Chapter 72: Iruka's Troubles
The Ninja Academy.
Iruka looked at the students in his classroom, a trace of worry etched on his face. He wasn't sure what had happened, but for the past few months, his teacher seemed to have taken a special interest in him, often pulling him aside for a "lecture." Being "lectured" whenever there was a spare moment had left him utterly confused.
It had started on a bright, sunny day. He was having a meal with his former teammate, Mibu Shinobu, reminiscing about old times, until Tonbo-sensei suddenly appeared. The teacher claimed he wanted to test Iruka's progress in Genjutsu, and in the process, Mibu Shinobu was dragged along for an "unforgettable" training session.
Initially, armed with information about the Eight Scents of Fire, Iruka had studied hard and finally found a way to counter it by creating a jutsu to block his ears. He thought he had succeeded. However, he had vastly underestimated his teacher's strength. With just a single glance, he had succumbed to the technique once more, reminding him that this move was originally a visual-based Genjutsu.
His teammate Mibu Shinobu, being a member of the Intelligence and Torture Department, had undergone special training and could endure such torment. However, adhering to the principle of "if you can be comfortable, never choose to be uncomfortable," Mibu only dared to ask Iruka out for meals when he knew Tonbo-sensei was busy. At all other times, he avoided Iruka like the plague, fearing he would be caught in the crossfire.
"Damn it, so it was these little brats who sold me out."
Sensing something was wrong, Iruka utilized the intelligence-gathering skills he had honed on missions and finally identified the source of his misery: certain kids right in front of him. If they wanted to beat up Tonbo Tobitake, they should have just done it—why drag him into it? They actually shifted the blame onto him! Because of them, he had suffered immensely. And to think he had put so much effort into their studies and future development for their sake. Was this fair?
While he was impressed that his students could pull off a successful intelligence operation, it wasn't pleasant when he was the target. So today, having gathered all the necessary counter-intel, his focus was entirely on the students. If anyone dared to be rowdy or act out in class... hmph! He would make them taste bitterness. Especially two of them: Shikun Fuma and Zaizai Izuno.
He had heard they were the ones who started the trend, and the tactic of shifting the blame onto him was their idea. Then there was the third-year student soon to enter the fourth year, Hana Inuzuka.
In the classroom.
Sensing Iruka-sensei's gaze, Shikun Fuma and Zaizai Izuno exchanged several looks.
"Iruka-sensei is acting strange today."
"Yeah, it feels like he's watching us."
"It looks more like he's looking for an excuse to pick on us."
"Study hard. I don't want to get hit with a Genjutsu from Tonbo-senpai AND another one from Iruka-sensei."
Although the two of them had very little talent for chakra-based ninjutsu under Tonbo's tutelage, they were surprisingly good at espionage. After months of working together, they could read each other's thoughts with a single glance. They quickly analyzed Iruka's gaze and reached a conclusion.
Iruka was disappointed. After several months, the naughty children were no longer naughty; many were even studying seriously. He felt as if the students had lost their childhood innocence. The whistle around his neck felt itchy with anticipation.
"Beat up Iruka-sensei!"
Just then, a child's voice rang out.
Swish!
Everyone turned with looks of disbelief toward the source of the sound: Tokuma Hyuga. He was currently fast asleep, and heaven knows what he was dreaming about, but he was muttering about beating up Iruka.
Iruka smiled. His lips curled upward like never before. The other students, including Uchiha To, were deeply impressed. Months had passed, and in every class Iruka taught, the students were terrified of his reputation. There were very few troublemakers left, including the arrogant kids from the Uchiha clan. Being "disciplined" for slacking off in class was considered shameful even within the Uchiha family, so they couldn't exactly call their parents to complain.
Thus, Uchiha To truly admired Tokuma Hyuga. I don't respect anyone else in the Hyuga family, but right now, Tokuma, I acknowledge you, To thought to himself.
Thwack!
A piece of chalk hit Tokuma Hyuga on the head. He woke up groggily, seeing Iruka-sensei's eerie smile and his classmates' staring eyes.
Gulp! He knew he was in trouble.
It was too late. Iruka gestured for him to follow, and he was led out of the classroom. "Everyone, continue studying. We're going outside to discuss the problem of sleeping and talking in one's sleep during class."
As the two left, the classroom immediately erupted into whispers.
"Tokuma is amazing."
"He's done for. He's going to be miserable all day. I wonder what 'flavor' Iruka-sensei will make him taste today?"
"Hmph, the Hyuga family is nothing more than this."
"Usually, Tokuma's grades are so good and he's so quiet that he's rarely hit with Iruka-sensei's Genjutsu. Finally, he got caught. This is great."
"Exactly! Damn it, I've been caught so many times; finally, it's Tokuma's turn. I wish Uchiha To would get caught too."
"I bet the teacher will give him a wasabi-flavored Genjutsu today."
"No, no, I think it'll be chili. Tokuma hates spicy food."
The students in the classroom were gloating. Being caught yourself was miserable, but seeing a classmate get caught was exceptionally delightful. They could already imagine the top student, Tokuma Hyuga, with a bright red face or a distorted expression. The thought alone was exciting.
Uchiha To frowned. How could I be like you mediocre fools?
After a short while, Tokuma Hyuga walked back in behind Iruka, looking quite grim.
"Alright, students, I hope everyone follows the classroom rules and studies hard. Only by studying hard can you avoid being killed by the enemy in future missions. Understand?" Iruka said meaningfully as he let Tokuma return to his seat. The curl of his lips betrayed his current mood.
No wonder his own teacher liked educating him this way; it turned out this mischievous teaching style not only helped students progress but also brought oneself great joy. After lecturing the students for a bit longer and warning them not to get caught by him, he stepped out of the classroom.
"Byakugan, Activate."
Tokuma Hyuga activated his Byakugan, watching Iruka-sensei slowly walk away. His expression shifted instantly, returning to a calm state, and a smug smile appeared on his face.
"Tokuma, what flavor of Genjutsu did you just taste?" his deskmate asked. He felt Tokuma was acting a bit strange.
Uchiha To pricked up his ears; as the only one in class who could be considered Tokuma's rival, he paid extra attention. Everyone else was curious as well.
"I don't know," Tokuma Hyuga smiled.
"You don't know?"
"Wait, did you actually get a flavor you liked?"
Iruka only used one flavor at a time because it was for education, not punishment.
"Hmph. As a ninja, if I couldn't find a way to crack it after all this time, then you've seriously underestimated the Hyuga bloodline," Tokuma snorted coldly, a look of triumph on his face. Everything before had been an act to make Iruka-sensei feel smug. That was why he didn't know the flavor.
"How did you do it?" This was the question in every student's heart as they all listened intently. Earlier it was just gossip, but now it concerned their personal interests.
Uchiha To frowned. Tokuma Hyuga actually cracked the teacher's Genjutsu? And he even fooled Iruka-sensei? This made him very uncomfortable, as he hadn't managed to crack the teacher's Genjutsu himself yet.
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