"Naruto."
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked kindly, "Today was your first day of school. How was it?"
"Great!"
Naruto shouted excitedly. "Especially Kitazawa-sensei, he's super awesome!"
After speaking, he held up the snack pack in his hand and shook it triumphantly.
"Did you buy those snacks?"
Seeing the boy so happy, Hiruzen asked with a smile.
"This is a reward from Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto opened the bag and let out a small gasp.
The variety of snacks inside exceeded his imagination: lollipops, chocolate, sandwich cookies, potato chips, and more.
Hiruzen glanced at the contents and nodded involuntarily.
Kitazawa-sensei is a good man. Trustworthy.
Hiruzen recalled that Kitazawa had helped Naruto out of difficult situations multiple times today alone.
Privately, he decided that this year's "Outstanding Teacher" award would likely go to Kitazawa again.
Although some might suspect favoritism, he was the Hokage. No one dared to question his judgment.
"Here, this is for you, Grandpa Third."
Naruto pulled out a lollipop and offered it.
"I'm past the age for snacks."
Hiruzen patted the boy's head gently. "You eat it."
Naruto hesitated for a moment, then put the lollipop back.
"Aside from the teacher, how are your classmates? Did you make any friends?"
Hiruzen opened the door, and he and Naruto walked into the living room.
"I think Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Ino are all nice to me," Naruto said, scratching his head. "But I don't know if we count as friends yet."
"If you aren't now, you will be later."
Hiruzen wasn't surprised.
All the classmates Naruto mentioned were from prominent ninja clans. They knew the truth behind the "monster" rumors—or at least, their parents did.
Furthermore, their parents had either fought alongside Minato Namikaze or received help from him.
"Awesome!"
Naruto cheered. "I, Naruto Uzumaki, am finally going to make friends!"
A sudden pang of shame struck Hiruzen.
The treatment Naruto endured was too cruel for a child.
But... it was a necessary sacrifice.
The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was Konoha's most important trump card. He had to be handled with extreme caution.
"Grandpa Third."
Naruto sat on the sofa, took a bite of a sandwich cookie, and asked, "Do you know about the Fourth Hokage?"
"Why do you suddenly ask about the Fourth?"
Hiruzen's gaze sharpened instantly.
"It's like this," Naruto explained. "Kitazawa-sensei said that to get everyone's acknowledgment, I need to learn from the Hokage."
"Then why don't you ask me?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "You know, many people consider me the strongest Hokage."
"I plan to learn from all four Hokage. That way, I can definitely surpass all of them!"
Naruto grinned widely. "Grandpa Third, aren't I super smart?"
Hiruzen froze for a second, then burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?"
Naruto asked, confused. "Is there something wrong with that idea?"
"No problem at all."
Hiruzen stroked his white goatee. "If you can truly combine the strengths of all four Hokage, then you really would surpass all of us."
"That's amazing!"
Naruto beamed.
Hiruzen didn't speak further, just smiled, unwilling to dampen the boy's enthusiasm.
Combine the powers of four Hokage? Even I couldn't do that, let alone Naruto.
To be accurate, in the entire history of the ninja world, such a ninja simply couldn't exist.
"The Fourth Hokage's name was Minato Namikaze."
A look of nostalgia appeared on Hiruzen's face. "He was flawless. Gentle, elegant, powerful. He was known as the 'Yellow Flash'."
"Why was he called the Yellow Flash?"
Naruto asked curiously.
"His hair was golden, just like yours," Hiruzen said slowly. "Combined with the fastest speed in the ninja world, that is how he earned the title."
"How fast?"
"Faster than light."
Hiruzen mused for a moment. "Enemies were often defeated before they even saw his face."
"So cool!"
Naruto was stunned. "I want to become a ninja that fast too!"
"There will be a chance," Hiruzen said with a smile.
"Then how..."
Naruto suddenly thought of something, a hesitant look crossing his face.
"What is it?"
Hiruzen's tone cooled slightly. "Ask whatever you want."
"If he was really that strong... how did he die?"
Naruto asked the question that haunted the legend.
Hiruzen's smile froze instantly.
His memories were dragged back to that chaotic night, the night of the Nine-Tails.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hinata."
After all the students had left, Kitazawa walked up to Hinata Hyūga.
"I didn't wait too long," Hinata whispered.
"Good job."
Kitazawa pulled out two large bags of snacks.
"I... I already have a pack," Hinata said, shaking her head quickly.
"One pack definitely isn't enough."
Kitazawa recalled the scene from the original story where Hinata ate forty-six bowls of ramen in one sitting.
"It's enough for me," Hinata said, her cheeks flushing red.
"No, it's not."
Kitazawa pressed the two bags into her hands. "Don't be polite with me."
"Thank... thank you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata held the snacks, looking at Kitazawa. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, making her look like a flustered little white rabbit.
"Alright, back to business."
Kitazawa couldn't resist reaching out to pat her head. "I've already found those three boys you mentioned."
Hinata's body trembled. The memories of the bullying flooded back, filling her eyes with fear.
"Hinata."
Kitazawa's voice turned serious. "I've arranged for them to meet after school tomorrow. When the time comes, I'll help you teach them a lesson they won't forget."
"Mm."
Hinata met his gaze, and her heart instantly calmed down.
"See you tomorrow."
Kitazawa stopped walking.
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei."
A trace of reluctance flashed in Hinata's heart.
She clutched the snacks and turned to leave the school grounds.
After walking a few steps, she looked back at Kitazawa, only to find him still standing there, seemingly waiting for someone.
Hinata withdrew her gaze. Her eyes fell on the snacks in her arms, and a small, unconscious smile bloomed on her face.
"Lady Hinata."
A voice suddenly spoke from the shadows.
A young man with Byakugan eyes appeared before her.
"Tokuma."
Hinata immediately put away her smile, assuming the dignified posture Hiashi had drilled into her.
As a member of the Main House, she had exclusive Branch House guards assigned to her.
Shortly after they left, Kurenai Yūhi's figure appeared in Kitazawa's line of sight.
"It wasn't until I became a teacher myself that I realized just how amazing you are," Kurenai sighed as she approached.
"This is my exclusive experience, you know."
Kitazawa handed her a scroll with a smile.