Chapter 17
Iruka didn't even want to know their names, after all, these haplings who would die the moment they left the village. He didn't have much time to teach them anything useful. A year was just enough time to get attached, but nothing else.
People like the Principal, who sat behind a desk all day, didn't know what grief was, what it meant to be powerless at the sight of your dearest comrades and friends dying before your eyes.
To them, reality was just numbers. They did not see the blood and sweat. They did not see the bodies that had to be left behind or destroyed on the spot. They did not see the ones who would never return home.
But Iruka wasn't one to give up so easily. Some might see these students and think that they were lost causes, but Iruka knew better. After all, wasn't he one of them once, too?
When he came to this world, he also had only one year in the academy to learn everything he needed. Back then, the lessons were far harsher. Not surprising when it was just the beginning of a peaceful era, following a brutal Third Shinobi War.
Still, he had no idea what he was doing and just tried his best to build up his skills. But now, he could teach them from the mistakes he had made. As long as it was possible, Iruka would give it his best shot.
"Teamwork is what will keep you all alive," Iruka said. "Whether it's only one enemy or a dozen, you always need to trust your teammates to have your back. You will all make mistakes while facing your enemy. It is up to your teammates to cover those mistakes."
All Iruka could do was make sure that, in whatever team they ended up in, they could work well together. Even with average skills, with teamwork, they could surpass most opponents.
It was something he failed to realize at their age. He didn't even think about working with others and only focused on himself. He still couldn't believe how arrogant he was to think that just because, in his mind, he was older than other kids, he was better.
If not for his sensei, he probably would have long been dead. Even a hopeless kid like him had a chance in this life because of his sensei. And knowing that it was Iruka who got him killed made it far worse.
"Good, do not give up on the momentum," Iruka continued as he observed the battle of three versus three.
One of the teams had the momentum and was pushing the other down. But it wasn't a real battle, so Iruka gave the other team a few pointers on how to counter it and reverse the situation before giving points to another team.
None of them had an advantage, and either team would have fallen a long time ago. But Iruka continued to put fuel into the fight and kept it going until they were all completely exhausted—another lesson they would have to learn.
Even with little stamina, as long as one preserved themselves and their teammates watched over each other, they could fight for far longer than expected. Giving one of their teammates time to catch their breath could save their lives in the long run.
"If you are pushed too hard and have no way to counter it, let them push further. If you can make them think that you have lost, you can trap them. Always be aware of your expressions. If you show weakness, shinobi will instinctively try to use it. That's why it isn't too difficult to fool others. But the same goes for all of you, too."
It was the only way for the weak to fight—use any and every trick they could think of. Whatever enemy they might face, they would be able to stand against them if they just learned this. And as long as Iruka could teach them that, he wouldn't feel too bad letting them into the real world.
But for now, it was fine for them to learn what tactics could be used with a team. How different any battle was when teams were involved. Tactics that one couldn't ever use by themselves were possible with a team.
"Next teams, prepare."
Two teams of three at a time, Iruka watched over their fights, commented on their mistakes, and advised them on what they should do. If there was anything Iruka could compliment them on, it was their maturity.
Every single one of them knew what they were getting into. And they also knew what they were lacking. So, they listened to Iruka's words wholeheartedly and, like sponges, absorbed everything he taught them.
It was hard not to get attached to them when they acted like this. And if he wasn't careful, he might start liking them. So, he hoped that they would survive—and that they wouldn't make him worry about them too much.
"The rest, observe well and think about what you would have done in their situations."
Somehow, Iruka got into the rhythm of teaching quite well. He could see now if someone was paying attention or if they were understanding what he was trying to teach. It was quite simple to see when someone was just looking but wasn't actually seeing anything.
Even though they had less than a year, rushing things wasn't a solution. And they did seem to have taken his advice to train by themselves at home.
But even now, Iruka was quite concerned about the eyes watching him rather than his students. It took a lot out of him not to react to them. All his training screamed to get rid of them.
Did they think he could not escape from their sight? It hadn't been a problem in the past few days, and it wouldn't be a problem now—though it did cut into the time he had to investigate Danzo.
He knew he wouldn't be able to find anything without infiltrating Root headquarters. But that was easier said than done. He didn't even know where they were, and he couldn't guess what kind of security they had.
It was nothing like the house and the office of the Principal, where he could get in and out easily. All he could do now was try to track their movements—and that wasn't easy either.
Well, by now, Iruka knew very well that nothing was easy in this life. So, he wasn't too rushed. Slowly, he would push Danzo into a corner, where he would have no choice but to reveal his secrets. And then, he would be dealt with.
…
The Shinobi world was full of whispers and lies. One needed to listen carefully and see through them to manage in that kind of world. Of course, it helped knowing the future—and he knew Mizuki was a shallow man who was already a traitor or soon would be.
But the question of what the hell he was doing in the Academy still stood. Iruka tried to stay away from him, but because of the childhood he had no control over, that bastard thought he could boss him around.
Iruka quickly showed that he had no intention of holding back with him, and he hoped Mizuki would get that message by beating him down. But it seemed it only fueled his resentment, and over the years, he tried to get in Iruka's way every opportunity he got.
Now, Iruka wanted to know why he was here. Did it have anything to do with Danzo or the Principal? It wasn't a secret in the village that Iruka had beaten him a few times and even broken his leg not too long ago. So, it wouldn't surprise him if either of them decided to use Mizuki against him.
"Iruka." The smug bastard thought too much of himself, too arrogant to see how mediocre he was.
"What do you want?" Iruka had to be direct with him because he was too stupid to read between the lines.
"What? Can't I greet my colleague? And don't talk to me with that tone—who are you to question me?"
Did he just come here to piss him off? Or maybe he wanted to get punched in his ugly face? Iruka was sure that the Principal would be more than happy to use it against him. He was probably quite desperate to use anything against Iruka.
"I don't know what kind of games you are playing, Mizuki, but don't involve me in them," Iruka warned. But if a broken leg wasn't enough of a warning not to cross him, he doubted Mizuki would listen to anything he had to say. "Stay out of my sight, and you can play at being a teacher all you want, pathetic fool."
"If you want to know, I am now—"
"I don't care."
Iruka just walked past him. He had already given him more time than he deserved, and only because they met in the hallway. Iruka had more important things to do than talk to that shitface.
The bar was waiting for him, and since his work hours were over, there wasn't much reason to stay any longer. Still, he couldn't do that now, could he? He needed to get into shape, and even if he thought he could take the day off, it didn't feel right.
For once, he followed what he taught others—he used the anger that Mizuki reignited and decided to once again push his body to its limits in hopes that it would get better. He didn't have much hope of getting stronger, but he at least wished to be in top condition when he slit Danzo's throat wide open.
…
It shouldn't have surprised Iruka to find someone else using the training grounds. Especially someone as desperate as Rock Lee to prove himself. This kid was a monster. He couldn't understand how others didn't see it.
Even if he couldn't use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, Rock Lee's mind was as solid as a rock. A body can be trained, but a mind has to be forged. Maybe not the smartest or quickest-witted, Rock Lee was determined, and nothing would make him give up.
Iruka could see his frustrations, his doubts. Even now, as he kicked the tree for the thousandth time, his face didn't betray tiredness but frustration. He was human and a kid, so of course, he would feel that way.
What made Rock Lee different from others was that it didn't make him give up. All his life, Rock Lee had probably heard that he could not be a shinobi, that he should give up. And yet, he hadn't. His mind was set, and all of their comments only served to keep him going and trying.
To him, it wasn't about failing or succeeding. It was about him giving his all. He might fail a thousand times, but he will try a thousand and one times.
Iruka admired that, and he wished he could have such a drive. But he was a man—a shinobi whose mind was filled with guilt, anger, and grief. And only that was what pushed him forward.
"You will be a great shinobi, Rock Lee," Iruka couldn't help but say aloud.
"Iruka-sensei?"
"Ignore me and continue your training. I was only passing by," Iruka said. "I just wanted you to know that whatever others might say, or whatever you might feel, I believe that if you continue to sincerely follow this path, you will one day be a great shinobi."
"Thank you, sensei!" Rock Lee bowed his head deeply to Iruka.
"If you need any advice or help with training, don't be afraid to ask."
Damn it, there he went again, getting attached to someone else. But how could he not like someone like Rock Lee? If there was anything Iruka could do to help him reach his potential, then he would be more than happy to do it.
Even if he didn't need Iruka's help, if he could become stronger, even a little bit stronger than he was supposed to be, then Iruka thought it would be a victory. No matter how small the change was, he wanted to make it.
But it would be quite embarrassing to be surpassed by his students. So, he'd better try his best too and learn this damn jutsu quickly. He still couldn't comprehend how Shisui made such a simple jutsu so effective, but if that idiot could do it, there was no reason he wouldn't be able to replicate it.
A.N. As always, thanks for reading and supporting me, so I can continue writing without any concerns, and if you want more, up to 7 more chapters and 28 chapters in total with all my other stories, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852.