Naruto: I, who didn't want to be hacked to pieces, saved the ninja world.

"Hmph, I didn't expect you to have some skills. But even if we get to shore, I'll definitely be the one who shoots farther!"

Although Sasuke was somewhat surprised that Naruto was able to reach the other side, he remained confident and looked disdainful.

The Uchiha clan is second to none.

He picked up a stone as well and threw it using the same technique he used to throw shuriken.

duang!

duang!

duang!

Pfft!

The stone bounced on the river surface only three times, and by the fourth time it had already fallen to the bottom of the lake.

For a moment, the atmosphere at the scene became somewhat awkward.

Shirokumo Aoba could clearly see Sasuke's toes, which were sticking out of his ninja shoes, suddenly curl up.

"Pfft~"

He couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"Haha, you lost. Does that mean we're friends from now on?"

Naruto was so happy he almost jumped for joy.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. Although he really didn't want to deal with this guy, he had indeed lost.

"One more time!"

"Hey? You're going to go back on your word? I hate people who don't keep their promises!"

Naruto was also a little angry. If the other person was someone who didn't keep their word, then he didn't want to be friends with them anymore.

Sasuke's face immediately turned red, becoming quite flushed.

How could he be the kind of person who breaks his word? But the pride of the Uchiha clan wouldn't allow him to lose to anyone else.

Even if it's just skipping stones.

"I won't break my promise. Let's have another match. Even if I win this time, I... I'll still be your friend!"

Sasuke spoke through gritted teeth, his eyes already blazing with fury as he glared at Naruto.

This guy actually thinks he'll break his promise? Is he looking down on the Uchiha clan?

"Really?"

Naruto's expression changes so quickly; he was angry just a moment ago, but now he's happy again.

"Hmph, the Uchiha clan will never break their word!"

Sasuke began to carefully search for stones, convinced that he would lose because he hadn't found any good ones.

"Hehe, then I'll help you too."

Seeing that Sasuke was willing to become his friend, Naruto bent down and helped Sasuke find the stones.

"You have no need to meddle in my business!"

"When you throw it, remember to lift it up slightly; that's the trick to skipping stones."

"Nonsense! I understand this is a small matter, I just wasn't paying attention just now."

……

Sasuke tried throwing the stone several more times, but still couldn't get it to the other side.

Then the two started arguing. At first, Naruto was happy to have made a new friend, but Sasuke kept refusing to admit defeat, and Naruto got carried away.

Baiyun Qingye, watching from the side, also got bored.

"It seems you two are getting along quite well, so I'll head back now."

"Who can get along with this guy!"

"Qingye, are you going back so soon?"

The two, who were arguing about skipping stones, spoke up at the same time.

Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately ran to Shirokumo Aoba, his face full of reluctance.

"Can't we play a little longer?"

Bai Yunqingye shook her head and said with a smile, "If you want to find me, you can continue to go to the hospital. I usually study there in the morning."

"Yes, yes! I'll come find you tomorrow." Naruto nodded earnestly.

Just as Shirokumo Aoba was about to leave, Sasuke spoke up.

"Wait a moment!"

"Ok?"

Baiyun Qingye looked at the other person curiously, not expecting Sasuke to call out to him.

"what happened?"

Sasuke recalled the moment when his shuriken was deflected by a stone.

I challenge you!

Bai Yun Qingye was taken aback: "If you want to compete in skipping stones, then there's no need for this."

Sasuke's cold face revealed an annoyed expression.

"That's not what I want to compete in!"

"I can sense that you are very strong, so I want to have a ninja battle with you!"

Bai Yun Qingye frowned, her face full of doubt: "Why should I agree to fight you?"

"Of course it's because...because..."

Sasuke was also momentarily speechless, stammering for a long time without being able to utter a single word.

Baiyun Qingye did not leave immediately, but was thinking about something.

As the largest clan in Konoha, the Uchiha clan, and with Sasuke being the son of the clan leader, must be quite wealthy.

Bai Yunqingye's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cunning merchant's smile.

How much pocket money do you get each day?

"Two thousand taels."

Sasuke answered instinctively, then asked, "Is there a problem?"

Bai Yunqingye's lips twitched, trying her best to maintain the smile on her face, while inwardly cursing "rich bastard".

"Accepting your challenge would waste a lot of my time, so if you want to challenge me, you'll need to pay a thousand taels each time."

While Shirokumo Aoba was still wondering if he had asked for too much, Sasuke's eyes lit up after hearing this, and he immediately took out a thousand taels without hesitation.

"no problem."

For Sasuke, money is just a number; he doesn't really need it, so he might as well use it to improve his strength.

……

Filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment, Shirokumo Aoba took the money from Sasuke's hand.

How do you want to compete?

"Whoever falls first loses!"

"I'll be the referee!"

Seeing that he could have fun again, Naruto became happy again.

The two stood a few meters apart, Sasuke looking serious, while Shirakumo Aoba looked casual.

"Can you be serious for once!" Sasuke said, sounding a little annoyed.

Bai Yun Qingye waved her hand and said, "I'm very serious."

"You!" Sasuke was furious, but he was not good with words, so he could only look at Naruto and tell him to hurry up and say "start".

Naruto chuckled.

"start!"

Sasuke immediately rushed towards Shirokumo Aoba, simultaneously throwing a hook punch!

Bang!

Before Sasuke's fist could arrive, Shirokumo Aoba struck even faster, landing a punch on Sasuke's left eye socket.

Then Sasuke lay on the ground, seeing stars and feeling dizzy.

You lost!

Upon hearing this, Sasuke seemed to have triggered a key word, suddenly jolted awake, and got up from the ground in a daze, revealing an expression with uneven eyes oO.

"What happened?"

"You lost."

Sasuke:  …

How did I lose?

Sasuke was clearly stunned by the punch and hadn't come to his senses yet.

Baiyun Qingye rolled her eyes.

"I was faster than you and knocked you down with one punch, so you lost."

Sasuke's mind slowly cleared. It seemed he had indeed lost. Hadn't he wasted his thousand taels?

There was no improvement whatsoever.

"Let's go!"

Having earned the money, Baiyun Qingye still had to go back to cultivate.

"Wait a little longer!"

Sasuke stood in front of Byakugan Aoba again, looking at him with one big eye and one small eye.

"I still have a thousand taels!"