Seeing Heavenly Dao's arrival, the students who watched the duel yesterday immediately began to murmur. The strength Heavenly Dao had displayed back then made these students, who were added to the new curriculum temporarily, thoroughly convinced.
Not to mention, this new teacher was also very handsome.
Even though it was the second time seeing Heavenly Dao, Ino Yamanaka couldn't help but be struck by his handsomeness.
Ino Yamanaka came from the "Ino" family of the "Ino–Shika–Chō" trio. On one hand, this came from their surname, as the name Yamanaka corresponds to a boar (Ino), and on the other hand, it symbolized the keen intuition of the Yamanaka Clan.
At this moment, Ino Yamanaka was driven by her intuition to come before Heavenly Dao. She flashed a sunny smile and introduced herself:
"I am Ino Yamanaka. Please take care of me from now on, Heavenly Dao-sensei."
Looking at Ino Yamanaka in front of him, Heavenly Dao was inexplicably reminded of a Sunny Daisy. He also smiled and reached out to shake hands with Ino Yamanaka:
"I am Heavenly Dao."
Behind them, Sakura Haruno watched their close contact and gritted her teeth secretly: "Pig-head Ino, currying favor again."
But turning her head to look at Uchiha Sasuke beside her, she felt a secret joy: "This way, I should have gained points with Sasuke-kun, hehe."
It must be said that the boys and girls of the Ninja World were always exceptionally precocious, and love triangles were a particular specialty.
After Ino Yamanaka, the others in the class also introduced themselves one by one.
"Hello, Heavenly Dao-sensei, I am Sakura Haruno."
Right behind Ino Yamanaka was Sakura Haruno. Ever since their friendship had capsized because of Uchiha Sasuke, the two had been competing openly and secretly. Sakura Haruno naturally refused to be left behind in the introductions.
"Hello, Teacher."
Next were the other two members of the "Ino–Shika–Chō" trio. One had his mouth stuffed with snacks, greeting while continuing to eat—this was Akimichi Choji. The other was lazy and sluggish, muttering about how troublesome things were—this was Nara Shikamaru.
"Bad guy uncle, you really did come to be a teacher." Uzumaki Naruto also came forward to introduce himself.
A cross vein popped on Heavenly Dao's forehead. This unlucky kid really didn't know how to talk, calling an eighteen-year-old youth like him "uncle." The reason you're unpopular is definitely because the Konoha villagers are brain-dead, but your big mouth must have also played a major role.
Shuffling the disruptive Uzumaki Naruto away, Heavenly Dao then focused on Hyuga Hinata and Uchiha Sasuke.
Hyuga Hinata was still as shy as ever. Just walking in front of Heavenly Dao made her face turn so red it seemed steam was about to rise.
"He... Heavenly... Heavenly Dao-sensei, hello."
After finishing her sentence, she ran back into the crowd amidst the steam before Heavenly Dao could respond.
"Hello, Uchiha Sasuke."
The current Uchiha Sasuke was still a cool boy. He didn't say much and returned to the line on his own after the introduction.
Finally, there was Inuzuka Kiba. Usually known for his lively and cheerful image, Inuzuka Kiba was actually somewhat bashful in front of Heavenly Dao. He walked up and greeted him in a low voice, so quiet that the others couldn't hear clearly:
"Hello, Brother-in-law."
Heavenly Dao laughed in spite of himself, and his mind quickly realized what was going on: "Your Cousin told you to call me that, didn't she?"
Inuzuka Kiba nodded.
"I like that title," Heavenly Dao nodded, "but it's better to use my professional title while at work."
As Inuzuka Kiba returned to the line, the self-introduction phase officially ended.
Heavenly Dao looked at the crowd of students before him, bustling and chirping like the morning sun itself, and felt gratified.
My Konoha Village truly has a promising future.
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"Next, we will begin the lesson."
Having the students form a circle, Heavenly Dao stood in the center and began teaching.
"The Lord Principal instructed me to guide you in actual combat. So, I'd like to know first, have you done any simulated combat training before?"
"Students who have, please raise your hands."
Most of the Ninja Academy students were of civilian origin. The closest thing they had to actual combat training was probably sparring in Taijutsu class. Only a few people raised their hands, all from ninja clans, including the Ino–Shika–Chō, Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata, and others.
Uchiha Sasuke's expression shifted, and after a moment of hesitation, he also raised his hand.
"Most of you haven't," Heavenly Dao summarized. "This is also the reason why the casualty rate for Genin on their first mission outside the Village reaches 60%."
"60%? Is it really that high?" The students couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
Heavenly Dao looked around. Not only the civilian students but even those from ninja clans were uneasy.
This data was not fabricated by Heavenly Dao, though he did use a bit of journalistic technique. For instance, in that 60% casualty rate, the vast majority were injuries, and only a few unlucky souls actually died.
After all, the Konoha higher-ups weren't fools; the missions assigned to Genin were evaluated for difficulty beforehand.
Regardless, the effect of striking first was achieved, and Heavenly Dao nodded in satisfaction.
"Quiet, everyone quiet." Heavenly Dao clapped his hands, and the students immediately fell silent.
Scanning them, Heavenly Dao continued: "Actual combat is not a subject you can memorize. It requires keen insight, strict discipline, and most importantly—courage."
"The courage to sacrifice oneself if necessary."
Heavenly Dao paused, observing the expressions of the students. Some were excited, some nervous, and some seemed to want to shrink back.
"Fortunately, you still have a long time to learn slowly."
"Now, let's begin your first actual combat practice. Choose your opponents freely, use any means necessary, give it your all, carry the intent to kill your opponent, and then strive to survive."
Hearing Heavenly Dao's words, Sakura Haruno timidly raised her hand and asked: "But teacher, what if someone really gets hurt?"
"Hahaha," looking at the students' reverent eyes, Heavenly Dao smiled peacefully and said: "Between getting hurt at school or dying outside the Village, which would you choose?"
"Don't worry, I will do my best to stop you before you get hurt."
The students looked at each other.
"Alright, alright. Let's have a Demonstration match before the battle to give you a bit more confidence in your teacher. Now, who wants to be my opponent?" Seeing the students still hesitating, Heavenly Dao had to show off a bit more.
"I will." As soon as Heavenly Dao finished speaking, Uchiha Sasuke, who had been listening quietly with a cold face, stepped forward. "I want to challenge you."
Sakura Haruno immediately looked at Uchiha Sasuke with a mix of worry and admiration, making Uzumaki Naruto, who was staring at her, curse inwardly for being a step too slow.
Stuck-up Sasuke!
This was exactly what Heavenly Dao wanted. He was just thinking about how to break Uchiha Sasuke's self-confidence, and here he was, delivering himself to the door.