Otsutsuki Ichiraku

Umino Iruka slowly let out a breath.

After composing himself, he walked into the First Year Class A classroom.

"Why did they switch teachers?"

"Was Teacher Beizawa only teaching one class?"

"What a shame. I still prefer Teacher Beizawa's lessons."

Umino Iruka froze slightly.

Had he won over this group of students in just one lesson?

As expected of Beizawa-senpai.

Suppressing his admiration, Umino Iruka walked up to the podium under the disappointed gazes of quite a few students.

He was going to teach them how to extract Chakra.

Chakra was the foundation of becoming a ninja, the product of evenly mixing spiritual energy and physical energy.

Once class began, Umino Iruka found that these students were all very serious, nowhere near as mischievous as he had imagined.

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

Who had changed them... no, who had taught them to be like this?

Without a doubt, it was Beizawa.

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

Umino Iruka sighed inwardly.

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

Beizawa set down the student files in his hands and headed upstairs.

He had not found any troublesome brats matching the description among them.

Then there was only one explanation.

They were not first-year students. They were second-year students.

"Beizawa?"

A sudden voice rang out.

Beizawa turned around at the sound and looked at the newcomer.

He was about Beizawa's age, with white hair parted down the middle.

"Mizuki."

Beizawa greeted him with a smile and asked, "Just finished class?"

"Yeah."

Mizuki stepped forward and asked, "I heard you took over a first-year class this year. How is it? Any geniuses?"

"Not yet."

Beizawa shook his head and said, "I've only taught for half a day."

"But with your outstanding teaching ability, I'm sure you can teach a genius like Neji."

Mizuki said this with a sunny smile.

What the hell was he babbling about?

Someone else might have been fooled by Mizuki.

But Beizawa knew that, in the original story, Mizuki was a despicable, scheming little hater consumed by jealousy.

He was friends with Umino Iruka, yet became deeply jealous because Umino Iruka was more popular.

To complete a mission, he had personally killed an injured companion.

When Naruto Uzumaki could not graduate, he had tricked him into stealing the Scroll of Seals.

After being thrown into prison, he had defected to Orochimaru and used the power of the Cursed Seal to stage a prison break as some kind of savior.

Mizuki bringing up Neji Hyuga was really just a way to show off.

Like Itachi Uchiha, Neji Hyuga had become renowned throughout Konoha as a genius at a very young age.

And under normal circumstances, it was difficult for another such genius to appear.

"Indeed."

Beizawa nodded and said confidently, "I believe my students have that potential."

Mizuki froze, and the smile on his face nearly failed to hold.

Who gave you the nerve to say that?

In this ninja world, where talent and bloodlines mattered most, a Ninja Academy teacher's skill could at best add the finishing touch.

"I have something to do. Let's talk next time."

Beizawa pushed open the door and entered the large second-year teachers' office.

The door closed.

"You're amazing, you're so noble! One day, I'll take away your title of Best Teacher!"

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

Beizawa was his contemporary. They had entered the Ninja Academy as teachers at the same time.

But five years later, their circumstances had become worlds apart.

Beizawa had already been promoted and received raises, becoming Best Teacher year after year.

Meanwhile, he was still just an ordinary teacher.

Mizuki felt his eyes sting. Lemon trees bore lemon fruit, and beneath the lemon tree stood only him.

After greeting the second-year teachers, Beizawa began reviewing the student files.

As for Mizuki, he did not care about him.

I just got a system. Do you think I can put up with this kind of grievance?

Half an hour passed, and Beizawa held three student files in his hands.

He stared at the photographs for several seconds before finally confirming that they were the troublesome brats Hinata Hyuga had mentioned.

After giving it some thought, Beizawa came up with an idea.

He was a teacher, so it would not be appropriate for him to discipline them directly.

And even if he was going to discipline them, it had to happen in front of Hinata Hyuga for the greatest effect.

Then... he would handle it the elementary school way.

Beizawa put down the files and returned to the office.

The dismissal bell rang.

Morning classes had ended, and it was time for lunch and the midday break.

Beizawa took the small notes he had written to Second Year Class C, slipped them into the desks of the three troublesome brats, then left casually.

"Teacher Beizawa!"

Naruto Uzumaki came running over in a hurry, panting as he said, "I... I want to treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!"

"What kid treats an adult to a meal?"

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

"No, I'm treating!"

Naruto Uzumaki took out his Frog Wallet and said with great determination, "I have money!"

That was not a lie.

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

"I want to thank you, Teacher Beizawa."

Naruto Uzumaki added.

He might have been a child, but he was not stupid. Beizawa had helped him several times, so of course he knew.

"Fine."

After thinking it over, Beizawa said, "You can treat me this time. I'll treat you next time."

The two headed outside the school.

Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

"Teuchi!"

Naruto Uzumaki called out with practiced familiarity.

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

Teuchi lifted the curtain and came out, asking in surprise.

"Teuchi, you know Teacher Beizawa?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked with a look of surprise.

"How could I not know him?"

Teuchi said with a cheerful smile, "Beizawa is my neighbor."

"What?"

Naruto Uzumaki's eyes widened.

"The General Store next door is mine."

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

If one had to ask which place in Konoha was the safest,

many Hokage fans would say the Ichiraku Ramen Shop.

After his parents died, Beizawa had bought a house nearby, renovated it, and started selling miscellaneous goods.

Better safe than sorry.

Besides, trying would not kill him.

"Naruto, have you become Beizawa's student?"

Teuchi came to his senses and said, "Then you're lucky. Beizawa has been named Best Teacher for three consecutive years."

"Yeah!"

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

"What would you two like to eat?"

Teuchi asked with a smile.

"I want Chashu Pork Rib Ramen!"

Naruto Uzumaki immediately said.

"Tonkotsu Ramen."

Beizawa glanced at the menu and replied.

Before long, two bowls of ramen were served.

"Thanks for the food!"

Naruto Uzumaki clapped his hands together and eagerly picked up his chopsticks.

Beizawa could tell that he truly loved ramen.

After lunch, the two returned to school.

"See you this afternoon, Teacher Beizawa."

Naruto Uzumaki ran off to the classroom.

Beizawa returned to the office.

"Beizawa-senpai."

Umino Iruka knocked and entered.

"Aren't you going to take your midday break?"

Beizawa raised an eyebrow and asked.

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

Umino Iruka said directly, "First Year Class A needs to choose a Class Leader to help us out, such as 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.

I can't breathe, brother.

What kind of trash mission is this? I think you're making things difficult for me, Fat Tiger.