The sky above the training field was bright—but the air felt heavy.
Every major genin team had gathered. ANBU circled from the trees. Kakashi closed his book. Guy and Lee stood tall with crossed arms. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe was tucked away.
At the center stood the Third Hokage himself—Hiruzen, the Professor, staff in hand, robe billowing softly in the wind.
Opposite him stood Iruka Umino. Calm. Centered. A normal katana strapped to his back. No flourish. No glow. Just quiet certainty.
Kurenai stepped beside him. Her voice low. "Just… be careful."
Iruka nodded. "I will."
Off to the side, Naruto, Kiba, and Ino formed a huddle like priests before a holy rite.
"Glory to the Blade Dad," Naruto whispered.
"Praise the slash. Bow to the apron," Kiba added.
Ino closed her eyes. "And may his cooking bless our souls."
Neji blinked. "Are they summoning something?"
Sasuke stared. "What's wrong with them? What stuff are they taking?"
Kakashi sighed. "I don't even know anymore."
Sakura scoffed. "They're just embarrassing."
Hiruzen raised his hand. "This is not a fight for pride, but for spirit. Let your blades and hearts speak."
Iruka drew his sword.
The signal was given.
BOOM.
They moved at once.
Hiruzen's staff collided with Iruka's katana in a clash that cracked the earth beneath them. Steel rang. Dust rose.
"YES! THIS IS YOUTH!" Lee shouted, already weeping.
"OUR HEARTS BLAZE WITH THEM!" Guy echoed, flexing.
Hiruzen weaved signs. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!"
A surge of fire thundered toward Iruka.
He didn't dodge.
He cut it down the middle.
The flames parted around him—cleanly, as if bowing.
Gasps rang out.
He dashed forward—Hiruzen countered with a Wind Style technique, but Iruka stepped through it, his blade cleaving the current in half. Clones surrounded him, hurling chakra-shuriken from above and behind.
Iruka didn't blink.
Haki surged.
He ducked, turned, slipped through the barrage like the shuriken were butterflies in a breeze. His katana blurred, slicing clones one after another—never overextending, always precise.
Even the ANBU watching leaned forward.
Hiruzen landed hard, breathing slightly heavier. "That instinct… it's not chakra. It's something else."
Iruka charged.
The shockwave of their next exchange threw dust and wind across the entire field.
Kiba fell on his butt. "WHAT EVEN WAS THAT?!"
Lee did 30 pushups from excitement.
Guy screamed, "LET THIS MOMENT BE IMMORTALIZED IN THE SCROLLS OF YOUTH!"
Iruka's katana clashed again with Hiruzen's staff. But this time, the Hokage stepped back.
He planted his staff into the ground.
"That's enough," Hiruzen said, voice steady but winded. "If we continue… we'll tear this field apart."
He turned to the crowd.
"Iruka Umino is hereby promoted to Jōnin of the Hidden Leaf."
The field erupted.
"YES!!" Naruto jumped. "HE DID IT!"
"SENSEI YOU ARE A FUCKING LEGEND!" Kiba screamed.
Even Neji and Sasuke didn't speak.
Tenten just stared at Iruka's blade—her breath shallow.
Kurenai stepped forward, smiling faintly. "You weren't holding back, were you?"
Iruka wiped a bit of dust from his sleeve. "Wouldn't have lasted ten seconds if I had."
Her eyes widened, clearly awestruck.
From the shadows, Asuma scowled. His eyes flicked from Iruka to Kurenai—who hadn't looked at him once.
Naruto bounced up to Team 7, proudly holding his new crimson katana. "Sakura-chan! Look! I found it—it belonged to the Uzumaki clan! This sword was waiting for me!"
Sakura crossed her arms and sneered. "You think some rusty sword changes what you are?"
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're still a loud, annoying orphan. Stop acting like that katana makes you someone."
Then she slapped him. A clean, hard smack across the cheek.
The field went quiet.
Naruto's grip loosened on the sword. His shoulders dropped.
…Oh," he mumbled.
Before anyone could speak—
The world shifted.
Not chakra. Not jutsu. Not killing intent.
Something deeper.
A weight slammed over the field. Like the sky itself had fallen.
Sakura's body seized. Her eyes widened.
She collapsed.
Face to the dirt. Knees planted. Forehead pressed into the earth.
And she could not lift her head.
Her arms trembled. Her breath came out in broken gasps.
Everyone froze.
Tenten's voice was barely a whisper. "That feeling… I remember it… at the shop. That pressure."
She stepped back, shivering. "I'm just glad I kept my mouth shut."
Kakashi blinked. "No chakra flow. No seals. What was that?"
Kurenai turned slowly toward Iruka. "Iruka… what did you—?"
Hiruzen glanced at Kakashi and gave a warning "Keep your genin in check."
Kakashi also looked disappointed and said "yes hokage-sama."
Iruka didn't answer.
Only he understood.
Only he knew the name of the storm: Conqueror's Haki.
Iruka stepped forward and looked at Sakura.
His voice was cold.
"You can think what you want of me. But don't ever raise a hand to Naruto again."
Sakura remained bowed, unable to speak. Her body wouldn't obey her.
Iruka turned and placed a hand gently on Naruto's shoulder.
Naruto looked up. Silent. Hurt.
But not alone.
Team 8 approached—Kiba still furious, Hinata quiet, Shino unreadable.
"We're going with you," Kiba said. ""Sakura, you better watch what you say. I believe in gender equality—don't make me prove it.""
"Wait for me guys," Ino said sharply, stepping toward Sakura and glaring. "That was uncalled for Sakura."
Then she turned and walked off with the others.
As Iruka and Naruto walked toward Iruka's home, Team 8 following beside them, Kurenai gave one last glance over her shoulder, bowed respectfully to the Hokage, and silently followed after them.
She joined them without hesitation.
Asuma lit a fresh cigarette, watching her leave.
…Tch."
His hand trembled just slightly.
End of Chapter 17.
I don't know if you guys will like this chapter or not I haven't revised if its correct or not have an exam an 11th .Tell me if anything needs to be readjusted.peace