Chapter Text
But it appeared being an academic had paid off. Iruka felt better even without opening his eyes; all the fatigue and exhaustion from living on the edge seemed to be gone, though there was a pulsing ache in his bones. It was the best he’d felt in a long time. When he finally managed to open his eyes, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his old bedroom ceiling. He pushed himself up out of bed, checking his calendar and being personally glad he had been so careful to mark off days. His aim didn’t seem to be too bad, he’d arrived only a day or two earlier than he intended.
Team 7 and indeed all of the Rookie 9 were starting the Academy soon. He tied his hiate-ate in its customary place on his forehead and checked his gear over. Everything he’d worked into his normal techniques, perhaps a few less shuriken than normal and no senbon, but he’d only picked those up when they’d been the only thing left. Senbon training wasn’t offered at the Academy, perhaps he could change that. Anything to give them an edge.
No matter, he hadn’t even officially been designated sensei to this year’s students. He reported to the Hokage’s office, expecting to be put on mission duty again. As good as his memory, it wasn’t perfect when it was that far back. He knew the first prank Naruto pulled, but he couldn’t remember what he’d been before he’d been “Iruka-sensei” to his class.
Thankfully, he was just on desk duty. There was nothing hard about desk duty, accepting mission reports and handing out more. It was comforting to do this job again, he hadn’t done it since Tsunade had died. Perhaps he seemed a bit too cheerful, but Iruka didn't let it bother him. Nothing separated him from whom he had been yesterday to these people. Tomorrow would be much the same.
It was weird to consider the fact he wouldn’t have to run tonight, to forage for his food. He’d missed his small house, situated near Konoha’s heart. He entered by the roof and made dinner for himself. The sky was clear, everyone was alive. And he needed to set traps. It took him a second to place why that thought was wrong- he was in Konoha, he was relatively safe. He wasn’t an ANBU or jounin, he didn’t need traps everywhere. The worst infiltrator he was going to get was the occasional Academy student. There was paranoia, then there was over the top. He wasn’t running from the bijuu or Kaguya, he wasn’t living on the edge of society. He took a deep breath and centered himself, stopping his hands from shaking.
But this was better than dead. No one was dead yet. So he just had to get through this.
He didn’t sleep well that night. He even had a kunai under his pillow. It wasn’t fun, but he’d learned how to do it a long time ago, when you could wake up at any time with an enemy nin in his face. When he manages to fall asleep, he wakes up again, silently screaming and various weapons in hand. It’s not even something real, just the settling noises of the house. He should know these noises, but it’s been too long. This doesn’t bode well for blending in.
Instead of trying to sleep, he heads out to the training fields. Specifically, the Forest of Death. Since Konoha’s destruction, the forest had spilled out and flourished. It was oddly enough one of the few places that felt familiar. He relaxed in its deadly embrace, darting around creeping crawlies easily.
When it was time, he reported to the Hokage Tower as needed. He was a little less tense than yesterday, but he’d been training and he didn’t bother to hide it. Sarutobi gave him a concerned look, but Iruka merely shrugged. At this age, he’d still had nightmares about his first kill and his parent’s death, it was perfectly normal to be unable to sleep. He went about of his work until he was interrupted by one of the other chunin.
“Iruka-san,” one of the Hokage’s personal assistants called out, “the Hokage would like to see you.”
Iruka nodded, having a fair idea what this was about. “Does he mind if I finish this report up? I have to translate again.” Every single mission scroll was turned in in standard code, then given its own unique code based on how high level it was. ANBU scrolls were read by the Hokage and sometimes council, then burned.
“Of course not.” The emissary disappeared and Iruka finished up his scroll steadily. Trying to rush led to mistakes and he took his job seriously. If he could avoid it, he wouldn’t be making mistakes today.
Finishing it up carefully and placing his seal on it, he excused himself to the Hokage’s rooms. “Hokage-sama,” Iruka said, bowing respectfully. The last time he’d done this didn’t immediately come to mind. After Tsunade’s death, the title of Hokage was sort of split between Shikamaru, Naruto, and Kakashi- neither of whom had demanded any formality. Certainly since there was no more Hidden Leaf. In the last Alliance of Shinobi, Shikamaru had technically held the position, but only because Naruto and Killer B had been...elsewhere occupied.
“Iruka-san.” The Hokage returned once Iruka had righted himself. “I have a request of you.”
His assignment at the Academy. “What request does the Hokage have of me?”
Sarutobi pulled the pipe from his mouth, considering Iruka. “How do you feel about teaching? I know you’ve taken a few basic classes in it, but curiosity doesn’t necessitate interest in following through.”
Iruka actually thought it through. He could, perhaps, do some good among the ranks. With his skills, he could build himself up to jonin rank, take out enemies before they became a threat. But honestly, it wasn’t what he wanted. It also wasn’t were he felt he’d do the most good. “I am interested.” He decided after a pause. “Though I can't say I considered the Academy, since my duties here often claim most of my time.”
“You can be put on reserve. Give you more time for you class.” The swiftness of the answer told Iruka that the Hokage had been considering this for some time.
“As you wish, Hokage-sama.” Iruka bowed again, trying not to feel like a bobble head. “May I inquire why this has come up? I was unaware in any shortage of teaching staff within the Academy.”
“There isn’t. However, this particular class, I feel, shall need more guidance than most.” There were lots of clan children in it, which would certainly require delicacy. Not to mention Naruto. Yes, this class certainly needed guidance. "There’s a particular student you need to look out for.”
“Of course, Hokage.” Why didn’t he remember this part of the conversation before? It hadn’t quite been ‘Iruka- go teach’ in his memories, but there was always bias in memories, when it came to that. “Who shall I be keeping an eye out for?”
“Naruto Uzumaki.” Iruka looked up sharply at that. He couldn’t say he remembered Naruto being brought up specifically before.
But he bowed his head and played good, faithful, and stalwart Iruka. “Of course, Hokage-sama.”
“And you’re okay with this?”
“I have no complaints. May I leave to start preparing my lessons?”
“Of course, you’re dismissed.” A final bow from Iruka and he disappeared over the roofs of Konoha. He still sort of remembered his lessons plans from his first teaching post, but he was going to make a few additions. He’d been considered a tough teacher the last time around, but this time he’d be the hardest. If he’d trained them harder, they would’ve been more prepared. Of course, if he told them it was training, they’d resist but the best he could do was play games.
They needed to know how to use the three primary justus, how to use kunai, senbon, dispel and recognize genjutsu. It was a lot, but he had at least Naruto for seven years, he could do it.
And he’d had to teach them how to use the three jutsus. Especially the replacement jutsu, which didn't take a lot of chakra but it was super important. With just that, genin could learn to take a lot of hits. It wasn’t the best, but it was better than nothing. And he would pull a page from Naruto’s book, the kid could hide from ANBU when he really wanted to.
He didn’t tell Sarutobi immediately, but he was going to have the kids face killing intent before their graduation. They would need to in order to survive. If he could have the Rookie Nine without any special training, then think of what he could do with a little foresight.
His goal? He’d had 24 kids in his class, he could have eight teams of genin instead of three. Ninjas, even genin, could protect themselves much better than civilians.