Kitazawa’s grades at the Ninja Academy had always been mediocre.

Uchiha Itachi graduated at seven; he barely scraped through at thirteen.

Uzumaki Naruto became the savior of the ninja world at seventeen; at that same age, Kitazawa was still struggling to make Chunin.

In this harsh world of shinobi, Kitazawa was what people called a fodder ninja: no talent, no bloodline, and no backing.

To stay alive until the story’s grand finale, he’d chosen the safest path—teaching at the Ninja Academy, a job he’d held for five years.

“Another peaceful day in Konoha.”

Kitazawa rose from his seat and walked to the window.

It was enrollment day again, and the training grounds were buzzing with life.

He glanced down at the stack of new student files in his hands. Names leapt out at him, all too familiar:

Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata, Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru, Inuzuka Kiba… and more.

'DING'

'Host has reached age six and successfully enrolled in the Ninja Academy.'

'Activating the Strongest Shinobi System.'