Kitazawa glanced at Kurenai, who seemed momentarily stunned. As the Rasengan in his hand dissolved, he reached out and gently pinched her soft cheek.
"When did you learn that?" she asked, snapping back to her senses.
"Yesterday," he replied after a short pause.
Technically, he wasn't lying—it had only taken him two days to master the Rasengan.
Kurenai pouted, frustration flickering in her eyes. "Being surpassed so easily... it's really frustrating."
Kitazawa's eyes drifted to her lips—soft, pink, and slightly parted in the morning light.
He leaned closer. Kurenai looked up at him, her eyes clouded with something unspoken. She didn't move away.
Their lips met. Kitazawa's arms slid around her waist, but as soon as his hand brushed against the curve of her rear, she shoved him back, cheeks flushed.
"You're not being very honest, are you?" she said with mock sternness.
Clearing his throat, Kitazawa tried to sound serious. "I should get going. Duty awaits."
"And I'm going back to practicing Rasengan," she muttered, stomping lightly on his foot.
Kitazawa looked down at her delicate, pale feet and thought to himself, 'I'll make her pay for that... someday.'
He changed his sandals at the entrance and left Kurenai's house.
Konoha Ninja Academy
Opening his office door, Kitazawa spotted Hinata sitting quietly on the sofa.
Her posture was rigid—legs together, hands folded in her lap, a perfect example of Hyuga discipline.
"Good morning, Hinata," Kitazawa said, patting her head.
"Good morning, Kitazawa-sensei!" she said with a slight blush, hopping down from the sofa to greet him.
"You seem happy today. Something happen?"
Hinata nodded, a shy smile forming on her face. "Father was pleased with me yesterday. He praised me... and even taught me Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms."
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow, thoughts stirring.
'Could I use Hinata's training as a basis to justify learning the Gentle Fist myself?' Theoretically, yes—but practically, there were serious risks.
Unless he had overwhelming strength and influence, learning a clan's secret Jutsu as an outsider could be dangerous. Possibly fatal.
Still, it was an angle. Something to keep in mind.
"That's incredible, Hinata. You're on your way to being a top-tier prodigy."
"I... I'm really not," Hinata said, ducking her head. "It's only thanks to your guidance, Kitazawa-sensei."
He smiled, flicking her forehead gently. "You've got to believe in yourself. My guidance wouldn't mean anything if you didn't have the talent."
Hinata looked up at him, heart stirring. No one—not even her family—had ever encouraged her this way.
"What do you think about Neji's challenge?" he asked, taking out the food he had brought.
"I... I can't beat him," she whispered.
"Not yet. You've only just awakened your Byakugan," Kitazawa said, offering her a rice ball. "But you don't need to be discouraged."
"Do you think I can catch up to him one day?"
"Ordinarily? No," he said bluntly. Then he smiled. "But you have one thing he doesn't—you have me as your teacher."
Hinata's face lit up.
She hadn't considered the contradiction yet: How could a non-Hyuga teach her Gentle Fist?
"Kitazawa-sensei, I'm here!" a lively voice called out.
Ino stepped into the room with two bento boxes.
"Hey! You started eating without me?" she said dramatically.
Without waiting for an invitation, she sat beside Hinata and opened her box.
"I thought you'd be having breakfast at home today," Kitazawa commented.
"I was going to, but I wanted to share some great news."
Her face lit up with pride. "I've learned the Mind Body Switch Jutsu!"
Kitazawa blinked. "You've learned it already?"
"Well... sort of?" Ino said, blinking innocently. "I can use it, kind of."
'So she's barely scratched the surface,' Kitazawa thought.
Still, it was impressive for someone her age.
"That's already amazing. At your age, learning a clan jutsu puts you far ahead."
Ino beamed, embarrassed by the praise.
"Keep practicing. Master it soon," Kitazawa said, patting her head.
"Of course, Kitazawa-sensei. I'll be counting on your guidance!"
[Mission Triggered: Help Ino Yamanaka Master the Mind Body Switch Jutsu]
[Reward: Mind Body Switch Jutsu]
[Accept Mission?]
Kitazawa's brow twitched.
'Looks like the system wants me to collect the secret Jutsus of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.'
Made sense—if this was the "Strongest Shinobi System," mastering all clan Jutsus would be a natural path.
He smiled. "Let's train after first period."
Classroom - Class 1A
When they entered the classroom, Sakura was buzzing around Sasuke, much to his silent annoyance.
Meanwhile, Naruto was animatedly telling Kiba and Choji about his fishing weekend.
Kitazawa remembered Naruto's knack for catching fish in the wild—Hiruzen had even freeloaded off him once.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" the students chorused.
They were far more enthusiastic now than they'd been before the match against Second Year Class A.
"You all did great in the friendly match," he said at the podium, unrolling a summoning scroll. "So, I prepared a reward. Snacks—one bag each."
"Kitazawa-sensei is the best!"
"Thank you, sensei!"
Cheers filled the room. He smiled warmly.
"Line up and collect them."
Ten minutes later, everyone had their treat.
"Eat them after class," he added. "Now, let's begin."
For once, everyone was attentive—except Shikamaru, who was his usual lazy self, eyes half-open and spirit somewhere else entirely.
When the bell rang, Kitazawa dismissed class.
"Shikamaru, come to my office."
"Huh?" Shikamaru blinked.
"Busted!" Kiba teased.
"I don't think it's punishment," Ino guessed. "He probably needs you for something."
"Good luck," Choji said, patting his friend.
"Troublesome..." Shikamaru muttered.
He entered the office, already on defense.
"Sensei, I've already mastered the textbook. That's why I wasn't paying attention."
"Then how about I teach you something new?" Kitazawa replied, playing along.
Shikamaru frowned. "No need to waste your time."
"Your mom asked me to tutor you."
Shikamaru froze. That was a name he feared.
"Huh?"
"Let's go to the training ground."
His eyes went dead inside.
At the training field, several students were already waiting—Hinata, Ino, Sasuke, and Sakura.
Yakumo was busy working on her bloodline, and Naruto had classes to attend.
"Sakura," Kitazawa called, handing her a scroll. "These are foundational medical texts. Start memorizing."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" she said—then stared blankly as a mountain of books spilled out of the scroll.
"So many?!" Ino gasped, realizing they weren't Medical Ninjutsu books—just pure medical theory.
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