Natsuro stared at the chunin instructor, seemingly impervious to the man's imposing aura.
"Look, teacher, Iruka-sensei wasn't lying. I'm the one who took down your students one by one. If you don't believe me, just ask them—they're lying right there on the ground."
The chunin looked at him, surprised. Although he wasn't a combat ninja and knew he wasn't great at maintaining an imposing presence, the aura he was trying to project was not something a child could easily withstand.
Seeing Natsuro's unchanging expression, the chunin started to believe what Iruka had said. He couldn't help feeling envious—Iruka had taught a true prodigy!
Natsuro glanced at the chunin, noting that the man was deliberately trying to use his aura. Yet, he didn't feel any pressure; after all, what kind of overwhelming presence could a teacher, who spent most of his time in a classroom, exert?
"Even so, why did you do this?" The chunin's tone softened slightly, mainly because he felt he might be in the wrong. He knew his students' behavior and character, and if it was Iruka who had acted, then the fault would clearly lie with the students. However, if it was Natsuro...
"This is how it went." Iruka began explaining the situation to the chunin.
The chunin frowned as he listened. Given what he knew about these students, it was indeed possible they would behave this way. But if it were only this 'monster,' it might be a different story.
"Is this really what happened?" The chunin asked, looking at his students who had managed to stand up and were now hesitantly looking down.
The leader of the students seemed about to say something but suddenly noticed Natsuro staring at him coolly. The leader's confidence shrank, and he lowered his head deeply, speaking in a timid voice, "Y-yes, it's true."
The chunin was at a loss for words. His face flushed with anger as he was embarrassed by his students. It was bad enough that they bullied younger kids, but the fact that they were beaten by one of them made him feel utterly ashamed. He couldn't face Iruka again without feeling embarrassed!
"You guys, you know you were wrong, so get back to class!" The chunin wanted to end this quickly; it was just too humiliating.
"Wait!"
"Hm? What else do you want?" The chunin glared at Natsuro, trying to keep his composure. He was unhappy, but he also understood that his talent meant he would be a significant figure in the future. Even as a teacher, it wasn't wise to offend him.
"They haven't apologized yet." Natsuro said flatly.
Immediately, there was discontent among the students.
"Why should we apologize to a monster?"
Before they could say more, they saw Natsuro cracking his knuckles and glaring at them, making them fall silent. Their reluctance was clear on their faces.
"Classmates, you've been beaten up like this. Don't you think you were in the wrong?" The chunin glanced at Naruto with a look of disdain. He didn't want his students to apologize to this 'demon.'
"Huh? You bully younger students and then get beaten by one of them, and you think you're in the right? Should we take this to the principal and let all the teachers see?" Natsuro sneered at the chunin, noting his disdainful look at Naruto. He felt even more negatively about the man, believing that such a person was unfit to be an educator. This person tainted the profession!
The chunin's face darkened significantly upon hearing his words.
"Natsuro, maybe..." Naruto tugged at Natsuro's sleeve, trying to avoid causing more trouble.
"Teacher, I agree with Natsuro." Iruka said, stepping forward. He hadn't initially considered this aspect, but he felt Natsuro had done nothing wrong.
Iruka believed it was his responsibility to handle such matters, as Natsuro's words were too impulsive. It would be bad if the teacher held a grudge against him in the future.
"Fine... fine!" he gritted his teeth. Given the circumstances, he was in no position to argue. Taking the matter to the principal or the other teachers would only bring more ridicule on his teaching abilities. The idea suggested by this student was simply unacceptable to him.
At this moment, he shot a scathing look at his students, who were the source of his troubles. He angrily yelled, "What are you still standing there for? Go apologize already!"
The students exchanged glances, looking at the furious teacher and then at the 'demon' watching them with a smile. They dared not speak further and reluctantly moved to apologize to Naruto.
Naruto, seeing the apologies from the students, was at a loss for words. He could feel their unwillingness.
"Can we let them go now?" the Chunin teacher asked, still seething, looking at Natsuro, who was being held back by Iruka.
"Of course." Iruka said quickly. He didn't want Natsuro to hold a grudge against the students.
The Chunin snorted coldly before leading his students away.
After a while.
Natsuro watched Naruto, who was still standing there, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he said, "This time, it was my actions that made them apologize, but in the future, you'll have to rely on your own strength."
Naruto's eyes brightened as he realized the truth in his words. He nodded vigorously, "I will do it!"
Iruka smiled as he watched this scene. When Ino first told him about the situation, he had been quite shocked and rushed over.
Seeing the students lying on the ground and the final student being taken down by Natsuro had initially terrified Iruka. He feared that if something went wrong, it might be his side that got into trouble.
Fortunately, Iruka later found that he had shown restraint. Though the students were on the ground, they were only in pain and not seriously injured.
Iruka didn't know that Natsuro's experience in handling Naruto's training was the basis for his approach, just reversed.
Seeing Naruto and the others laughing and chatting, Iruka thought this might actually be a good thing. After today, Naruto would likely have more friends in his class beyond just Natsuro.
"Alright, let's all go back to class. If anything like this happens again, make sure to inform a teacher right away."
"Okay!"
"Naruto, help Kiba." Shikamaru's voice came through.
"Got it!" Naruto hurried over to assist Kiba. Even though he had taken more hits than Kiba, Naruto seemed to handle it better.
"Get off me, I don't need help!" Kiba shouted angrily.
"Kiba-kun... using bad language doesn't seem very nice..." Hinata's soft voice chimed in.
At once, everyone burst into laughter.
With smiles and laughter, the group headed back to their first-grade classroom, even Hinata, who was usually shy, seemed a bit more relaxed.