The Fastest in the Ninja World

"Naruto."

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked kindly, "How did your first day at school feel?"

"It was great!"

Naruto Uzumaki said excitedly, "Especially Teacher Beizawa. He was super, extra great!"

As he spoke, he raised the snacks in his hand and waved them around proudly.

"Did you buy those snacks?"

Seeing how happy he was, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a smile.

"They were a reward from Teacher Beizawa!"

Naruto Uzumaki opened the snack pack and let out an amazed cry.

The variety of snacks inside far exceeded his imagination: lollipops, chocolate, sandwich cookies, potato chips, and more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at them subconsciously and could not help nodding.

Beizawa was a good teacher. He knew what he was doing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled how Beizawa had repeatedly stepped in to help Naruto Uzumaki that day.

He decided that this year's Outstanding Teacher award could still go to Beizawa.

It might seem a little predetermined, but he was the Hokage. No one would dare question it.

"Here, Third Grandpa."

Naruto Uzumaki took out a lollipop.

"I'm past the age of eating snacks."

Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and patted his head. "You eat it."

Naruto Uzumaki hesitated for a moment before putting the lollipop away.

"Other than your teacher, how are your classmates? Have you made any friends?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the door and walked into the living room with Naruto Uzumaki.

"I think Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Ino are all pretty nice to me."

Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head. "But I don't know whether we count as friends yet."

"Maybe not now, but you will be someday."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised.

All the classmates Naruto Uzumaki mentioned came from ninja clans, and they all knew about the so-called "monster."

Besides, their fathers had either fought alongside Minato Namikaze or received his help.

"Awesome!"

Naruto Uzumaki said excitedly, "I, Naruto Uzumaki, am finally going to have friends!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly felt a trace of guilt.

The treatment Naruto Uzumaki had suffered was far too cruel for a child.

But... it was a necessary sacrifice.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was Konoha's most important trump card and had to be handled with caution.

"Third Grandpa."

After sitting down on the sofa, Naruto Uzumaki took a bite of a sandwich cookie and asked, "Do you know the Fourth Hokage?"

"Why are you suddenly asking about the Fourth Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened as he asked.

"It's like this."

Naruto Uzumaki explained, "Teacher Beizawa said that if I want everyone's recognition, I have to learn from the Hokage."

"Then why not ask me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a chuckle, "Quite a few people think I'm the strongest Hokage."

"I planned to learn from all four Hokage. That way, I'll definitely surpass every Hokage in history."

Naruto Uzumaki grinned. "Third Grandpa, aren't I clever?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked in confusion. "Is there something wrong with that idea?"

"Nothing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his white beard and said, "If you really can combine the strengths of all four Hokage, then you truly could surpass every Hokage in history."

"Great!"

Naruto Uzumaki said with fighting spirit blazing in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi merely smiled without speaking and did not want to dampen his enthusiasm.

Combine the strengths of four Hokage? Even he could not do that, much less Naruto Uzumaki.

More accurately, such a ninja could not possibly appear in the entire ninja world.

"The Fourth Hokage was called Minato Namikaze."

A nostalgic look appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. "He was nearly perfect: gentle, refined, and immensely powerful. He was known as the Golden Flash."

"Why was he called the Golden Flash?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked curiously.

"His hair was golden, just like yours."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly, "Coupled with his speed, the fastest in the ninja world, that earned him the title."

"How fast was he?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked curiously.

"Faster than light."

After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "His enemies were defeated before they even saw his face."

"So amazing!"

Naruto Uzumaki stared blankly for a moment. "I want to become a ninja that fast too!"

"You'll have the chance."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

"Then he..."

Naruto Uzumaki suddenly thought of something, hesitation appearing on his face.

"What is it?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said unconcernedly, "Ask whatever you want."

"He was so powerful. How did he die?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked curiously.

The smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face immediately froze.

His memories were dragged back into that chaotic night of the Nine-Tails.

"I kept you waiting, Hinata."

After all the students had left, Beizawa walked over to Hinata Hyuga.

"I haven't been waiting long."

Hinata Hyuga said softly.

"Here."

Beizawa took out two bags of snack packs.

"I... I already have one bag."

Hinata Hyuga hurriedly shook her head.

"One bag definitely won't be enough."

Beizawa recalled how, in the original story's big eater contest, Hinata Hyuga had eaten forty-six bowls of ramen in one sitting.

"I have enough."

Hinata Hyuga blushed as she spoke.

"No, you don't."

Beizawa stuffed the two bags of snacks into her hands. "No need to be polite with me."

"Th... thank you, Teacher Beizawa."

Hinata Hyuga hugged the snacks and looked at Beizawa. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and like a little white rabbit, she seemed completely at a loss.

"All right, back to business."

Beizawa could not resist patting her head. "I've found the three boys you told me about."

Hinata Hyuga's body trembled as memories of last time surfaced, filling her eyes with fear.

"Hinata."

Beizawa said seriously, "I asked them to meet me after school tomorrow. I'll teach them a lesson for you then."

"Mm."

Meeting his warm gaze, Hinata Hyuga suddenly felt at ease.

"See you tomorrow."

Beizawa stopped walking and said.

"Goodbye, Teacher Beizawa."

A trace of reluctance rose in Hinata Hyuga's heart.

Hugging the snacks, she turned and left the school.

After taking a few steps, she looked back at Beizawa and discovered that he was still standing there, apparently waiting for someone.

Hinata Hyuga withdrew her gaze and looked down at the snacks in her hands, a smile appearing on her face despite herself.

"Lady Hinata."

A sudden voice rang out.

A young man with the Byakugan appeared in front of her.

"Tokuma."

Hinata Hyuga immediately suppressed her smile and assumed the bearing Hyuga Hiashi had taught her.

As a member of the Hyuga Main Family, she had dedicated Branch Family guards.

Not long after they left, Kurenai Yuhi appeared within Beizawa's sight.

"Only after becoming a teacher myself did I realize how impressive you are."

Kurenai Yuhi sighed.

"This is my exclusive experience."

Beizawa handed her a scroll with a smile.