Uchiha Nanagen'u was even more confused.
"Ah! Here's what happened!"
As though something had occurred to him, Ibuki-sensei immediately stepped forward to Uchiha Nanagen'u's side and quietly explained what had happened during the mock duel that day.
His years of teaching experience allowed him to speak clearly and coherently, explaining what had happened in very little time.
He explained how Araki had conceded during the mock duel that day without giving Sora Hyuga a chance to show his abilities, how he had scolded Sora Hyuga a few times, and how Araki had suffered mental trauma early in life that had severely impaired his ability to express himself.
"He didn't chase you after you ran away?"
Uchiha Nanagen'u asked again. He no longer suspected Araki, chiefly because he now knew the gap in strength between Araki and Sora Hyuga. Araki had no obvious injuries, which in itself hardly suggested he had been in a fight.
That was not to say someone could not kill a person stronger than themselves.
He simply felt it would not be easy.
This child named Araki had dared to speak up, clearly had some mental trauma, and seemed to be at the bottom of the student social hierarchy. He was unlikely to have done such a thing.
"N-no..."
Araki immediately shook his head rapidly. The resolve flashing in his eyes showed not even the slightest trace of a lie.
After hearing that, Uchiha Nanagen'u silently looked toward his companion beside him, and their eyes met.
The member of the Konoha Military Police Force who had activated his Sharingan slowly shook his head, indicating that he had found no sign of Araki lying.
Uchiha Nanagen'u nodded in turn, then looked toward the student behind Araki without questioning Araki further. He silently pieced together the information in his mind. What they could establish at present was that contact with Sora Hyuga had been lost after he entered the grove.
Chapter 31: The Medical Team is recruiting
After questioning everyone, Uchiha Nanagen'u wasted no more words. He signaled directly to his companion and prepared to leave.
Only when he reached the doorway did he suddenly turn back for no apparent reason and glance at Araki. His gaze was calm, with no particular change.
Then the two left together.
"Phew..."
Once the two members of the Konoha Military Police Force had left, Ibuki-sensei was the first to breathe a sigh of relief. Faced with such a situation, he had been panicking inside as well.
For now, it seemed there was no problem with the students in his class.
As long as none of his students had done anything, everything else would be easy to deal with.
"Everyone, let's continue the lesson..."
Ibuki-sensei walked up to the lectern. His tone was still somewhat unnatural, and he had not immediately returned to his usual forceful manner. Clearly, he had yet to shake off the effect of those two members of the Konoha Military Police Force.
Araki watched the two members of the Konoha Military Police Force leave, even exchanging one last glance with Uchiha Nanagen'u. Both their gazes were equally calm.
"So rude."
Araki silently shook his head. Had this happened before his transmigration, he would not have found the slightest fault with it.
But after transmigrating, he had discovered that people in the ninja world were generally very polite.
According to local etiquette, these two should have bowed to the entire class when they entered, then used polite language to ask their questions, and finally bowed again in thanks before leaving. Yet neither of them had shown the slightest courtesy.
Even if they had been carrying out routine duties for the Konoha Military Police Force, those little details highlighted the Uchiha Clan's power and standing in Konoha. This had gradually fostered an air of arrogance among its members, and perhaps even they themselves had not noticed the change in how they acted.
Araki felt this particularly strongly. As a transmigrator, he had personally experienced the cultural shift after coming to this world and could sense the Uchiha Clan's arrogance in certain matters all the more clearly.
Perhaps...
The other people in Konoha had sensed it too.
They simply dared not voice their anger!
Araki had not originally concerned himself with the Uchiha Clan's problems. This encounter had merely stirred a few thoughts.
The morning lessons drew to a close as Ibuki-sensei's tone gradually returned to normal. He had only just regained his stride, but there was little time left for him to put it to use.
After quickly reviewing the material to be taught that day, Araki settled into position and went to sleep. He trained hard every night and had long since reversed his sleep schedule to satisfy his body's need for rest.
Sleep during class by day, train hard by night!
Araki did this for one reason alone: to accumulate enough chakra!
Riiing-
As the bell rang to end class, Ibuki-sensei's lecture came to an abrupt halt.
"Class dismissed!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Ibuki-sensei bowed deeply to the entire class. He did not leave the lectern, but signaled that everyone could go.
For a time.
The students filed out of the classroom one after another.
They were going to eat and planned to talk about Sora Hyuga. That question mark had hung over their heads all morning, and even now they still did not know what had happened.
"Araki, wait a moment. I need to speak to you."
Just as Araki was about to blend into the crowd and leave, Ibuki-sensei suddenly spoke, stopping him in a very quiet voice. This did not attract the other students' attention; their minds were full of Sora Hyuga.
"Yes."
Araki immediately answered and walked toward the lectern. His expression did not change at all, but inwardly he was considering Ibuki-sensei's purpose.
Had Ibuki-sensei discovered something?
That made no sense!
If that were the case, there would have been no need to wait three days. Ibuki-sensei would surely have noticed some clue.
Or... had there been some flaw in what I just said?
Araki carefully recalled every word he had just spoken. There were no obvious holes. The only question was why Sora Hyuga had not chased him after he ran away.
He had already prepared an answer to that.
Uchiha Nanagen'u simply had not asked.
A short while later.
All the students had left the classroom.
Before leaving, Kushina could not help glancing at Araki. After just one look, she immediately turned her gaze away, afraid of causing him any trouble at a time like this.
Araki caught the little gesture in full and could not help marveling inwardly. Ever since he had reassured Kushina, she had clearly become better behaved.
Now only Araki and Ibuki-sensei remained in the classroom. Araki did not speak first or take the initiative to question Ibuki-sensei. Though he was very curious about why Ibuki-sensei had stopped him, he would never let it show.
Perhaps Ibuki-sensei had nothing to discuss at all and was merely testing his reaction.
"Araki, I've been busy with something these past few days, and I wanted to talk to you about it."
Ibuki-sensei spoke slowly. A touch of gentleness colored his normally stern tone. His face showed little expression, but its lines looked much softer.
"What is it?"
Araki asked at an unhurried pace, watching Ibuki-sensei's eyes. He vaguely felt that the man meant no harm, but he remained composed and did not let down his guard as he waited for what came next.
"Heh heh heh..."
Ibuki-sensei suddenly smiled. The abrupt change made the corner of Araki's mouth twitch involuntarily. It truly felt as though his whole persona had fallen apart.
He had never seen Ibuki-sensei make such an expression before.
It looked as though someone had possessed him.
He was clearly smiling.
Yet it sent chills down the spine.
"If I remember correctly, you said your dream was to become a medical-nin, right?"
Still smiling, Ibuki-sensei stared fixedly at Araki, looking as though some scheme of his had succeeded. It instantly shattered all the sternness he had previously built up.
"Y-yes..."
The corner of Araki's mouth twitched involuntarily again. Only after hearing this did his heart slowly settle. So what Ibuki-sensei wanted to discuss had nothing to do with Sora Hyuga.
"The day before yesterday, I happened to see a recruitment notice from the Medical Team. I immediately thought of you and even secretly signed you up. Last night, I received a reply. You've been given a chance to interview with the Medical Team!"
As Ibuki-sensei spoke, he brought out a sheet of paper from behind his back. Araki's name was written prominently on it.
Chapter 32: This is a very good reason!
"..."
Araki focused on the sheet of paper. The information filled in was all his basic details, and it looked like a résumé.
At the bottom were the words "Konoha Medical Corps."
This...
Araki went numb on the spot!
Were people in Konoha all this enthusiastic?!
So eager to do things for others...
"T-Teacher... Ibuki... you... you... when you asked us about... our dreams... could it have been..."
The corner of Araki's mouth kept twitching. He felt intensely helpless and vaguely realized that this teacher seemed to have had some particular idea in mind, one that had not occurred to him at the time.
"That's right!"
Ibuki-sensei shoved the paper straight into Araki's hands, then raised his eyes toward the classroom ceiling with a plainly reminiscent look. None of his usual stern demeanor remained. He looked like a complete goofball.
Had Araki not witnessed this with his own eyes, he would never have believed it!
The teacher who had appeared cold and strict to his students for so many years actually had this unknown side to him.
Or perhaps Ibuki-sensei was only his true self when he was like this...
"As your teacher, I need to understand your dreams so I can give you the right guidance and help!"
The smile abruptly vanished from Ibuki-sensei's face. He became serious again and began explaining to Araki.
"Although there's still some time before you graduate from the Ninja Academy, once I know your dreams, I can do things that will help you pursue them."