Hagoromo was the only one left in the classroom. By now, he still hadn't figured out who was playing "Dong Feng Po" on a pipa... Ahem, wrong. He still hadn't figured out whose subordinate he had become.
If there was any difference between his appearance today and yesterday, it was the "dog tag" hanging from his forehead... Wrong again. Professionally, it's called a headband. Its use in battle is unclear; perhaps its only function is to distinguish which village a ninja belongs to.
According to the standard tropes, as a protagonist, Hagoromo should at least have a flashy white haori, looking like he's wearing a wedding dress. But no. He lacked the self-awareness of a transmigrator. Put it this way: what an average Chunin looks like without their flak jacket is exactly what he looked like. All black, zero distinctive features: black ninja sandals, white gaiters, black pants, and a slightly oversized long-sleeved shirt. Because the sleeves were too long, he had to roll them past his elbows... in short, he went as ordinary as possible.
Just as Hagoromo was about to run out of patience, the person he was waiting for finally arrived.
"Ninja Registration Number 009887, Kamishiraishi Hagoromo. Who is that?"
The newcomer wore a standard ninja uniform. She had a pleasant face and a voice full of energy, but the most eye-catching thing about her was her vibrant, crimson hair.
Hair like that represented her identity: a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, a Konoha Jonin, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—Uzumaki Kushina.
What did Hagoromo see? He saw a mobile treasury of sealing techniques walk into the room.
"I'm the only one left in the room, okay?" While grumbling internally, Hagoromo stood up from his seat. He obviously knew Kushina's identity. Even without his memories from a past life, he would know her name; while her status as the Jinchuriki was secret from average ninjas and civilians, her tendency to cause a stir—much like Naruto's—made her incredibly famous in Konoha.
At this point, Hagoromo realized Kushina was likely his teacher. To be honest, he didn't know much about her—only that she was an Uzumaki, Minato's wife, Naruto's mother, the Jinchuriki, and an expert in Fuinjutsu. But was he satisfied with her as a teacher? He was thrilled. He wouldn't trade places with Obito even if asked, because he was deeply, deeply interested in sealing techniques.
Kushina didn't care about Hagoromo's internal grumbling. "I know you're the only one left. I was just confirming. Follow me."
When Hagoromo walked up to her, she familiarly slapped him twice on the back. She used so much force that she sent him stumbling forward.
This person is reckless; her behavioral patterns carry a certain level of danger. Hagoromo made an instant judgment.
Kushina led the way while Hagoromo followed. At this moment, the Third Hokage had no idea that putting these two together was a decision he would come to regret deeply—a regret second only to the time he would later let Orochimaru escape.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Uzumaki Kushina, Jonin. From now on, I'm your teacher," Kushina said.
They were currently in a small training ground. It's worth noting that a ninja had been training here previously, but the moment Kushina arrived, he had proactively vacated the area.
Meanwhile, the "scheming" protagonist was already calculating how to get Kushina to teach him all those various sealing techniques.
"Kushina-sensei, you already know my name. Kamishiraishi Hagoromo, 11 years old, Genin."
Kushina nodded. She knew his identity; in fact, she knew his basic background quite well. Without Hagoromo's knowledge, she had already put him through many tests. These were written tests mixed into the Academy's various exams, and their difficulty was absolute—yet Hagoromo had never been stumped. This was the primary reason she agreed to choose him. Compared to a student's current combat power, she valued intelligence more. Intelligence largely determines a ninja's growth potential, and her method of teaching required a student with above-average intellect.
Besides, his actual combat strength was quite good. She was already aware of the skilled Lightning Style he had displayed during yesterday's graduation test.
"So, Hagoromo, we need to get to know each other. Do you have any life goals, plans, or things like that?"
Hagoromo's forehead was practically covered in black lines. Big sister, if you aren't good at heart-to-heart talks, we really don't have to do this, okay?
"Goals... I want to live a life where I'm just a normal ninja, make some decent money... marry a woman who is neither too beautiful nor too ugly after I'm twenty, and have two children. The first a girl, the second a boy... When the daughter is married and the son is independent, I'll retire from ninja work... after that, I'll live a leisurely secluded life playing shogi or go... and then die of old age before my wife..."
Before Hagoromo could finish plagiarizing a certain someone's famous speech, he received a light flick to the forehead.
"Try something else. Are you a middle-aged man facing a mid-life crisis? Say something positive," Kushina said.
Hagoromo finally understood. Kushina might speak carelessly, but she wasn't easy to fool. This talk was likely a way to judge if a new Genin like him had anti-social, anti-ninja, or anti-village tendencies.
"Life goals... There is actually one thing I've always wanted, but that kind of thing is a matter of fate. Forcing it doesn't work. I just hope I'm lucky enough to encounter it in this life." When Hagoromo said this, his tone actually carried a hint of desolation—an emotion not common for someone his age.
Fortunately, Kushina didn't press him further on what that "thing" was, likely feeling that it delved into personal privacy.
Hagoromo's background was clear and unquestionable. Both parents were ninjas who died in the early stages of this war. He grew up in Konoha, never left the village, and never contacted anyone from outside. This inquiry was merely a formality.
"Now that the talk is over, let me see your true strength." Saying this, Kushina reached into her tool pouch and pulled out a bell.
It was lucky that Hagoromo wasn't that familiar with the intricate details of the Naruto plot, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from吐槽 (roasting). In the world of Naruto, the screen-time and presence of these bells surpassed almost 70% of the actual characters.
"Eh?"
"A test. Can you take this bell from my hand?"
(End of Chapter 8)