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"Uchiha Akira! That's going way too far!"
Iruka drew a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Too far? I don't think so. On a real battlefield, these weaklings would've lost their heads already."
Akira's expression was calm, almost chilling.
"It's actually you, Iruka-sensei, who's at fault. You haven't done your job as a teacher—haven't taught these kids to show respect to those stronger than them.
"If they go on missions without learning that, the only thing waiting for them is an early grave."
"So really, Iruka-sensei, you should be thanking me for teaching them how to respect true strength!"
Iruka: "..."
Never in his life had he imagined being lectured by one of his students.
"Ah! What the—why's there a huge hole in my pants?!"
"Damn it! It's definitely Akira! How dare he humiliate us like this?!"
It was only then that the group of kids finally registered what had happened.
They all clutched their torn pants, glaring at Akira with a mix of shame and anger.
"Looks like the lesson isn't sticking yet," Akira said, his eyes narrowing. A faint, dangerous aura seemed to radiate from him.
Seeing this, Iruka's face fell. He quickly turned to the kids and barked:
"What are you standing there for?! Apologize to Akira right now!
"If those shuriken had hit your heads instead, do you think any of you would still be standing here?!"
"But… Iruka-sensei—"
One boy, clearly defiant, tried to protest. But Akira cut him off immediately.
"No 'buts.' Apologize, and maybe someday you'll understand why!"
Iruka's face hardened, the full weight of his authority finally kicking in.
It worked. The kids, still clutching their pants, muttered apologies to Akira.
"S-sorry, Akira… we shouldn't have doubted you."
Of course, none of them really meant it. Having your pants ripped in public and then being forced to apologize? You can imagine how crushed they felt inside.
Akira didn't even glance back. He turned and walked away, leaving nothing but a cool, composed silhouette behind him.
Behind him, the girls were losing their minds.
"So handsome! Senior Akira is insanely cool!"
"He's so domineering… I like him even more now!"
"Don't even think about touching him, he's mine!"
"What did you say, you little brat?! Senior Akira's mine!"
Iruka ignored the squealing girls. Instead, he kept his eyes on Akira's retreating figure, feeling his heart race.
This… is an Uchiha.
A prodigious clan, no doubt. At such a young age, he already wields this much power. His talent might even surpass his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.
Iruka reflected on it: the speed with which Akira effortlessly defeated Hinata Hyuga, the flawless precision in his shuriken throws—he, a Chunin, could not match any of it.
Akira's skill had already surpassed the Chunin level.
A seven-year-old Chunin. Terrifying.
But he's a Konoha kid. When Akira grows up, Konoha will only become stronger.
Iruka felt a spark of pride. After all, this was his student. He'd have to report this good news to the Third Hokage—he deserved to hear it.
Just as Iruka prepared to head to the Hokage's office, a tuft of blond hair caught his eye.
"Iruka-sensei! Iruka-sensei! Where's Akira?! I, Naruto, want to challenge him!"
Naruto was looking around frantically for Akira's figure.
Iruka's expression stiffened as he addressed the boisterous boy.
"Uzumaki Naruto! Where have you been?! Why are you only showing up now?!"
"Uh…" Naruto scratched his head, looking sheepish. "I ate too many instant noodles last night… kinda had a stomach situation, so I was delayed in the bathroom."
"Why didn't you report that ahead of time?!"
"Forgot!" Naruto answered confidently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Iruka sighed, exasperated. Some things never change with this kid.
Naruto, however, wasn't about to care. He bounced on his heels, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Iruka-sensei, come on! Make Akira come out! I, Naruto, am going to challenge him!"
"Akira went home first."
"Hmph! He's probably scared of me and ran away! Hahaha… tomorrow at school, I'll make sure to laugh at him properly!"
Naruto struck a heroic pose, hands on his hips, brimming with confidence—as if he had single-handedly scared Akira off.
"Yeah, right."
With the power Akira had displayed, fighting Naruto would be like swatting a fly.
So Iruka didn't bother trying to explain. Letting Naruto pump himself up like this might be good for him—he needed a little humility.
"..."
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