Continue the Challenge

Makoto Ito's gesture warmed Naruto's heart!

Iruka nodded approvingly when he saw this. In his eyes, it showed that Makoto Ito cherished his companions!

Of course, neither of them knew that Makoto Ito had only done it because he had received benefits from Naruto's father!

"Alright, that's enough practical training for today! Everyone did pretty well! I hope those who won will keep working hard, and those who lost won't be discouraged! Strive to do better next time!

Alright, that's it for today's class... dismissed!"

Everyone was getting ready to leave school and go home when a voice suddenly rang out!

"Teacher Iruka, wait!"

All the students were dumbfounded. Who the hell was this? Were they seriously not going to let them go home?

Iruka was somewhat puzzled as well, and he turned to look...

The one calling out to him was none other than Makoto Ito!

Iruka was also rather surprised to see Makoto Ito calling for him!

After all, Makoto Ito was usually quite an introverted child. In all the years they had known each other, he had rarely taken the initiative to speak to him.

Although Iruka had always cared deeply about Makoto Ito, because he felt that they shared similar backgrounds and experiences, Makoto Ito had still rarely ever approached him of his own accord over the years.

What was going on with Makoto Ito today?

Iruka smiled gently and asked Makoto Ito.

"Makoto, what's wrong? Is there something you need?"

"Ah, there is something, Teacher!" Makoto Ito scratched his head before continuing.

"Didn't you say earlier that students who successfully win a challenge can keep challenging those ahead of them?"

Iruka froze when he heard Makoto Ito's words.

That rule did exist, but hardly anyone ever challenged someone ranked above them. What was going on with Makoto Ito today? Why bring it up all of a sudden? Could it be that he wanted to...

Iruka continued gently...

"That rule does exist! What's wrong, Makoto? Do you want to challenge someone ranked ahead of you?"

"Yes, Teacher Iruka!" Makoto Ito nodded.

"Very good! That's quite the fighting spirit, Makoto!" Iruka nodded, then turned to the students who had been about to leave school and said!

"Students! It seems that our classmate Makoto Ito wants to continue challenging those ahead of him! Watch carefully, everyone. You should all learn a little from Makoto Ito's drive to improve!"

Shikamaru Nara helplessly held his head.

"What's gotten into Makoto today? He actually wants to keep challenging people ahead of him. What a pain..."

Kiba curled his lip from the side.

"I hope he challenges me! Just because he beat one Dead Last doesn't mean he's strong! No matter how strong he gets, he's still a Dead Last! If he chooses to challenge me, I can teach him a proper lesson!"

The other students in the class basically thought the same way as Kiba. They all hoped Makoto Ito would challenge them so they could teach him a proper lesson!

After all, that damned bastard had stopped them from going home!

Choji Akimichi reluctantly pulled out the last bag of chips from his backpack.

"Ah... there's only one bag left. I was planning to eat it when I got home! Looks like I have no choice but to eat it here!"

Suddenly, Choji heard someone's stomach growl. It was Naruto Uzumaki, standing beside him.

"Naruto, are you hungry? Come eat with me!"

Naruto's eyes lit up when he heard Choji's words!

"Thanks, Choji! Then I won't hold back!!!!"

Ino and the others beside them were stunned by the sight!

"Oh my god, Choji actually shared his snacks with someone else!"

"Most importantly, that was his very last bag of chips!!!!"

Tobirama Senju: Hey, brat Makoto! What are you trying to do? Don't you know people should keep a low profile? You've only gained the tiniest bit of strength so far. Don't be so high-profile!

Makoto Ito: Keep a low profile? Why should I? I have a whole group of big shots like you standing behind me, so why should I keep a low profile? If I really kept a low profile, wouldn't that be embarrassing for you? It would be you big shots losing face! Once people found out, they'd say, "My god, a group of Konoha's big shots can't even train one Makoto Ito!" Wouldn't that make you lose face?

Tobirama Senju: Uh... that actually doesn't seem wrong...

Madara Uchiha: Nothing wrong with that! People should be more high-profile! Only those without strength spend all day thinking about keeping a low profile! The day you truly have strength, you should make the entire Ninja World hear your voice!!!!

With that, Iruka had the students line up again before turning back and gently asking Makoto Ito.

"Makoto, who do you want to choose as your opponent? Teacher's advice is that you shouldn't pick someone ranked too far ahead of you!"

Makoto Ito nodded when he heard Iruka's words.

"Mm-hm! I understand, Iruka-sensei!"

Seeing how receptive Makoto Ito was, Iruka nodded again in satisfaction, silently thinking to himself, What a good child!

With that, Makoto Ito slowly looked around at his classmates.

Iruka patiently asked from the side, "So, have you decided who you want as your opponent?"

Makoto Ito looked around at his classmates once more...

At that moment, Kiba spoke up from the side. "Tch, Makoto Ito, do you dare pick me? I'll teach you a good lesson! Don't think beating one Dead Last means you can shake off your own Dead Last title! Once a Dead Last, always a Dead Last!"

Naruto stepped forward indignantly.

"Shut up, Kiba! If Makoto picks you, he'll definitely beat you with ease!"

Hearing Naruto Uzumaki's words, Kiba rolled his eyes disdainfully.

"Two Dead Lasts!"

Seeing this, Makoto Ito spoke up directly.

"Iruka-sensei, I've made my decision!"

Iruka frowned when he saw this. Could Makoto Ito be planning to choose Kiba as his opponent?

After all, Kiba had always ranked near the top of the class. If Makoto Ito really challenged Kiba and lost this time, wouldn't that hurt his confidence?

Thinking of this, Iruka could only speak again...

"Makoto! While you're free to challenge anyone you want, I still hope you'll keep your feet on the ground and move forward step by step. You can start by picking some classmates who rank a little lower!"

Hashirama Senju: This teacher named Iruka seems pretty decent!

Makoto Ito: Yeah, Iruka really is a good teacher!