UGB Chapter 66 The Gift
Chapter 66 The Gift
What is this...?
Iruka felt as if something invisible was choking him.
His gaze fell on the striking cream cake on the long table covered with a tablecloth. Next to the name written in jam were several unlit candles, and the warm candlelight was already flickering in his mind.
The cake... was it specially made? I should be the one caring for them, right?
But now, these children have remembered his birthday and even planned this surprise.
His heart was enveloped in warmth, each beat carrying a bittersweet throbbing sensation. A surge of heat welled up deep in his nostrils, and he quickly clenched his teeth, desperately suppressing the emotions that were about to spiral out of control.
No... I absolutely cannot cry here! If I were to cry my eyes out in front of the students, my authority as a teacher would be completely ruined!
Iruka blinked frantically, trying to dispel the moist heat. But the harder he tried to control it, the stronger the swelling warmth in his chest became, almost bursting his chest apart.
When exactly did these guys start preparing?
His gaze swept over the students standing behind the table... Oh no, he really couldn't hold back anymore.
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"Alright! The candles are all blown out, now let's open the presents!"
Naruto clapped his hands enthusiastically, a bright smile on his face. His voice echoed in the classroom, carrying the unique energy of a young man, making the atmosphere in the whole room lively.
"Iruka-sensei, this is my birthday present. I'm sure you'll love it; it's the highest grade in Konoha!"
Ya stepped forward carrying a simple gift box with a slightly rough red ribbon tied to it, as if he had wrapped it himself.
Iruka stared blankly at the gift box handed to him, the image of making a wish still lingering in his mind—in the flickering candlelight, the children's faces were bathed in a warm glow, and they sang "Happy Birthday" in unison. Although their voices were uneven, it was the most beautiful song Iruka had ever heard.
How long has it been since I celebrated my birthday like this?
He was in a daze for a moment before reaching out to take the gift from Ya. His fingertips trembled slightly as they touched the box.
"...Thank you, Ya."
His voice was soft, but it carried genuine gratitude.
"No, teacher, according to the birthday tradition, you should open the present first!"
Naruto chimed in with a grin, while Iruka smiled helplessly, nodded, and carefully unwrapped the packaging.
What came into view was a bag of dog food. And it was the most expensive kind at the Konoha Pet Shop, with the words "Top-Tier Ninja Dog Special" printed on the packaging.
"Seriously, why are you sending this? Iruka-sensei doesn't even have a dog at home."
Shikamaru couldn't help but complain, leaning lazily against the table and shaking his head.
Kiba, however, acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world, even retorting with righteous indignation, "Isn't that simple? Why doesn't Iruka-sensei just go and raise a dog?"
A burst of laughter erupted in the classroom. However, amidst the laughter, Iruka simply lowered his head, his fingers gently tracing the label on the dog food bag, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Thank you for the gift, teacher. I really like it."
This is the truth.
Actually, Iruka knew it was his birthday today. But ever since his parents died the night the Nine-Tails attacked, no one had ever celebrated his birthday with him.
As a child, he secretly hoped that someone might remember him, or that someone might say "Happy Birthday" to him. But as the years passed, that little expectation was gradually buried in the corner of his memory and eventually completely forgotten.
After growing up, he no longer cared about the date. Occasionally, when he saw his birthdate in the Ninja Academy's records, he would just glance at it briefly, but... even if someone just wished him a happy birthday, Iruka would be very happy and content.
"Okay! Next is my gift." Choji's round face was full of excitement as he held a thickly wrapped envelope in both hands.
Iruka took the envelope, and the moment he opened it, the Q Grill sign came into view—it contained two meal vouchers, boldly proclaiming on them: "[Special Selection Beef All-You-Can-Eat for Five]"
"Choji... isn't this a little too precious?"
"Please accept this, teacher!" Choji waved his hand dismissively. "I have plenty of these! But my father just told me to bring them to entertain friends..."
Then, Shikamaru yawned at the opportune moment and lazily stuffed a long, thin object wrapped in silk into Iruka's hand.
"Don't expect anything from mine, it's definitely not as good as the Akimichi family's work."
After unwrapping the silk cloth—there was a sealed scroll.
"It can be used as long as chakra is injected." Shikamaru explained with droopy eyelids, "The left side is for storing ninja tools, the right side is for storing documents, and I had someone add a fireproof seal to the middle compartment... It's such a hassle. Here's the instruction manual."
Iruka realized that this seemingly casual gift was probably a special item that Shikamaru had prepared long in advance.
This guy who always complains about "trouble" has actually turned "laziness" into a unique philosophy—just like his way of doing things, he plans ten steps ahead for every step he takes.
Once you've decided to do something, you must do it to the best of your ability.
That's why even the gifts were designed to be... so meticulously [Nara-style].
Iruka stared at the sealing scroll in his hand, sensing Shikamaru's meticulousness—this level of ninja tool was definitely not something casually taken out of the warehouse.
"You've really been a big help, Shikamaru." He looked up and gave Shikamaru a knowing smile. Shikamaru just waved his hand lazily.
At this moment, Zuo Yue walked forward with brisk steps. In her hands she held a long, dark blue wooden box, the Uchiha clan crest embossed on its surface, exuding the noble air unique to a prestigious family.
"Here you go," she said simply, handing over the wooden box.
When Iruka took the wooden box, he felt its heavy weight. Upon opening it, he found twelve finely crafted steel shuriken neatly arranged inside.
"As our teacher," Satsuki slightly raised her chin, "we cannot slack off in our training. If we think that becoming a teacher means we don't need to train anymore... it would be a disgrace to the Uchiha clan."
A typical tsundere statement, well-intentioned but wrapped in a prickly shell. But Iruka noticed a strange...resentment? in Satsuki's eyes as she looked at him.
Of course, he had no idea that just ten minutes earlier, he had interrupted a crucial moment when a black-haired girl was about to hold hands with her sweetheart.
"Thank you, I'll use it carefully." Iruka solemnly closed the wooden box. Satsuki gave a soft snort and turned to walk back to Naruto's side.
"Well..." Iruka looked at the pile of gifts in his arms: dog food, barbecue vouchers, sealing scrolls, ninja tools... These unique gifts warmed his heart. His gaze naturally fell on the last student.
Naruto, holding a beautifully packaged square gift box in both hands and wearing a bright smile, strode forward.
"Teacher Iruka! My gift is the best!"
Everyone's eyes were on Naruto's gift, completely unaware that Shino was standing quietly to the side, holding a simple box in his hands.
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(There will be one more update today, uploaded in about an hour.)
(Because I wrote too much... I'm not sure if the quality has dropped. If you see anything unnatural, please point it out and I will revise it.)
(Thanks to Jiang Lanzzr for the two expert certifications! Thank you, boss, I'll continue with four updates a day for the next two days.)