In one of Konoha's vast estates, a rather large man in fine clothing sat across from a shinobi, who looked incredibly uncomfortable. Akamichi Choza was a visage of composure as he slowly sipped on his afternoon tea, choosing his words very carefully.
Years ago, he had seen potential in Chunin Kotetsu, and had once hoped that the cunning he had shown in his youth would follow him throughout life, but alas it seemed to have escaped him this time.
Choza set his cup down, peering at his reflection. "You failed. I told you to ensure that Toru would be taught well and get good grades during his time in the academy, and for the most part you have done so. But this event has tarnished his, yours, and thus my reputation."
His voice hardened as he continued, and the pressure resting on Kotetsu's shoulders worsened as he went on. "Not only did you use the authority and power given to you by me to bully the weak, but you did so in full view of Konoha's growing shonobi. Worse yet you failed to realize that the young, 'runt' as you called him, would grow to such an extent to contend with Toru."
"And worse of all you made a bet with a child. It does not matter that you though he would win, or that you could go back on your word, because you cannot."
Kotetsu's head looked up to his master in confusion. He thought that he would be repremanded and punished, but that it would be swept under the rug, as it had in the past. So what had changed?
"You never even looked in to see why and how that boy had grown so much in just a few months." Choza shook his head, truly wondering how Kotetsu had screwed up so much. "His teacher is a man named Genin Kosuke Maruboshi."
That seemed to confuse Kotetsu even more. How could a mere Genin get in the way of a clan head, and over something as small as a C ranked jutsu?
"Maruboshi is 67 this year, and has lived through all three shinobi wars alongside Lord Third and I, as well as our other old friends." Those words sounded like thunder as they reached Kotetsu's ears. "The only reason he isn't a Tokubetsu Jonin is simply because he does not wish to be promoted. He has refused every attempt at the matter and simply wishes to live the rest of his life in relative peace...not that I can blame him."
"He is a man that I respect dearly, and you disrespected the only student he has ever taught." Choza finished his words, picking up his tea and taking another sip, sighing deeply.
Kotetsu was now sweating bullets, suddenly severely regretting his decisions in life. 'But how was I supposed to know that brat had such an auspicious teacher?!'
After letting Kotetsu stew in the tense silence for nearly a quarter of an hour while he worked on his obligations as clan head, Choza finally gave Kotetsu his punishment. "You will give the boy not only the C ranked Body Flicker Jutsu, but also the B ranked Shadow Clone Jutsu. Maruboshi-san chose both of them personally for young Masaru, and you will pay for both out of your own pocket and bow your head to him as you hand them over."
He set down his ink brush, settling his gaze on Kotetsu as he let the full weight of his chakra presence bore down on the man. "...Do you understand, Chunin Kotetsu?"
The trembling man didn't hesitate to bow low down to the ground. "I will do as you say Clan Head!"
Choza waved his hand, sending Kotetsu from the room. After a moment of silence, he sighed again. "What did I do to deserve such a lousy student...I should pay Maruboshi-san a visit, it has been too long."
A knock sounded at the door, and his retainer entered with a new stack of papers, setting them down on his desk with a loud thud and strategically exiting the room before Choza could react.
"..." For the thousandth time today, Choza sighed heavily. "Become the clan head, they said. It will be a great honor, they said..."
---
Masaru stood stunned at the figure of his academy teacher kneeling on the ground with two scrolls held out to him far above his head. Similarly, the other students near the entrance showed the same reaction. Only Maruboshi, who had accompanied him, revealed no expression.
He knew what would happen the moment Masaru had told him what happened. All he himself had done was send a simple letter to a dear friend of his, and his student had gotten more than he deserved. Smiling, he leaned down and patted Masaru's shoulder.
"Accept his gifts before his arms grow tired, Masaru, or do you want to stand here all day?"
His teacher's words snapped Masaru from his stupor and he quickly accepted the scrolls. And seeing that there was an extra, he decided to be nice to Kotetsu, who had clearly already suffered for his actions.
Masaru gave the Chunin a half bow, and thanked him. "Thank you sensei, I appreciate you for giving me such an investment for my future."
He was confused at the sheer amount of pull Maruboshi sensei had in high places, but he wasn't a fool not to recognize when to be stubborn and when to save face. Thus, the no matter his feelings the proper thing to do for both parties was to be polite to each so each could simply go their separate ways in the future.
He knew that there was a day that Kotetsu might try to get revenge for what happened to him, but he figured by then he would be powerful enough to at least escape.
Seeing that things had gone smoothly, Maruboshi patted Masaru's shoulder again and gently pulled him away. "Come, I've pulled some strings to get you the week off of school in recognition of the injuries you accrued yesterday."
Masaru smiled, and a warm feeling spread from his chest. It felt strange that he was being looked after in such an extravagant manner, but...it was nice.