When Kitazawa arrived at the Ninja Academy's training ground, he noticed an unusual scene. Yakushi Kabuto, Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino, and Hinata were all standing together, chatting happily.
More accurately, Kabuto was speaking eloquently, while the other four listened intently.
Did they get along so quickly? If Sakura and Kiba weren't training at the Artificial Lake, they probably wouldn't have escaped either.
Kitazawa couldn't help but feel surprised.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto noticed him and quickly stopped to greet him.
"Naruto, why aren't you training?" Kitazawa walked over and asked.
Previously, Naruto would always run off to train his Rasengan as soon as he arrived at the Ninja Academy.
"Kitazawa-sensei, I'm going now." Naruto scratched his head, then said to Yakushi Kabuto, "Kabuto-senpai, I'll find you to hear more stories when I'm free."
"No problem." Kabuto readily agreed.
"What story?" Kitazawa asked curiously.
"It's the story of the righteous Kitazawa-sensei fighting the evil Iwagakure Jonin," Naruto said with a longing expression. "I wonder when I'll be able to become a true ninja."
Kitazawa's mouth twitched. So it was still a story about him.
"Kitazawa-sensei is amazing! He easily dealt with two Iwagakure Jonin!" Ino said in an admiring tone.
"Mm." Hinata nodded in agreement. Her little face was slightly flushed, her heart pounding from listening, already immersed in the story.
"Alright, everyone, go train." Kitazawa waved his hand and said.
"Sorry, Kitazawa-sensei, I told them about your fight with the two Iwagakure Jonin without your permission." After they left, Kabuto quickly said.
"It's nothing." Kitazawa said indifferently, "Just don't reveal the specific details of the mission."
Of course, it wouldn't matter if he did reveal them. After all, the few people listening to the story were all of unusual status.
"I understand that." Kabuto nodded. He used to be a Root member, so he naturally knew the rule of keeping high-level missions confidential.
"Have you ever learned Wind Release ninjutsu before?" Kitazawa returned to the main topic and asked.
"No." Kabuto replied, "I've only learned medical ninjutsu, the Basic three E-rank Jutsus, and some taijutsu."
"Then your training will start with Wind Release chakra nature transformation." Kitazawa thought for a moment and said, "First, train for a week, and once you get the hang of it, then learn low-level Wind Release ninjutsu."
"I'll follow Kitazawa-sensei's arrangements." Kabuto smiled and said.
"The characteristic of wind is cutting." Kitazawa picked up a leaf from the ground and said, "You need to continuously release Wind Release chakra, eventually cutting the leaf in two."
"Okay." After seriously watching his demonstration, Kabuto picked up a leaf, placed it in his hand, and began to try.
Kitazawa stood by and watched for a moment, nodding involuntarily. Compared to Uchiha Sasuke's initial learning of Fire Release chakra nature transformation, Kabuto's speed at getting started was much faster.
However, their ages were different, so there was no real comparison. After all, the current Kabuto was already a rather excellent medical ninja.
Kitazawa turned and walked towards Hinata.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Hinata asked curiously, "Is Kabuto-senpai going to train with us from now on?"
"Mm." Kitazawa patted her head and asked, "What do you think of him?"
"He seems to know everything." Hinata pondered for a moment and said.
"Know what?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow and asked.
"He knows our situations very well—like what ninjutsu we can use and our rankings in the class." Hinata tilted her head and said, "And he speaks very nicely. He praised us a lot."
After hearing this, Kitazawa understood why Kabuto was able to get along with them so well. This was clearly because he had grasped the two major weaknesses of children: one, they like to hear praise; and two, they like to hear stories.
As expected of the future main villain, he even did his research. Fortunately, Yakushi Nono was still alive; otherwise, Kitazawa would truly not feel at ease about Yakushi Kabuto.
"Come, practice your Gentle Fist. Master the first twelve palms as soon as possible." Kitazawa pinched Hyuga Hinata's little face and said with a smile.
"Mm." Hinata immediately assumed the Gentle Fist stance.
---
The time came to noon.
"Morning training is over, everyone, come eat lunch." Kitazawa looked at the sky and said loudly.
"Is—is it over?" Shikamaru slumped on the ground, panting heavily. He had to engrave with his shadow while also guarding against Ino Yamanaka's sneak attacks, which left him mentally and physically exhausted.
"No pain, no gain." Relatively speaking, Ino wasn't as tired.
"Who said that?" Shikamaru wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "That person must be a masochist."
"Kitazawa-sensei said it." Ino blinked and said.
"No wonder I thought it made so much sense!" Shikamaru froze for a moment, then quickly made up for it.
After speaking, he glanced at Kitazawa, and seeing that he hadn't noticed what was happening on their side, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Ino couldn't help but laugh.
"Ino, why are you so happy?" Naruto's voice rang out.
"Naruto? When did you get here?" Shikamaru subconsciously looked at Naruto, who was in a green jumpsuit.
"Just arrived." Naruto asked curiously, "What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing." Shikamaru desperately winked at Ino.
With Naruto's carefree personality, Kitazawa would know within half an hour that he had spoken ill of him. At that time, the training volume might even double.
"We were talking about why Sasuke didn't come over this morning to deliver lunch." Ino looked at Shikamaru's nervous expression, then changed the subject and said.
"Ah?" Naruto's eyes widened, and he asked dejectedly, "So I won't be able to eat Mikoto-san's lunch today?"
"Most likely." Shikamaru paused, then said, "But Mikoto-san's bento really tastes good."
"It really does." Ino nodded and said, "Someday, when I'm free, I'll ask Mikoto-san to teach me!"
Wait, is that Sasuke? Shikamaru suddenly stood up, looked into the distance, and asked.
"It really is Sasuke." Ino asked in confusion, "Why is he coming at noon today?"
"Sasuke!" Naruto immediately became excited. He shouted and ran towards him.
Sasuke watched as a strange person in a green jumpsuit excitedly rushed towards him, almost wanting to turn and run away.
He couldn't help it; he now kept his distance from youth. He would never forget the day of the eating contest.
"Sasuke, why didn't you come this morning? Did something happen?" Naruto took a breath and asked with concern.
"I was almost done with my special training, so I thought I'd finish it before coming over." Sasuke couldn't help but let his lips curl into a slight smile as he spoke.
After a week and a half of learning, he had finally learned his first Sharingan Genjutsu—Genjutsu: Ephemeral.
"I see." Naruto took the lunch box from his hand and said, "You came just in time, let's eat lunch together."
No, aren't you going to ask me what special training I did? Uchiha Sasuke pouted. Since Naruto didn't ask, he also didn't feel it was right to say that he had learned a new Genjutsu.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura's excited voice rang out from not far away.
Sasuke quickly quickened his pace, catching up with Naruto.
"Hello, I'm Yakushi Kabuto. It's a pleasure to meet you." Kabuto turned to Uchiha Sasuke and said with a gentle expression.
"I am—" Although Uchiha Sasuke was puzzled, he still prepared to introduce himself out of courtesy, but he was interrupted after only two words.
"I've heard your name a long time ago—the famous genius of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Sasuke." Kabuto said very sincerely, "Your Fire Release ninjutsu is the best in the entire academy, and you awakened your Sharingan at six years old, which is absolutely unprecedented."
Sasuke's eyes widened. He was a little dazed by this string of praises, and even Kabuto seemed much more pleasing to the eye.
This person understands the Uchiha.
"Wait, where did you come from?" Sakura felt a great sense of crisis. He was too good at talking—even Uchiha Sasuke was a little overwhelmed.
"His name is Kabuto, he's your senior, and he'll be training with you from now on." Kitazawa placed the table down and said, "Alright, everyone, sit down and eat."
Kabuto had actually never attended the Ninja Academy. But to cover his tracks, he fabricated the identity of a senior student.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Sasuke only remembered the important matter after sitting down and said, "I've completed my special training."
"Does that mean Sasuke-kun will be coming back to train with us?" Sakura's eyes immediately lit up, and she asked excitedly.
"It depends," Sasuke replied.
If he won against Hyuga Neji this time, he would return. But if he didn't, he would still have to trouble his brother, Itachi.
"All of you will participate in this afternoon's practical combat class." Kitazawa understood Sasuke's hidden meaning and asked, "Sasuke, are you challenging someone?"
Nara Shikamaru looked around and understood.
"Neji." Sasuke didn't hide it. Instead, he said confidently, "This time, I'm definitely going to win against him!"
"I believe in you, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said, clenching her fists without hesitation.
Sasuke suddenly felt an urge to cover her mouth.
"Why aren't you challenging me?" Naruto quickly leaned forward and said, "Let's have a duel that puts our youth on the line!"
"Didn't you say we'd fight during the monthly exam?" Sasuke retorted.
"That's true," Naruto said with a smile, thinking of his yet-to-be-mastered Rasengan. "I'll give you a surprise then!"
Sasuke didn't really care about that. What surprise could Naruto have?
In his opinion, the Sharingan was practically the natural enemy of taijutsu.
Currently, Sasuke's plan was simple. Once he won against Neji, and then against Hyuga Hinata and Naruto in the monthly exam, he could grandly announce his return.
First place belonged to the Uchiha!
After lunch, everyone rested for half an hour before resuming training.
"Sasuke," Kitazawa called out to Sasuke, "You have special training this afternoon."
"What kind of special training?" Sasuke, who was about to go to the Artificial Lake to practice Fire Release chakra nature transformation, asked curiously.
"Practical combat special training," Kitazawa said with a slight smile.
To ensure his mission was foolproof, he planned to use the same trick again. During the last practical combat class, Hinata and Neji participated in their practical combat special training before their match. Now it was Sasuke's turn.
Sasuke naturally wouldn't refuse. Fire Release chakra nature transformation, and such could be temporarily put aside. For him, the most urgent matter was to win against Hyuga Neji.
"How much do you know about the Byakugan?" Kitazawa asked, arriving at an open space not far away.
"The Byakugan can see the flow of chakra and the location of chakra points within the target's body," Sasuke said after a moment's thought.
"When we use ninjutsu, the chakra in our bodies flows, but the chakra flow for each ninjutsu is different," Kitazawa nodded and said.
This was also why Ao from Hidden Mist Village twice saw through the Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu in the original work. One time was against the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, controlled by Uchiha Obito, and another time was against Mifune of the Land of Iron, controlled by Danzo Shimura.
But it's not to say that the Byakugan is the Mangekyo Sharingan's nemesis; it's purely because the Byakugan can see chakra flow.
"You haven't used Genjutsu before, only Fire Release Ninjutsu, so Neji probably won't be on guard against it," Kitazawa said unhurriedly. "But he has the Byakugan, so your Genjutsu will be most effective the first time you use it."
"I see." Sasuke's eyes brightened slightly in understanding. His Genjutsu had to be unleashed unexpectedly.
If it failed the first time, it would be even harder to succeed later—not only because Neji would be on guard, but also because the Byakugan could see chakra flow. And for the same Genjutsu, the chakra flow would hardly change.
Still, if it worked once, it would mean victory. Ocular Genjutsu was difficult to break on one's own, and even if it could be broken, it took time—more than enough for an Uchiha to finish the fight.
That was the true power of the Sharingan.
"Since you understand," Kitazawa said with a faint smile, "let's begin your practical combat special training. I'll only use taijutsu against you."
"Taijutsu, huh?" Sasuke's lips curled into a confident smile. "Then let's go."
"Be careful, Sasuke," Kitazawa warned before dashing forward and swinging his right fist.
So fast! Sasuke's eyes widened at Kitazawa's sudden proximity. He quickly activated his Sharingan and raised his leg to kick.
Bang!
Fist met foot. A jolt of numbness shot through Sasuke's right leg, forcing his body backward. No time to think—Kitazawa's fist was already coming again.
Thanks to the Sharingan, Sasuke could barely track his movements. He crossed his arms in front of himself to block.
A heavy impact sent him skidding back, and he used the momentum to open distance.
Immediately, he began forming hand seals.
Kitazawa recognized the unfamiliar sequence—it was Genjutsu. Without hesitation, he made his own seals, using the Shadow Clone Technique before Sasuke could finish.
A faint tremor passed through him, a momentary trance. Then the world shifted—Sasuke dissolved into a swirling flock of crows.
Is this Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu: Ephemeral? Kitazawa recalled the technique Sasuke had been taught.
The crows circled overhead, closing in within seconds. But in the blink of an eye, they were no longer crows—they were shuriken.
The true danger of Genjutsu: Ephemeral lay in its seamless blend of illusion and reality. The crows were an illusion, but the shuriken were real. The caster became crows to disorient the opponent, hiding the real attack among them. Mistaking the shuriken for part of the illusion could be fatal.
Kitazawa's shadow clone moved to dispel the Genjutsu. He had let himself fall for it deliberately, to test Sasuke's ability. And now it seemed… if Neji were caught by this, he would almost certainly lose.
Kitazawa's real body vanished from sight.
Not good! Sasuke quickly formed more hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared into existence—but Kitazawa was no longer there.
"Konoha Great Whirlwind!"
He appeared from Sasuke's left, his kick slamming into Sasuke and sending him flying.
"Again!" Sasuke gritted his teeth, climbing back to his feet. He refused to give up—just like Naruto. Both were stubborn, and both would fight until they could no longer move.
"Alright." Kitazawa smiled faintly.
Two hours later, Sasuke lay sprawled on the ground, completely spent. He gasped for air, mouth open like a fish suffocating on land. In that time, he had thrown everything he had at Kitazawa—and hadn't even touched the hem of his clothes.
"There are still two hours until practical combat class. Rest well," Kitazawa said lightly, glancing at the sweat-drenched Sasuke.
He had kept his word about using only taijutsu… though much of it was infused with Gentle Fist.
Sasuke hadn't realized. In his mind, only Hyuga clan members used Gentle Fist. Even if Kitazawa had used it right in front of him, he would have called it a coincidence.
"O… o… okay…" Sasuke panted, barely able to speak before lapsing into a daze.
Kitazawa thought for a moment, then crouched beside him and placed both hands over him. A pale green chakra flowed into Sasuke's body.
Sasuke blinked in surprise as relief washed through him. Medical Ninjutsu could heal injuries, of course—but it could also restore stamina, though doing so was a wasteful luxury. Most medics wouldn't bother.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Sasuke sat up slightly, newfound energy in his voice.
"Keep it up," Kitazawa replied, withdrawing his hands.
"I will definitely defeat Neji!" Sasuke vowed.
"Mm-hmm." Kitazawa stood, a sudden idea forming in his mind—not for Sasuke, but for Hyuga Neji.
---
Two hours later, the final class of the day began.
Kitazawa arrived at Second Year Class A. As announced earlier, the students were already heading toward the training ground.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Hyuga Neji approached. "There's something I'd like to discuss."
"What is it?" Kitazawa asked. If Neji wanted to join the special training voluntarily, it would save him the trouble of convincing him.
"Although I'd like to participate in your training, the clan head has already decided to personally teach me Gentle Fist," Neji said after a brief pause.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. So that was why Neji hadn't come to him earlier—Hyuga Hiashi had already stepped in. It was a little surprising, yet not entirely unexpected.
After all, if Hyuga Hizashi's letter was any indication, the two sides had already reached a reconciliation.
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)