Having one more student in class didn't change anything for Iruka.
If anything, he felt a bit refreshed; after all, when he'd taken Naruto to the Venue District and the boy had opened his mouth in front of Roshi and Mei Terumī, Iruka had seen a very grim future for his teaching career.
Not that he intended to dwell on whatever schemes the village higher-ups were plotting.
He'd long since decided that if the village ever shipped him off to some overseas assignment, he wouldn't be the least bit surprised.
After a month of inner turmoil, the big result turned out to be… one more student? "There's more?"
When the new notice arrived, Iruka froze. It wasn't even the academic transfer period—where were all these transfer students coming from? Back when he'd been at the Ninja Academy himself, outsiders had been rare.
"Any problem?" Ebisu pushed his sunglasses up. "It's a Village directive."
The elite instructor had his reasons. Students sent over by Kumogakure wouldn't be mediocre, and putting them in ordinary classes would only make Konoha's kids look bad. Much better to drop them into Iruka's class; with Uchiha Sasuke—the top student of the year—holding the line, those Cloud kids wouldn't be able to outshine everyone.
"But Kumogakure's teaching methods and Konoha's…"
"We follow our rules."
Faced with a senior and Special Jonin like Ebisu, Iruka didn't press further.
He'd already benefited from plenty of leniency; whenever something went wrong, Ebisu might scowl in the moment, but afterward he never laid on excessive blame.
So Iruka obediently went to collect the newcomers. When the five boys and girls from Kumogakure walked into the classroom, the place instantly exploded into noise. Keeping order, teaching the lesson, answering a barrage of curious questions—it was a chaotic day, but he managed to muddle through.
Just when he thought he might finally see the day end in peace, the least reassuring brat in the room jumped up again.
"Iruka-sensei! I've mastered the Transformation Jutsu!"
The corner of Iruka's eye twitched.
Hand seals, a puff of white smoke—and out popped a pint-sized "Iruka," his features twisted like someone had socked him in the face and the swelling hadn't gone down yet.
"Fail."
"But I did transform, Iruka-sensei."
"No good."
"Aaaargh—" Naruto released the jutsu and clawed at his hair. "I already told Shikamaru and the rest! This time I'm definitely gonna test for Chakra nature!"
"That's the penalty for not studying Ninjutsu properly, Naruto." Iruka gathered up his lesson plans. "It has nothing to do with me."
But seeing Naruto's expression, he added, "In any case, until you've mastered the basics, I'm not giving you a Chakra-nature test."
"Still, since you've been working hard, I'm treating you to ramen today."
Naruto was still drooping, so Iruka turned away. "If you don't want it, forget it."
"Ah! Let's go! I'm eating five bowls!"
"No—two. I haven't gotten paid yet." Iruka waved him off.
"Stingy." Naruto glared.
"Show some gratitude, Naruto!" Iruka rapped him on the head with the rolled-up plans.
"Ow… fine. Geez, adults are so petty…"
The two of them left the Academy one after the other, Naruto stepping on Iruka's shadow and muttering that he'd definitely nail it next time. Near the fork toward the commercial street, Naruto suddenly skidded to a stop.
"Ah, it's Roshi—"
The rest stuck in his throat—Iruka's hand had already clamped down on his shoulder, fingers tightening until Naruto bared his teeth.
He was spun around to face Iruka.
Iruka's eyes looked empty; the corners of his mouth were lifted in a smile that held no warmth at all.
"Naruto."
The blond's cheek muscles twitched.
"Do you want to never see your teacher again?"
The boy shook his head so hard his goggles rattled. "N-no, Iruka-sensei… you're scary…"
"Then think of it as me begging you," Iruka said, forcing a smile. "We're going to get ramen right now, and sensei will even pay for extra fishcake on top."
He didn't even dare picture what Naruto might yell next—probably something like asking that long-haired beauty where she was headed.
If that happened, even banishing him overseas might not be enough.
"Y-yes, sir…"
Naruto hunched his shoulders and let himself be half-dragged away by Iruka.
——
Naruto had just shifted his weight to sprint when Roshi suddenly stopped. Samui followed his line of sight.
"That kid… he's the one from the ramen stand earlier."
"And the other one is Chūnin Iruka, right?"
Roshi nodded.
They watched Iruka haul Naruto around the corner until both vanished from view.
"Those two seem close," Samui remarked. "More than just teacher and student."
"Almost like a parent and child."
"Going by age, it's more like an older brother and a bratty little kid," Roshi said—Iruka was only about ten years older than Naruto, after all.
"Among this exchange group is Atsui—your little brother, right, Samui?"
Samui turned her gaze away. "Being an older sister feels different from being an older brother."
"Atsui insisted on coming early so he could spar with Konoha ninja."
"If I had my way, I'd send him straight back."
"He's bound to cause trouble at the Academy."
"Don't make Ebisu's life any harder—he just finished organizing the classes," Roshi said.
"Besides, Atsui's in his sixth year. He can graduate anytime. These Konoha–Kumogakure exchanges are meant to sharpen both sides for the upcoming tournament."
"Getting in some early practice fits that perfectly."
"And you, Samui, will be teaching at the Academy. If anything happens, big sister can clean up the mess."
The usually impassive Cloud kunoichi let out a quiet sigh.
Roshi smoothly shifted the topic. "By the way, a lot of cloud ninjas have shoulder tattoos."
"They're awarded only for outstanding prowess in a given field," Samui explained.
"Atsui's goal is to earn the 'Heat' tattoo on his shoulder."
"Konoha ninja must have similar traditions."
"The Anbu do."
It wasn't exactly classified—Konoha's Anbu wore their arm tattoos openly, especially with those sleeveless uniforms.
They turned into a narrow side street.
Wooden townhouses lined both sides, their windows glowing with warm lamplight. A confectionery sat at the far end.
They pushed aside the noren and stepped in; a wave of sweetness washed over them. The shop was empty, so they chose a table deeper inside. After the proprietress brought tea and two plates of dango, then quietly withdrew,
Samui spoke in a low voice. "About the ninja who vanished from our village—still no news. But the Raikage just sent fresh intel."
"During the Five Kage Summit, Kumogakure wasn't the only one that lost a squad. Sunagakure likely did as well."
"Also at sea?"
"Yes. All of them disappeared while on maritime patrol."
Roshi fell silent. Don't tell me another movie plot is starting early…
From the Box of Paradise to the Sky Ninja and the demon Mōryō… "Understood. Konoha will contact Sunagakure first to confirm."
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