The very next morning, Sukuna found himself dragged into the academy's principal's office. His parents, Mebuki and Kizashi, stood on either side of him, neither looking particularly happy. Mebuki's arms were crossed so tightly it looked like she was holding herself back from strangling her son on the spot. Kizashi just kept sighing, muttering about how this was "going to be a long morning."
Inside, the office was already crowded. Four sets of angry parents stood with their sons—the same older boys Sukuna had beaten up the day before. They had bandages on their faces, swollen lips, and one of them even had a black eye that looked worse than it probably was.
'Acting, all of them. I just tapped on them, there is no way they were this hurt. If anything, the only person who should be really hurt was that Hyuga Chunin.' Sukuna scoffed internally.
As soon as they saw Sukuna, the parents began to complain loudly to Iruka, who was standing behind his desk, looking overwhelmed.
"Look at our children!" one mother shouted, pointing at her son's bruised cheek. "This Haruno boy attacked them without reason! What kind of monster are you raising?"
"My poor son was just minding his own business," another parent added dramatically. "And then this thug jumped him!"
Sukuna raised his eyebrows, then burst out laughing. "Minding their own business? Yeah, right! Their business was ganging up on a little girl with teary eyes! What a noble business that is."
The bullies shifted uncomfortably, but their parents glared at Sukuna.
Mebuki's and Kizashi's faces darkened. Their son was almost perfect outside of his strong personality. He hardly listened to anyone, did what he wanted, and was strong-headed as a bull.
As for whether they believed Sukuna really did it, it was completely possible. Of course, for a reason. They didn't believe their son would just go around beating anyone. If they weren't wrong, then he already had those kids he trained with for that purpose. Why go look for other children?
However, what kind of reason justified him beating these kids?
"Don't you dare make excuses!" one father barked. "You're the bully here! Look at what you did to our sons!"
Sukuna smirked. "If I'm the bully, then you're saying your four precious sons got beaten by one 'bully' younger than them? That's… kind of embarrassing, don't you think? If anything, I'm doing them a favour. Take them out of the academy, mister. They are not meant for the Shinobi life if those little taps I gave them hurt so much."
Kizashi coughed to hide a laugh, but Mebuki smacked the back of Sukuna's head. "Don't make it worse!" she hissed.
The parents continued their complaints, voices overlapping. "This kind of violence is unacceptable!" "He should be punished severely!" "Expel him from the academy if you have to!"
Iruka raised his hands, trying to calm them. "Please, let's keep this civil. I'll handle it properly."
"Properly?" Sukuna snorted. "Properly, would be you asking Hinata Hyuga what really happened. She was the one they were bullying. But of course, I guess these four angels would never do such a thing, right?" He pointed at the boys, who immediately avoided eye contact.
The parents scoffed. "As if the Hyuga clan would bother with such nonsense—"
"They just might when I shout village-wide what their Hyuga guards were doing when their little lady was getting bullied. Believe me, you wouldn't like it."
Of course, the parents didn't understand what that meant. Even Mebuki and Kizashi didn't, but their faces darkened even further. What kind of kid doesn't understand basic commands like "shut up for your own good"?
They decided that beating some sense into him would be the first thing they did after going back home.
That was when Iruka, looking completely done with the shouting match, leaned forward and spoke firmly. "If this is how it's going to be, then we'll let the Third Hokage decide. I'll request a meeting where Hinata Hyuga herself will testify. The Hyuga clan will be informed. And whichever side is lying will face heavy punishment."
The room went silent.
The parents looked at their sons. The boys squirmed, sweating under their parents' stares. Their guilty faces said everything.
Slowly, one by one, the parents backed down, muttering weak excuses. "Perhaps… there was a misunderstanding." "Boys will be boys, after all." "Let's not trouble the Hokage with something so small."
Sukuna leaned back in his chair with a smug grin. "Oh, now it's small, huh? Yesterday I was a monster. Today I'm just a small problem. Funny how that works."
Mebuki yanked his ear and hissed, "Shut it before I turn you into a real problem."
Iruka glared at the troublesome boy and then sighed in relief as the parents finally left with their bruised kids. Sukuna stretched, smirking. "Well, that was fun. Who would have thought stirring up trouble was so interesting."
Kizashi shook his head. "Son, one of these days your mouth is going to get you killed."
Sukuna grinned. "Better my mouth than my ears. Mom almost took those last night."
Another yank befell him courtesy of his mother.
Though now both Mebuki and Kizashi knew why exactly this brat was late yesterday. And of course, as parents should be, they were proud.
…
After the storm in the principal's office was over, Sukuna returned to class with his usual bored look, like nothing had happened. But the moment he stepped in, the classroom buzzed with curiosity. Heads turned, whispers flew, and soon enough two whirlwinds came barreling at him—Naruto and Karin.
It didn't help that both sat on either side of him, every day clinging to him like he was their mother hen.
Naruto slammed his desk, nearly knocking over his chair. "Sukuna! Oi! What happened in the office? Why did Iruka-sensei call you in the office? Did you pull a prank or something? Tell me everything, dattebayo!"
Karin leaned in close, adjusting her glasses, eyes sharp. "Yeah, spill it! I heard some parents were yelling, and then you dragged the Hokage's name into it! What did you do this time?"
She asked like she was already assured it was Sukuna's fault.
'Was my reputation that bad around this area?' Sukuna was speechless.
Sukuna yawned and waved his hand like it was nothing. "Relax, it was just boring grown-up talk. Parents yelling, Iruka looking like he wanted to retire early… nothing major."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Nothing major? You beat up four guys yesterday and made their parents cry! That's awesome! Dattebayo!"
Karin smacked Naruto on the head. "Idiot! Don't cheer him on! And you, what are you? A thug? Why do you keep causing trouble like this?" She chided. Seriously, she didn't understand boys sometimes.
Sukuna's face darkened with irritation. "Oi, don't slander me. When did I cause trouble? I have been nothing but a model student up to this point."
Naruto puffed his cheeks. "Yeah right, who was the one who led me to steal the medical jutsu, and when we got caught you even blackmailed that poor clerk!"
Sukuna's brows twitched again. That was supposed to be a secret, you idiot.
Karin's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. She had no idea about this one. "My point exactly."
Before Sukuna could fire back, another figure timidly approached. Everyone went quiet when they saw her—it was Hinata. She fidgeted, her fingers poking together, cheeks pink.
"What's she doing here?" Karin whispered into Naruto's ear.
"Don't know, but yesterday's matter had something to do with her."
Others who weren't much interested in this entire ordeal also watched what was going to happen, like Choji and Shikamaru.
Even Sakura, who wasn't talking with Sukuna since yesterday with her silly pout on her face all day long whenever she saw him, looked curious.
'What did this idiot do now?' was her first reaction, but when she recalled yesterday night's embarrassing situation, being forcefully spoon-fed by him on his lap, her face turned red again with embarrassment, anger, and pure incredulity.
'Let him. Good thing trouble finds him, he deserves it… Cha!'
"S-Sukuna-kun…" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I-I'm sorry… this happened because of me. You got in trouble b-because you helped me."
Sukuna blinked, then shrugged like it didn't matter. "Don't worry about it. I told you yesterday, don't let those idiots bully you again. That's it."
Hinata lowered her head, embarrassed. "B-but… I don't know how. I-I'm not strong enough to fight back like you."
Sukuna blinked at that. He wasn't expecting this kind of response. It was like she was begging for a solution from him.
'Maybe yesterday's talk was getting to her, huh… Let's think… hmmm, well I'm already in the daycare territory with how many kids I'm looking after. What's one more Lolinata…'
For a moment, Sukuna rubbed his chin, pretending to think very hard. Then he grinned. "Alright then. Problem solved. You'll join me, Naruto, and Karin and a few more for training in the mornings. That way, you'll learn."
"E-Eh?!" Hinata's eyes widened. "M-Mornings?"
Naruto slapped the table. "That's a great idea! More training partners! Maybe I can finally beat Sasuke, hah!"
Karin smirked. "Or maybe Hinata will end up beating you, blondie."
Hinata's face turned redder than a tomato. 'Training with Naruto-kun…'
Her head felt dizzy, the world spun, but she centered herself.
"I-I'll try…"
The rest of the class giggled at the scene, but it wasn't long before the school day ended. Sukuna slung his bag over his shoulder and headed out, ready to enjoy some peace. Today he planned to do something for a change—just rest and enjoy. He deserved it after taking care of Danzo.
However, that peace didn't last. Standing in the doorway, arms crossed, was none other than Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke glared at him. "Haruno. Fight me."
Sukuna tilted his head. "Eh? This kid again? How come he's always picking fights with me? Can't he go bother someone else…"
Sasuke's brows twitched.
"Eh… you're saying that out in the open, you idiot," Karin said, holding back her laughter at the femboy's situation.
"Ah… sorry sorry."
Sasuke gritted his teeth. "I don't care, just fight me."
Naruto, who was right behind, jumped up. "Oi Sasuke-teme, don't trouble Sukuna every day. You want a fight then fight me!"
"Tch… who wants to fight a dobe like you? Get lost."
"You…"
Karin groaned. "Boys. Always solving things by punching each other."
"Believe me or not, it's a superior form of communication. Though weak people won't understand it," Sukuna chipped in, annoying Karin.
Sasuke had enough of it. He went up to Sukuna and grabbed him by the collar. "Fight me now!" he roared.
Sukuna scratched the back of his head. "Oh there, easy tiger. I just wanted to go home and nap. But fine. If you insist, it shouldn't take long anyway."
xxx
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