"It's like this—during my morning class today, I held a practical assessnt," Mugetsu explained, recounting to Tanimura what had happened.
Of course, he softened the students' complaints a little—otherwise, they would've co across as far too blunt.
"I just wanted to motivate them, get them to take training more seriously. I didn't expect things to turn out like this. I'm truly sorry," Mugetsu said with an apologetic expression.
"It's my fault for being too harsh with my critiques. I should've gone easier on them."
He placed all the bla on himself.
Even though it was clearly Tanimura's poor teaching that had led to the students' dissatisfaction, Mugetsu had rely ignited what was already there.
But he didn't want to show any cracks in his persona. So, instead, he ca clean and admitted his "mistake" face to face—framing it as a well-aning act that unintentionally caused trouble.
In doing so, no matter how the situation was interpreted, Mugetsu wouldn't be seen as soone with ulterior motives.
After all, he had reported the issue to Tanimura imdiately. A teacher who cared so much about his colleague surely couldn't have bad intentions.
"This..." Tanimura was at a loss for words.
Deep down, he knew the students were right—his teaching just wasn't up to par. Compared to Mugetsu, he was average at best.
But no one in the academy could really compare to Mugetsu. In just one or two months, the new teacher had beco a school-wide na. He had the admiration of both students and staff, and he'd even been comnded by the Third Hokage.
Trying to compare himself to soone like that was just asking to get crushed.
"I already told the students not to speak ill of you," Mugetsu sighed, his tone calm and regretful. "But they're kids. They might agree in front of , but what they say in private... that's hard to control."
"It's fine. I won't take it personally. After all, they're just six-year-olds," Tanimura chuckled.
Even if the students complained openly, Tanimura had no intention of giving up his position as the Taijutsu teacher for Class 1.
That class had earned stellar results in the recent practical assessnts. Not only did they claim the top two spots in the Yearly Practical Exam, but their average score led the entire grade.
He knew those results had nothing to do with his teaching—but they were official records nonetheless. Performance bonuses were tied to them, and his job security was solid. There was no reason for concern.
And even less reason to walk away.
"Mugetsu-sensei, I understand. You're just thinking about what's best for the students," Tanimura said with a knowing smile.
Despite the unexpected situation, he still believed Mugetsu to be a good-natured colleague—soone who had co to apologize imdiately and was always looking out for others.
He rembered that today was originally his class, but due to a prior engagent, he had swapped with Mugetsu's afternoon session—and Mugetsu had agreed without hesitation.
He'd also heard stories of Mugetsu covering for other teachers, too. Tanimura himself would have found that kind of thing difficult. Once or twice was manageable, but being asked to help every week? That would drive him crazy.
High teaching skill, top-performing class, personally praised by the Hokage—and on top of all that, good-looking and even-tempered.
No wonder the female teachers in the staffroom talked about him every day.
Tanimura understood his own situation clearly. His teaching had always been diocre, and it had stayed that way for years.
But no matter what happened, he had no intention of giving up his position. Teaching at the Ninja Academy was low-risk, steady pay—and with Class 1's performance being so good, it was the perfect opportunity to rake in a high bonus without much effort.
"Tanimura-sensei, I'm relieved to hear that," Mugetsu said, finally relaxing. A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Haha, let's hit the izakaya soti," Tanimura said with a laugh.
Mugetsu smiled and nodded, then found an excuse to leave after chatting with Tanimura for a while about trivial topics.
After Tanimura returned to the office, the female teacher beside him asked curiously,
"Tanimura-sensei, did Mugetsu-sensei want to talk to you about sothing?"
"Nothing important. Just so minor issues with the students. But Mugetsu-sensei… he's really sothing else," Tanimura replied as he sat down.
Naturally, he was too embarrassed to ntion that students had criticized his teaching. Still, using Mugetsu to strike up a conversation with the female teacher wasn't a bad move either.
It wasn't until the class bell rang that Tanimura finally made his way to Class 1, Grade 1.
When he entered the classroom, everything seed the sa as usual. As always, he started by explaining so theoretical aspects of Taijutsu before taking the students out for a run.
After the run, Tanimura began teaching basic Taijutsu forms. He demonstrated the sequence once, then let the students practice on their own.
"Tanimura-sensei, could you show it a few more tis? I didn't quite catch it," Anko asked.
"This is just the most basic stuff. If you don't understand it, it's because you haven't practiced enough. Just keep working at it," Tanimura said flatly.
"But Mugetsu-sensei always demonstrates several tis and breaks everything down step by step," Anko replied.
"Ninjutsu and Taijutsu are different. You can't compare them like that," Tanimura explained, trying to dismiss her point.
"But Taijutsu has a lot of technique too. Shouldn't we be learning those details?" Kotetsu asked.
Tanimura went silent.
As a diocre Chūnin-level instructor, he simply didn't have that many technical details to offer. He gave a half-hearted reply to brush it off.
But the mont he did, more students began chiming in with their own questions and suggestions.
"Alright, alright, that's enough! Just train first. You can ask questions next class, okay?" Tanimura finally said, his head throbbing as dozens of students bombarded him at once.
"Tanimura-sensei, how about we compromise?" Izumo said with a straight face. "We won't ask questions, and you don't teach us anymore."
Tanimura stared at him, confused.
Are students even allowed to say things like that? Just directly telling the teacher to stop teaching?
But it didn't stop there.
"Tanimura-sensei, I think it's ti you retired. Ever since your shuriken lesson, I haven't hit the bullseye even once."
"Tanimura-sensei, ever since we started your Taijutsu class, all the praise we get has been for how well we learn Ninjutsu."
Tanimura stood there, stunned. In all his three years of teaching, he had never encountered anything like this.
He knew students hadn't liked his classes before, but not to this extent.
Thankfully, Mugetsu had warned him in advance. If not, he would've been completely blindsided by this revolt.
"Cough, cough. Everyone, quiet down," Tanimura said, trying to save face. "I'll demonstrate the routine again... a few more tis."
And so, he did. But then he noticed sothing strange.
The students clearly didn't like him. They were complaining, questioning, and even suggesting he retire.
But their training… it didn't stop.
In fact, they were more focused than usual—training with intensity and discipline.
Tanimura was confused. If they disliked him so much, why were they still giving their all?
Then he realized—it must have been Mugetsu's words. Despite their dissatisfaction, they didn't dare slack off, probably out of respect for their horoom teacher.
Tanimura felt strangely relieved... and quietly envious.
Mugetsu's control over the class was sothing he simply didn't have.
Let's just get through this year, Tanimura thought to himself.
He still had no intention of giving up his spot as the Taijutsu teacher for Class 1, Grade 1. With the class's stellar performance, he might even earn an "Excellent Teacher" bonus.
If this had been a normal class, he would've already punished a few students to assert control—let them see the strength of a Chūnin.
But this wasn't just any class.
This was Class 1, Grade 1—the best-performing class in the entire academy.
The more Tanimura taught, the clearer it beca to the students just how lacking he really was—further strengthening their resolve to have him replaced.
Check my Pâtreon for Advanced Chapters
Pâtreon /Fanficlord03
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