r18novel Chapter 488 Feeling Lost
Chapter 488 Feeling Lost
Chapter 488 Feeling Lost
After being led back to the teachers' office by the students, Iruka tried to calm his worries the whole way.
The news wouldn't spread that quickly. It was just a break between classes. Even if people in your own class could pass on the message, it wouldn't immediately affect people in other classes or even reach the ears of the teachers.
There were more people in the office than I had imagined; almost all the Chunin teachers from each grade were there.
They stopped talking immediately after he came in.
This display of force made Iruka feel uneasy.
"Iruka," Feng Feng said, arms crossed, "Speaking of which, since that badge is linked to promotion, does that mean everyone will have to take this path from now on?"
Another person asked, "Will the process of having colleagues or superiors submit recommendation letters, and the Hokage personally reviewing and deciding on promotions, be retained?"
Funano raised his hand: "Is the badge the main basis for promotion, or just a supplementary channel? If it's a supplementary channel, then the existing recommendation system should not be affected."
"How many badges do you need? Is there a specific standard? Or do different categories of badges have different weights?"
Can winning a joint military exercise be converted into a badge?
"If I can't get a specific type of badge, will I be stuck at Chunin forever?"
A barrage of questions came at Iruka, and he found himself unable to answer any of them.
He wasn't thinking that far ahead.
Doing his own job well was his only principle.
Do whatever tasks the village offers, and if you can find a job at the ninja academy, do that job well.
Now that the village has given him a chance to prevent the growth of something in his head from lasting too long, he is seizing the opportunity.
As for the significance of the badge itself as a promotion system, how it is compatible with the existing system, and the specific evaluation criteria, these are things that should not be decided by him, Xiuji did not say.
Shuji didn't say anything. Mr. Uzumaki didn't mention it either, so he wouldn't bother to find out.
"You didn't know either, Iruka?" Funano looked at his expression with some disappointment. "So all this morning you've been arranging things, and it really was just a matter of name length?"
Iruka tried to make his voice sound less guilty.
"----yes.
""
A few sighs echoed in the office.
Fengwei Feng looked at his colleague, who had joined at the same time as him, with a rather complicated expression: "Such an important matter, and you're only focusing on the name?"
Sparrow's Tears held no blame, but rather a sense of helplessness: "Iruka, didn't you ever think of asking a few more questions back then?"
"I----"
Iruka wanted to explain.
He meant that the atmosphere at the time simply did not allow him to think about those long-term and profound things.
He also wanted to say that although Mr. Whirlpool seemed to be listening to the opinions very seriously, he didn't mention anything about the specific implementation details.
"However, now that you're involved in this, you'll need to meet with Lord Shuji or go to the Hokage's office for the follow-up report," Funano brought the topic back.
Iruka nodded: "Yes—since this is an expanded discussion, Lord Shuji should check on the progress by noon—"
"That's perfect." Feng Feng's voice became cheerful again. "Take our problem with you, Iruka."
"?" Iruka's expression hadn't even had time to shift to confusion. "Me?"
Sparrow Tears nodded matter-of-factly: "You've already gotten in touch with policies that haven't been announced yet, so it's no big deal to help you find out a few more things. Lord Shuji won't be upset about something like this."
"Wait a minute, I—"
"Iruka".
Another voice came from the corner.
The speaker was a senior who had entered the school two years earlier than him. He was usually a man of few words, but he was very serious at this moment: "We will take the name matter to heart. Since you're already vying for it, no one will hold you back."
"But Iruka, if in the future it really depends entirely on professional exams for evaluation, it will be even harder for those of us who have been in the Ninja Academy for years to get promoted than it is now."
Feng Feng nodded in agreement: "We have less time to take on missions than others. We are always dealing with students and don't have much time to hone our ninjutsu."
Que Lei lowered her gaze: "To be honest, after three years, I feel that my combat ability has not only not improved, but has actually regressed a lot."
"Whether it's reaction speed or on-the-spot judgment—it's all declining."
"With this condition, I'm afraid I won't be competitive at all in the Chunin Pro Skills Tournament."
"If we really compare ourselves to those people outside who are on missions every day, the only thing we can boast about," someone said with a wry smile, "is probably the academic performance of the students we teach."
"But student grades aren't something we can determine solely through our efforts. What class we're assigned to and what students we encounter all depend on luck."
"Unless you become someone trusted by Shuji-sama and the others, and proactively adjust the personnel to enter the class, then it's probably not possible."
"As soon as he said that, several gazes turned to Iruka at the same time."
Iruka gave an awkward twitch of his lips.
That's right. He's the one who gets this treatment. Three years ago, when Karin Uzumaki first joined the company, Shuji specifically put her into his class.
On the surface, the girl's grades weren't top-notch, but in reality, she was someone the village had specially trained.
He forced a smile onto his face: "I will—I will convey everyone's doubts. At least let the village know our thoughts first."
At that moment, Ebisu entered. He glanced at everyone in the room, asked no questions, and simply issued a notice as usual: "We need everyone's help to compile a list."
"Students who wish to meet with Master Shuji at noon, please submit your names in advance."
"Although he said anyone could visit and there were no restrictions on the reason, the scene couldn't be allowed to become too chaotic."
The teachers in the office responded in unison.
Ebisu certainly knew what these Chunin had been discussing.
He didn't participate. After everyone said they would cooperate, he told them he would come back during the next break to pick up the list and then left the office.
Walking between the various teaching buildings, the impact of yesterday's special training class's practical demonstration had not yet fully subsided when it was already being washed away by new information.
The students no longer discussed who was stronger, Deidara or Gaara, or whether Neji Hyuga could defeat them both; instead, they talked about those long and tedious titles.
Its popularity is in no way inferior to the enthusiasm when discussing combat power.
Ebisu walked through the corridor between the two teaching buildings.
He saw the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki doing persuasion work, and he saw Uchiha Sasuke talking to someone, which was rare for him.
Finally, he went into another building and into the room that would serve as Shuji's temporary office for the foreseeable future.
The person inside was leaning back in a chair, their gaze shifting between the ceiling and the walls, seemingly lost in thought.
Ebisu bowed respectfully.
"Lord Shuji."
Shuji pulled his gaze back from his aimless reverie to the present: "Is it chaotic?"
"No," Ebisu wasn't sure which aspect of the chaos the other person was concerned about, "the after-school hours are a bit more lively than before."
He finally spoke his mind: "But isn't it too early to extend this discussion to the students?"
Shuji looked out the door: "As a generation that is neither fortunate nor unfortunate, they have to face the question of who they are at an earlier age than we did."
"They will face far more complex challenges than we have."
"At that time, they might even miss the days when they could face the world with a purer identity."
Ebisu didn't believe anyone would miss the war: "You're overthinking it."
Shuji smiled and said, "The problems caused by feeling lost haven't really manifested yet."
"Speaking of which, Ebisu, do you think extending the school year is feasible?"
Ebisu didn't understand: "Six years is enough to train a qualified genin, Shuji-sama. Besides, in the team formation process, the instructor also has the option to reject unqualified personnel."
Shuji shook his head: "The purpose of extending the school year is not simply about improving the abilities of genin. There are other reasons as well."
He thought about it again and then dismissed his own thoughts: "But it's not necessary for now. It's just something to keep as a possible option for now. As for how many years, twenty or thirty, that's probably not my concern by then."
Before Ebisu could process that statement, Shuji added another.
"But you probably won't be able to retire so easily. Think about it first, Ebisu. It's about the curriculum and academic year at the Ninja Academy."
Ebisu then agreed and withdrew.
After the special jonin left, Shuji got up from his seat and looked around his office with great interest.
Four white walls, a table, a few chairs, and a window facing the playground, providing good natural light. That's all.
He tapped here and looked there, and the school bell rang twice during this time.
Ebisu came once during that time, placed the list of students who would visit at noon on the table, and then quietly left.
Shuji picked it up, flipped through a couple of pages, and then put it back.
Then Iruka Umino appeared at the office door. He first looked through the list of questions compiled by his colleagues to make sure he hadn't missed anything, and after mentally preparing himself, he raised his hand and knocked on the door frame.
"Perfect." Shuji turned around from the window. "I know what I should order, Iruka."
The questions on the list lined up in Iruka's throat, but this opening remark shut them all up.
"—Captain Shuuji?"
Shuji opened his arms to show Iruka the simple office.
"This is the first time I've had my own office. I should get some decorative items, right? Decorative items."
Iruka's gaze swept across the empty tabletop and windowsill.
"The stones are nice; they're supposedly a standard accessory for the workplace." Xiu Si was already seriously considering things. "Calligraphy and paintings would also be good. Hmm—after all, your income isn't high, so let's not force it."
Before Iruka could even breathe a sigh of relief at this thoughtfulness, Shuji added, "A flowerpot will do. Or a vase. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something that can hold some water and a few flowers will suffice."
Chunin Umino finally couldn't hold back any longer.
"You work in the Hokage's office, Captain Shuji."
"Shouldn't that be considered your office?"
"There?" Shuuji spread his hands, speaking with self-righteousness. "That's the Hokage's office. What does it have to do with me? I'm just borrowing a chair to sit in."
He put his hands behind his back, paced around the room a couple of times, stopped in front of the desk, and patted the surface: "This is the first private office I've ever had in my career. All by myself."
Iruka was speechless.
He watched as Xiu Si pondered what to put on the windowsill, and finally remembered that he was there to report on his work.
"Captain, about that badge—"
"The match isn't decided yet, is it?"
"Yes. However, there are some problems in this process—"
Shuuji pointed to the table: "Put it there."
Iruka had a lot to say but couldn't say it, so he obediently put the list of questions on the table.
Then Shuji said, "If you don't have any other plans for lunch, stay outside and help me organize the group. Don't let everyone crowd in the corridor."
"The list is on the table; several students will be assigned to the fifth grade and several to the fourth grade."
"----yes."
Iruka's headache only began after he left the office.
How should I respond to those colleagues when I get back? Shuji didn't say anything, he just accepted the list of questions.
At least say something like "I understand" or "I'll consider it," but all you did was "Leave it there." Doesn't that mean you can't even tell everyone whether you've seen it or not?
Then came the requirement that gave him an even bigger headache: vases and flowerpots.
Although the captain was joking, he still brought up the phrase "his first independent office in his career."
I was, after all, one of his former subordinates, and it would seem unreasonable not to show any appreciation.
Iruka silently calculated the remaining living expenses for the month, and his expression became even more bitter.
Money is something you only realize has other expenses waiting in line when you're about to spend it.
It would be great if we could do it one by one, month by month, year by year.
More and more students began to appear in the corridor. Iruka put aside his distracting thoughts, picked up the list, and began reading out names.
One person goes in, one person comes out; no one stays inside for very long.
Although his hearing wasn't exactly sharp, he could still vaguely hear some noises while standing at the door.
The students' questions were simpler than expected; some were so nervous that they stammered and their questions were broad and vague.
But the captain's tone was not as casual as it was towards him now. His voice was exceptionally earnest as he answered each student's question.
After another person came out, Iruka called out a new name.
"day by day."
The girl finally heard her name called and quickly stepped forward: "Yes, it's me—"
Seeing her like this, Iruka softened his voice: "As long as you explain your confusion clearly, you will definitely get an answer. Captain Shuji is a very peaceful person."
Then he remembered how he had been bossed around earlier.
I silently added in my mind: as long as we haven't known each other for long.