Teacher Ibuki's Thigh

Ninja Academy.

The After School bell rang, but the classroom didn't erupt in chaos as usual.

Lin turned her chair around, leaned on the table, and looked at the three empty seats.

"They're Genin now," Rin said, resting her chin on her hand. "Even though they were chosen before, we were still classmates back then. It feels completely different now."

Obito sat down next to her, his hands behind his head. "What's different? Aren't they still the same three people?"

"They're all wearing Forehead Protector," a classmate whispered to me.

The Forehead Protector acts like a dividing line; wearing it signifies that you are a true Ninja.

Kai shouted through tears, "My rivals are gone, but I won't be sad, because I will chase after them with my blood!"

The classroom fell silent for a moment.

Lin thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped her hands. "How about we throw them a party?"

"Reunion?"

"It was just a meal together to congratulate them on becoming Genin."

Kai was the first to raise his hand. "A fiery party, a party of youth, a party of friendship!"

Several classmates nearby also gathered around.

"I'm going too!"

Count me in!

Everyone was chattering about where to eat and whether they should chip in money when a cough came from the classroom doorway.

Teacher Ibuki stood at the door, holding a stack of textbooks, her expression somewhat unnatural.

"Teacher?" Lin turned her head.

Teacher Ibuki's gaze flickered. "I heard everything you were saying."

The classroom fell silent.

Teacher Ibuki walked in, placed the textbook on the podium, turned her back to them, and remained silent for two seconds.

"I'll take care of the party."

"Teacher?"

"You bunch of brats, where would you get the money to treat us?" Teacher Ibuki turned around. "Besides, those three guys—they're still my students, after all."

"Really, teacher?"

"Hmm, let's set the time for tonight. As for the location—" Teacher Ibuki thought for a moment, "I know a small shop with good stuff and reasonable prices."

"Long live the teacher!" several students cheered.

Teacher Ibuki's lips twitched. "Stop shouting. Tonight, on the back street of the school, at that restaurant with the red lanterns hanging there."

"Oh, that one." A student nodded.

"It's settled then." Teacher Ibuki said, walking out with her teacup in hand. "Don't forget to tell Shin-chan and the others."

97

Don't worry, teacher!

Teacher Ibuki nodded, then turned and left.

He walked quickly, taking out his wallet to look at it as he went, then silently putting it back, a bitter look on his face.

As evening fell, the setting sun bathed the rooftops of Konoha in an orange-red hue.

A small, unassuming restaurant is tucked away at the corner of two alleys, its door curtain faded from washing.

The private room was already quite full, with people huddled around a long table, chattering away.

Why hasn't Kakashi arrived yet?

"What if they don't come?"

"Probably not----"

Before the words were finished, the curtain was lifted.

Kakashi walked in, his Forehead Protector already tied on his forehead, his face mask covering his face, only his eyes showing.

Lin smiled and waved, "Sit here."

Kakashi glanced at the people in the room, nodded slightly, walked to a corner and sat down without saying a word.

Kai ran to Kakashi's side, his gaze burning as he looked at Kakashi's Forehead Protector: "Kakashi, one day I'll wear Forehead Protector too, and then I'll challenge you!"

"Oh." Kakashi turned a page of the menu, his reaction indifferent.

Not long after, the curtain was lifted again.

Uchiha Toru walked in, also wearing Forehead Protector. After hesitating for a moment, he sat down next to Kakashi.

I waited a while longer.

"Why isn't Shin-chan here yet?" Obito craned his neck to look at the door.

"Could he be lost?"

As they were talking, the curtain was suddenly flung open.

"Everyone, I'm here!"

Shin-chan stood at the doorway, hands on his Hands on hips, his Forehead Protector askew on his forehead.

"Why are you only arriving now?" Obito asked.

I saw a caterpillar on the road and played with it for a while.

Caterpillar?

"Hmm, the way it walks is quite amusing."

The entire room fell silent for a second.

"Never mind, it's good that you're here." Teacher Ibuki waved her hand, "Please sit down."

Shin-chan glanced around the private room, his gaze sweeping over the wooden tables and chairs, the dim lighting, and the handwritten menu on the wall.

"Teacher, this place—" Shin-chan -chan looked around, "Is so small."

A black line appeared on Teacher Ibuki's forehead.

"And here," Shin-chan pointed to the wall, "The paint has faded."

There's an extra black line.

"The handwriting on the wall isn't very neat either."

The black lines are now very dense.

"This chair isn't very comfortable either," Shin-chan said, shifting his bottom. "Teacher, can't you find a better place?"

Teacher Ibuki took a deep breath. "I'm really sorry about the limited funds."

I could faintly hear the sound of teeth grinding.

Shin-chan waved his hand, looking magnanimous. "Fine, I'll forgive you this time. Just be more careful next time."

A huge "cross" exploded on Teacher Ibuki's forehead.

"Shin Nohara!!!"

"Okay, okay," Lin quickly smoothed things over. "Teacher, shall we order?"

Teacher Ibuki clenched her fist repeatedly, then relaxed it again, and finally closed her eyes and took three deep breaths.

"Alright, everyone's here. Order whatever you like." He paused, then added, "Don't order anything too expensive."

Shin-chan opens the menu.

"I want this, this, and this."

Teacher Ibuki leaned over for a look, and her eye began to twitch.

"These are all the most expensive items on the menu."

"Really?" Shin-chan scratched his head. "I just think the picture looks nice."

"Then let's order something cheaper."

Shin-chan turned another page. "Then I want this one, this one, and this one."

"These are also the most expensive."

"Teacher, are you lying to me?"

"Why would I lie to you!" Teacher Ibuki sighed. "Alright, that's all for now."

Wow, teacher, you're so awesome!

The twitching at the corner of Teacher Ibuki's mouth turned into an indescribable distortion, like a mixture of helplessness and heartache over money.

One dish after another was served.

Shin-chan, his mouth glistening with oil, exclaimed, "This fried chicken is delicious! This roast beef is delicious too!"

Teacher Ibuki, holding her bowl of the cheapest somen noodles, slurped a mouthful with a blank expression.

"Just eat yours."

"Teacher, why don't you eat meat?"

"I'm not hungry."

But your bowl only has noodles and vegetables.

"I like vegetarian food."

Shin-chan stared at Teacher Ibuki for two seconds, then put the two pieces of beef from his plate into Teacher Ibuki's bowl.

"Teacher, you should eat too."

Teacher Ibuki paused for a moment, then said, "I don't like eating meat."

"That's a lie, who doesn't like eating meat?"

Teacher Ibuki opened her mouth, but no words came out.

He lowered his head, picked up the two pieces of beef, put them in his mouth, and chewed for a long time.

"Is it delicious?" Shin-chan asked.

"Good."