Chapter 49: How do you know I got first place?
Chitani Isamu stood behind Kimura Sugito with a smiling face, massaging his shoulders and back. He spoke in a pleasing tone:
"Sugito, lend me another 80,000, and I'll pay you back when I get my salary."
Kimura Sugito thought to himself that offering favors without reason is either cunning or thieving, and this massage service is expensive enough.
"Why do you need to borrow again? Didn't you borrow last month?" Kimura Sugito sighed helplessly.
"I repaid you last month when I got my salary, didn't I?" Chitani Isamu chuckled.
"Then you borrow this month, and after borrowing, you'll have to repay. And then, because you repaid the money, you won't have money next month. Will you need to borrow again next month?" Kimura Sugito asked.
Thinking this way, he had practically become Chitani Isamu's human IOU (I Owe You) for 80,000.
"Uh..." Chitani Isamu was momentarily at a loss for words.
"It's not what you think, Sugito. It's mainly because we've just met, and I have to make some effort to show sincerity. I definitely won't borrow next month." Chitani Isamu attempted to explain.
"It was you who said that, don't forget," Kimura Sugito finally took out his wallet and handed 80,000 to Chitani Isamu.
It's not that he minded the 80,000 because, although Chitani Isamu behaved oddly in matters of the heart, he was decent at other times and wouldn't fail to repay money.
Kimura Sugito just felt that lending money to Chitani Isamu was harming him, leading him deeper into trouble.
"Not borrowing next month? Kimura, you're overestimating him. I can already foresee his reasons for next month," Ueda Aya maintained a pessimistic attitude.
Then she imitated Chitani Isamu's tone and said, "Sugito, just lend me one last time. I have a feeling I'll successfully confess this month, and I definitely won't borrow next month."
Chitani Isamu: "..."
"If it's the first date, going to a nicer restaurant to leave a good impression is understandable. But you've been together for two months. If she genuinely cares for you, she wouldn't refuse if you suggest eating ramen together," Ueda Aya tried to awaken Chitani Isamu's dormant intelligence.
"And can't you choose a time yourself? Every time, you make Yumi-sensei cover your classes for you," Ueda Aya said, looking at the entering Mutsuki.
"She says she's busy at other times, either it's this day or maybe next time when she's free," Chitani Isamu said somewhat awkwardly.
It troubled him to trouble Mutsuki every time, and he felt embarrassed about it. In fact, Chitani Isamu even wanted to help cover Mutsuki's classes to reciprocate, but Mutsuki rejected him every time.
"It's okay, I have free time anyway. Teaching more students can also enhance my skills," Mutsuki walked to his desk and said with a smile.
"Yumi-sensei is really great, but this personality of his is prone to being taken advantage of," Chitani Isamu couldn't help but sigh upon hearing Mutsuki's words.
Feeling a bit indebted, Chitani Isamu couldn't help but run to Mutsuki's side, helping him with tea and kind words.
Until the time was almost up, Chitani Isamu left the office, went home, changed clothes, and prepared for the date.
"If only Chitani Isamu were the Taijutsu sensei for Class 1," Mutsuki thought to himself.
In that case, there would be no need to switch senseis. If Chitani Isamu missed his classes a bit more frequently, it wouldn't be any different from being the Taijutsu sensei himself.
Directly applying to become the Taijutsu sensei for Class 1 didn't make sense. Normal people wouldn't actively try to fill their schedule with classes. It could also lead to issues with character perception. If others asked you to cover their classes and you willingly did it, you'd be seen as a good person. But actively seizing the opportunity to teach raised questions.
"I should approach this from the students' dissatisfaction and the Taijutsu sensei's own teaching abilities," Mutsuki thought.
The most crucial thing in the Academy is strength. If students and the school leadership realize that the Taijutsu sensei's teaching hinders the growth of skills, the problem is easily solved.
Next, Mutsuki continued practicing calligraphy until it was almost time for class.
When Mutsuki entered the classroom of Year 4, Class 2, the students were already somewhat accustomed to it.
Mutsuki consistently taught them once a week, and they had come to regard him as their regular sensei.
"Sensei, I..."
Obito, as usual, was running late, but Mutsuki didn't say anything, just motioned for Obito to sit down and listen to the lesson.
"That annoying Chitani-sensei!" Obito muttered under his breath, feeling that Chitani Isamu always had Mutsuki cover classes at inconvenient times.
"Did you encounter an elderly person who needed help?" Rin asked.
"Not today, just lost track of time while picking brushes at the bookstore," Obito replied honestly.
"Why not do it after school? The lunch break is so short; you won't skip a meal, will you?" Rin was somewhat puzzled.
"Skipping one meal is fine. I'll eat more in the evening. The main reason is I've been exploring a lot of stores lately, and I felt the one I went to for lunch today was the best," Obito explained.
"Seriously, what could be more important than eating? I have some snacks; I'll give them to you after class," Rin said helplessly.
Obito nodded and didn't engage in further small talk with Rin. Mutsuki's class needed his attention.
Forty minutes quickly passed, and when the bell for the end of the class rang, Mutsuki announced the end of the lesson. Rin handed the snacks to Obito.
"Obito, how many times did you help today..." a familiar classmate approached Obito teasing him but quickly changed the topic.
"How did you know I got first place in the Youth Ninjutsu Competition this weekend?" Obito preemptively said.
Upon Obito's words, the person teasing him couldn't utter a response, feeling as if they had bitten into a lemon. An 8,000-ryo prize!
Uchiha Tekka, not far away, also fell silent.
He still remembered the Great Fireball technique Obito used in the competition. Originally, he thought that, having learned from the previous competition, paying attention to the Great Dragon Fire might give him a chance to defeat Obito next time.
However, in this Youth Ninjutsu Competition, Obito's performance had shattered his confidence.
Seeing the expressions of those around him, Obito's smile became even brighter.
In the following breaks between classes, Obito would go out and proudly declare to anyone he met, "How did you know I got first place?" maximizing the benefits of his achievement.
[Teaching Completed]
[Evaluation: A]
[Reward: Water Release·Kirigakure Jutsu] (Hidden in the mist jutsu)
Seeing the teaching reward, Mutsuki nodded to himself. Though not of high rank, this Ninjutsu was very practical.
The mist created by this Ninjutsu wasn't ordinary; it could blur the vision of the Sharingan. The Kirigakure Jutsu used by Terumi Mei could even hinder the Rinnegan to some extent. It was quite effective, especially in the early stages before overpowering ninjas emerged.
After school, Mutsuki went straight to the Southern Boundary Forest.
When Mutsuki arrived, Shisui was still practicing.
Following Mutsuki's advice, Shisui had been attending school through his Shadow Clone while his original self trained alongside Mutsuki's Shadow Clone.
Mutsuki didn't wait long before Might Guy arrived.
However, what surprised Mutsuki a bit was that Might Guy arrived, but fifteen minutes had passed, and Obito still hadn't shown up.
Due to often walking a portion of the way with Rin, even though they were in the same class, Obito rarely arrived together with Might Guy on this side.
However, being more than fifteen minutes late was quite unusual.
Mutsuki felt the need for a little lecture, encouraging them not to develop the habit of being late for training.
"Sorry, Yumi-sensei, I'm late," Obito said, holding a long box, and jogging over to Mutsuki.
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