"Well, today I conducted a mock combat exam during my morning class," Mokgetsu recounted the events of the class to Tanimura Toshihiro.
However, Mokgetsu slightly embellished the students' critiques, otherwise, they would have been too harsh.
"I just wanted to motivate them to be more diligent in their cultivation. I didn't expect this to happen. I'm really sorry," Mokgetsu said apologetically.
"It's my fault for being too harsh in my evaluations. I should be more lenient with them," Mokgetsu took all the blame upon himself.
Even though the real issue was Tanimura Toshihiro's inadequate teaching, which led to student dissatisfaction, Mokgetsu had merely ignited it.
But Mokgetsu didn't want his image to crack, so he chose to tell Tanimura Toshihiro everything directly and admitted his mistake, claiming he accidentally went wrong despite good intentions.
This way, no matter how much the situation was clarified, Mokgetsu wouldn't be seen as a person with ulterior motives.
After all, he informed Tanimura Toshihiro right after the incident, showing concern for his colleague, so how could he have ill intentions?
"Well..." Tanimura Toshihiro was momentarily at a loss for words.
He knew in his heart that the students were right; his teaching indeed couldn't compare to Mokgetsu's, it was just average.
But nobody at the Ninja Academy could compare to Mokgetsu, a new teacher who became famous across the school within a couple of months, recognized by both students and teachers, and even summoned and praised by the Third.
For an ordinary teacher like himself, comparing to Mokgetsu was just asking for trouble.
"I've already told them not to discuss you, but they are kids, so who knows what they are genuinely thinking," Mokgetsu sighed, looking at Tanimura Toshihiro with an apologetic expression.
"It's alright, I don't mind. After all, they are just six-year-old kids," Tanimura Toshihiro said with a hearty laugh.
Even if criticized by the students, Tanimura Toshihiro wouldn't give up his position as the Taijutsu teacher for Class 1-A.
Since Class 1-A had excellent practical results, not only securing the top two in the grade's combat, but also leading in average class combat scores in first grade.
Even though he knew these results were not due to his teaching abilities, these were solid results—performance wasn't a worry, and bonuses would only increase.
"I know you, Teacher Habu; I know you have the students' best interests at heart," Tanimura Toshihiro acknowledged Mokgetsu's good intentions.
Despite the incident, Tanimura Toshihiro still regarded Mokgetsu as a good-natured colleague who came to apologize as soon as something went wrong.
This morning was originally supposed to be Tanimura Toshihiro's Taijutsu class, but he had something to do, so he swapped with Mokgetsu's afternoon class, and Mokgetsu agreed immediately.
He had heard of Mokgetsu substituting for other teachers; he himself found it hard to do so often—even once or twice a week was difficult for him.
With high teaching standards and leading class performance for the whole grade, receiving praise from the Third, and having a handsome appearance and good temper, Tanimura Toshihiro could only say the office lady teachers discussing Mokgetsu daily wasn't without reason.
He knew the root of the issue was his inadequate teaching, as it had always been through the years.
But Tanimura Toshihiro wasn't about to give up his position as the Taijutsu teacher of Class 1-A, teaching at the Ninja Academy was meant to be a safe way to make money; it was a chance for significant bonuses while lying low.
"It's good to know you think that way, Tanimura Teacher, it puts my mind at ease," Mokgetsu appeared relaxed, showing a gentle smile.
"Haha, let's grab a drink at the izakaya sometime," Tanimura Toshihiro also laughed.
Mokgetsu nodded with a smile and, after chatting with Tanimura Toshihiro about inconsequential topics, found an excuse and left.
After returning to the office, the nearby female teacher curiously asked:
"Tanimura Teacher, what did Teacher Habu want with you?"
"Nothing much, just some minor issues among students, but Teacher Habu is really something," Tanimura Toshihiro replied as he sat down.
Feeling too embarrassed to spread the fact that students criticized him for his lack of teaching skills, he used Mokgetsu as an excuse to start a conversation with the female teacher.
Only when the class bell rang did Tanimura Toshihiro head towards Class 1-A.
Upon entering the classroom, Tanimura Toshihiro didn't feel much difference compared to before. As usual, he started with some Taijutsu theory, then took the students for a run.
After running, Tanimura Toshihiro began teaching Taijutsu routines, demonstrating them once, before letting the students practice on their own.
"Tanimura Teacher, can you teach it a few more times? I didn't quite understand just now," Anko asked.
"These are the most basic techniques. If you don't understand, it means you haven't practiced enough. Just practice more," Tanimura Toshihiro replied.
"But Teacher Mokgetsu always demonstrates many times, and breaks it down very detailed for us," Anko retorted.
"Ninjutsu and Taijutsu aren't the same," Tanimura Toshihiro explained.
"But Taijutsu also has a lot of practical skills and details. Shouldn't these be explained in detail?" Hagane Kotetsu questioned.
Tanimura Toshihiro was at a loss for words. As a slacking Chunin Teacher, where was he supposed to have so many practical skills and details to teach? He casually dismissed it with a sentence.
Then a lot of students asked various questions and offered all kinds of suggestions.
"Alright, alright, you guys just train, and save the questions for next class," being bombarded with questions by dozens of students, Tanimura Toshihiro felt like his head was about to explode.
"Tanimura Teacher, how about we both compromise? We won't ask questions, and you won't have to teach us," Kamizuki Izumo suggested.
Tanimura Toshihiro was bewildered. He thought to himself, are students so defiant now, directly suggesting that the teacher doesn't teach?
But the more aggressive ones followed suit.
"Tanimura Teacher, I think it's about time you retire. Ever since learning your Shuriken Throwing, I haven't hit the bullseye once."
"Tanimura Teacher, ever since your Taijutsu class, the whole grade praises how well our class learns Ninjutsu."
Listening to the students' sharp words, Tanimura Toshihiro was shocked. In over three years of teaching, he had never encountered a situation like this.
He mused that previous classes weren't particularly fond of him either, but it had never gotten to this point.
Tanimura Toshihiro was glad Mokgetsu warned him in advance, otherwise, he would have been utterly confused.
"Ahem, everyone quiet down, I'll demonstrate a few more times," Tanimura Toshihiro cleared his throat and said helplessly.
As Tanimura Toshihiro continued, he discovered something interesting: although the students were dissatisfied with him, they hadn't stopped training; in fact, they seemed even more earnest than before.
He was puzzled; logically, if they disliked him, why were they still so diligent in cultivation?
Tanimura Toshihiro thought it must have been due to Mokgetsu's influence, causing the students to remain diligent despite their dissatisfaction with him.
Tanimura Toshihiro felt thankful yet envious of Mokgetsu's control over the class.
"Just get through this year," Tanimura Toshihiro didn't want to give up the position as the Taijutsu teacher for Class 1-A; maybe he could still aim for being recognized as an excellent teacher.
If it had been an ordinary class, and the students spoke to him this way, he would have educated a few on the spot, letting them know what Chunin strength was.
But this was Class 1-A, the top-performing class in the entire school.
The more Tanimura Toshihiro taught, the more the students realized this teacher really wasn't up to par, strengthening their resolve to switch teachers.