A Lively Lesson
Satoru strolled leisurely into the classroom, the morning sunlight streaming through the windows, reflecting off his simple blue outfit.
The class immediately burst into chatter.
"Sensei!"
Anko Mitarashi, the energetic girl with short violet hair and bright eyes, shot her hand up so fast she nearly leaped out of her seat.
Satoru nodded, allowing her to speak. Anko stood up excitedly.
"Sensei, you've been looking taller and even more dashing lately!"
The whole class erupted in laughter.
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki—the notorious troublemaking duo—immediately chimed in.
"Kotetsu, do you think sensei secretly took some kind of growth stimulant?"
Izumo nodded with an exaggeratedly serious expression.
"Or maybe… he ate some kind of mystical fruit!?"
Satoru narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms as he leaned against his desk, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Hmmm… Is that really what you guys think?"
The kids all nodded eagerly.
Satoru chuckled, then raised his hand for silence before speaking in a more serious tone.
"Alright, today I have an important announcement."
The class instantly quieted down, their eager gazes locked onto him.
"In one week, the Konoha Ninja Academy will be hosting a group of students from Kirigakure as part of an academic exchange program."
The classroom erupted once more.
"Whoa, really?"
"We're going to meet shinobi from another village?"
"Can we spar against them, sensei?"
Satoru raised a hand to settle them down before continuing.
"Only five students from this academy will be chosen to compete against them."
Excited whispers filled the room.
---
### Kirigakure and Their Young Killers
Anko quickly raised her hand again.
"Sensei! Are the young shinobi from Kirigakure interesting?"
Tekka Uchiha also showed curiosity.
"How strong are they?"
Kotetsu and Izumo asked in unison.
"Have you been to Kirigakure before, sensei?"
Satoru crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes as he considered his response.
He knew that children in Konoha grew up in a relatively safe environment, educated in teamwork and responsibility.
But in Kirigakure…
"Lucky?"
Satoru shook his head.
"No."
The class quieted down, awaiting his explanation.
"Kirigakure is not like Konoha."
"There, if you want to become a shinobi, you must undergo a ritual… known as the 'Bloody Graduation.'"
The students widened their eyes in shock.
Satoru continued calmly.
"To graduate, they must step into an arena… where they fight against their own friends, their own teammates."
"Only the victor survives."
A chilling silence filled the classroom.
None of them had ever imagined a place where 'graduation' meant 'killing.'
"That is how Kirigakure trains its shinobi."
Satoru said evenly.
"You may find it shocking, but this is the reality of the shinobi world."
---
### A Teacher's Paranoia
As Satoru explained, he discreetly activated his Observation Haki, scanning left and right, up and down, looking around like a thief on edge. He wanted to confirm that Terai, that sneaky bastard, had truly fallen for the false memories. More than that, he silently prayed that the old fossil Danzo had lost interest in him.
**System:** "…Three dots. Three dots. Please maintain the dignity of a true powerhouse."
**Satoru:** "Dignity? Can I eat that? I almost got served as a sacrificial meal yesterday!"
From what he could sense, there was no suspicious presence nearby.
But just to be sure, he contacted the system.
**Satoru:** "System, check again."
**System:**
"Ting! Scanning a 500-meter radius… No signs of Root operatives."
Satoru exhaled in relief.
**Satoru:** "Thanks, System. Sometimes you're actually quite adorable."
**System:**
"No need to thank me. This scan cost you 50 points."
Satoru's face darkened.
**Satoru:** "System, you're nothing but a petty thief!"
**System:**
"Thank you for the compliment, dear host."
---
### A Lesson in History and Politics
Today's lesson plan, as arranged by Hokage, was focused on geography and political affairs.
While Satoru wasn't particularly interested, he understood why the Third Hokage insisted on it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't just concerned with the physical strength of shinobi; he deeply valued their ideology.
He believed that Konoha's Will of Fire was what truly determined the village's future.
Satoru didn't fully agree, but he didn't completely dismiss it either.
Strength was important, but without a reason to fight, strength was meaningless.
As he lectured, his mind drifted elsewhere.
"The Chaki I recently developed… It's still unstable."
He furrowed his brows.
"Chaki can only maintain stability for about two seconds. The issue might be with the way chakra flows through my body—it's not refined enough."
He thought about how shinobi used chakra to enhance their bodies, techniques like Chakra Blades or Tsunade's Chakra Enhanced Strength.
If he wanted to control Chaki better…
"Maybe I need to find a way to learn chakra control techniques from Tsunade."
Satoru sighed.
Another mission to add to his growing list.
---
### A Fate-Sealing Notification
After finishing the lesson, Satoru lazily shoved his hands into his pockets, whistling as he stepped out of the classroom.
He could still hear his students murmuring about the Kirigakure shinobi, but he paid no mind.
Today was a good day.
The sun was shining, the breeze was cool, and best of all—no one was tailing him.
He felt truly relaxed.
Strolling toward the western part of the village, where his rundown lodging was tucked away among the narrow streets, he hummed a little tune.
Though the accommodations were poor, he oddly felt attached to the place.
Perhaps… because of the original owner's memories.
Back at his apartment, he quickly showered, changed into fresh clothes, and prepared to head to the western forest to meet his three disciples.
But just as he was about to step out—
Ting!
[System Notification!]
A bright red message flashed before his eyes.
Satoru narrowed his gaze, sensing something was off.
But before he could fully read it—
"What the hell!?"
Want to know what the message said?
Find out in the next chapter!