Umino Iruka let out a slow breath.
After steadying his emotions, he walked into First‑Year Class A.
"Why do we have a different teacher?"
"Did Kitazawa‑sensei only teach one period?"
"That's a shame—I like Kitazawa‑sensei's lessons better."
Iruka was momentarily taken aback.
He won this class over in just a single period?
As expected of Kitazawa-senpai.
Suppressing his admiration, Iruka stepped up to the lectern, meeting many disappointed gazes.
Today's topic was how to extract chakra.
Chakra—the foundation of becoming a ninja—is produced by evenly mixing mental and physical energy.
As the lesson progressed, Iruka noticed the students were unusually focused and nowhere near as mischievous as he had imagined.
What puzzled him most was their strangely respectful attitude toward Uzumaki Naruto.
Who tuned them—no, who taught them to behave like this?
There was no doubt: Kitazawa.
"Looks like I still have a lot to learn," Iruka thought.
An hour flew by.
Kitazawa set down the student files in his hands and headed upstairs.
He hadn't found any children matching Hinata's description of the little troublemakers.
That left only one possibility:
They weren't first‑years—they were in the second year.
"Kitazawa?"
A sudden voice rang out.
Kitazawa turned toward it.
The speaker was about his age, with white hair parted neatly down the middle.
"Mizuki."
Kitazawa greeted him with a smile. "Finished class just now?"
"Yeah."
Mizuki stepped closer. "I heard you took over a first‑year class this year. How is it? Any prodigies?"
"Too soon to tell," Kitazawa replied, shaking his head. "I've only taught half a day."
"But with your superb teaching skills, I'm sure you'll raise a genius like Neji," Mizuki said, flashing a radiant smile.
What kind of nonsense is he spouting?
Others might be fooled, but Kitazawa knew Mizuki: a petty, scheming backstabber in the original story.
Jealous of his friend Iruka's popularity, Mizuki once killed an injured comrade to complete a mission, tricked Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals, and later joined Orochimaru, staging a "savior" prison break with the Curse Mark.
Bringing up Hyūga Neji was just Mizuki showing off.
Like Uchiha Itachi, Neji had been hailed as a genius early on in Konoha, and true geniuses rarely appear twice in the same generation.
"Not bad," Kitazawa nodded confidently. "I believe my students have that kind of potential."
Mizuki froze, his smile stiffening.
Where did you get the nerve to say that?
In this ninja world ruled by bloodline and talent, academy teachers could at best add a little polish.
"I've got things to do—let's talk another time," Kitazawa said, pushing open the door to the second‑year teachers' lounge.
The door closed.
"Acting so high and mighty! One day I'll steal that 'Best Teacher' title from you!" Mizuki muttered, face twisting with jealousy.
He and Kitazawa had started teaching at the academy together.
Five years later, their fortunes had diverged dramatically.
Kitazawa had been promoted, given raises, and named "Best Teacher" every year.
Mizuki was still an ordinary instructor.
His eyes stung with envy—he was the lone lemon beneath the lemon tree.
Inside, Kitazawa greeted the second‑year teachers and began reviewing student files.
As for Mizuki, he didn't care.
I just got my system—why should I swallow this humiliation?
Half an hour later, Kitazawa held three student files.
After staring at the photos for a few seconds, he confirmed these were the very brats Hinata had mentioned.
He pondered briefly and came up with a plan.
As a teacher, he couldn't just discipline them outright.
And if he did, it had to be in front of Hinata to have maximum effect.
In that case… he'd handle it like an elementary‑school teacher would.
Kitazawa put down the files and returned to his office.
The bell rang.
Morning classes were over; it was time for lunch and a break.
Carrying several handwritten notes, Kitazawa went to Second‑Year Class C, slipped them into the desks of the three troublemakers, and strolled away.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
Uzumaki Naruto came running up, panting. "I—I want to treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!"
"Since when do kids treat adults?" Kitazawa blinked, then laughed. "I'll treat you."
"No, I'm treating!" Naruto pulled out his frog wallet, insisting, "I have money!"
He wasn't lying—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gave him an allowance regularly.
"I want to thank you, Kitazawa‑sensei," Naruto added.
He was still a kid, but not stupid; he knew Kitazawa had helped him many times.
"Alright," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. "You treat me this time, I'll treat you next time."
They walked out of the academy together.
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Uncle Teuchi!"
Naruto called out familiarly.
"Naruto—you… Kitazawa? What are you two doing together?" Teuchi lifted the curtain, surprised.
"Uncle Teuchi, you know Kitazawa‑sensei?" Naruto asked, wide‑eyed.
"Of course," Teuchi laughed. "Kitazawa's my neighbor."
"What?" Naruto's eyes bulged.
"The general store next door is mine," Kitazawa pointed left. "I only open at night, so you wouldn't know."
Ask any Naruto fan which place in Konoha is safest, and many would say Ichiraku Ramen.
After his parents died, Kitazawa bought a house nearby, fixed it up, and ran a small shop—better safe than sorry.
"Naruto, so you're one of Kitazawa's students?" Teuchi realized. "Lucky you—Kitazawa's been named Best Teacher three years running."
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded vigorously. "Kitazawa‑sensei is amazing!"
"What'll you two have?" Teuchi asked with a smile.
"Pork‑rib chashu ramen!" Naruto shot back immediately.
"Tonkotsu ramen," Kitazawa said after glancing at the menu.
Soon two steaming bowls arrived.
"Let's eat!" Naruto clapped his hands and eagerly picked up his chopsticks.
Kitazawa could tell—Naruto really loved ramen.
After lunch they returned to the academy.
"See you this afternoon, Kitazawa‑sensei!" Naruto dashed off to class.
Kitazawa headed back to the office.
"Kitazawa-senpai."
Umino Iruka knocked and entered.
"No lunch break for you?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
"I wanted to discuss something," Iruka said frankly. "Class 1‑A needs a class monitor to help us collect homework and so on."
[Current mission: Become Class 1‑A's class monitor.]
[Reward: Water affinity.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's mouth twitched.
Give me a break, man.
What kind of lousy mission is this? Are you making things hard for me on purpose?
~~~
New Fanfic! Thanks for reading!