Training Ground 98.
"Damn it, did Sensei stand me up?"
Iruka, wearing a forehead protector and a ponytail, now had an extra scar across his nose as he muttered incessantly.
Every so often, he glanced at the sky.
His teacher had said he would test his progress today. Iruka had been thrilled and arrived at the training ground early.
Unexpectedly, he had waited for ages. The appointed time had already passed, yet there was still no sign of his teacher.
Ever since he became a Chunin team leader a year ago, his improvement had been obvious.
On top of receiving the Third Hokage's recognition and becoming a teacher at the Ninja Academy, he had worked hard to learn many things.
He had been waiting to put on a grand display for Tobitake Tonbo.
Screech!
Just as his impatience mounted, an eagle's cry rang out from afar.
When he looked up, a massive eagle had already appeared above him.
"Damn it, I never learned that trick. What a loss."
The moment Iruka saw the eagle, he knew his teacher had arrived, and he remembered his days training under Tobitake Tonbo.
He and his other two teammates had all studied Eye-Painting Hand.
Unfortunately, only Mibu Shinobu had some talent for Genjutsu and learned an incomplete version. Neither he nor Teksen Shiso had mastered the technique.
That was also why, deep down, he called Tobitake Tonbo his teacher.
He really had taught them like disciples!
Whoosh!
Tobitake Tonbo leaped down from the sky, while the eagle rapidly shrank and was tucked into his bag.
Thud!
He landed lightly on the ground and gave Iruka an awkward smile.
"Haha, looks like I'm late!"
"Yes, Sensei. I remember you not being the type to be late?" Iruka asked curiously.
In his eyes, his teacher was