At Ichiraku Ramen—
"Thanks for the meal, Kiba. I'm full,"
Naruto Uzumaki patted his belly with a satisfied expression.
"Next time it's your treat. Make sure you've got money ready."
Inuzuka Kiba nudged him with his elbow.
"Don't worry, I've got plenty of money."
Naruto replied carelessly.
Kiba paused for a moment. Naruto didn't talk back—he wasn't used to that.
"See you tomorrow, Naruto."
Kiba grinned and waved.
The two parted ways in front of Ichiraku.
Only after Kiba was out of sight did Naruto withdraw his gaze, still smiling as he headed home. A few minutes later, he opened his door, stepped inside, and soon found the green jumpsuit. He took off his clothes and changed into the green suit, preparing to head out to find Might Guy.
Just then, a familiar voice that made him pleasantly surprised rang out.
"Just got out of school and already heading out, Naruto?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Naruto in the green jumpsuit; the corner of his mouth twitched, but as the Hokage, his expression remained composed.
"Grandpa Third!"
Naruto's face lit up with joy.
"Have you eaten dinner?"
Hiruzen glanced around—not seeing Naruto's beloved instant noodles.
"Yeah! Kiba treated me to Ichiraku Ramen,"
Naruto beamed proudly.
"Oh? And why did he treat you?"
Hiruzen sat down and asked.
"I got 6th place in the monthly exam—one place higher than Kiba!"
Naruto pulled out his grade sheet, excited. "Look, Grandpa Third!"
"Congratulations. Your hard work has paid off."
Hiruzen looked at the grade sheet, surprised, yet found it reasonable.
In the past month, he knew exactly what Naruto had been doing.
"Mm!"
Naruto nodded vigorously. "Kitazawa-sensei helped me a lot!"
"You should properly thank Kitazawa."
Hiruzen chuckled.
Without those semi-cheating homework assignments Kitazawa made for him, Naruto wouldn't have gotten 6th place.
"I know!"
Naruto happily added, "Kitazawa-sensei also taught me the Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Kitazawa has a keen eye."
Hiruzen sighed emotionally.
Even he hadn't expected Naruto to be that suited for the Shadow Clone Jutsu, yet Kitazawa saw it immediately.
A pity his strength was still a bit lacking. Otherwise, he could have been Naruto's squad leader in the future.
"I heard your class is having a friendly match with Class 2-A?"
Hiruzen shifted the topic.
"It's next week."
Naruto replied.
"Class 2-A's students are the elites of the second-years. Do you have confidence?"
Hiruzen asked.
"I do!"
Naruto clenched his fist. "I'll beat those elites!"
"A one-year gap isn't easy to overcome."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"We have Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto said confidently. "We'll definitely win!"
Hiruzen's expression became thoughtful.
It seemed Naruto had great faith in Kitazawa.
Thinking about it, it was normal—Naruto had never had such a dedicated teacher:
Tutoring him outside class, and even teaching him ninjutsu.
"The result isn't what matters. What matters is that you don't have regrets."
Hiruzen said. "Just do your best."
Although Kitazawa taught well, to Hiruzen, expecting first-years with only two months of schooling to defeat second-years with a full year of training was far-fetched.
"I will!"
Naruto nodded.
"Do you want to continue listening to stories about the Fourth Hokage today?"
Hiruzen asked proactively.
"Next time…"
Naruto looked conflicted. "I promised Guy-sensei yesterday that I'd train with him today."
"If you've promised, you should follow through."
Hiruzen patted his head. "I'll tell you next time."
"I'm going now, Grandpa Third!"
Naruto dashed out without hesitation.
"This kid… not even closing the door. So impatient—nothing like Minato."
Hiruzen closed the door, pondered for a moment, then left.
Not long after, he arrived at Kitazawa's home.
Just as he was about to knock, he sensed a surge of strong chakra.
Hiruzen let out a soft "Oh?" and walked to the back of the house.
There he saw Kitazawa practicing ninjutsu—
Hiruzen recognized it at a glance: Fire Style: Majestic Dragon Flame Jutsu.
"Hokage-sama?"
Kitazawa noticed him and quickly approached.
"How long have you been practicing the Majestic Dragon Flame?"
Hiruzen asked with curiosity.
"A week and a half."
Kitazawa answered honestly.
"To learn the Majestic Dragon Flame in just a week and a half… your Fire Style talent is impressive."
Hiruzen said with some amazement.
He originally thought Kitazawa was just an average Chūnin.
But judging from this ninjutsu, he was far from ordinary—at least an elite Chūnin level.
"You flatter me, Hokage-sama."
Kitazawa shook his head.
"No need to be modest. I'm still the Hokage—my eyes aren't that bad."
Hiruzen thought for a moment, then said, "In a few days, I'll be holding a Special Jōnin evaluation. I'll put your name in."
A Special Jōnin refers to a ninja recognized for outstanding ability in a specific field—like education, research, interrogation, or assassination.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Kitazawa said gratefully.
He didn't mind becoming a Special Jōnin.
With it, he could take on higher-rank missions, and as a teacher, his salary and benefits would improve.
"It's nothing. I'm only submitting your name."
Hiruzen smiled. "Whether you pass depends on your own ability."
According to Konoha's rules, each rank—Genin, Chūnin, Special Jōnin, Jōnin—requires an assessment to advance.
Holding a special assessment for just one person was the Hokage's privilege.
This was clearly for Naruto's sake.
[Your strength has attracted the attention of Principal Hiruzen Sarutobi. He has opened a Special Jōnin exam for you.]
[Current Mission: Pass the Special Jōnin Assessment.]
[Reward: Master-level Chakra Shape Transformation]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa blinked in surprise.
A bonus reward?
Master-level Chakra Shape Transformation?
Was this telling him to go learn the Rasengan?
Of course, not just Rasengan—almost all ninjutsu involves chakra shape transformation.
"I will do my best."
Kitazawa nodded.
"Your class's match with Class 2-A next week—what do you think your chances are?"
Hiruzen asked.
"About fifty-fifty."
Kitazawa said after thinking, modestly.
"You're confident, I see."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow with a smile.
"Is Hokage-sama free next Friday?"
Kitazawa thought of the bold words he bragged to Mizuki earlier. "I'd like to invite you to be the referee for the match."
"Alright."
Hiruzen agreed without hesitation.
"I want to see how you plan to defeat Class 2-A."