After finishing his meal in the office and chatting with some colleagues for a while, Shinji stood up, preparing to check if his class had returned to their classroom when he heard the school bell ring.
The homeroom teachers at Ninja School were different from the subject teachers. At least, they didn't need to occasionally substitute for other classes like subject teachers did. They only needed to manage their own class well.
Shinji, with his system, naturally wouldn't hand over teaching opportunities to others.
Walking down the corridor, he pondered the information he had overheard during class earlier.
A new rogue ninja had emerged from the Kirigakure—Zabuza, who had just become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist two years ago. He reportedly failed in his assassination attempt on the Fourth Mizukage and had now fled Kirigakure.
Kirigakure had issued a bounty for Zabuza, dead or alive, for thirty-five million ryo. The only condition was that the Kubikiribocho needed to be returned to claim the bounty.
This bounty was said to have caused a stir in the underworld. Only Jonin were qualified to wield the unique swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Moreover, most of them had to be elite Jonin.
The title of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had become even more of a misnomer, as seven swords had been lost consecutively starting ten years ago.
Shinji's attention to this news wasn't for any particular reason.
If he remembered correctly, it seemed the reason Zabuza had tried to assassinate the Fourth Mizukage was because the Fourth Mizukage had reactivated Bloody Mist three years ago.
So, Obito had already controlled the Fourth Mizukage three years ago?
Having reached this conclusion, Shinji didn't think much further about it, as he wasn't qualified to access such information yet.
Just as he rounded the corner, a hurried figure was about to rush past him.
He kept muttering, "Oh no, I overslept."
Shinji's lips curved into a smile, and he reached out, pressing down on the little one in front of him.
He said indifferently, "Naruto, I remember the class bell rang a while ago, didn't it?"
Naruto, whose shoulder was grabbed, was about to retaliate, but hearing Shinji's voice, he stopped his movements and dejectedly said, "Shinji-sensei, I'm sorry, I fell asleep on the rooftop just now."
Hearing this reply, Shinji raised an eyebrow. Students' break times were regulated. In his two years as a teacher, he had seen many situations like Naruto's.
"Alright, just pay attention to the time in the future. Even if you're in a hurry, don't just run around aimlessly like this. If you bump into someone, won't that delay you even more?"
Naruto, who had expected to be scolded by Shinji, lowered his head in embarrassment upon hearing these words.
"I understand, Shinji-sensei."
Receiving a response, Shinji said no more, only rubbing the blond prince's head and saying, "Now, come into the classroom with me."
Having said that, he walked in front of Naruto and arrived at the classroom door.
The students, who had been chattering, heard the sound, turned to look, and seeing it was Shinji, quickly quieted down.
Shinji pushed Naruto, who was hiding behind him, inside, saying, "Sit down, class is starting."
Shinji, walking to the podium, didn't open his lesson plan. After all, the afternoon lesson was merely to let these little ones review their knowledge of Chakra. Afterward, he would begin to let them extract their own Chakra.
This step, one could say, was something anyone with hands could do, as the entire continent was populated by descendants of Kaguya. It was a continuation of the Chakra seed from ancient times.
Extraction was one aspect, but the quantity depended somewhat on bloodline.
In any case, judging by the Chakra sensing he had performed yesterday, apart from nine of the Konoha 12 in this class, the aptitudes of the others were somewhat mediocre.
After questioning a few students about some aspects explained in the morning, Shinji roughly confirmed the progress of this group of students. Only then did he begin teaching again, reiterating some points from the morning that these little ones hadn't paid attention to.
With a good foundation, even if one's talent was not enough, they could still get stronger through their own efforts later on.
All the students listened with serious expressions, while Naruto diligently took notes in his notebook. The notebook in his hand was one Shinji had given him in the morning.
After all, as one of the two protagonists, Shinji felt he had to improve Naruto's grades. Sacrificing a notebook for a huge gain was definitely not a loss.
Just like that, time slipped away.
As the dismissal bell rang, Shinji picked up his materials and said, "Alright, class dismissed."
"Remember not to be late tomorrow."
As Shinji finished speaking, Naruto felt him look at him. He quickly sat up straight.
It was as if he was responding to Shinji that he, Naruto, would absolutely not be late tomorrow.
Shinji smiled at this. This was someone who, if given even a little care, would give his all. Such a person would not be disliked anywhere.
Well, except for the current Konoha.
After all, there was Danzo's deliberate actions and Hiruzen's inaction.
Naruto, the hero's son, had been turned into the Demon Fox, disliked by everyone.
The sound of the class settlement rang in his mind. Shinji was about to check it as he walked out of the classroom door when he was interrupted by Iruka, who rushed over.
"Shinji, Hokage-sama has ordered you to go to the principal's office."
"Principal's office?"
Shinji was a little confused, as he had been a teacher for several years but had never heard of a principal's office. After all, besides coming to give speeches at the beginning of the school year or occasionally interacting with students, Hiruzen was almost always in the Hokage Building dealing with official business.
Seeing Shinji's expression, Iruka naturally knew what he meant and quickly gave him the location.
"Yes, it's on the floor above our office, in the same position."
"Okay, thank you, I'll go now."
Shinji nodded and then, as if remembering something, asked Iruka, "Later, could you please help me check if there are any students left in the classroom before closing the door?"
"No problem, leave it to me." Iruka nodded, quickly responding.
Seeing Iruka agree, Shinji then turned and walked upstairs. He had often been to the upper floors, but he hadn't really noticed the principal's office Iruka mentioned.
Arriving at the location, he finally understood why he hadn't seen it before. After all, this office had never had a sign hanging on it. He had thought it was a storage room for miscellaneous items.