As one of Konoha's few elite ninja instructors, Ebisu had no shortage of flaws, but when it came to teaching and nurturing students, few could match his expertise.
After several years under Ebisu's guidance, his three students—Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon—had all become mature Chunin.
If not for the delay caused by the Fourth Shinobi World War, the three students might have grown even faster.
The postwar environment was not suitable for large-scale ninja promotions. The standard advancement process delayed the time for the gifted "Konohamaru Corps" to make their mark somewhat, but it was not too late.
For Ebisu, the final obstacle on his path to becoming head instructor no longer existed. With sufficient theoretical foundations in education and successful teaching experience, the rumors criticizing him as nothing more than a private tutor employed by great clans were bound to disappear.
However, there were still quite a few competitors on the road to success.
"Umino Iruka, perhaps you're better than me at dealing with children, but your average strength and lack of team-leading experience are your weaknesses."
Ebisu was brimming with confidence. Workplace competition was brutally harsh, especially when facing formidable rivals. He could not leave even the slightest opening or make the tiniest mistake.
After the annual Ninja Academy entrance ceremony came the Chunin Exams. Five years later, the Chunin Exams were once again being hosted by Konoha. The village attached extraordinary importance to them. All three of Ebisu's subordinates had been assigned tasks related to the Chunin Exams, and even he, as an instructor, was swamped with work.
Today, Ebisu had come to the Ninja Academy to inspect the venue for the first stage of the Chunin Exams and discuss student class arrangements during the examinations with the Academy's current administrator.
Though the Chunin Exams only lasted a