Uchiha Clan Compound
After dinner, Sasuke hesitated briefly before heading toward the lake.
At the water's edge, Uchiha Itachi sat catching his breath, his clothes damp with sweat.
Hearing footsteps, he tilted his head slightly.
"Big brother."
Sasuke approached and, after a moment's hesitation, handed him a towel.
Itachi accepted it, a faint smile breaking through his usual cool expression, and shifted aside to make room.
"I heard you got a new taijutsu instructor."
"Yeah."
Sasuke nodded. After thinking for a moment, he added, "His taijutsu and Body Flicker are way better than the last teacher's. He's really good with kunai, too."
Itachi's gaze softened. "Does he treat you well?"
"Mm!" Sasuke nodded eagerly. "He's not as strong as you, but he teaches seriously, and he's… interesting."
Itachi ruffled his hair. His expression turned complicated for just a moment before he spoke again.
"Then promise me you'll get along with your teacher and your classmates."
"I promise!"
After a pause, Sasuke looked up again."Big brother, can you teach me shuriken control?"
Before Itachi could answer, another presence arrived.
He looked up just as Uchiha Shisui dropped lightly from the tree.
Shisui was quiet for a beat. His eyes dimmed slightly before he tapped Sasuke's forehead.
"Sorry, Sasuke. Something urgent came up tonight. Next time."
"It's always next time!"
Sasuke rubbed his forehead, clearly dissatisfied.
Itachi smiled apologetically—then vanished in a flicker.
Outside Konoha — By a Stream
Naruto sat on the grass, struggling to grill a fish while Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly tended the fire nearby.
"Naruto," Hiruzen asked with a gentle smile, "how's your new teacher?"
"He's awful!"
Naruto snapped. "Total jerk. I'm gonna beat him up next time!"
"Oh?" Hiruzen chuckled. "What makes him so terrible?"
Naruto hesitated.
He couldn't exactly admit he'd been rattled by the man's eyes after a prank failed.
After a moment, he muttered, "Grandpa Third… he looks down on me."
"Haha. Then why don't you tell me what really happened?"
Naruto explained everything in a rush before slamming his fist down.
"Everyone's nice to Sasuke and treats me like garbage! I'll beat that teacher and make him respect me!"
Hiruzen listened quietly, then sighed.
"Naruto, people—and situations—aren't always what they seem."
"I saw it!" Naruto protested, puffing out his cheeks as he bit into the fish.
Hiruzen frowned."…Naruto, that fish isn't cooked."
"Huh?" Naruto blinked. "Should I… cook it more?"
"Forget it. I'll handle dinner. You focus on training."
Early the Next Morning
Naruto lay sprawled across his bed, pajamas twisted, snoring softly.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Someone knocked hard on the window.
Naruto cracked one eye open. "Wh—who now…?"
He sat up, checked the clock—
6:00 AM.
Before he could think—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Naruto scowled.
"Even for pranks, this is too much!"
He stomped over and yanked the window open—
Whoosh!
Naruto froze.
"Teacher Masahiko?! You—"
Masahiko lounged casually on the windowsill.
"At your age, with those grades, you're still sleeping?" he asked mildly.
Naruto stared, speechless.
Masahiko hopped inside and dusted off his clothes.
"My class doesn't allow dead weight. Get up. We're running."
He flashed a bright smile.
"I'm only calling you. See how kind I am?"
"You—!"
Naruto clenched his fists. "Just because you're a teacher doesn't mean you can pick on me!"
"Oh, it absolutely does," Masahiko replied cheerfully.
Naruto slammed the window shut.
One minute later—
It burst open again as Naruto launched a flying kick.
Masahiko caught his leg effortlessly, leaving Naruto dangling upside-down.
"Perfect."
"From today on, fifty laps every morning. If you complain, you'll run twenty-five on your hands."
Still holding him, Masahiko smiled warmly."Feel free to report me."
He leapt down from the second floor and dumped Naruto onto the ground.
"Keep up."
Masahiko jogged off.
"I haven't even eaten!" Naruto yelled.
"Food is for winners," Masahiko replied. "You get soldier pills."
He tossed one over. "Swallow."
Naruto caught it, furious.
Masahiko glanced back.
"Already scared? And you still want to be Hokage? Try again next life."
"I'm not scared!"
Naruto swallowed the pill—
And nearly gagged.
"That's disgusting!"
"Tasty food is for humans," Masahiko said flatly.
Naruto's expression darkened. His hand drifted toward his kunai pouch… then stopped.
As they entered the half-lit forest, Naruto quietly picked up a stone.
He hurled it.
Masahiko sidestepped without looking, deflected it, and flicked it back.
"Ah!"
The rock slammed into Naruto's stomach.
"Fifty extra laps at lunch," Masahiko said coldly. "Penalty for sneak attacks."
Naruto roared and charged.
Masahiko grabbed his ankle and flung him forward.
Thud!
"Another fifty this afternoon."
Masahiko beamed.
Naruto finally understood—
Previous teachers had ignored him.
This one noticed everything.
And meant every word.
As Naruto trudged behind, panting, he swore silently—
Once I get stronger, I'll beat Yagyu Masahiko senseless!
Masahiko smiled to himself.
"I'll get way more screen time next episode."
As they ran through the streets—
"Teacher Masahiko, what's going on?"
"My student's taijutsu scores are poor," Masahiko replied smoothly. "Morning training."
"Oh! Even for someone like him, you're so dedicated!"
The neighbors praised him.
Masahiko smiled even brighter.