Honest Questions 2

(正直な質問です2)

"How annoying? What does 'annoying' mean to you?" Hayate asked.

"Oh." The pink-haired girl's smile became crooked, and she looked down at her desk's panel. Her voice became a mumble. "You see— "

"Speak up please, so the class can hear you."

The girl's head jolted upward. "Loud! Loud, won't listen, lazy, always complaining or won't follow directions. Something like that."

"I see. Something detrimental to the mission, especially one of high risk," Hayate gave out a soft cough and tilted his head, keeping eye contact with the girl all the while. He saw her as some kind of perfectionist or close to one. "However, if that's a part of one's individuality, such as recklessness, then it can't be helped. I don't think such a person should be a ninja."

Naruto gulped, his mouth tightening. No way, he thought. He fit the characteristics completely. Despite that, he began to like Gekkou's smooth, honest wit. He felt the years of experience, and the skill in improvising, from the jounin's answers, and it was enough to make Naruto listen carefully.

"But," Hayate continued, "that also might mean that the person has resilience. Teams learn from one another. Do what's convenient to squad and mission."

"Thank you sir." The girl nodded her head and sighed. The next question came from a chubby boy.

"Mister Gekkou, does dieting make your training easier?" A response didn't come immediately; Hayate was contemplating his words carefully. He looked up at the boy, and understood why such a question was brought up. A figure that was round as a ball, a bag of chips in one hand. The boy easily had the image of a loaf that couldn't do ninjutsu at all, or had no interest in learning in the class. However, it was not just that.

"It was said that one time, ninja trained to fit in a barrel of rice," Hayate said. "That was the routine idea. However Akimichi, your techniques are useful in good time. Heavy offense is effective in any war. There are always improvements down histories of war; the arrow was preceded by the catapult, preceded by the stone cannon, preceded by quicker, spark firearms. What's instilled into you has a purpose." After the answer, the boy's mouth, sucked in by his bloated cheeks, puckered into a smile. He looked gleeful as if he were praised, forgiving the jounin's ambiguity.

Next, the red-haired boy sitting behind Naruto, the one referred to as "Gaku", raised his hand and took his turn.

"Hello Mister Gekkou. Do you know what the special ninja are?"

"Could you explain a little more?"

"I think they wear black. Yes, black special ninja. Their uniforms are different."

Hayate was silent for a short moment before replying. "Black. That could only mean one thing: The ANBU. They are known not only for their above average abilities, but for their precise use of judgment under pressure among other things. They are personally selected to serve the Hokage. Not only do they serve the peace not only for the village, but also the Fire Nation. Young one, I can't tell you more." At the answer, the sounds of wonderment filled the class. The kids were awed at being surrounded by enormous strength, which was accommodated in their own village. Hayate noticed the red-haired boy's elated grin and nodded his head.

I see. The appearance is striking. I would see why he would ask that, Hayate thought.

"Heh, I thought so." The black-haired kid next to Gaku scoffed. He still had his feet on the desk. "Yo Gaku, you got a long way to go to be black ninja. In fact, I heard that you have to see death before your very eyes to become a full-fledged ninja. I'll explain more after school."

"Kan…" Even Gaku felt the derision, and it showed it through his grimace towards Kannosuke.

"I have a question for you." The voice that spoke up next was morose. It was Sasuke. "How do you know when you're strong? No, rather, how do you face a strong enemy?"

"Sometimes you can't." Hayate said promptly. He paused, the answer eliciting a reaction from the sour-looking boy Sasuke Uchiha, whose eyebrows twitched.

Hayate held his next words. His mind wondered, "Is that Uchiha? I see. Maybe I am on the right track. "

"Yes, you can't sometimes," he said. "Sometimes one's ability overwhelms the other. Again, like physical strength. With that said, you must find a weakness. No one is invisible. Even Gods were known to fall." Sasuke looked acute. He felt a sinking feeling in his chest, and sensed resent. It made his body shudder from tension. He squeezed his hands together to contain himself.

"A skilled martial artist or tactician," Hayate continued, "leaves no openings on the surface, so you'll have to create one. Also, you cannot be frozen by the idea of pain and fear. The best mental defense is accepting what is reality." The jounin ended his answer with a nod of his head and looked around the class. He completely missed the shock that filled Sasuke's face.

"Mister Gekkou, why must we be careful at using Chakra?"

"You can die from it."

"Well, I know. But isn't there something else?"

"There is something else. The Age of the Ninja is quite feared. It looks superstitious and incredulous. That is something to be afraid of among a land of different powers. There are parts of the land who do not like the see the use of Chakra. It's an age old story."

"Mister Gekkou, if you're not good in something, how do you make up for it?"

"Physical activity requires time. What are you not good at? Train the use of composure, analytical deduction, and reasoning. Sometimes, it's not easy to lower passions. Also, make mistakes, and admit that you did. More importantly, be yourself. Succeed as yourself. You may not be the strongest man or fastest runner, but training and effort rewards everyone."

The next question didn't come. Instead, there was a loud, exhilarating laugh. Hayate looked up, and saw Naruto crouching on top of his desk. Even though the distance between them was wide, they locked eyes.

"Hey, Hayate Gekkou. I like you!" The No.1 Loudmouth of Konoha grinned widely.