Chapter 6

Haruki found Takahiro Oki and asked him to deliver the two books compiled last night to Hiruzen Sarutobi. If there were any revisions needed, he would note them for correction and handle the printing. With 27 students per class, 10 classes per grade, and nearly 1620 students in the entire school, relying solely on handwritten copies would be too time-consuming.

---

**Sixth Grade, Class A**

When Haruki entered, the noisy classroom fell silent.

"Hello, everyone."

He had a warm smile on his face. "I am your new teacher, Haruki."

Upon hearing this name, the atmosphere changed dramatically. Almost all the students looked surprised and delighted.

The legendary ninja had become their teacher? It was unbelievable.

When Haruki raised his hand, the classroom instantly quieted down. His name carried significant respect among the children.

"Your teacher should have told you that the school is adding two theoretical courses: 'Konoha's Hokage Character Dictionary' and 'The Great Inheritance of the Will of Fire.' But since the textbooks haven't arrived yet, I'll talk about something else today."

Haruki turned and wrote a line on the blackboard: **How to Become a Hokage?**

The students were immediately captivated.

"Before I start the lesson, let me ask you: how many of you want to become Hokage or take Hokage-sama as a role model?"

As expected, more than two-thirds raised their hands. Hiruzen Sarutobi's promotion of the Will of Fire had made the Hokage position highly desirable, almost like the strongest illusion.

Haruki looked around carefully. He noticed Uzumaki Kushina hesitated for a few seconds before raising her small hand. In the original series, during her self-introduction when she first entered the academy, she mentioned wanting to become the first female Hokage but was ridiculed by her classmates. Angered, she beat them up and earned the nickname "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero," making her very self-conscious about her red hair. In a way, her situation was similar to her son Naruto's.

"Can anyone tell me how to become a Hokage?"

Many students raised their hands eagerly after he spoke.

"You, the first boy in the third row."

"Teacher, I think you need to become the strongest ninja to qualify as Hokage."

"A ninja recognized by the village."

"A ninja willing to sacrifice themselves to protect the village."

"I think you need extraordinary wisdom and means."

"..."

After listening to several students, Haruki smiled and summarized:

"What you mentioned most was personal strength and recognition. But is that absolute?"

He scanned the thoughtful faces and continued:

"Before becoming Hokage, there is a process—jōnin voting. Since it's a vote, it means that there are often multiple people with both strength and reputation. Have you ever wondered why some fail?"

The classroom was silent. Haruki smiled—why did they fail? Because they weren't part of the Hokage's lineage. In the original series, the position of Hokage was monopolized. Even Danzo, who always wanted to be Hokage, was a student of the Second Hokage. But these students wouldn't understand that.

Haruki wrote two words on the blackboard: **Innovation.**

"You might be confused."

He was somewhat altering the concept, but as long as it made sense, it was fine.

"Looking at the three Hokages, all their actions were unprecedented—that's innovation. If you want to become Hokage, you must have an innovative spirit. If you only stick to current achievements, you can't surpass yourself or become Hokage."

Haruki paused, letting them digest this.

In some ways, genin were just tools, following a predetermined path like cogs in a machine.

"Innovation involves discarding outdated and bad practices. Everything is constantly moving and changing. The path of predecessors is not your own. As your teacher, I hope you all can follow and uphold your unique ninja way!"

To be honest, they might not fully understand these principles, but over time, it would be effective. Besides, children in the world of Naruto mature quickly. For example, Itachi Uchiha contemplated the meaning of life at five and went to war at six.

This lesson was also aimed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had a crystal ball for monitoring the village.

---

At noon, Haruki called Uzumaki Kushina and Minato Namikaze.

"Did you understand the lesson?"

"I didn't understand some parts," Uzumaki Kushina said, scratching her head sheepishly.

"I have a bit of confusion," Minato Namikaze said thoughtfully. "Teacher, how do you explain 'everything is constantly moving and changing'?"

Haruki nodded in satisfaction—no wonder he could become Hokage. This phrase seemed simple but was tricky to explain.

"It's not something that can be explained briefly. You'll understand in time."

Haruki patted their heads and invited, "How about having lunch at my place today?"

"Huh?" They looked up in surprise.

"Don't you want to?"

"We do! We do!"

Haruki led them home, where Tsunade was. The title of the Sannin carried more weight than his name.

Uzumaki Kushina was especially thrilled. Even the usually composed Minato Namikaze was excited.

Tsunade was also surprised to see Kushina.

In the kitchen, Haruki prepared lunch. Despite the chakra-based world, it had certain technological advancements like computers and electric cookers, making the kitchen feel familiar to him. In his previous life, his father was a chef, and he himself was a good cook.

"Wow!" Uzumaki Kushina was amazed, looking at the unfamiliar but attractive dishes.

"Let me introduce the dishes: Twice-cooked Pork, Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, Fish-flavored Shredded Pork, Husband and Wife Lung Slices."

Haruki handed her chopsticks. "These are dishes from my hometown. Try them."

After the Uzumaki clan's demise, Uzumaki Kushina relied on Konoha's welfare funds and hadn't had such a sumptuous meal in a long time. She looked at Haruki and Tsunade, feeling a bit nostalgic, as if she were a child again. She had been mocked by her classmates ever since coming to Konoha, and no one had treated her so kindly.

As for Minato Namikaze, she had naturally forgotten about him.

"What's wrong?" Haruki asked when he saw her stop eating.

"Nothing." Uzumaki Kushina took a deep breath and said, "If I were ten years older, I would definitely marry you, Teacher Haruki!"

Minato Namikaze was startled, suddenly finding his food less appetizing.

What about me? What about me?

Clearly, I came first.

Haruki quickly glanced at Tsunade and, seeing no reaction from her, breathed a sigh of relief. Kids these days were too precocious. Plus, he wasn't into that.

"I think Minato is quite good," Haruki pointed to Minato, who looked grateful.

"Him? He's not even one-tenth as good as Teacher Haruki!" Uzumaki Kushina said disdainfully.

Minato Namikaze felt as if struck by lightning and ate his rice sorrowfully.