Dropping Out Really Was Just About Taking It Easy-No Scheme, Believe Me

"Hello, everyone. I'm Umino Ikkaku, a Jonin from the village. From now on, I'll be your homeroom teacher." Umino Ikkaku stood at the podium with a gentle smile, his gaze sweeping across the students in the classroom.

Whispers immediately broke out around the room. The students were full of curiosity about their new homeroom teacher.

"Huh? Where's Uchiha Chuan? Didn't he come?" Umino Ikkaku suddenly noticed someone was missing. He frowned slightly, scanned the classroom, and finally settled his gaze on Obito Uchiha.

"Obito Uchiha, you're from the Uchiha Clan too. Do you know why Uchiha Chuan didn't come?" Umino Ikkaku asked, concern in his voice.

"I don't know." Obito looked utterly confused and scratched his head. "Our homes are in completely opposite directions, and we usually don't have much contact."

"I see. All right." Umino Ikkaku nodded, then swiftly formed hand seals. With a bang, he created a Shadow Clone.

"Wow, it's the Shadow Clone Technique!" The students immediately cried out in amazement, their eyes full of admiration.

"Cover the class for me. I'm going to look for Uchiha Chuan," Umino Ikkaku told his Shadow Clone before turning and leaving the classroom.

The moment Umino Ikkaku stepped out of the Ninja Academy gates, he ran into Fugaku Uchiha, who was heading toward the academy.

"Clan Head Fugaku." Umino Ikkaku immediately stopped and greeted him respectfully.

"Hello. Is something the matter?" Fugaku Uchiha glanced at Umino Ikkaku, his tone somewhat distant. He did not know this Jonin standing before him.

"I'm Umino Ikkaku, the new homeroom teacher of Class A-1 at the Ninja Academy. Please take care of me," Umino Ikkaku introduced himself humbly.

"Oh, I understand." Fugaku Uchiha nodded, his tone still cold. With that, he prepared to continue toward the Ninja Academy.

"Wait, Clan Head Fugaku!" Umino Ikkaku hurriedly called after him, urgency in his voice. "Uchiha Chuan didn't come to the Ninja Academy today. Is something happening within the Uchiha Clan?"

"Oh, Uchiha Chuan." Fugaku Uchiha stopped and answered calmly, "He won't be attending the Ninja Academy anymore. I came to handle his withdrawal procedures."

"What? Uchiha Chuan is dropping out?" Umino Ikkaku's eyes widened, shock filling his voice. "Why is he suddenly withdrawing? Does Uchiha Chuan not want to become a ninja anymore?"

"Who said he isn't becoming a ninja?" Fugaku Uchiha frowned, sounding displeased. "He is an Uchiha genius. He doesn't need to attend the Ninja Academy to pass the Uchiha Clan's internal assessment and become a clan ninja."

"This..." Umino Ikkaku was momentarily at a loss for words. He had not expected the Uchiha Clan to make such a decision.

"But the Ninja Academy is an important institution of the village. By studying here, Uchiha Chuan can not only improve his strength, but also make more companions and contribute to the village," Umino Ikkaku tried to persuade him earnestly.

"Uchiha Chuan's strength no longer needs the Ninja Academy to improve." Fugaku Uchiha spoke indifferently, confidence in his voice. "As for making companions... Hmph. We of the Uchiha Clan do not need to gain recognition through such means."

Hearing this, Umino Ikkaku could not help but feel helpless. He knew the Uchiha Clan had always been proud, but he had not expected them to be proud to this extent.

"Clan Head Fugaku, Uchiha Chuan is still a child. The Ninja Academy can not only teach him ninjutsu, but also teach him how to become a qualified ninja, how to cooperate with companions, and how to contribute to the village," Umino Ikkaku continued, insistence in his voice.

"Jonin Umino, I appreciate your good intentions." Fugaku Uchiha waved a hand, sounding somewhat impatient. "But this is the decision of the Uchiha Clan. We don't need outsiders pointing fingers."

"But..." Umino Ikkaku wanted to say more, but Fugaku Uchiha had already turned and entered the Ninja Academy gates, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.

Umino Ikkaku stood where he was, watching Fugaku Uchiha's retreating back with complicated feelings. He knew Uchiha Chuan was a genius. If he dropped out just like that, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous loss to the village.

"It seems I need to report this to Lord Hokage as soon as possible," Umino Ikkaku murmured before turning toward the Hokage Building.

"What? Uchiha Chuan is dropping out?" Shitaka Sarutobi, director of the Ninja Academy's academic affairs office, widened his eyes in shock upon hearing the news.

"That's right. Help me process the paperwork." Fugaku Uchiha stood before the desk, his tone calm, as though he were discussing the most ordinary matter in the world.

"This... Uchiha Chuan is the Uchiha Clan's genius. Are you sure you want him to withdraw?" Shitaka Sarutobi usually had little fondness for the Uchiha Clan, but Uchiha Chuan was still an Uchiha genius. His withdrawal would have too great an impact, so Shitaka had no choice but to handle it cautiously.

"Of course." Fugaku Uchiha nodded, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"May I ask whether Uchiha Chuan himself agreed to this?" Shitaka Sarutobi asked tentatively, trying to find some room to maneuver.

"Of course. He was the one who asked me to withdraw him." Fugaku Uchiha remained calm, without the slightest fluctuation in his voice.

Shitaka Sarutobi frowned, irritation rising within him. He knew Uchiha Chuan's withdrawal was no trivial matter. If it was handled poorly, it could very well cause even greater trouble.

"Clan Head Fugaku, Uchiha Chuan is not only an Uchiha genius, but also a Konoha genius. His withdrawal is no small matter. I need to seek Lord Hokage's instructions." Shitaka Sarutobi could only stall for time, hoping to use the Hokage's name to restrain Fugaku Uchiha somewhat.

"What? Is there some rule saying geniuses can't drop out? You need to seek the Hokage's instructions for something this minor? Are you people paid to do nothing? No wonder Lord Hokage ages so quickly. You have to consult him on every little thing. It would be strange if he didn't grow old." Fugaku Uchiha sneered mockingly, openly using the opportunity to insult someone else.

Shitaka Sarutobi's face turned livid at Fugaku Uchiha's words, but he still forcibly suppressed his anger and squeezed out a smile. "Clan Head Fugaku, didn't I say so? Uchiha Chuan is both an Uchiha genius and a Konoha genius. His withdrawal will have no small impact, so I don't dare make the decision on my own."

"Hmph. Useless, you don't dare make a decision over something so small." Fugaku Uchiha snorted disdainfully. "Tell me, when will you have an answer?"

"Three days..." Shitaka Sarutobi answered tentatively, trying to buy himself more time.

"Three days! You actually need three days to give me an answer over such a minor matter?" Fugaku Uchiha instantly raised his voice, anger in his tone.

"Uh, I mean, if you're not in a hurry, three days. If you are, I'll ask Lord Hokage immediately and give you an answer tomorrow." Shitaka Sarutobi gritted his teeth and explained with a bitter smile.

"Hmph. Fine. I'll come back tomorrow. I hope you won't make me waste three trips." Fugaku Uchiha spoke coldly, then turned and left the academic affairs office.

Watching Fugaku Uchiha's departing back, Shitaka Sarutobi finally could not hold back his grumbling any longer. "Damn Uchiha Chuan, damnable Uchiha Clan! Can't you cause a little less trouble? Pulling this kind of nonsense all day long—this is driving me crazy!"

As he cursed, he grabbed a document from the desk and slammed it down hard, as though that could vent the dissatisfaction in his heart.

"Director, what do we do now?" the assistant beside him asked cautiously, unease in his voice.

"What else can we do? Get to the Hokage Building and report this matter to Lord Hokage immediately!" Shitaka Sarutobi snapped irritably.

"Yes, I'll go right away!" The assistant hurriedly nodded and quickly ran out of the office.