Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Kitazawa walked the corridors of the Hokage’s Tower, mulling over why the Third Hokage had summoned him.

At the very least, he was sure of one thing: Hiruzen wasn’t about to call forth Enma and smack him with a “six strikes in one second” punishment. He hadn’t done anything wrong—on the contrary, he suspected this might even be about a reward.

Perhaps the summons was tied to the results of the monthly exam.

“Go on in.”

The ANBU escort stopped outside the Hokage’s office door.

Kitazawa inclined his head, then pushed the door open.

“You’re here, Kitazawa.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his paperwork.

“Hokage-sama.”

Kitazawa bowed quickly, standing at respectful attention.

“I’ve reviewed your class’s report cards. They’re excellent.”

A faint smile tugged at Hiruzen’s lips. “Your students had the highest number of scores over eighty points in the entire academy.”

Both the written and practical exams were each graded out of a hundred, and the final ranking combined the two into a total out of one hundred. In Hiruzen’s eyes, any student scoring above eighty was a spark of hope for Konoha’s future.

“It’s all thanks to Hokage-sama’s wise leadership,” Kitazawa replied earnestly.

“There’s no need for flattery. I’ve seen how hard you’ve worked.”

Hiruzen chuckled, stroking his beard. “Entrusting Class 1-A to you was the right decision.”

“I’ll continue to do my utmost to teach them well—and to raise worthy inheritors of the Will of Fire.”

Kitazawa’s voice was steady with resolve.

“Very good.”

Hiruzen nodded in approval, then leaned forward slightly. “I’ve always believed in rewarding good work. Tell me—what would you prefer as a reward? Money? Or Ninjutsu?”

Kitazawa thought for a moment. Though money was useful, he wasn’t desperate for it right now. What he truly needed was new Ninjutsu to expand his arsenal.

“I’d like Wind Release Ninjutsu.”

Hiruzen considered this, then nodded. “Follow Haru later. You may choose a B-rank Wind Release jutsu.”

Kitazawa blinked in surprise.

Ordinary ninjas, especially those without clan backing, rarely had access to B-rank jutsu. Receiving one merely for strong monthly exam results was exceedingly generous.

For Kitazawa, it felt like receiving a warm coat in the middle of a snowstorm.

He’d just acquired Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet—a B-rank jutsu—and another B-rank jutsu would greatly strengthen his options.

“You’ve earned it.”

Hiruzen smiled, then his expression turned thoughtful. “Kitazawa… what are your thoughts about Naruto?”

“About Naruto?”

Kitazawa gathered his thoughts before speaking. “He’s optimistic, cheerful, and fiercely loyal. A good-hearted child.”

Hiruzen’s eyes softened. “Naruto’s parents gave much to protect Konoha. I hope you’ll look after him… especially with his studies.”

He didn’t mention that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage’s son—that remained one of the village’s most closely guarded secrets. With Kitazawa’s current rank and status, he wasn’t yet cleared to know.

“Understood.”

Kitazawa answered without hesitation.

He already had a mission from the system to help Naruto—and now the Hokage himself was giving him the same task. It felt like winning twice over.

“Then I’ll leave him in your care.”

Hiruzen waved his hand. “Haru is waiting outside to take you to the Ninjutsu archives.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama. I’ll take my leave.”

Kitazawa bowed and turned toward the door.

Hiruzen watched him go, a faraway look clouding his eyes as old memories surfaced.

He remembered another young man—a blond prodigy with eyes like the clear summer sky.

Minato Namikaze.

Even before the Third Great Ninja War, Minato had been an outstanding student, first in both theoretical and practical exams—a civilian ninja who’d risen to legendary heights. His brilliance had earned him the honor of becoming Jiraiya’s disciple.

And Minato had lived up to every expectation, turning the tide of the war and securing victory for Konoha.

Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh.

That radiant vitality, that unstoppable growth—he could still see it clearly in his mind’s eye.

“I hope Naruto can become the next Minato.”

Hiruzen murmured, regaining his composure.

—

Meanwhile, Kitazawa followed Haru through the hallways, heading toward the village’s hidden Ninjutsu archives.

“The scrolls on this shelf contain only B-rank Wind Release jutsu,” Haru explained, gesturing toward a nearby bookshelf. “You’re allowed to take one scroll. But remember—don’t go poking around the other shelves.”

“Understood.”

Kitazawa gave a short nod and stepped closer to examine the scrolls.

His eyes quickly zeroed in on Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet.

Still, he didn’t grab it right away. Instead, he lingered, pretending to browse for several minutes before finally picking it up.

“Once you bring it back, memorize everything inside,” Haru reminded him. “I’ll come collect the scroll from you in a week.”

“Got it.”

Kitazawa tucked the scroll safely away and headed back to the Ninja Academy.

For the students, the mock exam was officially over.

But for a teacher like him, work never really ended.

After lunch, the staff gathered in the faculty room for another meeting.

The moment Kitazawa entered, dozens of eyes turned toward him.

Not surprising—after all, he’d just been summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.

“Kitazawa-senpai!”

Iruka waved energetically, grinning ear to ear.

Since he co-taught Class 1-A, he was just as thrilled about the class’s success.

Only Mizuki, standing beside him, wore an expression that shifted faster than a mask in a kabuki play.

“Kitazawa, congratulations,” Mizuki finally managed, forcing a smile onto his face.

“Thanks,” Kitazawa replied casually, sliding into his seat.

“So… what was it like meeting Hokage-sama?” Iruka asked, a note of envy in his voice.

“It was nothing special,” Kitazawa said with a faint shrug. “It’s not my first time seeing Hokage-sama, after all.”

Showing off without looking like you’re showing off—that was the deadliest kind of flex.

Iruka immediately fell silent, choking on his own curiosity.

Meanwhile, Mizuki clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles whitened.

If it weren’t for the setting, he’d have liked nothing better than to deck Kitazawa right there and then.

After all, in the original timeline, Mizuki was the sort of guy who’d kill an injured comrade just to complete a mission.

“What did Hokage-sama say?” Iruka pressed on, curiosity getting the better of him.

“He praised the achievements of Class 1-A,” Kitazawa replied. A small pause, then he added, “And he gave me a B-rank Wind Release jutsu as a reward.”

“B-rank?!”

Iruka nearly fell off his chair, eyes wide. “Hokage-sama really is generous!”

“If you keep working hard, you could earn a reward like that too,” Kitazawa said, giving Iruka’s shoulder an encouraging pat.

“I’ll work even harder!” Iruka declared, practically trembling with determination.

Mizuki glared at them both, grinding his teeth so hard they might’ve cracked.

He’d trained a student who’d scored perfectly—and yet the Hokage had given him nothing! How was that fair? How was that generosity? The Hokage was clearly playing favorites!

Before Mizuki could voice more of his bitterness, Hisao Sarutobi entered the room.

The first thing he did was pass out a stack of papers—the ranking list for the entire grade.

Kitazawa skimmed it.

As expected, the top ten students in the whole year were all from Class 1-A.

No surprise there. When the classes were first assigned, the brightest and most promising kids had all been placed in Class A.

“Now, I’ll announce the outstanding student representative for this monthly exam,” Hisao Sarutobi said, pausing for effect. “Hyuga Hinata.”

Mizuki’s grin froze on his face.

When he heard the first two syllables, his chest swelled with triumph—but the last two syllables slammed him into an emotional ice bath.

“Why isn’t it Hyuga Neji?” Mizuki demanded, springing to his feet, voice shaking with disbelief.

“That decision came directly from Hokage-sama,” Hisao said evenly, his expression unreadable.

“But—” Mizuki sputtered, unable to hold back the frustration boiling inside him.

Kitazawa had stolen the spotlight on nearly every front.

First, Kitazawa outperformed him in developing lesson plans and capturing the Hokage’s attention.

Second, Kitazawa got personally summoned by the Hokage.

And now, the title of outstanding student representative—a title Mizuki had practically banked on going to Hyuga Neji—had been snatched away by Hyuga Hinata.

Three losses in a single month.

Mizuki clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.

What was even the point of his life anymore?

——————————-

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