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~~~
"Let's do it right here."
Kitazawa stopped walking.
In front of him stood a cherry‑blossom tree on the left and another on the right.
With a leap he landed steadily on one of the trunks.
Spreading his hands, he drew several leaves toward himself with chakra.
He released them, and the chakra‑infused leaves fluttered down rapidly.
"Hinata, catch every leaf."
Kitazawa gave the order.
Hinata Hyuga reacted at once.
Her hands flashed out like lightning, snagging most of the drifting leaves.
She stuffed them into her arms and reached for the rest, but even at her speed she couldn't grab them all.
"I'm sorry, Kitazawa‑sensei."
Hinata clutched the leaves, embarrassed.
If she couldn't handle something as small as catching leaves, she must be useless—that was how it felt to her.
"For a first try, catching this many is excellent. No need to apologize."
Kitazawa smiled. "Do you know what this leaf‑catching drill is for?"
"No, I don't," Hinata answered honestly.
"It trains your eyesight—and your reflexes as a bonus," Kitazawa improvised. "They say this method comes from one of your Hyuga ancestors."
"Eh?" Hinata searched her memory; nothing came to mind.
"That ancestor did far worse—he couldn't even catch a third of the leaves his first time."
Kitazawa paused. "Hinata, you've got real talent."
Hinata nodded hard.
Whether that ancestor was real or not, Kitazawa's words reignited her confidence.
"Let's continue."
With a casual wave, the leaves flew back into Kitazawa's hand.
The drill actually came from the system; it also helped train the Byakugan.
Hinata's small face tightened with focus. Agile and light, she kept darting for the falling leaves.
Time slipped by, and the class period soon ended.
"That's it for today."
Kitazawa jumped down from the tree.
Hinata immediately relaxed.
A tide of indescribable fatigue washed over her; she panted for breath, sweat soaking her hair and pale skin.
"Sit and rest a bit."
Kitazawa pulled a water bottle from a summoning scroll and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Kitazawa‑sensei."
One sip and the coolness revived her.
"Practice more whenever you have time," Kitazawa reminded her.
"Mm‑hmm."
Hinata nodded, then hesitated. "Um… Kitazawa‑sensei…"
Halfway through, shyness froze her.
"What is it?" Kitazawa asked curiously.
"N‑nothing…" Hinata gripped the bottle, fingers nervously fidgeting.
After a few minutes' rest Kitazawa stood. "School's over—let's head home."
Hinata hurried after him.
…
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
All the first‑grade Class A students had gone except Naruto Uzumaki.
"Here," Kitazawa said, handing him a scroll. "Tonight's homework."
Naruto, pained, still had to take it.
He'd stuck it out a week already to stay in the class top ten; no quitting now.
"Kitazawa‑sensei, I'd like to do it too," Hinata said, recalling last month's worksheet marathon.
Naruto stared at her in shock.
Someone volunteered for homework? Terrifying!
"You don't need to," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "No point wasting so much time just to stay number one."
Hinata dropped the question—following instructions was fine.
"Naruto," Kitazawa added, "come early tomorrow; I'll go over the mistakes with you."
"Yes, Kitazawa‑sensei…" Naruto answered weakly.
Homework—how he hated it!
…
A week flashed by and Saturday arrived.
Kitazawa had just gotten up when urgent knocking sounded.
He opened the door—unsurprisingly, Kurenai Yuhi.
"So early?" Kitazawa yawned. "Had breakfast?"
"No."
Kurenai stepped inside, bent naturally to remove her shoes—then noticed Kitazawa staring at her feet.
"No black stockings today?" he asked evenly.
"Didn't wear a dress."
She set her shoes on the rack and padded barefoot into the living room.
"What do you want for breakfast?" Kitazawa shut the door.
"Something simple," Kurenai said, flipping her black hair aside. "Got any onigiri or sushi?"
"I'll fetch some." He headed to the kitchen.
When he returned, Kurenai was lying on the sofa—head on the armrest, waist curved, snowy legs together.
"You're really making yourself at home, huh?" Kitazawa chuckled.
"I pulled an all‑nighter," Kurenai replied. "Can't I relax?"
"Why stay up?"
"See for yourself."
She tossed him a scroll still warm to the touch.
He skimmed it—and looked amazed. "You actually finished the Truth‑Reveal Technique?"
"Got inspired yesterday," she said proudly. "Pretty impressive, right?"
"Beautiful and talented—you're beyond impressive," he praised.
"Hmm, not bad." She took a bite of sushi.
"Told Yakumo yet?"
"Not yet—she'll be here soon anyway."
"With her talent, she'll master this genjutsu in less than a day," Kitazawa mused.
"Stop. My head hurts."
Kurenai waved him off. "No new genjutsu research today."
"Alright." Kitazawa laughed at her exasperation.
"The Talk Therapy Technique and the Truth‑Reveal Technique—we can report both to the Hokage now," Kurenai said, sitting up. "Go later and accept whatever reward on my behalf."
"And you?"
"I'm going to sleep!" she declared.
…
Kitazawa delivered the scroll to the Hokage's office.
"Excellent work, both of you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said after reading.
That Kitazawa and Kurenai had created two new genjutsu so quickly truly surprised him—and hinted at the possibility of a psychological‑healer ninja corps.
"By village rules, turning in a jutsu earns rewards," the Hokage continued. "You and Kurenai may each choose any three jutsu of B‑rank or below."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Kitazawa was delighted—three jutsu he could now register openly.
After Kitazawa left with the Anbu escort, Hiruzen fell into thought.
Should he contact Tsunade?
He decided to try.
Too few ninja could currently carry the village alone:
Sakumo Hatake had taken his own life, Minato Namikaze had died in action, Orochimaru had defected, and Jiraiya and Tsunade had been away for years.
The Uchiha clan was still restless.
If Tsunade returned, it would ease some of the burden on his shoulders.
~~~
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