"Please proceed to the principal's office as soon as possible."
"The principal?" Ueda Aya exclaimed softly.
There aren't any particularly impressive teachers at the Ninja Academy, most are just ordinary Chunins, but the principal of the Ninja Academy is no ordinary person.
Currently, there've only been two principals at the Ninja Academy, one being the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and the other being the current Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Even though he's the principal, it's not easy for teachers to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen. Besides making a speech at the opening of the school year, Sarutobi Hiruzen is usually not at the school and handles his duties at the Hokage Building.
This is exactly why Ueda Aya was shocked, because Sarutobi Hiruzen was surprisingly at the principal's office and had summoned a teacher alone, which was very rare.
"Alright, I'll head over immediately." Mokgetsu nodded, then turned to the office teachers with an apologetic look and said:
"I'm sorry everyone, I'll go to the principal's office for a bit, and discuss the lessons later when I return."
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Teacher Habu, you should hurry, don't keep the Third Hokage waiting." Iketani Isamu said with an uncontrolled look of envy, his eyes almost turning lemon-like.
He had taught for several years without such a privilege; forget about being summoned alone, he hadn't even stepped foot in the principal's office.
However, Iketani Isamu thought about Mokgetsu's teaching level and the quality of students and no longer felt bitter.
In first grade, other classes averaged about forty to fifty marks, while Mokgetsu's class soared over seventy, leaving other classes far behind.
In terms of practical scores, they were generally higher, securing the top two positions in the grade, with Uchiha Shisui even recognized as a super genius.
Iketani Isamu asked himself if he could bring up such a class, and the answer was no.
After finishing speaking, Mokgetsu turned and went to the principal's office.
The principal's office was on the top floor of their teaching building, the fifth floor, while Mokgetsu's small office was on the second floor.
Looking at the 'Principal's Office' sign next to the door, Mokgetsu knocked on the office door.
"Come in." A dignified middle-aged male voice came from inside the door.
Mokgetsu opened the door and walked into the office.
Mokgetsu casually glanced around. The office layout was very simple, with bookshelves and a desk by the window, and there was a set of table and chairs near the door.
Moreover, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't look as old as in the anime's start, his hair and beard were still black with not too many wrinkles on his face, his eyes full of authority, giving off an imposing aura, possibly because of being in the Ninja Academy, he wasn't wearing the Hokage Kasa.
"You're Teacher Habu, please have a seat."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't put on airs of a Hokage, getting up to walk to the table and chairs by the door, smiling as he motioned for Mokgetsu to sit down.
"Third Hokage," Mokgetsu said respectfully, taking a seat without hesitation.
In his previous life, the Third Hokage's reputation wasn't great because for various reasons many things were seen as his schemes.
He didn't know what kind of person the Third Hokage in front of him was in reality, but as a Ninja Academy teacher, he needed to appear respectful on the surface, even if inwardly cursing, he had to wear a smile.
"Teacher Habu, you're a talented educator." Sarutobi Hiruzen praised warmly.
"I've heard about your class's performance. On average, your theoretical scores surpass those of other classes by twenty or thirty points, and in practice, your class claims the top two spots in the grade."
"The proctoring teachers all say your students grasp the basics like Transformation Jutsu and Clone Jutsu better than others."
"It's also the students working hard; I just did my best to teach them, and the rest is all their effort." Mokgetsu thought for a moment and said.
He was modest but not overly so.
He first acknowledged the students' efforts, then mentioned his own hard work in teaching, highlighting his dedication.
"Doing your best to teach, well said." Sarutobi Hiruzen was very satisfied with Mokgetsu's response and remarked emotionally:
"If the Ninja Academy had more teachers like you, Teacher Habu, dedicated to educating students, there'd be no need to worry about nurturing future generations."
Mokgetsu didn't respond to this but displayed a look of intense listening.
To agree would imply that other teachers were incompetent fools, and to disagree would mean saying other teachers weren't serious.
"Based on Class 1-A's performance this time, I'm deciding to award you the Outstanding Teacher of the semester." Sarutobi Hiruzen said, full of smiles.
Mokgetsu made a surprised face, then looked deeply moved and thanked Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"However, Third Hokage, isn't it a bit premature? After all, it's only been a month, and I'm worried that spreading it might damage your reputation." Mokgetsu said worriedly, concerned it might affect the Third Hokage's honest name.
"The Outstanding Teacher award is meant for those who perform excellently. If other teachers could lead such a class, I'd award them too." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with authority.
The Third Hokage continued to paint a rosy picture, saying:
"If you, Teacher Habu, maintain this level of teaching throughout the year, I will promote you to Special Jonin, while also appointing you as the vice head of the Ninja Academy's teacher class."
"Thank you for your support, Third Hokage, but my duty as a teacher is to educate students well, and I always keep that in mind." Mokgetsu said sincerely.
He thought to himself that Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen were truly taught by the same teacher, both offering promotions to Special Jonin.
However, unfortunately, more than the position of Special Jonin, Mokgetsu genuinely hoped for his students to progress because that would bring in a lot of gold coins.
Seeing Mokgetsu's deeply sincere feelings, the experienced Sarutobi Hiruzen was convinced that Mokgetsu was speaking the truth, gaining more appreciation for him.
"Teacher Habu, I'd like to discuss a personal matter with you next, would you be interested?" Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly asked.
Mokgetsu nodded, contemplating what this Third Hokage intended.
"I have a young son named Sarutobi Asuma, who just graduated to become a Genin this year. He's still very inexperienced and quite a headache for me, so I want to hire you as a home tutor to teach him." Sarutobi Hiruzen extended the invitation.
Given Mokgetsu's current demonstrated teaching level, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt confident that teaching Asuma, who just graduated as a Genin, would be no problem.
This was also a test of Mokgetsu's ability; if he performed well, it would be worth approaching Danzo for him.
Whether it was the Outstanding Teacher award or the Special Jonin promotion, they were mere gestures to earn Mokgetsu's favor in preparation for later requests.
Such matters were mere words to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he was happy to take this measured step.
"Third Hokage, I'll need to consider this carefully." Mokgetsu thought it over and didn't immediately agree.
This caught Sarutobi Hiruzen a bit off guard, as he hadn't expected Mokgetsu to refuse.
"Because I have classes during the weekdays, Monday to Friday is obviously off the table, and during weekends, I have to plan the following week's teaching as well."
"I must ensure that both parties maintain teaching quality before I can agree, so allow me some consideration." Mokgetsu explained.
The Third Hokage was momentarily stunned, then chuckled, once again praising Mokgetsu as an outstanding teacher. He then indicated that there was nothing else, and Mokgetsu could leave.
Before leaving, Mokgetsu gave the Third Hokage an assessment.