Part Time Teacher in Konoha

After Iruka Umino left, Kitazawa sat at his desk, fingers interlaced and resting against the bridge of his nose.

He was thinking—thinking about how to become the class monitor of First‑Year Class A.

If he were a pupil, that would be perfectly normal; the trouble was, he was a teacher.

A teacher vying with students for class‑monitor? How unseemly!

Still, he had to accept the mission, because the reward was the Water Chakra Nature.

In total there are seven chakra natures. The common ones are Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, and Lightning; the "hidden" ones are Yin and Yang.

Every ninja is born with one or two chakra natures.

For example, someone with a Lightning nature will find Lightning Release jutsu easier to master—and far more powerful.

Kitazawa had already tested his affinity: only Wind and Fire.

Adding one more nature would grant him a clear edge, so of course he did not want to miss the chance.

With a sigh, Kitazawa moved to the small single wooden bed behind his desk.

Lying down, he formed the shape of the kanji "木" (tree).

Half thinking, half dozing, he finally drifted off.

…

Second‑Year Class C

The moment Toranosuke sat down, he spotted a tiny slip of paper on his desk.

Puzzled, he unfolded it.

There was a single line: "Don't leave after class tomorrow."

It was signed with a very familiar name—Hinata Hyūga.

"That cry‑baby white‑eyed freak actually grew a spine?" Toranosuke exclaimed.

"Aniki, you got a note too?" Two boys roughly his age crowded over.

"What kind of stunt is this?" Toranosuke asked, eyeing the three identical notes.

"Are we going? Could be a trap," one boy muttered nervously. "She is the Hyūga heiress."

"Of course we're going!" Toranosuke snorted. "Stuff between kids—grown‑ups won't butt in."

That was precisely why he could bully boys and girls at school with impunity.

In the shinobi world, strength rules.

If Hiashi Hyūga personally punished them, every clan would ridicule him.

"Then victory's in the bag!" the boys said, brimming with confidence.

"Obviously! Three on one—we've got the advantage," Toranosuke said, nodding smugly. "Hope we can really cut loose this time."

"Aniki's the best!" the other two chimed in, flattering him.

A blink later, the lunch break was over.

…

Kitazawa sat up and yawned.

He now had a rough idea of how to become class monitor: in short, forget honor—exploit the system.

The system only said "become class monitor"; it never specified for how long.

After splashing his face with water and checking the time, he headed to the classroom.

Just as he reached the door, the bell rang.

"Right on the dot," he chuckled, stepping onto the podium.

"Kitazawa‑sensei!" Ino Yamanaka sprang to her feet and waved like a cheerleader, then shot Sakura Haruno a triumphant grin.

"…" Sakura pouted.

Sure, Kitazawa was handsome, but he wasn't their age—sooner or later he'd grow old first.

Turning, she gave Sasuke Uchiha a sweet smile.

Sasuke ignored her completely.

In his mind there was only Itachi and Fugaku Uchiha.

He was desperate to improve—and earn their praise.

Women would only hinder his training.

"Let's begin," Kitazawa said, nodding to Ino. "Who founded Konoha?"

"I know!" Naruto Uzumaki blurted. "Hashirama Senju!"

"More precisely—the Senju Clan," Kitazawa corrected. "Both the First and Second Hokage came from the Senju."

"Sensei," Naruto asked, puzzled, "why are there no Senju ninja nowadays?"

"There are," Kitazawa smiled. "For instance, Lady Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin is a Senju."

At that moment Sasuke raised his hand.

"Sasuke," Kitazawa called.

"My brother said the Uchiha Clan also founded the village," Sasuke declared, standing.

Many students looked confused; only clan children like Hinata Hyūga and Shikamaru Nara knew the Uchiha's former glory.

Since the Nine‑Tails incident, the Uchiha had been forced to the village outskirts and placed under watch.

"Correct," Kitazawa said. "The Senju and Uchiha ended the Warring States era and built the Konoha."

See? My brother was right.

Pride flashed across Sasuke's face.

"Today's lesson is the tale of Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage." Kitazawa slapped the desk and struck a storyteller's pose. "Long, long ago there was a family…"

His reputation as "most outstanding teacher" was not just because of Hiruzen Sarutobi's support—his own methods mattered.

Being a transmigrant, Kitazawa's horizons were broad. Compared with the academy's rigid instructors, he always had something novel.

Kids hate lectures but love stories, so he taught in the style of a raconteur or comic crosstalk.

The bell rang.

"…If you want to know what happens next—catch the next class!" Kitazawa gathered his notes. "Class dismissed."

"Ahhh, why end there?"

"Why do Kitazawa‑sensei's classes fly by?"

"Class is fun? I wanna study forever!"

Only after he left did the students realize how engrossed they'd been.

Sasuke frowned slightly.

In the story, the Uchiha had rivaled the Senju—powerful and proud.

How had they fallen so low?

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to ask his brother that evening.

Kitazawa still hadn't earned his acknowledgement; an Uchiha bows only to the strong.

"Kitazawa‑sensei really is the best—Sakura, you—traitor!" Ino huffed as she saw Sakura dash toward Sasuke.

Hinata glanced at them, baffled by their "best‑friend rivalry."

"What do you think, Hinata?" Ino asked.

"Mm." Hinata started, then nodded shyly. "He's… very good."

Her thoughts drifted to her father, Hiashi Hyūga: stern face, rigorous training in Gentle Fist. She was naturally timid, and the pressure made her progress miserable.

If Kitazawa were the one teaching… it would be so much easier.

Catching herself, Hinata shook her head hard, banishing the fanciful idea. Her upbringing forbade such unrealistic daydreams.