Iruka panted slightly as he jogged around the training area. He had come to the area each morning, training, just enough that if another enemy came to the village, like Ochimaru, or an Akatsuki member. He knew he would probably be useless in the case of an emergency... but his first act would be evacuating the children and elderly, and for that reason alone, he couldn't be in a weak state.
Everyone assumed he was a strong person. At least strong enough to uphold himself to a jounin, seeing as he didn't take goofing off from anyone, he would need the muscle to back it up. But, no one had challenged him before, and if they did, Iruka knew he would lose.
The Third Hokage had even called him into his office once, to ask if Iruka wanted the higher rank...
Iruka had quickly said no, apologizing profusely when the Hokage was surprised, taking his usual attitude towards jounin into account.
The Hokage even pointed out that, despite having a average amount of chakra, his control was astounding and the few hidden mist jutsu that had been passed down from his family, a great weapon. Also his affinity for water based jutsu, for a chuunin to have a element was surprising.
Except,
Iruka couldn't think himself as strong. He was weak, compared to the other ninja in the village. Even Naruto, the student he had once protected, now protecting him... and a number of other people at the same time.
Kakashi, his judgement always right, no matter how many times Iruka didn't want to believe it.
Sasuke, becoming a rouge ninja, from the wonderfully smart boy he had in his class...
He was just a chuunin.
A school teacher...
He was nothing.
And he believed himself.
