Chapter 110 Teaching Assistant

Logan pondered the suggestion of becoming a Jonin Instructor, finding the role not immediately appealing.

It turns out that this is what Hiruzen meant by 'leisurely duty'. While the teams depicted in the original work were memorable, maybe Logan knew deep down that he met the requirements of this position, so he didn't think about it too much.

Seeing that Logan didn't refuse immediately, Hiruzen knew there was a chance he'd accept. He didn't rush him, giving him time to think. After a moment, he signaled Kakashi to process the mission report he had submitted earlier.

"Speaking of which, isn't today the graduation exam for the Ninja Academy?" Hiruzen said to Kakashi, sounding like he was chatting casually, "Kakashi, don't be too strict with the three students you are assigned to this time."

Kakashi felt ashamed when Hiruzen brought up this matter again, 'Wasn't we talking about Hattori now? And the principle in my heart is difficult to change.' But on the surface, he can only accept it perfunctorily.

On this occasion, Hiruzen did not give another round of criticism and education to Kakashi. He then said to Logan, who had been thinking for a few minutes: "If you register now, you'll be just in time. The exams finish today, the results come out tomorrow, and the day after, you'll meet your team. Your combat skills are certainly top-notch, and as for teaching... I recall you have experience from lecturing as a retired ANBU. I'm confident in your abilities…"

Hiruzen tried to persuade Logan, and his eloquent words floated in the air, affecting Logan's thoughts.

'He's already graduating? It's so fast...' Logan sighed at the information in Hiruzen's words. He had coincidentally returned at just the right time. At the same time, he also thought of Sasuke, the hard-working yet innocent boy, juxtaposed with the avenger from the original series.

It had been three years since Logan had left Sasuke in his sleep, and he wondered how the boy had fared alone.

"Hattori, what is your decision?" Hiruzen finally finished after saying a lot.

His wrinkled and aging face was looking at Logan with expectation. Entrusting the next generation to Logan would ensure the passing down of his valuable skills and qualities.

Hiruzen was thinking very positively, but the man in front of him gave an unexpected answer.

"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama." Logan said in embarrassment.

"..."

"What's the reason?" Hiruzen's face darkened as he quietly asked. Kakashi, equally puzzled, glanced at Logan. After all, leading a Genin Team as a Jonin Instructor is not a very tiring job. Even if he doesn't like spending time with young people, he still has a lot of free time after teaching in a strict manner.

Logan scratched his head, unsure how to articulate his reluctance. Being a Jonin Instructor is considered an easy 'off-duty job' among the Ninjas, but Logan is most concerned about the manga's mechanism of transporting him back. He hadn't yet figured out the rules or the method.

For the first time, he saw himself in the manga at the last page, appearing in the presence of the protagonist. If he is not within the shot of the plot character, would he still be transported back by [To Be Continued]?

Therefore, even if becoming a Jonin Instructor, teaching the Genin and taking them on missions does not take up too much time, it still didn't align with Logan's priority of understanding his situation better. Unless he replaced Kakashi to lead Team 7, but with so many students graduating from the Ninja Academy, not to mention Naruto's team, there was no guarantee he wouldn't end up with three background characters instead.

"Hokage-sama, I'm really sorry..." Logan said, facing Sarutobi's furrowed brows, with an expression as if saying 'What you said makes sense, but I don't can't...'

"Well, I wonder if there is any job that is a little easier..." Logan's voice was already very low after he said it, and he obviously lacked confidence.

Hiruzen couldn't help but roll his eyes. He leaned back on the chair, and said with a hint of exasperation: "No, there isn't!"

"For such things as Jonin Instructors, with Kakashi-senpai here, we can definitely teach a group of good students." Logan deflected, then pulled the unsuspecting Kakashi, "Kakashi-senpai has rich experience and broad knowledge. I have already heard about how many missions he has completed when I was in ANBU. When it comes to teaching, I still have a lot to learn from him."

Logan's blatant flattery gave Kakashi goosebumps.

However, Logan is not completely bullshitting. After all, the three members of Team 7 were indeed destined to become influential figures in the Ninja World.

"Then why don't you follow Kakashi and learn how to lead a team? Once you learn how to lead a team, you can lead a team yourself!" Hiruzen, exasperated by Logan's shamelessness, blurted out without much thought.

"Follow Kakashi?" Logan was momentarily stunned by the unexpected suggestion from the Hokage.

"Learn from me?" Kakashi, shaking off Logan's grip, showed clear disinterest.

After finishing his offhand comment, like a pebble thrown into the lake, Hiruzen's eyes lit up, and he thought carefully for a few seconds, thinking that it might not be a bad idea.

"Let's do that." Hiruzen clapped his hands, adopting a tone that brooked no argument. He couldn't let the lazy Logan keep dodging responsibilities, and he had to show the dignity of the Hokage, "Hattori, I accept your request for a less demanding job. Kakashi will soon be one of the Jonin Instructor for this graduating class. Given your clear admiration for him, from now on, you can learn from Kakashi to be a leading teacher first and provide some assistance with his duties. By the time the next batch of students graduates, you'll be ready to lead your own Genin Team!"

Logan was taken aback, needing a moment to fully process what Hiruzen had said.

'Putting the words together, did that mean I was now... a teaching assistant?'

And Kakashi was already a little dumbfounded. He had been roped into this from the beginning to the end. Feeling that this was unfair, he raised his hand to indicate that he had an opinion to express.

"It's settled then," Hiruzen declared without looking at Kakashi, "You two can go back and rest first, then get ready to welcome the new Henin. Okay, I won't see you off!"

Kakashi: "..."