After leaving Might Duy's house, Hanfu rushed back to the Ninja Academy without stopping. He retrieved the Bento Box he'd hidden by the school gate, then returned to the classroom, panting.
The moment Hanfu stepped into the classroom, he ran into his nemesis: Ito Ni had cornered him by the door again.
"Hey, Ito Ni!"
Hanfu greeted him.
"Hmph!" Ito Ni snorted loudly, looking smug. "Gekko Hayate, I look down on you. You actually took sick leave just to avoid being beaten by me. But it didn't help at all. Your make-up exam score wasn't even a fraction of mine!"
Oh, oh, oh. Was this about to turn into a fight?
Remembering what had happened yesterday afternoon, Hanfu's eyes shifted. He put on a grateful expression and patted Ito Ni's shoulder affectionately. "Ito Ni, let's forget about the past! Yesterday, I really have you to thank. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to make such a big splash. Classes 1, 2, and 3—all of them are talking about me now. Ito Ni, I was wrong about you. You're a really good person! I've decided: from now on, we're going to be best friends!"
The smug Ito Ni instantly looked as grief-stricken as if Shiromaru had had his way with him all night. Who was trying to help you make a splash? I was trying to mess with you!
Why? Why did this happen?!
No. I can't get angry. I can't let Gekko Hayate get what he wants!
Ito Ni did his best to keep up his calm, nonchalant expression.
"Ito Ni, what do you say? Be my friend! Join my Six-Man Group. Once we graduate, we'll make our debut together, take on missions, earn big money, and buy a big house!" Hanfu looked at Ito Ni, fired up with enthusiasm.
Ito Ni was so grossed out by Hanfu that his calm expression instantly crumbled. "Gekko Hayate, give it up! I'll never be your friend!"
With that, Ito Ni shoved past Hanfu and stormed out of the classroom.
Watching Ito Ni's retreating figure, Hanfu couldn't help laughing. That fatty had some nerve.
When he returned to his seat, Hanfu realized Iruka wasn't there.
Just then, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane came over.
"Hanfu, where'd you go just now?" Izumo asked. "You didn't even eat lunch with us."
"Yeah, the sushi and rice balls your mom made were delicious. It's too bad we didn't get any today!" Kotetsu said, looking disappointed.
"When did you lose your sense of taste?" Hanfu quipped. Then he turned to Izumo. "I had something to do and left school at lunchtime. By the way, where's Iruka?"
"He went off with that senior," Izumo replied.
"A senior?"
Hanfu was a little surprised. "Did he meet him yesterday afternoon? Things moved pretty fast."
Come to think of it, Hanfu was full of energy today and had three chances to gather. Why hadn't Hyuga Shinichi or Hyuga Itsuki come looking for him?
"No, it was that senior named Mizuki!" Kotetsu said.
"Mizuki?"
Hanfu paused, then quickly remembered him.
As the first villain in Naruto, Mizuki had left a pretty deep impression on Hanfu.
Mizuki was a few years older than Iruka and had looked after him when they were at the Ninja Academy. But because of his personality, he ultimately kept going further and further down the path of self-destruction.
"Hanfu, want to go play at Senju Park after school tonight?" Izumo invited him.
Hanfu shook his head. "I probably won't have time for the next month."
"What's going on?" Kotetsu asked curiously.
"I have to go to an uncle's house after school and learn some things," Hanfu said. "I might also have to ask Iruka to take my little brother home, so I really won't have time."
"Aw, why?" Izumo said unhappily. "For a whole month?"
"Maybe not."
Hanfu figured that if everything went smoothly, he might get the scroll in half a month.
But until everything was settled, he didn't dare make any promises.
Before the afternoon outdoor training class began, Iruka finally returned.
Hanfu hurried to tell him what he needed.
"Take Hayate home?"
Iruka agreed without giving it much thought.
His house wasn't in the same direction as Hanfu's, but at least it wasn't the opposite way. It only meant going a few streets out of his way, so it wouldn't take long.
"Thanks, Iruka!"
Hanfu said gratefully.
"But make sure you tell Hayate first, or he won't come with me," Iruka said.
"Sure, no problem."
As they spoke, they followed the Main Force out of the School Building and began the day's outdoor training.
Kashima Isamu was already waiting in a corner of the training field. When all the brats had gathered, he began the lesson. "Today, I'll be teaching you the Clone Technique!"
"No way! Does that mean we have to write a five-hundred-word essay about the Clone Technique today?"
"I hate writing essays!"
While the brats grumbled, Hanfu was secretly delighted.
It was a good thing he'd planned ahead and had his little brother write the five-hundred-word essay early. He was in for an easy time.
"Quiet down and listen carefully!" Kashima Isamu snapped.
This bunch did nothing but play all day. The moment they got a little homework, they acted like victims. They'd even pulled the ridiculous stunt of taking sick leave to avoid an exam. Kashima Isamu was so frustrated with them he could barely stand it!
Then, with a dark look on his face, Kashima Isamu began teaching them the Clone Technique.
Time passed. At a quarter past three, Kashima Isamu checked the time and saw that it was about right. He announced that the day's lessons were over and assigned everyone a five-hundred-word essay about the Clone Technique.
After they were dismissed, Hanfu and Iruka returned to the classroom to get their Bento Boxes and homework. Then they headed to the school gate, where the dismissal bell rang.
A huge crowd of students poured out of the School Building like wild dogs off their leashes.
Hanfu and Iruka waited by the school gate for his little brother.
"Big brother! Iruka-senpai!"
Hayate squeezed his way through the crowd and bounced over to them.
"Hayate, I have something to do later. Go home with Iruka for now, all right?" Hanfu said.
"Huh? Why? Big brother, I want to go with you." His little brother pouted.
"Listen to me. Go home with Iruka-senpai!" Hanfu said sternly. "Otherwise, I won't let you practice swordsmanship tonight!"
His little brother blinked twice. He hesitated briefly between going with his brother and practicing swordsmanship, then decided to do as his brother said.
"Okay, big brother!"
"You're really strict," Iruka said, poking Hanfu in the side. "Hanfu, what's it like being an older brother?"
Hanfu looked troubled. "I've really worn myself out worrying about him."
"..." Iruka had no idea how to respond.
"I'll leave Hayate in your hands, then. Bye."
Hanfu started to hand Iruka his Bento Box and homework... Then again, he'd better keep the homework. If his little brother saw it, he'd really have to worry about him in the future.
After saying goodbye, Hanfu turned and raced toward Might Duy's house.
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