A Major Incident

Third Hokage had a lot of free time. The Education Department's work wasn't particularly busy. He would brew a cup of tea, sit down in the office, water the flowers, read the news, and the day would be over.

It was a leisurely position far from Konoha's center of power.

Even an active Jonin had more say than the Education Minister.

Aside from thinking up ways to torment the students, the Third Hokage's favorite activity was wandering around the village after work.

Whenever he ran into a young person, he would have a serious heart-to-heart with them, talking about the Will of Fire in their hearts and such. He never seemed to tire of it.

Today was no different. The dispirited boy regained his spirit after being encouraged.

"Goodbye, Third Hokage-sama."

The sight of the boy running beneath the setting sun made the Third Hokage recall his own lost youth.

"Keep it up, Iruka."

The Third Hokage waved as he watched the boy's back recede into the distance.

Just then, a voice sounded behind him.

"Sarutobi Sensei."

The Third Hokage turned around and saw a handsome red-haired young man.

"You are?"

"Xi. Sarutobi Sensei, you taught me."

After stepping down as Hokage, the Third Hokage had served as a principal for a while. Due to a shortage of manpower, he had also worked as a teacher and taught many students.

"Xi?"

"Sarutobi Sensei, you taught me not to give up on puppets. You said I couldn't abandon my rare talent, and you even researched puppet designs with me." Xi smiled warmly.

Mainly because, as a renowned Ninjutsu Professor, he didn't want to embarrass himself by giving up on puppets and admitting that he couldn't do it.

The Third Hokage remembered and said, "Your face."

"It's fixed," Xi replied.

"That's wonderful."