Chapter 31: Jonin within reach
" Alright, today's work is done, see you later Iruka. "
Mizuki said in a light tone as he began packing his teaching materials.
" You are leaving so soon? What's the plan? "
Asked Iruka, confused that his friend decided to leave early instead of joining their after class teacher talks, something they had set up to get their spirits back up after a hard day of academy.
Mizuki looked up as he smiled, he then proceeded to say in a light tone.
" Yeah, I am planning on doing some training, I will apply for Jonin promotion in a month. "
Iruka promptly stood up as he slapped his hand on his table.
" Are you out of your mind?! Mizuki I thought you promised me you won't try to rush the promotion! You can try next year! You will have enough time, we will manage to skip most missions if we work together! Please don't do this Mizuki! I do not want to see you collapse like that again, not everytime you will be lucky enough to survive! "
Mizuki let Iruka scream at him as he raised his hands in mock surrender.
" I know I know, I am not planning on collapsing either, I just think I can pass the test you know, you didn't see me in action for a long time so you probably aren't aware, I have gotten strong, these few years of working at the academy left me enough time to focus on my training. "
Mizuki said swiftly, having already thought of a reasonable explanation for his strength, after all it would be much more believable if he had trained in his free time to get stronger, as compared to the actual fact of getting this strong within a week of occupying this body, even if sage mode is the major factor making this massive leap in power possible.
Iruka was staggered a little but still pressed on
" Nonsense! You had collapsed from exhaustion not even a week ago! If you were already that strong why did you push yourself that hard huh? Wasn't it only because you couldn't get stronger and the deadline for your academy job was approaching! Don't lie to me Mizuki...!"
Mizuki waved his hand as if waving Iruka's concern off
" Yeah, I did train that hard because the deadline was approaching, but it was because I was aiming to get some more training in to make double sure I pass it in one go, after all you can only give the Jonin promotion exam once every three years. Right now I might not be able to make doubly sure but I am pretty confident about passing the exam in general. "
Mizuki said his piece as he let Iruka know the manufactured truth behind Mizuki's chakra exhaustion. Iruka stopped complaining as he stood there looking down with a thoughtfull yet serious expression.
Looking up as if making up a decision, he said to Mizuki.
" If that is true, fight me. If it is truly as you say, you shouldn't have any trouble defeating me? "
Mizuki's eye twitched as he thought of a situation, where Iruka was going against The White Fang capable of teleporting and having Tsunade's strength on top, because that's exactly what Mizuki was right now, a total monster with combined strength of all three.
Removing the amusing thought from his mind he decided to agree with Iruka, though unforseen he would use this fight to his advantage ever the same.
" Alright Iruka, if that's what will assure you, meet me at training ground nine in a few minutes, I'll go and tell Naruto I won't make it today "
Being caught off guard at the mention of the blonde Iruka asked confused
" What's Naruto got to do with this ? "
Mizuki waved his hand as he went towards the door
" Nothing, the boy was clearly going to fail if he didn't learn anything soon, Hokage himself had put his admission application in, I just think it would be in everyone's best interest if Naruto managed to pass this time around, and the boy does want to pass, if all it needs is a little help from me for him to do that, it'll be a shame to keep that away from him. Later "
Iruka was much quieter this time around, so much so he didn't even say goodbye as Mizuki left, he had too much on his mind.
Iruka could see Mizuki had put down his hatred for the nine tailed fox and was doing his duty as a teacher with all his heart, he was teaching Naruto. Not the nine tails.
' Can I do something like that.. can I truly put down my hatred like you did Mizuki..? I know how much you hated nine tails, yet you had now put down your hatred all the same, and look at me.. All I did was talk, I knew Naruto was struggling, but could never bring myself to sit him down and teach him with all my heart.. "
Giving a sad chuckle Iruka whispered.
" You are truly better than me Mizuki.. not only in strength, but also in heart. "
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ImagineMaker
ImagineMaker Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone