The students gathered near Sasuke and halted, their eyes snapping toward Naruto.
A collective gasp followed.
Konosuke-sensei's fist had struck Naruto's foot—the very left foot still planted on the ground.
"Ah! It hurts!" Naruto rolled on the ground, clutching his toes.
The others instinctively glanced down at their own feet and took a synchronized step back.
Right now, they desperately wished for shoes that covered their toes.
Iruka covered his eyes.
He knew this would happen.
He was a few years older than Konosuke. When Konosuke was nine, Iruka had just started helping at the academy—doing odd jobs before officially becoming a teacher. He'd seen all of Konosuke's shameless tricks firsthand.
Standing at the center of the field, Konosuke looked at the retreating students and sneered.
"What? Not even brave enough to face an enemy?"
"If that's the case, go withdraw from the academy."
"Being a shinobi is dangerous. You can die at any moment. If you lack the courage to face a stronger opponent, then don't become shinobi. Go live as civilians. It might be better for you."
His words cut deep.
They stung their young pride.
In that instant, the students roared like enraged beasts and charged together.
Sasuke led the charge.
He had sworn to surpass his brother—retreating here was unthinkable.
Seeing his provocation succeed, a faint smirk curved Konosuke's lips.
This was the shinobi world.
It did not believe in tears.
And it had no place for cowardice.
Hesitation bred doubt.
And doubt could cost you your life.
Just as Sasuke closed in—
A handful of sand flew straight into his face.
His eyes snapped shut instantly.
Konosuke grabbed his leg and tossed him beside Naruto.
The others arrived a moment later.
What followed could only be described as an old fox toying with children.
Stomping on feet.
Flicking sensitive areas.
Throwing sand.
Every dirty trick imaginable.
He was gentler with the girls—simply tossing them aside.
In less than a minute, bodies littered the ground behind him.
Only Shikamaru remained standing in the distance.
Konosuke crooked a finger.
"Your turn."
Shikamaru instinctively stepped back twice.
Then calmly walked around Konosuke and lay down beside Choji.
Konosuke burst out laughing and let him be.
Just as he prepared to stand—
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
He didn't rise. He simply turned.
A massive fireball—over a meter wide—hurtled toward him.
Sasuke stood behind it, hands still smoking from the jutsu.
Iruka's heart lurched. At that range, even Konosuke could be injured.
He moved to use the Body Flicker Technique—
But Konosuke had already raised his hand.
Blinding light flared from his palm.
Sasuke had aimed carefully—at the very spot where Konosuke was sitting.
If he dodged, the students would win.
What Sasuke hadn't expected—
Was that Konosuke wouldn't dodge at all.
Instead, he extended a single hand.
"Sensei, move! You'll die!" Sasuke shouted in panic.
The others cried out too.
"Konosuke-sensei, dodge!"
Naruto forgot his throbbing foot and ran forward.
"Konosuke-nii-san!"
The fireball obscured their view.
They didn't see the radiance in Konosuke's palm.
Then—
The fireball split cleanly in two.
A glowing hand had cleaved it apart.
The flames crashed harmlessly to either side.
Konosuke stood unharmed.
He adjusted his tinted glasses and walked toward Sasuke.
Everyone braced for punishment.
He had nearly killed his teacher.
Instead, Konosuke smiled faintly.
"Not bad. Your technique is solid—just slow. Train harder. Make your fireball strong enough to break through obstacles."
"This time, you're the only one who passes."
Then he turned to Naruto, ruffling his hair.
"Relax. You brats can't hurt me. Otherwise, what kind of teacher would I be?"
Facing the entire group, he kicked Shikamaru lightly on the backside before raising his voice.
"Listen carefully. Killing is a shinobi's duty. Being killed is a shinobi's fate. Don't romanticize this profession. Surviving—that's what matters."
"From now on, one additional survival class every week. Anyone who fails to meet the standard before graduation will lose the right to become a shinobi."
"Dismissed. Go home. The running penalty starts tomorrow."
With that, Konosuke turned and walked toward the gates.
His mood was sour.
Five classes a week dedicated to the Will of Fire.
What a waste of time.
They'd be better off learning how to survive in this brutal world.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen watched through his crystal ball, unable to suppress his smile.
He didn't know exactly what Konosuke had said.
But watching him split the fireball so effortlessly—
The Uchiha no longer seemed like a threat.
The fear had always been another Uchiha Madara emerging.
Now?
Even if such a figure appeared, Konoha would have someone to match him—
Just as the First Hokage once had.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the Root headquarters, Danzo received word of the day's events.
His already grim face twisted further.
After a long silence, he addressed the subordinate kneeling before him.
"Go deliver a message to the Uchiha's First Elder and Third Elder. Tell them I wish to meet. Location—outside Konoha, in the forest. No escorts. I have something important to discuss."
"Yes, sir."
When the subordinate left, Danzo slammed his fist against the desk.
"HIRUZEN! You forced my hand! The Hokage seat was mine! You stole it from me!"
Back at the Uchiha compound, Sasuke rushed home and excitedly told his parents about Konosuke's praise.
Fugaku merely nodded with a faint smile.
Mikoto, however, was different.
She praised Sasuke warmly—then went to prepare his favorite meal.