"Kitazawa-sensei, see you tomorrow!"
After the graduation photos were taken, Uchiha Sasuke and the others all left one after another.
In the end, only Hyuga Hinata remained.
She stood there, head lowered, her hands nervously clenching and relaxing again and again.
"Hinata, are you free right now?" Kitazawa asked proactively.
"Yes!" Hinata looked up at him on instinct, her tone full of surprise and excitement.
"Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony," Kitazawa explained his purpose. "I'm planning to buy each of you a graduation gift."
"You don't need to buy me a gift." Hinata froze for a moment, then shook her head and refused.
"Everyone gets one. You can't be the only one who doesn't," Kitazawa chuckled. "So come with me now and help pick them out."
"Huh?" Hinata suddenly realized what he meant.
Her heart started racing, and she became visibly tense.
Because she rarely went shopping alone with Kitazawa.
Does this count as…? She hurriedly chased that thought away—if she kept going, she'd probably faint on the spot.
"Why are you still standing there?" Kitazawa turned and walked toward the ninja school's exit.
Hinata immediately followed after him.
The ninja school had already been relocated to the Fire Country Metropolis.
And after five years of continuous expansion, the Fire Country Metropolis had long since become a super city—its prosperity no less than a first-tier city from his previous life.
Hinata walked down the street, but her eyes kept sneaking toward Kitazawa.
She clutched the hem of her clothes, her palms damp with sweat.
Kitazawa turned back to look at her.
Hinata instantly froze.
Her cheeks turned rosy—like a red apple—making him feel an urge to take a bite.
"Hinata, how did your graduation exam go?" Kitazawa asked with a smile.
"I… I…" It took Hinata several seconds to get her "speech system" back online. Then she said shyly, "Fifth place."
"That's pretty good." Kitazawa nodded.
The current ninja school had two tracks.
One was the traditional ninja route, where the graduation exam was practical combat.
The other was the hybrid-type ninja route, where the graduation exam was theoretical.
Hinata belonged to the second type.
And the "fifth place" she mentioned meant fifth in the entire school.
To place fifth among tens of thousands of students was already extremely impressive.
But it also made sense.
After all, Hinata's strength spoke for itself.
Once your power reaches a certain level, it boosts you across the board—including learning ability.
Like Kitazawa now.
He could flip through an entire book in an instant and memorize everything inside.
"After you graduate, you'll work with Ino to assist Shizune-senpai," Kitazawa added.
The Hokage Secretariat used to be handled by Nara Shikaku and Shizune.
But after the Five Ninja Corps were established, Shikaku left the Secretariat and became the Mizukage, responsible for the Fourth Ninja Corps.
That left Shizune as the only person in charge of the Secretariat.
Now that Hinata and Yamanaka Ino were graduating, they could become the Secretariat's leaders—technically deputy leaders, though.
"Me?" Hinata looked stunned.
"You don't want to?" Kitazawa asked.
"N-no… It's just, I'm worried I won't do a good job." Hinata shook her head hard, her long hair swaying.
"You've already built up five years of Secretariat experience. I believe you can handle it." Kitazawa paused, then said, "Alright, it's decided. Let's go to that mall up ahead and buy the gifts."
Watching his back, Hinata couldn't help smiling.
She pressed down her bubbling happiness and followed him into the mall with light, quick steps.
If she weren't embarrassed, she'd have been humming a tune.
The mall was huge—clothes, gifts, accessories, ninja tools, everything.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin.
He felt the gifts should be both meaningful and practical.
He scanned the area, and his gaze finally landed on a Konoha jewelry store inside the mall.
Among the dazzling displays, he chose rings.
First, they were easy to carry.
Second, the Konoha jewelry store was his own business—meaning he could commission a one-of-a-kind design.
Kitazawa planned to design graduation rings themed around the ninja school and the Advanced Class.
To add practical value, he could embed chakra crystals into the rings and engrave them with a space-time ninjutsu that could be used three times.
With that idea in mind, he stepped forward.
He called the shop owner over, revealed his identity, and instructed them to design the rings overnight.
"Hinata." Kitazawa looked at her and asked, "The graduation gift is decided. Want to go to a clothing store?"
"Mm." Hinata agreed without thinking.
But she quickly realized Kitazawa had walked into a women's clothing shop.
Is he buying something for Yuhi Kurenai?
A hint of envy rose in her heart.
"Hinata, what do you think of this white kimono?" Kitazawa raised his hand and pointed at a traditional kimono.
With Hinata's personality, there was no way she could accept anything too bold.
Though if Kitazawa ordered her to wear it, she probably would.
But there was no need for that.
"It's pretty." Hinata looked it over and said.
"Try it." Kitazawa nodded.
"Huh?" Hinata had never expected it was for her. Her eyes widened.
Kitazawa didn't give her a chance to refuse—he took the kimono down and handed it to her.
Holding it, Hinata hesitated for a moment, then walked into the fitting room.
A little later, she came out, tense from head to toe.
Kitazawa took one look and nodded in satisfaction.
In a white kimono, Hinata looked even more dignified—"gentle, devoted wife" practically felt tailor-made for her.
"It suits you." Kitazawa suddenly had an idea and asked, "Do you want to buy some stockings to match the kimono?"
Hinata looked confused.
Stockings with a kimono? Wouldn't you normally wear tabi socks?
And with a kimono, only your feet show—so even if she wore stockings, you wouldn't really see them.
"I'm fine with anything." Hinata said softly.
Seeing she agreed, Kitazawa picked out a pair of white stockings for her.
Hinata went back into the fitting room.
When she came out again, she was already wearing the white stockings.
But with the kimono covering most of her legs, only her petite, delicate feet in white silk were visible.
Feeling Kitazawa's gaze, Hinata's cheeks reddened, and she looked uneasy.
But deep down, she didn't reject it.
"Want to try a dress too?" Kitazawa said with a smile. "It's spring—perfect for it."
Hinata nodded unconsciously.
Soon, she appeared in front of him wearing a white one-piece dress.
"Very pretty. And very cute," Kitazawa commented.
Hinata immediately turned shy.
But that only made her even cuter.
Kitazawa got hooked on the real-life dress-up game and had Hinata try on several more outfits.
By the time they left the mall, it was already noon.
"Kitazawa-sensei, thank you for today." Hinata said, embarrassed.
After all, he had bought her a lot of clothes.
"It's nothing." Kitazawa pinched her cheek lightly. "I'm happy I got to see you in different styles too."
Hinata's face flushed bright red.
Kitazawa could even feel the slight rise in warmth.
He couldn't help leaning in.
He lifted a strand of her hair and kissed her forehead.
Hinata froze on the spot.
When she finally realized what had happened, her face went scarlet—and she fainted like a "steam princess."
Kitazawa reflexively caught her.
He paused, then laughed.
In his previous life, he'd always thought "Hinata faints from shyness" was just exaggerated writing… but it turned out it was real.
After thinking for a moment, Kitazawa used the Flying Thunder God Technique and arrived at the Hokage's office.
He sat on the sofa and laid Hinata on his lap.
Konan, who had been about to greet him, stopped when she saw this.
Without saying anything, she quietly retreated behind the bookshelf again.
Kitazawa glanced at her.
Tsunade and Yuhi Kurenai would probably find it hard to accept Konan.
But Hinata might be different.
That was for later.
Kitazawa reached out and gently stroked Hinata's cheek, waiting quietly for her to wake up.
A moment later, Hinata opened her eyes.
The instant she saw Kitazawa, she shut them again.
After calming herself down, she remembered what had happened.
Her heart trembled, and happiness surged up like a tide.
Something she thought had no chance… suddenly came true.
Even if no one could know about it, she was still willing.
"If you're awake, get up and eat," Kitazawa said, pinching her nose lightly.
Hinata sat up shyly.
"For lunch, we're eating the bento you made," Kitazawa said, taking out the lunch box she had given him that morning.
With his current strength, he could already go without eating entirely—he didn't even need sleep.
But doing that would mean losing a lot of life's small pleasures.
Hinata nodded.
She happily opened the lunch box.
The two of them sat at the coffee table and ate lunch together.
"How's Hanabi been lately?" Kitazawa asked casually.
"She's doing great—she's first in the whole school right now," Hinata said proudly, smiling.
Kitazawa wasn't surprised.
Hinata Hanabi's year didn't have many geniuses.
Besides her, there were Sarutobi Konohamaru, Kazamatsuri Moegi, and a few others—altogether fewer than five true prodigies.
Kitazawa asked about Hanabi's strength too.
Even though she didn't have the Tenseigan, she did have the Demon-Slaying Bow.
And Kitazawa had already refined the sealed Moryo inside that bow into a pill and had her take it.
Her strength could basically be described as elite jōnin level.
Among her peers, she was practically unbeatable.
Lunch ended quickly amid casual conversation.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Hinata said reluctantly, "I'm going back to the Hokage Secretariat. See you tomorrow."
Kitazawa's gaze dropped to her soft, rosy lips.
He lowered his head and gave her a brief kiss—just a touch and then he pulled away.
But even that was enough to make Hinata go blank again.
"Don't faint again, okay?" Kitazawa teased.
Hinata didn't even hear what he said clearly—she left the Hokage's office in a daze.
Kitazawa watched her go and smiled.
In his previous life, he had always liked Hyuga Hinata.
Now that he had the chance, of course he wasn't going to miss it.
Handing her off to someone else was something he absolutely could not accept.
Besides—as an emperor, he could do as he pleased.
Kitazawa withdrew his gaze.
Konan stepped out.
Kitazawa lifted his hand slightly.
He'd just eaten lunch—this was the perfect time for a nap.
And when it comes to eating… you need a balance of meat and vegetables.
Konan understood immediately and knelt down.
The next day—Sunday.
Even though the ninja school graduated students every year, this year was undoubtedly the most special.
Because most of this year's students already had enormous fame across the ninja world.
Especially Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Neji, Hyuga Hinata, and the like.
After Kitazawa arrived at the school, he saw many familiar faces.
Most of Konoha—or rather, most of the Fire Country's top leadership—was present.
Which was perfect.
After the graduation ceremony ended, they could seamlessly roll straight into a high-level meeting.
"Congratulations on graduating." Kitazawa walked up to Sasuke and the others. "These are your graduation gifts."
As he spoke, he waved his hand and pulled out a large pile of gift boxes from Daikokuten's separate dimension.
The boxes floated to each person in front of him.
"A ring?" Yamanaka Ino opened hers and her eyes immediately lit up.
The ring was silver overall—very beautiful.
And faintly engraved on it were words like "Ninja School Advanced Class — Yamanaka Ino," and so on.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up. "Now that's a gift full of youth!"
Everyone else thanked him as well.
At 9:00 a.m., the graduation ceremony officially began.
The host was Umino Iruka.
These days, his life was basically perfect—he had a beautiful wife and had even become the ninja school's vice principal.
After waiting a bit, Kitazawa went up on the stage to deliver the usual speech.
It was mostly graduation blessings and some planning for their futures.
Once he finished, the ceremony was no longer his responsibility.
As soon as he stepped down, he found Konan and had Anbu notify Uchiha Fugaku and the others to attend a meeting in the conference room after the ceremony ended.
Of course, that included Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata too.
Kitazawa didn't leave. He stayed where he was and waited for the ceremony to finish.
At 11:00 a.m., the ceremony ended, and those who had been notified by Anbu began heading to the conference room.
Kitazawa went as well.
There was only one agenda item today: assignments for Sasuke and the others.
Simply put, they were all promoted—though every position was a deputy role.
Uzumaki Naruto joined the First Ninja Corps to assist Kitazawa.
Uchiha Sasuke joined the Second Ninja Corps to assist Uchiha Fugaku.
Hyuga Neji joined the Third Ninja Corps to assist Hyuga Hiashi.
Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chōza joined the Fourth Ninja Corps to assist Nara Shikaku.
Karin joined the Ministry of Finance to assist Uzumaki Rina.
Kurama Yakumo joined the Film and Media Department to assist Yuhi Kurenai.
Shion and Haruno Sakura joined Konoha Hospital to assist Yakushi Nono.
Kaguya Kimimaro, Tayuya, and Jūgo joined the Curse Mark Corps to assist Mitarashi Anko.
As for Yamanaka Ino and Hyuga Hinata, there was no need to say more—they joined the Konoha Secretariat.
Some of them had already been working in those departments, but this time it was a comprehensive upgrade.
Hyuga Hiashi and the others understood that in a few years, their positions would be taken over by this batch of graduates.
And they were willing to let it happen.
After all, the successors were graduates who had deep ties to them.
~~~
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