Kitazawa returned to his office.
After sitting down, he took out the First-Year Class A timetable.
As the homeroom teacher, the number of classes he taught was fewer than Umino Iruka's, but every single one of them was crucial.
Three subjects in total: Will of Fire, Konoha History, and Practical Combat Training.
Among them, practical combat training had the most sessions.
A ninja could lack education—but never strength.
The practical training class mainly covered the Three Basic Techniques, standard ninja tool usage, trap identification, and trap setting.
Time passed slowly, and soon it was the final class of the day—the practical lesson.
Much like students in his previous life, there were eight classes a day: four in the morning, four in the afternoon, each lasting forty-five minutes.
"This class is practical training,"Kitazawa said as he stood at the classroom door."Everyone, follow me to the training field."
"Kitazawa-sensei, are we learning ninjutsu today?"Uzumaki Naruto's eyes lit up as he asked eagerly.
Most of the students didn't ask, but anticipation was clearly written on their faces.
Only students from ninja clans—like Uchiha Sasuke and Nara Shikamaru—remained calm.
They already had family techniques.
While civilian students were still struggling with the Three Basic Techniques, these clan heirs had already learned Fire Release, Gentle Fist, or secret techniques.
And those kinds of techniques weren't something Academy teachers could teach even if they wanted to.
Their reason for enrolling was simple: build connections and expand knowledge.
Uzumaki Naruto was an exception.
Despite being the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and the son of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, no one had ever taught him properly.
"You haven't fully mastered chakra extraction yet, so we won't be learning ninjutsu today,"Kitazawa said, meeting their gazes."This class will focus on kunai throwing."
"Ninja tools aren't bad either,"Naruto said, a little disappointed—but not much.
For a ninja, both ninjutsu and ninja tools were essential and frequently used.
"Boring,"Uchiha Sasuke muttered, shaking his head.
When it came to ninja tool usage, few in Konoha could rival the Uchiha clan.
They possessed the Sharingan, a bloodline limit with powerful abilities such as perception, hypnosis, and copying.
They had accumulated massive advantages in weapon usage—and even created many techniques.
For example, the Manipulated Shuriken Technique.
The group arrived at the training field.
"Before we start class, I have one more announcement,"Kitazawa clapped his hands."We're going to choose a class representative."
"I want to be class rep!"Naruto snapped to attention immediately.
"Me too!"Many others chimed in.
Even Sasuke showed some interest.
If he became class representative, maybe he'd finally receive the praise he'd been longing for.
"Do you know what a class representative actually does?"Kitazawa asked with a smile.
"Manage the whole class!""I think it's like the Hokage—I hereby dub it Class-kage!""The Class-kage is mine!"
All sorts of chaotic answers followed.
"The class representative's main role is to assist the teacher and help classmates,"Kitazawa said, the corner of his mouth twitching."For example, passing on instructions and collecting homework."
He subconsciously glanced at the boy who had said Class-kage.
Is this kid some kind of prodigy?
"Waste of time,"Sasuke scoffed.
He, an Uchiha, serving ordinary students?
Forget praise—his father would probably spin him like a top.
"Too troublesome,"Shikamaru muttered.
In an instant, most students lost interest.
"Anyone who still wants to be class representative, please raise your hand,"Kitazawa said with a smile, seeing his goal achieved.
Naruto raised his hand first.
Besides him, there were three others.
"Very good,"Kitazawa nodded."From today on, you four are vice class representatives."
"Vice class representatives?"Naruto scratched his head in confusion."Then who's the class rep?"
"I am,"Kitazawa replied calmly."During this semester, I'll observe you. Next semester, the most outstanding among you will inherit my position."
[Current Mission: Become the class representative of First-Year Class A.][Mission Reward: Water Attribute.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Issued.]
Seeing the notification appear before his eyes, Kitazawa felt a surge of joy.
This idiot system really was easy to fool.
Water Attribute—secured.
"Alright, let's begin the lesson,"Kitazawa said, taking out a summoning storage scroll and placing it on the ground.
He formed hand seals.
With a bang, smoke erupted, and numerous wooden stakes and kunai appeared.
"Vice class representatives,"Kitazawa instructed,"Two of you set up the stakes. The other two distribute the kunai."
"Yes!"Naruto replied enthusiastically.
In his mind, becoming class representative was another step toward his dream—earning everyone's recognition.
"Practical training begins now,"Kitazawa said after spending fifteen minutes explaining kunai throwing techniques."Your goal is to hit the fixed wooden targets."
Thunk!
Uchiha Sasuke flicked his wrist.
Using a technique that looked suspiciously like gun-fu, the kunai curved midair and struck the bullseye perfectly.
"Wow!"
Led by Haruno Sakura, excited cheers erupted among the girls.
Show-off.
Kitazawa could practically smell the flexing.
This Sasuke mission really was troublesome.
"I can do it too!"Naruto shouted, unable to stand Sasuke's smugness."I'm throwing now!"
He gripped a kunai and hurled it with all his strength.
"Huh?! I hit it!"Naruto looked over, stunned, then burst into excitement.
"Naruto… that's my target,"Shikamaru sighed helplessly.
Naruto froze completely.
"Mistakes happen. Don't be discouraged—just keep practicing,"Kitazawa said, then smiled."Anyone who hits the bullseye will receive a snack gift pack."
"Snacks?"Akimichi Choji's eyes widened like bells.
"Yay!"
The students erupted in cheers.
Even though kids in the ninja world matured early, they were still kids—snacks were irresistible.
"Childish,"Sasuke snorted.
He wasn't a three-year-old anymore—he was almost six!
Fueled by snacks, the class became lively, everyone brimming with motivation.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
The moment the bell rang, Choji charged forward, claiming first place and proving what it meant to be a nimble fatty.
"Hinata, don't leave yet—wait for me,"Kitazawa called out when it was her turn.
"Ah… okay,"Hinata replied.
Feeling everyone's eyes on her, her face flushed.
She took the snacks, immediately lowered her head, clutched the hem of her clothes, and stood awkwardly in place.
"Naruto, this one's for you."
After everyone else had left, Kitazawa tossed a snack pack to Naruto.
"I can't take it,"Naruto said, shaking his head."I didn't hit the bullseye."
In the original story, Naruto's Academy grades were terrible—he was the infamous dead last.
How should one put it?
Naruto was a pure stats monster—no finesse, just overwhelming force.
And of course, the Nine-Tails' interference didn't help.
In reality, Naruto was a once-in-a-generation genius.
"It's just a matter of time,"Kitazawa said with a smile."Your teacher believes you can definitely do it."
"I…"Naruto felt warmth spreading through his body.
Holding the snacks, he didn't know what to say.
"Go back and rest well. See you tomorrow,"Kitazawa said, patting his shoulder.
"Yeah!"Naruto turned and headed out of the Academy.
When he got home, he saw a familiar figure waiting.
"Third Grandpa!"
Naruto's face lit up with surprise.