"Second question… This is so easy, I don't even need to explain it…"
"Fifth question, people got this simple one wrong? I don't know what they're even doing…"
"Sixth question, I've gone over this how many times? I'm not explaining it—those who don't get it, go learn from someone who does…"
"Tenth question, a freebie, comrades…"
"You're the worst class I've ever taught!"
Ebara concluded.
"Sensei, aren't we your first class…?" Choza Akimichi asked weakly.
"Exactly, which makes you the worst…"
Ebara rolled his eyes.
Everyone: "…"
"Alright, class dismissed."
Ebara strode out of the classroom.
Back in his office, he stashed his precious book.
Just as he sat down, a mocking voice chimed in. "Teacher Ebara, another pop quiz?"
"Yup, Teacher Shimura."
Ebara grinned, turning to face him.
Shimura Mahaya, a thirty-something veteran teacher at the Ninja Academy.
Triangular eyes, skin and bones, with a slight resemblance to Danzo.
They were distant clan cousins, not close but not strangers either.
"Those quizzes aren't much use," Mahaya said pointedly. "The kids will be holding kunai on the battlefield someday. Pens won't do them much good. You're going to ruin them with this teaching style."
"Really? I don't think so," Ebara replied, his smile tight. "Besides, who says you can't hold a kunai after holding a pen?"
If Mahaya was going to be sneaky, Ebara wasn't going to play nice either.
Mahaya smirked. "I hear plenty of parents have complaints about your teaching methods."
"Oh? News to me," Ebara said, playing dumb.
"Just wait. Parents will come for you."
"When that happens, Teacher Ebara, forget staying as a teacher—you might not even keep your job at the academy."
Mahaya said smugly.
He desperately wanted to teach Ebara's class.
After all, it had Shino Aburame, Choza Akimichi, Yamanaka Haiichi, and Nara Shikaku—children of major clan leaders.
But the Third Hokage, swayed by Ebara's "innovative" teaching ideas, gave him the class.
Mahaya got stuck with other classes.
Since then, he'd held a grudge against Ebara, constantly mocking him and scheming to get him fired.
"I'll be waiting," Ebara shot back mockingly.
He didn't take Mahaya seriously—a nobody clown at best.
Though Ebara was only responsible for Minato's class, two other teachers handled taijutsu and ninjutsu.
No helping it—Ebara had no ninja talent.
So, after that class, he had no more lessons that afternoon.
"Perfect. Time to review Ah Bing's ninja journey."
Ebara said, his mind wandering.
Leaving the academy, he headed to a small grove.
Lying by a stream, listening to its gentle trickle, Ebara opened his treasured book.
As soon as he did, three options appeared in his mind.
[Option 1: Study to better teach your students. Reward: 5 Spirit attribute points!]
[Option 2: Train to improve your strength. Reward: 5 Stamina attribute points!]
[Option 3: Lie flat and do nothing. Reward: 1 Spirit attribute point!]
Ebara made his choice instantly.
Study? Study my ass.
Train?
If I train hard, what's the point of the system?
Gotta give the system a chance to shine.
So, Ebara chose to lie flat.
While Ebara was slacking off, Shimura Mahaya went to see Danzo.
"What's up?"
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
"Big brother, please help me become the homeroom teacher of Class 2."
The term "homeroom teacher" came from Ebara.
Others at the academy picked it up and started using it.
Danzo pondered for a moment. "The class led by that Ebara guy?"
"Exactly."
"It's full of clan heirs who'll become leaders someday."
"Being their teacher means gaining the support of Konoha's major clans."
"That support would bring countless benefits to our Shimura clan!"
Mahaya pressed his head to the ground.
Danzo fell into thought.
Though the Third had been Hokage for nearly a decade, Danzo never gave up his ambition to take the role.
To become Hokage, the support of major clans was essential.
"You're barking up the wrong tree."
"Go to Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura for this."
Danzo advised.
Mahaya was thrilled.
With his status, meeting Konoha's higher-ups wasn't easy.
But with Danzo's backing, things were different.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Mahaya thanked Danzo and quickly left.
Watching Mahaya go, Danzo's gaze shifted to the Third's statue on the Hokage Rock.
"Almost ten years."
"It's time you stepped down."
Danzo thought.
"Ebara?"
"I opposed him becoming a teacher back then."
"The Third went ahead anyway, ignoring my opinion."
"Now, Konoha's future is being corrupted by him."
"I won't stand by and let this happen."
Koharu Utatane slammed her fist on the table.
"Senior, those kids are all prodigies."
"Only you can save them," Mahaya added fuel to the fire.
"Don't worry. I'll go to the academy tomorrow and deal with him."
"Ebara's done for. Even the Third can't save him."
"I said so!"
Koharu declared boldly.
Mahaya smiled as he left Koharu's house.
"Done."
Koharu prided herself on serving Konoha.
In reality, she was dumb as a pig.
With a little prodding, she took the bait.
Leaving Koharu's house, Mahaya headed to Mitokado Homura's.
"You're saying Ebara, as a teacher, spends his time in the office not preparing lessons but studying adult books?"
Homura asked, his tone odd.
"Exactly."
"I saw the book. It's downright shameful."
"How can someone like that be a teacher?"
Mahaya exaggerated.
"The academy's children are Konoha's future."
"We can't let such a degenerate teach them."
"That's irresponsible to Konoha and their parents."
Homura said righteously.
"Senior Koharu said he's unfit to teach and plans to fire him tomorrow."
"Then I'll go too. Ebara was the Third's pick—Koharu alone might not have enough clout."
"Good."
"Oh, and that book Ebara's studying? Get me a copy. I need to… critique it thoroughly."
Homura said sternly.