What does it feel like to be an older brother?

After leaving Might Duy's house, Gekko Hayate ran back to the Ninja Academy without stopping. After retrieving the bento box he had hidden at the school gate, he returned to the classroom, panting heavily.

The moment Gekko Hayate stepped into the classroom, it was a case of narrow paths for enemies; Ito Ni blocked him at the door once again.

"Yo, Ito Ni!"

Gekko Hayate greeted him.

"Hmph!" Ito Ni snorted heavily, looking arrogant and aloof. "Gekko Hayate, I look down on you. To avoid being defeated by me, you actually took a sick leave on purpose. But that was useless; your make-up exam score doesn't even amount to a fraction of mine!"

Oh, oh, oh, so he's looking for a fight.

Gekko Hayate recalled the events of yesterday afternoon. His eyes rolled, and he put on a look of feigned gratitude, patting his shoulder quite intimately. "Ito Ni, let's not bring up the past! Yesterday, yesterday was really all thanks to you. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to make such a big splash. Now, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3—every class is talking about me. Ito Ni, I misunderstood you; you really are a good person! I've decided, from now on, I want to be good friends with you!"

The arrogant Ito Ni immediately wore an expression of indignation, as if he had been trampled by Shiromaru all night: The hell I helped you make a splash, I was clearly trying to mess you up!

Why, why did it turn out like this?!

No, I can't get angry. I can't let Gekko Hayate get his way!

Ito Ni tried his best to maintain a calm and indifferent expression.

"Ito Ni, how about it? Be friends with me, join my Six-Man Group. When we graduate in the future, we can debut together, take on missions, earn big money, and buy a big house!" Gekko Hayate looked at Ito Ni with burning enthusiasm.

Ito Ni was thoroughly disgusted by Gekko Hayate, and his calm, indifferent expression instantly collapsed. "Gekko Hayate, give up on that idea! I will absolutely not be friends with you!"

With that, Ito Ni aggressively shoved past Gekko Hayate and stormed out of the classroom.

Gekko Hayate watched Ito Ni's retreating back and couldn't help but laugh out loud. This fatty has some character.

Returning to his seat, Gekko Hayate noticed that Iruka was not there.

At this moment, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane walked over.

Izumo Kamizuki asked, "Hayate, where did you go just now? You didn't even eat lunch with us."

"Yeah, the sushi and rice balls your mom makes are truly delicious. It's a pity we didn't get to eat them today!" Kotetsu Hagane said with a look of regret.

"When did your sense of taste become zombified?" Gekko Hayate retorted, then said to Izumo Kamizuki, "I had something to do at noon and left the school. By the way, where is Iruka?"

"He went to hang out with that upperclassman," Izumo Kamizuki said.

"Upperclassman?"

Gekko Hayate was a bit surprised. "Did he meet him yesterday afternoon? Things are moving fast, aren't they?"

Speaking of which, I'm full of energy today and have three collection opportunities. Why haven't Hyuga Shinichi and Hyuga Itsuki come looking for me?

"No, it's that upperclassman named Mizuki!" Kotetsu Hagane said.

"Mizuki?"

Hanfu was taken aback, but quickly recalled who this person was.

As the very first villain to appear in Naruto, Hanfu had a rather deep impression of this character.

Mizuki was a few years older than Iruka and had taken good care of him back at the Ninja Academy, but due to his own personality, he eventually succeeded in walking further and further down the path of self-destruction.

"Hanfu, let's go play at Senju Park after school tonight," Izumo Kamizuki invited.

Hanfu shook his head. "I probably won't have time for the next month."

"What's wrong?" Izumo Kamizuki asked curiously.

"I have to go to an uncle's house after school to learn some things," Hanfu said. "I might have to trouble Iruka to take my younger brother home, so I really can't spare the time."

"Ah, why like that?" Izumo Kamizuki said, feeling disappointed. "Will it take a whole month?"

"Maybe not that long."

Hanfu mused that if everything went smoothly, he might be able to get the scroll in half a month.

But before things were settled, he didn't dare to make any guarantees.

Before the outdoor training session began in the afternoon, Iruka finally returned.

Hanfu hurriedly told him about his request.

"Take Hayate home?"

Iruka agreed without much thought.

Although his home wasn't in the same direction as Hanfu's, fortunately, it wasn't the opposite direction either; it was just a matter of detouring a few streets, which wouldn't waste much time.

"Thank you, Iruka!"

Hanfu expressed his gratitude.

"But you have to tell Hayate first, otherwise he won't come with me," Iruka said.

"Mm-hmm, no problem."

As they spoke, the two followed the main group down the teaching building to begin today's outdoor training.

Kashima Isamu was already waiting in a corner of the playground. Once the students had gathered, he began today's lesson: "What I am going to teach you all today is the Clone Technique!"

"No way? Doesn't that mean we have to write a five-hundred-word reflection on the Clone Technique today?"

"I hate writing reflections!"

While the group of bronze-ranked students was busy complaining, Hanfu felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

It was fortunate that he had the foresight to plan ahead, having long ago made his little brother write the five-hundred-word reflection. How delightful.

"Stop the noise and listen carefully!"

Kashima Isamu was somewhat angry. These guys only knew how to play all day long; the moment they were given a little homework, they acted pitiful. They even pulled off the god-tier move of faking illness to skip exams. Kashima Isamu felt a deep sense of frustration that they wouldn't live up to his expectations.

Next, with a livid expression, Kashima Isamu began to teach the Clone Technique.

Time passed, and by 3:15 PM, Kashima Isamu saw that it was about time, so he announced that the day's lessons were over and instructed everyone to write a five-hundred-word reflection on the Clone Technique.

After being dismissed, Hanfu and Iruka returned to the classroom to grab their lunch boxes and notebooks. Afterward, they walked to the school gate just as the bell rang.

A massive crowd of students rushed out from the teaching building, swarming out like wild dogs off their leashes.

Hanfu and Iruka stood to the side of the school gate, waiting for the little brother.

"Big brother! Senior Iruka!"

Hayate squeezed his way out of the crowd and hopped over to the two of them.

"Hayate, I have something to do later. You go home with Iruka first, understand?" Hanfu said.

"Huh? Why? Big brother, I want to go with you." The little brother pouted.

"Be obedient and go home with your Senior Iruka!" Hanfu put on a stern face and scolded, "Otherwise, I won't let you practice swordsmanship tonight!"

The little brother blinked twice. After hesitating for a moment between following his brother and practicing swordsmanship, he decided to listen to his brother.

"I understand, big brother!"

"You're really strict." Iruka poked Hanfu in the waist from the side. "Hanfu, what does it feel like to be a big brother?"

Hanfu wore a melancholic expression. "I'm truly worried sick."

"..." Iruka didn't know how to respond to that.

"Then I'll leave Hayate to you. Bye."

Hanfu took his lunch box and his notebook—actually, never mind, he should keep the notebook himself. If the little brother saw the homework inside, it would be really hard to worry about him in the future.

After saying goodbye, Hanfu turned and sprinted toward the home of Might Duy.

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