Monday morning. Kotetsu Hagane scrambled through his morning routine, inhaling his breakfast and bolting for the door.
"You're up early for once. What's the rush?" his mother asked, bewildered by the sudden display of initiative.
"I just want to get to school and study!" Kotetsu shouted over his shoulder, not slowing down.
It was a blatant lie. Kotetsu didn't hate school, but he didn't love it either—most teachers weren't nearly as engaging as Luke Mugetsu. His real motivation was far more pressing: he needed to know if his best friend, Izumo Kamizuki, had finally made a move on his neighbor.
They had hatched the "flower plan" last Thursday, but Izumo had spent Friday "building up his courage." Kotetsu figured a whole weekend was more than enough time to execute.
When Kotetsu arrived at the classroom, it was mostly empty. Izumo didn't show up for another ten minutes, and when he finally did, he looked like he had been processed through a wood chipper.
"Izumo? Did you even sleep?" Kotetsu asked.
Izumo just shook his head, slumping into his seat.
"Well? Did you give her the flowers?" Kotetsu pressed, leaning in with excitement.
"Ugh. Don't even bring it up," Izumo groaned, burying his face in his arms. "It turns out she wasn't looking at our garden because she likes flowers. She was looking at them because she has severe hay fever and was terrified the wind was going to blow pollen into her window."
Kotetsu fell silent for a moment, processing the tragedy. "So... did you still try to give them to her?"
Izumo didn't answer, but the hollow, haunted look in his eyes told Kotetsu everything he needed to know.
Kotetsu patted his friend's shoulder. "Look, it's okay. I know a girl who plays with Macy—she's really cute. Maybe we can all hang out sometime?"
Izumo's gloom evaporated instantly. He sat bolt upright, a wide grin breaking across his face. "You're a lifesaver, Kotetsu! And hey, over the weekend, I thought of a new way for us to mess with your cousin..."
"Class is starting!"
Luke's voice cut through their conversation. The two boys realized they hadn't even heard the bell. They scrambled into their seats, eager for the lesson. After a weekend away, they genuinely missed Luke's teaching style.
As usual, the lesson was effortless. Knowledge seemed to just slide into their minds without the usual friction of boredom.
[Lecture Complete. Calculating rewards...] [Evaluation: A] [Reward: Water Release: Water Severing Wave]
Luke's pulse quickened. This was no ordinary jutsu. Developed by the Second Hokage, it was a high-pressure jet of water capable of slicing through almost anything—including the massive roots of the Divine Tree. It was a top-tier offensive Water Release move.
His good mood only improved when he returned to the faculty lounge.
"Teacher Luke, I know you're free this afternoon," Ikeya Yu said, approaching Luke's desk with a hopeful expression. "Could you cover my Ninjutsu class for Grade 4, Class 2? Please?"
"I can cover it, but are you alright, Ikeya? You look a bit... frazzled," Luke asked, maintaining his "concerned colleague" mask perfectly.
"I'm fine, physically! Thanks for asking," Ikeya said. "It's just... that girl from the blind date. She invited me to go for a walk this afternoon."
"Why didn't she pick a time when you weren't working?" Aya Ueda interjected from across the room.
"I tried, but she said today was her only opening," Ikeya explained. He felt a bit guilty for relying on Luke again—Luke was just too nice, and Ikeya felt like he was taking advantage of a saint.
Aya just sighed. She could already see the writing on the wall. If a woman really liked a guy, she wouldn't force him to juggle his professional responsibilities just to see her.
"Good luck, Ikeya. I hope it goes well," Luke encouraged. Go on, he thought, take all the time you need. The more you date, the more S-rank rewards I get.
"You're a legend, Luke! If this works out, I'm taking you to the most expensive restaurant in Konoha!" Ikeya shouted as he sprinted out the door to go home and change.
"I told you, Luke," Aya said, shaking her head as she watched the door. "People are going to start walking all over you if you keep being this helpful."
"It's no trouble, Aya. We're all in this together," Luke said with a serene, practiced sincerity.
"You're just too good for this world," she muttered.
Luke went back to his calligraphy, his brush moves fluid and calm. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was building the ultimate "Golden Boy" reputation.
When the time came, he headed to Class 2, Grade 4. He walked through the door just as the bell chimed.
"Teacher Ikeya is away on personal business. I'll be handling your Ninjutsu instruction today," Luke announced.
He scanned the room. Everyone was present except for Obito. About three minutes into the lecture, the boy came skidding into the room, nearly tripping over his own feet. When he saw Luke on the podium, he stopped dead, looking like he'd seen a ghost.
"Teacher Luke!? Wait, am I in the wrong room?" Obito stammered, looking around at his classmates. No, they were definitely his people.
"I... I wasn't trying to be late! I saw this Grandma and..."
"And you helped her with her groceries," the class chanted in unison, followed by a wave of laughter.
"It's true! And if I knew you were teaching today, I would've been here thirty minutes early!" Obito insisted, looking terrified that Luke would rescind his promise to teach him the Fire Dragon.
"Take your seat, Obito," Luke said with a nod. "But remember: being late for Teacher Ikeya is just as bad as being late for me."
The Academy's Ninjutsu curriculum for the first few years was strictly the Three-Body Technique: Transformation, Clone, and Substitution. Most students found it repetitive, but Luke's explanation made it feel brand new.
"Oh! So that's why my clone's eyes always look weird!" one student exclaimed, finally making a breakthrough.
"I wish Teacher Ikeya had 'urgent business' every day," another whispered. "Luke's classes are way better."
Luke ignored the praise, but he could feel the Pedagogy skill working its magic.
[Lecture Complete. Calculating rewards...] [Evaluation: A] [Reward: Lightning Release: Lightning Clone]
Luke's mind filled with the sharp, jagged theory of Lightning Nature Transformation. While not as powerful as the Water Severing Wave, unlocking a new element was always a win. The Lightning Clone was a versatile tactical move—if destroyed, it would release a paralyzing discharge into the opponent.
Over the next two weeks, Luke leaned into his routine. If no one needed a sub, he studied theory. If someone asked for help, he accepted instantly. In his downtime, he trained Shisui, Obito, and Guy, while secretly refining his own chakra and working on the Rasengan.
His reputation exploded. The students saw him as a cool, handsome genius who actually made learning fun. The teachers saw him as a selfless, hardworking saint who was always there to pick up the slack.
Luke was exactly where he wanted to be. He had built the perfect cover.
But as he stepped into his courtyard one evening, the peaceful mask slipped for a fraction of a second. Standing in the center of his yard was another masked figure.
A messenger from the dark. Root was calling.