As Kitazawa walked, he contemplated why Hiruzen Sarutobi had summoned him.
At the very least, he could rule out a punishment involving Saruma's infamous "six strikes in one second"—he hadn't done anything wrong.
His guess? It had to do with the recent monthly exam results. Perhaps a reward awaited him.
"Step inside."
The ANBU stopped at the entrance to the Hokage's office.
Kitazawa nodded slightly and pushed open the door.
"You're here, Kitazawa,"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, looking up.
"Hokage-sama,"
Kitazawa bowed respectfully.
"I reviewed your class's grade sheet. Very impressive,"
Hiruzen praised. "Class 1-A has the highest number of students scoring above eighty in the entire school."
Theory exams and practical exams were each scored out of one hundred.
The final ranking combined both scores, still out of one hundred.
To Hiruzen, students scoring over eighty represented the future hope of Konoha.
"All thanks to your guidance, Hokage-sama,"
Kitazawa said earnestly.
"No need for flattery. I've seen what you've accomplished,"
Hiruzen smiled. "Assigning Class 1-A to you was the right choice."
"I will do my utmost to teach them well, nurturing a generation worthy of inheriting the Will of Fire,"
Kitazawa pledged.
"Good."
Hiruzen nodded in approval. "I am a man of clear rewards and punishments. What reward do you desire? Money or a jutsu?"
"I want a wind-style jutsu,"
Kitazawa decided. Money was important, but he had enough for now; the system-required jutsu was the priority.
"You'll follow Haru to select one B-rank wind jutsu,"
Hiruzen considered briefly.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama,"
Kitazawa said, genuinely surprised.
For non-clan ninja, accessing a B-rank jutsu was rare.
Receiving one simply for monthly exam results was extraordinarily generous.
For Kitazawa, it was timely—just what he needed.
The wind-style jutsu he received, Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere, was indeed a B-rank technique.
"This is your due reward,"
Hiruzen smiled. Then he asked, "How do you find Naruto?"
"Naruto?"
Kitazawa thought carefully. "He's optimistic, warm-hearted, and loyal."
"Naruto's parents were a great blessing to Konoha,"
Hiruzen said, eyes appraising Kitazawa. "I hope you'll pay special attention to him, especially in his studies."
He didn't reveal that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son—Konoha kept that information strictly confidential.
"Understood,"
Kitazawa agreed without hesitation. With system tasks already in hand, Hiruzen's request was an added bonus—a double win.
"Then I leave him in your care, Kitazawa,"
Hiruzen gestured. "Haru is waiting outside to guide you."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. I'll take my leave,"
Kitazawa understood the polite dismissal and turned to leave.
Hiruzen watched him go, lost in reverie. Memories of Minato Namikaze surfaced.
Even though Minato had risen to fame during the Third Great Ninja War, he had already been renowned as an exceptional student at the academy.
First in both theory and practical exams, and still a civilian ninja—his talent had earned him Jiraiya as a teacher.
Minato fulfilled expectations, protecting Konoha and securing victory in the war.
Hiruzen sighed. That vitality, that brilliance, seemed to still linger in his mind.
"Hopefully, Naruto will become the next Minato,"
he murmured.
Kitazawa, guided by Haru, entered the jutsu storage room.
"This shelf contains only B-rank wind jutsus,"
Haru said, pointing. "You may take one scroll—but do not browse other shelves."
"Understood."
Kitazawa approached, scanning the scrolls, and immediately focused on Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere.
He didn't take it immediately, lingering a few minutes before finally picking it up.
"Memorize the jutsu. I'll retrieve the scroll in a week,"
Haru reminded.
"Got it."
Kitazawa tucked the scroll away and returned to the academy.
For the students, the monthly exams were over.
For Kitazawa, the work as a teacher continued.
After lunch, the teachers gathered for another meeting.
As Kitazawa entered, all eyes turned to him.
He had just been summoned by the Hokage.
"Kitazawa-senpai!"
Iruka greeted excitedly, proud to share the honor of teaching Class 1-A.
Only Mizuki's face twisted like a Noh mask, emotions in turmoil.
"Congratulations, Kitazawa,"
Mizuki forced his usual smile.
"Thanks,"
Kitazawa replied, sitting calmly.
"How was meeting the Hokage?"
Iruka asked, envious.
"Nothing special,"
Kitazawa shook his head. "It's not my first time meeting the Hokage."
Silent, subtle arrogance—most lethal of all.
Iruka paused, unsure how to respond.
Mizuki, fists clenched, wished he could strike. In the original story, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate a teammate to complete a mission.
"What did the Hokage say?"
Iruka asked, curiosity piqued.
"Praised Class 1-A for their achievements,"
Kitazawa replied. "He also granted me a B-rank wind jutsu."
"B-rank?"
Iruka gasped. "Hokage-sama is truly generous!"
"Work hard, and you might earn the Hokage's reward too,"
Kitazawa patted his shoulder.
"I will!"
Iruka's determination flared.
Mizuki ground his teeth. He had produced a perfect-score student, yet received no reward.
Where's the generosity? It's blatant favoritism!
After some discussion, Hisa Sarutobi entered, delivering the school-wide rankings.
Kitazawa glanced—top ten in the grade? All from Class 1-A.
Not surprising. The best students had been placed in Class 1-A from the start.
"Now, the outstanding student representative for this monthly exam is…"
Hisa paused. "Hinata Hyuga."
Mizuki's smile froze.
The first two characters filled him with joy—but the last two sent him into despair.
"Why not Neji Hyuga?"
Mizuki's composure shattered; he instinctively stood.
"This is the Hokage's decision,"
Hisa said calmly.
"But…"
Mizuki's dissatisfaction burned.
Kitazawa being summoned by the Hokage—first loss.
Being chosen over his student—second loss.
Missing the outstanding representative title—third loss.
Three defeats in one month. What's the point of living?