Takeda Takuma

Iruka deftly lifted the shop curtain, ordered a bowl of ramen, and sat down.

For the first customer of the day, Teuchi up his sleeves with great enthusiasm and replied in a strong voice, "Alright, please wait a moment, sir!"

The noodles are scalded, added to the broth, and topped with ingredients. A few moments later, a steaming bowl of ramen is served by the owner's daughter, Ayame. "A large bowl of Pork Bone Chashu Ramen, please enjoy!"

"Then I'm going to start eating..."

Iruka happily swallowed a lump of noodles, then suddenly felt someone else beside her. She didn't mind, as it was normal for guests to arrive at this time.

Unexpectedly, Ayame and Teuchi's surprised voices rang out at the same time. "Lord Hokage!! Welcome!"

Iruka's hand holding the chopsticks trembled instantly, and he looked up with wide eyes.

Wearing a straw hat and sporting a warm smile, Shuichi sat down beside him. "Well... give me one of Iruka's ramen dishes too."

"No problem!"

Teuchi started typing with incredible energy, while Ayame stared at Shuichi with sparkling eyes.

The latter returned her an incredibly handsome expression, which nearly made the young girl swoon.

"Lord Hokage, do you know me?"

Iruka nearly sprayed the oily soup he was drinking onto Shuichi's Hokage Robe. He choked because he was talking so loudly, and had to turn his head and cough a few times before he could catch his breath.

"Of course, I 'Captain Ikkaku several times, and we even talked about you specifically." Shuichi patted him on the shoulder with a smile, which made him extremely excited.

Hearing the Hokage's words, Iruka's emotions calmed down slightly, and he then said with a wry smile, "What do I have to discuss? I've always been a bit slow-witted and slower than others. I'm already quite lucky to have become Chunin."

"It would be difficult enough to catch up with my father's achievements, let alone you, Lord Hokage..."

Don't underestimate yourself; everyone has their own strengths.

Shuichi comforted him, "In my opinion, you've already shown a unique brilliance in a certain direction, and I think that... is more important than the village's Jonin."

"What is it?" Iruka looked over with a face full of surprise, feeling a sense of recognition, especially since the words came from the Lord Hokage. He couldn't wait to hear the answer.

"That is the patience and responsibility of a teacher."

Shuichi's voice was filled with certainty. "The Ninja Academy is the cornerstone of our Konoha, and the children's performance will determine the village's future. Proper guidance during their early years will have a profound impact on them."

"I have observed all the current teachers, and although you are the youngest, you are the most outstanding."

"Being approachable, discovering the children's strengths, and patiently helping them build a solid foundation—this is truly important for the village."

"You... you flatter me, Lord Hokage..." Iruka scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Many seniors at the school are more experienced than me. I was just afraid of doing something wrong, so I was extremely careful."

I don't want my negligence to cause my students to lose their lives in the future.

"That's the right mindset! This is the most important thing in teaching the next generation, even more valuable than the skills of imparting knowledge."

Shuichi thanked him and took the ramen, then continued, "So I've made a decision. It just so happens that Teacher Ikeda is getting on in years, and he'll be getting a promotion soon."

Starting next semester, you'll be taking over as the teacher of Class 3-1. Don't let me down!

Slurp slurp --

Shuichi very down-to-earth way, making noises as a sign of appreciation for the owner's skill, even though he thought it might cause him to get a stitch...

"This... you really think too highly of me..." Iruka said in disbelief.

Class 3-1 is a group of children from the main Ninja Clan in the village. The teachers who teach this group have always been trusted by the Hokage, but Shuichi directly promoted him, a new teacher who was not yet 20 years old.

After his initial excitement subsided, Iruka solemnly replied, "I will do my utmost and live up to your expectations!"

Shuichi's lips curled into a smile; the strongest fatherly teacher in the Shinobi World was on the move.

Will Iruka, with his parents still alive in this life, be even more approachable and offer Naruto a warmth like springtime...?

"Since we've run into each other today, I'll treat you."

"Wait a minute, walk with me for a bit. There's a problem student in that class; I need you to look after him..."

Autumn has passed and winter is approaching; the Land of Fire is about to enter a new year.

That afternoon, Konoha was covered in a blanket of white snow.

Many children, wrapped in thick scarves and gloves, were having a snowball fight, while adults chatted, their breath steaming in the air.

The next moment, the heat was blown away by the cold wind, but it continued to rise again and again.

At Konoha Hospital, Ishikawa Tatsuki, Kakashi, and others sat together outside a delivery room, waiting.

The sign on the door had just lit up, and instead of anxiety, their faces revealed a certain anticipation.

"Shuichi is too versatile, he's missing out on a lot of life experiences, that's not good," Ishikawa Tatsuki said in a wise and mature tone.

Even outside of public places, people still address each other in a very friendly manner.

"You talk like you're an expert." Kakashi glanced at him with dead fish eyes. "Oh, I just remembered, your love life failed again not long ago. How pathetic."

"Damn it!" Ishikawa Tatsuki was hit where it hurt, and could only mutter a curse in his heart, after all, he was the worst among everyone present.

"Wow~~"

Inside the delivery room, Hong lay on the bed, her face covered in sweat, as she experienced continuous contractions that made her cry out in pain.

Beside her, the Lord Hokage and two nurses with considerable experience in childbirth surrounded her.

Shuichi was already proficient in Medical Ninjutsu and had a great understanding of the human body; there was no such thing as an unlucky birthing room in the Shinobi World.

He familiarized himself with obstetrics and gynecology knowledge several months in advance, so he directly participated in his wife's childbirth process. Indeed, as Ishikawa Tatsuki said, he didn't have the same sense of anticipation as when waiting outside the door.

"Waaah, waaah~"

"Come out quickly, Red!"

Shuichi held Hong's hand tightly and bent down to encourage her.

Given a ninja's physique and the wonder of their chakra, childbirth wouldn't be too difficult. If he had more practical experience, he could probably have done it alone with a few Wood Clone.

After struggling for more than ten minutes, at a certain moment, when the baby's head emerged, Shuichi skillfully pressed on the red belly, and the nurse, with quick eyes and hands, gently lifted the baby, whose shoulders were not broad, and the baby slid out smoothly.

"Waaaaah..."

The baby's loud cry rang out, and the nurses quickly cleaned and wrapped it up before handing it to Shuichi.

He placed the child beside the red pillow, his heart filled with the joy of becoming a father for the first time.

"Takuma's out! Look at him!"

Hong, feeling weak, turned her head to the side. The child in front of her had sparse, purple hair that looked exactly like his father's. His nose and eyes were about 80% similar to her own, as if he had combined all the best features of both of them.

"That's wonderful..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared intently at the child, unable to look away from him.

The name was chosen in advance. After learning that he was carrying a boy, Shuichi named him Takuma, which means a pure heart and striving for excellence.

He looks like a well-behaved boy. I wonder what he'll be like when he grows up?

Shuichi gently touched his son's cheek with his finger, smiling as he looked at the mother and son.