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After returning to her seat, Yuhi Kurenai cautiously glanced outside the classroom and then whispered to Yuichi with concern.
"Yuichi, are you okay?"
"It's fine," Yuki Yuichi replied, shaking his head. "Teacher Ikkaku is very kind. I just apologized, and he let me return."
"Oh," Kurenai nodded, then curiously asked, "So, where's Kakashi? He hasn't come back yet?"
Thinking about Kakashi still getting scolded, Yuichi hid his embarrassment and casually said, "He didn't apologize. Instead, he tried to make excuses, and the teacher caught him."
"So, the teacher is still giving that bad boy a lesson."
Although Yuhi Kurenai didn't want to admit it, she couldn't help but feel that Yuichi-kun was more of a troublemaker than Hatake Kakashi.
As the two whispered back and forth, Uchiha Obito watched them with envy. He wished he could have that kind of relationship with Nohara Rin. He longed for moments like these with her. What a lucky guy Yuichi was! He was strong, could awaken the Sharingan with just eye drops, and had a childhood friend who adored him. Obito couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
While Yuichi and Kurenai were blushing and chatting, Hatake Kakashi sat slumped in defeat. During Umino Ikkaku's scolding, he had tried to argue, but the teacher shut him down with one sentence:
"Hokage-sama had something important for you? Do you have any proof?"
That one line left Kakashi speechless. The only proof was the scroll that Hokage gave to Yuichi.
"Damn it. One day, I'll get back what I lost today!" Kakashi vowed to himself.
After a lengthy talk with Umino Ikkaku, Kakashi finally returned to the classroom, but half of the afternoon had already passed. When he entered, he saw the students in the front row studying diligently while those in the back row were slacking off.
Umino Ikkaku cleared his throat and addressed the class. "So, what did everyone learn from self-studying the Will of Fire?" His warm smile gave no indication that he had just been scolding Kakashi.
No one raised their hands. Umino frowned slightly and prepared for a random spot check.
But before he could call on anyone, Yuichi enthusiastically raised his hand. "Me! Me! Me!"
Umino Ikkaku was surprised for a moment, then smiled. He had originally thought of Yuichi as a troublemaker, but now he was beginning to see him in a new light.
"Alright, Yuichi-san, why don't you share with us what you've learned from the Will of Fire?"
Yuichi stood up confidently. Kurenai watched him with wide, admiring eyes, though she herself hadn't gleaned much from the Will of Fire book.
Yuichi began his speech. "Wherever the leaves are flying, the fire is endless! The First Hokage passed down the Will of Fire, and the Second and Third Hokage carried it forward!"
He started with flattery, then continued, "The book is full of heroic stories—stories of ninjas who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the village and its people! These are the true ninjas of the Will of Fire!"
Umino Ikkaku nodded, pleased with Yuichi's understanding. "Anything else?"
Yuichi nodded again. "Yes, there's more. This morning, I met Brother Minato and Uncle Hokage."
The classroom buzzed with excitement, and even Umino Ikkaku looked intrigued. He glanced at Kakashi, sensing a connection.
Yuichi continued his story. "This morning, Kakashi and I went to Hokage Rock to train, and we ran into Brother Minato. We asked him to guide us, and he kindly agreed. After training, he even treated us to ramen."
"That's another example of the Will of Fire! Acts of selflessness and kindness," Yuichi said, glancing at Umino Ikkaku.
Umino Ikkaku's smile softened, and he encouraged Yuichi to go on.
Yuichi continued, "While we were eating, we met Uncle Hokage. He's really kind. He gave me a ninjutsu scroll, and when he found out I hadn't tested my chakra nature yet, Brother Minato gave me a chakra test strip."
"These aren't grand stories, but they embody the Will of Fire—selfless help from gentle elders and mentors."
Stars sparkled in Yuichi's eyes as he concluded, "In the future, I want to become a ninja like that!"
Umino Ikkaku was the first to applaud. "Yuichi-san's understanding is profound. To see the Will of Fire in everyday acts shows that you truly understand its meaning!"
Following Umino Ikkaku's lead, the rest of the class applauded. Yuichi returned to his seat, though inwardly, he was far from sincere. He didn't care for the Will of Fire and thought it was just political indoctrination. But in Konoha, where he had awakened the Sharingan, it was essential to show devotion to the Will of Fire.
Umino Ikkaku quizzed a few more students, and soon, the afternoon class ended.
As Yuichi and Kurenai walked through the village streets, Kurenai was practically bouncing with excitement. "Yuichi, Sensei praised you! Dad will be so proud when he hears!"
Yuichi, walking beside her, forced a small smile. He didn't think Yuhi Shinku, Kurenai's father, cared much for the Will of Fire either. After all, he specialized in genjutsu, a technique meant for survival, not martyrdom.
When they reached Yuichi's home, he pushed open the door and wearily called out, "We're home."
Kurenai rushed inside first, excitedly shouting, "Dad! Dad, we're back!"
Yuhi Shinku came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron and smiling. "Welcome back. Dinner's almost ready, so you two can relax for a bit."
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