Chapter 15
"Well, I have been teaching you for three years. What you learn in the Ninja Academy will affect your whole life, but don't forget to keep studying. This world is vast, and you should never be satisfied with your own strength or current situation..."
"In the future, make sure to eat and sleep on time, don't piss off your new teacher, and study ninjutsu seriously. You all have great talent—don't waste it. Train hard and never slack off..." Gouda Takeshi kept nagging Zixu and the others like an old mother watching her children leave home for the first time.
Although Zixu didn't care much for Konoha's beliefs and had never received the inheritance he should have, not to mention the fact that his monthly stipend was constantly being docked, the truth remained—Konoha had raised him. It was also true that he had made some good friends here, ones who might even change the course of his life.
Gouda Takeshi's teaching style was rough and sometimes clumsy, but it was heartfelt. In this moment, Zixu realized that maybe he had misjudged some people. He had let preconceived notions cloud his perspective. The ones at fault weren't the ordinary people of Konoha but the ruling Sarutobi Hiruzen faction and the twisted version of the Will of Fire they pushed. The people around him—his teacher, his classmates—they weren't wrong. Many of them had shown him genuine kindness.
The initial excitement that Aburame Hatsuizumi felt about graduating started to fade as Gouda Takeshi spoke. His words were simple, but they carried weight, grounding her in reality. A trace of sadness crept in.
"Seriously? It's not like we won't see each other again," Hyuga Chinano said, turning her head away. She was sentimental and hated moments like this. Gouda Takeshi might have acted strict, but it was always out of concern.
He firmly believed in the principle: 'Strictness during training reduces losses in the field.' He would rather his students make a hundred mistakes in practice than a single fatal one on the battlefield.
"No, being a ninja brings privileges and honor, but it also comes with responsibilities. Every mission carries risks, and none of us can predict the future. War could break out at any moment. None of us can say whether we'll see tomorrow or an accident will come first. That's why every separation should be treated as a possible farewell," Gouda Takeshi explained.
He had seen too many tragedies firsthand. He didn't even have to look far—just the recent extermination of the Uchiha Clan was proof enough. Because of that, he cherished every moment with his students.
"Ugh, stop talking like that. We're not dying anytime soon. But you—make sure you don't kick the bucket before us. I don't want to be the one collecting your body," Chinano scoffed. Her words were blunt, even a little sarcastic, but that was just how she was. She wasn't great at expressing emotions, so she showed concern in her own way.
"Don't worry, teacher. We'll remember your lessons. Your figure will always live on in our hearts. We'll inherit your legacy. No—your will. We will definitely..." Zixu started, but he couldn't take the sentimental atmosphere any longer and just wanted to cut the conversation short.