After Mei and her group left, the atmosphere among Konoha's ninja instantly shifted, the tension of competition gave way to a lively buzz of excitement.
Most of them had heard of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, but witnessing their strength firsthand was something else entirely.
After all, anyone who could rise to the rank of Jōnin had once been a genius in their own right, yet what they'd seen today went far beyond that.
This Genin Meet had been a revelation.
Especially when compared to the so-called prodigies of the Hidden Mist, Chōjūrō and Suigetsu Hōzuki, Naruto and Sasuke had proven themselves to be geniuses among geniuses.
"You all did exceptionally well."
Tsunade's gaze swept across Sasuke and the others, a rare smile softening her usual commanding tone. "In this Genin Meet, you perfectly embodied the spirit and pride of Konoha."
"Quickly now, thank the Hokage-sama," Iruka reminded them with a warm grin.
Normally, a teacher of his rank wouldn't even be allowed to watch such an event. But as an instructor of the Genius Class, an exception had been made.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
The five spoke in unison, their voices filled with excitement and pride.
"All five of you earned victories," Tsunade said, clearly pleased. "As a reward, each of you may select one B-rank ninjutsu. Go home, think carefully, and let your teacher Kitazawa know your choice later."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
They responded again, disciplined but smiling.
Of course, the promise of a B-rank technique wasn't what thrilled them most. What truly made their hearts race was having defeated the Mist's geniuses in fair combat.
"Anyone else have something to add?" Tsunade turned toward Hiruzen and the other elders.
"Nothing to add," Hiruzen replied with a quiet chuckle. "They performed flawlessly, no criticism needed."
Shikaku and the others nodded in agreement.
"Then that concludes today's Genin Meet."
Tsunade glanced at Kitazawa. "The rest is in your hands."
With that, she left the Academy alongside Hiruzen and the others, her mood clearly uplifted.
"I'll keep this short," Kitazawa said, smiling at the eager faces before him. "You all get two days off."
A cheer erupted instantly.
It was Thursday, which meant a four-day weekend.
Even the students who hadn't participated in the meet were ecstatic; they hadn't expected to benefit from the victories.
"Students who ranked in the top eighteen on last month's exam," Kitazawa added, "don't forget, you have a mission this Saturday."
"Having Grandpa Third lead the mission is amazing!" Naruto shouted, his grin stretching ear to ear. "I can feel my youth burning!"
Sakura laughed softly beside him. She, too, was excited.
Not only would Third Hokage be leading them, Sasuke would be her teammate.
'This… this must be the peak of my life,' she thought dreamily.
Sasuke, meanwhile, was already plotting how to outshine Naruto during the mission.
"Kitazawa-sensei leading a team would be just as great!" Ino chimed in, brushing her bangs aside and refusing to be left out.
"There's no need to compete over that."
Kitazawa chuckled and reached over to ruffle her hair. "Alright, go on. Head home."
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!"
The Genius Class chorused together, before dashing out of the Academy like a flock of carefree birds.
"Wait for me, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called, but Sasuke had already vanished down the hall, racing home to share his victory with his father and brother.
He was so happy, his feet barely touched the ground.
"Kitazawa-sensei, what kind of mission will it be this Saturday?" Ino asked curiously.
"Yeah, will we get to fight a Jōnin?" Kiba asked, his eyes shining.
"We can't beat a Jōnin," Tenten said practically, shaking her head.
"Don't crush the mood!" Kiba shot back with a grin. "Even if we can't beat one, Kitazawa-sensei definitely can!"
Kitazawa gave him a mock glare. "You're the ones taking the exam, not me."
Kiba scratched his head awkwardly and fell silent. Despite Kitazawa's easygoing nature, there was something about him that still made the students nervous.
"We're going to the Land of Waves this Saturday," Kitazawa finally said after a pause. "As for the mission details… I'll explain once we arrive."
"The Land of Waves?" Kiba frowned. "Never heard of it."
"It's a small island nation," Ino explained. "Not surprising you haven't heard of it. My dad mentioned it once, it's tiny."
"Alright, enough chatter," Kitazawa said. "Meet here at nine a.m. sharp on Saturday. Everyone else, head home."
"Got it!" the three replied in unison before waving goodbye and leaving.
[Current Mission: Make Hidden Mist Village lose five consecutive matches.]
[Mission Reward: 10% Byakugan Purity.]
[Mission complete. Reward issued.]
Kitazawa stood quietly for a moment as the glowing text faded from his mind's eye.
No new mission appeared.
He sighed, a hint of regret in his eyes.
'So… 60% Byakugan purity still isn't enough to trigger a new ability, huh?'
For now, he could only wait, and see what further powers awaited him as his Byakugan continued to evolve.
Leaving Iruka to handle the paperwork, Kitazawa made his way toward the Hokage's Office.
There, Tsunade sat behind her desk, her mood visibly bright, the corners of her lips lifted in satisfaction.
Of course she was pleased.
Konoha had claimed a flawless victory in the Genin Meet.
And as Hokage, that triumph was hers to savor.
"Mei Terumī and the others will return to the Hidden Mist in two days."
Tsunade lazily picked up her pen, tapping it against the desk. "So," she asked, "which five B-rank jutsu do you think we should request from them?"
"They're all about the same."
Kitazawa replied casually, his tone unconcerned. "Just pick any five B-rank ninjutsu. It won't make much difference."
The Mist Village was best known for its Water Release techniques.
But thanks to Tobirama, Konoha's water-style ninjutsu had long since surpassed theirs.
Besides, Konoha already possessed most of the Mist's jutsu, collected over years of war.
To be precise, gathered from the fallen ninja of the Mist.
After all, Kitazawa himself had once slain the elite jōnin Kurosuki Raiga. Even the Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique, the Mist's signature, was already archived in Konoha's scrolls.
"True enough."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully, then jotted down five names.
"As for the jutsu we promised Sasuke and the others," she said, setting her pen aside, "no need to trouble the Mist with that. We'll provide them ourselves."
"That's settled, then."
She handed the list to Shizune. "Take this to Mei Terumī."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune bowed lightly, offering Kitazawa a polite smile before leaving.
"Tsunade-sensei," Kitazawa said with a faint grin, "aren't you forgetting something?"
Tsunade blinked, caught off guard. "Forgetting? What do you mean?"
"Our bet," he reminded her.
Her expression stiffened slightly. "You won," she said, raising an eyebrow. "So, what do you want?"
"Can I ask for anything?"
"Of course not!" she said quickly, narrowing her eyes. "That depends entirely on whether I'll allow it."
Kitazawa chuckled, stepping closer. "Oh? The Hokage herself… going back on her word?"
Tsunade met his gaze, pretending calm, though her pulse quickened. "Tell me what you want first."
Kitazawa's eyes softened as he leaned in slowly.
"You… what exactly are you doing?"
For the first time in years, Tsunade felt a flicker of nervousness.
He reached into his cloak, and when his hand reemerged, something glimmered between his fingers.
"A gift," he said quietly.
Her confusion deepened. A gift?
Kitazawa opened his palm, revealing a necklace.
Tsunade froze. The sight of it stirred old memories, she hadn't worn her grandfather's First Hokage necklace since giving it away.
Kitazawa had purchased this one days ago.
Not as a sentimental gesture, but as part of his market research, he had planned to assess the value of rare ores once the undersea expedition began.
Still, when he saw the gem that mirrored the green-blue hue of her old necklace… he had chosen it.
"I'll put it on for you."
He stepped behind her, brushing aside strands of golden hair as he fastened the chain around her neck.
Tsunade caught the faint scent of metal and cedar from his clothes.
When she turned her head slightly, his face was close, too close, and for the first time in a long while, her heartbeat felt unsteady.
Her breath hitched.
"It's on," he said softly, stepping back just enough to meet her eyes. "Well? Does it look good?"
Tsunade didn't answer.
Instead, she suddenly reached forward and pulled him in, wrapping her arms around his head and pressing him into her chest.
Caught off guard, Kitazawa stumbled, eyes widening.
For a second, his vision was filled with white, soft, warm, and overwhelming.
Now, he realized, he was receiving the same treatment as the necklace.
"…Thank you," Tsunade murmured after a moment, releasing him.
But Kitazawa didn't move.
"Do you want to die?" she growled, her fist already cocked back.
He immediately leapt back, sweat trickling down his temple.
One more second and he'd have been punched through the wall.
For someone with such an impressive chest, she could be surprisingly petty.
Still… that brief hug had closed the distance between them far more than words ever could.
"If you've got nothing else to do," Tsunade said, regaining her composure, "go handle the surgeries at Konoha Hospital."
"Yes, Tsunade-sensei."
Kitazawa smiled, turned, and left.
Tsunade watched his retreating figure.
Her hand rose unconsciously to the necklace resting against her collarbone.
The gem gleamed faintly, the same shade as her grandfather's chakra crystal.
A small smile curved her lips.
He really thought about this.
With renewed energy, she turned back to her paperwork.
Kitazawa spent the afternoon at Konoha Hospital, performing two successful limb regeneration surgeries for injured ninja.
By the time he was done, the sun had begun to dip below the rooftops.
The next morning, Friday, dawned bright and warm.
Although he'd given the students a break, Kitazawa still made his way to the Ninja Academy.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto, who was sprinting on his hands across the training ground, waved cheerfully.
Around him stood Sasuke, Hinata, Neji, Ino, and others.
Except for Shikamaru, who was too lazy to show up, nearly all of Konoha's Twelve had gathered, even Yakumo, Hana, and Karin.
Kitazawa couldn't help but smile.
As expected.
Sasuke and the others had been training under him long before the Genius Class was formed; daily practice had become a habit.
The rest of the class used their holidays like normal students. But these ones, the truly driven, kept pushing.
That was good.
Talent meant little without the will to sharpen it.
"Ino."
She stopped mid-practice, jogging over. "Yes, Kitazawa-sensei?"
"You've nearly mastered the Mystical Illusion: Place Transfer Technique," he said, smiling. "It's time for your next genjutsu."
Ino's eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
"This time, I'll teach you something advanced, a B-rank jutsu: Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death."
"B-rank!?" Her eyes widened.
"No confidence?" Kitazawa teased, tapping her forehead.
"It's not that," she said with a mischievous grin. "I just have confidence in you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Kitazawa let out a helpless chuckle.
That line sounded suspiciously like something he used to say to his sensei.
So now he was her cheat code?
"You're the one learning, not me," he warned. "If you can't handle it, you'll face a homework penalty."
"Ehhh, Kitazawa-sensei, please no!"
She grabbed his arm, pleading dramatically.
"That depends on how well you perform," he said with mock sternness.
"Understood!"
Straightening up, Ino listened intently as he began to explain the principles behind Tree Binding Death.
Motivated by the threat of more homework, she absorbed every word, and her progress was faster than before.
Still, mastering a B-rank genjutsu wouldn't be easy. It would take time, patience, and plenty of practice.
Once her lesson ended, Kitazawa left her to train on her own and turned his attention to learning the Five Elements combination jutsu himself.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, its golden light fading across the training grounds, another day had quietly come to an end.
By five in the evening, Kitazawa had gathered all his students at a bustling barbecue restaurant.
"Thank you for your hard work today, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino cheerfully picked up a perfectly grilled slice of beef and dropped it onto Kitazawa's plate. Her bright blue eyes sparkled, silently pleading, 'Please don't give me extra homework punishment.'
Seeing that, Hinata shyly followed suit, adding a piece of meat to his bowl.
"Thank you," Kitazawa smiled. "But you should grill and eat for yourselves, no need to fuss over me."
"How could we not?" Kiba said eagerly. "Kitazawa-sensei, you just sit back and eat! We'll handle the grilling."
"I can grill too!" Naruto suddenly shouted, full of enthusiasm. "Let's make it a passionate, youthful barbecue competition!"
"I'm in!" Lee immediately joined in, eyes burning with excitement.
"Let's not turn everything into a competition," Tenten sighed, shaking her head. "If we over-grill, it'll just go to waste."
"With Choji and Hinata here, how could there ever be waste?" Naruto shot back.
"..."
Tenten could only stare blankly.
"No problem!" Choji grinned, already salivating. "Leave everything to me!"
Free food and free grillers, this was paradise.
"Then let's do it," Sasuke said coolly, flipping his hair. "Even in a barbecue, I'll come out on top."
"Sasuke-kun, I'll support you!" Sakura declared instantly, eyes shining.
And just like that, the "Barbecue Battle" began.
"Hinata, why are you using your Byakugan?" Ino cried, spotting the faint veins around Hinata's eyes.
"No one said it wasn't allowed," Neji replied calmly, and activated his Byakugan too.
Since Sasuke and Naruto were already competing for first place, he couldn't possibly stay out of it.
"Damn it!" Kiba growled, itching to summon a Shadow Clone, but then he remembered Naruto could use Multiple Shadow Clones. Competing like that would be pointless.
"Wait, Sasuke, are you using Fire Release?!"
Kiba felt the heat rise beside him and turned to see Sasuke channeling Fire Chakra through his left hand, the grill glowing a deep crimson.
"You can use Fire Release too," Sasuke said coolly without looking up.
"Kiba, I'll help with Wind Release!" Naruto said eagerly.
"Hold it!" Kiba shouted in panic. "Your Wind Release will just blow the fire out!"
Two hours later, the air was thick with smoke and laughter.
"I declare the winner of this barbecue competition… Sasuke," Kitazawa finally announced with a wry smile.
"That's cheating!" Kiba protested loudly.
"Winning is winning. Losing is losing," Sasuke said flatly, folding his arms.
"Next time, maybe try setting the rules before the competition," Shikamaru muttered lazily from his corner.
Though he hadn't trained that day, Kitazawa had invited him along. Predictably, Shikamaru spent the whole evening eating at his own pace, completely unbothered by the chaos.
"Alright," Kitazawa said, standing up. "Once you're done eating, everyone head home."
The night passed peacefully, and a new day dawned, Saturday.
Kitazawa didn't head to the Academy that morning. Instead, he made his way to the ANBU base.
"Kitazawa."
Konan was already waiting in his office. Ever since joining the ANBU, she'd been staying in one of the dormitories Kitazawa had arranged for her.
"Good morning," Kitazawa greeted. "Has Tenzo returned?"
The ANBU team that had gone with Shibi Aburame's underwater exploration squad was led by Tenzo, his Wood Release was perfect for quickly building strongholds.
"He came by earlier," Konan replied, handing him a scroll. "You weren't here, so he left this for you."
Kitazawa unrolled the scroll and scanned through it.
It contained detailed intelligence on Gato's situation, similar to the original timeline, but far more thorough.
As expected, the Land of Water had been involved. But instead of controlling Gato, it seemed he had bribed certain Water Country officials to gain their protection.
No wonder that after Gato's death in the original events, the Land of Waves had quickly regained its freedom, the Land of Water had never truly cared to intervene.
That was convenient for Kitazawa.
Even if the Land of Water had backed Gato, none of them would dare stir trouble now, not after the Hidden Mist's crushing defeat.
"Should I summon Tenzo?" Konan asked.
"No need," Kitazawa said, rolling the scroll back up. "This information is enough."
Konan nodded quietly.
"Let's move out," Kitazawa said after a moment. "You're coming with me, to the Land of Waves."
Though slightly surprised, Konan simply nodded. She didn't question his decision.
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