The Fastest in the Ninja World

"Naruto."

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a kind face, "Today's your first day of school. How did it feel?"

"Great!"

Naruto Uzumaki said cheerfully, "Especially Teacher Beizawa—he was super awesome!"

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

"Did you buy those snacks?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, seeing how happy he was.

"Teacher Beizawa gave them to me as a reward!"

Naruto Uzumaki opened the snack pack and let out a gasp of surprise.

The variety inside exceeded his imagination—lollipops, chocolate, sandwich cookies, fries, and more.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced over and nodded involuntarily.

Beizawa. This teacher was good, someone worth keeping around.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also recalled how Beizawa had stepped in for Naruto multiple times today.

He thought to himself that this year's Best Teacher award could still go to Beizawa.

Though it might seem like a predetermined choice, he was the Hokage—no one would dare question it.

"Here, Third Grandpa."

Naruto Uzumaki held out a lollipop.

"I'm past the age for snacks."

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

Naruto Uzumaki hesitated for a moment, then took the lollipop back.

"Besides the teacher, how were your classmates? Did you make any friends?"

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

"I feel like Choji, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Ino were all pretty nice to me."

Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head and said, "But I don't know if we're friends yet."

"If not now, you will be later."

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't surprised.

All the classmates Naruto mentioned came from ninja clans—they were well aware of the so-called "monster" rumors.

And their fathers had either fought alongside Minato Namikaze or received help from him.

"Great!"

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

A flicker of guilt stirred in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart.

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

But... it was a necessary sacrifice.

The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was Konoha's most important trump card—it had to be handled with care.

"Third Grandpa."

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

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

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened as he asked.

"Well, it's like this."

Naruto Uzumaki explained, "Teacher Beizawa said that if I want to earn everyone's recognition, I need 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, you know."

"I was planning to study all four Hokage together. That way, I'm sure I'll surpass every Hokage in history."

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

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

"What are you laughing at?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked, confused. "Is there something wrong with that idea?"

"Nothing wrong."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked the white beard on his chin and said, "If you really can combine the strengths of all four Hokage, then yes, you could surpass every one of them."

"Awesome!"

Naruto Uzumaki declared with fighting spirit.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled without speaking, not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm.

Master the strengths of the Fourth Hokage? Even he himself couldn't do that, let alone Naruto Uzumaki.

To put it precisely, such a shinobi couldn't exist anywhere in the ninja world.

"The Fourth Hokage was named Minato Namikaze."

A look of reminiscence appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face as he spoke. "He was perfect—gentle and refined, immensely powerful, and known as the Golden Flash."

"Why was he called the Golden Flash?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked, puzzled.

"His hair was the same color as yours—golden."

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

"How fast was he?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked curiously.

"Faster than light."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then said, "Enemies were already defeated before they even saw his face."

"That's amazing!"

Naruto Uzumaki was stunned for a moment, then said, "I want to become a shinobi that fast too!"

"You'll have your chance."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

"Then he..."

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

"What's wrong?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said casually. "Ask whatever you want."

"He was so strong—how did he die?"

Naruto Uzumaki asked curiously.

The smile on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face instantly froze.

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

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hinata."

After all the students had left, Beizawa came up to Hinata Hyuga.

"I didn't wait long."

Hinata Hyuga said softly.

"Here."

Beizawa took out two bags of snack gift packs.

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

Hinata Hyuga quickly shook her head.

"One bag definitely isn't enough."

Beizawa thought back to the original story, where Hinata Hyuga ate forty-six bowls of ramen in one sitting during the eating contest.

"I have enough."

Hinata Hyuga's face flushed as she spoke.

"No, you don't."

Beizawa stuffed the two bags of snacks into her hands. "Don't be polite with me."

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

Hinata Hyuga hugged the snacks, looking up at Beizawa. Her eyelashes fluttered like a little rabbit's, and she seemed at a loss.

"Alright, back to business."

Beizawa couldn't help but pat her head. "I've already found those three little boys you mentioned."

Hinata Hyuga's body trembled. The memory from last time surfaced, and fear appeared in her eyes.

"Hinata."

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

"Mm."

Hinata Hyuga met his warm gaze, and her heart suddenly calmed down.

"See you tomorrow."

Teacher Beizawa stopped in his tracks and said.

"Teacher Beizawa, goodbye."

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

Clutching her snacks, she turned and left the school.

After a few steps, she looked back at Beizawa and found him still standing there, as if waiting for someone.

Hinata Hyuga withdrew her gaze, her eyes falling on the snacks in her hands, and a smile involuntarily crept across her face.

"Lady Hinata."

A sudden voice rang out.

A young man with Byakugan appeared before her.

"Tokuma."

Hinata Hyuga immediately composed her expression, adopting the demeanor taught by Hyuga Hiashi.

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

Not long after they left, Kurenai Yuhi's figure came into Beizawa's view.

"It wasn't until I became a teacher myself that I realized how impressive you were."

Kurenai Yuhi let out a sigh and said.

"This is my exclusive know-how, you know."

Beizawa handed her a scroll and said with a smile.