Otsutsuki Ichiraku

Umino Iruka slowly let out a breath.

After calming himself, he stepped into the classroom of First Year Class A.

"Why'd they switch teachers?"

"Is Teacher Beizawa only teaching one class?"

"What a shame, I still liked Teacher Beizawa's lessons more."

Umino Iruka was momentarily taken aback.

He'd won over these students in just one class period?

As expected of Senior Beizawa.

Suppressing his admiration, Iruka walked up to the podium, meeting the disappointed gazes of many students.

He was supposed to teach them how to extract chakra.

Chakra—the foundation of becoming a shinobi—was the product of evenly mixing spiritual energy with physical energy.

Once class began, Iruka found that these students were all very attentive, not nearly as mischievous as he'd imagined.

What puzzled him most was their unusually strange attitude toward Naruto Uzumaki.

Who had adjusted them... no, wait, taught them to be like this?

Without a doubt, it was Beizawa.

"Looks like I still have a lot to learn."

Iruka mused inwardly.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Beizawa set down the student files and headed upstairs.

He hadn't found any Little Brats matching the description among them.

Then there was only one truth.

They weren't first-year students—they were second-years.

"Beizawa?"

A sudden voice rang out.

Beizawa turned at the sound and looked at the speaker.

About the same age as him, but with a head of white hair parted down the middle.

"Mizuki."

Beizawa smiled in greeting and asked, "Just got out of class?"

"Yeah."

Mizuki walked closer and said, "I heard you took over the first-years this year. How is it? Any geniuses?"

"Not sure yet."

Beizawa shook his head. "I've only taught half a day."

"But I believe with your excellent teaching skills, you'll definitely nurture a genius like Neji."

Mizuki flashed a sunny smile as he spoke.

What the hell is he babbling about?

If it were someone else, they might have been fooled by Mizuki.

But Beizawa knew that in the original story, he was a sneaky, jealous little hater.

He was friends with Umino Iruka, but grew intensely jealous because of Iruka's popularity.

To complete a mission, he personally killed a wounded comrade.

When Naruto Uzumaki couldn't graduate, he got him to steal the Scroll of Seals.

After being thrown in prison, he defected to Orochimaru and used the power of a curse mark to stage a savior-like prison break.

Mentioning Neji Hyuga was just Mizuki showing off.

Neji Hyuga, like Itachi Uchiha, had been renowned across Konoha as a genius from a very young age.

And a genius like that—under normal circumstances—was hard to produce a second time.

"Not bad."

Beizawa nodded, speaking with confidence. "I believe my students have that kind of potential."

Mizuki froze, his smile barely holding.

Who gave you the guts to say something like that?

In this shinobi world of talent and bloodlines, an academy teacher's skill at most added a little polish.

"I've got things to do. Let's talk another time."

Beizawa pushed open the door and walked into the second-year main office.

The door closed behind him.

"You're so great, so noble! One day, I'll steal the title of best teacher!"

Mizuki immediately put on a pained mask, his whole face twisting.

Beizawa was his peer; they had entered the Ninja Academy to teach at the same time.

But five years had passed, and their circumstances had undergone a dramatic shift.

Beizawa had been promoted and given raises, winning Best Teacher every year.

While he remained just an ordinary teacher.

Mizuki felt only a sour sting in his eyes—lemons on the lemon tree, and only him beneath it.

Beizawa greeted the second-year teachers and then began reviewing student files.

As for Mizuki, he paid him no mind.

I just got my system—can I really take this grievance?

Half an hour later, Beizawa held three student files in his hand.

He stared at the photos on them for a few seconds, finally confirming they were the little brats Hinata Hyuga had mentioned.

Beizawa thought it over and came up with an idea.

He was a teacher, so it wasn't appropriate to discipline them directly.

And even if he did, he'd need to do it in front of Hinata Hyuga for maximum effect.

Well then... he'd handle it like an elementary school problem.

Beizawa put down the files and returned to the office.

The bell for the end of class rang.

Morning lessons were over, and it was time for lunch and the midday break.

Beizawa took the notes he'd written and went to Second Year Class C, slipping them into the desks of the three little brats, then walked off coolly.

"Teacher Beizawa!"

Naruto Uzumaki came running up, panting, and said, "I... I want to treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!"

"When has a kid ever treated an adult to a meal?"

Beizawa paused, then smiled and said, "I'll treat you."

"No, I'm treating!"

Naruto pulled out his Frog Wallet and said very firmly, "I have money!"

This wasn't a lie.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, gave him money regularly.

"I want to thank Teacher Beizawa."

Naruto added.

He was a kid, but not stupid—Beizawa had helped him many times, and he knew it.

"Alright then."

Beizawa thought for a moment and said, "This time you treat me, next time I'll treat you."

The two of them walked out of the school.

At Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

"Uncle Teuchi!"

Naruto called out, familiar with the place.

"Naruto, you... Beizawa? How did you two end up together?"

Teuchi pushed aside the curtain, stepped out, and asked with some surprise.

"Uncle Teuchi, you know Teacher Beizawa?"

Naruto asked, looking taken aback.

"How could I not know him?"

Teuchi said with a chuckle. "Beizawa is my neighbor."

"What?"

Naruto's eyes went wide.

"The general store next door is mine."

Beizawa pointed to the left and said, "But I only open it at night, so you wouldn't know."

If you asked which place in Konoha was the safest...

Many Hokage fans would say Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

After his parents died, Beizawa bought a house nearby, fixed it up, and sold some odds and ends.

This is what they call better safe than sorry.

Anyway, trying wouldn't kill him.

"Naruto, so you've become Beizawa's student?"

Teuchi caught on and said, "Then you're in luck. Beizawa has been voted the best teacher three years in a row."

"Yeah!"

Naruto Uzumaki nodded in agreement. "Teacher Beizawa is amazing!"

"What would you two like to eat?"

Teuchi asked with a smile.

"I'll have the Chashu Pork Rib Ramen!"

Naruto said immediately.

"Tonkotsu Ramen."

Beizawa glanced at the menu and said.

Before long, two bowls of ramen were brought out.

"I dig in!"

Naruto clapped his hands together and picked up his chopsticks with great enthusiasm.

Beizawa could tell he really loved ramen.

After lunch, the two of them returned to school.

"See you this afternoon, Teacher Beizawa."

Naruto ran off to the classroom.

Beizawa went back to the office.

"Senior Beizawa."

Umino Iruka knocked and walked in.

"Aren't you going to take a lunch break?"

Beizawa raised an eyebrow and asked.

"There's something I want to discuss with you."

Iruka said directly. "First Year Class A needs to pick a class leader to help us out, like collecting homework."

Current Mission: Become the class leader of First Year Class A.

Mission Reward: Water Release.

Accept?

Beizawa twitched the corner of his mouth.

Can't breathe, bro.

What kind of crappy mission is this? I think you're trying to screw me over, Nobita.