13 Chapter 13: More than Friends
My Life as Naruto Uzumaki - Harem Version
Chapter 13: More than Friends
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[MC POV]
Those stats are insane. I thought I was overpowered, but Lee's got me beat by a mile and a half. He really is a genius of hard work.
I took a deep breath and decided to pull out all the stops. Shino took on the role of referee and called the match.
Needless to say, I got my ass kicked. I was able to hold my own throughout most of the battle, but Sasuke said it best, Lee just hits harder. I was on the defensive most of the battle, and I chose to use everything except for ninjutsu specifically. I enhanced my physical abilities with chakra to give myself a boost, but that was definitely a harder battle than I had anticipated before I looked at his stats.
I also wondered what the max level and stat distribution were. I know it for sure isn't 100, otherwise the scales of power later on in the series would make zero sense. Must be like a level 200 or something at least. Stats might go all the way to like double that or something, that's ridiculous.
I checked my status and saw that I'd leveled up to the same level as Lee and had become tankier than a damn Bijū.
[Player | Lv15 - DS: 12,000/ CP: 16,500/ STR: 120/ AGI: 105/ VIT: 150/ INT: 75/ SNC: 60]
Look at all of that chakra! How the hell am I even supposed to use it all? There's got to be a status cap here somewhere. Could it be a six-digit limit? Damn, that's beyond stupid.
I got up from the ground and saw Sasuke coming down for his turn.
"Hey, Sasuke. Make sure to have those peepers on the whole time, might benefit you." I gave him a pat on the shoulder and sat down next to Sakura who was giving me a once over after asking me a million questions about how I felt and if it hurt anywhere.
"That was amazing, Naruto! You were so much faster than you were with Sasuke!" She told me excitedly.
"Did you hold back with Sasuke?" She whispered in my ear after making sure Sasuke was not paying attention.
"No way. I was using chakra to try and keep up with Lee. He's way too fast and hits way too hard. I'm exhausted." I told her and rested my head on her lap.
"You know, Naruto. Ever since I moved on from my crush with Sasuke you've been getting comfortable with me." She said with a small smile.
"Why wouldn't I? I like you and you said you liked me too." I smiled back.
"Yeah... but I'm still not sure if I want to get into a competition with those three." She looked at Ino and Hinata who were talking about their shared passion for plants and flowers. Ayame was sitting next to them nodding along.
"Hm... well... there might be more in the future... so get in while there are seats available." I grinned mischievously.
"Collecting girls now, are you? Bad boy." she poked my nose and looked over at the impressive taijutsu battle between Lee and Sasuke.
She smiled sadly while looking at the two fighters.
"You still like him, don't you?" I asked her, knowing the answer.
"I'd be lying if I said no... but I just think he's nice to look at. Kind of like a painting in a museum." She said as she caressed my hair.
"Something you can admire but can't have, huh?" I replied, knowing what she meant. I had a few of those in my first life.
"Yeah..."
I sat up and placed her in front of me, as I watched the process of Sasuke obtaining his second tomoe, signaled by a +8 increase in all stats and +500 to DS and CP. "I'm lucky we became friends when we did, then... otherwise you would be the same for me..."
She snuggled closer to me and placed my hands around her in a loose hug. "He's changed a lot, you know? Ever since you two became rivals officially."
"He has..."
"... I remember meeting him and thinking he was cute with how he admired his big brother. Then his clan was... and he lost his bright personality... then you got him to come out of his shell, and now he's back to how he used to be. *giggle* Even if it takes a few tomato-based foods to get him to loosen up." She looked on with a fond smile.
We watched Sasuke get his ass handed to him in 4k UHD+ and had a laugh or two at his expense.
"Do you think he'll ever settle down with anyone?" I asked her after a brief pause.
"Hm... who knows... but I hope that whoever he's with, he's happy... I know I'll be..." she finished and looked at me before giving me a kiss on the cheek.
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The battle ended with Sasuke planted on the ground and Lee breathing heavily but still standing.
[Sasuke | Lv15 - DS: 6,000/ CP: 6,900]
[Lee | Lv16 - DS: 4,900/ CP: 100]
Hm, Lee also got stronger from the battle.
I got up from my seat behind Sakura and we went down to help Sasuke recover. I watched Sakura patch him up and had Hinata advise her where needed.
Ino got behind me and crawled onto my back. "I saw the whole thing... I'm jealous... you don't treat me and Hinata that tenderly..." She pouted.
"I would if you gave me the chance. I'm not going to be playing favorites, Ino." I held her legs so she didn't fall off my back.
"I guess... Hinata and Ayame said they wanted to go out before teams were announced... do you want to?"
"Of course, I do. Spending time with all of you is always fun." I replied with my usual smile.
Lee came up to us and I grinned at him. "You really are something else, Lee. I thought I was strong... but you proved me way wrong. Thanks... for putting things into perspective. I hope you'll continue sparring with us when you get the chance." I offered him the Nice Guy Pose and he responded with his own.
"Sure thing, Naruto! I will do my best to fan our Flames of Youth! I must be getting back to my training, now. Until next time!" He said as he sped off to do his thing.
"I like him... he's nice," Hinata said after pulling Ino away from my back and climbing on it herself.
"*sigh* You girls are so silly. Anyway, when do you want to go out? Ino mentioned a group outing?" I asked while I walked towards Shikamaru to kick him awake.
*kick*
"Oi! Oh, it's you... when are we having that game?"
"We can have it now, let's go to my place. You had the board set up already, right?"
"Heh, I thought you weren't paying attention." He grinned.
"Usually am, haha" I continued to walk with Hinata on my back, piggyback style.
Eventually, we all walked to my place and Kiba said he and Shino were going to go train. Choji asked to join and the girls all decided to do some training too, after much debate and promises to get hugs and quality time before the teams were announced. Ayame said she'd left Teuchi alone all day, so she would be at the shop for the next few days and to go visit.
Then it was just Sasuke, Shika, and me, and I knew what was coming.
"Took you long enough to get Sakura to fall for you, loser."
"Suck dick, Sasuke."
"Are you offering?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Not unless you are." I retorted.
"You two always argue like this when it's just us. I swear you like each other more than anyone else." Shikamaru groaned.
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I'm surprised Sakura didn't notice your bandages. I thought for sure you'd been found out." I told Sasuke as he took off his shirt and walked to the bathroom.
"Hinata covered for me... I can't thank her enough... I don't think getting found out would've been in my favor." Sasuke came out with his usual house attire.
"Yeah, well. When I found out you were a girl I had to stop myself from shouting it out in surprise." I replied.
"I legit would have killed you, best friend or not. There's a reason I hide my tits, Naruto."
"Not like you've got much to hide anyway." I stuck out my tongue at her.
"Oi!-"
"Quit it, you idiots!" Shikamaru bonked us both.
"Why'd you hit me too!?" Sasuke shouted.
"Because you're also troublesome!" Shikamaru snapped back.
Sasuke huffed and I rubbed my head. We stayed quiet for a while before Shikamaru piped up.
"Now, Naruto... Tell us what really happened." Shikamaru and Sasuke both looked at me with knowing expressions.
I sighed.
