Path Of War

Iruka's announcement was eagerly awaited. But then his eyes moved, focusing on Arthur in the rear corner.

Iruka started to approach Arthur, and Arthur could feel the gazes of the other students. Everybody in the class had their heads turned in his direction.

"Arthur," Iruka said with a kind grin. "Glad you could make it back safely. We heard you went missing—quite a scare, wasn't it?"

Arthur gave a curt nod, his face unreadable. He played along because he didn't want to raise suspicions, even though his fake background was hardly news.

"No worries," laughed Iruka. "Important thing is you're back." Then he took a headband with the village symbol on it out of his pocket.

"The Hokage requested I personally present you with this," Iruka went on, holding the headband out to him. "Looks like you forgot to pick it up before you disappeared."

The headband was accepted by Arthur. It was much softer and lighter than he had anticipated. Several of his classmates looked at him with genuine confusion, and he didn't miss their looks. "Who is he again?" he heard a few whispers. and "I dunno; I never noticed him honestly."

Arthur chose to ignore them.

"Hey, wear it on your forehead like me," Naruto exclaimed, gesturing to his own head.

Some of the students burst out laughing, while others merely rolled their eyes at Naruto's typical antics. Iruka gave Naruto a playful slap on the head before Arthur could reply.

Iruka grinned and said, "Easy there, Naruto," in a tone that suggested frustration. "Let's move on, shall we?"