Hokage, no one knows better than me how to cultivate talent.

Choji Akimichi, who had just won the match, had a bright smile on his face. As soon as he stepped off the stage, he immediately took out a bag of potato chips, tore it open, and replenished the energy he had used up in the battle.

The last pairing is Sasuke Uchiha versus Naruto Uzumaki.

The atmosphere on the sidelines was instantly ignited.

"Sasuke-kun, do your best!"

"Sasuke-kun, you're the best!"

As soon as Sasuke stepped into the arena, the girls surrounding him, their hands clasped to their chests and their eyes shining brightly, burst into a unified shout.

"This is so popular!" Choji Akimichi was so envious that he forgot to eat his potato chips.

"Tch." Inuzuka Tsuru was somewhat indignant, feeling that he was no worse than Sasuke.

Nara Shikamaru was glad he didn't grow up to look like Sasuke, otherwise dealing with all those girls every day would be a real headache for him.

"Naruto-kun...do your best," Hinata Hyuga silently chanted in her heart from a corner.

Uchiha Sasuke frowned slightly.

Too noisy.

He thought to himself silently, but his face remained expressionless. He simply put his hands in his pockets and looked calmly ahead.

In stark contrast to the bustling scene on one side, the other side was deserted.

Naruto Uzumaki stood there, hands on his hips, chest puffed out, trying his best to look like he was very popular.

But the truth is, he was surrounded by emptiness; no one cheered him on, and no one even glanced at him.

Looking at the boy opposite him, who was surrounded by a crowd of people, and seeing his nonchalant, hands-in-pockets demeanor, a surge of anger inexplicably rose within him.

Naruto pointed at him and shouted, "Uchiha Sasuke, I'm going to defeat you today and steal all your popularity!"

Sasuke didn't even lift his eyelids.

He had heard Naruto say that countless times.

Naruto gritted his teeth, his face showing dissatisfaction that Naruto hadn't responded.

"The competition begins," Qiu Shui said calmly.

Naruto reached for his ninja tool pouch at his waist. He wanted to be the first to make a move and let everyone, including Sasuke Uchiha, know how powerful he was.

However, the next second, his movements froze.

The ninja tool pouch was fastened very tightly for some reason. He pulled hard, but it wouldn't open; he pulled again, but it still wouldn't open.

He panicked and suddenly exerted force on his hand.

slam-la-

Kunai and shuriken fell to the ground, making a crisp yet awkward clattering sound.

There was a moment of silence on the sidelines, followed by unrestrained laughter.

"Hahaha, Naruto, you can't even hold a shuriken properly, what are you even fighting for? Just admit defeat!"

"Exactly! You're such a loser, how could you possibly be a match for Sasuke? Don't waste your time!"

The sounds were harsh and shrill, relentlessly drilling into Naruto's ears.

Fortunately, Naruto was already used to it. A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, but it was quickly covered up by his stubbornness.

He raised his head and looked at Sasuke opposite him.

The other party remained standing in place, hands in pockets, not taking the opportunity to launch any attack, and not even showing any change in his eyes.

That feeling was as if they didn't take him seriously at all.

Naruto grew increasingly dissatisfied.

"ah--!"

He shouted, clenched his fist, and charged straight out.

There were no tactics, no rules, only a reckless, charging momentum.

It looks impressive, but it's actually full of flaws.

Sasuke remained motionless.

He stood there, hands in his pockets, watching Naruto charge closer step by step.

Five meters, three meters, one meter.

Just as Naruto was about to crash into him, Sasuke finally moved.

His speed was astonishing; he left only a blur in place before disappearing in the next instant.

"Ouch, it hurts!"

Naruto's screams echoed throughout the training hall.

He lay face down on the ground, his hands tied behind his back and pinned down by Sasuke's knee. A chill ran down his neck; it was a kunai, pressed firmly against his skin.

The outcome is already decided.

Naruto struggled to get up; he was unwilling, he was resentful, he hadn't yet.

When he turned his head and met Sasuke's eyes, all his struggles stopped.

Those were empty eyes.

There was no mockery, no contempt, no strange looks from others, and not even the smugness one would expect from a victor.

Naruto didn't know how to describe his eyes. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come out.

[Talent training completed]

Overall Rating: B

[Reward Obtained - Wind Release: Gale Palm (Beginner)]

Looking at the reward she received, Qiu Shui had a thoughtful expression on her face. This time, the evaluation was B, and the proficiency level she gained from the reward was several levels lower than before, only at the beginner level.

He quickly realized that because this lesson was practical, he stood by the side the whole time and did not impart any knowledge points to them as he had done in previous classes.

Qiu Shui decided that in future practical classes, after each group's competition, suggestions would be made regarding their shortcomings, hoping to improve the evaluation.

Immediately afterwards, a flood of memories about the Wind Release: Gale Palm ninjutsu rushed into his mind.

Wind Release: Gale Palm is a C-rank ninjutsu developed by Jiraiya, and the person who is most proficient in using this ninjutsu is Boruto Uzumaki.

Its effect is to concentrate chakra in the palm, forming a high-density vortex, and then release it in one breath to form a shockwave. It can be used as a shockwave for long-range attacks, or to concentrate wind pressure in the palm to enhance the striking power of taijutsu, or to use it as propulsion to assist in jumping or moving.

Shusui remembered that Naruto's chakra nature seemed to be wind, which would be a good opportunity to teach him this ninjutsu later.

Moreover, this ninjutsu requires less chakra control than other ninjutsu, and with the added advantage of Naruto's talent, he believed that Naruto should be able to learn it in a short time.

The only drawback is that the system does not include wind-style chakra. Although it can be used, it is very different from when it is used with wind-style chakra.

A message appeared in front of Qiu Shui.

Main Quest: The Path to Cultivating High-Quality Talent Naruto Uzumaki

[Task requirement: Ensure Naruto Uzumaki's score ranks in the top fifteen in the exam at the end of the month.]

[Task Rewards: Awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation of task completion]

Qiu Shui looked at the task before her with a surprised expression.

He didn't expect that binding with a talent would trigger additional training tasks.

Shusui had originally planned to train Naruto properly, and now he would have to put in even more effort.

"I wonder if this kind of task will be triggered if there are no people who are not bound to it. It would be perfect if there were," Qiu Shui muttered.

He looked at Naruto, who was standing in a corner not far away, looking withdrawn, and walked over.

"Shusui-sensei." Naruto looked up and called out when he heard footsteps.