Fueled by Kitazawa's promised reward, Naruto Uzumaki returned home and immediately began tackling the exercises.
But soon, a mask of agony covered his face.
A person can do many things in anger—but solving math problems isn't one of them.
Naruto scratched his head, puzzled. Why did ninja have to learn so much knowledge? Shouldn't defeating the enemy be enough?
"Naruto," Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly entered.
"Third Hokage!"
Naruto's face lit up with excitement. "You came?"
"I just finished work and came to check on you," Hiruzen replied, glancing at the scroll. "Are you doing your homework?"
"Yes,"
Naruto explained. "Kitazawa-sensei assigned it. He wants me to break into the top ten in the next monthly exam."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly. Kitazawa was attentive, arranging everything quickly after their recent discussion.
"How's Kakashi after spending two days with him?"
Hiruzen shifted the topic.
"Very impressive," Naruto said, giving a thumbs-up. "He knows everything!"
"If you like him, I could have him as your teacher," Hiruzen teased.
"Eh?"
Naruto frowned, thinking for a moment before saying, "I still prefer Kitazawa-sensei."
"You misunderstand. I don't mean for him to be your ninja school teacher, but your mentor after graduation," Hiruzen clarified. "Once you become a full-fledged ninja, you'll be assigned a four-person squad."
"Kitazawa-sensei can't be my post-graduation teacher?"
Naruto sensed trouble.
"No," Hiruzen shook his head. He had not said that Kitazawa's strength was insufficient to lead a team.
"I see," Naruto said regretfully. "Then it will be Kakashi-sensei."
Hiruzen stifled a laugh. In Konoha, no one would compare Kitazawa to Kakashi—one was an ordinary middle-level ninja teacher; the other, a prodigy, became an elite jonin at twelve.
"What jutsu did Kakashi teach you?"
Hiruzen asked curiously.
"I'll demonstrate!"
Naruto perked up, eager to impress.
"Really?"
Hiruzen was skeptical. "I'm the Hokage; I've seen plenty of jutsu. It's not easy to surprise me."
The next moment, his body stiffened, and two streams of nosebleed erupted.
Naruto beamed with pride. I'm amazing—I made the Hokage bleed!
"What did Kakashi teach you?!"
Hiruzen covered his nose, furious.
Kitazawa had no idea Kakashi had taken the blame for him.
Kitazawa returned home with Hinata Hyūga, accompanied by her silent protector, Hyūga Tokuma, who remained hidden in the shadows.
Kitazawa's freedom in interacting with Hinata was entirely due to Hyūga Hiashi's tacit approval. He had once tried to temper her personality but failed, leading to the birth of Hinata's younger sibling, Hanabi. Now, seeing Hinata's positive changes, Hiashi refrained from interference.
"Hinata," Kitazawa opened the door, smiling. "I want to hire you as a shop assistant for three hours."
"Eh?"
Hinata, curious, froze.
"How about it?"
Kitazawa picked up a price list and asked. His goal was simple: to help Hinata build confidence. Her main issue was shyness, which could be improved through interaction.
"I…"
After a moment of hesitation, Hinata agreed.
"Here's the price list," Kitazawa handed it to her. "I'll show you the products first."
At that moment, four lines appeared before him:
[Your lifelong rival, Naruto Uzumaki, has already found a team mentor; you must not fall behind.]
[Current Task: Before graduation, find a team mentor with rank and skill surpassing Kakashi Hatake.]
[Task Reward: Rewards will depend on the chosen mentor.]
[Accept?]
Information about the rewards flooded Kitazawa's mind.
Studying under Hiruzen Sarutobi would grant the Great Ball Multi-Element Technique.
Tsunade would offer the Yin Seal.
Jiraiya would teach the Giant Rasengan.
Danzo would grant the Four Symbols Sealing.
Kitazawa rubbed his temples helplessly. Is this mission even humanly possible?
According to Konoha rules, students are assigned mentors after graduation, but Kitazawa had already graduated years ago. The system's strict range of options left no room for shortcuts. Hiruzen, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Danzo—each was a hellish challenge.
Kitazawa considered Tsunade the most feasible, provided Kurama Yakumo could cure her blood phobia.
Sighing, he returned to explaining products to Hinata. Once she became familiar, he let her take the counter.
Hinata sat nervously, watching the door. A few minutes later, a young ninja entered.
"W-Welcome!"
Hinata stood quickly.
"Kitazawa-senpai, when did you get such an adorable shop assistant?"
The young ninja asked in surprise.
"This is my student, Hinata Hyūga," Kitazawa introduced.
The young ninja, Kamitsuki Izumo, was famous as one of Konoha's guardians. He had served as a proctor in the Chūnin exams and fought the Akatsuki alongside Asuma Sarutobi.
"Hiring a student?"
Izumo joked. "Hinata, remember to ask for double pay from your teacher."
"Ah? I… I don't want money!"
Hinata blushed, glancing at Kitazawa and shaking her head.
"All right. What would you like to buy today?"
Kitazawa smiled. "I'll give you a ten percent discount."
"Generous of you," Izumo said, eyes lighting up.
"Hinata, record his purchases and calculate the total,"
Kitazawa instructed.
"Yes!"
Though flustered, Hinata made no mistakes.
Three hours later, Kitazawa closed the shop.
Hinata exhaled, relieved. As the Hyūga heiress, this experience was unusual but valuable; she had grown more composed through interacting with customers.
Thursday afternoon arrived.
Kitazawa watched Sakura Haruno reach the treetop with ease, surprised. Four days of training and her chakra control was astounding. No wonder she inherited Tsunade's medical ninjutsu and became one of Konoha's new Sannin.
[Current Task: Help Sakura Haruno complete tree-climbing training.]
[Task Reward: Hemostasis.]
[Task Complete: Reward Granted.]
Kitazawa smiled slightly. Hemostasis, essentially free, was a bargain.
Sasuke Uchiha glanced at Sakura, surprised at her speed. Annoying as ever.
He looked at his hand, seeing the leaf he'd been working on for four days—dry and lifeless. This was his progress.
Keep pushing!
Sasuke thought, motivated to surpass his brother, Itachi, with the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
Kitazawa arranged advanced tree-climbing exercises for Sakura, though no new tasks were triggered.
Finally, Friday arrived. The first two periods were replaced with the awards ceremony. Kitazawa entered his office to see a nervous Hinata Hyūga.