It wasn't until Naruto stopped crying that Shinji crouched down, his eyes fixed on Naruto's reddened, tear-streaked eyes.
Naruto, feeling a bit embarrassed by the gaze, quickly wiped away the tears from his cheeks and shyly looked at Shinji, saying, "I'm sorry, sensei."
Shinji shook his head. He took out a handkerchief he carried, and handed it to Naruto, saying, "You don't need to apologize to . Can you tell what happened?"
Although he could more or less guess the reason, Shinji still held the sa thought: If you have to pretend, then pretend.
"It's nothing, sensei."
Naruto hesitated for a long ti but still shook his head, his voice hoarse from crying.
The sun gradually set, its lingering twilight illuminating their figures.
Shinji's crouching shadow and Naruto's shadow on the swing complented each other.
Shinji said, "Alright then, but Naruto, do you rember the dream you talked about in class?"
Hearing this, Naruto stood up and excitedly said to Shinji, "Of course I rember, sensei."
Shinji quietly watched Naruto, then reached out and ruffled his bright yellow hair.
Hmm, feels good.
"Then promise sensei, you won't cry anymore. The path to becoming a Hokage or a great ninja is inherently a thorny one."
Shinji's tone was very gentle, as if he was teaching Naruto sothing, or perhaps reiterating so principles.
"Yes... sensei."
Hearing Shinji's words, Naruto, whose eyes had been very bright paused and the light in his eyes dimd sowhat.
Seeing Naruto's expression, Shinji knew what he was thinking.
He vigorously ruffled Naruto's hair, then stood up and slowly said, "You can't cry because a ninja cannot be weak. Naruto, next ti if soone bullies you, hit them back. It's not a problem if you lose. Just win next ti."
As Shinji's words fell, Naruto looked up, full of disbelief.
"Really, sensei?"
Shinji narrowed his eyes, subtly expressing, "Really. If you can't beat them, find out why. Calculate if you have a chance to get even next ti. If not, seek external help."
"I have sothing to do and must leave. It's getting late, Naruto, you should go ho quickly too."
After speaking, Shinji turned and walked towards the Academy gate.
"I'll do my best, sensei!"
Naruto stood rooted to the spot for a long ti before turning and shouting loudly towards Shinji's retreating figure.
Hearing this reply, Shinji waved his hand and walked out of the Academy gate.
Seeing Iruka leaning against the Academy gate, he walked over and said, "Let's go, Iruka, lest the senpais get impatient waiting."
Iruka, who had been paying attention to the situation by the swing, looked at Shinji approaching and hesitated to speak.
"What's wrong?" Shinji looked at the still-standing Iruka, quite puzzled.
Iruka caught up with Shinji, speaking with great hesitation, "Shinji, that child is..."
Shinji naturally knew what Iruka wanted to express and replied with a normal expression, "I know."
"However, he is also my student, and I only need to fulfill the responsibilities a sensei should have."
His reply was open and honest. Caring for students had always been Shinji's established style. Continuing this style would be his protective charm.
No matter how the Third Hokage looked at it, he wouldn't find anything wrong. After all, he was different from Iruka, and during the Nine-Tails Attack, he was already alone. Therefore, his current performance was the most correct.
It was also the most likely way for the Third Hokage to confidently entrust Naruto to him, allowing him to impart the correct ideology to Naruto.
Iruka was surprised by Shinji's answer. This was also why he had recomnded Shinji to the Third Hokage at the ti.
As if a burden had been lifted, Iruka then said with a relaxed expression, "Shinji, you really are a very gentle person."
Hearing this, Shinji couldn't help but look at Iruka with disgust, feeling goosebumps.
"Bullshit, Iruka, pay attention. I don't even have a girlfriend yet."
...
Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen, who had co to 'inspect' again before leaving work, wore a serious expression.
After a long ti, he stroked his goatee and chuckled with great satisfaction.
Today, regarding Shinji's performance, he had lost count of how many tis he had shown satisfaction.
Just as he was about to pick up the cloth nearby to cover the crystal ball, his movent was stopped the next second by the sound of the door being pushed open.
Looking up, he saw Danzo, with almost half his face covered in bandages, before him.
"Hiruzen!"
Outside the Hokage Office, an Anbu who had intended to go in and report paused his steps upon hearing the angry roar.
The next second he instantly vanished. After all, the conversation between the Hokage and the advisor was not sothing an Anbu could casually eavesdrop on.
Inside the Hokage Office, Danzo's face was contorted, his exposed single eye expressing displeasure as he looked at the calm-faced Hiruzen.
"That's the Nine-Tails! How can you so easily entrust him to a Chunin for training?!"
Hiruzen asked very calmly, "Is there anything that doesn't comply with the village's procedures, Danzo?"
Hearing this reply, Danzo's breathing beca rapid, and he struck the ground with his cane.
"You know what I an. Nine-Tails should be handed over to . I can train him to be a true weapon."
"Not waste ti in a place like the Academy!"
Hiruzen, who had initially not minded Danzo's offensive action of striking the ground, looked up and fixed his gaze on Danzo when he heard these words.
He expressed his displeasure, saying, "Danzo, watch your words! The Academy is Tobirama-sensei's painstaking effort, not for you to question."
Listening to Hiruzen's words, Danzo knew he had misspoken for a mont, so he changed his tone and continued to press.
"Hmph! Then hand over Nine-Tails to ."
Hiruzen emphasized this point again, with an undeniable tone, "Nine-Tails belongs to the village, and the one who leads Konoha is the Hokage."
"I am the Hokage!"
"You!... Hiruzen! You will regret this!"
Danzo was furious at Hiruzen's attitude that he was the supre leader. Every ti he strongly demanded sothing, Hiruzen would use this phrase to suppress him but the facts were before him.
No matter how arrogant Danzo was, he dared not say another word. He took a deep breath, suppressing his emotions.
After leaving these words, Danzo turned and walked out of the office.
We'll see, Hiruzen!
Only I can lead Konoha to beco the strongest!
Temporary discouragent would not deter him. Danzo knew that the Uchiha clan was beginning to stir. And for this situation, Hiruzen needed him.
Konoha also needed him!
Ever since the Fourth Hokage died during the Nine-Tails Attack, the Uchiha clan, which had once seen a glimr of hope, was suppressed once again.
If that ray of light created by Minato that made the Uchiha feel they could live well in Konoha didn't exist, perhaps the Uchiha clan could have continued to lie dormant.
However, having experienced it and then being cast down from the clouds again, for the extre Uchiha clan, this was the biggest ignition point.
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