Because of Kitazawa's promised reward, Uzumaki Naruto started doing his homework the moment he got home.
But almost at once he wore a mask of misery.
When people are angry they can do anything—except math problems.
Naruto scratched his head.
He couldn't understand why a ninja had to learn so much. Wouldn't just beating the enemy be enough?
" Naruto."
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly stepped inside.
"Gramps—Third Hokage!"
Naruto's face lit up. "What are you doing here?"
"I just got off work and thought I'd drop by to see you."
Hiruzen glanced at the worksheets. "Homework?"
"Mm‑hmm," Naruto explained. "Kitazawa‑sensei assigned it—he wants me to break into the top ten on next month's test."
Hiruzen nodded.
Not bad; Kitazawa was taking this seriously. He'd only mentioned it to the man two days ago and it was already arranged.
"You spent two days with Kakashi. How did you find him?" Hiruzen shifted the topic.
"He's awesome." Naruto gave a big thumbs‑up. "He knows everything."
"If you like him, I can make him your teacher," Hiruzen said with a genial smile.
"Eh…?"
Naruto's expression turned conflicted. After a moment's thought he said, "I still like Kitazawa‑sensei better."
"You misunderstood. I don't mean Academy teacher—I mean your instructor after you graduate," Hiruzen clarified. "Once you become a full-fledged ninja you'll be placed in a four‑man squad for missions."
"Can't Kitazawa‑sensei be my instructor then?" Naruto felt something was off.
"He can't." Hiruzen shook his head. "He has his own work."
He left one thought unsaid: in his eyes, Kitazawa simply wasn't strong enough to lead a squad.
"I see…"
Naruto looked disappointed. "If Kitazawa‑sensei really can't, then I'll take Kakashi‑sensei."
Hiruzen couldn't help laughing at the boy's reluctant tone.
In Konoha, no one compared Kitazawa with Hatake Kakashi; the two were in different leagues—one an ordinary chūnin instructor, the other a genius who became jōnin at twelve.
"So what ninjutsu did you learn from Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked, curious.
"I'll show you!" Naruto perked up. "You'll be amazed!"
"Oh?" Hiruzen was skeptical. "I'm the Hokage—I've seen plenty of jutsu. It's hard to surprise me."
The very next second he went rigid, twin streams of blood spurting from his nostrils.
Naruto beamed with pride.
I'm incredible—I actually made the Hokage nosebleed!
"What on earth have you been teaching him, Kakashi?!" Hiruzen clutched his nose, fuming.
…
Kitazawa, meanwhile, had no idea Kakashi had just taken the blame for him.
He returned home with Hyūga Hinata.
Hidden in the shadows, her bodyguard Hyūga Tokuma kept out of sight.
Kitazawa was able to interact so casually with Hinata only because Hyūga Hiashi tacitly approved—Hiashi had noticed a change in his daughter's timid personality.
He'd tried correcting her before; the harder he pushed, the worse it got, to the point Hanabi was born as heir instead. Now that he saw hope, he let Kitazawa be.
"Hinata," Kitazawa said, opening the shop door with a smile, "I'd like to hire you as a clerk—help me sell things for three hours."
"Eh?"
Hinata, who'd been curiously looking around, froze.
"So, what do you think?" Kitazawa picked up a price list from the counter. "Interested?"
His aim was simple: give Hinata courage. Her main problem was shyness; the more she talked to people, the better.
"I…" After a few seconds' hesitation, Hinata nodded.
"Here's the price list," he said, handing it over. "I'll show you around the merchandise."
Just then, four lines of text flashed before his eyes and Kitazawa stared, dumbfounded:
[Your lifelong rival Uzumaki Naruto has already found a squad instructor—you can't fall behind.]
[Current Mission: Before graduation, find a squad instructor whose status and strength surpass Hatake Kakashi.]
[Mission Reward: Prize will depend on the instructor secured.]
[Accept mission?]
A flood of reward data washed into his mind.
Become Sarutobi Hiruzen's student—Five Release Great Combo Technique.
Tsunade—Yin Seal.
Jiraiya—Ultra‑Big Ball Rasengan.
Shimura Danzō—Reverse Four Symbols Sealing.
Kitazawa rubbed his temples helplessly.
Come on, man, is this mission even humanly possible?
Konoha rules said squad leaders were assigned upon graduation by performance—but he'd graduated years ago. He might've tried faking it, yet the system had set strict criteria; no loopholes.
Hiruzen, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Danzō—each one was in hell‑mode.
After thinking it through, Tsunade seemed the most achievable—if Kurama Yakumo could cure her hemophobia.
With a sigh he snapped back to reality and finished introducing the products. Once Hinata was ready he ceded the counter to her.
Hinata sat behind it, nervously watching the door.
A few minutes later a young ninja walked in.
"W‑Welcome!" She hurried to her feet.
"Kitazawa‑senpai, since when do you have such a cute clerk?" the young man asked, surprised.
"Izumo," Kitazawa chuckled, "this is my student, Hyūga Hinata."
The ninja was Kamizuki Izumo—one of Konoha's two "Gate Gods" alongside Hagane Kotetsu. In the original story he proctored the Chūnin Exams and later fought Akatsuki's Kakuzu and Hidan with Sarutobi Asuma.
"Hiring students now, are you?" Izumo joked. "Hinata, be sure to ask your teacher for double pay."
"Ah? I‑I don't need money!" Hinata glanced at Kitazawa, blushing furiously.
"All right, what are you buying today?" Kitazawa laughed. "I'll give you ten percent off."
"Rare to see you this generous." Izumo's eyes lit up. "I won't be polite, then."
"Hinata," Kitazawa instructed, "write down what he takes and total it."
"O‑Okay!"
Flustered though she was, Hinata didn't make a single mistake.
Three hours later Kitazawa locked the door—business closed for the day.
Hinata let out a long breath.
For the Hyūga heiress, working retail was a novel experience—and she'd met quite a few people.
At first she'd been at a total loss, but now she was much more composed.
…
Thursday afternoon
Kitazawa watched in mild astonishment as Haruno Sakura reached the treetop.
Four days to finish tree‑climbing training—her chakra control was truly amazing. No wonder she would inherit Tsunade's medical ninjutsu and become one of the new Legendary Sannin.
[Current Mission: Help your classmate Haruno Sakura complete tree‑climbing training.]
[Reward: Blood Coagulation Technique.]
[Mission complete. Reward delivered.]
Kitazawa smiled faintly.
That Blood Coagulation Technique was practically free—pure profit.
Uchiha Sasuke glanced at Sakura—he hadn't expected her to finish faster than he did. Still… she was so annoying.
He looked at the leaf in his hand. It had lost all moisture, dry and brittle—the fruit of four days' effort.
Keep pushing!
The thought of surpassing Uchiha Itachi in the Great Fireball Technique filled Sasuke with endless drive.
Kitazawa assigned Sakura an advanced tree‑climbing routine, but sadly no new mission was triggered.
…
Friday finally came. The first two morning periods were canceled for an awards assembly.
Entering the office, Kitazawa saw Hinata looking nervously flustered.
~~~
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