You're the Worst Class I've Ever Taught!

I had to admit, Zabuza really did look like a proper ninja tool at that moment.

Cangwu smiled. "Just do as you see fit."

"But for now, we need to leave Gato's public assets alone."

"I've already had someone keep an eye on Konoha's movements. Wait for my signal."

"Yes!" x2

Zabuza and Haku exchanged a glance.

It seemed Cangwu hadn't made this decision in a rush.

Looking at it this way... it seemed he'd planned everything from the very beginning.

The two of them were shocked.

Cangwu waved a hand and headed back the way he'd come.

"Get your injuries treated. After that, I'll need you to help put those three little brats through their paces."

Zabuza and Haku bowed respectfully, watching as Cangwu walked away.

"Mr. Zabuza... Lord Cangwu really is a terrifying ninja."

Zabuza didn't disagree. "Come on. Let's head back first..."

My kidneys hurt so much!

"Yugao, as an Anbu ninja, you shouldn't have any trouble keeping an eye on the Root Organization during this time, right?"

"If the Root Organization makes any moves, send word to me."

That was the task he'd given Yugao at the time.

Kurenai's task was a little simpler.

With her identity as the Eighth Squad's Jonin Instructor, and Hinata and Ino's status as daughters of their Ninja Clan leaders,

she would help him build connections with the major Ninja Clans while he was away.

Anko... Anko could just serve as a mascot for now.

"Teacher Cangwu!" x2

When Cangwu returned, Sakura and Naruto immediately called out to him in delight.

Seeing the expectant looks on their faces, Cangwu didn't hold back from patting their heads.

"Good work."

"Haha! We took care of that guy with the bandages!" Naruto said proudly.

Sakura's eyes were also pleading for praise.

Even Sasuke, standing off to the side, perked up his ears.

"It took you that long just to use a Water Clone... You really are the worst class I've ever taught."

Cangwu figured he should knock them down a peg to keep them from getting conceited.

But his words didn't seem to have much effect.

Sasuke frowned.

Naruto scratched his head, feeling that something was off.

In the end, Sakura was the one who timidly said:

"Teacher Cangwu... you've only taught our class, haven't you?"

"From the Ninja Academy until now..."

"Right... Anyway, let's eat breakfast first." Cangwu was at a loss for words, then pointed at the campfire.

Pfft—

Sakura covered her mouth and giggled. Teacher Cangwu is so cute~

Naruto didn't think that deeply about it.

Cangwu's words had already brought his pride down a notch.

Half an hour later, the group set off again.

"Teacher Cangwu, did you take care of those two?"

"What a shame... I was hoping to show off a little."

After eating his fill, Naruto was full of energy again.

He cracked his knuckles, then ran over to Cangwu to chat.

"No."

"What?!"

As soon as Cangwu said it, everyone felt it was hard to believe.

"When we get there, you'll undergo special training."

"If you don't work hard at your training, then even if you can't beat the enemy, I won't step in."

"That kid is pretty strong. Be ready."

Those words immediately made the three kids tense up, after they'd just started to relax.

But Naruto quickly responded.

"Looks like my chance to show off is here!"

"I'll definitely learn the new jutsu before the arrogant Sasuke does!"

"Then I'll take care of all the enemies by myself, heh heh. Sakura-chan will fall in love with me for sure, and then she'll join me in making fun of that stuck-up Sasuke~!"

Thwack—

Sakura gave him an exasperated punch.

This kid—he'd just said what he was really thinking out loud!

What did he mean, she'd fall in love with him and join him in making fun of Sasuke...

Sasuke ignored them both and stared straight at Cangwu.

"Teacher Cangwu... I want to get stronger... Please help me!"

The battle that day had dealt a devastating blow to the little self-respect he had left.

Although he'd managed to pull himself together,

he still felt that his performance hadn't been worthy of someone from the Uchiha Clan.

I have to get stronger...

He was naturally feeling the pressure.

Sakura's progress.

Naruto's Shadow Clones.

They were all pushing him not to get complacent, but to work even harder.

Otherwise... if either of them surpassed him in training again,

he really would break down.

They were so in sync that they both spoke up.

"Heh. Just you wait, stuck-up Sasuke. I'll leave you in the dust again!"

"Now that I've mastered Shadow Clones, I'm a thousand times stronger than you!"

Naruto waved his fist boastfully. "I was the main one who beat that bandaged guy earlier!"

"Idiot!" Sasuke snorted.

Once I'm strong enough and awaken the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan, you'll never catch up to me.

Sakura looked at the two of them bickering again and shook her head helplessly.

The corners of her mouth lifted without her noticing.

Those two really get along... I need to work hard too.

I may not have much chakra... but even my weakness is a strength. I'm better than you two at controlling chakra, so I still have a chance!

Inspired by Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke also grew eager to get started.

Tazuna walked in the middle of the group, watching the three kids brim with energy.

After a moment of staring blankly, he put away his bottle.

A faint, relieved smile tugged at his lips.

It hadn't taken long for those three kids to prove to him that they were real ninjas.

He quietly quickened his pace.

The group's speed had always been determined by him.

So far, there was no danger.

That teacher had defeated such a powerful enemy. Even if there were others, they weren't worth worrying about.

"Good. The three of you are all very talented. Don't get conceited. There's still a long road ahead, and you'll need to keep working hard." Cangwu turned back and smiled warmly at the three kids.

His approval boosted their spirits once more.

"But the new jutsu you're about to learn is pretty difficult."

"No matter how hard it is, we can learn it!" Naruto shouted, fired up.

Cangwu smiled and said nothing more.

Instead, he raised a hand.

Chakra gathered.

Cangwu had already decided which jutsu to teach.

He didn't have the slightest hesitation.

As for saving it for Jiraiya...

Dream on.

Now that he was Team 7's Jonin Instructor,

there was no way he'd let Naruto go train with Jiraiya.

It wasn't necessary, and he didn't need to.

And he had a few things to take care of on this trip to the Land of Waves.

Once the matter here was settled, he could take care of them along the way.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

As the three kids watched curiously,

a large amount of chakra gathered in Cangwu's hand.

"Remember what I said earlier? Shape Transformation of chakra."

"This is the new jutsu you'll be learning next."

"One thing to mention: this jutsu has no nature."

"In other words, once you master Nature Transformation, you can infuse it with that."

"Of course, this training is especially suited to Naruto."

"Even creating a new jutsu based on this one is extremely dangerous."

"Do you know about the Second Hokage?"

"A man with a whole arsenal of forbidden jutsu... The price was that his body was completely depleted. By the time of his final battle, he was already at death's door."