KST 022: Iruka: This Year's Students Are Hard to Handle

"Don't move, or I'll ignore you from now on."

The next morning, his sister's lazy voice sounded in his ear.

Natsuki suddenly opened his eyes, inhaling the fragrant scent filling the air.

Yesterday, overwhelmed with emotion, Kurenai had drunk again. And then she had barged into his room and used him as a pillow.

From outside the window, the dazzling sunlight was already streaming in.

"Oh no, today's the Academy entrance ceremony!"

"I'm really going to be late this time!"

Natsuki couldn't help but shout.

"What entrance ceremony? I graduated a long time ago."

His sister's eyes were half-open, her voice carrying the drowsiness of a hangover.

The next moment, her eyes were also dazzled by the bright golden sun.

"Oh no, it's your entrance ceremony.

"Damn it, Natsuki, why didn't you wake me up?"

"Huh? Are you blaming me right now? I told you not to drink. You just can't stop once you find an excuse."

Kurenai was even more anxious than Natsuki.

She jumped up and rushed out barefoot.

"Hurry up and brush your teeth and wash your face. I'll make lunch, it'll only take five minutes."

After a flurry of activity, Natsuki left, his left hand carrying his school bag, his right hand holding his lunchbox.

His feet, equipped with Konoha Wind Wheels, no, roller skates, whisked him away...

When he arrived at the Academy, the gate was indeed already closed.

Natsuki didn't slow down. 

Under the shocked gaze of the gatekeeper, he flew into the campus like a swallow returning to its nest.

…

At this time,

The entrance ceremony was nearing its end.

On the large playground stood rows of newly enrolled little sprouts.

While everyone's attention was focused on the podium, Natsuki quickly slipped into the back of the line.

On the podium, the Third Hokage, with a solemn expression, delivered a lyrical speech:

"Wherever the leaves of trees fly, fire will burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village, and new leaves will sprout..."

The traditional Konoha opening ceremony, extolling the Will of Fire.

The new little sprouts below the stage were filled with admiration and enthusiasm.

Standing at the very front were Choji Akimichi and Hinata Hyuga.

Her father, Hiashi Hyuga, was against Hinata attending the Academy,

Their clan had its own ninja training system, and moreover, Hinata had now awakened even more powerful eyes, possessing boundless potential.

It was safer and more stable to carefully cultivate her within their own clan.

Unfortunately, the Konoha Council of Elders wouldn't let him have his way.

They wouldn't miss the opportunity to have Hinata study at the Academy while she was young, allowing her to form bonds with other children and develop a sense of belonging to Konoha.

Could they really allow her to remain within the clan indefinitely, becoming a ticking time bomb for Konoha?

Just like a few years ago, he couldn't stop Konoha from compromising with Kumogakure, resulting in his brother Hizashi's death in his place, now, he couldn't impose his will and prevent Hinata from attending the Academy.

Soon, the Third Hokage finished his speech on the podium.

The Chunin teachers took to the stage one by one, assigning students to classes according to the list.

As the top scorer in the entrance exam, Natsuki was undoubtedly placed in the same class as all the other clan heirs.

Although there wasn't an explicit division between elite and ordinary classes, those familiar with the children's backgrounds knew this was clearly the elite class.

"Natsuki Yuhi, Hinata Hyuga, Choji Akimichi, Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame..."

Looking at the list of incredibly troublesome individuals, Iruka wanted to cry.

"Lord Hokage, I've only recently become a teacher. I'm afraid I'm not qualified for this job."

Natsuki Yuhi had already given him a quite the difficulty during the entrance exam, and he also gave gifts to the teachers and held a huge sale outside the school.

It was said that now all the merchants and peddlers in Konoha were imitating young Natsuki's promotional methods. 

He was clearly a troublemaker.

Hinata Hyuga almost destroyed Konoha two years ago. The giant canyon still lay outside the village. If he accidentally angered her, would he be split in two?

Well, hopefully not. 

Even in the worst case, there wouldn't be any pain as he would just be turned to dust.

Choji Akimichi could supposedly transform into some kind of Ultraman, the form which could severely injure several elite ninja on the spot.

One of them was said to still be insane.

And Naruto...

"Believe in yourself, Iruka. You are the most suitable candidate because you possess all the qualities of an excellent teacher.

"Most importantly, you have a kind heart..."

The Hokage's gaze was filled with kindness, encouragement, and confidence in his abilities.

In the end, Iruka couldn't refuse.

Sigh, 

He wondered if he would survive until their graduation.