Within Principal's Office.
The sun shines through the clean glass windows, casting bright spots on the floor.
The furnishings of Office are simple and neat, with a portrait of the Konoha logo hanging on the wall, and the bookshelves are filled with educational theory books and student files.
Naruto closed the door with his backhand, and walked to the large desk. Instead of sitting on Main Seat, which symbolized the authority of the principal, he casually pulled up a guest chair and sat across from Might Guy.
Might Guy At this moment, he sat uneasily in his chair, but he was not sitting firmly, his back was straight, his hands were placed on his knees, clenched into fists, and his knuckles were slightly white.
His face, which was always filled with a warm smile, was now filled with heaviness and self-blame, and his thick eyebrows were tightly knitted together.
Naruto looked at him and was the first to break the silence. His tone was much gentler than the harsh one in Office just now, but it also contained a trace of imperceptible fatigue and helplessness:
"Teacher Guy, this matter should have been resolved by you, the principal."
He paused and unconsciously rubbed the armrests of the chair with his fingers. "But I just couldn't hold it back. When I saw that kind of bastard words coming from a teacher's mouth, I thought that there might be children who were deeply hurt by such irresponsible remarks, and even affected their lives.
I'm so angry that it comes up in no time."
"Lord Hokage..."
Kai raised his head and wanted to say something, but his voice was a little dry.
"Just call me Naruto."
Naruto interrupted him, leaning forward slightly and looking at Kai sincerely, "There are no outsiders here now, so there is no need to be so reserved."
Kai's Adam's apple rolled, as if he wanted to draw some strength from the familiar name "Naruto", but in the end, he bowed his head deeply.
"Sorry, Naruto."
His voice was low and full of guilt, "I have failed to live up to your expectations. You asked me to be the principal because you trusted me and hoped that I could set an example for the children and create a good environment."
But I... I failed to discover people like Yamamoto in time and failed to prevent this kind of thing from happening."
His fists on his knees clenched tighter, and veins loomed on the backs of his hands. "Frankly speaking, I'm really shocked that Yamamoto Kazuo could do such a thing.
This guy usually behaves very respectfully in front of me, works diligently, is always polite to his colleagues, and often even takes the initiative to help.
I... I always thought he was a good teacher, at least on the surface. This kind of bullying happened in the school and the teacher's inaction even encouraged the unhealthy trend...
This is completely my dereliction of duty and my problem."
Kai's voice was filled with painful self-blame.
He regards protecting the future of Konoha as his own responsibility, and regards educating children as the most glorious mission.
Now, something so contrary to Ninja's principles and hurting children's souls happened in the school under his leadership made him feel even more uncomfortable than being injured on the battlefield.
Naruto Looking at Kai like this, he felt a little unbearable.
He knew that Kai's character was passionate, upright, and had a strong sense of responsibility, but because of this, he sometimes believed too much in superficial enthusiasm and drive, and lacked sufficient vigilance and insight into the more hidden dark sides of human nature.
This is not Kai's fault, but his character.
"Teacher Guy," Naruto waved his hand and spoke in a slow, soothing tone, "You don't have to blame yourself so much. The most important thing I asked you to be the principal of the school is that I hope to use your burning youth, never-giving perseverance and upright character to set a positive example for the children.
Let them know what the true Ninja spirit is and what the meaning of hard work and persistence is."
He stood up, walked to the window, turned his back to Kai, and looked at the children running and playing on the playground outside the window, his voice was calm and clear:
"As for people like Yamamoto... they are cunning.
When facing you, their superior, or the principal who may decide their future, they will of course put on the most perfect mask and behave respectfully, diligently, and helpfully.
This is a survival instinct and a disguise. You can't see their true face, not because you are negligent, but because they deliberately hide it. This is not your fault, Teacher Guy."
Naruto turned around and faced Kai again, his eyes became firm and sharp. "Discovering problems and solving them is the key.
Moreover, I have used my own way to 'solve' the two ready-made negative teaching materials Yamamoto and Toyama Suzume.
Next, how to prevent similar things from happening again, how to purify the teaching team, and how to establish a more effective supervision and feedback mechanism...
These are the things that you, the principal, need to think deeply about and promote."
Seeing that Kai was still frowning, obviously still brooding over the "oversight", he changed the topic and made another suggestion:
"If you feel really guilty and want to do something to make up for it, or change your environment to adjust your mood... then, I just have a mission."
Naruto walked back to the table, put his hands on the table, and looked at Kai: "I plan to let Shikamaru lead the team to attack Kirigakure.
Kakashi-sensei is currently coordinating some affairs with Iwagakure, and I plan to bring him and uncle Shikaku back."
He looked directly into Kai's eyes. "Teacher Guy, your Taijutsu and combat experience are top notch in Konoha.
If you are willing, you can go to Iwagakure to find Kakashi-sensei, and then the two of you will bring some people to join Shikamaru's team to contribute to the attack on Kirigakure.
The school can be temporarily managed by Uncle Hiashi for a period of time."
Naruto's tone was serious. This was not only an opportunity for Kai to temporarily leave this frustrating environment and regain his rhythm on the battlefield, but it also really required the combat power of a strong man like him.
"As for me," Naruto straightened up and looked toward the sky farther out the window, where invisible clouds seemed to be gathering, "I have some more important things to deal with.
Problems within the village require everyone's joint efforts; but some threats outside the village may go beyond the normal scope."
He didn't say clearly what it was, but Kai could feel the solemnity in Naruto's words.
Office fell into a brief silence.
Kai lowered his head, seeming to be digesting Naruto's words, weighing his inner guilt and new responsibilities. The sun shone quietly on the two of them.
After a long time, Kai stood up with a "swish" sound, and the legs of the chair rubbed against the ground, making a short sound.
His pair of eyes that were always burning Flames now burst out with a brighter and more determined light than ever before, and that light even dispelled the previous haze and self-blame.
"I understand, Naruto!"
His voice was loud and sonorous, like the sound of a war drum, instantly filling the entire Office and dispelling the last trace of stagnant atmosphere.
He straightened his back, like a pine tree that had become taller and taller after the wind and rain.
"I will let my youth--"
He raised his clenched right fist.
"Spread all and unreservedly on the glorious cause of Konoha unifying Shinobi World!
Whether I am teaching the next generation or fighting on the front line, my blood, my sweat, and every bit of my strength will burn for the future of Konoha!"