Don't Leave After School? Who Do You Think You Are?!

"Uchiha Hiko, don't go too far!!"

Hiko shrugged with a smile, looking at Shimura Shitsuki, whose hair was practically standing on end from anger. Amused, he said, "You're the ones going too far. What does it have to do with you? Why are you sticking your noses where they don't belong? Whatever happens between Tsunade and me is none of your business."

"Too far? So what if we are? You're allowed to gossip about me, but I can't talk about you? So what if I say you look like a monkey? If you've got the guts, make yourself look less like one!!!"

"Hahahaha..."

The classroom fell silent for a few seconds. Then, led by Tsunade and Jiraiya, everyone burst into laughter. Even Orochimaru's lips twitched slightly, clearly amused by Hiko's words.

"You..."

"You..."

Shimura Shitsuki was furious. He pointed at Hiko, unable to get a word out. After stammering for ages, he finally blurted out, "If you've got the guts, don't leave after school!!!"

Bang!!!

But the moment Shimura Shitsuki finished speaking, instant payback came. Tsunade sent him flying with a kick, then curled her lip and snorted. "You were chattering away about me, and I haven't even settled the score with you yet. Don't leave after school?! Who do you think you are?"

Hiko had wanted to answer, I'll be waiting for you after school, but before he could say it, Tsunade had already acted. Apparently, she had mistaken those words as being directed at her.

A few seconds later, Hiko lowered his hand. This was fine too. Kids fighting was perfectly normal, but it was even better when someone else did the work for him.

"Everyone, quiet down. Get ready for class."

Just then, the teacher entered the classroom. He glanced at Shimura Shitsuki, who looked pitiful yet dared not voice his anger, and shook his head. There was only one person in the class who could make everyone angry without daring to say anything—Tsunade.

There was no need to ask. Shimura Shitsuki had been beaten up by Tsunade.

Shimura Shitsuki slunk back to his seat. The teacher walked to the podium, clapped his hands, and said, "Students, I know what you've all been talking about, but I want to remind you not to believe everything you hear. Especially you all—what others say may not necessarily be true. This concerns your future work investigating and gathering intelligence after graduation."

"Perhaps you think the two have nothing to do with each other, but I'm telling you, no!!!"

"They are closely related, because the enemy may deliberately use other people's mouths to pass false intelligence on to you."

"Once intelligence is false, it can bring about fatal disasters. Of course, I'll explain more in detail in future lessons. For now, let's begin class. Don't believe so-called rumors and misunderstand others because of them."

The teacher looked over everyone, spoke up for Hiko and Tsunade, then began the lesson. Quite a few people were confused now. Could all those rumors outside be false?

If they were true, why would the teacher say that?

After class, once another teacher arrived, he headed straight for the Hokage Office Building.

He handed over all the money Hiko had brought to the Third Hokage and clearly explained Hiko's request to graduate early.

"I understand."

The Third Hokage nodded, set down the pipe in his hand, and thought for a moment before saying, "Go back and tell him to attend school properly. I will not approve this request for early graduation."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!!!"

The Third Hokage's response delighted the teacher. Wasn't this exactly the outcome he wanted?

He hoped Hiko would continue attending school rather than rush into graduating early, only to regret it after learning how cruel it was to be a ninja.

The things Hiko had already considered were what the teacher worried about. Hiko did not care whether he would end up in Rogue Teams that constantly formed and disbanded, nor did he care whether he became a wanderer. But as a teacher, he naturally had to consider such factors for his student.

Having received the answer he wanted, the teacher left happily.

The Third Hokage sat in his office, staring blankly at the stack of money on the desk.

This was no small sum for Hiko, yet he had not touched a single coin. He had brought it all back intact, though he had not handed it directly to Tsunade.