On Monday morning, Hagoromo got up as soon as the sun rose.
He had barely slept the night before, spending the whole time using his sensory technique.
As he brushed his teeth, Hagoromo couldn't help looking in the direction of Root's largest underground base.
A grin spread across his face.
Danzo was probably having a rough time now.
After all, ever since the previous night, everyone in Root had been moving things nonstop, like a colony of busy ants.
But before they had moved even half of it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's people showed up.
The two sides had nearly come to blows, but someone had gone over there in the end, though Hagoromo didn't know who.
Only then had things quieted down. It was the first time Hagoromo had sensed that person's chakra, but he didn't pay it much mind.
As long as Danzo was suffering, he was happy.
Once he was ready, Hagoromo headed straight out.
At the Ninja Academy, Naruto greeted several classmates he knew as soon as he entered the classroom.
Then he went happily to his seat and saw Sasuke sitting behind him.
Naruto grinned and said, "Good morning, Sasuke."
Sasuke froze for a moment, then turned his face away and replied as though he didn't care.
Naruto wasn't discouraged. After all, Sasuke's attitude was far better than everyone else's.
Not far away, Choji looked at Naruto in confusion, then turned to Shikamaru beside him and said:
"Shikamaru, doesn't Naruto seem a little different?"
"I don't know. What a drag."
Leaning against the wall, Shikamaru gave a listless reply, though he glanced at Naruto.
Over the past week, Naruto had run into them on the rooftop a few times.
So they were at least able to exchange a few words.
Choji was rather fond of Naruto, who had given him a bowl of collaboration-edition ramen.
As soon as the bell rang, Hagoromo walked in with a smile.
The students, who had been lounging about, all sat up straight when they saw him.
"Class, today we'll be discussing the five chakra natures."
As Hagoromo opened his materials, the rustle of pages filled the tiered classroom.
Naruto took out the notebook Hagoromo had given him and began taking notes as he listened.
There was no helping it. Although Hagoromo's explanations were already fairly simple and clear,
Naruto was still a little confused about some parts, so he could only write them down first and ask Teacher Hagoromo about them later during the question period.
By the end of the lesson, nearly every student wore a look of understanding.
Naruto scratched his head. There had been so much information that he felt like he was growing a brain.
[Lesson complete. System rating: S]
[Rewards obtained: Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique (Mastery), Ninjutsu: Shadow Clone (Proficient), Chakra Nature: Water (Entry)]
Hagoromo had been surprised to see that his lesson had received an S rating.
The rewards that followed made him even happier. He hadn't expected the rewards for an S-rank lesson to be so generous!
The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique at Mastery alone was already a huge gain, and he had even obtained Shadow Clone on top of that.
After all, this was a Ninjutsu he could use to cheat, as long as his mental and physical stamina could hold out.
When the time came, he could have Shadow Clones train or help him teach without any trouble.
But Hagoromo's attention returned to the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique. Once activated, it was a Genjutsu that created a visual illusion and used it to rob the target of light.
It was a pillow just when he was getting sleepy. With it, Hagoromo could carry out some of his subsequent moves openly.
Having pulled a golden legend, Hagoromo was in an excellent mood. He had just arrived at the office
when he saw several teachers who had finished their classes staring at him in disbelief.
Hagoromo paused, then looked himself over.
There didn't seem to be anything wrong with him, did there? Why were they all making those faces?
Iruka was the first to recover and greeted Hagoromo.
"Hagoromo, the Hokage just sent word. He wants you to go to his office after class."
Hearing that, Hagoromo nodded in understanding.
After putting down his lesson materials, Hagoromo nodded to the teachers in the office, then turned and walked out.
The Third Hokage had summoned him twice in less than two weeks.
No wonder the teachers were looking at him as if he were a monster.
The Third Hokage's influence in Konoha was not to be underestimated. He was a veteran Hokage who had ruled for nearly forty years.
In the teachers' eyes, Hagoromo was definitely going places.
As for him being in trouble? The Anbu would have taken him directly. There was no way he would have been summoned instead.
Hagoromo returned to the upstairs office and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock-knock~
"Come in."
The Third's voice came from inside, sounding slightly tired.
As soon as he entered, Hagoromo saw Hiruzen Sarutobi with a pipe in his mouth and hurriedly bowed.
"Lord Third."
"Mm, Hagoromo! Come, sit down."
The Third smiled and motioned for Hagoromo to sit in the chair in front of his desk.
"Yes, Lord Third."
Hagoromo nodded in response before walking in.
Seeing Hagoromo act this way, even the Third felt good.
It wasn't that he cared about such formalities, but Shimura Danzō the night before and the other two elders who had come to argue with him that morning
had left Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already gone a whole night without sleep, feeling exhausted.
After dismissing them, Hiruzen Sarutobi had come straight to the Ninja Academy.
The Third had checked and rechecked every detail about Hagoromo.
All the information showed that Hagoromo was a Konoha member of impeccable background, whose clan had joined Konoha even earlier than some of the other clans.
After all, the Sawada Clan could be considered a subordinate of the Senju, and they had fought alongside the Senju before Konoha was even founded.
To put it plainly, only the Uzumaki Clan could compare.
That put Hiruzen Sarutobi even more at ease.
As for sending in the Yamanaka and the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force to probe further,
Hiruzen Sarutobi had never considered it. After all, Hagoromo had never had the opportunity to become a spy for another ninja village.
"Hagoromo, I want you to take part in missions. Once you qualify for promotion to Jonin, I'll vouch for you and recommend you."
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi got straight to the point as soon as Hagoromo sat down.
His words took Hagoromo by surprise.
But thinking of the panel, Hagoromo wanted to refuse.
When the words reached his lips, however, they came out differently. Hagoromo first reached up and scratched the back of his head, as though overwhelmed by the favor.
"Lord Third, I'm very grateful that you're giving me this opportunity, but..."
"I really do enjoy teaching. Otherwise, I wouldn't have submitted a request to you to come here as soon as I was promoted to Chunin."
"Besides, I'm worried that I'm not capable enough. I still have many shortcomings when it comes to actual combat."
When he finished, Hagoromo put on an apologetic look, as though his strength couldn't meet the requirements.