When Heavenly Dao arrived, the students who had witnessed the duel the previous day immediately began whispering among themselves. The strength he had displayed back then had thoroughly convinced these students, who had only recently been added to the new curriculum.
Not to mention, this new teacher was also very handsome.
Even though it was already her second time seeing him, Ino Yamanaka couldn't help but feel struck by Heavenly Dao's appearance.
Ino Yamanaka hailed from the Yamanaka Clan, one of the famous "Ino–Shika–Chō" trio. On one hand, the name Yamanaka itself was associated with "Ino," meaning boar, and on the other, it symbolized the sharp intuition for which the Yamanaka Clan was renowned.
At this moment, guided by that very intuition, Ino stepped forward and stopped in front of Heavenly Dao. She flashed a bright, sunny smile and introduced herself.
"I'm Ino Yamanaka. Please take care of me from now on, Heavenly Dao-sensei."
Looking at the girl before him, Heavenly Dao was inexplicably reminded of a sunflower bathed in sunlight. He smiled as well and extended his hand for a handshake.
"I'm Heavenly Dao."
Behind them, Sakura Haruno watched their close interaction and secretly ground her teeth.
"That pig-headed Ino, always currying favor…"
However, when Sakura turned her head and glanced at Uchiha Sasuke beside her, a trace of smug joy surfaced in her heart.
"This way, I must've gained some points with Sasuke-kun. Hehe."
It had to be said that the boys and girls of the ninja world matured far earlier than ordinary children, and complicated love triangles were practically their specialty.
After Ino Yamanaka, the other students began introducing themselves one after another.
"Hello, Heavenly Dao-sensei. I'm Sakura Haruno."
Sakura followed immediately after Ino. Ever since their friendship had capsized over Uchiha Sasuke, the two girls had been locked in open and covert rivalry. Naturally, Sakura refused to fall behind during introductions.
"Hello, teacher."
Next came the remaining two members of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. One greeted him with his mouth full of snacks, chewing as he spoke—this was Akimichi Choji. The other looked half-asleep, muttering about how troublesome everything was—Nara Shikamaru.
"Bad guy uncle, you really did come to be a teacher."
Uzumaki Naruto also stepped forward, grinning as he spoke.
A cross-shaped vein popped out on Heavenly Dao's forehead. This brat really didn't know how to speak. Calling an eighteen-year-old youth like him "uncle" was simply outrageous.
No wonder you're so unpopular. Sure, the villagers of Konoha are brain-dead, but your big mouth definitely plays a role too.
Heavenly Dao casually pushed the disruptive Uzumaki Naruto aside and then turned his attention to Hyuga Hinata and Uchiha Sasuke.
Hyuga Hinata was as shy as ever. Merely walking up to Heavenly Dao caused her face to flush bright red, as if steam were about to rise from her head.
"He… Heav—Heavenly Dao-sensei, hello."
After stammering out those few words, she hurried back into the crowd before Heavenly Dao even had a chance to respond.
"Hello, Uchiha Sasuke."
The current Uchiha Sasuke was still a cool, aloof boy. He didn't say much and returned to the line immediately after greeting him.
Finally, Inuzuka Kiba stepped forward. Although he was usually lively and outspoken, he appeared oddly bashful in front of Heavenly Dao. He leaned in and greeted him in a low voice, so quiet that no one else could hear clearly.
"Hello, Brother-in-law."
Heavenly Dao burst into laughter, quickly understanding what was going on.
"Your cousin told you to call me that, didn't she?"
Inuzuka Kiba nodded honestly.
"I like that title," Heavenly Dao said with a grin, "but it's better to use my professional title while we're in class."
As Inuzuka Kiba returned to the line, the self-introduction phase officially came to an end.
Heavenly Dao looked at the lively group of students before him, chattering and bustling like the morning sun itself, and felt a sense of satisfaction.
My Konoha Village truly has a promising future.
——————————
"Next, we'll begin the lesson."
Heavenly Dao had the students form a circle while he stood at the center.
"The principal instructed me to guide you in actual combat training," he said calmly. "So first, I'd like to ask—have any of you experienced simulated combat training before?"
"Those who have, please raise your hands."
Most of the Ninja Academy students came from civilian backgrounds. The closest thing they had to actual combat was basic sparring in taijutsu class. Only a few hands went up, all belonging to students from ninja clans—the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata, and several others.
Uchiha Sasuke's expression shifted. After hesitating briefly, he also raised his hand.
"Most of you haven't," Heavenly Dao summarized. "This is precisely why the casualty rate for genin on their first mission outside the village reaches sixty percent."
"Sixty percent? Is it really that high?"
The students couldn't help but cry out in shock.
Heavenly Dao scanned the crowd. Not only the civilian students, but even those from ninja clans looked unsettled.
This data wasn't fabricated, though he had applied a bit of journalistic flair. In that sixty percent, the vast majority were injuries, and only a small number resulted in actual deaths.
After all, the higher-ups of Konoha weren't fools. Missions assigned to genin were carefully evaluated beforehand.
Regardless, the shock effect had been achieved, and Heavenly Dao nodded in satisfaction.
"Quiet. Everyone, quiet."
He clapped his hands, and the students immediately fell silent.
"Actual combat isn't something you can memorize from books," Heavenly Dao continued. "It requires sharp judgment, strict discipline, and most importantly—courage."
"The courage to sacrifice yourself if necessary."
He paused, observing their expressions. Some students looked excited, others nervous, and a few seemed eager to shrink back.
"Fortunately, you still have plenty of time to learn."
"Now, let's begin your first actual combat practice. Choose your opponents freely. Use any means necessary. Give it your all. Carry the intent to kill your opponent—and then strive to survive."
Sakura Haruno timidly raised her hand.
"But teacher, what if someone really gets hurt?"
"Hahaha."
Looking at their reverent gazes, Heavenly Dao smiled gently.
"Between getting hurt at school and dying outside the village, which would you choose?"
"Don't worry. I'll do my best to stop you before serious injuries occur."
The students exchanged uneasy glances.
"Alright, alright," Heavenly Dao said, seeing their hesitation. "Let's have a demonstration match first, so you can gain some confidence in your teacher."
"Now then—who wants to be my opponent?"
"I will."
The moment Heavenly Dao finished speaking, Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward, his face cold and composed.
"I want to challenge you."
Sakura Haruno immediately looked at Sasuke with a mixture of worry and admiration, while Uzumaki Naruto, who had been watching her, cursed inwardly for being a step too slow.
Damn it. Stuck-up Sasuke!
This was exactly what Heavenly Dao wanted. He had been thinking about how to shatter Uchiha Sasuke's confidence—and now, the boy had delivered himself right to his doorstep.