027: 100,000 Ryo and the Will of Fire: Konoha Ninja Chronicles

"Natsuki!!!"

"On your first day of cleaning duty, you broke 8 out of 10 brooms, lost one, and smashed a window!

"If you don't give me a reasonable explanation, I'll show you how strong a Chunin teacher can be!!!"

Iruka's roar marked the start of a new day at the Academy.

As a young teacher, Iruka was very responsible.

Before the students arrived, he arrived early at the Academy to prepare for class and check the cleanliness of the classroom.

But he was met with this infuriating scene.

Although the floor was generally clean, the corner where the cleaning tools were stored was piled with broken wood, with only one intact broom standing alone.

What happened?

Where's Natsuki? That brat, he's not at school yet.

"I'm… I'm sorry, Teacher. I broke those; it wasn't Natsuki."

Hinata had arrived at school early.

Boys might not be as meticulous.

But after returning home, she remembered that she had damaged public property during training.

So, she came to school early with an apology.

"Oh, it's little Hinata. How did this happen? Don't take the blame for others' mistakes."

Seeing the cute and obedient Hinata, Iruka's anger immediately dissipated.

He had to be careful not to scare her with a harsh tone.

"No, it was me who broke them during training."

Hinata shook her head and then took out an envelope, handing it to Iruka with both hands:

"This is an apology from my father. Please accept it, Teacher."

Remembering the few students the Hokage had asked him to pay special attention to… Iruka believed her.

According to the information, Hinata did awaken quite a remarkable ability at a very young age.

Looking at her sincere, watery blue eyes, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, 

Something Beyond the Byakugan? What an incredible eye.

Then he shook his head: "No need, it's enough that I know who was responsible. I'll take care of the damages."

"Please accept it, Teacher!" Her small face held a firm gaze.

Is this the spirit and persistence of one of Konoha's great clans?

"Since you insist… I'll accept it."

Iruka solemnly accepted the envelope with both hands. As expected of the Hyuga Clan.

Others might only see one layer of meaning, but Iruka saw three.

First, a sincere apology.

Second, to educate their children: to admit their mistakes and compensate for the losses caused.

Third, a subtle warning to others: even for such a small matter concerning Hinata, the Hyuga Clan took it so seriously. If anyone dared to truly bully her… then…

Lost in thought, Iruka returned to the office and opened the envelope.

"One… one hundred thousand Ryo!!!"

So, there was a fourth layer of meaning to the apology letter.

...

The sun gradually rose higher.

Students arrived at the classroom one after another.

"She's here, she's here. Big Sis is here, she's alright." A student who was keeping watch outside suddenly ran into the classroom and shouted.

Several of the friends who had fled in fear last night and been scared home quickly got up and ran out.

They formed two lines outside the door.

The children in the classroom looked at these clowns in confusion.

Just as Ino, skipping happily, arrived at the classroom door…

"Good morning, Big Sis!!!"

The voices were loud and in unison.

"Well well, you cowards. You still have the nerve to call me Big Sis?"

"Big Sis, I was hungry yesterday, I didn't mean to run away. My mom called me home for dinner."

"Is your mom Konoha's loudspeaker? Shouting from one end of the village to the other, all the way to the school?"

"Big Sis, don't listen to him, he's lying. What I said is true. I had a stomachache yesterday and went to the bathroom. When I came back, everyone was gone."

"I didn't want to run at first, but I saw them running, so I ran too."

"By the way, Big Sis, did you encounter anything last night?"

The followers chattered, trying to shift the blame.

It was true that they shouldn't have left Ino alone after being scared away by the sudden flying broom.

But today, Ino had arrived at school safe and sound.

It proved that she was indeed capable.

Coupled with the levitating textbooks during her self-introduction in class…

Wow!

A conclusion was swiftly reached by their young mind: Ino really was a Witch or a mage as she called herself! Something similar to those mysterious priestesses in the ninja world, perhaps even more mysterious.

After all, no one had ever heard of it before.

"Big Sis! I want to learn magic too!"

This was everyone's heartfelt desire.

"Get lost, opportunity is reserved for those who are prepared."

Hmph, how dare they underestimate her, the Second Mage!

Now they know they were in the wrong, right?

With her around, no evil spirits would dare approach their vicinity. Yet they were scared away by a mere piece of wood.

How embarrassing for their group.

Natsuki would never accept such people.

She'll ignore them for a few days.

Ino walked into the classroom with her head held high.

"What happened? How did Ino gather these followers in just one day?"

Shikamaru was puzzled.

Perhaps he just couldn't keep up with their way of thinking?

"I don't know, maybe Ino is about to transform into Ultraman too."

Choji didn't understand either; he only knew that he could somehow transform into Ultraman.

Ino, being so courageous and righteous at heart, could definitely do it too.

A moment later, the bell rang for class.

Iruka walked into the classroom, carrying a thick book.

After a quick glance to confirm everyone was present, he opened the book:

"Let us begin today's lesson!

"This is a theory class. So, we will be learning about the history of Konoha and the origins of ninjas.

"Before that, I have a question for everyone: What is a ninja?"

Faced with a question that had been debated throughout the ninja world since the beginning of Ninshu, the students were immediately excited and began to express their understanding and even imagination of what a ninja was.

"Ninjas should be those who can transform and climb walls."

"Ninjas should be those who can use powerful Ninjutsu."

"No, ninjas should be very patient. Last time, when I was queuing for the bathroom, I almost wet myself. Then I met a ninja, and he told me, 'You go first, little one, I can hold it in for a while.'"

"No, being a ninjas is all about retaining the spirit of youth. Remember Kenta, the one I beat up? Last week, he got a really ugly haircut, and I said, 'Why does this look like a watermelon?' Then a ninja with a watermelon head walked by…

"He said: 'This is youth.' and that he'll become an excellent ninja someday."

…

Seeing that the students' interest had been piqued, Iruka smiled slightly and explained:

"You are all correct.

"But I want to add one thing: besides needing a certain amount of power, a ninja needs a strong heart and an unyielding will.

"Please turn to page one of 'The Will of Fire: Konoha Chronicles'."

The children flipped open the thick book, and the first thing they saw were a few large characters:

Written by the Strongest Hokage - Sarutobi Hiruzen.

...

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