A new day,
Kitazawa changed his clothes and went next door to Ichiraku Ramen for breakfast. As he ate, he mentally sorted through his tasks.
Since obtaining the system, he has triggered a total of eight missions.
Now, only three remained: Kurama Yakumo, Hyuga Hinata, and Uchiha Sasuke. Among them, helping Kurama Yakumo return to the ninja academy was the most troublesome.
Fortunately, he had Yuhi Kurenai's assistance. They had agreed yesterday to visit the Kurama clan together on Saturday.
After finishing breakfast, Kitazawa arrived at the classroom. The first class of the day was the Will of Fire, which he taught.
"Teacher Kitazawa!" Hyuga Hinata couldn't help feeling excited when she saw him.
However, due to her strict family upbringing and naturally shy nature, she didn't show it outwardly and still appeared reserved.
Kitazawa sat down beside her without hesitation.
The system had designated Hinata as his deskmate. To avoid task failure, he had to cooperate—at least play the role properly.
Besides, Hinata was so cute, who could dislike her?
"Hinata." Kitazawa turned and said, "Come to my office after this class."
"O-Okay." Hinata blinked, a bit surprised, then nodded.
"Aren't you going to ask why?" Kitazawa smiled.
"What's the reason?" Hinata tilted her head and asked obediently.
"Special training."
Hinata immediately recalled what had happened in the grove yesterday.
In a month, she would be facing Toranosuke in a sparring match. Kitazawa had promised to train her for it.
"Thank you, Teacher Kitazawa," Hinata said, turning her head slightly, her cheeks reddening. Remembering how she had hugged him in fear yesterday made her feel a little embarrassed.
Why is she blushing? Kitazawa noticed the change and couldn't help wondering.
Just then, a sudden commotion broke out in the classroom.
He turned to see Uchiha Sasuke entering.
Kitazawa couldn't help but think of a line: Read more books and watch fewer Uchiha.
Sasuke glanced at him, paused, and then walked over. "Good morning, Teacher Kitazawa."
"Good morning." Kitazawa nodded with a light smile.
Not far away, Nara Shikamaru and the others exchanged glances.
"Did the sun rise in the west today?" Inuzuka Kiba asked, glancing out the window. "Is this the first time Sasuke's greeted a teacher on his own?"
"It's the first time I can remember," Nara Shikamaru said thoughtfully.
Sasuke, being from the prestigious Uchiha clan and a recognized genius, carried a lot of pride. Combined with his overpowered brother, he usually paid little attention to teachers.
So why was he suddenly so polite?
"I guess it's because Teacher Kitazawa teaches well," Aburame Shino said, adjusting his sunglasses.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura didn't care about the situation. With hearts in her eyes, she rushed over to Sasuke.
"…" Sasuke's expression turned even colder as he returned to his seat without a word.
"Women really are scary," Shikamaru muttered.
"Ahem." Akimichi Choji nudged him with his elbow.
Shikamaru stiffened, realizing his mistake, and turned toward Yamanaka Ino.
"Am I scary?" Ino put her hands on her hips, flipped her blonde bangs, and looked visibly annoyed.
"I'll treat you to barbecue tonight," Shikamaru said quickly.
"What about me?" Choji suddenly perked up at the mention of food.
"You too," Shikamaru answered, face full of pain.
Everyone knew the Akimichi clan had big appetites—he was going to lose a good chunk of his hard-saved allowance.
Ino huffed, glanced at Sakura, and then walked to the empty seat beside Kitazawa and sat down.
"If Mr. Kitazawa were our age, he might just steal Sasuke's spotlight," Shikamaru murmured, looking at Hinata and Ino flanking Kitazawa.
"Hehe… barbecue," Choji was already fantasizing about the meat they'd grill tonight.
"We're not eating beef," Shikamaru said, turning around. Beef was the most expensive—cutting it would save a lot.
"No beef? Okay..." Choji said, a little disappointed.
The bell rang.
Kitazawa wrapped up the class on time and left the classroom with the lesson plan.
Hinata hesitated for a few seconds, then quietly got up and followed him while no one was paying attention.
Kitazawa stopped at the door to the office. When he turned around, he saw Hinata sneaking behind like a little thief.
"Why do you look like a burglar?" Kitazawa asked jokingly.
Hinata lowered her head in embarrassment.
"Come in." Kitazawa opened the office door and walked inside.
Hinata let out a small breath of relief and followed.
"Do you have a habit of previewing lessons?" Kitazawa asked as he put down his lesson plan.
"Yes," Hinata replied softly. "I reviewed all of today's material last night."
"Not bad." Kitazawa smiled. "In that case, you can skip class with me."
"Huh?" Hinata's eyes widened.
Did the teacher just suggest they skip class? She must be under genjutsu!
"This is called efficient time management," Kitazawa said with a straight face. "Since you already mastered the textbook, there's no point sitting in class."
"But... but..." Hinata panicked a little. Skipping class went against everything she'd been taught. She didn't know if she should obey.
"No buts." Kitazawa waved it off casually. "It's just cutting one class."
This was all part of the plan. A person's personality is shaped by their environment. Hinata had grown up under the strict rules of the Hyuga clan, which shaped her timid nature.
If she wanted to change, she needed to first break those internal rules.
"I... okay." Looking at his smile, Hinata nodded faintly.
"Let's go." Kitazawa gently patted her head. Under his lead, they walked to the school wall.
"There are guards at the gate," he explained. "We're climbing the wall."
"Huh?" Hinata blinked in confusion.
Kitazawa leaped lightly and landed atop the wall. He said nothing—just waved to her.
Hinata's mind went blank. Her heart raced. She never imagined she'd be skipping class and climbing walls on just her third day at school.
But strangely, it filled her with excitement. Biting her lip, Hinata hesitated for a few seconds before jumping up.
Kitazawa reached out, catching her wrist and helping her balance. Together, they jumped down.
Hinata pressed her hand to her chest, her little face flushed pink.