章節 34: Chapter 34: Gratitude and Trouble
"Sorry, Iruka-sensei, it seems we've caused you some trouble."
Hearing this and seeing the smile on Natsuro's face, the initially furious Iruka checked the condition of the students lying on the ground. Finding that they were only in temporary pain, he asked, "What exactly happened here? Why did this conflict break out?"
"I'm not entirely sure about the details. It probably started because they were bullying Naruto. We just came over to help out," Natsuro replied, waving Naruto over. "Naruto, tell us what happened."
Naruto didn't hold back and quickly recounted the series of events.
"So you didn't even bump into them, and you even apologized?" Iruka frowned after hearing the story.
"Yes," Naruto nodded, glancing nervously at Iruka, unsure if he would believe him.
"Don't worry, Naruto. Iruka-sensei and I are on your side, right? Iruka-sensei?" Natsuro said, looking up at Iruka.
"Ah, yes," Iruka nodded as well. He wasn't frowning because he didn't believe Naruto, but rather because he found it hard to believe that even children had been so deeply affected by the village's rumors.
"Iruka-sensei..." Naruto looked up at Iruka, unsure of what to say.
Iruka looked at Naruto, feeling a mix of emotions, but in the end, he reached out to ruffle Naruto's bright blond hair and then straightened his slightly dirty and disheveled clothes. "Don't worry, Naruto. You did nothing wrong. Sensei will always be on your side."
"Iruka-sensei! And everyone..." Naruto looked at Iruka, then at Natsuro, who was smiling, and then glanced around.
There was Kiba, who despite his bruises, was laughing with a big grin; Shikamaru, muttering to himself about how unlucky he was after being punched in the face due to his momentary distraction; Choji, who had resumed eating snacks at some point; Sasuke, who was trying to maintain his cool demeanor but was intensely staring at Natsuro; Shino, who was still mysterious as ever, wearing his sunglasses; and Hinata, who turned her blushing face away when she saw Naruto looking at her...
Naruto, who hadn't cried even when he was beaten and mocked, couldn't hold back his tears anymore. They started flowing down uncontrollably.
"Alright, alright, no more crying," Iruka comforted him, smiling as he saw this. Although he couldn't fully understand Naruto's feelings, he had a pretty good idea.
"Hahaha! Crying like a baby, even though you're already so grown up!" Kiba laughed heartily, completely carefree.
"I... I'm not!" Naruto glared at Kiba, trying to wipe away the tears, but no matter how much he wiped, they wouldn't stop.
As for Natsuro, he also smiled as he watched this scene. Although there were many things he couldn't change, at this moment, seeing this scene made him quite happy. He never sought to change anything forcefully, but if his actions could bring about something good, then he would certainly welcome it.
"Hoho... not bad, not bad," up on a rooftop, the Third Hokage puffed on his pipe as he watched the scene below, his expression softening.
He had arrived just recently after being notified by an ANBU ninja, and then witnessed Naruto breaking down in tears. The Third knew Naruto's stubborn nature very well—he wouldn't cry even when beaten.
Seeing how Naruto seemed to have found his own bonds in the village, the Third Hokage was pleased. He had initially felt a headache upon hearing about the fight, but after seeing this, his mood greatly improved.
The ANBU ninja beside him reported the course of events to the Third Hokage. They hadn't planned to notify the Third Hokage at first.
After all, Naruto being beaten wasn't something new, and if they reported every incident, the Third Hokage would be overwhelmed. However, the development this time had made them uncertain.
This time, someone had actually come to Naruto's aid. Not only that, but the people who helped were all children from various clans in the village. These kids couldn't be allowed to get hurt, so they reported it to the Third Hokage.
"So you're saying it was basically Natsuro alone who beat up these fourth-year students like this?" The Third Hokage was a bit surprised as he listened.
"Yes." The ANBU member was also astonished as he reported this, thinking that this was another exceptional talent. But the Third Hokage knew the kid's name? It seemed that Natsuro had already been noticed!
The ANBU made a mental note of his name. Although it was unlikely they would come into contact, who knew what might happen in the future?
"Oh, very impressive~" The Third Hokage chuckled and nodded with satisfaction. He had heard from Iruka about this talented kid before, and now it seemed that Iruka was right. Even though these fourth-year students were among the lower ranks in their class, the fact that he could easily defeat them despite the age and development difference was a clear indication of his excellence.
The Third Hokage also knew from Iruka that Natsuro had already fully mastered the basic ninjutsu techniques. In past wartime periods, someone like him could have already applied for graduation. Looking at it that way, he might even be more outstanding than Kakashi had been at that age.
Having such an exceptional next generation filled the Third Hokage with great satisfaction, and a certain idea in his mind resurfaced.
However, it wasn't appropriate for them to reveal themselves directly right now. It was better to wait for the formal report. The matter was already settled, and the official report would soon reach him. It wouldn't hurt to wait until then.
"Keep watching over them. Notify me if anything else happens," said the Third Hokage, and with that, his figure vanished in a puff of white smoke. It had only been a shadow clone.
"Yes!"
The ANBU ninja responded, then disappeared from the rooftop, resuming his duties.
...
"Iruka, as a teacher, how could you lay hands on students? Do you have any sense of professional ethics?!"
Meanwhile, the fourth-year chunin instructor, a middle-aged man, finally arrived, only to see his students sprawled out on the ground, deliberately arranged in a heap. His face turned dark as he glared at Iruka, speaking in a cold voice.
"Huh?" Iruka was taken aback. When had he laid hands on anyone? Then he realized that the other instructor had misunderstood and quickly began to explain.
As he explained, Iruka suddenly felt a bit shocked. Earlier, he had been focused on other things, so he hadn't given it much thought. But now, thinking about it, not only did Natsuro have talent in training, but his aptitude in actual combat was also outstanding!
But Iruka didn't blame himself for not realizing this sooner. He had become accustomed to being surprised by Natsuro, so when he saw what had happened, he felt it was only natural for Natsuro to accomplish something like this.
"Don't try to shirk responsibility. A little first-year kid did this? Do you believe that yourself?" The chunin instructor didn't ease up after hearing Iruka's explanation but instead questioned him more harshly.
"I wouldn't believe it from anyone else, but this is Natsuro we're talking about, so yes, I believe it," Iruka said, after giving it some thought, speaking earnestly.
The chunin instructor's face darkened upon hearing this. He didn't believe it and didn't want to believe it. After all, if it were true, wouldn't that mean his students weren't even a match for a first-year kid?!
At this moment, he calmly stepped forward, looking directly into the chunin instructor's fierce eyes without a hint of retreat in his gaze.
"Natsuro..."
Naruto clenched his fists, his expression complicated. It seemed he had caused everyone trouble. He would have preferred to get beaten up rather than trouble others...
章節 35: Chapter 35: Apologies
Natsuro stared at the chunin instructor, seemingly impervious to the man's imposing aura.
"Look, teacher, Iruka-sensei wasn't lying. I'm the one who took down your students one by one. If you don't believe me, just ask them—they're lying right there on the ground."
The chunin looked at him, surprised. Although he wasn't a combat ninja and knew he wasn't great at maintaining an imposing presence, the aura he was trying to project was not something a child could easily withstand.
Seeing Natsuro's unchanging expression, the chunin started to believe what Iruka had said. He couldn't help feeling envious—Iruka had taught a true prodigy!
Natsuro glanced at the chunin, noting that the man was deliberately trying to use his aura. Yet, he didn't feel any pressure; after all, what kind of overwhelming presence could a teacher, who spent most of his time in a classroom, exert?
"Even so, why did you do this?" The chunin's tone softened slightly, mainly because he felt he might be in the wrong. He knew his students' behavior and character, and if it was Iruka who had acted, then the fault would clearly lie with the students. However, if it was Natsuro...
"This is how it went." Iruka began explaining the situation to the chunin.
The chunin frowned as he listened. Given what he knew about these students, it was indeed possible they would behave this way. But if it were only this 'monster,' it might be a different story.
"Is this really what happened?" The chunin asked, looking at his students who had managed to stand up and were now hesitantly looking down.
The leader of the students seemed about to say something but suddenly noticed Natsuro staring at him coolly. The leader's confidence shrank, and he lowered his head deeply, speaking in a timid voice, "Y-yes, it's true."
The chunin was at a loss for words. His face flushed with anger as he was embarrassed by his students. It was bad enough that they bullied younger kids, but the fact that they were beaten by one of them made him feel utterly ashamed. He couldn't face Iruka again without feeling embarrassed!
"You guys, you know you were wrong, so get back to class!" The chunin wanted to end this quickly; it was just too humiliating.
"Wait!"
"Hm? What else do you want?" The chunin glared at Natsuro, trying to keep his composure. He was unhappy, but he also understood that his talent meant he would be a significant figure in the future. Even as a teacher, it wasn't wise to offend him.
"They haven't apologized yet." Natsuro said flatly.
Immediately, there was discontent among the students.
"Why should we apologize to a monster?"
Before they could say more, they saw Natsuro cracking his knuckles and glaring at them, making them fall silent. Their reluctance was clear on their faces.
"Classmates, you've been beaten up like this. Don't you think you were in the wrong?" The chunin glanced at Naruto with a look of disdain. He didn't want his students to apologize to this 'demon.'
"Huh? You bully younger students and then get beaten by one of them, and you think you're in the right? Should we take this to the principal and let all the teachers see?" Natsuro sneered at the chunin, noting his disdainful look at Naruto. He felt even more negatively about the man, believing that such a person was unfit to be an educator. This person tainted the profession!
The chunin's face darkened significantly upon hearing his words.
"Natsuro, maybe..." Naruto tugged at Natsuro's sleeve, trying to avoid causing more trouble.
"Teacher, I agree with Natsuro." Iruka said, stepping forward. He hadn't initially considered this aspect, but he felt Natsuro had done nothing wrong.
Iruka believed it was his responsibility to handle such matters, as Natsuro's words were too impulsive. It would be bad if the teacher held a grudge against him in the future.
"Fine... fine!" he gritted his teeth. Given the circumstances, he was in no position to argue. Taking the matter to the principal or the other teachers would only bring more ridicule on his teaching abilities. The idea suggested by this student was simply unacceptable to him.
At this moment, he shot a scathing look at his students, who were the source of his troubles. He angrily yelled, "What are you still standing there for? Go apologize already!"
The students exchanged glances, looking at the furious teacher and then at the 'demon' watching them with a smile. They dared not speak further and reluctantly moved to apologize to Naruto.
Naruto, seeing the apologies from the students, was at a loss for words. He could feel their unwillingness.
"Can we let them go now?" the Chunin teacher asked, still seething, looking at Natsuro, who was being held back by Iruka.
"Of course." Iruka said quickly. He didn't want Natsuro to hold a grudge against the students.
The Chunin snorted coldly before leading his students away.
After a while.
Natsuro watched Naruto, who was still standing there, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "This time, it was my actions that made them apologize, but in the future, you'll have to rely on your own strength."
Naruto's eyes brightened as he realized the truth in his words. He nodded vigorously, "I will do it!"
Iruka smiled as he watched this scene. When Ino first told him about the situation, he had been quite shocked and rushed over.
Seeing the students lying on the ground and the final student being taken down by Natsuro had initially terrified Iruka. He feared that if something went wrong, it might be his side that got into trouble.
Fortunately, Iruka later found that he had shown restraint. Though the students were on the ground, they were only in pain and not seriously injured.
Iruka didn't know that Natsuro's experience in handling Naruto's training was the basis for his approach, just reversed.
Seeing Naruto and the others laughing and chatting, Iruka thought this might actually be a good thing. After today, Naruto would likely have more friends in his class beyond just Natsuro.
"Alright, let's all go back to class. If anything like this happens again, make sure to inform a teacher right away."
"Okay!"
"Naruto, help Kiba." Shikamaru's voice came through.
"Got it!" Naruto hurried over to assist Kiba. Even though he had taken more hits than Kiba, Naruto seemed to handle it better.
"Get off me, I don't need help!" Kiba shouted angrily.
"Kiba-kun... using bad language doesn't seem very nice..." Hinata's soft voice chimed in.
At once, everyone burst into laughter.
With smiles and laughter, the group headed back to their first-grade classroom, even Hinata, who was usually shy, seemed a bit more relaxed.
每周推薦票狀態
200+ 推薦票
榜單 
111 推薦票 
段落評論