Izuna-sensei

Senju, Uchiha, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Inuzuka Clan, Sarutobi... and Ordinary People.

People from different families and backgrounds, who were once on opposing sides, are now crammed into this small space, chattering and making a ruckus.

He recalled his father, Hashirama, often saying, "I want to build a village where children don't have to go to war."

He didn't quite understand at that time.

Now he seems to understand a little.

What my father wanted to build was not just a village "free from war".

Instead, it allows children from different families to run and play together, allows Ordinary People to live happily with Ninjas, and allows everyone to live without having to live cautiously behind walls.

This is what the village is like.

"Hey-- Yūki!"

Takuma's shout pulled him back from his thoughts.

Yūki looked up and found that the few guys who had been chasing and playing around had stopped at some point.

Everyone looked disheveled, but seemed to be in good spirits.

"Come here, come here, let's talk about serious business!" Takuma beckoned to him.

Yūki walked over, and the children gathered in a circle, squatting against the wall.

"So how exactly do we intercept Lord Izuna?" Takuma spoke first. "Uncle Rokuhiko said he was discussing something inside, but he'll definitely come out when he's done. We need to come up with a foolproof plan!"

Hinata lazily raised his hand. "I suggest we just squat by the door and pounce on him when he comes out."

"No way!" Takuma retorted, "What if he sneaks out the back door? If Lord Izuna finds us here, he'll definitely do that! We need to be on high alert!"

"You're here again..." Hinata rolled his eyes.

Harukawa said seriously, "How about we split our forces into two groups and guard both the front and back gates?"

While cracking sunflower seeds, Takahiro mumbled, "I think you're overthinking it. Lord Izuna wouldn't be that shameless."

"No, you haven't seen how much he hates trouble!" Takuma, "If he knew why we came, he would definitely run away!"

Everyone fell silent.

At this moment, the Merchant's child whispered, "Then... how about we go in openly and honestly? Didn't that adult just say that maybe we can go directly to the Hokage Building and wait for him?"

The children exchanged glances, agreeing that the suggestion was good, but then they worried about what would happen outside...

Just then, Senju Ichiyo, suddenly spoke up, saying in a nonchalant manner.

"If you ask me, there's no need to go through all this trouble to ambush someone. Yūki, why don't you just break through head-on?"

Yūki was taken aback. "Huh?"

Ichiyo walked over, put a hand on Yūki's shoulder, and smiled mischievously, "You're Hashirama Senju's son, right? It's only natural for Lord Hashirama's son to go see his father, isn't it? Just push the door open and go in, who can stop you?"

The Inuzuka Clan child's eyes lit up. "Oh! I never imagined you were the son of that God of the Shinobi World! You can't judge a book by its cover!"

Takuma slapped his thigh. "That's right! Yūki's identity speaks for itself! Let's break through head-on! Yūki! I'm counting on you!"

"No, I..." Yūki was about to say something when Ichiyo's arm had already wrapped around his neck.

"Very good! Then let's move forward!" Ichiyo dragged him forward.

"Wait! Wait!"

"Forward! Forward!"

"Oh--!"

The group of kids behind them all joined in the commotion and swarmed towards the entrance of the Hokage Building.

Yūki was being dragged along by Ichiyo, unable to break free or speak, and could only wail inwardly: Wait! Isn't this going too far!

To his surprise, the two Ninjas on duty at the entrance of the Hokage Building merely raised an eyebrow when they saw this horde of brats.

Smiling, they stepped aside.

One of them even winked at them. "Go ahead, just don't make too much noise."

Yūki:"..."

What are you all watching?!

But since the gatekeeper had already let him through, there was nothing he could do.

The group of people marched upstairs in a grand procession and arrived at the Hokage's Office without any hindrance.

Then--

The group, who had been so aggressive just moments before, all stopped abruptly when they actually stood in front of the tightly closed door.

You look at me, I look at you.

No one dared to be the first to knock on the door.

"Uh... how about..." Takuma took a step back.

"You went first!" Hinata also retreated.

"You were the one who suggested it first!" Harukawa shrank behind Takahiro.

"I was just offering suggestions..." Ichiyo stopped being nonchalant and awkwardly scratched his face.

Looking at this group of guys who chickened out so easily, Yūki suddenly understood what "armchair strategist" meant.

After a few seconds of silence, everyone's eyes fell on him.

"Why are you looking at me?" Yūki had a bad feeling.

"You are the Hokage's son," Hinata said slowly.

"Your identity is the most legitimate." Takuma nodded.

"You..." Ichiyo was about to say something, but when she met Yūki's eyes, she immediately shut up and took a step back.

Yūki:"..."

OK.

I agree.

He took a deep breath, steeled himself, and walked to the door, ready to knock.

Just then, Hashirama's voice came from inside the door.

"But Izuna, it seems that you're the only one who can attract other clans, especially the Hyuga Clan, to send their children here with peace of mind."

Yūki paused.

The Hyuga Clan? You feel comfortable sending your child here? Where to send them?

He instinctively held his breath and pricked up his ears.

"Those parents in Hyuga, even if they're still angry and resentful, at least acknowledge your strength after last night," Hashirama continued. "If you were teaching at the Ninja Academy, they might send their kids there to give it a try, either to expose them to your fighting philosophy or simply because they don't want their children to fall behind."

Ninja Academy?

Yūki's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be?! This is an attempt to persuade Lord Izuna to teach at the Ninja Academy?!

"In that case," Hashirama could Setsuna conveniently become the school's specially hired Kyudo instructor, teaching the Hyuga Clan's Archery, wouldn't that avoid the sensitivity of the Uchiha directly interfering in the Hyuga's internal affairs, while still achieving his goal? Izuna, are you really not going to reconsider?"

Really!

He suddenly turned his head to look at the group of friends behind him who were also listening intently.

Takuma's eyes widened, his face showing a "Did I hear that right?" expression.

Hinata opened his mouth slightly.

Takahiro stared blankly, his mouth agape, forgetting to crack the sunflower seeds in his hand.

Even the Merchant's child looked both bewildered and excited.

He didn't quite understand what Ninja Academy was, but seeing everyone's excitement, he got excited too.

A very soft sigh came from inside the door.

Then came a low, indistinct voice, as if squeezed out from between teeth, or a resigned mutter.

"... middle."

Yūki's heart skipped a beat.

"I'll teach."

At that moment, it felt like something exploded in Yūki's mind.

Uncle Izuna is going to be a teacher at a school!

Izuna, the man who conquered all of Kyoto with a single performance!

That Uchiha Izuna who could flatten an entire street in the Capital City and take on the entire Hyuga Clan single-handedly!

Going to school now!

He couldn't hold back any longer and suddenly pushed the door open—

"Izumi, Uncle Izuna! Are you really going to become a teacher at the school?!"

The moment the door was flung open, Yūki saw the scene inside the Office.

Hashirama sat in the main seat, a smug smile on his face as if his "scheme had succeeded."

Tobirama had the same smile, but he smiled so subtly that it was hard to tell.

Ban sat behind the table on the other side, expressionless, but the way he slightly turned his head away made him look somewhat guilty.

And Izuna.

Izuna stood in front of the Hokage's desk, turned around, and looked at them with a shocked expression.

"You! When did you arrive?!"

Yūki didn't answer his question, but instead, her eyes lit up as she pressed on, "Lord Izuna! Are you really going to take up the teaching position?!"

His tone and his eyes were just like a puppy that had spotted a bone.

Izuna was so overwhelmed by this sudden enthusiasm that she took a half step back, instinctively turning her face away, trying to avoid Yuuki's Yūki bright eyes.

"Ah, but..." He scratched his cheek, his voice tinged with embarrassment, "I don't know what to teach you. To be honest, I haven't decided yet..."

"I'll teach you anything, Lord Izuna!"

Takuma squeezed out from the back of the crowd, his face flushed red, looking as if he were making some important declaration. "If you go, I'll go! I'll be the first to sign up!"

"Yes, yes!"

"I'm going too!"

Count me in!

The group of kids behind him immediately erupted in chaos, chattering and agreeing with him.

Izuna was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of these Little Bean, and his ears began to turn slightly red.

Just then, a chilly voice drifted over from the side.

"Waaah--"

Izuna turned his head and found Tobirama looking at him with a subtle look in his eyes, the smile on his lips looking incredibly irritating.

"Such incredible mobilization power, Izuna," Tobirama, his tone clearly sarcastic. "When I came to Konoha to promote the construction of the Ninja Academy, I never saw these kids this enthusiastic. Indeed, the leader of the kids is something else."

"Shut up!" Izuna glared at him angrily.

But Tobirama said those words, the expressions of the adults present became subtle.

Hashirama nodded, seemingly in agreement, but his overly serious demeanor looked rather fake.

Ban tilted his head slightly. Although his face was expressionless, the slight upturn at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.

He was clearly watching his brother's antics as well.

Izuna's face turned completely red.

"So!" he raised his voice, trying to save face, "I have absolutely no experience teaching people! You guys... you guys..."

Izuna scratched the back of his head and said dejectedly, "Sigh, I know, I'll think about it."

The children cheered instantly. "Yay!!"