KST 025: The Lively Little Classroom

"Now, let's invite the next student."

Iruka wiped the sweat from his forehead, hurriedly sending Ino off the stage.

The next one to stand up was Natsuki.

His delicate and handsome face immediately elicited a burst of squeals.

"Tch!"

Watching Natsuki walk past him towards the podium, Sasuke turned his face away unhappily, the back of his head facing everyone. 

His right hand unconsciously touched his swollen half of his face.

Damn it!

Natsuki had caused a sensation on the entrance exam day as well, stealing his spotlight.

If it weren't for that roller-skating accident and injury…would the proud sasuke have really let him take all the spotlight?

"Sasuke, don't worry, you're the most handsome in the world." Beside him, Sakura offered him timely comfort.

She had noticed Sasuke at the school gate and knew he was a handsome boy.

Since no one else had noticed this treasure yet, she wouldn't blame herself for striking first.

Hehe, hehehehe. Sakura's inner thoughts were filled with maniacal laughter.

"Hmph!" But on the surface, he gave his signature hmph and turned his head back haughtily.

As expected, someone understood his magnificence.

Then, his eyes glared fiercely at his lifelong rival, who was already standing on the stage.

The next moment, he was slightly taken aback.

It seemed that even if he wasn't injured, he couldn't compare to him in terms of looks.

At this moment, Natsuki stood upright on the podium, his face as white as jade, without a single blemish.

His pale golden right pupil gleamed faintly, and the eyepatch over his left eye added a touch of heroic aura to his small frame.

A confident smile constantly graced his face. 

Even a person with low self-esteem and depression would be easily infected by it and coould somehow regain confidence and hope in life.

What kind of aura is this?

The entire class was silent, their eyes fixed on Natsuki's every move.

"So… so handsome!" Sakura blurted out what everyone was thinking.

She was too hasty in her judgement.

How come she didn't notice before that Natsuki was even more handsome!

"You just said Sasuke was the most handsome in the world, and now you're saying Natsuki is handsome. So… who is actually more handsome?" Behind her, Naruto inquired discontentedly.

Immediately, countless gazes were cast upon them.

He agreed with the assessment on Natsuki.

But he didn't know why; hearing Sakura praise that arrogant Sasuke made him feel uncomfortable.

"Idiot! Mind your own business. Anyway, they're both the most handsome. Infinitely better than an ugly monster like you." Sakura was furious; 

Naruto's words made her a bit ashamed.

It was like a public execution as saying who was more handsome was a no-win situation. 

In her heart, she preferred Natsuki, but she had already said Sasuke was the most handsome. Wouldn't saying otherwise be a slap on her own face?

She could only give an ambiguous answer.

After speaking, still feeling indignant, she turned around in a fit of anger and punched Naruto.

"Wah~~" Naruto cried out miserably, his body, half-squatting on the chair, was sent flying.

From this day forward, Sakura held a grudge against Naruto for the next 6 years…

"Well…"

Just as the smile on Natsuki's face deepened and he was about to start his self-introduction…

"Wait a minute!"

Iruka suddenly stretched out his right hand, fingers spread open, stopping Natsuki from speaking.

His heart couldn't take it, his sprit wasn't willing.

This guy hadn't even opened his mouth yet and had already caused chaos in the class.

What would happen if he did speak?

Most importantly, he remembered Ino's first sentence, which mentioned Natsuki, even putting his name first.

Good heavens, could little Ino have been led astray by you?

The beads of sweat on Iruka's forehead had transformed into a waterfall.

He quickly spoke to divert everyone's attention:

"This constant stream of self-introductions must be getting tiresome. This time, I'll introduce him for you.

"I'm sure everyone recognizes who this is. That's right, he's Natsuki, the student who achieved first place in the entrance exam!

"His full name is Yuhi Natsuki! From the Yuhi Clan.

"Alright, let's conclude this round of self-introductions with a round of applause. Everyone, welcome Natsuki back to his seat."

Brilliant!

By guiding things this way, he could smoothly transition to the next phase and prevent Natsuki from causing another uproar.

He really did have a talent for teaching.

He wanted to give a thumbs-up for the discerning Lord Hokage for choosing him.

Iruka was secretly pleased with his own ingenuity, but after waiting for a long time, not a single clap was heard.

What's going on? Are they ignoring the teacher now?

"Teacher, can you not interrupt? I want to hear Natsuki's voice."

"Yeah, Teacher. Natsuki hasn't even talked about his dreams yet."

"Yeah, yeah. I don't even know what Natsuki likes. Would he like me in a dress? If he does…"

"You, a little fatty, in a dress? Can you not disgust me? Natsuki likes the cute type like me. All the neighbors say I'm cute."

"Who are you calling fat? Bastard, you think just because the teacher is here, I won't dare hit you? I've made that dog brat next door, Kenta, cry countless times."

…

The waterfall of sweat on Iruka's forehead had transformed into the source of Nile.

Anyone who didn't know better would think he was using Water Style to cool his head.

He was on the verge of collapse.

"Stop, everyone stop."

His loud reprimands couldn't stop the students' enthusiasm as some had even started outright fighting.

Iruka had no choice but to turn his gaze back to Natsuki and ask pathetically:

"Ahem, Natsuki, how about… saying a few words?"

Please don't say too much, just a few words will do.

Natsuki looked at the already boisterous classroom and nodded.

He slowly raised a single finger.

Strangely enough, the classroom, which had been as noisy as a marketplace, instantly fell silent. 

Everyone looked at Natsuki expectantly.

Even Sasuke, the representative of the opposition, wanted to hear what this guy had to say.

"I have but one word, please listen carefully…"

Boom!

Teacher Iruka finally couldn't take it anymore and collapsed to the ground with a thud.