"Uchiha Rukawa, don't you think you went a bit too far?!"
Iruka took a deep breath and scolded him solemnly.
"Too far? I don't think so. On the battlefield, these weaklings would've lost their heads already."
Rukawa's tone remained calm.
"If anything, Iruka-sensei, you failed as a teacher. You never taught them to respect strength."
"They can't read the room. When they graduate and take on real missions, they'll be the first to die."
"So really, Iruka-sensei, you should be thanking me for giving them this lesson."
Iruka: "..."
He never expected to get lectured by one of his own students.
"Ah! What the heck?! Why is there a huge hole in my pants?!"
"Damn it! It had to be Uchiha Rukawa! How dare he humiliate us like this?!"
The boys finally caught on.
Each one covered their pants, faces red with embarrassment as they glared daggers at Rukawa.
"Oh? Looks like you still haven't learned your lesson."
Rukawa narrowed his eyes, a dangerous aura leaking from his body.
Iruka's expression changed. He quickly barked at the kids:
"What are you doing?! Apologize to Rukawa now!
If that shuriken had aimed for your heads instead of your pants, do you think you'd still be standing?!"
"But... Iruka-sensei..."
One of the boys tried to protest, but Iruka cut him off coldly.
"No buts! Do as I say! One day, you'll understand why I made you apologize."
He put on his teacher's face, and it worked.
The boys clutched their tattered pants and bowed their heads.
"S-sorry, Rukawa. We shouldn't have doubted you."
Of course, none of them meant it.
Getting pantsed and then forced to apologize? Yeah, they were fuming inside.
Rukawa didn't spare them a glance. He turned and walked away, his figure cool and composed.
Behind him, a group of girls erupted into cheers.
"So cool! Rukawa-kun is just too cool!"
"So domineering! I love this side of him even more!"
"Nobody touch him! Rukawa-kun is mine!"
"What did you say, you bimbo?! Rukawa-kun belongs to me!"
"....."
Iruka ignored the squealing fan club.
Instead, he stared at Rukawa's retreating figure, still shaken.
So this is a Uchiha...
Truly a clan of geniuses.
To show this level of power at such a young age...
He might have already surpassed his brother, Uchiha Itachi.
Iruka reflected on Rukawa's burst of speed, his mastery of shuriken throwing—things even a Chūnin like himself couldn't replicate.
That boy had already surpassed the Chūnin level.
A seven-year-old stronger than most ninjas. Terrifying.
Still, he was a child of Konoha.
Once Rukawa grew up, the village would only become stronger.
Iruka smiled faintly, feeling unexpectedly proud. That's my student.
He needed to report this to the Third Hokage right away. The old man would be thrilled.
Just as he was about to head out, a mop of blond hair came bouncing into view.
"Iruka-sensei! Iruka-sensei! Where's that Rukawa guy? Lord Naruto wants to challenge him!"
Naruto looked around excitedly, clearly hunting for Rukawa.
Iruka's face turned stern.
"Uzumaki Naruto! Where were you just now? Why are you so late?!"
"Uh..."
Naruto scratched his head, looking sheepish. "I had too much instant ramen last night and got a stomachache... I was stuck in the bathroom."
"And you didn't think to tell me in advance?"
"Forgot!"
Naruto answered proudly like it was no big deal.
Iruka sighed heavily.
Naruto didn't care. He pumped his fists and grinned.
"Iruka-sensei, bring Rukawa out! Lord Naruto wants to challenge him!"
"Rukawa went home. He had something important to do."
"Hmph! Clearly, he ran away because he was scared of Lord Naruto's strength!
Hahaha! Tomorrow, I'm totally gonna mock him in front of everyone!"
Naruto stood triumphantly, hands on his hips.
Like he'd just scared off the strongest kid in school.
"Ah, right. Of course."
Considering Rukawa could probably smack Naruto like swatting a fly, Iruka didn't bother explaining.
Let the knucklehead learn the hard way.