“Iruka really is a natural-born teacher.”
Inside the Hokage’s office, the Third Hokage looked at the crystal ball before him with a pleased expression on his aged face.
His hunched figure seemed to straighten slightly in that moment.
He was not alone in the office.
Standing beside him was an elderly man with a dart-shaped scar on his chin, bandages wrapped around his forehead and covering his right eye.
His right arm was concealed beneath his robes, while his remaining eye seemed perpetually narrowed.
“I have no comment on his teaching methods.
What concerns me more is the nature of that unknown ability of his.
No matter how outstanding his performance may be, it doesn’t change the fact that the source of his power remains a mystery.”
The Third Hokage tapped the stem of his pipe lightly.
A sharp glint flashed through his aged eyes as he spoke pointedly.
“Is that why you sent Itachi to capture Iruka?”
“I did it for the village.
The village is the only thing that matters.
Any potential threat to it must be eliminated before it has the chance to grow.”
“Iruka is a child I watched grow up.”
“That is no reason to let your guard down.
With Orochimaru as a precedent, how can you guarantee that he won’t become a second Orochimaru?”
At the mention of that familiar name, a trace of sorrow flashed through the Third Hokage’s eyes.
“If I, as Hokage, personally vouch for him, is that enough?”
The elderly man seemed unusually sensitive to the word Hokage.
His left hand tightened around his cane as he glared angrily at the Third Hokage.
“How long are you going to remain so naïve, Hiruzen?
Hasn’t the lesson of Orochimaru been enough?”
The Third Hokage lowered the brim of his Hokage hat, casting his aged face into shadow.
Then, in a voice that was calm yet unwavering, he said, “Orochimaru is Orochimaru, and Iruka is Iruka.
I firmly believe that he carries on the Will of Fire of the First Hokage.
No matter what happens, I will not agree to your plan to place him under your control.”
“Hmph!”
Danzō snorted coldly.
As long as the Third Hokage refused to relent, there was nothing Danzō could do to Iruka.
He had previously sent Itachi to capture Iruka without authorization because Root possessed a certain degree of operational autonomy.
As long as the Hokage did not intervene, Danzō had the authority to act at his own discretion.
But now that the Third Hokage had made his position clear regarding Iruka, taking action against him would be an overstep of authority.
No matter how unwilling Danzō was to accept it, he could only face reality.
There was no point continuing the conversation.
Leaning on his cane, Danzō walked toward the door like a frail old man in the twilight of his life.
From his appearance alone, it was difficult to imagine that he was one of Konoha’s elder statesmen, a veteran who had lived through multiple shinobi wars.
Just as he reached the door and prepared to open it, however, he stopped.
With his back to the Third Hokage, he spoke in a cold voice.
“As for the Uchiha clan’s recent movements, Hiruzen, I hope you can put aside that naïveté of yours.
Iruka is merely an uncertain possibility, but the Uchiha clan’s rebellion can already be considered inevitable.
If we don’t take action soon, the consequences will be unimaginable.
“Compared with the interests of the entire village, an individual means nothing.
It’s time to make a decision.”
Without waiting for a response, Danzō left the office.
“…Sigh.”
The Third Hokage sighed and rose to his feet.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked to the window and looked down at the bustling crowds below.
The last trace of uncertainty in his aged eyes was gradually replaced by resolve.
…
Training Ground Three.
“Mm…
This should be the place.
Get yourselves ready.”
Iruka spoke casually before bringing his hands together in a series of hand seals.
Of course, it was all just for show.
Using an ability equivalent to at least an A-rank ninjutsu without forming hand seals would be far too shocking.
“Huh?
We’re starting already?
Iruka-sensei, shouldn’t you at least tell us what we’re supposed to do first?”
“Wait a minute, Naruto.
Before explaining anything, shouldn’t you let us rest first?”
“Exactly!
It’s normal for an idiot like Naruto to have endless stamina, but we’re normal people!
We’ve been walking all this way wearing those training rings.
I don’t even have the strength to move a finger anymore.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, I’m in no condition for any strenuous exercise right now.”
Behind Iruka, even Naruto—who normally seemed energetic beyond all reason—had a trace of exhaustion on his face.
The others were in even worse shape.
The girls had completely abandoned any concern for appearances and were sprawled on the ground, while among the boys, only Sasuke seemed to be doing relatively well.
Shikamaru, Chōji, Kiba, and Shino could barely remain standing.
“Well, I only told you to get ready.
I never said we were starting immediately.”
Iruka kept his hands pressed together, showing none of the tension one might expect before performing a ninjutsu.
His expression was completely relaxed.
Hearing that, everyone immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
“Iruka-sensei, what kind of technique are you preparing?”
Naruto, who was in the best condition out of everyone present, walked over to Iruka and struck up a conversation.
Is that saying about idiots having unlimited stamina actually true?
Naruto certainly seems to prove it…
As pointless thoughts ran through his mind, Iruka glanced at Naruto.
This brat really wasn’t afraid of anything.
Even after being taught a lesson by Iruka so many times, Naruto wasn’t the least bit intimidated.
If anything, his attitude toward Iruka had only gotten better.
Could it be because he lacked parental guidance, and I’ve accidentally ended up filling that role?
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Iruka sensed that he had gathered enough chakra.
He immediately performed several elaborate hand seals for appearances’ sake, then slammed his palm against the ground and shouted:
“Ninja Art: Antigravity Field!”
RUMBLE—RUMBLE—RUMBLE—!!!
A tremendous roar suddenly erupted behind Iruka.
The previously still ground began to shake violently as chunks of earth tore free and rose into the air, gradually gathering overhead.
When everything finally settled down, a vast mass of dark earth was floating eerily behind Iruka, suspended in midair as though shielding them from the blazing sun.
Gulp.
Everyone instinctively swallowed.
They slowly raised their heads.
Although they were now protected from the scorching sunlight, the enormous chunks of earth hovering overhead—seemingly capable of falling at any moment—placed even greater psychological pressure on them.
“S-So strong…
Even stronger than my dad.”
“Is that really ninjutsu?”
“That doesn’t even seem like something a human being should be able to do.”
Sasuke turned with a complicated expression and looked at Iruka, who appeared as relaxed as though he had done something utterly insignificant.
Having grown up admiring his older brother’s powerful back ever since he was old enough to remember, Sasuke was seeing, for the first time, a shinobi who seemed capable of standing alongside his brother.
Especially when it came to ninjutsu, Iruka gave him the impression of being even more powerful than his unbelievably gifted older brother.
If he’s the one teaching me…
maybe I really could surpass my brother someday…
At that thought, Sasuke’s gaze toward Iruka changed.
The indifference he had shown before was now accompanied by a faint but unmistakable longing.
Iruka couldn’t care less about what the little brats were thinking.
He hadn’t displayed his ability to earn their admiration.
Everything he did was for his work—for the responsibility he had as a teacher.
“Next, you’ll be training your physical reaction speed and your ability to work as a team.
You’ll work in pairs.
And since letting you choose your own partners would inevitably cause all sorts of problems, the teams will be decided by drawing lots.”
As he spoke, Iruka extended a hand and curled his index finger slightly toward an empty patch of ground in front of them.
The next moment, eight small earthen spikes rose from the ground.
“See those little spikes?
The exposed portions are all the same length, but the parts beneath the ground are different.
There are four different lengths in total.
Whoever draws spikes of the same length will be paired together for the training.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Sakura—the girl with the broad forehead—raised her hand and asked, “But Sensei, there are nine of us.
If we’re working in pairs, won’t one person be left without a partner?
Why not form groups of three?”
“Teams of three would normally be more practical, but this is your first training session.
Coordinating three people at once would inevitably create problems, so it’s better to start with something simple.
As for your first question…”
Iruka turned his head toward Sasuke, who, despite his young age, already carried himself with the cool and aloof demeanor of a handsome young prodigy.
“Sasuke, you have the greatest talent among everyone here.
Do you have the confidence to complete the training on your own?”