Chapter no.3 Teacher?!

Ebisu had no final name, no proud clan history to boast about. Just Ebisu. One of the countless orphans churned out by the Shinobi world. He liked to think he had made something of his life. To the outside world, he was the very image of discipline—a stickler for rules and textbook perfection. But behind closed doors? His apartment told a different story.

He groaned as he woke up, his head pounding slightly from another late night of… reading. It wasn’t something he could brag about. In fact, his taste in literature would have made him blush if anyone ever found out. But it wasn’t as if anyone was going to. Ebisu was a private man. Nothing to be proud of, sure, but nothing to be ashamed of either. Probably.

He sat up on the futon that doubled as his bed and glanced around at the mess that surrounded him. Clothes were strewn across the floor, empty takeout boxes were stacked precariously on the kitchen counter, and a framed photo of his old genin team sat crooked on the windowsill, gathering dust.

Genma. Guy. Himself.

What had he done with his life? Genma had been part of the Hokage’s personal guard before moving on to becoming a Tokubetsu Jōnin. Guy was… well, Guy. Already a jōnin, carving out his own legend with pure insanity and youth. And him? Still a chūnin after half a decade. Sure, he called himself a specialist in training, but when he looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, the same thought always lingered: You’re just a nobody, Ebisu.

With a sigh, he got to his feet, running a hand through his dark hair. His sunglasses, ever-present and perfectly polished, sat on the counter next to a pile of unfolded laundry. He grabbed them, slipping them on as he shuffled toward the kitchen.

The day began as it always did: lukewarm coffee, a stale rice ball from the market down the road, and an overwhelming sense of mediocrity.

But his routine was interrupted by a knock at the door.

His eyebrows shot up. Visitors were rare. Usually, the only knocks he heard came from his landlord, and he’d already paid rent this month. Curious—and mildly annoyed—he crossed the room, carefully stepping over a kunai pouch left on the floor.

When he opened the door, he froze.

Standing in the doorway was an ANBU operative. The porcelain mask—a hawk design with sharp, angular lines—revealed nothing, but the silent authority of the ANBU was unmistakable. Their presence at his doorstep immediately sent his thoughts racing.

“Greetings, ANBU-san,” Ebisu said, straightening instinctively. “What can I do for you?”

“The Hokage has asked to see you. Five minutes.”

“Understood.”

The operative vanished in a blur, and Ebisu quickly grabbed his forehead protector, securing it like a bandanna. Without wasting another moment, he activated the Body Flicker Technique and arrived at the Hokage Tower’s entrance in seconds.

The Hokage’s secretary barely glanced up as Ebisu announced himself. “Chūnin Ebisu,” he said, “here to see the Hokage.”

She nodded, motioning for him to proceed. He adjusted his sunglasses and made his way inside, his nerves tightening as the heavy doors opened.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat at his desk, the picture of calm authority. The Professor. The God of Shinobi.

“Chūnin Ebisu, reporting,” he said with a bow, keeping his tone steady.

“At ease, Ebisu,” the Hokage said, raising a hand.

Ebisu straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. Hiruzen studied him from behind the desk, his sharp eyes gleaming beneath the brim of his hat. Even in his old age, his presence was overwhelming—a reminder of the power and wisdom he carried as Konoha’s leader.

“Ebisu,” Hiruzen began “you’ve built quite a reputation for yourself.”

Ebisu puffed his chest out slightly, pleased by the compliment. “Thank you, Hokage-sama. I’ve worked hard to—“

The Hokage held up a hand, cutting him off. “Your knowledge is extensive, and your skills as an instructor are commendable. I’ve received letters of recommendation from ten jōnin, all praising your ability to help others perfect their techniques. That alone is impressive.”

“I am honored, Hokage-sama. I’ve always believed that a shinobi’s strength lies not only in their own abilities but in their capacity to nurture the next generation.”

Hiruzen’s lips quirked slightly, as though suppressing a smile. “Well said. However, letters of recommendation alone are not enough to promote a chūnin to Tokubetsu Jōnin. Practical proof of your abilities is required.”

“Practical proof?”

“You may have the theoretical knowledge, Ebisu, but I must see that knowledge applied. To put it plainly, you will need to complete a task of my choosing to prove you are worthy of the promotion.”

Ebisu kept his face neutral, though his mind was racing. This wasn’t what he had expected. “Hokage-sama, with all due respect, I believe the recommendations themselves demonstrate the practicality of my work—“

“Yes, they are impressive,” Hiruzen interrupted, “but not conclusive. Consider this a final test.”

The tone left no room for argument. “Understood, Lord Third. What would you have me do?”

The Hokage exhaled a cloud of smoke from his pipe. “Naruto Uzumaki.”

Ebisu stiffened slightly. The name alone was enough to make anyone in Konoha pause.

“Naruto Uzumaki?” he repeated cautiously.

“His previous teachers have been… a little too bitter to teach him properly,” Hiruzen said, sliding a report across the desk toward him. “I’m trusting you to correct their failures.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi had laid out the situation in painstaking detail—Naruto Uzumaki’s sabotaged education, the systemic failures of the Academy, and the personal vendettas of the instructors. It was a disgrace, to be sure, but as the explanation unfolded, Ebisu’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.

Truthfully, he wasn’t particularly fond of the boy. Or the beast. If he could avoid Naruto, he did, though he harbored no ill will. The boy was a nuisance, a whirlwind of chaos, and his connection to the Nine-Tails was… troubling. Still, it wasn’t Ebisu’s place to hate him. He simply preferred to keep his distance.

And now, here he was, handed a direct order from the Hokage himself—a command that came with the tantalizing possibility of a promotion.But…



“Hokage-sama,” Ebisu said cautiously, “am I truly the right person for this mission? I mean no disrespect, but I fear I may not be suited for such a task.”

It was a polite attempt to decline, though he knew even as he spoke that it was futile. Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn’t a man who took no for an answer when his mind was made up.

“Why wouldn’t you be?” Hiruzen’s voice was calm, his eyes studying Ebisu like an insect under a magnifying glass. “You have tutored numerous shinobi, many of whom have excelled under your guidance. Your academic scores in the Academy remain among the highest in Konoha’s history, surpassed only by Minato Namikaze and Itachi Uchiha. You possess both the knowledge and the experience required to teach. What better teacher could I ask for?”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. Then, with a faint frown, he added, “But if you are experiencing doubts, that does disappoint me.”

Ebisu stiffened at that, feeling the subtle pressure behind the Hokage’s words. Hiruzen was strong-arming him, and they both knew it.

“What exactly are my parameters for this mission?”

“Simple. You are to teach Naruto Uzumaki from a kindergarten level to that of a competent genin. If he is able to qualify as a genin, you will have proven your capability as a Tokubetsu Jōnin.”

“And what is the time frame for this mission, Hokage-sama?”

“Let’s say five years,” Hiruzen replied, tapping the ash from his pipe. “But given the praise you’ve received from your colleagues, I’m confident you’ll be able to do it in less.”

Five years. Five years to mold the most chaotic, undisciplined, and academically underperforming student in the village into a passable genin. It wasn’t impossible, but it wasn’t going to be easy, either.

“Understood, Hokage-sama.”

“Oh, and one more thing,” Hiruzen added as if it was an afterthought. “Naruto will be under the protection of an ANBU operative for the foreseeable future. You know how it is… protection.”

Ebisu understood the implication immediately. The ANBU wasn’t just there to protect Naruto. They were there to monitor him. To ensure he was performing his duties. To remind him of what happened to those who failed.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Hokage-sama. I will ensure that Naruto Uzumaki receives the training he needs to become an exceptional shinobi.”

Hiruzen nodded. “I have high expectations, Ebisu. Do not disappoint me. And may the Will of Fire guide you.”

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[ Author’s Note:

Why did I choose Ebisu to be Naruto’s teacher instead of someone more obvious? The reason boils down to the story I want to tell. Ebisu offers a unique dynamic—a reluctant teacher who takes on this responsibility out of obligation but slowly grows into someone who genuinely cares for Naruto. I want to develop Ebisu into a character who earns your respect, a teacher who transforms from someone doing his duty to someone who truly believes in his student.

Canon paints Ebisu as a bit of a joke, but let’s not forget he’s a Tokubetsu Jōnin from Konoha who specializes in training elite shinobi. That fact alone gives him potential we’ve rarely seen explored. This story is about giving Ebisu the depth and growth he deserves while showing how even someone as unlikely as him can rise to the occasion and become a meaningful figure in Naruto’s life.

So give this Ebisu a chance—I promise, by the end, you’ll love him.