In the morning, during the brief lull between classes, the Ninja Academy buzzed with a newfound energy.
"Have you heard? There's going to be a new teacher today!" "Really?" "Yeah, I heard he's quite young. I hope he's handsome!" The girls whispered among themselves, their giggles echoing through the hallway.
In contrast, the boys propped up their heads listlessly, only a few paying any real attention to the upcoming lesson. "Shikamaru, I'm out of snacks..." Choji muttered, his stomach rumbling. "Do you want to sneak out next period to buy some?"
"Idiot, it's the new teacher's first class. He'll take attendance!" Shikamaru sighed silently, his gaze drifting toward Naruto.
Naruto was unusually quiet today. That cold face and those sharp eyes from earlier remained etched in his mind, refusing to fade. He didn't understand why everyone looked at him with that same haunting expression.
Bang!
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!" Naruto roared, slamming his hands on his desk, completely ignoring the fact that he was still in the classroom.
Just then, a figure walked through the door. Naruto froze. As if pricked by a needle, he suddenly jumped onto his desk, puffing out his chest to act tough. "You dare follow me here? Do you want to duel with the great Naruto?"
What greeted him was not anger, but a handsome man's helpless face and waves of screams from the surrounding girls. "Naruto, you idiot! Show some respect to strangers!" Sakura Haruno's roar shook the room.
Naruto shrunk back, watching as the man ignored him entirely. The newcomer walked to the podium, turned around, and began writing his name on the blackboard with elegant strokes. Then, he faced the crowd with a gentle, disarming smile.
"This is my name. Starting today, unless something unexpected happens, I will be spending five years with you."
Last night, Yagyu Masahiko had specifically practiced that "smiling" expression. He was confident—smiling like this was definitely the right move.
Sure enough, even louder cheers erupted in the classroom. In contrast, Naruto gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath but not daring to speak out. Masahiko's gaze swept over the class, lingering on Naruto for a split second until his expression "froze" into a subtle look of distaste.
Naruto noticed it keenly. He was all too familiar with that sudden change in atmosphere. His eyes burned with fury.
Latch onto the spotlight... get the screen time, Masahiko thought. Whether playing a villain or a hero, he had to provoke Naruto's emotions to provide enough footage for the edit.
"Class is about to start," Masahiko smiled. "Since this is the first lesson, I'd like to ask for your opinions. Would you rather chat or go out for practical training?"
"Training! I want to challenge you!" An arrogant voice rang out instantly.
Masahiko smiled dashingly. As expected, Naruto was the first to shout. Figures stood up one after another, their excitement clear. "Then let's go."
Ding, ding, ding!
On the training ground, the boys and girls were lined up on opposite sides. Masahiko smiled gently at the blonde boy standing at the front. "So, Uzumaki Naruto, did you say you wanted to challenge me?"
"That's right! Because I'm the man who will become Hokage!" Naruto jumped out, looking proud.
"Don't keep talking about things from your dreams; it only makes you look weak," Masahiko chuckled.
"I'm not dreaming!" Naruto roared, his face flushing.
Masahiko gave a noncommittal smile, stepped forward, and formed the Seal of Confrontation. Naruto followed suit and charged forward with a shout, his fist thrusting straight ahead. Masahiko remained motionless.
"What is the teacher doing?!" Sakura and Ino cried out, their eyes wide with anxiety.
At the very instant Naruto was about to land a hit, the figure in front of him flickered, distorted, and disappeared with a sharp swoosh. "How is that possible!"
Clone Jutsu? Kage Bunshin? No... Shunshin no Jutsu!
Naruto was stunned. In the next instant, a figure appeared behind him, lifting him off his feet by his collar just as his punch met thin air. Is this the level a Ninja Academy teacher should have? Uchiha Sasuke watched, his pupils shrinking in shock.
"Focusing on what's in front while ignoring what's behind... a reckless brat like you..." Masahiko leaned in close to Naruto's ear, his voice dropping to a cold whisper. "I wouldn't be afraid even if there were a hundred of you!"
"Damn it!!!!" Naruto roared, kicking and punching wildly, but he couldn't reach Masahiko at all.
"No one starts out as Hokage," Masahiko tossed him aside like a piece of trash. "If you want to become one, you first have to see if you're qualified. Someone like you... should learn how to stay alive first."
Naruto looked indignant, but seeing the shocked and admiring expressions on his classmates' faces directed at the teacher, he lowered his head dejectedly.
"Anyone else want to try?" Masahiko scanned the room.
"Teacher," Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward, his dark eyes burning with intent. "Please teach me!"
Masahiko nodded slightly and formed the seal. Sasuke instantly vanished. Swoosh! Sasuke missed as well, but he reacted instantly, ducking and bracing his hands on the ground to kick back in a counterattack. However, a Kunai with a wire attached arrived first, accurately wrapping around his ankle.
With a flick of Masahiko's wrist, Sasuke lost his balance and was lifted into the air. "Hahaha! Silly Sasuke, weren't you lifted up too?" Naruto laughed as if he had won. Sasuke gritted his teeth and turned his face away.
Masahiko set Sasuke down gently. "Sasuke's reactions, tactics, and fundamentals are all excellent. Today's loss is simply due to our ten-year age difference. If you reach seventeen, you'll definitely be stronger than me."
"Damn it! Why are you speaking up for him?!" Naruto fumed.
"Sorry, Naruto. Teachers often have favorites among excellent students, and Sasuke is indeed very talented." A perfect, gentle smile remained on Masahiko's face. "If you think it's unfair, then work hard to become as excellent as he is."
Buzz!
A soft hum, like a camera losing power, sounded in a way only Masahiko could hear. Lines of text appeared in his field of vision.
["Naruto: Prequel" Episode 1 filming complete!]
[Production successful! Performance Report:]
[Total Appearance Time: 5 minutes 23 seconds. Screen Time Percentage: 27%]
[As a villain, your screen time exceeded 10%, and your salary has been increased.]
[Note: "Naruto: Prequel" will be broadcast tonight at 8:00 PM. Bullet chat enabled.]