"Have you really thought this through? You don't have to go undercover. If Konoha grows strong enough, we can deal with those shadowy organizations head-on."
Konosuke stood and moved beside Itachi, his gaze drifting toward the distant Uchiha compound.
"Shisui is too kind. Once he takes control of the clan, he'll need someone ruthless by his side. You two would've been perfect—one playing the good cop, the other... well, the villain."
Itachi considered his words, then shook his head.
"I believe Shisui can lead the clan. And if I leave Konoha, Sasuke will grow faster. I'm sorry… but I have to go."
Konosuke sighed softly.
"If you've decided, I won't try to stop you."
He glanced sideways at Itachi.
"But if one day your eyes can't endure anymore, come back. I can fix them."
By now, nothing Konosuke said could shock Itachi. He simply couldn't see through this man at all.
"Village… Uchiha… Sasuke… The sins of the Second Hokage, paid for by later generations."
Konosuke's expression darkened.
"If I ever meet that old man, I'll kick him twice."
For some reason, his mood had sunk to its lowest point.
He felt like killing someone.
Without another word, he vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Itachi watched him leave, then turned and walked away as well. There was nothing left to say.
—
Konosuke pushed open the classroom door without knocking, ignoring Iruka mid-lecture.
"The Will of Fire isn't just something you talk about. It requires you to—"
The door slid open.
The students turned in surprise.
Their teacher rarely appeared during Iruka's classes. His own lessons usually lasted a few minutes before sending them to self-study.
Iruka set down his book.
"Konosuke-sensei? Is something wrong? Shouldn't you be… taking it easy right now?"
Konosuke strolled over and sat beside him, propping his legs up on the podium.
"I'm here to test their Substitution Technique. Since you're already here, help me evaluate. Let's see who still hasn't mastered it."
Iruka blinked.
"I… this is… fine. I'll help."
He clapped his hands.
"Alright, class. That's enough for today's lesson. We'll now conduct a Substitution Technique assessment. Prepare yourselves."
One by one, the students stepped forward.
Konosuke leaned back, smoking, watching with half-lidded eyes.
Only Sasuke and Shino executed the technique smoothly. The others were clumsy, but at least they succeeded.
Soon it was Naruto's turn.
He struggled, sweat forming on his brow—barely managing something passable.
Then came the girls.
And that's when things stalled.
Haruno Sakura tried.
And tried again.
She failed.
Konosuke narrowed his eyes.
This wasn't normal.
Naruto struggling made sense—the Nine-Tails constantly disrupted his chakra flow.
But Sakura?
Whatever her personality flaws, her chakra control was excellent. Better than Sasuke's, even. Otherwise, she would never have become a medical-nin in the original timeline.
Three minutes passed.
Then five.
Still nothing.
Her eyes flicked toward Konosuke now and then.
He stood and walked up to her.
"Haruno Sakura. Care to explain? The 'idiot' you love to mock has mastered the technique. Why haven't you?"
Naruto nudged Shikamaru.
"Who's the idiot she keeps talking about?"
Shikamaru glanced at him.
"You."
Naruto blinked.
On the podium, Sakura's face flushed red. She couldn't speak.
Ino stood up.
"Sensei! Sasuke's fingers have been injured recently. Sakura's been helping him. That's why she hasn't practiced. Please give her more time."
Konosuke chuckled softly.
Then he pointed at Sasuke.
"Go run. Don't stop until nightfall."
Sasuke obeyed without hesitation and left the classroom.
Iruka tugged at Konosuke's sleeve.
"Konosuke-sensei… this is unnecessary. They're still children. There's no need to push so hard."
Konosuke ignored him, lit another cigarette, and sat back down.
"Haruno Sakura. Since you enjoy taking care of others so much, I'll give you the chance."
"Pack your things and report to the medical training class next door. Plenty of people there need care. They'll love you."
"I object!"
Iruka's patience snapped.
"I'm the homeroom teacher. You don't have the authority to decide a student's future!"
Konosuke exhaled smoke calmly.
"And I'm the ninjutsu instructor. If you fail my standards, you're out."
He flicked ash aside.
"Sakura. Because of you, Iruka and I now disagree. If this disagreement isn't resolved, we might fight."
"I'm giving you the choice. If you leave voluntarily, nothing happens. I remain ninjutsu teacher. He remains your academic teacher."
"But if you refuse…"
Konosuke's tone turned ice-cold.
"I will kill Iruka. Then I'll become a rogue shinobi, hunted down by Konoha until I die."
"The decision is yours."
He raised a finger.
A dangerous light gathered at its tip.
"Sensei, you—"
Crack.
A piece of chalk struck Naruto squarely in the forehead, knocking him unconscious.
The classroom fell silent.
The students trembled.
This wasn't the lazy, indifferent teacher they knew.
This was something else.
Seeing Sakura frozen in place, Konosuke began counting.
"I'll give you ten seconds."
"After that, Iruka dies."
"Ten…"
"Nine…"
"Eight…"