"Naruto."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him with a kind expression and asked,"Today was your first day at the Academy. How did it feel?"
"It was amazing!"Uzumaki Naruto replied excitedly."Especially Kitazawa-sensei—he was extra amazing!"
As he spoke, Naruto raised the snacks in his hand and waved them proudly.
"Did you buy those snacks yourself?"Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a smile, seeing how happy he was.
"They're a reward from Kitazawa-sensei!"Naruto opened the snack pack and let out a gasp of amazement.
The variety inside far exceeded his expectations—lollipops, chocolate, cream-filled cookies, fries, and more.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at them and nodded subconsciously.
Kitazawa… this teacher is good. He's someone you can trust.
Hiruzen also recalled how Kitazawa had stepped in several times today to help Naruto out of awkward situations.
He silently decided that this year's Best Teacher award could still go to Kitazawa.
Even if it looked a bit like favoritism—he was the Hokage. No one would dare question it.
"Here, Third Grandpa."Naruto pulled out a lollipop and offered it to him.
"I'm past the age of eating snacks,"Hiruzen said gently, patting Naruto's head."You go ahead."
Naruto hesitated for a moment, then pulled the lollipop back.
"Other than your teacher, how are your classmates?"Hiruzen asked as he opened the door and walked into the living room with Naruto."Did you make any friends?"
"I think Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Ino are all pretty nice to me,"Naruto said, scratching his head."But I don't know if we count as friends yet."
"They might not be now, but they will be,"Hiruzen replied calmly.
He wasn't surprised.
All the classmates Naruto mentioned came from ninja clans. They knew the truth behind the so-called "monster" rumors.
Moreover, their parents had either fought alongside Namikaze Minato or had once received his help.
"That's great!"Naruto said excitedly."I, Uzumaki Naruto, am finally going to have friends!"
A trace of guilt suddenly surfaced in Hiruzen's heart.
What Naruto had endured was far too cruel for a child.
But… it was a necessary sacrifice.
The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki was Konoha's most important trump card. He had to be treated with utmost caution.
"Third Grandpa,"Naruto said after sitting down on the sofa and taking a bite of a cream-filled cookie."Do you know much about the Fourth Hokage?"
"Why are you suddenly asking about the Fourth Hokage?"Hiruzen's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Well,"Naruto explained,"Kitazawa-sensei said that if you want everyone's recognition, you should learn from the Hokage."
"Then why didn't you ask me?"Hiruzen chuckled."Quite a few people think I'm the strongest Hokage, you know."
"I was planning to learn from all four Hokage,"Naruto said with a wide grin."That way, I'll definitely surpass all the previous Hokage.Third Grandpa, am I smart or what?"
Hiruzen froze for a moment—then burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at?"Naruto asked, completely confused."Is there something wrong with that idea?"
"Nothing wrong at all,"Hiruzen said, stroking his white beard."If you could truly combine the strengths of all four Hokage, then yes—you would surpass them."
"That's awesome!"Naruto said, his fighting spirit burning brightly.
Hiruzen smiled without saying anything further, choosing not to dampen his enthusiasm.
Combining the strengths of four Hokage?Even he couldn't do that—let alone Naruto.
Strictly speaking, no such ninja could exist in the entire ninja world.
"The Fourth Hokage was named Namikaze Minato,"Hiruzen said, his expression filled with nostalgia."He was nearly perfect—gentle, refined, and incredibly powerful.He was known as the Yellow Flash."
"Why was he called the Yellow Flash?"Naruto asked curiously.
"Because his hair was golden, just like yours,"Hiruzen replied slowly."And because he possessed the fastest speed in the ninja world."
"How fast was he?"Naruto asked, eyes sparkling.
"Faster than light,"Hiruzen said after a moment's thought."Enemies were defeated before they even saw his face."
"So cool…"Naruto murmured in awe."I want to become a ninja that fast too!"
"You'll have your chance,"Hiruzen said with a smile.
"Then he…"Naruto suddenly hesitated, a troubled look appearing on his face.
"What is it?"Hiruzen said casually."Ask whatever you want."
"He was so strong… so how did he die?"Naruto asked innocently.
The smile on Hiruzen's face froze.
His memories were dragged back into that chaotic night of the Nine-Tails' attack.
...
"I kept you waiting, Hinata."
After all the students had left, Kitazawa walked up to Hyuga Hinata.
"I didn't wait very long,"Hinata replied softly.
"Here."Kitazawa took out two snack packs.
"I—I already have one,"Hinata shook her head hurriedly.
"One pack definitely isn't enough,"Kitazawa said, recalling how Hinata once ate forty-six bowls of ramen in a big-eater contest in the original story.
"I have enough…"Hinata said, her face turning red.
"No, you don't,"Kitazawa said, pressing both snack packs into her hands."Don't be polite with me."
"Th-thank you, Kitazawa-sensei…"Hinata hugged the snacks tightly, looking up at him.Her eyelashes trembled, like a startled white rabbit, leaving her flustered and unsure of herself.
"Alright, back to business,"Kitazawa said, unable to resist patting her head."I've already found the three boys you mentioned."
Hinata's body trembled.Memories of last time resurfaced, fear appearing in her eyes.
"Hinata,"Kitazawa said seriously."I've arranged to meet them after school tomorrow. I'll help you teach them a lesson."
"Mm."Meeting his warm gaze, Hinata suddenly felt at ease.
"See you tomorrow,"Kitazawa said, stopping in place.
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei."A trace of reluctance surfaced in Hinata's heart.
Clutching the snacks, she turned and left the Academy.
After walking a few steps, she glanced back and saw Kitazawa still standing there, as if waiting for someone.
Hinata withdrew her gaze, looking down at the snacks in her arms, a small smile appearing on her face.
"Lady Hinata."
A sudden voice rang out.
A young man with Byakugan eyes appeared in front of her.
"Tokuma,"Hinata immediately composed herself, adopting the etiquette taught by Hyuga Hiashi.
As a member of the Hyuga main family, she was always accompanied by branch family guards.
Not long after she left, Yuhi Kurenai's figure appeared within Kitazawa's line of sight.
"Only after becoming a teacher myself did I realize how impressive you are,"Kurenai said with a sigh.
"This is my exclusive teaching experience,"Kitazawa said with a smile, handing her a scroll.