“Naruto.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked kindly, “Today is your first day of school. How do you feel?”
“Great!”
Uzumaki Naruto said excitedly, “Especially Kitazawa Sensei, he’s super, extra great!”
After speaking, he raised the snacks in his hand and shook them boastfully.
“Are those snacks you bought?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile, seeing how happy he was.
“It’s a reward from Kitazawa Sensei!”
Uzumaki Naruto opened the snack bag and let out an exclamation.
The variety of snacks inside exceeded his imagination: lollipops, chocolates, sandwich cookies, and fries, among others.
Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively glanced at them and couldn’t help but nod.
Kitazawa, this teacher is good, he can be trusted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then remembered how Kitazawa had helped Uzumaki Naruto out of trouble multiple times today.
He secretly thought that this year’s outstanding teacher award could still go to Kitazawa.
Although there might be a suspicion of favoritism, he was the Hokage, and no one dared to question anything.
“Here, Third Grandfather.”
Uzumaki Naruto took out a lollipop.
“I’m past the age for snacks.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and patted his head, saying, “You eat it.”
Uzumaki Naruto hesitated for a moment, then put the lollipop back.
“Besides your teacher, how are your classmates? Have you made any friends?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the door, and he and Uzumaki Naruto walked into the living room.
“I feel like Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Ino are all nice to me.”
Uzumaki Naruto scratched his head and said, “But I don’t know if we’re considered friends yet.”
“If not now, you will be later.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn’t surprised.
All the classmates Uzumaki Naruto mentioned came from Ninja clans, and they all knew about the so-called ‘monster’ rumors.
Moreover, their parents had either fought alongside Minato Namikaze or had been helped by Minato Namikaze.
“Great!”
Uzumaki Naruto said excitedly, “I, Uzumaki Naruto, am finally going to have friends!”
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt a pang of shame.
The treatment Uzumaki Naruto endured was too cruel for a child.
But… this was a necessary sacrifice.
The Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki was Konoha Village’s most important trump card and had to be handled carefully.
“Third Grandfather.”
After Uzumaki Naruto sat on the sofa, he took a bite of a sandwich cookie and asked, “Do you know about the Fourth Hokage?”
“Why are you suddenly asking about the Fourth Hokage?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s gaze sharpened as he asked.
“It’s like this.”
Uzumaki Naruto explained, “Kitazawa Sensei said that to gain everyone’s approval, I need to learn from the Hokage.”
“Then why didn’t you ask me?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said, “Quite a few people consider me the strongest Hokage, you know.”
“I plan to learn from all four Hokage. That way, I’ll definitely surpass all previous Hokage.”
Uzumaki Naruto grinned and said, “Third Grandfather, am I not incredibly clever?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?”
Uzumaki Naruto asked, bewildered, “Is there something wrong with this idea?”
“No problem.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked the white beard on his chin and said, “If you can truly combine the strengths of the four Hokage, then you can indeed surpass all previous Hokage.”
“That’s great!”
Uzumaki Naruto said with high spirits.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled without speaking, not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm.
Combine the strengths of the four Hokage? Even he couldn’t do it, let alone Uzumaki Naruto.
To be precise, it was impossible for such a Ninja to appear in the entire Ninja World.
“The Fourth Hokage was named Minato Namikaze.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face showed a look of recollection as he said, “He was perfect, gentle and elegant, incredibly strong, and known as the Yellow Flash.”
“Why was he called the Yellow Flash?”
Uzumaki Naruto asked curiously.
“His hair, like yours, is golden.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, “Combined with his Ninja World’s fastest speed, that’s how he got that title.”
“How fast?”
Uzumaki Naruto asked curiously.
“Faster than light.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and said, “Enemies were defeated before they even saw his face.”
“So amazing!”
Uzumaki Naruto was stunned and said, “I want to become a Ninja that fast too!”
“There will be a chance.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.
“Then he…”
Uzumaki Naruto suddenly thought of something, and hesitation appeared on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi said indifferently, “Ask whatever you want.”
“If he was so powerful, how did he die?”
Uzumaki Naruto asked curiously.
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s smile instantly froze.
His memories were pulled back into that chaotic Nine-Tailed Night.
...
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hinata.”
After all the students had left, Kitazawa came before Hyuga Hinata.
“I didn’t wait too long.”
Hyuga Hinata said softly.
“Here you go.”
Kitazawa took out two bags of snacks.
“I… I already have one bag.”
Hyuga Hinata quickly shook her head and said.
“One bag is definitely not enough.”
Kitazawa thought of how Hyuga Hinata had eaten forty-six bowls of ramen in a single sitting during the eating contest in the original work.
“It’s enough for me.”
Hyuga Hinata’s face blushed as she said.
“No, it’s not enough for you.”
Kitazawa handed her the two bags of snacks and said, “Don’t be polite with me.”
“Thank… thank you, Kitazawa Sensei.”
Hyuga Hinata held the snacks, looked at Kitazawa, her eyelashes trembling slightly, like a small white rabbit, appearing flustered.
“Alright, back to business.”
Kitazawa couldn’t help but pat her head and said, “I’ve already found those three little boys you mentioned.”
Hyuga Hinata’s body trembled, and the memory of last time surfaced, bringing fear to her eyes.
“Hinata.”
Kitazawa said seriously, “I’ve arranged for them to meet after school tomorrow. I’ll help you teach them a lesson then.”
“Mhm.”
Hyuga Hinata met his warm gaze, and her heart suddenly settled down.
“See you tomorrow.”
Kitazawa stopped walking and said.
“Kitazawa Sensei, goodbye.”
A hint of reluctance appeared in Hyuga Hinata’s heart.
She held the snacks and turned to leave the school.
After walking a few steps, she looked back at Kitazawa and found that he was still in the same spot, seemingly waiting for someone.
Hyuga Hinata withdrew her gaze, her eyes falling on the snacks in her hand, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face.
“Young Lady Hinata.”
A sudden voice rang out.
A Byakugan youth appeared before her.
“Tokuma.”
Hyuga Hinata immediately put away her smile and adopted the demeanor Hyuga Hiashi had taught her.
As a member of the Hyuga Main Family, she had dedicated Branch Family guards.
Shortly after they left, Kurenai Yuhi’s figure appeared in Kitazawa’s line of sight.
“Only after becoming a teacher myself did I realize how amazing you are.”
Kurenai Yuhi sighed and said.
“This is my exclusive experience, you know.”
Kitazawa handed her a scroll and said with a smile.