"Ah?" Akimichi Choji had been so focused on eating that he hadn't noticed how much Hinata had eaten. Now, upon hearing that she had eaten five more bowls than him, disbelief filled his face.
"Hinata, do you have the blood of the Akimichi clan?" Kiba asked curiously.
"Don't talk nonsense!" Shikamaru quickly covered his mouth. Spreading rumors about the Hyuga clan's leader, Hyuga Hiashi? Was he trying to get himself killed?
"With Hinata's Byakugan and normal figure, there's no way she's from the Akimichi clan," Ino said, shaking her head.
"Indeed," Sakura agreed. "I didn't expect anyone could out-eat a ninja from the Akimichi clan."
Uchiha Mikoto suddenly thought of something and asked in surprise, "Then if I make Hinata a bento every day, wouldn't she never be full?"
"Teacher Kitazawa brought enough bento boxes," Uchiha Sasuke replied.
"But being able to eat is a good thing," Uchiha Mikoto said with a gentle smile. "From now on, I won't have to worry about making too many lunchboxes."
"..." Uchiha Sasuke hesitated.
"Are you planning to keep making lunchboxes for Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Hinata? That's… strange." This was the first time Sasuke had seen Uchiha Mikoto so concerned about two outsiders.
"I declare the first place in the children's group of this eating contest is Hyuga Hinata!" Kazuo announced, seeing that time was up.
"Looks like I need more practice," Akimichi Choji said, clenching his fists. "I've decided—I'll eat an extra meal every day during summer vacation!"
Uchiha Sasuke sensed something odd. Why did those words sound so familiar?
He recalled Might Guy and Uzumaki Naruto often saying things like, "I'll run extra laps today."
"Hinata, please follow me," Ayame said with a smile. "I'll take you to receive your prize."
"Yes." Hinata stood and followed her inside.
Kitazawa watched her figure disappear, and three lines of text appeared before his eyes:
[Current Mission: Make Akimichi Choji lose first place in the eating contest.]
[Mission Reward: Partial Expansion Jutsu]
[Host Completed Mission, Reward Issued.]
Well... Kitazawa mastered the Partial Expansion Jutsu and immediately understood why the Akimichi clan was so overweight.
It wasn't their fault. The technique consumed an enormous amount of chakra.
Without the bloodlines of the Uzumaki or Senju clans, the Akimichi had no choice but to convert body fat into chakra as an energy reserve.
Naturally, Kitazawa wouldn't do that. He was already handsome enough—there was no need to become obese for the sake of the jutsu.
But thankfully, becoming overweight wasn't necessary. The Partial Expansion Jutsu was a Yang Release ninjutsu. Medical ninjutsu was also a Yang Release technique.
If Kitazawa eventually mastered the Yin Seal or possessed the bloodlines of the Uzumaki or Senju, he could use the technique without relying on body fat.
"Kitazawa-sensei, come here for a moment." Just then, Hinata peeked out from behind the door.
"What is it, Hinata?" Kitazawa snapped out of his thoughts and stepped toward her.
Hinata didn't answer, only took his hand and pulled him inside. The room was filled with prizes of all kinds. There were snacks, toys, and even ninja tools prepared specifically for young shinobi.
"Hinata, which one do you want to choose?" Kitazawa asked, looking around.
"Th-this one." Hinata blushed slightly, raised her hand, and pointed at a half-human-sized stuffed animal.
Kitazawa couldn't help but smile. After all, she was just a little girl—and who could resist the temptation of a cut stuffed toy?
But then he paused.
Why had she invited him inside? Sure, a little girl could love stuffed animals. But the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan? Hiashi Hyuga definitely wouldn't approve.
"How about putting it in my office?" Kitazawa thought for a moment and offered.
His office was probably the second-most visited room by Hinata, after her own home. Hinata nodded quickly, a smile blooming on her face.
"Put it away," Kitazawa said, patting her head and handing her a summoning scroll for storage.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata walked over and hugged the oversized cat plush, rubbing her face against it with joy before storing it inside the scroll.
The two returned to the shop.
Uchiha Mikoto, Itachi, Shikamaru, and the others had already finished their ramen and were waiting for them.
"Sasuke," Kitazawa said after a pause, "you can take a break from special training for a while."
"Why?" Sasuke asked instinctively. He didn't dislike Kitazawa's special training—on the contrary, it was clearly making him stronger.
"Because you've awakened your eyes," Kitazawa explained. "While I don't know much about the Sharingan, I know you'll need a period of adjustment after opening them."
This reminder brought to mind what his brother, Itachi, had once said about mastering the Sharingan. If he could fully grasp it, even Naruto and Neji wouldn't be his match.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Excitement surged back into Sasuke's voice. "I'll return to special training once I've become familiar with the Sharingan!"
"Yes." Kitazawa noticed the slight curl at the corner of his lips. He didn't need to ask—he already knew what Sasuke was thinking.
But who would win or lose next semester was still anyone's guess. Especially now that Naruto had already learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique ahead of time.
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei." Ino, Shikamaru, and the others waved as they turned to head back to their own base.
"Although Sasuke won't be participating in special training for a while, I'll ask him to bring you lunchboxes every day," Uchiha Mikoto said.
"Huh?" Sasuke was stunned.
"Teacher Kitazawa has helped you so much, and you're unwilling to bring him a meal?" Mikoto looked at him sternly as she questioned him.
"That's not what I meant," Sasuke quickly shook his head. "I bring them every morning anyway."
"Thank you, Aunt Mikoto! Thank you, Sasuke!" Naruto beamed.
So alike. Really alike. Uchiha Mikoto seemed to see the shadow of Uzumaki Kushina in him.
Because of Naruto's sensitive identity, she hadn't met him once since Kushina's death. As a close friend, she'd always felt guilty—and now that the chance had come, she wanted to make up for it.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Mikoto," Kitazawa didn't decline. After all, Mikoto wasn't doing this for the Uchiha's sake—but for Naruto's.
"Mr. Kitazawa, could you speak with me for a moment?" Mikoto asked, suddenly realizing something.
"Of course." Kitazawa raised his hand slightly. "Let's go over there."
"Sasuke, wait here for a moment." Itachi patted Sasuke's head, then followed Mikoto and Kitazawa to a quiet corner not far away.
"Mr. Kitazawa," Mikoto asked carefully, adjusting her tone, "was it you who orchestrated Sasuke's awakening?"
"Why do you ask?" Kitazawa replied calmly.
"Because you deliberately invited Itachi and me to the eating contest," Mikoto said matter-of-factly. "You also sponsored the contest, and Sasuke just happened to be wearing a green jumpsuit."
"Mrs. Mikoto, you're truly perceptive," Kitazawa admitted.
There were too many coincidences. Uchiha Sasuke might not notice them—but Uchiha Mikoto and Itachi definitely would.
Still, Kitazawa wasn't worried. Helping Sasuke open his eyes was a good thing. The Uchiha clan ought to be grateful.
"It wasn't me," Uchiha Mikoto shook her head. "It was the result of a discussion between me and Itachi."
"Kitazawa-sensei," Uchiha Itachi asked, "how did you know the Uchiha clan needed emotional stimulation to awaken the Sharingan?"
"Tsunade-sama told me," Kitazawa answered. "I'm considered her half-apprentice and currently learning medical ninjutsu under her."
Who knew the Uchiha clan best? Naturally, it was Senju Tobirama.
The village leadership had undoubtedly read his research on the Uchiha. So it was natural that Tsunade would know about the emotional triggers for the Sharingan.
As for whether Mikoto or Itachi would question Tsunade directly—that was out of the question.
"What?" Uchiha Mikoto was genuinely surprised.
In her mind, Kitazawa had always been just a diligent academy instructor—responsible, sure, but nothing more. Yet now she learned he was Tsunade's student? That was astonishing.
Uchiha Itachi was also taken aback. Who was Tsunade?
The granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. The student of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The most skilled medical ninja in the entire shinobi world.
Her standards for apprentices had to be exceptionally high.
"I've been assisting Senior Shizune with surgeries at Konoha Hospital lately," Kitazawa added with a smile. "If any Uchiha ninja are injured, feel free to send them to us."
"Teacher Kitazawa, we're truly impressed," Mikoto said, now fully convinced.
Without a strong relationship with Tsunade, there's no way he'd be allowed to assist Shizune in surgeries.
"Sensei Kitazawa, when are you free?" Mikoto thought for a moment and smiled gently. "You've helped Sasuke so much—I'd like to treat you to a meal."
Even putting Sasuke aside, the fact that he was a student of Tsunade was reason enough for her to take him seriously.
"Then I'll come over tomorrow night," Kitazawa thought for a moment and accepted the invitation.
Although the Uchiha clan was currently under strain, he was Sasuke's teacher—one meal wouldn't hurt. Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen found out, he wouldn't object.
"Okay." Seeing the matter settled, Uchiha Mikoto bid Itachi farewell and walked off.
---
"What did you talk about with Kitazawa-sensei?" Uchiha Sasuke asked as they walked away.
"Nothing much," Uchiha Mikoto replied, taking his hand. "Just invited him over for dinner tomorrow night."
"Oh." Sasuke didn't mind. After all, Kitazawa had helped him a great deal.
"Mom!" Sasuke suddenly remembered something and asked excitedly, "When is Dad coming back?"
"Why?" Mikoto chuckled. "Can't wait to tell him you awakened your eyes?"
"Hehe." Sasuke smiled sheepishly. That was exactly what he had in mind.
Itachi's brow furrowed slightly. He was beginning to wonder if Uchiha Fugaku would make the wrong decisions now that Sasuke had awakened the Sharingan so early.
Just like how he himself had been taken to the battlefield at four years old, leaving behind deep psychological scars. That must never happen again!
A flash of crimson flickered in Itachi's eyes. Even if it meant standing against Uchiha Fugaku, he would protect Sasuke.
It was evening.
"Why hasn't Dad come back yet?" Sasuke sat down, then stood up again, looking anxious.
"Sasuke, look at you—getting anxious again," Uchiha said, shaking her head with a gentle smile.
Just then, the sound of the front door opening rang out.
"Dad!" Sasuke Uchiha hurried to the entrance.
"Sasuke," Fugaku Uchiha said sternly, "Dad has matters to attend to and can't play with you."
Although Tsunade's return had temporarily eased tensions within the Uchiha clan, the pressure from Shimura Danzo and Root remained ever-present.
"Dad, I've awakened my Sharingan!" Sasuke exclaimed triumphantly.
"What did you say?" Fugaku suddenly stopped and turned to look at him.
"I've awakened my Sharingan!"
Seeing his father's startled expression, Sasuke became even more excited. He activated his Sharingan—revealing a magatama in each eye.
"Is it true?" Uchiha Fugaku was stunned. Then, he suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha! My son awakened his eyes at six—what a genius!"
So dad can laugh too? Sasuke watched him chuckle, the tension melting away. He couldn't help but join in.
---
A new day arrived—Friday.
Kitazawa woke up on time.
He changed clothes and was about to head out when a sudden thought struck him. He immediately found a secluded place.
Partial Expansion Jutsu. Kitazawa formed hand seals and mobilized his chakra.
With a thought, his right arm rapidly expanded. He maintained the chakra output until the arm extended beyond eighteen meters, feeling the strain hit its limit.
More precisely, it hit his chakra limit. He released the jutsu, exhausted, and paused to rest.
Actually, growing his arm to such an extent served little purpose. In the original story, unless the entire body scaled proportionally, the Partial Expansion Jutsu was usually used to increase size by just one or two meters.
Kitazawa arrived at the ninja academy.
Although Sasuke was no longer participating in special training, he had already delivered three bento boxes that morning. As for Naruto and Hinata, their training routines remained unchanged.
That afternoon, Kitazawa left behind a shadow clone and returned to Kurenai's home.
After yesterday's eating contest, he had gone to Konoha Hospital to continue learning medical ninjutsu under Shizune.
Today was dedicated to genjutsu.
"Kurenai-sensei, what genjutsu are we learning today?" Kitazawa asked directly. "Anything advanced?"
"You've only learned two C and D-rank genjutsu, and you're already asking for advanced ones?" Kurenai glared at him.
"Don't you think I'm talented?" Kitazawa coughed lightly, trying to sound modest.
In truth, he wanted to test the limits of his newly acquired master-level Yin chakra nature transformation.
"You are talented," Kurenai admitted, curling her lips. She clenched her fists. "Since you're asking for trouble, don't blame me!"
"Then go easy on me," Kitazawa said, unable to hold back a grin.
"Still laughing?" Kurenai kicked him lightly and declared, "Fine! I've decided—today I'll teach you an A-rank genjutsu!"
Kitazawa couldn't help but smile again and said, "Thank you."
"Thank me after you've mastered it," Kurenai snorted softly. "This A-rank genjutsu is called the Nirvana Temple Technique."
Although Kitazawa was a genius, his attitude still mildly irritated her. But between boyfriend and girlfriend, such irritation was more flirtation than friction.
She didn't mind—and neither did he.
In the original story, the Nirvana Temple Technique was used by Yakushi Kabuto. It was a rare, large-scale genjutsu that caused white feathers to fall from the sky, casting a deep sleep upon all who saw them.
After her explanation, Kurenai led Kitazawa outside and demonstrated the technique.
White feathers appeared out of nowhere and drifted down gently. Kitazawa didn't resist—and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Kurenai stepped forward and gently hugged him. A few seconds later, Kitazawa freed himself from the illusion and awoke.
He blinked, then buried his head in her arms. A faint fragrance reached his nose.
His vision was filled with her fair skin, rising and falling softly with her breath, and the black mesh fabric beneath.
"You must master this Genjutsu properly!" Kurenai blushed and pushed him away.
"Is that so?" Kitazawa replied playfully.
He formed hand seals—and in an instant, the white feather illusion reappeared.
"You—this is impossible!" Kurenai stared at the floating feathers, questioning her reality. How could someone replicate an A-rank genjutsu on the first try?
"The effect isn't quite there yet," Kitazawa said thoughtfully. While he had successfully used the Nirvana Temple Jutsu, it hadn't fully hypnotized Kurenai.
"What more do you want?" Kurenai was speechless.
"It's thanks to Kurenai-sensei's excellent teaching," Kitazawa quickly added.
But the praise didn't make Kurenai happy. Kitazawa had only been learning genjutsu for a few days—and was already this advanced. At this rate, in less than two months, he might surpass her—despite her having studied illusions for more than ten years.
Thankfully, he was her boyfriend. So, in a way… the talent stayed within the family.
"Keep going," Kurenai said, tugging at her collar. "You've only just begun."
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," Kitazawa answered seriously.
The sun slowly dipped below the horizon. Before long, it was dusk.
Realizing it was nearly time, Kitazawa wrapped up his genjutsu training and headed toward the Uchiha compound.