Hey! What Are You Thinking?

Ebisu muttered inwardly, Naruto? Why did he suddenly ask about Naruto? Oh, right, they became friends. How could a promising boy who might become Hokage someday associate with someone like that? I have to nip this bad influence in the bud!

Ebisu chose his words, offering what he believed was well-meaning advice. "Personally, I don't think Naruto has much potential. It's bad enough that he doesn't apply himself, but he's always playing pranks, too. Yu, you'd be better off not making friends with a child like that."

Uncharacteristically, Yu pressed the point. "Plenty of people don't apply themselves, and plenty play pranks. Why are you so prejudiced against Naruto in particular?"

"He..." Ebisu started to say something.

Yu cut him off. "Because the Nine-Tailed Fox is sealed inside Naruto, right?"

Whoosh!!

Ebisu shot to his feet. "H-how did you find out about that?!"

Yu said, "Mizuki-sensei secretly came to tell me last night~."

Ebisu frowned. What is Mizuki playing at? The higher-ups expressly forbade anyone from spreading the news that the Nine-Tails is inside Naruto! Still... if he was trying to persuade Yu to stay away from Naruto too, that's understandable.

Ebisu decided to turn the situation to his advantage. In a grave, guarded tone, he said, "Yu, you have no idea how terrifying the Nine-Tailed Fox is! Countless ninja fell victim to him back then! Many children just like you lost their parents! Including your Iruka-sensei!"

In the corridor outside.

Naruto stood frozen, his voice trembling. "Iruka-sensei, is that... true?"

Worried that Yu had been called in to be scolded, he had sneaked over too, believing that good friends should face trouble together!

Iruka leaned against the wall, his expression calmer than expected. "Yes, it's true..."

Naruto clenched his fists hard. For a moment, he simply couldn't accept that cruel reality!

Just then, Yu's voice rang out from beyond the door!

"But was that Naruto's fault? You couldn't fight the Nine-Tails, so you took out your resentment over your own helplessness on an innocent child. Do you really think that's fair?"

Ebisu... was instantly at a loss for words!

"Yu..." Naruto lifted his trembling eyes, tears welling in them.

Iruka said in a low voice, "Naruto, to be honest, I once directed that hatred at you too. That's why... I chose to turn a blind eye to the people who slandered you."

Naruto's body trembled.

Iruka said sadly, "But later, I realized I was shirking my responsibility. Even then, I didn't have the courage to stand up for you. I'm truly sorry for that..."

"Though it's far too late to say this now, I'm happy for you from the bottom of my heart that you've found a true friend."

He stepped forward and hugged Naruto tightly.

"Iruka... sensei." Naruto's shoulders shook, and tears streamed down his face.

Inside the room.

Ebisu was speechless. Before him was Yu's young yet resolute face!

He had pointed out a problem everyone knew full well about, yet deliberately avoided!

Once that collectively accepted mask of hypocrisy was torn away, they could no longer face the ugliness within their own hearts!

Somewhat flustered, Ebisu picked up a candy from the desk, hoping the sugar would get his stalled brain working again!

After eating it, he adjusted his glasses and rallied. "Putting the Nine-Tails aside, doesn't Naruto have problems of his own?"

Yu spoke bluntly. "Yes, because the Nine-Tails interferes with Naruto's chakra, he struggles to learn ninjutsu. He's carried a burden he can't shed ever since he was little. He tries hard to prove himself, but never gets anyone's understanding or recognition. That's why he uses pranks to get people's attention. But has even one of his pranks hurt anyone?"

The Nine-Tails interferes with Naruto's chakra? How did he reach that conclusion? Why is he so certain? Right, the Hyuga Clan has the Byakugan. Perhaps he can pick up on something with it!

Ebisu found a reasonable explanation for Yu's claim, and also realized something. At first, I only thought this boy was livelier than others his age. I never expected him to see things from such a sharp angle. Wait, did he bring up Naruto out of nowhere to assess me instead? Hmph, he's got a few tricks. I can't let this discussion about Naruto continue.

After Ebisu ate the candy, Yu had already activated "Amenosagume" and could hear his thoughts loud and clear!

Yu had two things in mind. First, he wanted to keep standing up for Naruto. Second, he wanted Ebisu to abandon the idea of becoming his teacher.

You've got to be kidding. It's rude to say this, but you want to be my teacher? Seriously... what are you thinking? Fine, since you're a good person at heart, I'll politely put that idea to rest!

Ebisu yielded a little to gain ground. "I can set aside my prejudice against Naruto. I truly want to train you into an outstanding ninja worthy of becoming Hokage..."

Yu clasped his hands behind his head and said lazily, "I don't want to become Hokage. I just want to be a Genin and coast along until Konoha goes out of business..."

Bang!!!

Ebisu slammed the desk. "What kind of talk is that? You have absolutely no ambition!"

Realizing he had overreacted, he hurriedly composed himself. "How about this, Yu? Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You haven't learned any ninjutsu yet, have you?"

Ebisu thought, He enrolled late and hasn't had any exposure to ninjutsu. I'll teach him a few basic techniques first, so he'll realize becoming a Genin isn't that easy either! Then I can take my time persuading him!

Yu said, "Ninjutsu?"

Ebisu adjusted his glasses. "That's right. Ninja have three basic ninjutsu: the Transformation Technique, the Clone Technique, and the Substitution Technique..."

Yu said, "Aren't those required lessons at the Ninja Academy?"

Ebisu said, "They are, but students at the Ninja Academy spend six years studying and practicing those three basic techniques! They're also required subjects on the graduation exam. Your class may have been together for over a year, but only a handful of students have even a rudimentary grasp of one of them!"

Yu spread his hands. "All right. I thought you could just pick them up easily..."

What does this boy think being a ninja means?!

Ebisu felt a surge of anger, and another resentment bubble floated out. That made twenty-odd already.

Yu said, "Sensei, why don't you demonstrate them once, and I'll see if I can learn them?"

Heh.

Ebisu was so angry he almost laughed. "Listen, Yu. In the entire history of the Ninja Academy, only a handful of people have learned these three techniques after seeing them just once: the current Third Hokage, Hiruzen, the late Fourth Hokage, Minato, Konoha's White Fang, Kakashi Hatake, Uchiha Itachi, and a few others. I admit you have tremendous talent for taijutsu, but..."

Yu said, "What if I learn them after watching once?"

Ebisu did at least know his own limits. "If you can learn them after watching once, then I'll admit I'm not capable of teaching you!"

He thought, It's impossible. A genius like that might not appear even once in ten years. That alone would say everything about his potential. If he really has that kind of talent, he could become Hokage even without my guidance!

After hearing his thoughts, Yu thought, Then I have nothing to worry about.

Ebisu said, "I can demonstrate them. But if you can't learn them, you'll have to earnestly ask me for instruction and become my student. Can you agree to that?"

Yu said, "I agree. Please demonstrate!"

Ebisu glanced around. "There isn't enough room here. Come to the training ground with me, and we'll have all the students witness it!"