That evening, Iruka returned ho. It wasn't actually that late—the sky outside had just taken on an inky blue hue and only a few scattered streetlights had begun to flicker on in the distance—but with nothing to do, he still went to bed early.
In the darkness, his thoughts spread like vines freed from their restraints, growing wild and uncontrolled. Two images repeatedly echoed through his mind—that mont when disaster struck in his childhood, the Nine-Tails' pupils burned into the depths of his mory like a brand.
And over this past year, that blonde boy's figure in the classroom and on the training grounds, the curve of his eyes when he smiled, the defiant pout when being scolded...
Unconsciously, he recalled the Third Hokage's words. It was precisely because of that order back then that he'd beco a teacher, that he'd beco Naruto's teacher.
"Iruka, it's not that I can't understand your feelings... but in so ways, Naruto is actually the sa type of person as you. He doesn't know parental love, and the villagers avoid him because of that incident."
"Moreover, Naruto's psychological state isn't ideal. Because of his loneliness, this child has a maturity far beyond his years. If it were an ordinary child being shunned and rejected like this, they might do foolish things to attract attention."
"But... this child has instead distanced himself from those who actively reject him, completely shutting out malice from his heart... though that doesn't an he's grown accustod to loneliness..."
The Third Hokage had entrusted him with caring for Naruto, making him the boy's teacher. Iruka rembered how utterly resistant he'd felt initially. He knew the truth about the Nine-Tails—the beast that had killed his parents was sealed within this child's body.
Unlike other villagers, Iruka understood perfectly well—Naruto was never so fox demon incarnation, just an innocent victim caught up in that disaster.
He'd done nothing wrong, was nothing but an innocent child from beginning to end... yet even knowing this clearly in his heart, Iruka still didn't know how to face Naruto.
When he'd first started teaching, every ti he saw that blonde figure in the classroom, the Nine-Tails' form would uncontrollably flash through his mind, its fierce outline like a thorn stabbing into his thoughts.
What emotions had he felt back then?
Perhaps fear, perhaps subconscious distancing. But besides these, another emotion weighed heavily on his heart.
Guilt.
Clearly knowing the boy wasn't at fault, clearly understanding he was just a child, yet still unable to stop himself from quietly transferring his hatred of the Nine-Tails onto him... Every ti he thought about this, Iruka felt panicked with guilt. Back then, he'd even wondered if soone like him was truly qualified to be a teacher.
Soone had once told him, "If you don't open your heart, the other person won't open theirs either."
Later, Iruka had tried to gradually approach Naruto. All he could say was that this child was heartbreakingly understanding—though he himself hadn't been able to resist looking at him with prejudiced eyes initially, when Naruto looked at his far-from-qualified teacher, his eyes always held sincere respect.
And so, he'd begun responding to Naruto's greetings and actively interacting with him during class. Days passed one by one, and before he knew it, their teacher-student relationship had gained sothing approaching friendship.
During their ti together, Iruka hadn't even realized that his concern for Naruto had long since overshadowed his fear of the Nine-Tails.
Because of this, he often felt regret—if only he could have accepted Naruto's goodwill sooner. And now, what could he do to truly help this child?
"Iruka... Iruka!"
Suddenly, a voice exploded in his mind—not his own chaotic thoughts, but a truly clear voice ringing right beside his ear!
"This voice... Hokage-sama?!"
Iruka bolted upright from his bed. He imdiately recognized the voice—Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen! Could this be... a long-distance communication jutsu?
"There's an ergency situation. Go to the ninja academy imdiately. Naruto and Satsuki are there, and they seem to be forming the seal of confrontation. If this continues, it'll be terrible if sothing goes wrong."
Naruto and Satsuki... at the ninja academy? About to spar? Iruka instantly recalled what Naruto had said during dismissal: "You can't beco a strong ninja by playing house forever. See you later, sensei!"
Rage imdiately surged in his chest—those two brats really hadn't listened to a single word of his warnings!
With not an ounce of sleepiness left, Iruka frantically grabbed his chunin vest from nearby, threw it on, shoved his feet into his shoes, and rushed out the door.
"Naruto! You idiot!"
He roared as he sprinted toward the ninja academy, night wind howling past his ears, praying in his heart that he'd make it in ti.
---
"Seriously, why isn't Iruka-sensei here yet? The favor the Third Hokage asked of him—he couldn't have failed to handle even this small thing, could he?"
The training ground was currently empty, with Naruto and Satsuki standing in the center of the sa space where they'd sparred during the day. There was no sign whatsoever of them forming confrontation seals or preparing to fight.
Clearly, the Third Hokage's earlier words had been nothing more than bait to lure Iruka here.
The evening breeze blew gently, carrying the faint fragrance left behind by the fallen cherry blossoms. Satsuki tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a barely detectable hint of coquettishness.
"Hey... Naruto, don't you think it's a bit cold right now?"
Naruto paused, reaching up to touch his arm. "Hm? It's fine. Cherry blossom season only ended recently—the nights aren't that cool. It's pretty warm actually."
"I see..." Satsuki responded, but her gaze unconsciously fell on Naruto's hands tucked in his pants pockets. "That... I feel like my hands are a bit cold. Boys are lucky—even with hands in their pockets, it doesn't look improper..."
As she spoke, she subtly flexed her hands.
Naruto looked around—aside from the two of them, there wasn't even a patrolling ninja on the entire training ground, just streetlights casting dim yellow light in the distance. "Ah, what's the big deal? There's no one here right now. Even if you put your hands in your pockets, who's going to say anything? It's fine to not worry about those empty courtesies."
This blockhead... did he have to be so literal?
Satsuki grumbled internally while maintaining a calm expression on her face, her tone carrying a hint of wistful sighing. "That won't do. As a mber of the Uchiha clan, how could I casually abandon my pride?"
"It really is quite cold... Soone's hands are tucked in their pockets and look very warm—how nice..."
Second tomato, you're a fire-style user—what are you cold about?
Naruto naturally understood Satsuki's intention—she just wanted to hold hands, didn't she? Teasing tsunderes had to have limits. It was fine occasionally, but if he really made her sulk, she'd be difficult to appease.
With this thought, Naruto helplessly pulled one hand from his pocket. He extended it toward Satsuki, keeping his tone as natural as possible. "Want to hold my hand then? Sorry, I'm not wearing gloves right now—this is all I can offer."
Satsuki caught sight of his extended hand from the corner of her eye. Her mouth almost curved upward before she quickly suppressed it, deliberately putting on a reluctant expression. "Yes... it seems like there's no other choice... then I'll..."
Just as she was about to place her slightly cool hand on his—
"Naruto! Satsuki! You two!"
Iruka's furious voice suddenly exploded from nearby. Satsuki's movent froze, her entire body stiffening as her half-extended hand hung suspended in midair.
Naruto's eyes lit up as he quickly withdrew his hand. "Perfect! Iruka-sensei's here! Let's go, second tomato!"
With that, he turned and ran toward the school building. Satsuki watched his retreating figure, slowly lowering her suspended hand. Her fingertips still held the emptiness of what she hadn't touched, her heart carrying so frustration at being interrupted—but she ultimately suppressed it and hurried to follow Naruto's steps.
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