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In the afternoon, Yuki Yuichi and Hatake Kakashi returned to the ninja academy. As soon as they sat down, Yuhi Kurenai poked Yuki gently.
"Yuichi, Mr. Ikkaku seemed really angry this morning when he noticed you weren't in class," she whispered nervously, worried about what might happen to him.
Hatake Kakashi, seated in front, perked up his ears to listen, curious to see how Yuichi would handle this situation. He had skipped class as well and wanted to learn from Yuichi's strategy.
Noticing Kakashi's subtle eavesdropping, Yuki Yuichi confidently replied, "Don't worry, Kurenai. When Ikkaku-sensei asks, I'll just tell him that Hokage-sama needed us for something important."
Kakashi quickly retracted his head, feeling reassured.
Yuhi Kurenai's eyes widened in amazement. "The Hokage really needed you?"
With a sly smile, Yuichi pulled out a scroll. "Of course. This is a reward from Lord Hokage."
He handed her the scroll, its fire symbol making it clear it came from the Hokage's office or was a high-level jutsu earned through missions.
Yuhi Kurenai beamed. "Yuichi-kun, you're amazing!"
Yuichi then playfully ruffled her hair. "Kurenai, could you hold on to this scroll for me? Show it to your father, Uncle Shinku, later. I'm sure he'll be proud."
Kurenai nodded seriously. "I'll take good care of it!"
Meanwhile, Kakashi and the others couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. They were all just six years old—was it really appropriate for Yuichi and Kurenai to show off like this?
Before they could think more about it, Umino Ikkaku, their teacher, entered the room. He immediately called for Hatake Kakashi and Yuuki Yuichi to follow him to the office.
Uchiha Obito, sitting nearby, warned them. "Be careful. The teacher was really mad this morning."
Kakashi, confident as ever, ignored Obito's comment, feeling secure since they had the excuse of meeting the Hokage.
As the two boys followed Umino Ikkaku into the hallway, the teacher turned to them, his tone calm but stern. "Shouldn't you both give the teacher an explanation?"
Kakashi quickly blurted out, "The Hokage needed us for something."
Umino Ikkaku clenched his fist but remained silent, turning his gaze to Yuichi.
Yuichi, sensing the tension, suddenly bowed deeply and apologized, "I'm so sorry, Sensei! I thought you were giving me permission to leave, but I misunderstood. It won't happen again!"
Kakashi blinked in confusion—this was not what Yuichi had planned earlier.
Umino Ikkaku, seeing Yuichi's earnest apology, sighed and let his anger subside. "Since you've admitted your mistake, go back to class. Tell everyone to study the Will of Fire while I'm gone."
Yuichi grinned, waved goodbye, and left the office. Kakashi, thinking he'd been forgiven too, started to follow.
But just as Kakashi moved, Umino Ikkaku slammed the office door behind Yuichi and turned to Kakashi, his face darkening.
In the classroom, Yuichi stood at the podium, acting as though he were in charge. "You guys don't know how to behave. As soon as the teacher leaves, you start playing around! Mr. Ikkaku says you all need to study the Will of Fire, and he'll check on you later."
His confident tone even reached the classroom next door, where another teacher, hearing his words, sighed with admiration. "Umino-sensei's students are truly responsible..."
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