"Now, question two: Translate the following term into hiragana."
With that, Katsura posted another placard on the blackboard, this time displaying the name Hanzo the Salamander.
Having learned from the previous question, Yahiko followed Katsura's train of thought.
After writing down every insult he could think of, Yahiko was absolutely convinced he had the right answer this time!
However...
Upon seeing Katsura reveal the correct answers.
"Cheapskate/Why aren't you dead yet?/When exactly will you croak?"
Yahiko fell silent once again.
"WHO COULD POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND THIS?!!"
"Pity. It seems no one got the second question right. Now, moving on to the third question—a final chance for those who haven't answered any correctly."
"Damn it...!!" Yahiko clenched his fists in frustration.
He hadn't gotten a single question right!
"Question: How many noses does Jackie Chan have? This is quite a difficult question, so I'll give you extra time to think. You have one hour to consider carefully."
WHO THE FUCK IS JACKIE CHAN?!
Yahiko was completely bewildered.
Wait, that's a name, right? A person's name?
If it's a person, then generally, humans only have one nose.
But... but if it's that simple, sensei wouldn't have given an hour to think.
Could there be some hidden meaning in this question?
As Yahiko furrowed his brow and pondered seriously, the hour quickly passed.
"Now, the correct answer is: Jackie Chan has... one nose!"
Snap!
The pencil in Yahiko's hand snapped in half.
His answer sheet, repeatedly erased and rewritten, ultimately exposed his final answer: a big fat zero.
"It seems only two people passed the first exam. Yahiko, do your best in the next practical test."
"Sensei, is it too late to drop out now?"
Yahiko raised his hand with a deadpan expression.
*****
"Listen well. No matter what method you use to change this sorrowful country, there's no chance without overthrowing the current regime. This nation has always faced internal strife and external threats—literally, it's clear you must resolve the internal issues first before tackling the external ones. Though history has examples of diverting internal conflicts outward to save a country, that approach doesn't suit this one."
As Katsura lectured at length, Yahiko seemed lost in thought before raising his hand.
"So, to change this country, we must oppose Hanzo? But what I want is to unite all the shinobi of this nation and stop the war through dialogue..."
Katsura nodded. "Mm, your idea is good, Yahiko, but it doesn't apply to this country. I know Hanzo's personality well—he harbors deep distrust towards any armed group within the country besides his own, fearing they might threaten his position!
And when I say 'oppose,' I mean in terms of ideology, not necessarily through direct conflict. Just like the second practical exam I arranged for you! You can seize power step by step through other means and change this country from the top down!
Afterward, with the strength and voice of an entire nation, strive to change this war-torn Shinobi World. That's my advice to you. Of course, you can act according to your own ideas, but realistically speaking, this is the path with the highest chance of success."
"Change this country from the top down..." Yahiko murmured, repeating Katsura's words as a new path suddenly unfolded in his mind.
Seeking like-minded companions, striving for the political power of this nation without bloodshed, and changing this country from the top down to influence the entire Shinobi World...
"Alright, it's time to announce the topic of the second practical exam. The test I've assigned to you is—"
With that, Katsura once again pasted a large poster onto the blackboard.
"That's right! This is your first practical exercise as Jouishishi! At dawn tomorrow, you will infiltrate Hanzo's residence for a surprise attack. Here's the structural diagram of Hanzo's place I managed to obtain. Memorize it thoroughly!"
"WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! This is way too fast—no, too radical! Didn't you just say we could seize power without shedding blood? And where the hell did you even get this floor plan?!"
"Calm down, Yahiko. I haven't finished explaining the mission yet. The specific task is—once inside Hanzo's residence—see here, these three spots. Enter these three locations and..."
Looking at the three spots Katsura pointed to on the map, Yahiko gulped involuntarily.
This practical exam... was for real!
"...flip the toilet paper roll inside the bathroom like this, so the loose end is tucked underneath!"
"WHY?!!" Yahiko had completely lost it, clutching his head and screaming in frustration.
"Why is it just toilet paper?! And why flip it upside down?! This makes no sense at all!"
"No..." Nagato stroked his chin thoughtfully, analyzing the situation seriously.
"Look closely, Yahiko. This way, they won't be able to tear the paper off easily! Sensei once said, psychological warfare is key. Doing something like this will definitely make them agitated or even slip up while using the toilet!"
"I see..." Yahiko's eyes widened, but then he immediately snapped back.
"...LIKE HELL I DO! Why focus on toilet paper when we've already infiltrated?! Besides, the moment he pulls his pants down to use the toilet, he's already at a disadvantage!"
"Impressive that you noticed, Yahiko. Truly, you're the Jouishishi I believe in!"
"AAAAAH! JUST LET ME DIE ALREADY!"
...
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the practical exam is temporarily postponed. We'll proceed directly to the third test—live combat!"
"Alright! I've been waiting for this!"
Hearing Katsura's announcement from the podium, Yahiko couldn't contain his excitement, clenching his fists with enthusiasm written all over his face.
Konan raised her hand. "Can I ask what these 'unforeseen circumstances' are?"
"Ah, excellent question. It's because I just remembered Hanzo recently replaced all his toilets with automatic bidet seats, so they don't use toilet paper anymore!"
The three kids fell into stunned silence simultaneously as they stared at Katsura, who delivered this news with utter seriousness.
....
Rainy day, outdoors.
Gazing at the three "young ones," who had clearly grown taller and more mature, Katsura's expression softened gradually.
"Congratulations. You've graduated."
Hearing this, Nagato and the others, leaning on each other as they stood opposite Katsura, welled up with tears... or so one might think.
"GRADUATE MY ASS!" Yahiko, now sporting a pitch-black afro from an explosion, pointed angrily at Katsura.
"What the hell was that silver ball that rolled over and exploded?! Was that a ninjutsu?! That's totally cheating! We didn't even get to make a move!"
Indeed, the moment the so-called sparring match officially began, the three kids had readied themselves—only for identical silver metal balls to roll toward their feet before they could act.
And then... the battle was declared over.
"Oh, you mean this?" Katsura said as he pulled out a small metal sphere from his pocket.
"This is a timed bomb."
"So... why a bomb?! Was that even part of the test?!"
"Have you forgotten what I taught you? For things that must not be lost, even dirty methods are justified!"
"Shut up!" Yahiko was truly furious, feeling the urge to part ways with him right then and there.
"And..." Katsura's expression softened once more.
"Actually, there was never any need for such a test to prove your growth. Because over these three years, I've witnessed every step of your progress."
For a moment, Yahiko and the other two widened their eyes in disbelief at Katsura's soft expression.
Soon after, they all felt their own eyes grow moist.
Even though their teacher was often scatterbrained, what they had learned from him was immeasurable—enough to last them a lifetime.
"Yahiko, your dream is still far beyond your current reach, so I'll be cheering for you. Nagato, don't forget what I once told you—I've always believed in you. Konan, girls are usually more attentive, so take care of these two careless boys."
"What's with all this sentimentality? Sensei, you're really not the type for this."
Yahiko turned his face away, lips trembling as he stubbornly held his tears back.
Memories of the three years spent with Katsura flashed through his mind.
"Now, one final question, Yahiko. What do you think a regime truly is?"
"Strength?"
"Wrong."
"Knowledge?"
"Still wrong! Listen well, Yahiko—the foundation of any regime is its people at the lowest rung! Never forget that water can both carry and capsize a boat! Farewell for now!"
With that, Katsura turned away with a flourish.
Elizabeth, tears in its eyes, raised a wooden sign that read [Goodbye T....T] before following him.
Watching Katsura's retreating figure, Yahiko's nose stung.
He then turned around, voice shaking as he spoke.
"Nagato, Konan, let's go."
Konan sighed softly at Yahiko, who could no longer hold back his tears, and teased.
"And here you were the one who argued with sensei the most..."
"Shut up! I'm not... not sad at all... sob..."
Seeing Yahiko's tear-streaked face and runny nose, Nagato and Konan exchanged a glance and smiled helplessly before taking turns comforting him.
Of course, what they didn't know was that someone was crying even harder than Yahiko—none other than Katsura himself, who was clinging to Elizabeth for comfort, his large eyes brimming with endless tears as he hiccuped.
Elizabeth gently patted the teacher who, despite his reluctance to part, had forced himself to put on a brave face in front of his students...