Naruto: Teaching to Become Stronger, Changing Tragedies 21

Chapter 21: The Third Hokage

2025-01-18

Chapter 21: The Third Hokage

“Please head to the principal’s office as soon as possible.”

“Principal?” Ueda Aya exclaimed softly.

The ninja school didn’t have any particularly impressive teachers; they were mostly ordinary Middle-Ranked Ninja. But the principal of the ninja school was no ordinary person.

The ninja school has only had two principals: the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and the current Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Although he’s the principal, it’s not easy for the teachers to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen. Aside from speaking a few words at the start of the school year, Sarutobi Hiruzen usually doesn’t come to the school; he handles official business at the Hokage building.

This is why Ueda Aya exclaimed. It was extremely rare for Sarutobi Hiruzen to be in the principal’s office and summon a teacher for a private meeting.

“Okay, I’ll go right away.” Miyuki nodded, then apologized to the teachers in the office:

“I’m sorry everyone, I need to go to the principal’s office. I’ll talk about the lesson plan later.”

“Don’t worry about it, Teacher Hayase. Please go quickly, don’t keep the Third Hokage waiting,” Iketani Yu said, his face showing uncontainable envy; his eyes were practically turning into lemons. (An idiom expressing extreme jealousy)

He had taught for several years without receiving such treatment. Let alone being summoned privately, he’d never even entered the principal’s office.

However, Iketani Yu stopped feeling bitter when he considered Miyuki’s teaching level and student performance.

The average scores for other first-year classes were around forty to fifty. Miyuki’s class, however, soared to over seventy, leaving the others in the dust.

Their practical scores were also generally higher, securing the top two spots in the grade. Uchiha Shisui, who took first place, was recognized as a super-genius.

Iketani Yu honestly asked himself, “Could I lead a class like that?” The answer was no.

After speaking, Miyuki turned and headed to the principal’s office.

The principal’s office was on the top floor of their teaching building, the fifth floor; Miyuki and the other teachers’ small office was on the second floor.

Looking at the sign for the principal’s office next to the door, Miyuki knocked.

“Enter.” A dignified middle-aged man’s voice came from inside.

Miyuki opened the door and entered the office.

Miyuki casually glanced around. The office layout was simple: bookshelves and a desk were by the window; a separate table and chairs were near the door.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn’t as old as in the anime’s beginning. His hair and beard were still black, and his face didn’t have many wrinkles. His eyes held a commanding presence, giving him an air of natural authority. Perhaps because he was at the ninja school, he wasn’t wearing his Hokage hat.

“You must be Teacher Hayase. Please have a seat.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t act superior, rising and walking to the table and chairs by the door, smiling as he gestured for Miyuki to sit.

“Third Hokage-sama.” Miyuki said respectfully, sitting down without hesitation.

In his past life, the Third Hokage’s reputation wasn’t good; due to various reasons, many of his actions were seen as schemes.

He didn’t know what kind of person the Third Hokage was in this reality, but as a ninja school teacher, he had to maintain a proper outward appearance. Even if he cursed inwardly, he needed to put on a smile.

“Hayase, you’re a gifted teacher.” Sarutobi Hiruzen praised him cheerfully.

“I’ve heard about your class’s results. Your average theoretical score is twenty or thirty points higher than other classes, and your class took the top two spots in practical exams.”

“The invigilators said that the mastery of basic ninja techniques like Transformation and Shadow Clone techniques is better than in other classes.”

“It’s thanks to the students’ diligence. I only did my best to teach them; the rest is all their hard work.” Miyuki thought for a moment before replying.

He was being humble, but not entirely.

He first acknowledged the students’ efforts, then mentioned his own dedication, highlighting his hard work.

“Doing your best to teach… well said.” Sarutobi Hiruzen was pleased with Miyuki’s answer, exclaiming:

“If the ninja school had more teachers like you who dedicate themselves to educating students, we wouldn’t need to worry about the training of future generations.”

Miyuki didn’t respond, only maintaining a look of attentive listening.

If he agreed, it would imply that the other teachers were incompetent; if he disagreed, it would mean he thought they weren’t diligent.

“Based on Class One’s performance this term, I’ve decided to award you the Outstanding Teacher award for this semester.” Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle.

Miyuki feigned surprise, then expressed gratitude to Sarutobi Hiruzen with a moved expression.

“But, Third Hokage-sama, wouldn’t this be inappropriate? It’s only been a month. I’m afraid that it might damage your reputation,” Miyuki said with a worried expression, concerned about the impact on the Third Hokage’s good name.

“The Outstanding Teacher award is for teachers who perform exceptionally well. If other teachers could lead a class like yours, I would give them the award too,” Sarutobi Hiruzen declared forcefully.

The Third Hokage continued to offer more incentives, saying:

“If you maintain this teaching quality for the next year, I will promote you to Special Upper Ninja and appoint you as the vice-head of the ninja school’s teacher’s group.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Third Hokage-sama. But as a teacher, my responsibility is to educate my students. I will always keep that in mind,” Miyuki said sincerely.

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He inwardly thought, Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen truly were taught by the same master; they both offered promotions to Special Upper Ninja.

However, unfortunately, compared to the position of Special Upper Ninja, Miyuki genuinely hoped his students would improve, because that would allow him to earn a massive amount of ‘gold coins’.

Seeing Miyuki’s sincere emotion, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had seen countless people, believed Miyuki was telling the truth. He admired Miyuki even more.

“Teacher Hayase, I want to discuss some private matters with you. Are you willing to listen?” Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly asked.

Miyuki nodded, pondering what the Third Hokage had in mind.

“I have a younger son, Sarutobi Asma, who just graduated and became a Genin this year. He’s still very inexperienced in many aspects, which worries me. I would like to hire you as a tutor to guide him.” Sarutobi Hiruzen extended the invitation.

Given Miyuki’s demonstrated teaching abilities, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt he could easily handle tutoring Asma, a newly graduated Genin.

This was also a test of Miyuki’s abilities. If he performed well, it would be worth asking Danzo for him.

Both the Outstanding Teacher award and the Special Upper Ninja promotion were ways to improve Miyuki’s favorability, paving the way for future requests.

These were simple matters for Sarutobi Hiruzen, so he was willing to make this move.

“Third Hokage-sama, I need to carefully consider this.” Miyuki thought for a moment before directly accepting.

This was somewhat unexpected to Sarutobi Hiruzen; he hadn’t anticipated Miyuki’s refusal.

“Because of my teaching schedule, I certainly won’t have time from Monday to Friday. On weekends, I need to plan my teaching for the following week.”

“I must ensure the quality of both my school teaching and any private tutoring before I can accept. So please allow me some time to consider.” Miyuki explained.

The Third Hokage paused, then laughed, once again praising Miyuki as an excellent teacher, and then stated there was nothing else. Miyuki could leave.

Before leaving, Miyuki gave the Third Hokage a thorough assessment.

(End of Chapter)

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