Lee was disappointed.
Very disappointed.
Lee hadn't been expecting much. Geometry, history, the most basic shinobi skills.
But no.
An in depth lesson on history, math, geography. No shinobi skills would even begin to be studied until the last 2 months, in which they expected them to do nothing but the leaf exercise.
The leaf exercise was fine, but it should be given alongside the Clone Jutsu, Replacement Jutsu, and Transformation Jutsu. The three are basically harmless to teach, and will give students something to practice other than the leaf exercise.
History and math could be compressed, but geography made sense. It was something Lee had forgotten.
Lee stayed after class to ask Iruka questions.
"Sensei?"
"Yes, Lee?"
"I understand we will only be learning the leaf exercise this year in the last four months, what about the 3 basic jutsu?"
"The 3 basic jutsu are taught to 3rd years and above. Anything else?"
"What about Taijutsu?"
"Physical Conditioning begins next year, and sparring won't start until 4th year. Taijutsu stances and drills will be practiced during 3rd year."
"Genjutsu?"
"Genjutsu is not taught in the academy."
"What about Kenjutsu?"
"Shuriken jutsu will be taught in the 5th year, but using other weapons will not be taught."
"Fuinjutsu?"
"The Academy does not teach Fuinjutsu."
"What about chakra exercises?"
"It will be up to the Jonin-sensei to teach Genin."
Lee at this point was royally confused.
"Sensei, why is so much not offered?"
"The academy focuses on the fundamentals of shinobi work. First year is supposed to give future genin a base on how the world worked, alongside important figures. The second year is to build the body and continue on the first year. The third year is meant to start building the tools a shinobi will use. The fourth and fifth years are meant to put them into practice."
Lee nodded in understanding, still disappointed and confused.
No specialties were offered in any way…
Lee began to wander to the Hokage office to ask some different questions.
Lee walked to the receptionist.
"Is Hokage-sama free?"
"Yes, do you want me to send you in?" Lee nodded and the receptionist pressed a small button on the desk. "Just go right up those stairs, it's the first door on the left."
Lee quickly went up the stairs and placed in front of the Hokage's door, getting his thoughts together, before entering.
Hiruzen had a worried look on his face.
"I have so many questions, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen looked at Lee's distraught face and sighed.
"Go ahead, I'll do my best to answer them." Lee sighed.
"Why does everyone treat Naruto like that?" Hiruzen sighed and shook his head.
"Because they're ignorant and stubborn." Lee grew even more confused.
"Why do they treat Naruto like that? Being ignorant and stubborn would make sense if Naruto was any different than others, but he isn't." Hiruzen shook his head.
"Exactly. Lee, one day you'll figure it out or when Naruto graduates from the academy, you can ask him." Lee sighed and nodded.
"Well that's one… Why aren't any specialties even looked at during the academy." Hiruzen raised a brow.
"Can you be more specific?"
"I understand why they don't offer something like fuinjutsu or kenjutsu as dedicated lessons, but why isn't there something."
"If they get distracted from what they already are learning, it may spread them too thin." Lee shook his head.
"Why is there an entire year of nothing but physical conditioning? Why are there essentially two years of academics?"
"There shouldn't be a full year of physical conditioning. The first year is supposed to be academics and a few basic exercises to get you all used to training. The second year is meant to start increasing the intensity of all of those exercises, the leaf exercise being left behind for surface walking, and basic physical exercises are meant to be traded out for more advanced ones. The third year introduces the basic three jutsu, taijutsu spars, explanations of Genjutsu, Fuinjutsu, and Kenjutsu. It should also include Shuriken jutsu. The fourth and fifth years are specifically for polishing these skills and slowly introducing a new element like Genjutsu, Fuinjutsu, or Kenjutsu."
"I think something is wrong. We're being taught Math, History, Geography for the first 10 months. That's it. The last two months we are given the Leaf Exercise. Next year is physical conditioning. The third year is taijutsu drilling and stances along with the academy three, the fourth year is taijutsu sparring, and the fifth year is shuriken jutsu. Genjutsu, Fuinjutsu, and Kenjutsu beyond Shuriken and Kunai won't be offered. Neither will chakra exercises."
Hiruzen grew very confused very rapidly. "Who told you this?"
"Iruka-sensei, although he did seem rather displeased…" Hiruzen sighed. "I'm worried, Hokage-sama. I know I will have the tools to survive, but my classmates, especially the civilian born…"
Hiruzen nodded in understanding. "I understand your concern, I would hate to see our genin die because of our own misteaching. I'm sure Iruka will be re-announcing things tomorrow. Understand, the academy is slow paced for the first year or two." Lee nodded, a pleased look on his face.
"I'm fine, as long as I don't have to beat my classmates after classes." Hiruzen and Lee chuckled. "I'll be on my way, Hokage-sama, and if you see Naruto… make sure he knows he can trust me." Hiruzen smiled softened, as he nodded. He watched Lee's back disappear behind the desk when the smile faded.
"ANBU." Two masked shinobi dropped from the ceiling. "I want a thorough investigation of the academy, and try to be as non-invasive as possible. If someone tries to stop you, bring them to me please." The two nod and disappear without a trace.
Hiruzen gave a deep sigh. 'Goodness I hope this is because of peace time… I don't want to deal with the paperwork of a scandal…'
Lee raised a brow as several people douged past him on the street, a few sending him pitying looks, others sending him looks of disgust. He continued in confusion before entering a grocery store. The owner scowled as Lee entered, shoving his face in a newspaper. Lee walked up to the counter and placed his groceries on the counter.
"I'd like these please." The owner ignored him, continuing to 'read' the newspaper. "Sir?" The owner let the paper droop. Lee saw the look on the man's face, when Anko's training kicked in.
Interrogate
Lee walked over to the door and flipped the sign over to 'Closed', and closed the blinds. He finished this display by putting up silencing seals with his palm.
The owner looked mortified by the actions the boy was taking. "HELP!"
"They can't hear you. Not even the Inuzuka Hounds can hear you. With that being the case, there's no fear of reproduction for either of us." The man was sweating as Lee pulled out a Kunai.
"Don't do this…" Lee smiled, before throwing the kunai, cutting the man's cheek.
"I don't want to harm you… I want to know the truth." The man let out a whimper as Lee walked behind him and completely froze with fear as Lee put his hands on the man's shoulders. "Can't you tell me one little secret?"
"What- What is it?"
"Why is the village suddenly hostile?"
"Y-Your relationship with the demon."
"Word surely spreads fast… Why does the village believe he's a demon?"
"Kyuubi." Lee took a second to process, thinking of the implications, before coming to a conclusion.
"Does the village believe him to be the Kyuubi?"
"He is!"
The man grew even more fearful as Lee began to shake, before relief flooded through him after realizing Lee was chuckling. His fear was only amplified when Lee's chuckles turned to hysterical laughter.
"That's the funniest thing I've ever heard! Sure, he has the potential to be an absolute demon, but not yet. He doesn't even hate this village." The man was confused. "Why are you so confused?"
"How could you know that?"
"People are easy to read. For example, I know you've been eyeing the kunai on the wall for the entire time I've been here." The man paled. "Don't worry your sad little heart. I have no intention of committing murder without a good reason." Lee walked closer.
"Thank-!"
"Don't thank me yet~! I need you to spread the word. Naruto is under my protection. I can and will harm those trying to harm him. He's my friend after all!" The man nodded rapidly. "And let people know that if they try not to sell me or him goods, I'll simply take them. I hope you know this." The man nodded rapidly once more. "Lastly… Every village has a "Demon". Kiri had Zabuza Momochi, Iwa had Deidara, Kumo had the third Raikage, Suna had Sasori no Sabaku… Konoha, as of today, has me. And keep in mind… real demons kill their enemies."
Lee knocked the man out before making a release sign. The silencing seals disappeared and Lee took his Kunai before walking out the front door.
Lee moved quickly to the Hokage's office to tell him… most of what happened.
Sage help him if Hiruzen was pissed.