Although it was a new semester, Kitazawa didn't teach any new ninjutsu; instead, having them practice Konoha-style Taijutsu.
It wasn't that he didn't want to teach, but rather that most of the students had limited talent. For them, even learning the three basic E-rank jutsu at the ninja academy was already quite impressive.
Kitazawa, following previous practice, divided the students into two groups. Those who had mastered Konoha Taijutsu were free to roam and attend special training as needed.
Then he handed the remaining students over to his shadow clones for instruction.
"Neji, follow me." After Kitazawa had arranged the students for both classes, he called Hyuga Neji over.
The two of them gathered beneath a nearby tree.
"Kitazawa-sensei, what do you want to talk to me about?" Neji had regained his composure—at least on the surface.
"What are your thoughts on losing to Hinata?" Kitazawa asked after a moment's thought.
"It's fate." Hyuga Neji was silent for two seconds before saying, "She was born into the main family, so her talent and strength should have been greater than mine."
"…?" Kitazawa's mouth twitched. Was this kid completely shut down?
Neji had hated the Hyuga main family for two main reasons. First, he believed Hyuga Hizashi was killed by the main family, and he saw the Hyuga clan as cold and heartless.
Second, he couldn't accept that, despite his talent, he was limited simply because he was born into a branch family.
Now that Hinata had defeated him, that second reason had crumbled. If the former Neji could still resist the unfairness of fate, now he had simply surrendered to it.
"Did you ever think Hinata would defeat you?" Kitazawa thought for a moment and asked.
"No." Neji paused before continuing, "This is probably a joke fate played on me."
"Hinata said something just now, but it needs to be revised," Kitazawa said, observing his resigned expression. "Fate is an excuse for the weak."
"What did you say?" Neji suddenly raised his head.
"I said you're a weakling," Kitazawa stated bluntly. "Only weaklings bow to fate."
"I'm not!" Neji said instinctively. "I'm the genius of the Hyuga clan!"
From childhood, both Hyuga Hizashi and other Hyuga clan members had praised him as a rare prodigy. But after saying that, he froze.
"What difference does it make whether I'm a weakling or not?" Neji said dejectedly. "No matter how strong I am, I'm bound by the caged bird seal on my forehead!"
"It's not the caged bird that's bound you. It's your ignorance." Kitazawa shook his head and asked, "Why don't you try removing the caged bird?"
"So many branch members of the Hyuga clan have tried for thousands of years, but none have succeeded!" Neji suddenly shouted, "This is the fate of our branch clan!"
"Didn't you say you were a genius?" Kitazawa said calmly. "If you can break the caged bird, you'll be the greatest genius the Hyuga clan has ever seen."
"That's impossible for me." Neji was stunned and shook his head.
"Neji, let me ask you this," Kitazawa said seriously, "Do you have the courage to swing your sword against fate?"
Neji opened his mouth but couldn't find an answer.
[The prerequisite for dominating the ninja academy is to conquer the geniuses of all grades.]
[Current Quest: Gain Hyuga Neji's initial recognition.]
[Quest Reward: Increase your Byakugan purity by 10%.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's eyes lit up. As expected, a new quest had been triggered—and it was related to the Byakugan. This quest reward was the same as the one he had received for defeating Hyuga Neji.
Well, while a 10% increase in Byakugan purity didn't sound like much, it was actually quite valuable. And adding this 10% to the previous 10% might even amplify the effect.
Of course, the specifics would only be revealed after completing the quest.
"Think about it," Kitazawa said, patting Neji on the shoulder. "When you've made up your mind, come join my special training."
He said nothing more. There's a saying: Don't tell someone to be kind until you've walked through their pain.
Kitazawa could understand why Neji resented the Hyuga clan's main family. It was truly inhumane that Hizashi Hyuga had to die in someone else's place.
Moreover, Neji had witnessed Hizashi punished with the Caged Bird Seal. Therefore, Kitazawa didn't try to persuade Neji to forgive the main family. Instead, he shifted focus to the seal itself.
As for whether Hyuga Neji could break free from the caged bird, it was a difficult task. But just because he couldn't…didn't mean Kitazawa couldn't.
System, show me your limits!
In short, Kitazawa was half-heartedly trying to persuade Neji. For now, it was working; at least it had triggered a new quest.
Whether Hyuga Neji could break free depended on his own resolve.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata saw Kitazawa and approached him.
"Aren't you going to training?" Kitazawa, seeing her worried expression, reached out and pinched her cheek.
"Neji-nii, how is he?" Hinata asked, looking up.
"I've already talked to him. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be training with you soon," Kitazawa thought for a moment and reassured her.
"Really?" Hinata's eyes lit up.
It had been a long time since she and Neji had practiced Gentle Fist together. They'd been very close as children, like siblings.
But after Neji was caged, they'd become strangers.
"Do you think I would lie to you?" Kitazawa asked back.
"No!" Hinata perked up and said sincerely, "Kitazawa-sensei, you are amazing, even more amazing than Father!"
Kitazawa couldn't help but laugh. Fortunately, Hiashi had left after Hinata and Neji finished their fight. Otherwise, those words alone might have angered him to death.
"Let's go, I'll take you to training." Kitazawa and Hinata came to the training ground not far away.
Ino and Shikamaru were already training, but Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura were not there.
Sasuke and Sakura had gone to the artificial lake. Naruto had to practice the Rasengan, and because he had created so many shadow clones, it was easy to disturb the students in class.
So, at Kitazawa's suggestion, he went to a rather remote grove north of the training ground.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Kiba ran over, asking, "Can I participate in the special training?"
Kitazawa smiled, somewhat surprised. But he didn't need the secret technique of fusing with a dog!
"The prerequisite for participating in the special training is that it doesn't affect your grades," Kitazawa thought for a moment and said.
"I can do it!" Kiba immediately promised. "If my grades drop too much on the next monthly exam, I'll end the special training!"
"Okay," Kitazawa nodded slightly and said, "Start with chakra control training."
The Inuzuka clan's secret techniques involved dogs, so he couldn't give any advice. But improving chakra control wouldn't be a bad idea.
"Come with me," Kitazawa led him to the school's artificial lake.
Sasuke stood by the lake, trying to dry the water from his hands. Not far away, Sakura placed her hands on a carp, practicing a new medical ninjutsu.
"Climb the tree first, then tread water." Kitazawa demonstrated, then had Kiba begin the tree-climbing training.
After the practical class, it was time to go home.
The students of Class A, Year 1 and Class A, Year 2 all left together.
"Neji, do you want to go home together?" Tenten found Neji, who had been quiet for the entire class.
"No, thank you." Neji shook his head and said.
Tenten hesitated.
"I'm fine." Neji glanced at her and said.
Although Tenten thought he was lying, she still believed him. After all, he was the proud Hyuga genius.
"See you tomorrow." Neji turned and left the school, but as he walked, he realized something was wrong. As he turned around, he saw Kitazawa and Hyuga Hinata.
"Why are you following me?" Neji asked after a two-second silence.
"I'm not following you, I'm just passing by." Kitazawa chuckled and said, "I'm just taking Hinata home."
Neji was stunned for a moment, a little embarrassed. He turned around and continued walking.
When he arrived at the Hyuga clan's residence, he found Hyuga Hiashi standing at the door. Needless to say, it was Hinata who was being waited for, not him.
"Clan leader." Neji greeted him indifferently and was about to leave.
"Neji, come with me." Hiashi stopped him and said, "I have something to give you."
"...?" Neji looked confused.
Seeing this, Kitazawa had a rough idea of what it was.
In the original story, besides Uzumaki Naruto's persuasion, the reason Neji let go of his grudge was a letter from Hizashi.
This letter was given to Neji after the Chunin Exams. Giving it now must have been because he had witnessed today's sparring match.
This was a good thing; it would help him complete his mission.
"Hinata, see you tomorrow." Kitazawa didn't linger, turning and heading toward Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade and Shizune were now each doing their own thing.
After Kitazawa finished school, Shizune taught him medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade went home to study psychological ninjutsu related to emotional replacement with Kurenai.
---
The night grew darker.
It was nine o'clock in the evening.
Kitazawa and Shizune finished the surgery and returned home together.
"What did you say?" Shizune asked angrily. "Tsunade-sama didn't come back tonight? Damn it! She lied to me!"
"She doesn't have any money on her, so she probably didn't go back to the casino," Kitazawa analyzed.
"It's hard to say," Shizune said, taking a deep breath. "With her status, it's easy to borrow money."
"That's true," Kitazawa asked with a hint of amusement. "What should we do now?"
"Go get her!" Shizune clenched her fists and said fiercely.
"Then let's split up. You look for the izakaya, and I'll find the casino," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. He knew the two casinos Tsunade frequented, but he wasn't sure about the izakaya.
"Okay, you're still thoughtful," Shizune nodded and said.
"Wait until we come back." Kitazawa exchanged a glance with Kurenai and turned to leave.
A few minutes later, he arrived at the nearest casino.
The casinos in the ninja world looked quite modern, with the usual gambling tables and electric slot machines. Kitazawa glanced around and saw Tsunade in the corner.
She was sitting in front of a slot machine, staring intently at the patterns scrolling across the screen.
"Ah!" Tsunade looked at the three completely different patterns and suddenly put her head in her hands.
"Tsunade-sama, if you break a slot machine, you have to pay for it," Kitazawa said with a smile as he stepped forward.
"Kitazawa?" Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then suddenly excitedly grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward her.
Kitazawa was caught off guard and bumped into her soft, voluptuous body.
"Sit still," Tsunade said, holding his shoulders. "Give me the money you have."
Kitazawa struggled to tear his eyes away from the necklace nestled in the snowy mountains and looked at the slot machine before him.
In his two lives, this was his first time playing slot machines. But he had seen many in movies and TV series in his previous life.
"Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa said with a light cough. "I have something to tell you."
"Let's talk after we're done gambling. There's no rush." Tsunade glared at him and said, "As long as I win, I'll take care of everything for you!"
Kitazawa curled his lips.
By the time you win, Yakushi Nono will have already gone to the Pure Land to meet the Sage of Six Paths!
"How much did you lose?" Kitazawa asked, suddenly having an idea.
"It's not much, just two hundred thousand ryo," Tsunade said confidently. "If you lend me the money, I'll win it back soon."
"How about we make a bet?" Kitazawa winked. "If I can win it back, you'll do me a favor."
While he didn't guarantee it, his chances were better than Tsunade's. Besides, his luck must be pretty good—after all, even the legendary system had chosen him.
"What if you don't win it back?" Tsunade loosened her grip, realizing they'd been too close.
The bench in front of the slot machine was designed for one person, so the two of them were inevitably a tight squeeze.
"I'll give you two hundred thousand ryo," Kitazawa replied.
"Okay," Tsunade thought, figuring it was a good deal, so she agreed.
Kitazawa exhaled and clapped his hands.
'May the god of gamblers bless me,' Kitazawa murmured, finishing his prayer before feeding a coin into the slot machine.
The machine whirred to life, reels spinning in a blur of color.
Tsunade instinctively leaned in, and Kitazawa, tilting his head, caught a glimpse of her fair skin.
Suddenly, the machine jolted. The reels clicked to a stop—three blazing sevens in a perfect row. With a metallic clatter, a flood of coins spilled into the tray.
"I won!" Tsunade excitedly raised her hand and patted Kitazawa on the back.
Her clothes ruffled with her movements.
"What are you looking at?" Tsunade noticed his gaze and patted him again, saying, "Don't just stand there. Keep going!"
She was so excited that she didn't care about Kitazawa's advantage.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Kitazawa continued to insert coins.
She won once, and Tsunade was delighted. But when Kitazawa won seven times in a row, she fell into deep doubt.
"How come you're so lucky?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
"I don't know," Kitazawa spread his hands and said, "Luck is just so unreasonable."
"That's right." Tsunade stood up, her tea-green coat with the word gamble printed on it fluttering. She said excitedly, "I'm going to win big today!"
Kitazawa felt like the background music from God of Gamblers should be playing at this moment.
The moon was at its peak.
Tsunade held a pile of money and smiled uncontrollably.
It was the first time she had won so much on a slot machine. Of course, it would be more accurate to say that Kitazawa didn't win, but rather that she did.
"Tell me, what's your mission?" Tsunade crossed her legs, her high-heeled sandals dangling slightly, her exposed toes painted red, looking strikingly vibrant.
"Nono-san said she's got a mission and will be traveling to the Land of Earth next week," Kitazawa said, pausing.
"Why would a medical ninja go so far away on a mission?" Tsunade immediately sensed something was wrong. "Was it the old man who assigned her to do this mission?"
"Nono-san didn't say, but it's probably not," Kitazawa replied. "If it was the Hokage, she wouldn't have had to hide it."
"Shimura Danzo!" Tsunade's face darkened, her eyes frightening. "Nono was a Root ninja before, but she's now a member of the Medical Corps."
Kitazawa breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Tsunade had guessed the truth.
Of course, this was thanks to Shimura Danzo's mischief; otherwise, Tsunade wouldn't have chosen him immediately.
"I'll go see the old man tomorrow." Tsunade-sama snorted, "It's a waste for Nono, such an excellent medical ninja, to go on revenge missions!"
"Tsunade-sama, I don't think that's right," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "Nono-senpai left the Root and is still carrying out revenge missions for Shimura Danzo. She must have been coerced."
"You mean to investigate the situation first?" Tsunade asked thoughtfully.
"Yes," Kitazawa said solemnly. "If we want to help Nono-senpai, we have to help her resolve her worries."
"You have a point," Tsunade thought for a moment, then said, "I'll have someone investigate."
Although she wasn't in Konoha Village for a long time, her status and strength were there, and she had saved the lives of many ninjas.
If she used all her strength, the energy she could mobilize might be comparable to that of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa said with a slight nod.
"You are very considerate." Tsunade suddenly laughed and asked, "Why do you want to help Nono?"
"She is one-third of my teacher." Kitazawa replied, "If anything happens to Lady Tsunade, I will not hesitate to die."
Tsunade couldn't help but smile. Reminded by this, she thought about accepting students. With the talent shown by Kitazawa now, he is enough to become her student.
But Tsunade is still a little undecided.
One is Kitazawa's age. The second is that after having a student, it is equivalent to having a concern, and it is even more difficult to leave Konoha Village.
She knew Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts very well. He simply hoped that she would stay, cure her hemophobia, and then become the Fifth Hokage.
Tsunade looked at Kitazawa and suddenly felt at a loss. She resisted the position of Hokage, but she could not be truly ruthless to Konoha Village.