"No, nothing…"
Iruka took a deep breath. "I know emotions run high at your age, but you still need to distinguish between what's important and what isn't. To become an excellent ninja, one needs not only a sharp mind and great strength but also a firm will and a tenacious spirit. Your score in ninja strategy has always been the highest, but I doubt whether you truly grasp the meaning of it or if you are just memorizing it by rote."
Haruno Sakura also lowered her head. "I…"
Iruka sighed. "Sakura, this ninja world is not a playground. The academy may protect you, but once you leave here and become a true ninja, you will face the test of iron and blood every day. In that world, the smallest mistake can mean life or death. Your academic performance has always been the best, but I hope you can focus on improving your ninjutsu and combat skills, and temper your will more, instead of pouring all your energy into sasuke…"
"But… but… Iruka-sensei I don't think I know how to…" Her tears couldn't help but fall again.
Iruka-sensei sighed. "It's impossible for a ninja to be truly heartless, but it is precisely because we have people we admire and want to protect that we should make ourselves stronger, so that we can stand by them when they need us and protect them. Isn't that right? I know you've always liked Sasuke, but I hope you can become a better person just for him. ! Do you understand what I mean? Sasuke is a genius ninja who has also experienced some unfortunate events. He would never have a normal relationship like other children. What he needs is someone who can understand him, fight alongside him, and keep up with him."
Haruno Sakura seemed to understand what he was saying. She wiped away her tears and nodded. "I want to be the one walking shoulder to shoulder with Sasuke… I need to work hard to make myself better…"
Haruno Sakura was deeply touched and could not help but lower her head in shame. "I… I understand, Iruka-sensei… Thank you…"
"I will work harder to become someone worthy of Sasuke-kun's love!"
Iruka-sensei nodded with satisfaction, then rubbed his nose and smiled a little embarrassedly. "It's really awkward for someone like me to discuss the emotional issues of children… I'm just glad you understand." He stood up and was about to turn and leave. As soon as he opened the door, he suddenly paused and turned around.
"And, Sakura… Naruto has had a hard time too, lonely, desolate, and ostracized by everyone, so I hope you… will be nicer to him…" He gave a bitter smile, his expression complicated. "But that's not a reprimand from me as a teacher. This is just a personal request from me, Umino Iruka…"
After saying this, he sighed softly, shook his head, and his back gradually disappeared down the hall.
"Iruka-sensei…" Haruno Sakura looked at his back, her heart in turmoil.
Iruka-sensei walked out of the office door and scratched his head in embarrassment. "Although it is one of a teacher's responsibilities, but… talking to a young girl about these things is hard for me. I hope Sakura can think about it carefully. Naruto has been acting a bit strange lately. Should I go see him too?"
Iruka-sensei was hesitant. The reason was that many teachers and students could already see that he paid far too much attention to Naruto. It can even be seen as favouritism . However, he had no choice, as he seemed to see his own shadow in Naruto. He simply couldn't sit idly by. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look after him.
…
The sun began to set. Iruka-sensei quickly caught up with Naruto. After all, Naruto was doing frog jumps with weights on and was also trying to study at the same time, so he didn't go much farther.
"Naruto…" Looking at the back of the young man sweating profusely in the dim sunlight, Iruka-sensei couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart. He had seen the changes in Naruto during class, but this was the first time he had truly felt his efforts so directly. Although it was already dusk, the summer heat had not yet ended. Moreover, there was no wind today, and the whole village was filled with a hot and humid atmosphere. Naruto's sweat continued to drip, but the look on his face showed a determination Iruka had never seen before.
"335… 336… Odds change, evens remain the same… 337…"
Iruka-sensei watched in horror. "You're still studying while doing weighted frog jumps?! Naruto, you lunatic..." He couldn't bear to disturb him, so he just followed Naruto quietly, watching him from a distance.
The streets of Konoha were crowded with people. However, apart from occasional curious glances, many people seemed to have become accustomed to Naruto's efforts and changes. The original looks of disdain and even hatred had gradually disappeared. No one can keep laughing at someone who keeps working hard. The first day, the second day, maybe… but it can't last forever. Moreover, even though some people were still pointing fingers and making sarcastic remarks, Naruto completely ignored them all. He was completely focused and immersed, even obsessed, in his own practice and study.
A pleased smile appeared on Iruka-sensei's face. Soon, Naruto passed by Ichiraku Ramen. Iruka-sensei's heart moved. This was Naruto's favorite food and his favorite restaurant. However, Naruto didn't even raise his head. Iruka-sensei was stunned. He followed him all the way, and even the people around him started pointing at him, but Iruka didn't notice at all. He had forgotten that his actions coulbe seen as favouritism.
"Has Naruto really become so self-disciplined?! I still can't believe it…" In order to verify all this, Iruka-sensei continued to follow quietly.
Finally arriving at the door of his home, Naruto stopped hopping, wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the last ray of yellow in the sky, and smiled brightly. He nodded and climbed up to the second floor. Iruka-sensei didn't dare to follow too closely. He looked around and found a telephone pole opposite the second floor, so he climbed up quietly. He was so focused on watching Naruto that he didn't realize he himself was being watched. In fact, there had always been Anbu ninjas secretly monitoring and protecting Naruto. Several of them looked at each other, and then at Iruka, who was climbing the telephone pole to peek, with complicated expressions.
"Ahem, should we report this to the Third Hokage?"
"No, Iruka is not a suspicious person…"
"Yes, I remember that Iruka was assigned by the Hokage himself to look after Naruto at the Ninja Academy, right?"
"So it is, but isn't his attention to Naruto a bit excessive now? He's like a mother hen…"
At this time, Iruka had climbed to the top of the telephone pole. He secretly went around the back to hide his body, turned his head to reveal one eye, and looked towards Naruto's house through the window. "Naruto, is he cooking for himself?!"
Iruka was shocked. Based on his understanding of Naruto, this was simply too drastic of a change! Originally, he either ate ramen or instant noodles. But now, he was actually making real food for himself, and he was very skilled at it. There were meat, vegetables, eggs, and milk, and the nutrition was very balanced.
"When did this brat become so capable? It's simply absurd… he's like a model child." Iruka was surprised and incredibly relieved.
When Naruto finished cooking, he wolfed down the food while taking out… a textbook?! He was eating and learning at the same time?! Iruka's jaw dropped.