Second period in the afternoon, taijutsu class.
After a short warm-up lap the field broke into pairs for sparring, but Ino didn't immediately look for a partner.
"Teacher, this morning…"
She hesitated. "I did get up and run."
"I saw you. Chakra is physical plus mental energy, so every Ninja, whatever their specialty, must train the body."
Masahiko replied calmly, delivering a piece of advice with it.
Ino's eyes widened, then her smile bloomed. "Mm! I understand!"
"Remember to drag Shikamaru and Choji along. All right—go train."
Masahiko shooed her off.
Ino bounced away, over the moon, while—Bam-bam-bam!
Naruto and Sasuke traded fists and feet.
They were going at it for real, every strike full-force.
Seven-year-olds in the Ninja World are only beginners, and even with training they're not strong—yet with Chakra their blows still carry destructive power.
"Teacher…"
"Ah, no need to stop them."
Masahiko waved a hand.
Free drama? Perfect.
He chuckled. "Everyone knows a normal Genin squad has three Genin and one Jonin, right?"
The circle around him nodded.
Masahiko said, "Good. Who wants to help Sasuke, and who wants to help Naruto? Two volunteers each side."
"Me!! I'll help Sasuke!"
Sakura Haruno volunteered.
"I'll help Sasuke too!"
Hands shot up.
Masahiko smiled warmly, picked Sakura, glanced around, and randomly chose another girl.
Then he waved.
"Who's willing to help Naruto?"
In an instant the raised hands dropped.
Masahiko noticed, in an unobtrusive corner, Hinata's hand fluttering up and down, face scarlet, yet she didn't step forward.
As expected!
Who would side with Naruto except the few who skipped class together?
Shikamaru sighed and reluctantly raised his hand. "I'll do it."
Choji started to lift his hand, but Shikamaru pressed it down.
"Count me in for pounding Sasuke!"
Kiba jumped in too.
"Remember: only techniques taught at the academy."
Masahiko eyed the four.
They nodded, and then—while the battling Sasuke and Naruto stared in bewilderment—Shikamaru and Kiba charged one way, Sakura and the other girl the other.
Next moment—
"Naruto, flood the field with Clone Jutsu. Kiba, charge with me!"
Shikamaru took command.
"Got it!"
Inuzuka Kiba answered.
Naruto didn't know the plan, but he trusted Shikamaru, trusted Kiba.
He formed seals; dozens of crooked, sorry-looking clones popped up, only a few vaguely human.
Ordinary clones, no substance, but the ragged horde swallowed Shikamaru and Kiba from sight.
Amid the shifting figures the two boys "vanished."
Transformation Jutsu!
Meanwhile Sakura and the other girl rushed in eagerly.
"Sasuke, we—"
"Shut up!"
Sasuke's eyes swept the field, cold sweat beading. "Pull back!"
Teacher Masahiko was right.
Used well, even a mob of ugly clones can be terrifying—like now.
A tide of Narutos surged; he couldn't tell real from fake.
Wait!
"Third from the left—watch out!"
Sasuke's pupils shrank.
"Haha—too late!"
Boom!
The "Naruto" burst forward, kicking the slowest girl flying and cutting Sakura off from Sasuke.
Elsewhere Sasuke fought two more opponents.
Excellent as he was, two fists couldn't fend off eight. Meanwhile Kiba, one against two, was unstoppable—
Naruto might go easy on Sakura, but seven-year-old Kiba wouldn't.
Every punch and kick of his was brutal.
"Quick! I've driven them back—you handle those two, I'll take Sasuke!"
After thrashing the pair Kiba gleefully joined the Sasuke-bashing.
Alas—
"All right, stop."
Masahiko raised a hand, ending the melee.
Sasuke stared at him, unwilling, as if to say—
Why pair me with those losers?
"You three did well—especially Shikamaru, who made the most of everyone's strengths."
Masahiko praised Shikamaru.
Then he turned to Sasuke.
"Your teammates may not excel in taijutsu, but did you give them clear, effective orders?"
"How would I know what they can do?"
Sasuke shot back bluntly, nearly making Sakura cry.
Ino's expression was complicated.
She no longer idolized Sasuke, yet seeing her friend hurt left her pained and helpless.
From outside the circle she finally saw the truth—
Sakura had chosen this path herself.
There was nothing Ino could say.
"Exactly. You don't even know your classmates' abilities—hardly a qualified leader."
Masahiko nodded.
Furious yet unable to retort, Sasuke glowered, then glanced aside at Sakura and the other girl, tears shimmering. He froze.
His lip twitched; he lowered his head.
"Yes… you're right."
Nearby Naruto kept laughing as if he'd truly beaten Sasuke.
In a corner Kurama Yakumo sketched the scene, smiling softly.
Days like this… are wonderful!
After school—
"Not convinced?"
"No!"
Sasuke tilted his head, looking away.
Masahiko couldn't hold back a grin.
What a stubborn kid.
He chuckled, then looked up and waved toward a rooftop not far off.
Uchiha Itachi's impassive face twitched slightly; with a Body Flicker he arrived, glanced at the sulking Sasuke, then at Masahiko.
Masahiko swallowed a laugh and coughed. "Ahem, he got a bit bruised at school—console him when you get home."
"I wasn't bruised! They were just too weak!"
Sasuke glared.
Itachi ruffled his hair, gave a silent chuckle, and said politely, "Thank you. I'll take Sasuke home."
"Mm, I've got other business."
Masahiko didn't tag along; he waved them off.
Moments later he rejoined Yakumo and Kurenai.
Kurama Yakumo beamed. "Teacher, you planned all that today, didn't you?"
"Hmm?"
Planned what?
Kurenai's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Masahiko sighed. "Kids your age are still clueless, curious about everything…"
"I'm not."
Kurama Yakumo muttered.
Kurenai grew even more intrigued.
Masahiko gave a brief explanation, ending with, "They're too young; I just want them to see things clearly."
"You're such a gentle, kind, considerate teacher—no wonder Hokage-sama values you."
Kurenai sighed.
A fellow instructor, she could empathize with his feelings and the deeper purpose behind his actions—
If the lesson steered Sakura back on track, wonderful.
If not, perhaps it would shame her into trying harder.
If neither… then Sakura and the others were simply too blind, and no one else could be blamed.
After a while Masahiko rubbed his cheek. "Why do you keep staring at me?"
"Nothing. Every time we meet you surprise me and make me think even more highly of you."
Kurenai smiled sweetly. "You really are an incredible person."
"Am I?"
"Oh, stop chatting—let's go home and eat!"
Kurama Yakumo impatiently broke the mood.
The two adults shared a smile.
Soon the three arrived at Yakumo's new home.
This time Masahiko could clearly sense the Kurama family on the mend.
Their faces were bright with smiles.
Inside, the Room held more paintings, all in warm, gentle styles.
On the balcony Masahiko and Kurenai sat opposite each other, a bottle of shōchū and a plate of spicy stir-fried squid between them.
"Things are finally looking up—thank you so much!"
Kurenai took a small sip.
Masahiko gave a faint smile. "No need for thanks. But I didn't know you liked alcohol."
"Well… I was very shy as a child. I forced myself to change; alcohol and spice seemed to spark enthusiasm…"
Kurenai laughed softly. "In truth it just became a habit—luckily I don't drink much."
Seeing her slight embarrassment, Masahiko pondered.
Then he smiled: "Apart from what we're born with, ability and character can be reshaped by effort."
"Without effort there's no progress, but if you try, at least you won't regret it."
He took a sip of shōchū.
Kurenai blinked, then chuckled. "Masahiko-kun, you're very perceptive—but tonight's for drinking and idle talk; no need to be so sharp."
Up in the attic Kurama Yakumo held her sketchpad, capturing the moonlit scene of two friends sharing a quiet drink.
...
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