Talent

Sometimes we may not want to, but we have to admit that there are indeed some innate differences between people, which are difficult to make up for even with education, and this is the greatest injustice in the world.

Compared to Itachi Uchiha, Iruka's Ninjutsu talent is so great that simply comparing the two is cruel to the former.

A young, inexperienced ninja, full of longing for the world, dreams of becoming a powerful person.

But now, the future before him seems to be clearly visible—an ordinary Chunin, but even so, he will still need to exert all his strength to achieve it.

Fire Release: Flame Meteor!

Fire Release: Flame Meteor!

"Fire Release: Flame Meteor..."

The fireball grew smaller and smaller until only a wisp of smoke rose from his throat. The stinging pain in his throat could not hide the boy's loneliness. He slowly sat down on the riverbank in the twilight, his eyes revealing a hint of grievance and confusion.

"Teacher Xu only cares about Itachi Uchiha..."

The murmuring voice seemed almost inaudible, yet it spoke of the boy's innermost thoughts, and he couldn't help but think of the scene from that morning.

The terror of being attacked by a mysterious Genjutsu, the joy of seeing his long-lost instructor again, and the countless words that seemed to fill his heart, making him want to jump for joy, all vanished under the gaze of a pair of calm yet slightly cold eyes.

It seemed that only in that instant did he suddenly understand something.

"Just because he's a genius!"

His voice held a hint of resentment, yet he lowered his hand dejectedly, as if utterly lacking confidence, because he knew that this was enough; no one dislikes a genius.

"Yugao's swordsmanship is amazing, as are Itachi Uchiha's Ninjutsu, throwing techniques, and Genjutsu. Now he's even awakened the Sharingan..."

"Just me..."

"Can't do anything..."

"I've been learning a C-rank Ninjutsu for so long, but I've never been able to unleash it completely even once..."

Am I...?

"Yes or no..."

"Not suited to be a ninja..."

The dim, yellow light gradually faded from the west, the shadows blurring as the boundary between light and shadow, carried by the gentle breeze, stretched across the land, seemingly enveloping the entire Shinobi World. The last glimmer of light slowly disappeared from Iruka's body, and the faint light in his eyes gradually dimmed...

"Hey! Iruka! What are you doing hiding here?"

Everyone's waiting for you...

The girl's voice accompanied her light footsteps. Iruka was momentarily flustered, quickly wiping his eyes, forcing a smile back onto his stiff face before turning away and hurriedly getting up.

"No... it's nothing..."

"I'm... catching fish... yes! I'm catching fish!"

"Is that so?"

Uzuki Yugao looked at Iruka with a hint of suspicion on her face. Iruka suddenly seemed flustered, her eyes darting around.

"You're not crying, are you...?"

"Wow! This is huge news! I'm going to tell Teacher Xu and Itachi! Hahaha!"

Uzuki Yugao keenly noticed the tear stains remaining at the corners of Iruka's eyes. His slightly bloodshot eyes could not possibly escape the detection of a ninja. She immediately burst into laughter and turned to run away.

"You! You're not allowed to go! You're not allowed!"

Uzuki Yugao walked quickly, Iruka panicked, chasing closely behind her with panic in his eyes. This situation filled him with fear.

"Yugao!"

Seeing Yugao leap into the forest and disappear from sight, Iruka used all his strength, but unfortunately, he kept releasing Ninjutsu and his Chakra was already depleted. He was powerless to catch up with Uzuki Yugao. He ran as fast as he could, his chest burning like fire, and he chased into the forest, panting heavily.

"Yugao!"

"Iruka, this isn't like you at all..."

Panting, Iruka was still about to take a step forward when he saw Uzuki Yugao leaning against a large tree with a light smile on her face, leisurely watching him as if she had discovered something interesting.

"You... you listen to me..."

"Oh? What do you want to say?"

"Are you saying that you're crying because Teacher Xu doesn't take you seriously, and even looks down on you? If it weren't for the mission to instruct Jonin, he probably would have kicked you out of the team long ago?"

"Or are you saying you can make up other stories?"

Iruka's heavy breathing suddenly caught in his throat, as if he was beginning to re-evaluate the girl before him. Something in his heart seemed to be gradually softening, and his nose began to sting with increasing tears.

"So, that's what everyone thinks...?"

He didn't speak, but simply lowered his head, suppressing the bitterness in his heart.

"Iruka ..."

"Do you think you're the only one who feels this way...?"

"Don't forget, I'm here too..."

Uzuki Yugao sighed softly. There were some things she didn't quite understand, but as a member of a clan, even though there were few ninjas left in the clan, she understood more than Iruka, who came from a completely common background.

Iruka looked at Uzuki Yugao with a puzzled expression. He could roughly understand what she meant, but why? Things didn't seem to be quite the same as he had imagined.

"Iruka, sometimes I don't know if I'm right or wrong, or if I should tell you these things, besides, I don't know much about it..."

"Itachi once said that due to a relocation within the clan, he might be separated from Osamu's team..."

"Master Xu has killed the Mizukage, and his fame has spread throughout the entire Shinobi World, but have you heard of any celebrations at the camp?"

"Furthermore, as you know, there are a few senior ninjas in my family who have occasionally mentioned wanting to transfer me to other departments, but because it's wartime, everything prioritizes the war..."

At this point, Uzuki Yugao couldn't help but look at Iruka, and seeing his expression of seemingly understanding yet still puzzled, she couldn't help but sigh.

Some people just won't understand you unless you break things down and explain things clearly, even if it's something very simple.

"Sigh... Iruka..."

"Teacher Xu's situation in the village is not good..."

"I'm not entirely sure of the specifics either, but just understand that Teacher Xu didn't mean anything by it against you; on the contrary, he was protecting you, and me too..."

"We're just ordinary ninjas with no special background..."

Yugao wasn't sure if Iruka understood, and she thought to herself, but didn't say it aloud.

Iruka seemed never to have thought about these higher-ups; in his young eyes, everyone should feel honored to become a ninja and fight for Konoha.

Whether it's the high-ranking officials or every senior ninja, they all love Konoha as deeply as he does. Everyone in Konoha is a member of the village, and even if there are conflicts, they will eventually be resolved...

Konoha is thriving, and the village is peaceful and harmonious.

"Yugao, I don't quite understand..."

"Why? I really didn't notice before. Teacher Xu has done a great job, shouldn't she be rewarded?"

Why is Teacher Xu in such a bad situation in the village? Has he done something wrong?

Uzuki Yugao opened her mouth, seemingly unsure of what to say. After a moment, she seemed to give up, instead letting out a soft laugh, her eyes revealing a hint of wisdom.

"Hey, you! Shut up! Don't you dare say a word I said today, not a single syllable! Understand?"

"Or I'll beat you into a pulp! And then tell everyone who knows you how you cried..."

"Oh..."