Chapter 3 Teacher, I want to repeat the grade
After a long while, Kizaru opened his eyes.
Though the remaining memories weren't extensive, they included several deeply etched individuals, as well as some dreams and obsessions.
Watching the constantly receding scenery around him, Kizaru realized who was holding him.
He looked up at the gentle Ninja with a scar on his nose, tied-back hair, a forehead protector, and a vest.
A corresponding memory surfaced in Kizaru's mind.
"I-Iruka Sensei…" Kizaru stammered out the words, feeling a bit… awkward.
Iruka, who was focused on running, suddenly stopped.
He looked down at Naruto in his arms, "Naruto, you're finally awake."
Iruka placed Naruto on the ground.
It was evident that Iruka Sensei was genuinely excited and surprised, his face filled with warmth and concern.
This was a teacher who truly cared about him.
"What happened?" Kizaru asked.
"Don't you remember?" Iruka asked.
"Not really."
"Just now, when Mizuki was about to kill me, you suddenly appeared and used Shadow Clone Jutsu, creating thousands of solid clones to beat Mizuki soundly.
Then you suddenly fainted, so I picked you up, intending to take you to Konoha Hospital…" Irukaexplained.
He deliberately omitted a part.
Right after Naruto fainted, a chilling red Chakrasuddenly erupted from his body.
Iruka was all too familiar with this red Chakra.
The Nine-Tailed's Chakra… it was, without exaggeration, the nightmare of his life.
He remembered clearly… it was a night 12 years ago.
On that night of blood and fire, this red Chakrapermeated the entire Konoha Village.
And on that dark night, he lost both his parents forever, becoming an orphan.
From then on, he ate alone, dressed alone, went to school alone… everything was done alone.
The taste of being alone… was truly too lonely.
Until he gradually grew up, until he became a teacher, until he had these lovely students.
These students were his family, and the entire Village was his home.
Especially the student before him, who deeply tugged at his heart.
Because he became the vessel for sealing the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, this student suffered the villagers' cold shoulders, ostracization, and isolation.
He was also an orphan, also alone.
Seeing him was like seeing his younger self back then.
However, that guy Mizuki, for some inexplicable reason, actually incited his student to steal the Scroll of Seals.
Even more hateful, he told him everything.
He would never forgive that guy Mizuki.
Now, with Naruto knowing the real reason the villagers isolated him, "Nine-Tailed Demon Fox" was definitely a forbidden phrase.
So, it was better not to tell him about the red Chakra.
"Iruka Sensei, are you hiding something from me?" Kizaru asked, sensing something as Iruka Sensei fell into a long silence.
"Ah, ah, no, no…" Iruka waved his hands repeatedly, a bit nervous and awkward.
Kizaru eyed Iruka sideways.
With that reaction, if there was nothing, he'd be a ghost.
Do you really think I'm stupid?
Seeing Naruto's suspicious gaze, Iruka became even more flustered.
In his haste, he put one hand into his pocket, feeling something unexpected.
A Konoha Ninja forehead protector.
Changing the subject was a good tactic.
Pulling out the forehead protector, Iruka handed it to Naruto.
Kizaru took it, surprised.
"Congratulations, Naruto, you've officially graduated!"
"Graduated?"
"Yes, graduated.
The final part of the graduation exam was the Clone Jutsu, and you've already mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
All assessments have been passed, and starting today, you are an official Genin of Konoha Village."
"Sensei," Kizaru raised his small hand.
"Hmm, what is it?" Iruka was a bit puzzled.
"I want to repeat a year!"
Clang!
Iruka's old back twitched, and he nearly fell to the ground!
What did he hear?
Naruto, this little guy, wants to repeat a year?
Didn't he always clamor about wanting to be a Ninja, wanting to be Hokage?
Why suddenly repeat a year?
Besides, he's already repeated three years!
Three years, three years!
Do you know how I've spent these three years?
Three years of being annoyed by you, three years of worrying about you.
Now that you've finally passed and can graduate, you want to repeat a year?
Don't even think about it!
Kizaru, however, had his own considerations!
Although his current body had been trained, it was still too weak.
The fusion of soul and body, while not causing discomfort or rejection, had significantly reduced his strength.
Observation Haki was completely gone.
The Glint-Glint Fruit ability couldn't be used because it was suppressing the seal.
As for the Ninjutsu learned by the original owner of this body?
He hadn't inherited that part of the memory at all!
He couldn't use his own abilities, and he didn't understand the unique powers of this world.
There was no faster way to master the powers of this world than by entering the Ninja Academy to study!
"Sensei, I suddenly feel that I still know very little, so I want to go back and re-learn, to study properly…"
Iruka gave Naruto a knowing look, as if seeing through everything in this world.
He reached out his large hand and gently ruffled Naruto's head, "Naruto, having this mindset means you are truly a qualified Ninja.
Learning has no end, and the rest of your learning needs to be experienced in life, in missions, in battles…"
"Sensei, I…"
"Don't say anything, I understand.
I get you.
I've received your attitude towards wanting to learn!"
"Sensei, it's not…"
"No need to say, I understand, you will definitely become Hokage!"
"Sensei, I…"
"I understand, you will gain the recognition of the people in the Village."
…Kizaru was almost going crazy!
You understand, you understand again, how much do you really understand?
No one understands Uzumaki Naruto better than you?
What kind of joke is this!
"Sensei, I…" Kizaru still wanted to struggle a bit.
"Alright, Naruto, I understand your determination.
To celebrate your successful graduation and becoming a Ninja, I'll treat you to a meal, your favorite Ichiraku Ramen!"
Grrrrumble~
Kizaru still wanted to say something, but his stomach uncooperatively rumbled.
A meal is a meal.
Moreover, hearing the words Ichiraku Ramen, his body instinctively reacted.
It seemed the original owner had a deep obsession with Ichiraku Ramen.
"Oh my, I'm just hungry.
Then, as Iruka Sensei said, let's go eat Ichiraku Ramen."
Kizaru finished speaking and smiled, a very bright smile… Iruka frowned.
He just felt that Naruto was a bit off today.
And when he spoke just now, why was his speech so slow?
It was like… an old man leisurely explaining something.
And… Iruka glanced at Naruto, who was smiling brightly.
Naruto's smile, though as bright as usual, he just felt that the corner of his mouth… was a bit crooked…