Aoi Rokushō, a chunin instructor at the Konoha Ninja Academy, had always worn a melancholy expression. Handsome as he was, he had been very popular at the school.
Both the other teachers and the students liked him very much.
Soji had met him a few times before. Or rather, Soji had met everyone under the Ministry of Education.
Still, it was impossible for him to remember every single person that clearly, wasn't it?
Besides, compared to his days in Konoha, Aoi Rokushō had not only changed his hairstyle, but the melancholy that had always lingered on his face was gone as well, replaced by a pair of sinister eyes.
With such a drastic change, coupled with Soji's usual habit of slacking off at the Ministry of Education, it was perfectly normal that he could not remember him right away.
"Yota, are you sure that guy was Aoi Rokushō?" Soji kept staring at the street corner where the man suspected to be Konoha's chunin instructor Aoi Rokushō had disappeared, seeking confirmation from Yota.
Though he had met Aoi Rokushō a few times, he did not have much of an impression of him.
Compared to him, the three little ones who had yet to graduate were more familiar with Aoi Rokushō.
That was why Soji had asked, to avoid mistaking someone else for him.
"Teacher, I'm sure. He was Konoha's Teacher Aoi Rokushō. If you don't believe me, you can ask Haku and Kimimaro. They should recognize him too!" After carefully recalling the man they had just seen, Yota answered with absolute certainty.
After saying that, he turned to look at his two companions beside him.
Haku and Kimimaro's answers did not disappoint Yota either.
"Yes, Teacher. That man was Teacher Aoi Rokushō. I wouldn't mistake him!" Haku nodded, confirming Yota's words.