Hokage, no one knows better than me how to cultivate talent.

However, this thought only flashed through his mind for a moment. He then thought of Qiu Shui, who, as a new teacher, skipped the teaching assistant position and became the homeroom teacher of the senior grades. In her first month in office, she managed to bring order to the fourth grade class, which no one could manage.

The chaos in that class was evident to all the teachers in the school, but after Qiu Shui took over, the class average score jumped from around 60 to 75 in just one month.

Fujino asked himself honestly, even excluding Naruto as an uncontrollable factor, he would never have been able to achieve such results.

After finishing speaking, Qiushui turned around and followed the Chunin who had delivered the message out. As he walked through the corridor, he could feel the gazes of several teachers along the way, some curious, some inquisitive, and some undisguisedly envious.

The principal's office is located on the top floor of the school, the sixth floor. This floor is rarely visited on weekdays. The ninja who delivered the message led Shusui to a dark wooden door, straightened his collar, and gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in." Hiruzen Sarutobi's gentle voice came from inside the door.

"Lord Hokage, Mr. Shusui, the teacher of Class 1, Grade 4, has arrived." The chunin who was delivering the message opened the door and respectfully addressed Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting at his desk inside.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work. Go ahead and take care of your business."

"It's no trouble at all. It's my honor to serve the Hokage." The chunin who delivered the message bowed slightly and said sincerely, "Compared to your busy schedule every day, I'm just delivering a message. It's really nothing."

Qiu Shui stood aside, listening to the fluent conversation, and couldn't help but admire him. This guy was indeed a talented talker. It was just a polite remark, but he said it sincerely and tactfully, expressing respect for the Hokage without being overly obsequious. No wonder he was the one sent to deliver the message out of so many teachers at the school.

After the ninja who delivered the message turned and left, Qiushui walked into the office. He casually glanced around. Although the office was about the same size as his third-floor teacher's office, the furnishings and overall layout were clearly several levels higher.

The dark red solid wood desk was polished to a mirror-like smoothness, with several documents and an exquisite pen holder neatly arranged on it. In the corner stood an antique bookshelf, which, in addition to various ninjutsu manuals, was decorated with several antique ornaments. The most eye-catching thing was the quotes from the Hokage of each generation posted on the wall, each sentence written in vigorous calligraphy, exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

"Shusui, don't be so formal, have a seat." Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind the large desk, his face kind and smiling as he greeted him.

Qiu Shui sat down as instructed. The moment his bottom touched the seat, he felt a distinct difference. The leather chair was so soft that he sank into it, making it infinitely more comfortable than the hard wooden stools in the teachers' office.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that the position of a leader was indeed different.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and slowly said, "Shusui, you have a real talent for teaching."

He pulled out a file from a stack of documents, which was filled with the exam results of each class. "I've seen the monthly exam results of the fourth-grade class you taught this time. They've made significant progress compared to when Iruka taught them. Their theoretical scores are more than ten points higher than other classes in the same grade. In the practical exam, their mastery of basic ninjutsu such as ninja tool throwing, clone technique, transformation technique, and substitution technique is also better than other classes."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked, "What's most remarkable is that even Naruto, who gives countless teachers headaches, actually achieved first place in the practical exam right after you arrived. I'm very curious, Shusui, how did you manage to do that in just one month?"

"It's thanks to Iruka and the other teachers for their excellent teaching that they laid a solid foundation for them. In addition, the students themselves studied diligently. I just did my best to teach them." Qiu Shui was already adept at responding to such praise from her workplace leader.

Although the rapid progress of Class 1, Grade 4 was largely due to his teaching methods, Qiu Shui knew very well that without the efforts of the previous teachers, it would not have been so easy for these students to achieve such results.

"Teach as much as you can, that's a good saying." Hiruzen Sarutobi gently put down his teacup, his smile deepening.

His eyes were full of praise as he looked at Qiu Shui. The young man was praised, but instead of being arrogant, he humbly said that it was not his achievement alone, but the result of the joint efforts of all the teachers. Isn't this humble and unassuming character and his behavior of not taking credit for himself the true embodiment of the Will of Fire?

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly. Most young people these days are restless and easily pleased with themselves. Someone as calm and steady as Shusui is truly rare. He felt more and more that he hadn't misjudged him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then continued, "If the Ninja Academy could have more teachers like Shusui who are dedicated to educating their students, I believe the students would receive better training and be able to handle various unexpected situations with ease after becoming ninjas. In the end, education is about the future of Konoha."

Qiu Shui remained humble, saying, "I am still young and should learn more from other seniors."

He wouldn't readily accept such praise; if he did, wouldn't that imply that other teachers were incompetent?

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied with his answer, and his smile became even more benevolent. He said, "No one can manage this Class 1 of the fourth grade well. Considering your performance this time, I have decided to remove your title of acting homeroom teacher and directly appoint you as the official homeroom teacher of Class 1 of the fourth grade."

He paused, his eyes filled with expectation: "It just so happens that the fourth-grade group leader will be transferred to another position at the end of this semester. If you can keep the fourth-grade class at this level for the next two months, I will make the decision to not only award you the title of outstanding teacher, but also appoint you as the fourth-grade group leader."

Qiushui didn't expect that Hiruzen Sarutobi would not give him a cake, but instead give him a real benefit. The acting homeroom teacher's monthly salary was only 80,000 taels, but after becoming a full-fledged teacher, it would be 120,000 taels. This was equivalent to the reward that a small team could get for carrying out a B-level mission. Although he didn't have many places to spend money, who would refuse more money?

Shusui immediately stood up, a look of surprise on his face. Then, with a grateful expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Thank you, Third Hokage-sama. I will certainly not let you down."