Kitazawa followed the Anbu operative Haru into the Ninjutsu Archive.
After a short deliberation he settled on three techniques:
Water Release: Wild Water Wave
Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation – a move tied to an outstanding mission reward that he had not yet claimed.
For an ordinary shinobi there are three kinds of techniques that are hard to obtain:
1. Forbidden jutsu, such as Reanimation Jutsu.
2. Strategic‑class jutsu, such as Flying Thunder God.
3. Clan‑inherited secret arts or kekkei genkai, such as the Akimichi's Expansion or the Hyūga's Gentle Fist.
Although Phoenix Flower and Great Fire Annihilation are signature Uchiha techniques, they do not fall into any of those three restricted categories.
By choosing these three, Kitazawa had essentially "laundered" every ninjutsu reward the system had just granted him—at least for the moment. He would worry about future jutsu later.
Stowing the three scrolls, Kitazawa returned home.
…
"Kitazawa‑sensei," Kurama Yakumo said, rising from the sofa. She was holding a scroll for the Truth-Reveal Technique, clearly already studying it.
"Keep at it," Kitazawa replied, glancing around. Kurenai Yūhi was nowhere in sight—most likely asleep in her room.
After thinking for a moment he stepped into the open yard behind the house and, half for show, began practicing ninjutsu.
…
Time passed quietly until noon, when Kurenai finally awoke. She stretched, then sensed a wave of scorching chakra.
"Who's working on Fire Release—Kitazawa?"
She went to the window and looked out. As expected, it was Kitazawa. Under his control, huge bursts of flame scattered like the seed pods of a phoenix flower—the Phoenix Flower Jutsu. She recognized it immediately. Many shinobi could use it, but Kitazawa's mastery was exceptional; the fireballs seemed alive, striking wherever he pointed.
In her mind Kitazawa had always been a perfectly ordinary chūnin, yet now he felt unfathomable. She remembered him saying she could call on him if missions were shorthanded. Curiosity lit her eyes.
Kurenai left her room, slipped on her shoes, and stepped outside.
"Awake? How was your nap?" Kitazawa dispelled his chakra and asked.
"Great," she smiled. "I feel overflowing with energy."
"The Hokage rewarded us with three jutsu," Kitazawa reminded her. "Drop by the tower when you have time."
"As expected of the Hokage—so generous." She paused. "That Phoenix Flower Jutsu you were just working on—was that one of the rewards?"
"Mm‑hmm," he nodded.
"You'd never studied it before?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"No."
He could guess what she was thinking, but said nothing; this was exactly the impression he wanted.
"You mastered Phoenix Flower in one morning? Your affinity for Fire Release is amazing," she breathed. "Staying on as an academy teacher is wasting your talent."
A field shinobi works under a jōnin leader, goes on missions, and never lacks for combat practice. An academy instructor has none of that. To Kurenai, that was why Kitazawa's gifts had never blossomed.
"Care for a spar?" she asked eagerly.
"With that look you just want to pound me," he teased.
"Relax—I'll go easy," she laughed.
"Let's use the nearby training ground," he decided. A bout with Kurenai would do no harm and would let him show a bit of his strength.
…
They reached the field quickly.
"Careful!" Kurenai warned, forming seals—but Kitazawa was faster.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!
A massive fireball roared toward her. Forced to abandon the seals for Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death, she flickered aside. Chakra wrapped her legs as she burst forward, narrowly evading the blaze. The passing heat drew sweat to her brow; she was stunned. Kitazawa's Fireball Jutsu surpassed the usual B‑rank level—rapid seals and tremendous power.
While she hesitated, he was already in front of her.
Leaf Whirlwind!
She hurriedly crossed her arms to block. Boom! The impact numbed her arms. Using the recoil she leapt back to gain distance.
Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!
She steadied herself and formed seals again. In an instant her body vanished. Kitazawa froze—giant roots sprouted from his legs, vines entangling him. Kurenai appeared atop the tree, dagger in hand, and stabbed—but just before contact everything dissolved. Her face fell; the illusion had been dispelled. Kitazawa, knowing she specialized in genjutsu, had anticipated and broken it the moment it took hold.
A rush of wind behind her—she turned to meet Kitazawa's incoming fist. Too late to dodge, she saw him grin, open his hand, and ruffle her hair instead. Startled, she glared and swung a high kick. Kitazawa slipped back, the open‑toed boot flashing past his face.
Genjutsu: Clone Technique!
Forming seals, she split into smoke‑shrouded triplets. Three Kurenai charged. The mix of illusion and clones made it hard to tell which was real. Byakugan could solve it, but that would only alarm her.
Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!
Rather than guess, Kitazawa spat volleys of flame like bullets, erasing two clones.
Body Flicker!
Kurenai ducked and weaved, barely dodging the agile fireballs. Panting, she eyed Kitazawa—he still hadn't moved. Just from that brief exchange, his power exceeded most chūnin.
"With strength like yours, why hide in the academy?" she blurted.
"Told you—personal preference," he smiled. "Want to keep going?"
"No," she said after a pause. "I've seen what you can do." She feared that if they continued, she would be the one embarrassed by defeat.