"The Hokage is someone who earns the recognition of everyone," Kitazawa said calmly. "Naruto is your classmate and your comrade. How can someone who mocks their comrade ever become Hokage?"
Many students lowered their heads, shame coloring their faces.
Uzumaki Naruto felt as if sand had blown into his eyes.
His face was filled with determination; from now on, his dream would be to surpass the Hokage and earn the recognition of everyone.
In his heart, Kitazawa had become second only to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"This teacher's pretty good," Nara Shikamaru remarked, abandoning his usual lazy posture and sitting up straight, his expression serious.
Born into a ninja clan, Shikamaru naturally knew that Uzumaki Naruto wasn't some kind of monster.
But Kitazawa was just a commoner ninja who couldn't understand the specifics. The only explanation was his kindness.
Hyuga Hinata unconsciously clenched her hands.
She looked at Kitazawa, a hint of admiration flickering in her eyes.
First he helped her, then he helped Uzumaki Naruto.
He was truly... kind.
[ Current Mission: Be the first student in the class to catch the attention of Principal Sarutobi Hiruzen. ]
[ [Mission Reward: Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.] ]
[ [Host has completed the mission. Reward issued.] ]
The knowledge and experience related to Wind Release: Great Breakthrough flooded Kitazawa's mind.
As expected, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had been eavesdropping on them.
His earlier words must have pleased the Hokage, leading to the successful completion of the mission.
Unfortunately, apart from Hyuga Hinata and Sasuke Uchiha, none of the other "rookie nine" triggered new missions for him.
"Let's begin class now," Kitazawa said, picking up a piece of chalk and flashing a warm, welcoming smile.
"Our lesson today is called the Will of Fire."
The atmosphere in the classroom immediately shifted, dispelling the previous silence.
"Do you know the connection between the Will of Fire and the Hokage?" Kitazawa asked after writing the four characters for "Will of Fire" on the board.
"Me!" Uzumaki Naruto immediately raised his hand.
"Naruto, you may answer," Kitazawa nodded.
"The Will of Fire was proposed by the Hokage!" Naruto stood up and declared loudly.
"Then do you know why the Hokage proposed the Will of Fire?"
Kitazawa pressed further.
Uzumaki Naruto's expression froze, turning awkward.
The question was too profound for him.
"It's for you," Kitazawa declared, his words striking like thunder.
"For us?" Uzumaki Naruto asked, his face filled with surprise.
He wasn't alone; the other students wore identical expressions.
"Where leaves dance, fire burns eternally. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and nurture new leaves," Kitazawa explained. "The essence of the Will of Fire lies in you. You are Konoha's future, its hope."
"I've never heard it put that way before."
"So I'm actually that important?"
"Does that mean even Lord Hokage has to protect me?"
Kitazawa smiled at their excited chatter.
The Will of Fire itself wasn't flawed, but its implementation was far from simple.
Take Shimura Danzo, the First Pot Hokage and the darkness of the Ninja World, for example. He often invoked the Will of Fire to justify his shadowy deeds.
Ultimately, theory without practice remains a castle in the air.
But none of this concerned Kitazawa in the present moment.
All he needed to do was use the Will of Fire to manipulate Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Reverse the natural order, they say.
"Class dismissed. Ten-minute break."
Hearing the bell, Kitazawa gathered his materials and left the classroom.
As a teacher, he maintained a good habit: never running overtime.