Umino Ikkaku's Random Check

Returning to his seat, Yuhi Kurenai carefully glanced outside the classroom before whispering with a hint of worry.

"Yuichi, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Yuki Yuichi shook his head.

"Umino Ikkaku-sensei is very reasonable; he let me come back after I apologized."

"Oh." Yuhi Kurenai nodded, then looked at the empty seat in front of them and couldn't help but ask curiously, "So, Kakashi hasn't returned yet?"

Thinking of Kakashi Hatake currently getting scolded, Yuki Yuichi masked his awkwardness and said nonchalantly, "He didn't apologize and tried to make excuses, but the teacher caught him."

"So, the teacher is still lecturing that delinquent."

Looking at Yuki Yuichi, though she didn't want to admit it, Yuhi Kurenai still felt that her own Yuichi-kun seemed more like a delinquent than Kakashi Hatake.

As the two whispered at their desks, Uchiha Obito looked at them with envy; when would he ever be like that with Rin?

He also wanted to be lovey-dovey with Nohara Rin like that.

What a winner in life!

Not only was he strong, having awakened the Sharingan by using eye drops, but he also had a childhood sweetheart.

He, Uchiha Obito, was officially jealous.

The joys and sorrows of people are not shared.

While Yuki Yuichi and Yuhi Kurenai were being affectionate, Kakashi Hatake hung his head in despair.

When Umino Ikkaku was lecturing him, he had tried to talk back.

But one sentence from the teacher had left him speechless.

"The Hokage-sama has business with you, but do you have any proof?"

Just like that, Kakashi Hatake was completely silenced.

He didn't have a shred of proof.

The Hokage had given the scroll to Yuki Yuichi.

Damn bastard, one day, I will take back everything I lost today! Kakashi Hatake thought to himself.

Umino Ikkaku talked to Kakashi Hatake for a long time, and by the time they returned to the classroom, half of the afternoon session had already passed.

Looking at the students in the front rows studying independently and the slackers in the back, Umino Ikkaku gave a light cough and began to spot-check their understanding of the Will of Fire.

"Students, what did you see in your self-study of the Will of Fire?" His smile was warm, completely unlike the expression he had while lecturing Kakashi Hatake just moments ago.

Seeing that no one raised their hand, Umino Ikkaku frowned and prepared to call on someone at random.

However, just then, Yuki Yuichi raised his hand.

"Me! Me! Me!"

Umino Ikkaku was taken aback, then smiled with relief.

He had initially thought this kid was a troublemaker, but now he realized that Yuki Yuichi was actually quite good.

"Good! Then let student Yuichi tell us what he saw in the Will of Fire!"

Hearing this, Yuki Yuichi stood up.

Yuhi Kurenai watched him from the side with wide, sparkling eyes, full of admiration.

She hadn't really seen much of anything in that Will of Fire book earlier.

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on!"

"The First Hokage-sama passed down the Will of Fire, and the Second and Third Hokage-sama carried it forward and made it flourish!"

Before saying anything else, Yuki Yuichi laid on three thick layers of flattery, then paused and continued, "In this book, I saw the deeds of many heroes."

"Ninjas who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the village and for the villagers!"

"They are all ninjas of the Will of Fire!"

"Mm." Umino Ikkaku looked at Yuki Yuichi with a smile.

These points were quite superficial and were all recorded in the book, though they were scattered throughout.

The fact that Yuki Yuichi could articulate them now proved that he was truly trying to understand the Will of Fire.

"Anything else?"

Yuki Yuichi nodded upon hearing this: "There is."

"This morning, I met Big Brother Minato and the Hokage-uncle."

As these words left his mouth, a stir rippled through the classroom. Even Umino Ikkaku looked at him in surprise, then seemed to recall something and glanced at Kakashi Hatake.

Yuki Yuichi kept talking.

"I went to the top of the Hokage Rock to train with the Copy Ninja this morning and ran into Big Brother Minato."

"We asked him for guidance, and he agreed immediately. After he finished teaching us, he even paid out of his own pocket to treat us to ramen."

"Perhaps this is the manifestation of the Will of Fire mentioned in the books?" Yuki Yuichi said, looking toward Umino Ikkaku.

Umino Ikkaku nodded at him, signaling him to continue, though the smile in his eyes grew even gentler.

Yuki Yuichi did not hesitate and continued, "While eating ramen, we ran into the Hokage-ojisan."

"The Hokage-ojisan was truly kind; he even gifted me a ninjutsu. And when he learned that I hadn't tested my chakra nature yet, Minato-niisan gave me a piece of chakra induction paper."

"Although these aren't earth-shattering events, I saw the Will of Fire described in the books within them!"

"Selfless help, gentle elders, and a kind older brother!"

As Yuki Yuichi spoke, little stars flashed in his eyes.

"I want to become a ninja like that in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Umino Ikkaku was the first to cheer, clapping his hands simultaneously. "Student Yuichi has a very profound understanding."

"Even if they are small matters, being able to see the manifestation of the Will of Fire in them means you have already grasped the true essence of the Will of Fire!"

Following Umino Ikkaku's words, applause erupted throughout the classroom.

Yuki Yuichi sat down at this moment.

Did he really possess the Will of Fire?

He knew his own situation best; he didn't have a shred of the Will of Fire.

If he could, he wouldn't even want to look at such brainwashing material.

But he had no choice; living in Konoha, and having awakened the Sharingan, he had to demonstrate a strong Will of Fire.

He could be disdainful and look down on the Will of Fire in his heart, but he had to shout about the Will of Fire with his mouth.

It would be best if his dream was to become the Hokage.

This was the political correctness of Konoha.

Umino Ikkaku spot-checked several more students, and the afternoon class came to an end.

Yuki Yuichi walked down the street with Yuhi Kurenai, his body slumped as if he had lost the will to live.

Meanwhile, Yuhi Kurenai was quite excited beside him.

"Yuichi, Ikkaku-sensei praised you!"

"If Papa finds out, he will definitely be happy!"

Yuhi Kurenai skipped along, appearing joyful and exuberant.

Yuki Yuichi walked by her side, his mouth twitching.

Yuhi Shinku would not be happy.

He didn't think Yuhi Shinku had any Will of Fire either, not when he was the type to say that genjutsu was for saving one's own life.

Or perhaps, anyone with a bit of sense wouldn't be superstitious about the Will of Fire.

Of course, there were exceptions.

For instance, someone like Hatake Sakumo and someone like Minato Namikaze.

Both of them were representatives of the Will of Fire.

"We're home!"

Yuki Yuichi pushed open the door and said listlessly.

Yuhi Kurenai darted into the house first, shouting with a face full of excitement, "Papa, Papa, we're back!"

"You're back?" Yuhi Shinku emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron. Seeing the two of them, he smiled and said, "Dinner will be ready soon; you two go rest for a while."