Chapter 25: The Imperial Capital's Middle School, The Ninja Arts Teacher of Team Asuma

Chapter 25: The Imperial Capital's Middle School, The Ninja Arts Teacher of Team Asuma

"Alright! I'll do my best! Bushy Brows, Lee!"

Naruto Uzumaki pumped his fist, encouraging himself.

In the end, the group had to part ways.

Led by Kakashi, they soon arrived at the Imperial Capital's Middle School.

The school was sprawling, covering several square miles.

Aside from the massive teaching buildings, there was a spacious open area.

In this space, Team Asuma could see groups of children following their teachers, some running, some meditating, and others sparring.

This sight left Team Asuma feeling rather bewildered.

Though they couldn't quite pinpoint what felt odd about it.

Until...

Naruto scratched his head and asked, "Um... Kakashi-sensei, the kids here seem really young. Are we going to be studying with them?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask? This is the Imperial Capital's Middle School. Since you have no foundation in ninja arts, it's only natural that you'll be learning alongside them." Kakashi replied, blinking in surprise.

"Huh? Are we really going to be studying with these kids?" Naruto exclaimed.

Sakura, Sai, and Yamato also looked taken aback by the idea.

The thought of studying with children after all they had been through—the countless challenging missions and experiences—was a bit hard to swallow.

Going back to being students among these youngsters seemed almost laughable.

"Can't Kakashi-sensei just teach us the Six Ninja Arts directly?" Sakura pleaded, her eyes glistening with hope.

"Yeah! Kakashi-sensei, why can't you teach us? It's the same amount of work to teach one person as it is to teach a group!" Naruto added.

"That won't do," Kizashi interjected. "Kakashi is the captain of the Imperial Capital's Guard. He's already going out of his way by sending a shadow clone to teach Naruto. Asking him to instruct all of you would be too much. Besides, the teachers here are specialized in teaching, and you'll benefit more from their guidance."

Kushina chimed in, her tone firm, leaving Team Asuma with no choice but to sigh in resignation.

Soon, they arrived at the faculty office.

Kakashi politely knocked on the door.

A young man with a ponytail opened the door, and upon seeing Kakashi, he exclaimed in surprise, "Kakashi-sama! What brings you here? Please come in!"

"Iruka-sensei, I've come to ask a favor. I'd like you to help the ones behind me learn the Six Ninja Arts," Kakashi said, smiling, instead of rushing inside.

"Iruka! You're Iruka-sensei! You look so different from our Iruka!" Naruto exclaimed in delight upon hearing Kakashi address the teacher.

The Iruka here, having not experienced the Nine-Tails' incident, had no scar on his nose, and his complexion was fairer and more robust, making him seem very different from the Iruka they knew.

If Kakashi hadn't called out his name, Naruto wouldn't have recognized him at all.

"Huh?"

The young man, Iruka, looked at the excited Naruto in surprise, taken aback for a moment.

Then he glanced at Kakashi again, his eyes widening in shock, before turning to Kushina with a complicated expression.

In that moment, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

"Hey! Iruka! Are you thinking something rude?! " Kushina glared at him, her fist raised, clearly displeased.

"N-no! Absolutely not!" Iruka quickly denied, shrinking back as if he were afraid of the fierce Kushina.

"Iruka-sensei must think that Naruto and I look alike, huh?"

"Emperor Minato grimaced.

'Hmm... He's also called Naruto? He does seem quite similar to my late predecessor, Minato,' he mused.

'Not exactly,' Emperor Minato replied with a bitter smile as he briefly explained the situation.

Iruka finally understood everything and exclaimed in astonishment, 'I never expected parallel worlds to truly exist, and the differences are so vast! Nonetheless, this is His Majesty's command, and I will certainly do my best to carry out the task!'

'Rest assured, Iruka-sensei is an excellent teacher at the Imperial Capital's Middle School. With your guidance, I'm confident,' Emperor Minato said with a smile.

Minato nodded and gave Team Asuma a few final instructions before leaving with the Naruto clones.

Only Imperial Iruka and Team Asuma remained in the classroom.

Yamato's expression turned strange. In his original world, he was Iruka's senior. Now, he had become the other's student.

Naruto and Sakura, however, were delighted at the prospect of studying under Iruka in this new world.

'Iruka-sensei, come on! I can't wait to practice the Six Ninja Arts! Teach us now! Once I master it, I'll show a certain someone who looks down on me!' Naruto exclaimed excitedly.

'Naruto, you have great enthusiasm! That's wonderful. The most important thing in cultivating the ninja way is to always maintain a positive and progressive mindset!' Iruka praised, then paused for a moment before continuing, 'However, given your current lack of knowledge, I'll first explain to you the concept of ninja arts and some basic information.

The ninja arts, or ninjutsu, is an advanced form of energy that is distinct from chakra.

It is usually drawn from nature and one's own body, and this energy is what we call 'chi.'

Chi has the remarkable ability to nourish and strengthen oneself, prolong life, enhance beauty, and more...

This energy was discovered by the great Emperor Senju...'

Iruka went on and on, half explaining the true nature of chi and half praising Emperor Senju.

Team Asuma, as newcomers to this concept, listened intently, nodding along and their eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Sakura, especially, was thrilled to hear about the beauty and longevity benefits, and she couldn't help but smile widely.

Half an hour passed, and the group finally gained a preliminary understanding of chi.

'So, in simple terms, the first step in cultivating chi is to obtain a so-called 'chi seed'? And it needs to be imparted by someone proficient in chi control?' Sakura asked, the studious one in the group.

'Oh yes! Iruka-sensei, please! I want a chi seed now! I'm ready to cultivate chi!' Naruto exclaimed impatiently.

'You haven't realized it yet, but all of you already possess chi seeds,' Iruka said with a smile, unhurried by Naruto's eagerness.

'I have a chi seed? How come I don't feel it?' Naruto asked in surprise.

'When did this happen?' Yamato was equally astonished.

'Could it be from Uncle Minato?' Sakura guessed.

'It must be. Emperor Minato must have infused chi seeds into your bodies. Now, what you need to do is to sense the presence of chi. I'll help you with this. Sit with your legs crossed, close your eyes, calm your minds, empty your thoughts, and focus on sensing your bodies until you feel a warm and relaxing energy that captivates and soothes you. Then try to manipulate it and spread it throughout your bodies to get accustomed to it,' Iruka explained gently.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end