Naruto: Freeloading is Great! 2 [4]

That shameless balding principal, calling himself “respected and venerable,” pulled forward Gorilla Sakura, body wrapped in bandages, face swollen like a pig’s head.

“This student, covered in wounds from shuriken and kunai—before this sacred entrance ceremony began, he violently assaulted a future classmate!”

After roaring, he pointed at Sasuke, standing perfectly intact beside them, with only a tiny band-aid stuck on his cheek.

“Look, look! This poor child was punched right here on the face by that bandaged thug! It hurt a little! Do you know what this is? This is the most severe case of campus violence in our academy’s history!”

Listening to that idiot on stage, spouting crap and demonizing Sakura while painting Sasuke as a pitiful victim, Hoshino really wanted to slap him dead with a sandal.

The hell is this!? You’re not even hiding the bias anymore!

A ninja academy—a place literally for teaching how to fight—afraid of kids fighting? What a joke!

Sakura was beaten into a bandaged mummy, yet all the fuss was about Sasuke’s wound smaller than a fart. And these so-called “teachers,” didn’t their consciences ache even a little?!

After the principal’s endless slander of Gorilla Sakura, painting Sasuke as tragically innocent, Sasuke was ushered back into Iruka’s class. Meanwhile, Gorilla Sakura was left standing on stage, forced to squat in horse stance.

Watching the Uchiha clan’s second son truly get away with anything, Hoshino swore: he would never become one of those corrupt teachers. It was because of such trash that the world was this filthy.

As a righteous man from Earth, he had to properly guide Sasuke to distinguish true right from wrong. Otherwise, a few years down the line when the clan was wiped out, Sasuke might really think himself just a spoiled young master. That can’t happen.

So, when Sasuke rejoined him and Naruto, Hoshino put on a grave face and said solemnly:

“That Sakura bitch is a complete bastard! To dare mar the noble face of our Sasuke—unforgivable! Don’t worry, Sasuke, once class meeting’s over, I’ll immediately go cripple her half-dead!”

“H-half-dead? That’s way too much. She only grazed my cheek with her fist. I-it’s nothing… And this band-aid—Sensei and the principal begged me to wear it, so I did. You really don’t need to worry so much…”

“How could I not worry? That bitch’s fist touched your face! Let me see—oh wow! On the surface it looks fine, but that’s exactly the sign of serious internal injuries! Ugh, seeing you like this just breaks my heart.”

Overwhelmed by Hoshino’s excessive “concern,” Sasuke awkwardly ducked behind Naruto.

She’d endured Hoshino’s wild “confessions” more than once, but never knew how to respond. And now, with a whole class watching, the shame was unbearable.

Thankfully, Naruto’s thick skull often solved problems for her without trying.

“Gross. Hoshino, your face looks as dirty as that principal’s.”

With Naruto’s blunt jab, Hoshino—whose intention to curry favor was now painfully obvious—couldn’t keep bluffing. He fell back on twisted logic instead.

“Shut up, idiot brat who doesn’t understand anything. What I’m doing is meaningful. Of course you don’t get it—you’re a kid. Let me tell you, only people who know how to adapt like me can survive this world. That’s what makes a true adult.”

Whatever. Either way, the message was clear enough: “Me and Naruto are Sasuke’s friends.” That was enough to start riding Sasuke’s coattails in this academy. Somehow, this school life… didn’t seem so bad.

The long-winded opening ceremony finally ended. The kids filed back into class, Gorilla Sakura among them.

Because of the earlier fight, Sasuke missed the chance to grab a seat. Standing at the podium, flustered, he watched classmates fill up all around. Damn gorilla, making me late.

While Sasuke waited for someone to leave a gap, he caught Hoshino giving him a sly grin, patting his chest like, Relax, I’ve got this covered.

…This bastard’s definitely plotting something shady again.

And sure enough, to prove Sasuke’s hunch, Hoshino leaned forward and tapped the shoulder of the boy in front of him—the one with red fang-like markings on his face.

“Hey, kid with the dangerous beast sealed inside. See that Uchiha demon over there? He’s been staring at you. Bet he’s got his eye on your seat. Better be careful.”

“H-he’s eyeing my seat!?”

Twisting Sasuke’s gaze into something else entirely, Hoshino spooked Kiba into yelping.

Of course he was scared—Gorilla Sakura’s bandaged wreck of a body was still fresh in everyone’s mind. If even someone like that could be painted as “the aggressor” while Sasuke was hailed a victim, Kiba didn’t want that heat.

But if he just gave up his seat…

“E-even if he is… so what? I, the Evil Wind King, don’t fear some mere Uchiha! D-don’t look down on me! I’ll just—”

“Good man! Full of backbone! By this time next year, I’ll bring flowers to your grave. Keep it up!”

“Grave—!? That serious…? Cough, cough… Actually, my seal needs guarding, I can’t unleash too much of my wind powers. Ah~ and this sunlight makes me drowsy anyway. For the world’s sake, I’d better move somewhere darker.”

With just one fake compliment about “backbone,” Kiba’s resolve crumbled. He stood and abandoned the prime seat by the window, second from the back—the “protagonist’s spot.”

Heh. Too easy.

Hoshino grinned smugly, then waved Sasuke over with a beckoning hand.

That spot was prime—good view, and right in front of Hoshino and Naruto. Truth be told, Sasuke really did want it. But his conscience whispered that the seat was “dirty.”

As Sasuke hesitated, torn between morals and comfort, Gorilla Sakura—standing nearby, also waiting for an open desk—spotted Hoshino waving eagerly.

Ah. So my silver-haired friend, the one I saved, is offering repayment.

“Yes. Truly, good deeds are rewarded.”

Muttering this, Gorilla Sakura strode over—while Sasuke and Hoshino both froze in shock—and sat firmly in the protagonist’s spot. He even turned and greeted warmly:

“Friend! To think in just one day, you’ve become more manly than before. Well done! A true man repays every drop of kindness with a flood! From today on, you are my brother—hahaha!”

“…Goddamn it—!!!”

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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!