Shinji arrived at the door, glimpsed the two bugs still lingering behind him, and reached out to knock on the office door.
"Enter." An old and strong voice sounded from inside the room.
Upon hearing the response, Shinji opened the door and entered.
A figure wearing a Hokage robe embroidered with the words "Third Hokage" stood by the window.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, he turned his head.
Shinji quickly straightened his posture and said respectfully, "Lord Third."
"It's Shinji. Come here."
At this time, Hiruzen, was already in his sixties. The wrinkles and age spots on his face were very obvious, but the look in his eyes was still full of majesty.
However, upon seeing Shinji, he put away his Hokage demeanor and instead greeted Shinji very kindly, like a kind grandfather.
Shinji's expression did not change in the slightest, as if he were a young man who truly admired the Third Hokage.
He quickly walked to Hiruzen's side.
"Lord Third, I wonder what you need from me amidst your busy schedule?"
Shinji came to the window. He first glanced at the students who were successively running out of the Academy gate, and then looked at Hiruzen and asked.
Hiruzen did not respond to Shinji's question. Instead, he continued to look in the direction of the playground and spoke to Shinji, "Shinji, how do you feel about being a homeroom teacher for the first time?"
Shinji couldn't quite figure out what Hiruzen wanted to do now, so he could only reply very humbly.
"There's a bit of pressure, but fortunately, the students are very obedient, and I will do my best to teach them."
Hiruzen said, "Not bad. I've seen your performance these past few years. You've always been a good child."
Hiruzen was very satisfied with Shinji's answer, because whether it was the feedback from the people he arranged or his own observations through the crystal ball, Shinji, this once very ordinary Chunin, had indeed done what he had just said.
Shinji showed the attitude a passionate young man should have, responding very energetically, "Thank you for your praise, Lord Third. I will work even harder."
Looking at Shinji's sincere expression, even Hiruzen, who had seen countless things, couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.
It seemed that his Will of Fire was being propagated very well. He could allow Shinji to have more contact with the Hokage faction's circle in the future.
After Hiruzen felt that the previous conversation had achieved his desired goal, he finally stated the real reason he had called Shinji today.
"The reason I called you here this time, besides expressing your teaching attitude, is that I have something else I want you to do."
Shinji quickly bowed his head slightly, responding very respectfully, "Please instruct me, Lord Third. Your subordinate will do his best."
"Where tree leaves dance, flames will burn. The firelight will illuminate the village, and then new tree leaves will bud again."
Hiruzen uttered the words he said in the original story just before his death. The look in his eyes was no longer the imposing aura of someone who had been in a high position for a long time, but rather like an old man.
Shinji, standing beside him, did not interrupt, because he knew that what came next was the real reason Hiruzen was looking for him.
"Shinji, these children are like new tree leaves. They don't just need guidance in their studies. Their growth environment and healthy upbringing are what I, as Hokage, want to achieve."
After Hiruzen finished speaking, he withdrew his gaze from the playground and looked at Shinji.
He said with a very serious expression, "There's a child named Naruto in your class this year. You should know him, right?"
Hearing this, Shinji quickly looked up and said, "Yes, Lord Third."
Hiruzen nodded and continued to ask, "What do you think of this child?"
Shinji seemed to be recalling, and after a while, he looked at Hiruzen and replied, "A very good child, very obedient, and very serious in class."
Hiruzen said, "Presumably, you know the rumors about this child."
Oh no, was this something a simple Chunin, who only worked as a teacher at the Academy, could respond to?
Shinji almost broke down when he heard Hiruzen's question. His thoughts raced, trying to figure out how to answer Hiruzen's question.
Shinji thought of what he had said to Iruka yesterday. He guessed that Hiruzen most likely knew about that response. Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought up this topic in front of him again.
So he quickly replied, "I know, Lord Third, but I only know that Naruto is my student now, and I only need to fulfill the responsibilities a teacher should have."
"Very good." Hiruzen was very satisfied with Shinji's answer.
He had already heard it yesterday. However, he was very satisfied to hear this answer again now.
"If all teachers were like you, I wouldn't have to worry about the nurturing of the village's children."
Old geezer! Do you hear what you're saying?
Fortunately for Hiruzen, there were no other people around. If this statement got out later, that would purely be asking for trouble.
Perhaps knowing that he had spoken out of turn, Hiruzen didn't dwell on the issue and pointed to the playground not far away.
Shinji looked in the direction Hiruzen pointed. A swing came into his view. Naruto was sitting there, swinging.
Although the distance was far, Shinji could still see the expression on Naruto's face. At this moment, Naruto was looking enviously at the parents who had come to pick up their children from school.
The endless greetings and the warm atmosphere made Naruto, who was originally full of envy, feel a little lonely.
Even though he was alone on the playground now, he could still clearly sense the indifferent gazes of some parents who had come to pick up students from time to time.
"Shinji, I hope that in the future, you will not only be dedicated to Naruto's studies but also observe his living situation more."
Hiruzen looked at Naruto's solitary figure on the playground, and a rare trace of guilt appeared in his eyes.
Shinji, who was observing, noticed it immediately, but then subtly looked away, continuing to look at the playground.
He then asked, sounding very confused, "Lord Third, I don't quite understand what you mean."
Although he had a guess in his mind, he felt it was better to ask for clarification. It concerned Nine-Tails, the center of a whirlpool. Even if he was in a hurry, the necessary caution could not be omitted. After all, Danzo's actions were still vivid in his memory.
"This child didn't eat lunch and was sleeping alone on the rooftop. I hope you can help him with his lunch from now on."
After Hiruzen finished speaking, he turned to look at Shinji. His eyes were fixed on this young man, who was only about seventeen years old.