Biting down the last two mochi balls on the skewer and twirling the skewer in his hand, Kizaru listened to Sakumo's proposal with an interested smile.
"Isn't that going a bit too far, Sakumo? Bullying kids is just... too much."
"You mean it's interesting, right?"
Having spent so much time with Kizaru, Sakumo understood this guy's character quite well, which was somewhat mischievous.
While internally grumbling, Sakumo maintained a friendly smile on the surface and continued, "I wanted to guide them, turn their fights over who deserves to be your rival into a cooperative effort to defeat you."
Tossing the skewer onto the table, Kizaru rubbed his chin and said with a grin, "Interesting idea. I agreed."
Hearing Kizaru's agreement, Sakumo couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief, and he hoped that through the planned exercise, his three students would learn teamwork.
Sakumo's planned exercise was not complicated at all; in fact, it was quite straightforward.
It was simply a matter of organizing a mock battle between Kizaru and his three students, under the guise of an assessment, and requiring them not to lose within a certain time frame.
At the same time, he would inform them that failing the assessment would result in the cancellation of their genin qualifications, requiring them to return to the ninja academy for further study.
Sakumo was serious about this punishment!
In Sakumo's view, if the three couldn't learn teamwork and consider their comrades, then they weren't qualified to be ninja.
"When are you free tomorrow?"
Since they had already discussed it, Sakumo wanted to confirm the time as soon as possible.
"After three o'clock in the afternoon, I'm free."
"Okay, tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, I'll be waiting for you at Training Ground 10."
"You're truly a great teacher, Sakumo."
"Haha!"
Hearing Kizaru's praise, Sakumo smiled and rubbed the back of his head.
After agreeing to Sakumo's request and chatting for a while longer, Kizaru, having finished his afternoon tea, bid farewell with his lunchbox in hand and left.
Returning home, Kizaru, with some free time on his hands, had initially planned to chat with Yahiko and Konan.
But he was informed by his sister, Hanabi, that the two of them had gone out to play with Nagato.
Yahiko and Konan got to know Nagato through Kizaru's introduction.
At the time, the two kids followed Kizaru to Konoha, unfamiliar with the place and rarely going out.
In order to help Yahiko and Konan integrate into the village more quickly, Kizaru took them to visit Nagato's house, which had moved to the village earlier.
Coming from Amegakure to Konoha, the shared experience made the three kids become friends after their first meeting.
Since then, the three kids had often visited each other and played with the other children in the village.
So, upon hearing Hanabi's notification, Kizaru simply smiled and nodded, then went into the house and took a nap in the afternoon.
The next morning, Kizaru, as usual, left home at nine o'clock.
However, unlike yesterday, Kizaru didn't carry a lunchbox but instead held a ninja sword about five feet long.
This was Kizaru's preparation for the afternoon exercise.
It was really unfair to fight three classmates of the same age using his abilities as a devil fruit user.
Therefore, Kizaru took a ninja sword from home, intending to simply "bully" his three former classmates with swordsmanship.
Arriving at the school and entering his office, Kizaru, who had nothing to do today, was just about to boil some water and make a cup of coffee to wake himself up.
"Ding dong!"
Just as Kizaru had plugged in the electric kettle and put it on the socket, the sound of knocking came.
"Come in!" Pressing the switch, Kizaru stood up and looked towards the direction of the door, calling out.
The office door was opened, and a school staff member, accompanied by Hinata Hyuga's heir, Hiashi, walked into the office.
"Principal Kizaru, this is Hyuga Hiashi. He's been assigned by the Third Hokage to work at the school, and it's up to you to manage him."
As the staff member spoke, Kizaru began to assess Hiashi, who entered the room, with a critical eye.
Was the Hyuga Clan betting this big? To directly assign the heir of the main family to the school, becoming his direct subordinate.
Sitting back at his desk, Kizaru looked at the two in front of him with a smile and spoke.
"I understand. You may leave now."
"Yes!"
After a brief response, the school staff member voluntarily stepped back and closed the office door.
Looking at the standing figure in front of him, who was expressionless and staring at him, Kizaru began to consider how to arrange this newcomer, Hiashi.
"Principal Kizaru, my name is Hiashi. I look forward to working with you in the future," Hiashi spoke with a standard polite smile.
Nodding and stroking his chin, Kizaru, with a cheerful smile, looked at the traditional and serious-looking Hiashi in front of him and had an idea in mind.
Adaptability was a necessary skill for managers and leaders.
In Kizaru's view, Hiashi, with his Byakugan and serious demeanor, was very suitable for a position at the school, specifically as the Director of Discipline and Instruction, responsible for enforcing school rules and managing discipline among students and teachers.
Previously, with fewer teachers and students, the ninja school had a relatively flat management structure and did not have such a position.
However, with the upcoming reforms, Kizaru was planning to slightly expand the enrollment size of the ninja school, with more teachers and students.
Moreover, with the benefits from the Second War, Konoha's finances had improved significantly. There was more funding available for education, especially now that Kizaru was the head of the school, making it easier to secure funds.
Because of this, to better manage the school in the future and to lighten his workload, Kizaru had long planned to establish a Department of Discipline and Instruction and appoint a Director to manage it.
Before Hiashi's arrival, Kizaru hadn't found a suitable candidate for the Director position among the school staff.
Originally, Kizaru had planned to recruit a capable ninja from the ANBU or Root if there were no suitable candidates among the school staff.
However, Hiashi's arrival today provided Kizaru with a new option.
Coming from the strictly disciplined Hyuga Clan, possessing the Byakugan for monitoring students at any time, Hiashi was indeed well-suited for the role of Director of Discipline and Instruction.
"Hehehe!" Seeing this suitable and high-quality "tool" in front of him, Kizaru smiled, "You came just in the right age, Big Brother Hiashi!"
"Eh? But I'm only 16 years old!"
Hiashi felt uncomfortable with Kizaru's address and the lewd and frivolous smile.
"Is there something you need? If so, please let me know, and I'll do my best to complete it," Hiashi forced a polite smile and spoke.
Shaking his head with a smile, Kizaru explained his idea to Hiashi while he was still puzzled.
"I was just about to establish a new department and position at the school when you arrived. It seems like fate brought us together!"
Upon hearing about the new department and position, Hiashi became a bit curious. He wanted to know what the new position that Kizaru mentioned was all about.
In the curious gaze of Hiashi, Kizaru detailed the responsibilities and duties of the Department of Discipline and Instruction and its Director.
After listening to Kizaru's explanation, Hiashi nodded thoughtfully.
As the Director of Discipline and Instruction, this position had considerable authority and a decent status, which indeed suited him well.
"I understand," Hiashi said confidently after understanding the requirements of the new position.
"Then, I'll leave the position of Director of Discipline and Instruction to you, Big Brother Hiashi."
"No problem," Hiashi replied confidently.
After agreeing, Hiashi, who really didn't want Kizaru to continue calling him "big brother," spoke up, "Principal Kizaru, you can just call me Hiashi from now on."
"Okay, Big Brother Hiashi!" Being adaptable, Kizaru changed his address.
His face stiffening a bit, Hiashi felt a bit uncomfortable!
"I'm only 16 years old, there's no need to call me big brother. Just call me Hiashi," Hiashi said directly, despite Kizaru's smiling face.
With an expression of sudden realization, Kizaru nodded with a smile.
"16 years old? Sorry! I didn't realize earlier. My apologies, Hiashi!"
Looking at Kizaru, who was only ten years old but seemed more mature than himself, Hiashi couldn't help but wonder, who between the two of us actually looks older?