Konoha Ninja Academy.
Sasuke sat in the front row, frowning as he looked at his book.
In the row behind him, Ino was slumped over her desk, looking listless.
"Shikamaru..."
"Tell me, when is Masahiko-sensei coming back? They've been gone for almost a week."
"..."
Shikamaru was truly speechless.
Choji was off to the side, munching on snacks during the break between classes.
"Shikamaru!"
"How should I know!"
Shikamaru finally muttered impatiently.
However...
He thought about it and said, "It should be soon."
"Why?"
Ino perked up instantly.
Shikamaru said weakly, "My dad and Uncle Inoichi returned to the village yesterday. There seem to be changes in their work... It's just a guess, no guarantees."
"Great!"
Ino was suddenly full of energy, even taking out a mirror and some makeup supplies.
Shikamaru was dumbfounded.
He said they might return soon, not that they would definitely be back today!
After a few seconds, he turned his head away.
Women are such a drag!
Fortunately, the person she liked wasn't him.
Shikamaru looked to the other side, seeing Naruto's seat which had been empty for a week, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.
"Hey, speaking of which... do you still remember the look in the Daimyos Wife's eyes when she looked at Naruto that day?"
"The look?"
Ino was slightly taken aback.
After thinking for a moment, she shook her head and said, "I didn't really notice."
At that moment, a faint sound came from beside Ino.
"Here."
Hmm?
Shikamaru turned his head and saw Kurama Yakumo handing over a drawing.
He froze for a moment before taking it.
Ino glanced at it and couldn't help but be stunned: "Why did you draw it like this?"
In the drawing, Masahiko was behind Naruto, but in front of him was a patch of mist and heavy shadows.
This seemed to represent some kind of omen.
"This means... in Yakumo's eyes, those people are not friendly, and the prospects for Naruto and Sensei going to Kyoto are not good."
Shikamaru explained in a low voice.
Yakumo didn't speak, sitting quietly to the side.
Only then did Ino realize that Yakumo's mood had actually been quite low these past few days.
She pondered for a moment... "Yakumo, I don't think I've ever been to your house. Can I visit you this afternoon?"
"Ah?"
Kurama Yakumo was surprised at first, then quickly nodded, "Of course, my parents will definitely be very happy to have you."
"Then thank you so much!"
Ino pressed her hands together in thanks.
At that moment, the bell rang.
Outside the door, Iruka Umino strode in. Seeing everyone looking listless, he immediately smiled:
"I have some good news for everyone... Masahiko-sensei will be back by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
The class erupted in cheers.
Recently, all the Taijutsu classes had been taught by Mizuki as a substitute.
Mizuki wasn't weak; relatively speaking, he was quite good for a Chunin in all aspects.
The premise was—
Not comparing him to Masahiko.
As long as everyone compared Mizuki to Masahiko, they felt more and more that Mizuki's Taijutsu classes were dull and boring.
If conditions allowed, they even wished Masahiko could teach them all their classes.
Hearing that Masahiko was coming back, even Sasuke couldn't help but show a smile... The next afternoon.
At the village entrance, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane were Coming Home from an outside mission when they saw a group of children being led by a Ninja to sweep the streets.
The group was sweeping the floor and supervising the street tidying while keeping their eyes fixed on the main gate.
The two couldn't help but stop for a few seconds.
"What are they doing?"
"I don't know."
Izumo Kamizuki shook his head, then focused his gaze and saw a team leader Ninja up ahead. He walked up to greet him: "Iruka."
"It's Izumo and Kotetsu. You guys are back too?"
Iruka smiled.
They were all from the same batch. When they were still Genin, they often gathered together.
After graduation, they all got busy, and their gatherings became fewer and farther between.
Kotetsu Hagane asked with a smile: "What are you guys doing here?"
"Hahaha..."
Iruka gave a dry laugh, glanced at the children, and said, "These kids heard that Masahiko-kun is coming back soon and insisted on coming out to meet him."
"Masahiko?"
Izumo Kamizuki was surprised at first, then asked curiously, "I remember he became a Special Jonin recently... Didn't he go out on a mission as a teacher?"
"No, he's still a teacher. He's currently serving as the education class monitor of the Ninja Academy."
Iruka answered.
???
education class monitor?
Surprise appeared on the faces of both Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
The two were silent for a few seconds before saying, "What exactly has happened during the half-month we've been out on a mission?"
"I can't explain it in just a few words. Let's get together and chat after I'm done with class,"
Iruka said.
Izumo Kamizuki nodded in agreement.
The two went to register. After they were done, they still felt it was surreal.
They were all from civilian backgrounds and naturally stayed in touch, but after becoming Chunin these past two years, they had indeed been in contact less frequently.
When they suddenly heard that Masahiko had been promoted to Chunin and then quickly to Special Jonin, they both thought it was incredible.
And now... education class monitor!
This was an important position that only a Jonin of many years could hold. Previously, it was basically held by elderly Jonin or Jonin from certain clans.
Everyone is from the same batch, why are you so strong?!
While the two were lamenting, they vaguely heard faint cheers in the distance.
They looked towards the sound and saw a figure sprinting towards them from the end of La Strada, waving a piece of clothing as he ran.
That head of yellow hair was very conspicuous.
"It's that..."
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Izumo Kamizuki finished the sentence, and Kotetsu Hagane nodded repeatedly.
After Naruto came sprinting over, they saw Yagyu Masahiko's incredibly handsome face, as well as Kurenai Yuhi walking beside him... The scene touched a chord in them, and they couldn't help but feel bitter.
When they were in school, they were in the same class as Masahiko, and they were basically never noticed by girls.
Who would have thought... after graduation, this guy had been quiet for years and suddenly surpassed them, and his luck with women was still so good!
"This is so frustrating!"
Kotetsu Hagane's eyes turned red with envy.
Kurenai Yuhi was the flower of their generation; who wouldn't be envious?
The result...
Now... Izumo Kamizuki gritted his teeth and said, "He has to treat us tonight!"
"Right, right, right!"
The two were no longer in a hurry to go back and report their mission; they also waited at the gate.
Naruto dashed into the village. Seeing everyone sweeping the floor, he laughed on the spot: "Hahaha, are you guys sweeping at the main gate to welcome this great me?"
"Naruto! You idiot, get out of the way! Don't block Sensei!"
Sakura Haruno gnashed her teeth.
The others were also shouting, telling him to hurry up and get out of the way, not to block the road.
Only Hinata whispered softly: "Naruto, welcome back!"
Unfortunately, her voice couldn't even be heard by the people next to her, let alone Naruto.
Naruto didn't feel sad at all; instead, he laughed arrogantly.
Having seen the beauties outside, he still felt that this group of classmates was more lovable and that spending time with them was more free and easy.
No one was truly angry either.
As Masahiko, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi stepped into the gate, before they even had time to register, a group of people surrounded them.
Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma used Body Flicker to dodge to the side, covering their mouths and chuckling.
"Is Masahiko this popular?"
Asuma was completely bewildered.
"Of course. You'll know once you've been here for a while."
Kurenai Yuhi replied, but her eyes remained on Masahiko.
"Well, I'll go register first..."
Asuma sighed softly, withdrew his gaze, and walked towards the registration desk.
In any case, he should go see the Old Man first.
He composed his thoughts and left silently.
Masahiko greeted everyone one by one and spent a good while comforting them before they quieted down and obediently went back to continue their Social Practice Class.
Only then did he see Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki.
"Kotetsu, Izumo, you're back from a mission too?"
"Yeah."
Izumo walked over with a serious expression, "Iruka said earlier we should get together tonight. Will you come too?"
"Sure, I'll come after I'm done. My treat."
Masahiko's smile was bright.
He had always wanted to find Izumo, but previously he had either been busy or hadn't had the chance to run into him. This time was perfect.