Night Maple hadn't expected to be assigned just like that.
Vice principal of the Ninja Academy?
Such a high position?
With Sarutobi Hiruzen speaking up front, Night Maple didn't plan to refuse on the spot—he could just not show up later.
Hiruzen ended with a speech about the Will of Fire.
Roughly: wherever leaves are, fire will burn; the fire's shadow will shine upon the village, and new leaves will sprout.
Meaning the young are the hope of the future, and the older generation must trust and protect them.
The elders' sacrifices aren't meaningless; they inspire the young to become the pillars of tomorrow.
No wonder the Third can reel this off so smoothly—he pulls it out whenever needed.
After the meeting, Hiruzen even patted Night Maple's shoulder. "Do well. I believe in you."
Namikaze Minato came over too. "Night Maple, we're colleagues now."
"I don't think I'm suited to be a principal."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Enough—don't be dense. 'Vice principal' just means teacher, got it?"
"Huh? No way, what a bait-and-switch."
Only after Kushina explained did he learn that at the Academy, the rank above ordinary teacher is 'vice principal.'
There are already more than ten vice principals—basically just senior teachers…
Night Maple had an epiphany—and was speechless.
They want him to be a teacher?
Not interested.
However, just as Night Maple was set on being a salted-fish slacker, Uzumaki Mito asked to speak with him.
In Uzumaki Mito's room.
"Night Maple, what do you think of Kushina?"
The question came out of nowhere and caught Night Maple off guard.
"Granny Mito, Kushina's great—pretty, and…"
Mito waved her hand. "Forget it—let's be frank."
After a pause, she said gravely, "Night Maple, you're the last blood of my Senju clan. If you're willing, you can treat this as your own home—we're your family."
"I've been thinking—could I entrust Kushina to you?"
Night Maple's eyes lit up at once!
He hadn't expected Mito to be so direct.
No beating around the bush. Night Maple nodded hard. "Sure, Granny Mito! I'm willing!"
Mito snorted. "You sleep all day—willing what!"
"Honestly, you can tell Kushina likes you."
"So if you truly can be with her, I'll be the first to approve! I just don't know if you feel the same."
"Of course I do! I like Kushina!" Night Maple said immediately.
He never backed away from an opportunity.
Mito nodded in satisfaction. "If you want to be with Kushina, you can't keep slacking off like this."
"In fact, this round of appointments—I proposed it to the Third."
Night Maple blinked, understanding what she meant.
"Do well, and you'll become Hokage someday."
Suddenly, Night Maple spoke softly. "So, Granny Mito, you mean if I marry Kushina, I can become Hokage?"
Mito gave a slight nod.
Night Maple chuckled. "Granny Mito, is that a dowry?"
"No. You're a Senju to begin with; together with Kushina—when I transfer the Nine-Tails to her in the future—you'll inevitably be Hokage."
"By then, no one will oppose you: you have strength, you're of the Senju, and you've married the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki."
"Understand?"
The corner of Night Maple's mouth quirked up; after a brief ponder he said, "Granny Mito, I don't want to be Hokage."
Mito froze.
Don't tell me he's incurably lazy…
Night Maple continued, "I want to help Kushina become Hokage."
"Her childhood dream was to be Hokage. I've always remembered—and been helping her fulfill it."
That made Mito's eyes light up.
"Truly?"
Mito smiled at once. "You want Kushina to be Konoha's first female Hokage—that's far harder than you becoming Hokage."
"You say you have this goal—then at least show me how you plan to do it."
Just then, Kushina's voice sounded outside.
"Granny Mito, Night Maple—dinner's ready."
Mito smiled. "Let's go."
The simplest way to make a man feel responsible is to build a family—have children.
She believed today's talk would make Night Maple get serious.
In truth, Mito hadn't fully voiced her plans.
Her idea was to marry and have children within a year or two, to continue the Senju bloodline—that would be enough.
Her body could hold out five years, perhaps ten…
…
And so, Night Maple became a vice principal at the Ninja Academy—functionally, an instructor.
Lately, the rule of the Five Great Shinobi Nations had begun to waver; at every country's and village's borders, disputes, frictions, and clashes broke out incessantly.
Konoha's shinobi were taking on missions in great numbers; the village needed waves of new recruits—and seasoned shinobi to guide them.
Thus, Night Maple became an instructor at the Academy.
No sooner had he arrived than he was assigned a task.
"Night Maple, perfect timing—we're sorting classes. Take a graduating team."
[Ding. Based on the host's current situation, three options are offered.]
[Option One: Choose Team Three—teach Might Guy, Ebisu, and Hayate Gekkō. Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu—Eight Gates Formation.]
[Option Two: Choose Team Five—teach Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yūhi, and Raidō Namiashi. Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu—Thousand Hands Kill.]
[Option Three: Choose Team Seven—teach Kakashi Hatake, Obito, and Rin Nohara. Reward: Supreme Grand Gift Pack!]