Chapter 173: Naruto's Distressed Face
Ninja Academy.
Recess.
"Today, I'm definitely going to beat you up! Moegi, Udon—let's go!"
Konohamaru led Moegi and Udon to challenge Tianyu's squad. Seeing this, the surrounding students immediately grew interested and gathered around to watch.
"Here we go again! Konohamaru, the one who has never won, is back for another challenge."
"How can you say he's never won? We certainly can't beat him."
"Go for it, Konohamaru Legion!"
"Impossible. Tianyu's squad is top of the class in every subject."
The classmates began to gossip. Moegi tugged at Konohamaru's sleeve. "Konohamaru, maybe we should forget it. We can't beat them."
Udon sniffled, sucking back a dangling thread of snot. "They're too strong."
"How can you say that? If we work a little harder, we can at least go back and forth with them!" Konohamaru complained.
"But only you can actually keep up with them. We get crushed!" Udon said timidly.
Opposite them, hearing the conversation, the three members of Tianyu's squad laughed. Tianyu, Maki, and Wataru Itabu were the true geniuses of the second grade. Tianyu and Maki were illusion prodigies who could already perform Iruka-sensei's 'Eight Scents of Fire,' and their Taijutsu was top-tier. Wataru Itabu was a genius with the blade and a master of theory.
In contrast, only Moegi and Konohamaru were decent fighters in their group, and while Moegi and Udon were good at theory, Konohamaru was only slightly above average.
Tianyu looked at Konohamaru. "Forget it. A student who can't even study properly isn't worthy of being our rival."
"Curse you, Tianyu! I'm the Hokage's grandson! I'll become incredibly strong and flatten you!" Konohamaru was fuming, especially because the remark about his grades hit home. It was true; he didn't take his studies seriously, even though the old man had hired him a private tutor.
Maki added, "Let's go. Dad says we shouldn't bully people who are unwilling to learn. Instead, we should protect them. Only then does becoming a ninja have meaning. Protecting the weak is our mission."
Wataru Itabu nodded. "As expected of Senior Tonbo. Every word is filled with philosophy. Indeed, we must protect others and not bully the weak." As a superfan, he memorized every word Tonbo Tobitake said.
Tianyu agreed. Bullying the immature Konohamaru was getting boring. He led his team back toward the classroom.
"Wataru, were my dad's notes on swordsmanship useful?"
"Hmph! As expected of Senior Tonbo's writings. The phrase 'Listen with your ears, see with your heart' has pushed my blade skills forward by a giant leap. I feel like I'm getting closer to him every day. I'll keep studying hard. Thank you, Tianyu, Maki."
Wataru was deeply grateful. He used to blindfold himself and trip constantly because he wasn't used to it. After Tianyu and Maki saw how much he admired their father, they brought him Tonbo's personal notes. Now, he was accustomed to "seeing" the world with his heart. It was as if the enemy's weaknesses were laid bare before him.
"Haha, that's good! My dad's main skill is genjutsu, but he's an all-rounder. His swordsmanship is great too. Once you finish learning, you'll definitely be stronger," Tianyu laughed.
They completely ignored the Konohamaru Legion behind them.
"..."
Hearing himself called "weak," Konohamaru was ready to explode with a string of curses, only to realize they had already walked away. He clenched his fists, trembling with rage.
He was the grandson of the Hokage! Where did they get the nerve to call him weak?
"Konohamaru..." Moegi looked at him worriedly. Udon, snot drooping, felt the same. The words didn't bother them much, but the impact on Konohamaru was devastating.
"Damn it..." Konohamaru squeezed a vow through his missing front tooth. "I... from today on, I'm going to study for real. I'll defeat you all thoroughly. Just you wait!" He was going to be the Hokage; he refused to be a "weakling" who needed protection.
"Nani? You've already mastered these? As expected of an elite teacher like me! As long as you do exactly what I say, you'll definitely become Hokage." Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses, a smirk on his face. He hadn't expected Konohamaru's grades to skyrocket recently.
The Three Basic Jutsu and Body Flicker—Konohamaru, a mere second-grader, could already perform them with ease. Many sixth-graders couldn't even do that and failed to graduate because of it.
"Stop talking. Teach me shuriken throwing this time. I want a perfect score..." Konohamaru's gaze was determined.
"No problem! I will teach you everything I know. You will be the first Hokage I've personally raised," Ebisu said with total confidence.
The Crystal Ball.
"Indeed, a little healthy competition is what was needed to make Konohamaru serious." Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the scene through his crystal ball with a smile. Konohamaru had been much less of a headache lately.
He could see the motivation clearly. It all stemmed from Tonbo Tobitake's two children and that little admirer of his. It made the old man's life much easier.
Tianyu's squad of three officially entered his focus as three seeds of powerful shinobi. Then, remembering something, the image in the ball shifted to a small figure in a small forest nearby practicing the Clone Jutsu. However, every clone he produced was a slumped, pathetic heap of mush.
The small figure looked utterly distressed.
"Naruto... although his chakra potential is massive, the Nine-Tails causes intense interference with his chakra control. I have to find a way to let him graduate. Otherwise, he'll be stuck in the Academy forever." Hiruzen, the Professor of Shinobi, could see the problem at a glance.
Kurama Compound
On the road.
"Senior Tonbo, could you... could you sign my sword?" Wataru Itabu followed behind Tonbo, shaking with excitement. Tianyu and Maki were speechless. Is it really necessary to be this much of a fanboy?
Today, they were bringing their friend Wataru to meet his idol. Since Tonbo had an appointment with Yakumo Kurama, he brought the kids along. Wataru had been acting fidgety the whole way until he finally worked up the courage to ask.
"Haha, of course..." Tonbo had heard his kids made a new friend, but he hadn't expected a fan who even copied his outfit. It reminded him of a certain 'not-so-burnable' Kakashi clone.
He took Wataru's sword and used his chakra to engrave the name "Tonbo Tobitake" deep into the hilt.
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