Ninja Academy

After resting for a day, Masayo returned to teaching at the Ninja Academy. His career as a Ninja Academy teacher would end along with this semester.

When he arrived at the office, Masayo was immediately met with a barrage of questions from the other teachers.

"Teacher Masayo, you're incredible! You were actually that strong?"

"If you're so strong, why did you come to the Ninja Academy to teach? Is there some hidden reason behind it?"

"You were even with a huge star! Could you get me Kazahana Koyuki's autograph?"

Looking at his densely packed, curious colleagues, Masayo smiled and stepped back. "Everyone, calm down. Ask one at a time—it's too chaotic. Teacher Mizuki, you go first!"

Mizuki wore a faint smile as he asked under the curious gazes of the other teachers, "Masayo, if you're so strong, why did you come to teach at the Ninja Academy? Judging by your performance in the movie, even some Jonin are no match for you!"

Masayo naturally knew why Mizuki was asking. Did Mizuki think he had hidden his strength because of him? He was overthinking it.

"There were some problems with my body before. I was injured during a mission, so Lord Hokage arranged for me to teach at the academy. After recovering a while ago, I took on this Land of Snow mission."

"I see!"

Mizuki did not doubt Masayo's words. He recalled the mission Masayo had taken with Ebisu and Kurenai Yuhi before. That was also when Masayo had come to teach at the academy. Besides, Masayo had hidden himself deeply. If Masayo really discovered him, Mizuki would be no match for him with Masayo's strength!

"It's good that you're all right. Now that you've recovered, will you still be teaching?"

Mizuki asked with concern.

Masayo nodded. "I'm fine now. After this semester ends, I'll be going back to... Huh, Teacher Iruka, what's wrong? Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?"

Masayo noticed Iruka among the crowd. Iruka was covered in cold sweat, his face pale. The teachers around him all stepped away with looks of distaste. Although Iruka was known as a nice guy, he was not especially close with his colleagues. He was more like a habitually used tool than a friend, and even Masayo's superficial relationships with the others were better.

After teaching at the Ninja Academy for some time, Masayo had come to understand Iruka's standing among the staff. He had the same people-pleasing personality as Naruto.

"I'm sorry. I really am sick, Teacher Masayo. Could I ask you to substitute for me?"

Iruka's face was pale, and his voice was weak. Masayo said speechlessly, "Then why did you even come in today? Being hardworking and dedicated is one thing, but you need to take care of your health first!"

Iruka's appearance instantly chilled the atmosphere. The colleagues around them lost interest and dispersed, returning to their own desks.

"I'm sorry, cough, cough... In the entire Ninja Academy, you're the only one with time, Teacher Masayo. Please."

"I... The time I have is my own time, Teacher Iruka. That's quite irritating to say. Are you saying I just sit around doing nothing at the Ninja Academy?"

Masayo spoke with some dissatisfaction. He knew Iruka meant no harm and was simply too blunt, but that line—"you're the only one with time"—really invited a beating. It was not as though Masayo had never substituted for other teachers before. Colleagues helping one another by covering classes when something came up was normal. But Iruka was the first one Masayo had encountered like this. No wonder everyone else refused to cover for him.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Teacher Masayo. That wasn't what I meant."

Iruka's expression changed as he realized he might have said something wrong, and he hurriedly explained.

"It's fine. I agree. Tell me what lessons you need me to teach."

Masayo waved a hand and asked.

"Thank you, Teacher Masayo. I need to cover Chapter Three of the theoretical exam material on ninjutsu, as well as this test paper. I was planning to give it this afternoon..."

As Iruka continued listing more and more things, Masayo rolled his eyes in exasperation. He felt like telling him to go see a doctor already. No wonder Iruka ranked second to last in the teacher evaluations, while Mizuki ranked first.

That was right, Mizuki was first. After all, he disguised himself well. Meanwhile, Masayo, who had barely taught any classes, had somehow been ranked third by the students.

Masayo did not even take the teaching materials Iruka had left behind. He had always taught without textbooks as he headed to the classroom.

The noisy classroom fell silent the instant Masayo entered. Naruto, who had been lazily sprawled over his desk, immediately perked up when he saw him.

"B-Brother Masayo!"

Naruto immediately straightened up and sat properly. He was very close to Iruka, almost like father and son, but his relationship with Masayo was not that intimate. Masayo was more like the big brother next door. They were completely different.

Choji Akimichi hurriedly put away his snacks as well, while Shikamaru Nara straightened his posture. They both knew Masayo.

Masayo had met Choji Akimichi's father, Choza Akimichi, at Yakiniku Q, and the two had grown familiar with each other. Masayo had even learned the Akimichi Clan's Partial Multi-Size Technique, so their relationship was far from ordinary.

Masayo had met Shikamaru Nara's father, Shikaku Nara, while playing Go with him. Shikamaru still remembered that his father had never won a single game against Masayo, so their relationship was just as unusual.

"It's Teacher Masayo!"

"It really is Teacher Masayo..."

The other students were in an uproar. Princess of the Wind and Clouds: Final Chapter had long since been shown throughout the Ninja World, and its realistic ninja battle scenes had deeply shocked these students who had not yet graduated.

The girls, including Ino Yamanaka, had stars in their eyes. Masayo was handsome, though not as handsome as Sasuke Uchiha. But Masayo was powerful, and he had proven it. Now even Sasuke Uchiha's eyes were shining as he stared at Masayo without looking away.

Masayo placed the test papers on the teacher's desk. Looking over this familiar yet unfamiliar class, he said calmly, "Students, Teacher Iruka has taken leave today, so I'll be substituting for him."

"He took leave? Teacher Masayo, what kind of leave did Teacher Iruka take? Is he all right?"

Naruto Uzumaki raised his hand and asked curiously.

"Teacher Iruka, huh..."

Masayo suddenly thought of something and grinned wickedly. "Maternity leave!"

"Pfft... Wait, he can give birth?"

The entire class seemed petrified. Even Sasuke Uchiha's eyes went white with fright.

"I'm joking. Teacher Iruka is sick, so I'll be substituting for him. Anyway, I have plenty of free time. Lots of it. Turn your basic ninja geography textbooks to page fifty-eight. Sakura, hand out the test papers Teacher Iruka prepared for you."

Masayo infused the papers with chakra, flicked them elegantly, and sent them landing on Sakura Haruno's desk.

"Ah, another test!"

Ino Yamanaka complained unhappily. The other students felt the same, filling the room with complaints and groans about Iruka.

"Shikamaru, read it aloud. Choji and Naruto, get ready. I might call on either of you at any time!"

"Yes!"

Choji Akimichi and Naruto hurriedly took out their textbooks, more serious than they had ever been before.

"Ugh, what a drag. Konohagakure is located within the Land of Fire..."

As Shikamaru Nara read from the textbook, Masayo took out two pieces of chalk and began drawing a map of the Ninja World on the left side of the blackboard, using both hands at once.

Masayo spun his right arm, drawing a perfect circle in one stroke before beginning to outline the entire map of the Ninja World.

"That's amazing..."

Ino Yamanaka was utterly mesmerized, as were the other students. He was completely different from Iruka before—cool, relaxed, and his presence alone surpassed Iruka's by a mile. He did not even need a textbook, and it felt as though the entire classroom had come alive.