Chapter 135 The Imminent Class Assignment
"Naruto from now on you'll be a ninja."
Iruka patted Naruto's head and then placed the headband in Naruto's hand.
Iruka's initial feelings towards Naruto were complicated; he didn't understand why the Third Hokage would ask him to pay attention to Naruto.
However, through his interactions with Naruto, Iruka gradually came to know this cheerful, sunny, and persistent boy.
Since Naruto had also lost his parents, Iruka felt even more like he was Naruto's older brother.
He would occasionally take Naruto out for ramen or go on trips.
It wasn't until the Third Hokage announced that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's child.
Well, Iruka was shocked at the time, but upon closer reflection, it seemed quite reasonable.
Blonde hair, Rasengan, Uzumaki—who else could it be but the Fourth Hokage's child?
Iruka felt ashamed of his past bad thoughts about Naruto.
Seeing the smiling Naruto in front of him, Iruka stopped his hand that was on Naruto's hand.
"What's wrong, Iruka-sensei?"
Naruto saw Iruka stop and panicked a little. Had something gone wrong?
Wait a minute, my dad said I could pass the written test.
No.
Iruka picked up the headband and gently placed it on Naruto's forehead.
"Okay, keep up the good work in the future."
After tying up the headband, Iruka patted Naruto's bottom and sent him off.
"Ouch! Don't spank my bottom!"
A tear of emotion flashed in Naruto's eyes, but Iruka immediately slapped it back.
Then Hinata was next.
"Hinata, there's not much I really want to say to you, but I sincerely hope that your dream when you first came here can come true."
Iruka placed the headband in the hand of the girl in front of him, who had grown from a tiny little thing into a graceful young woman, his eyes full of smiles.
⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
"Thank you, Teacher Iruka."
Hinata's cheeks flushed slightly, then she bowed to Iruka-sensei, accepted the headband, and walked away.
Next up is Sasuke.
"Sasuke, you are the kid I trust the most this year. If Naruto and the others get into any trouble in the future, I'll still need you to save them."
Yes, Iruka's words struck a chord with Sasuke.
Wow, me? I'll go save them!
Yes, that's right. Only a chosen Uchiha like me can save these hopeless kids who've been playing cards forever.
Sasuke raised his head and bent his body slightly.
"Thank you, teacher."
Iruka looked at Sasuke, who seemed pleased, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Go."
In about ten minutes, all the graduating children received their headbands, and then they had their ID photos taken before waiting for the village to assign them their team leaders.
The scene returns to the Hokage's office, where Kakashi stares at the ceiling, lost in thought and confusion.
How should I face Naruto?
Today, the Third Hokage called me over again, saying we should all watch Naruto's graduation together.
Anyway, Kakashi hasn't had much to do since he retired, and he recently finished watching the latest episode of "Make-Out Paradise".
Besides, Naruto is his teacher's son, so he should be the one to watch his graduation exam.
Then, the two of them looked at a crystal ball.
"By the way, Hokage, have you ever thought about getting a bigger screen?"
Kakashi thought the image in the crystal ball was nice.
Um... Sarutobi thinks Kakashi asked a very good question.
However, you should know that the larger the image, the easier it is to be discovered.
A small, exquisite crystal ball like this is perfect for secretly watching something naughty while the curtains are drawn.
"Ahem, the material of this crystal ball is very special and it's quite expensive. This is enough for us. We should spend our money wisely."
Kakashi remembered the large rock that had recently appeared in front of the school and didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Look, Naruto has started writing his essay. Let's zoom in and take a closer look."
The essay topic was personally set by Principal Sarutobi, who was also the school's principal, to test the students' awareness and whether they had kept the Will of Fire in mind.
Watching Naruto write so fluently, each example a perfect example, everything was so perfect except for the slightly ugly handwriting.
Ah, it reminds me of the time when I used to take Naruto to the bath when I was a kid. I really miss those days.
Meanwhile, Kakashi's lips were twitching uncontrollably.
He was mourning for the person who would be grading Naruto's test paper next.
Then, it was time for the afternoon's ninjutsu exam.
"Wow, a golden flash!" Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief.
That tone, that manner, that substitution technique.
Ah, Kakashi couldn't even imagine what he would do if Naruto turned out like this during tomorrow's bell-stealing training. Should he just surrender?
The Third Hokage, standing nearby, was also impressed by Naruto's skillful maneuver and couldn't help but cough a few times.
But after coughing, Sarutobi looked at Minato's sunny face, and the nostalgia in his eyes was hard to hide.
Since Sarutobi called Naruto over last time, and he met with Minato, Minato hasn't come out again.
Naruto said it was because Minato felt he was already dead and shouldn't interfere too much with the living world.
As for Naruto...
That's my son, can't I even teach him something?!
After the assessment ended, Kakashi and Sarutobi looked away from the crystal ball without saying a word.
After a moment, Kakashi spoke.
"Third Hokage, I don't know... how I should face Naruto."
To be honest, Kakashi himself felt that he was an incompetent elder.
Because of Obito and Rin's deaths, Kakashi fell into a state of confusion, immersing himself in the Anbu's missions and not caring about Naruto's life.
When Kakashi learned from Sarutobi that a wisp of Minato's chakra was still inside Naruto's stomach, he was even more at a loss.
"It's alright. Just teach Naruto properly, and Minato will understand."
Sarutobi patted Kakashi on the shoulder and said comfortingly.
"Um."
Kakashi nodded, then returned to his usual lazy state.
"Then I'll head back now."
Kakashi bid farewell to the Third Hokage and walked towards the Konoha cemetery, arriving at the graves of Rin and Obito.
"Rin, and Obito, the teacher's child has grown up, and I will be his mentor from now on."
"His name is Naruto Uzumaki. His hair color is exactly the same as the teacher's, and he has long hair. He's just as vain as Obito was back then."
Kakashi looked at the sky, which was gradually turning yellow, and placed two bouquets of flowers in front of the two people's graves.
"I will come to see you again when I have time in the future."
"I'll tell you about Naruto's growth later."
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end of this chapter...