"Today, your taijutsu teacher Sanjo is sick, so we're having class indoors," Ebara announced, striding into the classroom.
"Ahh!" the students groaned in disappointment.
"What, you don't like that?" Ebara said, leaning on the podium. "You think I'm thrilled? I teach an extra class for the same pay, standing here lecturing while you lot complain."
"Teacher, we're ninja. We'll face enemies on the battlefield someday," Uchiha Mikoto said, raising her hand. "Is it okay for you to keep taking over taijutsu class?"
"Yeah, Teacher Ebara," Minato added gently, standing up. "What you teach us is useful for the battlefield, but strength is what matters most. Didn't you say that?"
He wasn't one for the spotlight, but as class leader, duty pushed him to speak up.
"My lessons are just as important as taijutsu," Ebara said seriously.
"How do we beat enemies on the battlefield then?" a Hyuga kid piped up. "We can't just tell them we're the Will of Fire's inheritors, right?"
"Fair point," Ebara conceded. "You really want taijutsu class that bad?"
"Yes!" most of the class shouted in unison.
Only Nara Shikaku and Minato stayed silent.
They had a bad feeling.
Ebara wasn't the type to give in easily.
"Fine, taijutsu it is," Ebara announced with a smile.
"Yay!" the class erupted in excited cheers.
"Uh-oh," Shikaku muttered.
Yamanaka Haiichi and Choza Akimichi shuddered.
They knew that smile all too well.
It was the same grin Ebara wore yesterday when facing Shimura Mahaya.
"No, Teacher, we're good with your lecture!" Haiichi said, jumping up.
"Yeah, we love your classes!" Shikaku added quickly.
"Too late," Ebara said, his trap already set. "I've found you an excellent taijutsu teacher. You'll improve tons with him. I've already talked to the ninjutsu teacher, and I'm covering his afternoon class too. Today's all about taijutsu!"
His gaze swept over the class, as if saying, Gotcha, you little rascals.
Without giving them a chance to protest, he opened the door and ushered in his guest.
The first thing they saw was a grass-green bodysuit.
Ugly didn't even begin to describe it.
Bowl-cut hair, thick brows that made you squirm, and a confident grin.
He flashed a thumbs-up, his white teeth glinting with a ding!
"Everyone, ready to burn your youth with me?"
It was none other than Might Dai, Might Guy's father!
Though not classmates, he and Ebara were same-age friends.
"!!!"
The class sank into despair.
"Teacher Ebara's a weirdo, so of course his friend's a weirdo too," one kid muttered.
"Is it so hard to get a normal teacher?" another groaned.
"We're done for. Barbecue time," a third sighed.
"I know him—Might Dai, half of the 'Legendary Duo' with Teacher Ebara!" a kid said.
"I heard they were probably the worst in their year," another added.
"No 'probably' about it—they were the worst," someone clarified.
Gloom settled over every kid's face.
Like they didn't trust Ebara, they had zero faith in Dai.
"Cheer up, everyone," Ebara said. "This teacher I got you is the father of a future taijutsu master! His skills are beyond imagination."
Ebara grinned mischievously.
Might Guy was Konoha's undisputed taijutsu master in the future.
Dai, his father, was naturally the "father of a taijutsu master."
The thirty-five kids in the class didn't crack a single smile.
How could they?
They had a chunin-level taijutsu teacher, but now they were stuck with Dai, Ebara's fellow "genius" flop.
They all wanted to strangle Ebara.
"Don't look so down," Ebara said. "Be happy! Teacher Dai even brought you gifts."
His grin grew wider, barely holding back laughter.
"That's right, young ones," Dai said mysteriously. "I brought each of you a gift…"
Ta-da!
"This is it—a masterpiece combining breathability, moisture-wicking, and a perfect fit. You can't buy this anywhere. It's one-of-a-kind!"
"Wear it during training, and you'll never want to take it off."
"This is the miracle born of youth!"
Dai proudly displayed a shrunken version of his green bodysuit, waving it triumphantly.
A breeze made it flutter.
He'd spent all night making them after Ebara's suggestion.
"Thirty-five sets, one for each of you. No one's left out!" Dai laughed heartily.
His booming laugh echoed through the room.
"Pfft!"
Ebara couldn't hold it in anymore, bursting into laughter.
The thought of the kids in those suits had him in stitches.
"I wanna die," Shino Aburame muttered.
"Count me in," Shikaku said, shaking his head. "This outfit's torture."
"God, can't I get a normal teacher?" Haiichi wailed. "I just got tortured yesterday, and now again today?"
"I'm asking my mom to transfer me to another class," Uchiha Mikoto said, shaking her head like a rattle.
Smack!
Ebara slapped the desk, stifling his laughter. "Alright, go change."
Ten minutes later, the room was filled with green-clad kappa.
Paired with their twisted, disgusted faces, the comedic effect was off the charts.
"Dai… haha… take them to train now…" Ebara said, clutching his stomach. "Haha… I need to laugh for a bit…"
"No worries, Ebara," Dai said, patting his shoulder. "I won't let you down!"
He struck a pose, one hand on his hip, the other pointing out the window. "Kids, effort never betrays you! The theme of youth is burning passion. Youth, ignite!!!"