Konoha: Naruto's abnormal life choices

"That's him, right? The last survivor of the Uchiha clan—Uchiha Sasuke."

"Looks like he didn't take the top spot among this year's rookies."

"Nope. That title goes to the one he's challenging—the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto Uzumaki."

In the Hokage's Office at the top of the Hokage Tower, several jonin stood alongside the Third Hokage, their eyes fixed on the shimmering crystal ball. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage, had activated the telescope jutsu to observe the new class of graduates at the Ninja Academy.

These were the jonin who would soon be responsible for leading the next generation of Konoha's shinobi. Now, they were assessing the young boys and girls who might soon become their pupils.

"I have to admit," Hatake Kakashi murmured, "it's a bit surprising. Naruto Uzumaki ranking above Uchiha Sasuke?"

The Third Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi, raised an eyebrow. "So now Sasuke wants to challenge Naruto to win back the top spot? Honestly, I think the kid's got potential. What do you think, Kakashi?"

Though the question was directed at Kakashi, Asuma subtly turned his attention to the elegant woman standing beside him.

She had long, dark, wavy hair flowing like ink over her shoulders. Her crimson, mid-cut mini-dress paired with a sheer black mesh undershirt gave her both an air of mystique and dignity. She stood with poise, her features delicate and refined—this was Yuhi Kurenai.

Kurenai had been Asuma's childhood crush for years. Their relationship now sat in a delicate place—no longer just friends, but not yet lovers. One more step, and they'd likely become an official couple.

Kakashi glanced at Asuma, clearly unimpressed, his trademark deadpan expression showing through the eye not hidden by his mask. "Sure. I'm optimistic about him too," he replied with a dismissive shrug.

"Don't count your kunai before the throw," Hiruzen said, his eyes still locked on the crystal ball. "We'll see who comes out on top soon enough."

As the only one in the room who truly understood Naruto's background, the Third Hokage held firm faith in the boy's strength.

After all, the child who had been personally trained by the Fourth Hokage couldn't possibly be weak.

Still, the young Uchiha was also a prodigy. The real question was: how far apart were their abilities?

"Tell Iruka to delay class," Hiruzen ordered. "Let them settle this. Kakashi, head to the academy and be ready to step in if needed."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi said, vanishing a moment later.

[Passive Selection Triggered!]

Uchiha Sasuke recognizes that your victory over Kiba was no fluke. He's fired up and challenges you directly. What will you do?

Choice 1 – Friendly: Convince Sasuke to set aside his rivalry and vow to become his best friend. Reward: Passionate Transformer.

Choice 2 – Rational: Accept the challenge and defeat him cleanly. Reward: Fire Attribute Chakra.

Choice 3 – Reckless: The pretty boy's too cocky. Defeat him and humiliate him in front of everyone. Reward: Sasuke's Corruption +10%.

Choice 4 – Ruthless: Accept the challenge and kill him. Reward: Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Naruto scanned the options. As always, there was the usual twisted choice, the edgy one, and the normal ones. His curiosity was piqued—he checked the "Corruption Value" reward and "Passionate Transformer."

The results were… disturbing.

Once again, it was a multiple-choice trap. He could only choose one path, and each reward had serious consequences. It felt like losing a hundred million ryo just by making the decision.

"Yo, hey! Uchiha Sasuke, calm down," Kiba barked.

"Why? Am I wrong?" Sasuke shot back coolly. "You're not strong."

"You're such a jerk!" Kiba snapped.

First Naruto ignored him, and now Sasuke mocked him. His pride was in tatters, but he knew better than to pick a fight with Sasuke.

Still, after a tense pause, he clenched his fists. "Fine. After you're done with Naruto, I'm challenging you."

"I accept," Sasuke replied with a cocky smirk. Confidence ran deep in Uchiha blood. He had no doubt he could wipe the floor with Naruto—and still have energy left for Kiba.

The classroom erupted.

"OMG! Sasuke-kun is so cool!"

"That smirk! My heart!"

"Sasuke's built different, for real."

Sakura squealed the loudest. Just minutes ago, she'd given Naruto a thumbs-up—but now, she had turned completely, cheering full volume for Sasuke.

Ino shot Naruto a smug look. "You bastard. I can't take you down, but now Sasuke-kun will. Get ready to eat dirt."

Kiba grumbled, "Tch. These girls are blind. Just wait until I beat Sasuke. We'll see who they cheer for then."

Choji casually munched on chips. "Does being handsome make you taste better?"

Suddenly, Shino Aburame appeared out of nowhere and said in his eerie monotone, "They're just attracted to strength. Otherwise, Naruto's good-looking too—yet no one's cheering for him."

Naruto turned, saw Shino, and silently shuffled a few inches away.

"Give it up, Naruto," Shikamaru advised. "Sasuke's on a different level from the rest of us. You've got no shot."

"And what makes you so sure I'll lose?" Naruto asked calmly.

He stood up, locked eyes with Sasuke, and said with equal arrogance, "I accept your challenge."

The girls gasped—and not in support.

"You're really accepting? What a joke."

"Who does he think he is? Just because he beat Kiba?"

"Sasuke-kun isn't some punching bag like Kiba!"

Kiba: "???"

There was no arguing with fangirls. Sasuke had been the school's golden boy for years—heir to a powerful clan, top student, and good-looking to boot.

Meanwhile, Naruto was the village pariah. Labeled the "Nine-Tails demon," shunned by adults, and mocked for being dead-last in class. Even after his recent glow-up and victory over Kiba, it wasn't enough to sway public opinion overnight.

Naruto didn't care.

Why would he worry about a bunch of background characters?

The group moved to the academy's training field. Naruto and Sasuke stood in the center, ringed by students—most of them Sasuke's fangirls.

"Go Sasuke-kun! Show him who's boss!" Sakura screamed.

"Crush him, Sasuke!" Ino shouted with a wicked grin.

Only Hinata silently watched from the sidelines, whispering a prayer that Naruto wouldn't get hurt.

Meanwhile, Kiba whispered to himself, "Come on, Naruto, last a little longer. Wear Sasuke out for me."

Even Choji and Shikamaru—Naruto's actual friends—weren't optimistic.

"We might have to jump in and save him," Choji muttered.

Shikamaru sighed, holding his forehead. "That idiot never listens."

Sasuke took his stance seriously. He wasn't the type to let praise go to his head. He respected Naruto just enough to take this fight seriously.

"I hope you're not too weak," he said coldly. "That would be disappointing."

Naruto, meanwhile, was deep in thought.

He remembered the Flicker Technique—a move that channels chakra into the legs to push speed beyond normal limits. He'd used it against Kiba and Ino before.

But what would happen if he added the Nine-Tails' chakra?

The raw power... the speed...

He hadn't tested it yet—but against Sasuke? This might be the perfect chance.

A genuine fight.

"Go ahead," Sasuke said.

Naruto nodded. "Alright."

The moment the words left his lips—BOOM. A shadow flashed forward.

Too fast!

Sasuke's eyes widened. Before he could react, Naruto's fist—coated in blazing Nine-Tails chakra—slammed into his gut.

In the split second before contact, Naruto even wondered:

Wait... why isn't he dodging? Is he using the Substitution Jutsu?

But then—THWACK.

The punch landed.

And in that moment, Naruto saw it:

Sasuke's eyes... had changed.

Not Sharingan. Not Rinnegan.

They had become the Byakugan.

Wait, what the hell?!