Naruto: Freeloading is Great! 2 [50]

Because Substitution Jutsu turned out to be “space‑time ninjutsu,” Hoshino suddenly felt invincible, burning with fighting spirit.

If he practiced properly, titles like “Wood‑Flash” or “Shunshin Hoshino” would practically fall into his lap!

Seeing Hoshino sinking into that kind of fantasy, Sasuke silently lowered her head.
W‑what do I do… I really want to tell him the truth. But if I tell him…

He’ll go back to being that ambitionless loser again.

Yes—Sasuke knew the truth. “Space‑time ninjutsu” was just a fake story this crummy school used to trick kids.

If Itachi—the ultimate little‑sister freak—hadn’t secretly told her, she might have believed it herself.

The so‑called space‑time jutsu was only something adults made up while the kids still had no chakra—or just a tiny trickle of it—so they couldn’t test anything. The whole village colluded to lie so the kids would train harder.

Basically, it was like one of the Hyūga clan’s ridiculous family rules—just less permanent.

Konoha had been the strongest shinobi village for years; this “ninja school that constantly messed with kids” deserved some of the credit.

And the reason the truth never spread among the kids wasn’t just “it’s for your own good”—most of the adults who’d been duped themselves were taking revenge.

…The ugliness of human nature. The pain you once tasted—you’ll want others to taste too.

In fact, it wasn’t only Iruka and Sasuke who knew the truth. Another high‑IQ classmate did too… but that guy found even talking a hassle, so there was no way he’d kindly stand up and explain it.

The reality was simple: Substitution was nothing more than a high‑speed movement skill. It only worked on substitution materials you’d already hidden and inscribed with your own chakra formula. Used well, it could have neat effects, but in practice it was a pain.

Hoshino, however, thought it was a massive bug in the Naruto world, and that the reason no one used this “invincible” jutsu later was because the author had given them “selective amnesia.” For the first time, he felt the overwhelming advantage of being a transmigrator.

Hahaha… stupid natives. The author’s patches can nerf you, but not me!

Lost in self‑congratulatory glee, he slapped Sasuke’s shoulder arrogantly.

“From now on I don’t need to give you any face. Your clan can’t threaten me anymore. Listen well—don’t rush off after school, I’ve got something to say to you. If you don’t obey my orders, hmph~! When my divine arts are complete, you’ll regret it!”

—This guy! His tail’s already shooting up into the sky!

Clenching her fists, Sasuke barely contained her rage, replying with a forced smile and strangled voice:

“Y‑yes. C‑could you… tell me now what you want to say?”

“Idiot! Use your brain—!? You can’t even figure out a little thing like this. I’ll say it only once, so learn to think for yourself. I have to give… orders I can’t let others know, so of course I’ll wait until after school when no one’s around, got it!?”

“O‑oh, so that’s how it is. I‑I understand. After school I’ll bea— I’ll properly… talk with you.”

“Mm. Very good. You’re dismissed now, foolish native.”

Grr—! This guy’s getting more and more outrageous!

Doesn’t he even think about who gives him money to laze around, who protected him and Naru— and that traitorous bitch—from the angry mob of parents, who stood up first in every fight…!?

—Stepping on my nose and climbing onto my face, that’s exactly what this jerk is doing!

Fuming, Sasuke changed her plan. She decided not to brawl with Hoshino.

She’d wait until after school, when everyone had left. Then she’d tell him the truth and force him to kneel and beg forgiveness!

“Y‑yes… Lord Hoshino, I’ll… I’ll withdraw now~!”

Sasuke bowed out to the self‑proclaimed future invincible.

Hearing their exchange, Naruto lowered her head, a sad look in her eyes.
Hearing “Hinata’s” voice sound so crushed, how could she not understand how “Hinata” was feeling right now?

I’m sorry, “Hinata.” Even though it got you dumped by Hoshino, I really am doing this for your own good.

Breaking up before you’re hurt even worse is truly best. Someday you’ll thank me!

And so, under Hinata’s puzzled gaze, both Sasuke and Naruto kept their heads down all morning.

...

Afternoon. After free practice ended, the bell rang.

The moment it rang, Naruto bolted home; Sakura‑bro was literally kicked away by Hoshino.

As for Hinata… Hoshino casually found an excuse and successfully tricked her into going home too…

But the key obstacle—Sasuke—

A crowd of fangirls swarmed around him, squealing “Prince‑sama!” “Sasuke‑dono!”

He’d been waiting forever but no one left. So annoying!

You fangirls really want to walk home with this Walking Wallet that badly!?

“I… the great me will wait for you under the cherry tree.”

Leaving only that line, Hoshino turned and left first.

Hearing it, Sasuke—busy fending off fangirls—froze, eyes going wide.

What did Hoshino mean by that? Could it be…

H‑he’s going to confess again?

So the “can’t say it in public” was about that!?

Now that his tail’s all high and mighty, he wants to “order” me into a relationship?

I already rejected him once. If I reject him again… will he do something stupid?

…No no no, even under the school’s cherry tree, it doesn’t h‑h‑have to be a confession.

Maybe… maybe he just wants to talk about Naruto? If it’s just that…

Aaaaaaaahhh—!! This still circles back to my relationship with him anyway!!

...

Dozens of minutes later.

Nearly dying of boredom, Hoshino finally saw Sasuke trudging toward him.

This guy’s so slow. Took him forever to shake off those fangirls.

“Walking Wallet, I… the great me called you here today to talk about the matter of our feelings.”

…If you’re not used to calling yourself that, then stop using it already.

If it had been before, Sasuke would’ve said so. But now, she still hadn’t decided whether to refuse outright or ignore Itachi’s condition and agree.

Seeing Sasuke hesitate, Hoshino naturally thought he’d guessed right.

“Looks like you know what I want to say?”

“Y‑yeah… more or less. B‑but…”

“No buts! This is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance for you. Take it!”

Hoshino handed over a small ring of keys.

“Th‑ththth… this—what is this supposed to mean? I haven’t… I haven’t…”

“It means exactly what you think. I… the great me orders you—tonight, come to my room and stay the night! You must come!”

---

This is a fan translation of 火影之软饭真好吃 by 肾亏能力者 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!