The morning was Iruka's theory class. Konosuke's ninjutsu lesson was scheduled for the afternoon.
He picked up a textbook from the desk and flipped it open.
Within minutes, he was stunned.
He had been at the Academy for years but rarely read the books. Now that he actually tried, he couldn't last more than a few pages.
It was supposed to be a ninjutsu textbook—yet at the bottom of every single page was propaganda about the Will of Fire.
There were even passages praising Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Professor of Ninjutsu." "The Strongest Hokage." "The Perfect Inheritor of the Will of Fire."
Konosuke actually felt embarrassed reading it. This was shameless beyond belief.
For the sake of his mental health, he tossed the book aside. If he kept reading this nonsense, he might forget how to speak like a normal human being.
With nothing to do in the morning, he chose to sleep.
He had no idea how much time passed before someone started shaking him.
When he opened his eyes, Iruka was staring at him, clearly annoyed.
Konosuke stretched lazily.
"Iruka? Shouldn't you be in class? You're not setting a very good example as a teacher. The children are waiting to be nourished by knowledge."
Perhaps he was used to Konosuke's nonsense by now. Iruka didn't get angry. He simply pointed at the clock.
"It's one in the afternoon. Your class starts now."
"Ah? One already? No wonder I'm starving."
Konosuke's gaze drifted to the lunchbox in Iruka's hand. Without hesitation, he snatched it and bolted out of the office, shouting thanks over his shoulder.
Iruka stared at his now-empty hand and slowly turned to Mizuki.
"Did Konosuke just steal my lunch?"
The rest of the teachers burst into laughter.
To be fair, Iruka's rice balls weren't exactly gourmet. They tasted like nothing but salt.
Konosuke was still chewing on one as he walked into the classroom.
The sight before him was oddly nostalgic—faces he knew well from his previous life.
He finished the rice balls unhurriedly and wiped his hands on his clothes.
Whispers spread through the room.
"Is that really our ninjutsu teacher? He doesn't look reliable at all."
"Yeah, I heard his name's Sarutobi Konosuke. They call him the 'Shame of the Sarutobi.' Can someone like that really teach?"
Konosuke ignored the murmuring. He lit a cigarette, sat casually on the desk, and glanced at the students who had spoken.
Under his gaze, they fell silent.
After exhaling a slow stream of smoke, he spoke lazily.
"My name is Konosuke. Sarutobi Konosuke. Starting today, I'm your ninjutsu instructor. I won't teach theory—I don't even know it. I'll teach you basic techniques and a few things that might help you survive in the shinobi world."
"I make no guarantees. How much you learn depends on your talent. Now—anyone who already knows the Substitution Technique, stand up."
The students looked at each other.
No one stood.
Not even Sasuke, who usually loved showing off.
Konosuke blinked in surprise. So many clan heirs—and none of them knew the Substitution Technique?
For the first time, he felt a bit of pressure. If he failed this mission and delayed his slacking schedule, that would be a disaster.
He exhaled another puff of smoke.
"Fine. Then at least some of you can extract Chakra, right? Anyone who can extract Chakra—stand."
This time, someone rose.
Sasuke was first. Then Shikamaru. Then Choji, Hinata, Ino, Shino…
Most of those standing were clan children. Many of the civilian students couldn't extract Chakra yet—including Naruto.
After gauging the situation, Konosuke motioned for them to sit.
He walked to the blackboard and began drawing the method and circulation routes for Chakra extraction.
Despite years of slacking, his fundamentals were solid.
Once finished, he added the hand seals for the Substitution Technique and the Chakra flow required to execute it.
Dropping the chalk, he turned around.
"This is the Chakra extraction method and everything you need to know about the Substitution Technique. You have one month. Master Chakra extraction and learn the technique. If you fail… consider giving up on becoming a ninja. You might be better suited to ordinary life. Honestly—"
He was interrupted.
Naruto stood up abruptly.
"Konosuke-sensei, that's not fair! Who can learn the Substitution Technique in one month? You probably couldn't either!"
There was clear defiance in his voice.
Konosuke had always been kind to him—treating him to Ichiraku Ramen and all—but Naruto didn't believe anyone could do it that fast.
Konosuke didn't get angry. He simply smiled and raised two fingers.
"Two days. From learning Chakra extraction to mastering the Substitution Technique—I took two days. If you don't believe me, ask around the Sarutobi clan."
He wasn't lying. He had been a genuine prodigy back then.
Shikamaru reached out and tugged Naruto back into his seat.
"Naruto, sit down. Konosuke-sensei really was a genius. The two-day thing is true. Just focus on training."
Naruto stared blankly.
"Wait… he was telling the truth? Then why didn't you say something earlier?"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"You didn't give me time. You jumped up before he even finished speaking."
Konosuke pulled out a chair and sat down.
"All right. Start practicing Chakra extraction. Those who can already do it—work on the Substitution Technique. The first person to master it will get ten minutes of private taijutsu instruction from me."
He smirked.
"Don't underestimate my taijutsu. In all of Konoha, aside from Guy, no one can beat me."
The clan children weren't particularly interested.
But the civilian students were different. They craved special guidance. They trained with visible determination.
As the students began practicing, Konosuke leaned back and resumed slacking.
He had already wasted fifteen minutes actually teaching today.
He hoped it wouldn't reduce his Slacking Value.
Previously, eight hours of slacking earned him 0.01 points, which could be added to the template's proficiency.
There was no way he'd reach eight hours today.
Hopefully the reward wouldn't be cut.