The second css was still taught by Iruka, and Naruto continued to sleep on his desk. Iruka, standing at the podium, was so angry that he gritted his teeth. However, recalling Naruto's previous dazed expression after being scolded, he decided to hold back his temper. He thought to himself that since Naruto would have to stay after css anyway, he might as well let him stay longer. With this thought in mind, he wasn't as angry anymore.

  After school, most students happily packed their bags and headed home, while a few stayed behind to clean. A very small number of students headed toward the teachers' office, and Naruto was one of them.

  Unlike the other students who were dejected about going to the office, Naruto was the only one who looked particurly happy. His cheerful demeanor made almost everyone think he was going to receive some kind of reward, which caused the other students along the way to gre at him with venomous and angry expressions.

  "Kun, look at that guy! He's actually happy about going to the office. He's clearly here to mock us!"

  "Yeah, yeah! That kid is just too despicable! Let's find a chance to teach him a lesson ter."

  "Alright, let's do it! We'll give him a good beating ter!"

  A few students whispered among themselves near Naruto, and he heard every word clearly. However, he pretended not to notice. With the soul of someone in his twenties, he had long since stopped caring about the petty squabbles of children.

  When Naruto entered the office, Iruka was writing something in a notebook. Seeing Naruto come in, he immediately put down his pen, and his rexed expression tightened.

  "Naruto, what's going on with you today? You've been sleeping all day! What were you doing yesterday?"

  "I..."

  "Enough! No need to expin! First, copy this set of notes! After you're done, go home and study them carefully. I'll be asking questions tomorrow."

  Iruka looked impatient as he casually tossed a rge notebook to Naruto. The notebook contained the content from today's css.

  Naruto opened the small notebook and took out his own. Seeing that the content in both notebooks was almost identical, he was momentarily unsure of what to do. He should have said that he already had the notes, but he wanted to stay longer, so he didn't know how to respond. However, Iruka clearly still had unfinished business. After giving his instructions, he casually pointed to a chair nearby.

  "Just sit there and copy it go home whenever you're done."

  "Ah... ah!"

  Naruto weighed his options and figured that even sitting idly in the office was better than being dragged off to train. So, he sat down on the chair.

  He sat there for about ten minutes. Iruka put down his pen, let out a long sigh, and stretched before turning to Naruto. He noticed that Naruto hadn't even started writing, and his previously rexed expression immediately darkened.

  "Naruto! Didn't I tell you to copy the notes? What are you doing?!"

  At this moment, Naruto's mind had already wandered off to distant nds, and he was startled by the sudden shout. He hurriedly flipped open the notebook, but before he could even put pen to paper, Iruka had already strode over, snatched the notebook, and looked at the neatly written notes. He couldn't believe his eyes and even checked the cover several times to confirm that it was indeed Naruto's name written on it. However, the handwriting was so neat that it didn't seem like something a young boy like Naruto could produce.

  "When did you finish copying this?"

  "Ah? Uh... this, this... um..."

  Naruto was at a loss for words. He certainly couldn't say that he had Hinata copy it for him long ago, but coming up with a pusible excuse on the spot wasn't easy. Just then, the door to the private office was suddenly knocked.

  "Excuse me, is Iruka here?"

  Both Naruto and Iruka instinctively looked toward the door. Kakashi, with one hand in his pocket, pushed the door open and walked in.

  [Damn! How did Kakashi find me here? Is he here to catch me? If so, my pn to skip training by staying te at school after sleeping in css is going to be ruined!]

  "Kakashi-san? What brings you here? Is something the matter?"

  As a junior, Iruka was very enthusiastic when facing Kakashi, whose experience and strength far surpassed his own, and immediately went to greet him.

  Kakashi subtly gnced at Naruto, and in that brief moment of eye contact, Naruto sensed a hint of malice.

  [What the hell? Why is he looking at me like that? Is he plotting something?]

  As for Naruto's snder, Kakashi was already used to it and could now remain calm as if he hadn't heard it. He smiled and greeted Iruka.

  "Well, Iruka, I'm here to pick up Naruto. I waited at the school gate for a long time but didn't see him. I didn't expect you to have kept him here."

  "Pick up Naruto? Kakashi-san, are you responsible for picking Naruto up after school?"

  "Strictly speaking, not really. Since I'm responsible for training Naruto, I came to get him. From now on, I'll be picking him up every day. I'll need you to keep an eye on him for me and make sure he doesn't run off."

  "You're personally training him?"

  Iruka's voice immediately rose several notches, and he looked at Naruto with disbelief. As Kakashi's junior, Iruka was well aware of Kakashi's background—the son of the White Fang of the Leaf, graduated at age 5, became a Chunin at 6, and a Jonin by the age of 12. After joining the Anbu, he became a squad leader. For such a genius among geniuses to personally train someone, it was clear that this person's future achievements would be extraordinary. And that person turned out to be his own student.

  Kakashi shrugged and gave Iruka a firm pat on the shoulder.

  "Well, that's how it is. Naruto probably wasn't in great shape during css today, so I hope you can cut him some sck. After all, he's been training with me te into the night every day. So, please go easy on him from now on okay?"

  Iruka suddenly understood, and all his previous anger dissipated in an instant. He excitedly spped Naruto on the shoulder and looked at him with an encouraging gaze.

  "So that's how it is! I'm sorry, it seems I misunderstood you. I didn't realize you were working so hard. Don't worry, I won't keep you after school anymore. You can focus on training with Senior Kakashi."

  Naruto was utterly dumbfounded. The moment Iruka spped him, the pen he had just picked up fell onto the table. He gnced at Kakashi, then back at Iruka, feeling his head buzzing with confusion.

  "Wait, I... Iruka-sensei, you..."

  Before Naruto could finish, Kakashi grabbed him by the back of his colr and lifted him up, clearly not intending to give Naruto any more chances to speak.

  "Well, that's it for now, Iruka. You can get back to your work. We'll be going."

  "Alright, Kakashi-san. See you ter."

  The two waved goodbye like old friends, while Naruto filed his limbs in desperation, trying to break free but failing miserably.

  "No way! Iruka-sensei! I can't do this! Save me! I don't want to go train! Iruka-sensei!"