Moved and Trouble

Chapter Thirty-Four: Moved and Trouble

"Sorry, Iruka Sensei, it seems we caused you some trouble."

Hearing that and seeing Ayato's smile, the originally furious Iruka checked the injuries of the students lying on the ground. After confirming that they were only in temporary pain, he asked, "What exactly happened? Why did this conflict break out?"

"I'm not sure about the exact reason. At first, I think they were bullying Naruto, and then we came over to help." Ayato waved Naruto over as he spoke. "Naruto, tell him everything that happened."

Naruto did not hide anything and quickly explained how things had unfolded.

"So you didn't even bump into them, and you apologized to them?" Iruka frowned after hearing this.

"Yes." Naruto nodded, looking nervously at Iruka. He did not know whether Iruka would believe him.

"It's okay. We and Iruka Sensei will stand by your side, right? Iruka Sensei?" Ayato said, looking up at Iruka.

"Ah, yes." Iruka nodded as well. He had not frowned because he did not believe Naruto. Rather, he found it hard to believe that even children had been so deeply influenced by the village rumors.

"Iruka Sensei..." Naruto looked up at Iruka too, not knowing what to say.

Looking at Naruto before him, Iruka's emotions were complicated for a moment. In the end, he reached out and ruffled Naruto's brilliant blond hair, then straightened his slightly dirty, rumpled clothes. "Don't worry, Naruto. You did nothing wrong in this matter. Your teacher will definitely stand by your side."

"Iruka Sensei!! And everyone..." Naruto looked up at Iruka, then at the smiling Ayato, before looking around at the others gathered nearby.

Kiba, bruised and swollen, rubbed his nose as he grinned foolishly, flashing his white teeth. Shikamaru had taken a careless hit to the face and wore a dead-fish expression as he muttered that he had suffered a huge loss. Choji had somehow started eating snacks again. Sasuke could no longer maintain his cool façade and was staring hard at Ayato. Shino still looked mysterious behind his sunglasses. And Hinata turned away, blushing, the moment she saw him looking at her...

Naruto had not cried even when he was beaten or mocked, but now his tears could no longer be held back. They streamed down his face without stop.

"Alright, alright, don't cry." Iruka comforted him, smiling at the sight. Though he could not truly understand Naruto's exact feelings, he could roughly comprehend them.

"Hahaha, you're already this old and you're still crying!" Seeing this, Kiba laughed heartlessly.

"I... I'm not!" Naruto glared at Kiba and tried to stop the tears with his hands, but no matter what he did, he could not wipe them dry.

Ayato smiled as he watched. There were many things he could not change, but at this moment, seeing this scene made him happy. He had never been obsessed with changing anything, but if something could change for the better because of him, then that was definitely a good thing.

"Hoho... Not bad, not bad." On a rooftop, the Third Hokage smoked as he watched the scene below, his expression gentle.

He had only just arrived after being notified by the Anbu ninja. Then he had seen Naruto break down in tears. He knew Naruto's stubborn temperament well; even if he were beaten, he would never shed a tear.

It looked like Naruto had found bonds of his own in the village. Not bad. Very good indeed.

Although the Third Hokage had been a little troubled when he first heard there was a fight here, seeing this scene inevitably improved his mood.

The masked ninja beside him reported the course of events to the Third Hokage. They had not originally intended to notify him.

After all, Naruto being beaten up was not something that had only happened once or twice. If they reported every single incident to the Third Hokage, he would probably have far too many matters to handle. However, the subsequent developments had left the Anbu uncertain.

This time, someone had actually come to Naruto's aid. That alone would have been one thing, but these people were all children of the village's various clans. Nothing could casually happen to them, so they had notified the Third Hokage.

"So, basically, Ayato alone beat these Fourth Grade students into this state?" The Third Hokage was somewhat surprised as he listened.

"Yes." Even the Anbu was greatly surprised while making his report. Another exceptional genius. But the Third Hokage actually knew his name? It seemed he had been under observation for a long time!

The Anbu silently remembered Ayato's name. He probably would not have the chance to come into contact with him, but who could say for sure?

"Oh, very impressive~" The Third Hokage was briefly stunned, then nodded in satisfaction. He had previously heard Iruka mention this genius. Now, it seemed Iruka had not been wrong. Although these Fourth Grade students were the worst in their class, being able to ignore the developmental gap of several years and easily defeat all of them was enough to demonstrate Ayato's excellence.

Moreover, the Third Hokage had already learned through Iruka that Ayato had completely mastered the Three Body Technique. In the wartime era, a talent like this could probably have applied for graduation already. Looking at it this way, perhaps he was even more outstanding than Kakashi.

With such an excellent next generation, the Third Hokage felt deeply gratified, and a certain thought rose in his mind once more.

However, it was not suitable for them to appear directly now. They should still wait for an official report. In any case, the matter had already ended, and the follow-up report would surely be delivered soon enough. It would not be too late to see then.

"Continue watching them. Notify me if anything happens." After saying that, the Third Hokage's figure turned into a puff of white smoke and dispersed. Naturally, the Third Hokage would not personally come for such a minor matter; it had been a Shadow Clone.

"Yes!"

After answering, the Anbu also vanished from the rooftop and returned to his work.

"Iruka, as a teacher, you actually attacked students? Do you have any teacherly ethics at all?!"

Over here, the Chunin teacher of the Fourth Grade students, a middle-aged man, finally arrived. When he saw his students sprawled all over the ground, seemingly deliberately arranged together, his face immediately darkened. He glared at Iruka and said coldly.

"Huh?" Iruka was stunned. When had he attacked anyone? Then he realized that the other man had misunderstood and hurriedly began explaining.

As he explained, Iruka suddenly felt shocked. He had been focused on other matters earlier and had not thought carefully about it, but now that he did, Ayato's talent was not only remarkable in training. His talent in actual combat was also outstanding!

Still, Iruka did not think that was his fault. He had grown accustomed to being amazed by Ayato, so when he first saw this scene, he had actually thought it was quite normal for Ayato to be capable of something like this.

"Stop shirking responsibility. You're saying a First Grade brat did this? Do you believe that yourself?" The Chunin did not calm down after hearing Iruka's explanation. Instead, he questioned him.

"I wouldn't believe anyone else, but he's Ayato, so I believe it." Iruka thought for a moment, then answered seriously according to his feelings.

The Chunin's face darkened completely upon hearing this. He did not believe Iruka, nor did he want to. If it were true, would that not mean the students he taught were inferior even to a First Grade student?!

At that moment, Ayato calmly stepped forward. He raised his head and looked directly at the Chunin's fierce gaze. Facing the man's pressure, he did not retreat in the slightest.

"Ayato..."

Naruto clenched his fists, his expression somewhat complicated. It seemed he had caused everyone trouble. He would rather have been beaten up than cause trouble for anyone...