Chapter 17: Chapter 2:Sai's Mission!
Iruka stood frozen for a moment, staring at Yuto after his declaration to be Naruko's right hand. The class had fallen silent too. 'A genius like him… willing to stand beside her like that?' he thought, unable to hide his surprise. He remembered reading Yuto's academy exam results—breaking Uchiha Itachi's record wasn't something ordinary.
"Yuto, first in the academy and he chooses to support… Naruko?" Iruka muttered to himself, only catching himself before saying it too loud. He quickly cleared his throat and looked at Yuto, who was confidently standing next to Naruko, her expression beaming with pride.
'Maybe the Hokage was right… maybe she isn't what we've been telling ourselves she is,' Iruka thought, reflecting on his past prejudices. 'Could it be I've been wrong?'
Naruko, eyes wide with surprise, looked at Yuto. "You… really think I'll be Hokage, Yuto?"
Yuto turned to her with a warm smile. "Of course. Who else would be more fit than you?" he said without hesitation. He knew from the anime that she did become the hokage, plus, even if she didn't become the hokage like the original work due to his interference as the butterfly effect is unpredictable, what hurts to support her. She was his best friend, and best friends support each other, even if they sometimes argue ,fight, make fun of each other, etc. But there was a damn rule in that friendship, no one other than themselves can make fun of their bestfriend. If someone said something bad about them or hurt them, then they will be in a world of pain.
Some murmurs started spreading around the classroom.
'First in the academy, and he believes in her,' Sakura thought, unsure of how to process the idea. Hinata glanced shyly at Yuto, feeling a mix of admiration and curiosity. 'He's so sure of himself… and of Naruko.'
Hitomi Uchiha, on the other hand, narrowed her eyes at Yuto. 'How can he, someone who surpassed my brother's record, choose her of all people to follow? What does he see in her?' she clenched her fists in frustration, feeling the sting of her third-place rank compared to him and naruko.
Iruka cleared his throat again and addressed the class, trying to regain his composure. "Well… it seems we have some strong dreams in this class already," he said, forcing a smile. "But remember, becoming a ninja is about dedication and hard work, so keep your heads focused on training."
But even as Iruka spoke, his thoughts remained with Yuto's words. 'Maybe she's not the demon we've all feared. Maybe… she really is just a kid trying to be Hokage.' For the first time, Iruka felt a small shift in his heart, a seed of doubt against his own past anger.He shook those thoughts for now and started explaining the subjects the students will learn.
As Iruka explained the subjects for the year, Yuto couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. 'Geography, math, Japanese? This is starting to sound like a regular school,' he thought. But as Iruka continued, Yuto began to see the ninja twist to each lesson.
Geography wasn't just about maps; it was about strategic terrain. 'Knowing the layout of not just the Land of Fire but all the other countries is essential,' Yuto realized. 'You need to know where every hidden village is located, the best travel routes for missions, or potential escape paths if things go wrong.' He began to understand how geography played into planning and executing missions, especially long-range reconnaissance.
When Iruka started talking about math, Yuto's interest piqued slightly. 'Sure, I wasn't expecting to see equations here, but kunai throw angles, understanding explosion tags range and time to detonate, or even managing supplies for long missions? All that involves calculations.' He quickly connected the dots. 'In combat, even seconds count, and making the wrong calculations could get you killed.' Yuto had to admit that, in this world, math was more than just numbers on a page—it was about survival.
Then came Japanese. At first, it seemed like an odd subject to Yuto. 'Why is handwriting so important? This isn't calligraphy class,' he mused. But then Iruka mentioned that clear writing was crucial for mastering fuinjutsu, an art that they could learn when they are ninjas. 'Ah, so it's about seals. A single wrong character in a sealing formula could lead to disastrous consequences.' Yuto understood now. 'This is precision training. It's not just about writing; it's about controlling chakra flow, making sure seals are airtight and don't blow up in your face.'
History was next, and Yuto stifled a yawn. 'So, a rundown on the founding of Konoha?' But Iruka soon talked about how understanding past battles, the rise and fall of clans, and alliances could help develop stronger battle strategies. 'Learning the mistakes of past wars… knowing how each clan plays a role in today's politics and power structures… that actually sounds more useful than I thought. Especially if I need to navigate alliances in the future.'
Finally, Physical Education made Yuto sit up straight. 'Endurance training, strength building, stamina tests—this is what I'm here for.' He remembered Guy-sensei's brutal training regimens, and a faint smile crossed his face. 'If it's anything like what Guy-sensei had me doing, I'm way ahead of the curve.' He glanced at Naruko, who was already grinning, ready to jump into action. 'She'll love this. PE is probably the only subject that really speaks to her wild energy.'
Yuto reclined in his seat slightly. 'Alright, maybe this isn't just basic schooling after all. Every subject ties into becoming a ninja in ways I didn't expect. It's all about how much you apply yourself. I'll ace all of this.'
He smirked inwardly, already setting himself up for the challenges ahead.
Sai sat quietly in his seat, his gaze shifting toward Yuto discreetly. The room's chatter and introductions faded into the background as he recalled the mission briefing he had received from Lord Danzo just days earlier.
In the memory, Danzo sat in his dimly lit office, shrouded in shadows, his face stern. "Yuto Yamanaka," he had begun, his voice cold and calculating. "A young prodigy, it seems. He's surpassed even the Uchiha's standards at the Academy, and what's more, he's close to the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, Naruko. These two are essential pieces."
Sai stood before him, expressionless but listening intently. Danzo continued, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. "Yuto's abilities might prove to be invaluable. If he can be shaped properly, he could be an asset to my future plans. You are to monitor both him and Naruko closely. Report everything you learn—abilities, weaknesses, connections."
'A crucial piece for him to become Hokage,' Sai thought, repeating Danzo's words. Danzo, ever ambitious, had plans to overthrow Hiruzen and take control of Konoha. With Yuto's growing potential and his bond with Naruko, Danzo believed they could be manipulated—or removed, if necessary.
The scene shifted back to reality, Sai's sharp eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Yuto interact with Naruko. 'How long can the Third Hokage protect them?' Danzo had mused during the briefing. That thought lingered with Sai. Though he lacked emotions in the conventional sense, his mission was clear: observe, report, and, if necessary, act in Danzo's interests.
(Pls give me some power stones!)
(Find out next time on Naruto:eye system)