Kairi paused for a moment. Even Iruka, in the early days, hadn't known how to properly face Naruto. From the beginning, Iruka had called him "Kairi-kun" instead of "Shinatokawa-kun," while calling Naruto "Uzumaki-kun" the difference was telling.
But it was understandable. After all, Iruka's parents had died during the Nine-Tails' attack.
Thinking of this, Kairi looked at Iruka and said with quiet seriousness, "I think Naruto is a good person."
Naruto, huh? Iruka noted the casual way Kairi used the boy's name. They really must be close.
"I see. That's good to hear," Iruka replied, though he wasn't sure what else to say.
"I met Naruto even before I entered the academy," Kairi continued. "Don't react. Just watch for a moment you'll understand."
As he spoke, Kairi formed a hand seal, and in the next instant, the silhouette Iruka had always struggled to face appeared right before him.
Iruka's eyes widened. Kairi had already mastered the Transformation Jutsu? And not just that he was using it with ease. The transformed figure looked so much like Naruto that even Iruka had to do a double take. Though stunned, he remembered Kairi's words and kept silent.
Soon, new customers entered Ichiraku Ramen. But upon seeing "Naruto," their faces immediately twisted in disdain. Some even muttered curses under their breath before turning around and leaving.
Iruka watched all of this unfold, the weight in his chest growing heavier. Something inside him began to shift.
Kairi dispelled the Transformation Jutsu and looked back at Iruka. "Naruto has always been treated like this. For him to still be who he is today it's incredible. If it were me, I don't think I'd be able to stay like him."
Iruka was silent for a long while before finally speaking. "You're right. Naruto has had it really rough."
"I don't think Naruto has ever done anything wrong," Kairi continued. "He was never given the chance to. The village hates him for something his 'elders' did. But from what I know, Naruto has no living relatives. Blaming him for the sins of others is just cruel."
Iruka nodded quietly. He didn't explain that Kairi's so-called 'elders' didn't exist in Naruto's case that the villagers weren't hating a person, but the beast sealed inside him. Still, what Kairi said hit home.
Iruka had always known, deep down, that Naruto wasn't at fault. But he hadn't been able to overcome his own inner conflict. And now, after seeing firsthand how others treated Naruto, he realized that if he, as Naruto's teacher, continued to turn away, he would no longer be worthy of the title at all.
He let out a breath, as though something heavy had been lifted. Then, finally smiling, he looked at Kairi and said, "Enough of that. I can't believe you've already mastered the Transformation Jutsu and you're using it so naturally. If I didn't know you'd only just learned the Three Basic Techniques, I would've thought you'd been practicing them for months."
"They're all very basic and simple techniques," Kairi replied, then swiftly formed hand seals again.
That hand seal speed… Iruka's eyes narrowed. Then, as realization hit him, they widened further. He sat stunned, watching Kairi perform the Clone and Substitution Jutsu in seamless succession. It was shocking. If this were wartime, Kairi would already be qualified for graduation and become a genin.
He wasn't just talented he was an outright prodigy.
"Your ramen's ready, Kairi and Iruka," Teuchi called out as he brought over two heaping bowls.
"Iruka-sensei, it's time to eat," Kairi said, glancing at him.
"Oh… right," Iruka replied, still in a daze as he robotically picked up his chopsticks.
Of course, Kairi had done this deliberately. If he had the right background, he might've chosen to hide his talents. But he didn't. As a civilian-born shinobi, he needed to make his talent seen to earn the recognition and support required to advance.
If, by some miracle, he could be taken under the wing of one of the Legendary Sannin, he'd throw his old plans out the window in an instant.
But the chances were slim.
Orochimaru was already a rogue ninja. Even if he came to recruit Kairi, there was no way he could accept not with Sina to consider. Jiraiya was likely still wandering the world, chasing after his so-called prophecy while gathering intelligence. He probably wasn't returning anytime soon. And as for Tsunade, stricken by hemophobia, she had no reason to return to this painful place.
After finishing their ramen, Kairi and Iruka went their separate ways. Iruka was still visibly shaken as he left.
Seeing Iruka like that, Kairi knew he'd achieved his goal. Word of his talent would reach the Third Hokage soon enough. The old man might only hold the title of Academy Principal in name, but it still mattered.
Kairi made his way to the training grounds. Even knowing his ninjutsu talent was exceptional, he couldn't slack off on the basics. Chakra capacity was everything and that meant he had to keep working hard.
As for the Three Basic Techniques, he'd used them plenty today. Even with natural chakra recovery, he was running low. So he decided to rest that part of training for now.
Soon, it would be time to practice tree walking and eventually, water walking.
Neither required high chakra reserves, just solid chakra control. And after today's experience learning the Three Basic Techniques, Kairi felt confident he could master both quickly.
Soon, he'd be ready to spar with Rock Lee. Now that he had the Three Basic Techniques down, he could at least put up a fight. Before, it would've just been asking for a beating. Now, he might still lose but he could fight back. And that was a start.
Just learning wasn't enough. He had to battle, too. Then came Shadow Clone training… and eventually, chakra shape and nature transformation.
Kairi sighed. His head was starting to ache just thinking about it all. Things were piling up fast.
But it was good. He could clearly feel his progress. If he could keep this pace up, graduation might bring him more than just a headband it might bring him something truly remarkable.
While Kairi pressed onward along his path to strength, Iruka arrived at the Hokage's office.
He felt compelled to report Kairi's talent to the Hokage. That kind of ability deserved a better teacher.
"Well, Iruka. What brings you here?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up in mild surprise, but his voice remained gentle.
Iruka glanced briefly at the crystal ball nearby, noticing signs of recent use, but didn't give it much thought. He relayed everything he'd observed about Kairi.
"Oh? Is that so?" Hiruzen's eyes lit up with genuine astonishment. After a moment of thought, he replied, "There's no need to assign him a new teacher. I believe you're more than capable of guiding him for now. But you can begin introducing more advanced ninjutsu beyond the normal limits."
"Yes, sir," Iruka responded. After giving his full report, he took his leave.
Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe. It was still early, but he sensed this boy might have the same kind of gift as Minato once did. That kind of potential couldn't be allowed to go to waste.
It was a problem, though. Hiruzen no longer had the time or energy to personally train a student.
Jiraiya and Tsunade might've been options, but he hadn't been able to contact Tsunade in years. Jiraiya had left some way to reach him but even that was uncertain.
For now, he'd wait and see.
If Kairi truly was that gifted, then once his chakra capacity caught up, there might come a day when he could be entrusted with that jutsu just as Jiraiya had once passed it on to Minato.
If the Village Hidden in the Leaves could produce another "Yellow Flash"...
"Well now," the Third Hokage murmured, a small smile forming at the edge of his lips. "That would be something to look forward to."