I'm Going to Be a Ninja Academy Teacher!

"Seeking a private tutor ranked at least Chunin. Special Jōnin preferred. Must excel in at least one of Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu..."

Zou Hyuga read the posting carefully.

"Oto, this is our chance! Our chance to step back from the front lines!"

"But the request is only for one private tutor. Would that be me or you?"

Oto Uchiha read through the request as well.

Zou Hyuga raised his head and gave Oto a helpless look. "We're not taking this request. You should apply for a position at the Ninja Academy. We're Chunin now."

"Oh, right..." Oto Uchiha nodded slightly. "Chunin can apply to be Ninja Academy teachers. That's a safe job."

"So this is a blessing in disguise." Zou Hyuga nodded.

"I don't understand, but it sounds impressive..." Oto Uchiha looked at Zou Hyuga, tilting her head.

Don't just spring that cute head tilt on me!

After that silent complaint, Zou Hyuga picked up a few D-Rank Missions and left the Mission Center.

Even small earnings added up. As long as his safety was assured, he didn't mind making a few extra trips.

Walking through Konoha's streets, Zou Hyuga felt more and more that being a Ninja Academy teacher suited him.

A steady salary, a secure position, no need to leave the village on dangerous missions, and the occasional chance to earn extra money through tutoring.

Wait, did Konoha even have supplementary classes?

If not, I'll start them.

How could private tutoring earn as much as teaching a whole group?

Before long, Zou Hyuga arrived at the Ninja Academy. The familiar buildings stirred a sense of nostalgia.

He had spent several years sitting in the second-to-last seat by the window, and those years had taught him just how poor his ninjutsu fundamentals were.

Back then, Oto Uchiha had been one of the class's few geniuses. Those memories still carried a hint of youthful innocence.

But he hadn't come to reminisce. He was scouting the place to see whether there were any openings he could apply for.

A Chunin teacher at the academy soon noticed Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha, along with their Forehead Protectors.

Spotting his former teacher, Zou Hyuga hurried over to exchange pleasantries and ask whether they were hiring Chunin teachers.

After asking, Zou Hyuga's expression changed slightly.

Not just anyone could become an academy teacher. The Third Hokage had to approve each appointment personally.

It was something of a perk within Konoha's system, with positions reserved specifically for Chunin who weren't suited to combat.

The Third again! How hadn't he worked himself to death, sticking his nose into everything?

Still, I should count as someone unsuited to combat, right? I can't even perform B-rank ninjutsu.

I should be able to apply for a Chunin teaching position. But Oto was an Uchiha. It probably wouldn't be that easy for her.

If I applied to become a teacher and left Oto to carry out missions alone...

He couldn't rest easy!

After all, she was a friend he'd teamed up with for years, a reliable helper who did as she was told.

"Let's go..."

With the information he needed, Zou Hyuga left with Oto Uchiha.

He planned to go to the Hokage's building and discuss it with Lord Hokage. If that didn't work, he would have to ask Lord Jiraiya for help.

The man had promised he could come to him if he needed anything, though he probably hadn't taken it seriously.

But a promise was a promise. If Jiraiya went back on his word, Zou Hyuga would... he would...

Fine. There was nothing he could do.

Inside the Hokage's office.

The Third held a pipe between his teeth, smiling at the handsome blond man before him.

"Minato, you did well at the border this time. You successfully thwarted Kumogakure's planned surprise attack."

"Lord Third, I was only doing my duty. Unfortunately, I still arrived too late. We lost many comrades, and even my student..."

Minato looked forlorn as he gazed at the leaves dancing in the wind outside the window.

By the time he received the intelligence and rushed to the battlefield, the village's forces had already lost more than half their shinobi.

The combined strength of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B, and A had been overwhelming. All he could do was cover his comrades' retreat.

He had been unable to do anything else. He had even spoken smugly to A before leaving.

He had said that the next time they met, it would be as the Kage of their respective villages.

After returning to the village, he had received news of Rin Nohara's death.

He was Konoha's fastest shinobi, the Yellow Flash, yet whenever his students needed saving, he always arrived too late.

The Third fell silent for a moment. "I regret what happened to Rin as well. She was a good child who made a tremendous sacrifice for the village..."

"Kakashi came to see me just now, too. He said he wanted to join the ANBU."

At those words, Minato Namikaze hurriedly turned to the Third. "Did you agree?"

After Obito and Rin's deaths, Kakashi was his only remaining student, and the boy was terribly lonely on his own.

"I did. Perhaps he needs time to move past his pain. Joining the ANBU is a good choice."

The Third nodded and slowly exhaled a smoke ring. "But as his teacher, you'll still need to help stabilize his state of mind."

"Yes, Lord Third." Minato Namikaze had some ideas about how to help Kakashi as well.

But Konoha's situation was still unstable, and he was needed on multiple fronts. His strength might not match the Sannin's or Lord Third's, but his mobility was unrivaled in Konoha.

"Oh, there's one more thing, and it's good news!"

The Third set down his pipe and took a letter of appointment from a drawer. "Minato," he said solemnly, "I've already submitted my choice for Fourth Hokage to the Daimyō. Before long, you'll be the Fourth."

Minato Namikaze's expression shifted. He was about to become the Fourth.

It had been his dream since childhood. After so many years of hard work, he had finally earned the villagers' recognition and would become the next Hokage.

"Minato, once I step down, I'll leave the village in your hands." The Third smiled warmly.

He had agonized over the choice of Fourth Hokage for years. At last, he could settle on a successor.

Jiraiya didn't want the position, and Orochimaru wasn't suited to it. The only suitable candidate was Minato Namikaze.

Just then, the Hokage's office door was pushed open.

Zou Hyuga walked in with Oto Uchiha. For some reason, the ANBU at the door hadn't stopped them.

Both the Third and Minato Namikaze turned their gazes toward Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha.

The Third frowned at first, then slowly relaxed. "Zou Hyuga and Oto Uchiha. What can I do for you?"

"Lord Third, we'd like to apply to become Ninja Academy teachers..."

"I see." A smile returned to the Third's face. "Please explain your reasons. If I recall correctly, I only just promoted you both to Chunin."

The Third had plenty of patience for the shinobi who had saved his son.

More importantly, their mission records were excellent, with almost no failures.

They had also earned perfect marks in their academic courses at the academy and possessed unique insights into the Will of Fire.

"Lord Third... Lord Minato."

Looking around, Zou Hyuga spotted someone who looked like Minato Namikaze. This was a good opportunity to leave a favorable impression.

"I believe the Ninja Academy is an extremely important part of Konoha. A teacher must embody the Will of Fire, and I am willing to dedicate my entire life to serving that will at the academy..."