So, after class one day, Ichihime actively sought out the homeroom teacher, wanting to ask him something.

"Teacher Fujimura."

"Oh, it’s Mahiru. Is there something you need?"

The middle-aged man named Fujimura, with a plump body, sat there with a bulging belly.

He stopped grading papers and looked up, surprised, at the transfer student who seemed to have an important matter to discuss with him.

To be honest, he was very curious about Ichihime’s identity.

Ichihime was a transfer student personally entrusted by the Third Hokage to be taken care of, which was quite unusual at this time.

And for the Third Hokage to come in person to entrust her care, it could be imagined that this transfer student was extraordinary.

He believed that this newcomer to his class was a mysterious girl with many secrets.

At least, in Konoha over the decades, he had never heard of the surname ’Mahiru’.

"There’s nothing particularly important, I just want to know, why do you secretly observe me in class?"

"Uh... is it that obvious?"

"Maybe ordinary people wouldn’t notice, but to me, it’s no different than looking openly. Today alone, you secretly observed me eleven times."

Ichihime trusted her perceptiveness, although as a student, speaking critically of her teacher seemed somewhat inappropriate.

But Ichihime felt that Teacher Fujimura’s power was weaker than hers. Noticing Fujimura’s observation was not difficult for Ichihime.

"Haha, Mahiru, your eyesight is quite keen."

Fujimura awkwardly scratched his head.

"So, Teacher Fujimura admits to it, right?"

"Yes."

Fujimura nodded; since he was discovered, he could only admit it frankly.

"Then, what’s the reason for secretly observing me? Or is Teacher Fujimura actually a perverted lolicon?"

Ichihime’s gaze toward Fujimura became dangerous.

"Cough, cough, that’s too rude, Mahiru. I don’t have such unhealthy preferences. Why would you think of that?"

Fujimura was frightened by Ichihime’s daring assumption.

Fortunately, the office was empty, with only him and Ichihime inside; otherwise, that comment alone would have caused him lots of trouble.

"Then why? It’s useless to lie in front of me. You might not believe it, but even using violent means, dealing with just a Chunin isn’t a problem for me."

Ichihime was very confident in her abilities.

Even without unlocking the seals in her body, dealing with a Chunin was easy for her.

Upon hearing Ichihime’s threat, Fujimura did not feel angry but was left staring blankly at Ichihime, as though lost in some memory.

"You remind me very much of someone, Mahiru."

"Who?"

"Both the serious expression and the tone of disdain towards ’mere Chunin’ are very similar to a student I once taught."

"Hmm..."

Perhaps an unexpected answer; Ichihime hadn’t thought she would receive attention from Teacher Fujimura for this reason.

"So, Teacher Fujimura secretly observed me because I resemble a past student of yours?"

"Yes. Every time I see Mahiru taking class seriously, I feel like I’ve become twenty years younger."

Fujimura said with a sentimental tone.

"What a bother, a middle-aged greasy man’s self-delusion?"

"..."

The look of contempt was indeed very similar, almost as though cut from the same mold.

If he weren’t sure that those two had already left Konoha, he would truly think Ichihime was their child.

However, how could that be possible?

They had long become notorious Renegade Ninjas in Konoha. Even if they had a child, the child wouldn’t appear in Konoha.

After solving the mystery, Ichihime left the office.

Watching Ichihime’s departing figure, Fujimura instinctively scratched at the thinning hair atop his head.

"Yes, feeling increasingly young, the sensation of going back twenty years has grown stronger." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Unfortunately, there’s no going back.

Nurturing three excellent ninjas was indeed a lifelong honor for a teacher.

But thinking about how his most valued students later became notorious S-Class Renegade Ninja in Konoha.

It was simply like a mockery from destiny.

However, fate was not completely teasing him, now giving him hope anew.

Having worked in education for twenty to thirty years, Fujimura could distinguish geniuses from ordinary people at a glance.

In his opinion, Ichihime was an even more outstanding unpolished gem compared to Uchiha Ruri back then, even more than Uchiha Itachi who graduated from Ninja School a year ago.

Fujimura made up his mind at this moment to cultivate Ichihime into an excellent ninja.

◎

In the laboratory.

"How is Ichihime doing in Konoha?"

Since returning from Shikkotsu Forest, despite the nonchalant look on her face, Ruri still cared about Ichihime’s situation in Konoha.

After all, it’s different from the Land of Demons. If any sudden incidents occur there, it’s difficult for them to provide assistance.

"Don’t worry, as reported, Ichihime has officially enrolled in Konoha Ninja School. Also, I’ve already arranged for Ichihime to regularly write two letters every month, which the Shion Flower Merchants Association will deliver, so there won’t be any problems."

Since entrusting his daughter to temporarily study in Konoha, Hakushi had already arranged everything.

Even in the event of unforeseen accidents, he could ensure Ichihime’s unharmed transfer out of Konoha’s core.