Umino Iruka exhaled slowly. After calming himself, he walked into the classroom of First-Year Class A.
"Why did the teacher change?"
"Is Mr. Kitazawa only teaching one class?"
"What a pity, I really preferred Mr. Kitazawa's lessons."
Umino Iruka was slightly taken aback. Had Kitazawa-senpai really won over the students in just one class? He truly lived up to his reputation as the best teacher.
Suppressing his admiration, Umino Iruka walked up to the podium, facing the disappointed expressions of many students. What he was going to teach was how to extract chakra.
Chakra is the foundation of becoming a ninja. It is formed by the equal mixture of spiritual and physical energy.
After the class ended, Umino Iruka discovered that the students were very attentive and not as mischievous as he had imagined. What puzzled him the most was their unusual attitude toward Uzumaki Naruto.
Who had changed them—or rather, guided them to become like this?
There was no doubt. It was Kitazawa.
"It seems I still have a lot to learn," Umino Iruka sighed inwardly.
An hour passed in the blink of an eye. Kitazawa put down the student files in his hand and walked upstairs. He hadn't found any naughty children matching the description.
That could only mean one thing—
They weren't first-year students but second-years.
"Kitazawa?" A sudden voice called out.
Kitazawa turned around and looked at the speaker. He was about the same age but had white hair parted down the middle.
"Mizuki." Kitazawa smiled and greeted him. "Did your class just end?"
"Yes." Mizuki walked up and asked, "I heard you're teaching first grade this year. How is it? Any geniuses?"
"I'm not sure yet." Kitazawa shook his head. "I've only taught half a day."
"But with your excellent teaching skills, I'm sure you'll be able to nurture a genius like Neji." Mizuki smiled warmly as he spoke.
What are you even talking about? Others might be fooled by Mizuki's words, but Kitazawa knew better.
In the original story, he was a despicable, cunning, and jealous man. Though outwardly friendly with Umino Iruka, Mizuki was bitterly envious of his popularity.
He once killed a wounded teammate to complete a mission. Later, he tricked Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
After being imprisoned, he surrendered to Orochimaru and used the Curse Mark's power to launch a so-called jailbreak for justice.
Mentioning Hyuga Neji now was just a way to flaunt superiority. Like Uchiha Itachi, Neji was recognized as a genius early in Konoha's history.
And under normal circumstances, such talent rarely appears twice in succession.
"Not bad." Kitazawa nodded confidently. "I think my students have that kind of potential."
Mizuki froze, the smile on his face faltering. Where did you get the confidence to say that?
In this ninja world that worships talent and bloodline, school teachers can only enhance what already exists.
"I have something to do. Let's talk next time." Kitazawa pushed open the door and entered the second-grade shared office.
The door closed behind him.
'You think you're so noble! One day, I'll take the title of Best Teacher for myself!' Mizuki's face twisted into a mask of frustration.
He and Kitazawa had been classmates, starting as academy teachers at the same time. But five years later, their paths had diverged greatly.
Kitazawa had been promoted, given a raise, and won Best Teacher three years in a row. While he—was still just an ordinary teacher.
Mizuki felt his eyes sting. There were lemons on the lemon tree, and he was the only one beneath it.
Kitazawa greeted the second-grade teachers and checked the student files. As for Mizuki, he didn't give him another thought.
I just got the system—how could I care about such petty grievances? Half an hour later, Kitazawa held three student files in his hands.
He stared at the photos for a few seconds and finally confirmed—they were the troublemakers Hinata Hyuga had mentioned.
After thinking for a while, an idea came to him. As a teacher, he couldn't discipline them openly.
And if he was going to discipline them, it had to be in front of Hinata Hyuga—only then would it have the maximum effect.
So… he would handle it like an elementary school teacher would. Kitazawa set the files down and returned to the office.
The bell rang. Morning classes had ended; it was time for lunch and a nap.
Kitazawa went to Class 2-C, slipped a small note between the desks of the three mischievous students, and quietly left.
---
"Teacher Kitazawa!"
Uzumaki Naruto ran over, panting. "I… I want to treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!"
"How can a child treat an adult to a meal?" Kitazawa paused, then smiled. "I'll treat you."
"No! I'll treat you!" Naruto pulled out his frog wallet and declared, "I've got money!"
He wasn't lying. The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, regularly gave him an allowance.
"I want to thank you, Teacher Kitazawa." Even though he was still a child, Naruto wasn't clueless. He knew Kitazawa had helped him many times.
"All right then." Kitazawa thought for a moment. "You treat me this time, and I'll treat you next time."
The two walked out of the academy.
Ichiraku Ramen.
"Old Man Teuchi!" Naruto called out excitedly.
"Hey, Naruto—Kitazawa? You two together?" Teuchi lifted the curtain and looked surprised.
"Old Man Teuchi, you know Teacher Kitazawa?" Naruto asked in astonishment.
"How could I not?" Teuchi smiled. "Kitazawa's my neighbor."
"What?!" Naruto's eyes widened.
"I run the grocery store next door." Kitazawa pointed to the left. "But I only open at night, so you wouldn't have noticed."
If you asked where the safest place in Konoha was—
Many Naruto fans would say: Ichiraku Ramen.
After Kitazawa's parents passed away, he bought a house nearby, renovated it, and started selling groceries. Better to believe than not. After all, it doesn't hurt to try.
"Naruto, you're Kitazawa's student?" Teuchi finally reacted. "Then you're lucky. Kitazawa's been named Best Teacher three years in a row."
"Yes!" Naruto nodded excitedly. "Teacher Kitazawa is amazing!"
"What'll you two have?" Teuchi asked, smiling.
"Barbecue pork rib ramen!" Naruto said instantly.
"Tonkotsu ramen," Kitazawa said after glancing at the menu.
Before long, the steaming bowls arrived.
"Itadakimasu!" Naruto clapped his hands together and dug in.
Kitazawa could see the genuine love Naruto had for ramen.
After lunch, the two returned to school.
"See you this afternoon, Teacher Kitazawa!" Naruto ran off toward the classroom.
Kitazawa headed back to the office.
"Kitazawa-senpai." Umino Iruka knocked and walked in.
"No nap?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
"I have something to discuss." Iruka said seriously, "First-Year Class A needs a class monitor—someone to help us collect homework and assist the teachers."
[Current Task: Become Class Monitor of First-Year Class A.
Task Reward: Water Attribute.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa twitched the corner of his mouth.
I can't even catch my breath, man. What kind of garbage mission is this? You're just messing with me now, System.