anything from Minato!"

---

[Iruka-sensei announces the class placements.]

[Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura form Team 7.]

"Great!"

[Sakura couldn't help, but cheer.]

[Hinata, on the other hand, looked a bit disappointed.]

[Not being in the same class as Sasuke...]

[Next.]

[Everyone waits in the classroom for their Jōnin instructors to pick them up.]

[Sarutobi Asuma takes the Ino–Shika–Chō team with him.]

[It doesn't take long before a lady with red eyes and long wavy hair walks in.]

Kurenai: "I'm your instructor for Team 8, Jōnin Kurenai Yūhi. Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and... Shino Aburame, come with me."

[Sasuke temporarily puts down his book, takes Hinata's hand, and asks Kurenai Yūhi:]

"Ms. Kurenai, Hinata has a gentle temperament. Please take extra care of her."

[Kurenai Yūhi feels her heart skip a beat.]

[She's completely flustered.]

[This boy... he's even more handsome than the young Kakashi!]

[Looking at Hinata, whose head is down, Kurenai Yūhi smiles:]

"Is she your little girlfriend? Don't worry, handsome boy, I'll take good care of your Hinata."

[Boom!]

[A puff of steam bursts from Hinata's head.]

[She's so flustered she nearly collapses.]

Hinata: "L-little... little girlfriend..."

[Sasuke looks a bit helpless:]

"Hinata is sensitive about these things, but with time and a little more exposure, she'll get used to it."

[Curious, Kurenai Yūhi smiles as she leads her team away.]

[Soon.]

[Only the three of them, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, remain in the classroom.]

[They wait for a long time, but no one shows up.]

Naruto: "Ahhh!!! Our Jōnin instructor got lost outside the village; why haven't they arrived yet?!"

[Naruto is frustrated, holding his head and pacing in circles.]

[He wants to duel Sasuke, but Sakura won't let him.]

[He wants to vent his anger, but if he directs it at Sasuke, Sakura will get mad.]

[Venting at Sakura is impossible.]

[So, he's stuck holding it in.]

[His frustration keeps building.]

[He even goes as far as setting a crude trap at the door.]

"Hello, I'm your Jōnin instructor, Hatake Kakashi."

[Kakashi casually brushes off the blackboard eraser that fell on him.]

[He leads the three of them to the rooftop.]

[Sasuke puts away his book, recalling information about Hatake Kakashi:]

[Hatake Kakashi, a famous figure in Konoha, his name is even written in history books.]

[Genin at 5, Chūnin at 6, Jōnin at 12!]

[Disciple of the Fourth Hokage!]

[At 12, he developed a powerful lightning-natured ninjutsu!]

[He fought in the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, inheriting a Sharingan from his teammate, Uchiha Obito.]

[Titles: Sharingan Kakashi, Copy Ninja Kakashi, Konoha's No. 1 Technician, and more.]

[Sasuke knows all of this.]

---

Orochimaru: "He's surpassed Sasuke in our world, at least based on this. All this information is available in books."

Uchiha Sasuke: "..."

Damn it!

Back then, I was totally clueless and didn't understand Kakashi at all!

---

[On the rooftop.]

[It's time for introductions.]

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I like reading and practicing. My current goal is to kill the one responsible for destroying the Uchiha clan, and then revive the Uchiha clan."

[Sasuke says simply.]

"My name is Haruno Sakura, and I like Sasuke. My dream is to help Sasuke achieve his goals and rebuild the Uchiha clan."

[Sakura says shyly.]

[Kakashi's eye twitches slightly.]

[Rebuilding the Uchiha clan? Is she talking about having kids...?]

[Kids these days are getting more mature.]

[Finally.]

[Kakashi mentions the test for tomorrow:]

"Meet at the training ground at 5 AM tomorrow. And remember, don't eat anything... you'll throw up!"

[After saying that, he leaves.]

[Sasuke frowns slightly.]

[After thinking for a moment, he says:]

"Sakura, Naruto, go to bed early tonight, but make sure to have breakfast tomorrow before we meet."

"Huh? Didn't Kakashi say we shouldn't eat?" Naruto scratches his head, confused.

[Sasuke explains:]

"Whatever we do tomorrow, we'll need energy. Even if we throw up, it's better than being too weak."

[After the group disbands, Sasuke doesn't go home right away. Instead, he goes to see Iruka-sensei at the academy.]

[He wants to gather some information about Hatake Kakashi.]

---

Uzumaki Naruto: "...Still like this?"

Uchiha Sasuke: "He's asking the academy teacher for information in advance? Damn it, why didn't I think of that?!"

If you know in advance what your Jōnin is good at and what they aren't, you can prepare accordingly.

Haruno Sakura: "More than that, this Sasuke even thought about having breakfast."

Nara Shikamaru: "Kakashi probably said that to make sure you remembered the experience. My guess is that Sasuke in the parallel world saw through that."

Hatake Kakashi: "Sasuke, your parallel self isn't just stronger, but smarter too. Learn well."