A hostage being bullied is most definitely a good description of his situation here. It was why Sasuke hadn't come to see him immediately after any of his fights, given that he doubted that other really needed the fighting advice from him. Being off was normal given his recent states (at least, Sasuke assumes, given that mental unwellness was never considered a decent excuse in Konoha) and he's fairly certain he's had enough combat experience that he can see his own flaws.

"That wouldn't be conducive to being an effective ninja," he says with a shrug. "I've heard our whole reputation is based on being quiet."

At least he's heard that here. Naruto never got the fucking message, that was for sure, and neither had Choji or Kiba or... Well, a lot of their classmates. Maybe the Academy held different standards than Hollywood movie stereotypes.