Kitazawa's Office
Hinata Hyuga paced back and forth clutching her speech script. She was so nervous that her little face had gone pale.
She only stopped when the door opened and Kitazawa walked in.
"Feeling nervous?"
Kitazawa came over, patted her head, and asked.
"Mm‑hmm."
Hinata nodded, a little embarrassed.
For some time now Kitazawa had been coaching her with great dedication, yet when the moment arrived she still couldn't keep a calm face.
"Nerves are perfectly normal."
Kitazawa smiled. "First, let's eat."
He unsealed a summoning scroll and produced a mountain of food.
A tempting aroma filled the room.
Hinata's stomach growled softly, and her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"Go on, eat."
Kitazawa handed her a piece of sushi.
"Thank you, Kitazawa‑sensei."
Hinata took a bite; for some reason it tasted delightfully sweet.
Savoring the flavor, she glanced at Kitazawa—then quickly looked away.
She ate gracefully, clearly pleased.
Seated on the sofa, she swung her small feet while she ate, and before she knew it the tight knot of anxiety had loosened.
"I'm full now, Sensei."
Hinata finished her milk, set down the glass, and looked at him.
"I'll teach you a trick to calm your nerves," Kitazawa said, picking up a rice ball. "When you're on stage, imagine everyone in the audience is a rice ball. Then you won't feel nervous."
"Eh?"
Hinata stared, unsure if that could possibly work.
"Come on, let's head to the training field."
Kitazawa packed up the remaining food.
At his words Hinata's heart leapt and the nerves returned.
Following behind him, she began silently reciting the new mantra:
"Rice balls… you're all rice balls…"
Somehow, her nervousness really did ease.
…
On the field, students from all six grades stood in neat formations.
Kitazawa led Hinata straight up to the platform.
"Kitazawa," Sarutobi Hisao greeted him.
Kitazawa was now something of a celebrity at the academy, trusted deeply by the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Hisao, a Sarutobi clan ninja and the vice‑principal, made sure to show him goodwill.
"Vice‑Principal."
Kitazawa replied politely.
At 8:30 a.m. the awards assembly officially began.
First item on the agenda: a speech by an outstanding student representative.
"Hinata, remember the method I told you."
Kitazawa reminded her.
Hinata only nodded.
She stepped forward and stopped.
Countless eyes fell on her; instinctively she trembled and panic welled up.
"Rice balls! They're rice balls!"
Hinata drew a deep breath and began her speech.
…
In the 2nd‑Year Class A formation
Neji Hyuga listened in surprise.
She actually had the courage to get on stage—and her speech was proceeding smoothly.
To Neji, Hinata was unsuited to be a ninja: too timid, lacking will of her own. Her only advantage, he thought, was being born into the main family.
"Let's see how much you've really changed," he mused, recalling Mizuki's suggestion—a friendly match between their two classes. He had felt no interest before, but now he was mildly intrigued.
Half an hour later the speech ended.
Thunderous applause erupted. Hinata snapped out of her trance; she had been so immersed she'd forgotten the audience entirely.
Hearing applause from every direction, she felt an unfamiliar but pleasant surge inside:
This feels… nice.
Clutching her script, she gave an instinctive wave, then stepped down.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
Her cheeks glowed pink with excitement.
"Congratulations—you finished your speech," Kitazawa said with a smile. "See? They're all applauding for you."
"Mm!"
Hinata nodded vigorously. At that moment it felt as though she'd opened the door to a new world. If she were to give the speech again, she was sure she could do even better.
"Do you have confidence to beat Toranosuke now?" Kitazawa asked suddenly.
"I… I can!"
Hinata hesitated a heartbeat, then answered firmly.
"You've grown a lot, Hinata."
Kitazawa patted her head. "Let's get back to Class 1‑A."
…
Back in the Class 1‑A formation:
"Hinata, you were great!"
Ino Yamanaka praised with a smile.
"Next time I want to give the speech!"
Naruto Uzumaki said eagerly. He loved being the center of attention; if everyone applauded him, it meant recognition.
"You?"
Kiba Inuzuka snorted. "When it comes to speeches, my chances are way higher than yours."
"Wait till the next monthly exam—we'll see who's on top!"
Naruto declared, full of confidence—not in himself, but in Kitazawa.
"It will be me," Sasuke Uchiha interjected coolly.
Everyone turned to him in surprise; in their eyes Sasuke was always aloof and rarely joined their chatter.
"Enough. Quiet now—the principal is praising you," Kitazawa clapped his hands.
The second—and most important—part of the assembly: commendations.
Sarutobi Hisao read out the top thirty students of every grade.
"Next, let's invite the principal to deliver his summary of this month's exam."
Hisao said with a smile.
A familiar figure appeared out of thin air: Sarutobi Hiruzen in full Hokage regalia.
Cheers broke out instantly.
Hiruzen's public‑relations work was excellent; his prestige in the village was immense—and his presence here was a surprise, since he normally attended only opening or graduation ceremonies.
"Let me briefly make…"
Hiruzen began, thoroughly pleased by their reaction—proof, to him, that all his efforts were worthwhile.
Kitazawa's mouth twitched; he sensed trouble.
Sure enough, Hiruzen spoke for two straight hours, and had time allowed he might have kept going.
The assembly ended and everyone filed back to class.
Kitazawa had just set off when Mizuki blocked his path.
"Your class really stole the spotlight this time. My students are dying for an exchange with yours."
Mizuki beamed. "How about a friendly match between our classes?"
"Not interested," Kitazawa said flatly.
"W‑why?"
Mizuki's smile froze.
"You really have to ask?"
Kitazawa snorted. "Second‑years against first‑years—'shameless' is the only word that fits."
A whole year's gap isn't easily bridged, and Kitazawa wasn't about to court disaster.
"Wait! We can negotiate!"
Mizuki hurried after him. "Time, place, even the match format—you can decide everything!"
He knew the one‑year gap was hard to overcome, so he generously ceded all initiative to Kitazawa.