"Kitazawa, from now on, Second Year Class A will be your responsibility, with Terai and Yamada Yu assisting you," Hiruzen said. "You can decide the specific curriculum."
Yamada Yu had originally been the assisting teacher of Second Year Class A. Most classes had two or three instructors. Previously, Mizuki and Yamada Yu had overseen the class.
"Understood," Kitazawa replied, collecting his thoughts.
"Terai is a ninja from Root," Hiruzen added after a pause. "He must not be involved in critical lessons—especially those concerning the Will of Fire."
He didn't want Danzo's ideology seeping into the Academy.
"I understand," Kitazawa nodded. "I'll personally handle any lessons related to the Will of Fire."
"Very good," Hiruzen said with a satisfied smile. "With you teaching, I feel more at ease."
"Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave."
Kitazawa bowed slightly and exited the office.
Standing at the entrance of the Hokage Building, he let out a breath.
"Danzo really squeezes into every crack he finds," he muttered.
He had no love for Danzo in his previous life—and experiencing the man's machinations firsthand only deepened that dislike.
Fortunately, Kitazawa wasn't without allies. Besides Hiruzen, there was also Tsunade. With their protection, he was safe—at least for now.
Still, Kitazawa couldn't help but think: Could Tsunade be the one to finally bring Danzo down?
He couldn't rely on Hiruzen. As long as Danzo didn't openly betray the village, the old Hokage would never punish him. Danzo was, after all, Hiruzen's shadow—his necessary evil.
The only one who could confront him head-on was Tsunade.
Kitazawa's first idea was to expose the Wood Release experiments. But the issue was his own credibility—how would he even know such things? He had no way to justify the knowledge.
Then a name flashed in his mind: Yamato.
He was the sole known survivor of those twisted experiments.
If Kitazawa could find a way to involve Yamato, he might have a chance.
But no matter the method, the risk was enormous. One wrong step and everything could fall apart.
For now, the best course was to grow stronger.
His thoughts drifted back to the mission from his system.
As a teacher, he couldn't just barge into class shouting, "Neji, come out! Let's have a fight."
Thankfully, as homeroom teacher, he could schedule a practical combat session—and create the opportunity naturally.
What excited him most was the reward: a 10% increase in Byakugan purity.
In the original series, the Byakugan came in two tiers.
One belonged to the Hyuga Clan—like Hiashi Hyuga.
The other was wielded by the Ōtsutsuki—like Kaguya.
Although they looked the same on the surface, their power levels were vastly different.
The Byakugan Kitazawa currently had came from the Hyuga line.
But this mission reward hinted that his dojutsu could evolve—eventually reaching Ōtsutsuki-level purity.
Back at Kurenai's home…
"You're back? What did the Old man want?" Tsunade asked, lifting her head from the couch.
"He assigned me as the homeroom teacher of Second Year Class A," Kitazawa replied. He paused, then added honestly, "And tasked me with keeping an eye on Terai."
"Why him?" Tsunade asked, frowning slightly.
"He's from Root," Kitazawa explained. "I suspect Danzo has his eyes on Yakumo."
Tsunade's expression darkened instantly. "He wouldn't dare. Not while I'm here."
Her outrage came not only from her dislike of Danzo—but also because Yakumo Kurama was her patient.
Kitazawa felt a little more reassured. With Tsunade watching over them, Yakumo—and he himself—was better protected.
"If Danzo makes a move, tell me immediately," Tsunade ordered. "Konoha isn't his playground."
"Lady Tsunade, you're truly fearless," Kitazawa said with a grin.
"And you've got guts, kid," she replied, tilting her head. "Most shinobi tremble just hearing Danzo's name."
"That's because you're standing behind me," he said sincerely.
"Flatterer," Tsunade said, propping her foot on the coffee table. "Now go. I've got new ninjutsu to finish."
"Understood, Lady Tsunade."
Kitazawa returned to his room upstairs. Danzo and Root were distant threats. For now, he had to finish those medical texts. Becoming Tsunade's student was his best insurance.
—
The next morning marked the final week of June.
Iruka stretched, satisfied with the thirty test questions he had spent the weekend preparing.
Each one had taken thought and care.
"Wonder how many will be selected," he murmured, gathering the papers.
After breakfast, he walked to Mizuki's house.
"Mizuki, you home?" Iruka knocked and called out.
The door opened—but it wasn't Mizuki who answered.
"Iruka, good morning," greeted a gentle voice.
Tsubaki stood there, short-haired and soft-spoken.
"Still no sign of him?" Iruka asked.
Tsubaki's face clouded. "No. He left Saturday morning and hasn't returned."
"Could just be a long mission," Iruka reassured her. "Sometimes they run a week or more."
"I hope that's all it is," she said quietly. "Please let me know if you hear anything."
"Of course."
As Iruka walked away, he sighed.
"When will I get a beautiful, gentle girlfriend like that?"
With a shake of his head, he headed for the Ninja Academy.
As soon as Iruka stepped into the main office, he paused mid-step.
"Did Mizuki-senpai really do something like that?"
"He must have lost his mind to envy someone as good as Kitazawa-senpai!"
"Seriously—he's always treated us so well."
Iruka instinctively glanced toward the source of the voices.
Three teachers were chatting among themselves. All of them taught first-year students, though none were from Class A.
"What are you talking about?"
Iruka approached them, unable to hold back his curiosity. "What happened between Mizuki and Kitazawa-senpai?"
"The notice just came out," one of the older teachers said, handing him a paper. "Read for yourself."
Iruka took it without thinking.
Just a few seconds in, his expression changed to one of disbelief.
The notice had two main points.
First, Mizuki had attempted to attack Kitazawa out of jealousy and was killed in self-defense.
Second, Kitazawa had been temporarily appointed as the homeroom teacher of Second-Year Class A.
"This… how can this be?"
Iruka's hand trembled as he held the notice.
He had known Mizuki didn't get along with Kitazawa but never imagined it would escalate to this level.
"You think you know someone…" the middle-aged teacher beside him muttered. "I remember you and Mizuki were close. At least now you can see his true nature."
"I…"
Iruka opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.
The notice had come from Principal Hiruzen Sarutobi himself.
If the Hokage had signed off on it, then the contents had to be true.
Mizuki was dead. And he had, indeed, committed a serious offense against the village.
"How am I supposed to explain this to Tsubaki…?"
Iruka felt a deep, unexpected weight settle in his chest.
—
Meanwhile, Kitazawa arrived at the main office.
The moment he walked in, he felt it—an unnatural chill in the air.
His gaze swept the room and landed on Terai.
There was no mistaking it. That eerie stillness… that cold, inhuman aura.
All Root members gave off the same stifling presence—emotionless and silent, like corpses trained to obey.
It was a result of Danzo's brainwashing.
Once indoctrinated into Root, shinobi were stripped of clan loyalty, emotions, and even their identity as members of Konoha.
Only one thing remained: loyalty to Danzo.
Terai's mere presence in the office had transformed the atmosphere into something frigid and tense.
He was like a slab of ice in human form.
"Kitazawa-senpai!"
Yamada Yu's face lit up the moment he saw him, as if salvation had arrived.
"We'll hold a short meeting in my office," Kitazawa said calmly. "Mizuki's old one."
Now responsible for two classes, Kitazawa had two separate offices.
"Got it!" Yamada all but sprinted away, eager to escape the icy pressure Terai radiated.
"Terai, hello," Kitazawa said as he approached. "I'm Kitazawa."
"Hello," Terai responded with a monotone voice devoid of warmth or emotion.
"Follow me. We're having a meeting."
Kitazawa turned and left the room without waiting for a reply.
Terai followed silently, saying nothing.
Inside Mizuki's former office, Yamada was already waiting.
"This will be a quick meeting," Kitazawa said, taking a seat. "We're going to reassign class schedules."
He handed them each a new timetable.
Yamada looked his over—and was surprised.
His workload had nearly doubled, almost matching Mizuki's original schedule.
Kitazawa, on the other hand, only had two classes: 'Will of Fire' and Ninjutsu—specifically the Three Basic Jutsu.
As for Terai…
He too had two classes—flower arrangement and astronomy.
Yamada nearly burst out laughing.
Terai looked like a stone-faced elite shinobi, yet his assignments were the gentlest in the entire academy.
Was this some kind of prank?
He couldn't help but glance at Terai.
Unsurprisingly, the man remained emotionless, not even blinking at the odd pairing.
Was this guy even human?
Yamada had never seen a ninja quite like him.
"What do you two think?" Kitazawa asked. "Any issues with the new schedule?"
"Nope," Yamada Yu replied instantly.
Even with more classes, he saw an opportunity.
Since Kitazawa's notice stated he was only temporarily overseeing Second-Year Class A, once he stepped away, someone would need to take his place.
And Yamada planned to be first in line.
"No," Terai said, just as flatly.
"Good. Then we'll begin with this schedule starting today," Kitazawa said as he stood. "If anything comes up, find me in my first-floor office."
"Understood," Yamada said, catching the hint—Kitazawa's focus remained with First-Year Class A.
Once he left, the tension in the room immediately returned.
"I'm Yamada Yu, pleased to—"
But before he could finish introducing himself, Terai turned and walked out.
Yamada froze.
What's wrong with this guy?
No manners whatsoever.
—
Back in the First-Year wing, Kitazawa returned to his office.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata approached him, worry etched on her face. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he replied with a slight pause.
He figured she must've heard about Mizuki's failed assassination attempt.
The news had spread quickly, especially with the official notice from Hiruzen.
"I… I can ask my father to send someone to protect you," she said hesitantly.
"It's not that serious."
He flicked her forehead gently, smirking.
Hinata had no idea how dangerous that offer sounded.
She was a Hyuga heiress, naturally surrounded by protection.
But Kitazawa? He was just a regular academy instructor.
"But—"
Hinata started to speak again, only to be silenced by Kitazawa's mild glare.
She pouted but obeyed.
"Alright, it's time for breakfast."
He ruffled her hair with a chuckle.
"Okay!" she beamed, mood restored instantly.
After breakfast, they entered the First-Year Class A classroom.
"Kitazawa-sensei, are you okay?"
"That Mizuki guy dared to lay a hand on you? He's scum!"
"Say the word, and we'll go teach those second-year students a lesson!"
The classroom erupted the moment Kitazawa arrived.
"What nonsense are you spewing?" he said, half amused, half exasperated.
"Mizuki is Mizuki. Second-Year Class A is Second-Year Class A. Don't confuse the two."
He was genuinely worried they might actually go pick a fight.
If the Hokage caught wind of that, he'd get an earful.
"I'm now the homeroom teacher for Second-Year Class A too. That makes us all part of the same team."
With that, he added, "Let's begin class."
After the first period, he hurried over to the second-year classroom.
"Did you hear?"
"About Mizuki-sensei?"
"What an idiot…"
"Maybe it's a good thing—Kitazawa-sensei is replacing him!"
"You mean the first-year teacher?"
"I heard he's insanely strong!"
"If he wasn't, how else could First-Year Class A beat us?"
Neji sat silently, frowning slightly as he listened to the chatter.
He didn't have a strong opinion on Kitazawa, but it did feel… odd.
Hinata's teacher, now theirs?
"Not long ago he was our rival," Tenten mused, resting her chin on her hand. "Now he's our homeroom teacher. Life's full of surprises."
"Naruto talks about him all the time," Rock Lee added eagerly. "They say he's the best teacher in the whole academy!"
He brightened. "Do you think we'll get to train with First-Year Class A?"
He was dying to join one of Naruto's special sessions.
"Possibly," Tenten replied, then gave Neji a knowing glance.
------------------------
AN : To keep the chapters coming - Support with POWER STONES.
For Every 100 power stones - 1 BONUS chapter.
For Every 10 5-star reviews - 2 BONUS Chapters.
For getting to Top 10 Power ranking- 3 Extra chapters.
AN: Check out my P@treon For extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
www.p@treon.com/noviceauthor777