During the afternoon Taijutsu session.
After a brief warmup run, the class broke off into pairs for sparring. Ino, however, didn't immediately find a partner.
"Sensei, about this morning..." She hesitated for a split second before continuing, "I actually got up and went for a run."
"I saw you. Chakra is the combination of physical energy and spiritual energy. Therefore, no matter what specialization a ninja pursues, the body must be tempered," Masahiko replied calmly, using the moment to impart a lesson.
Ino's eyes widened, and a brilliant smile bloomed on her face. "Un! I understand!"
"Remember to drag Shikamaru and Chōji along with you next time. Alright, go train."
Masahiko shooed Ino away. She bounded off, practically vibrating with joy. However, on the other side of the training grounds, the atmosphere was far more volatile.
Thud, thud, thud!
Naruto and Sasuke were trading blows in earnest.
They weren't holding back. Every punch and kick was thrown with full force. Although they were only seven-year-old children—novices even by ninja world standards—once Chakra was applied to their strikes, they possessed genuine destructive power.
"Sensei..." a student murmured worriedly.
"Eh, no need to intervene." Masahiko waved his hand dismissively.
'Isn't this just free drama delivered to my doorstep?'
He smiled and addressed the class. "Everyone knows that a standard Genin squad consists of a three-man cell plus a leader, right?"
The students gathered around Masahiko nodded slightly.
"Good. Now, who is willing to help Sasuke, and who is willing to help Naruto? I need two volunteers for each side."
"Me!! I'll help Sasuke-kun!" Sakura volunteered instantly.
"I'll help Sasuke-kun too!"
Hand after hand shot up into the air.
Wearing a gentle, warm smile, Masahiko selected Sakura. His gaze swept over the crowd before randomly picking another girl to join Sasuke's team. Then, he waved his hand toward the other side.
"Now, who is willing to help Naruto?"
Instantly, the sea of raised hands retracted.
Masahiko noticed that in an obscure corner, Hinata's hand fluttered anxiously, rising and falling. Her face was flushed red, yet she couldn't bring herself to step forward immediately.
'Just as I thought.'
Aside from the few troublemakers who skipped class together, who else would help Naruto?
Shikamaru sighed softly, raising his hand with a look of resignation. "I'll do it."
Chōji wanted to raise his hand as well, but Shikamaru pushed it back down.
"Beating up Sasuke... count me in for that!" Kiba jumped out from the crowd.
"Remember, you are only allowed to use skills taught in the Academy," Masahiko instructed, looking at the four new combatants.
Shikamaru and the others nodded. Then, the battle began.
Sasuke and Naruto, who had been in the middle of a heated duel, looked on in confusion as Shikamaru and Kiba charged forward. On the other side, Sakura and the other girl rushed in to join Sasuke.
"Naruto, cover the field with clones! Kiba, charge with them!" Shikamaru immediately took command.
"Got it!" Kiba barked.
Naruto didn't fully grasp the strategy, but he trusted Shikamaru, and he trusted Kiba. He immediately formed the seal.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Countless distorted, wobbly clones filled the area. Only a handful looked remotely human.
Although these were just standard Bunshin—illusions with no physical substance—the sheer visual noise of Naruto's crooked duplicates swallowed Shikamaru and Kiba from view. Amidst the flickering shadows of the clones, the two boys completely "vanished."
It was the Transformation Jutsu.
At this moment, Sakura and the other girl were charging forward enthusiastically.
"Sasuke-kun, we're here to—"
"Shut up!" Sasuke scanned the area, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "Fall back!"
Masahiko-sensei was right. Even trash skills, when used effectively, could have terrifying results—just like right now.
A dark mass of clones was rushing toward them. Sasuke had no way of distinguishing the real threats from the illusions. He could only wait.
"Third from the left! Look out!" Sasuke's pupils constricted.
But it was too late.
"Hahaha, too slow!"
Bang!
That specific "Naruto" suddenly accelerated, launching a kick that sent the slower girl flying. Simultaneously, the maneuver drove a wedge between Sakura and Sasuke.
Elsewhere, Sasuke found himself engaging the other two.
Sasuke was exceptional, a true prodigy. But ultimately, two fists cannot fight four hands. On the other flank, Inuzuka Kiba was unstoppable in a one-on-two scenario against unprepared opponents. Naruto might have held back against Sakura, but seven-year-old Kiba had no such compunctions.
He threw punches and kicks, hitting harder than anyone.
"Quick, quick! I beat them back! You handle the girls, I'm taking Sasuke!"
Having thrashed the two girls, Kiba excitedly joined the mob beating down on Sasuke.
Unfortunately for him...
"Alright, stop."
Masahiko raised his hand, bringing the gang fight to a halt.
Sasuke glared at Masahiko, his face full of unwillingness. His expression seemed to scream: Why was I saddled with these two deadweights?
"You three did very well. Especially you, Shikamaru. You fully utilized everyone's specific strengths," Masahiko said, giving Shikamaru an approving nod.
Then, he turned his gaze to Sasuke.
"Your two teammates... while it is true their Taijutsu is lacking, did you offer them any effective or precise commands?"
"How should I know what they can do?" Sasuke retorted bluntly.
His words nearly reduced Sakura to tears.
Ino watched with a complicated expression. Although she no longer fanatically obsessed over Sasuke, seeing her friend treated this way made her feel a mix of pity and helplessness. Now that she had stepped out of that circle, she saw things clearly.
Sakura had chosen this path herself. Ino couldn't persuade her otherwise.
"Indeed. You don't even know the abilities, strengths, or characteristics of your classmates. This proves you are not a qualified leader."
Masahiko nodded solemnly.
Sasuke was furious but couldn't find the words to refute him. He turned his cold face away, only to freeze when he saw Sakura and the other girl teary-eyed. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, and he silently lowered his head.
"Yes... you're right."
On the other side, Naruto continued to laugh maniacally, acting as if he had actually defeated Sasuke one-on-one.
In the corner, Kurama Yakumo sketched the scene onto her paper, a faint, contented smile gracing her lips.
'This life... is truly wonderful.'
After School.
"Still not convinced?"
"No!" Sasuke turned his head, looking away stubbornly.
Masahiko suppressed the urge to laugh. 'What a... awkward personality.'
He smiled, then looked up toward a high vantage point nearby and waved his hand.
Itachi's stoic face twitched ever so slightly. With a Body Flicker, he appeared instantly. He glanced at Sasuke's strange expression, then looked at Masahiko.
Masahiko fought back a chuckle and cleared his throat. "Ahem. He took a bit of a beating at school today. Make sure to comfort him when you get home."
"I didn't take a beating! It was just... they were too weak!" Sasuke glared angrily.
Itachi patted his little brother's head, smiling wryly. He bowed politely to Masahiko. "Thank you. I'll take Sasuke home now."
"Go ahead. I have other matters to attend to."
Masahiko didn't try to force a longer interaction, waving goodbye as they left.
Moments later, he met up with Yakumo and Yuhi Kurenai.
Kurama Yakumo smiled sweetly. "Sensei, you did that on purpose today, didn't you?"
"Hm?"
On purpose? Kurenai's eyes shone with curiosity.
Masahiko sighed softly. "Children at that age are in a period of ignorance. They don't understand anything, yet they are curious about everything..."
"I'm not like that," Yakumo muttered under her breath.
Kurenai grew even more intrigued. Masahiko gave a brief explanation of the day's events, concluding, "They are still too young. I just hope this helps them see things clearly."
"You really are a gentle, kind, and considerate teacher. It's no wonder the Hokage-sama values you so highly," Kurenai couldn't help but exclaim.
As a fellow teacher (Jonin instructor), she could empathize with Masahiko's feelings and the difficulty of the job. More importantly, she felt she understood the profound meaning behind his actions.
If such a move could make Haruno Sakura turn back from a mistaken path, that would be best. If not, perhaps the humiliation would drive her to improve. And if neither happened... well, that would be because Sakura was too blinded, and no one else could be blamed.
After walking for a while, Masahiko touched his face self-consciously. "Why do you keep staring at me?"
"Oh, nothing. I just feel that every time we meet, you always manage to surprise me or change my perception of you even further."
Kurenai smiled sweetly. "You truly are an incredible man."
"Am I?"
"Aiyah, stop chatting you two! Let's go home and eat!" Yakumo interrupted impatiently, breaking the atmosphere.
The two adults exchanged a smile.
Moments later, the trio arrived at Yakumo's new home.
Seeing them again, Masahiko could clearly sense that the Kurama family was recovering. Smiles filled the household. The decorations in the room now included many paintings, all radiating a warm, comforting style.
On the balcony, Masahiko and Kurenai sat opposite each other. Between them sat a bottle of Shōchū and a plate of spicy stir-fried squid.
"Everything is getting better. Thank you so much!" Kurenai took a small sip of her drink.
Masahiko gave a faint smile. "There's no need for thanks. Though, I'm surprised you enjoy drinking?"
"Ah, that... I was very introverted as a child. Later, I tried hard to change myself. I felt that alcohol and spicy food could ignite a person's passion..."
Kurenai paused, then let out a laugh. "To put it bluntly, it just became a habit. Fortunately, I don't drink much."
Seeing her slightly flustered demeanor, Masahiko looked thoughtful. Then, he smiled.
"A person's abilities and character are partly determined at birth, but a great deal can be changed through postnatal effort."
He took a sip of the Shōchū.
"If you don't work hard, you certainly won't improve. But if you do work hard... at the very least, you won't have any regrets."
Kurenai stared at him for a moment, stunned, before breaking into a soft chuckle. "Masahiko-kun is very sharp. But tonight is just for drinking and chatting—no need to be quite so perceptive."
Up in the attic, Kurama Yakumo held her sketchbook, capturing the scene of the two adults drinking under the moonlight.