"Ryosuke! Stand up and tell us the methods for recovering chakra."
Ryosuke had just been about to rest his head on the desk when the teacher on the podium, adjusting her glasses, locked eyes with him.
"Chakra recovery methods include the following. First…"
He stood and recited the passage straight from the textbook.
In this short lesson alone, the female teacher had called on him at least eight times. Every time he tried to close his eyes for a quick nap, she would single him out with another question.
Since arriving in this world, Ryosuke had never felt this exasperated.
It's not like he had ever offended this bespectacled kunoichi teacher… right?
Ring!
The dismissal bell was a relief for both Ryosuke and the teacher.
"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. Class dismissed!" she said, grabbing her book and leaving the room in a hurry.
"Ryosuke, did you do something to annoy her? She keeps calling on you," Obito asked, closing his book and turning to Rin—only to notice Ryosuke sitting there looking like he was questioning his entire existence.
Ryosuke rolled his eyes.
If only I knew.
At this point, he was half-tempted to use Hidden Shadow Snake Hands to drag that teacher into a storage shed behind the school and interrogate her about what exactly he'd done to deserve this.
"Next period's practical training, Ryosuke. You're not leaving yet?"
Shizune had packed up her materials and, seeing him still spacing out, gave him a light push.
"Practical training? Oh—right! Let's go."
His mood immediately lifted.
Practical training was great. Normally, he would just go through the motions for a bit, then spend the rest of the period relaxing.
But when he reached the training field, the instructor was already waiting.
"Alright, everyone—today's practical lesson is shuriken throwing!"
Ryosuke's brows furrowed slightly, and he edged toward the back of the group.
Something was off. Shuriken throwing wasn't supposed to be taught until three months later—why now?
"Where's Uchiha Ryosuke?"
That familiar, sinking feeling returned.
"Here, Sensei!" Obito helpfully raised his hand, pointing Ryosuke out.
"…Thanks," Ryosuke muttered, stepping forward under the stares of his classmates.
"Ryosuke, shuriken throwing is a skill. Learn it well, and you'll be on your way to becoming an excellent shinobi. For this lesson, you'll be training with me directly—ask anything you don't understand, and I'll teach you personally."
Ryosuke paused.
"Sensei, are you friends with Mizuka-sensei?" he asked, referring to the glasses-wearing teacher from earlier.
"Of course. We're all teachers here—friends and comrades. If you'd rather be taught by Mizuka-sensei, I can call her over," the man—Jinya-sensei—replied.
Ryosuke didn't catch any ulterior motive in his tone and shook his head.
"No, Sensei. You're the practical training instructor—you're definitely stronger than Mizuka-sensei in this area."
Jinya laughed at the compliment before his expression turned earnest.
"Your time in the Academy is getting shorter. Make the most of it, no slacking. The Hokage himself has said—teachers must never give up on their students. It's our duty and our original purpose to train capable shinobi."
Hearing the mention of the Hokage, Ryosuke's eyes narrowed slightly, though his face remained calm.
"Thank you, Sensei. I understand. I'll do my best."
Jinya looked satisfied.
"Good. Now go. The Hokage approved a batch of training shuriken and wooden targets—grab plenty, we'll be using them later."
And so, Ryosuke rejoined the group to collect the equipment.
The lesson was exhausting. Three instructors patrolled constantly, stepping in to give personal instruction the moment anyone tried to slack off.
When the bell finally rang, the morning's ordeal was over.
After hours of being pushed and subtly tested, Ryosuke had a decent guess: these changes at the Academy almost certainly had the Third Hokage's hand behind them. If things stayed this strict, his days of coasting through school might be over.
Now, the only students with any real breathing room were the high performers—like Kurenai, already waiting with her lunch.
Maybe I should reveal a little bit of my less important ability to get some privileges, he thought.
"Ryosuke, let's go up to the roof!"
Kurenai appeared in front of him, holding out a bento with a hopeful smile.
"The roof? Sure," Ryosuke said easily. Food was food, no matter where you ate it.
They went up together. Instead of eating right away, Ryosuke found a clean spot and lay down, eyes half-closed, enjoying the peaceful breeze.
"Ryosuke, this morning my father told me there might be changes coming to the Academy," Kurenai said.
"Changes?" He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"He didn't say much, but it sounds like something happened in Sunagakure. The Academy might graduate students early."
Sunagakure… could it be? The Kazekage missing? Ryosuke recalled the sudden appearance of shuriken training and thought hard.
If this was true, early graduation was very likely. Since the start of the Second Shinobi War, graduation schedules had shifted constantly. If something big was happening in the Sand Village, this time could be no different.
"Ryosuke…"
"Hmm?"
"You need to work hard. Father said if graduation is pushed forward, the exams will be much stricter. I don't want you… to fail."
Her cheeks were faintly pink. "If you need my help training, just say so. I'll help you."
Ryosuke chuckled.
"Don't worry. I'll graduate."
Kurenai didn't reply, just lowered her head and continued eating her ribs and rice.
Ryosuke shifted, leaning against the railing. He knew his leisurely Academy life was probably coming to an end.
When they finished lunch and returned to class, a middle-aged instructor soon arrived with an announcement.
"Starting next week, daily classes will be extended by one hour. Graduation will be moved up by six months.
"If anyone wants to graduate immediately, you can apply to me. For the rest of you—work hard. Strive to graduate as qualified shinobi."
[End of Chapter]