"How was it?"
Kitazawa looked at Yūhi Kurenai, who was staring blankly. He dispelled the Rasengan, reached out, and pinched her soft cheek.
"When did you learn that?"
Yūhi Kurenai snapped out of her daze and couldn't help asking.
"Yesterday."
After thinking for a moment, Kitazawa answered.
Strictly speaking he was not lying; it had indeed taken him only two days to learn the Rasengan.
"Being outstripped so easily really doesn't sit well with me!"
Kurenai fell silent for a few seconds, glared at him, and said so.
Kitazawa's eyes drifted to her soft lips.
In the morning light they looked very pink.
He lowered his head and leaned toward her.
Seeing his handsome face up close, Kurenai finally reacted.
She did not dodge; a hint of fuzziness appeared in her eyes.
Kitazawa kissed her, his arms naturally encircling her waist.
But the moment his hand touched that full, supple hip, he was pushed away.
"You're misbehaving."
A blush rose on Kurenai's cheeks.
"It's almost time—I've got to get to the academy."
Kitazawa gave a light cough and spoke solemnly.
"I'll keep practicing the Rasengan," Kurenai said, stomping on his foot. "You don't need to see me out."
Kitazawa glanced at her fair little foot and secretly vowed he would get his revenge someday.
He turned to the entryway, changed shoes, and left Kurenai's home.
…
Konoha Ninja Academy
When Kitazawa opened his office door, he saw Hinata Hyuga.
She was sitting obediently on the sofa.
Because of strict family discipline her posture was very proper—legs together, hands on her knees—yet, because of her height, her two snow‑white feet dangled in mid‑air.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
Hinata noticed him, quickly jumped off the sofa, and ran over.
"Good morning, Hinata."
He patted her head. "You seem in a good mood—did something nice happen?"
"Father was very happy yesterday, praised me, and even taught me the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty‑Four Palms."
A slightly shy smile appeared on Hinata's face.
A thought flashed through Kitazawa's mind:
Could he use teaching Hinata as a pretext to "legitimately" learn the Eight Trigrams Sixty‑Four Palms himself?
In theory yes, but in practice very risky—without overwhelming strength and fame, he might be assassinated by some unknown Byakugan user. Stealing clan techniques was a serious crime. Yet it was an excuse worth saving for later.
"Congratulations, Hinata."
He smiled. "You're truly first‑class talent now."
"I‑I'm not," Hinata hurriedly shook her head. "It's all because of your guidance, Sensei."
"If you had no talent, my guidance would be useless."
He flicked her forehead. "Have confidence, Hinata."
Moved by his smile, Hinata felt warmth in her heart. Apart from Kitazawa, no one else encouraged her like this. Both the Hyuga and Uchiha clans used very strict, hawkish education; raising children really requires both firmness and gentleness.
"What do you think about Neji's challenge?"
After sitting down, Kitazawa unsealed a storage scroll and took out the breakfast he had bought.
"I… I'm no match for Neji‑nii," Hinata said softly, lowering her head.
"You just awakened your Byakugan—of course you're behind him," he comforted her. "Don't get discouraged."
He handed her a rice ball.
"Mm."
Hinata took a bite and asked, "But can I really catch up to him?"
"Normally, it's very hard," Kitazawa answered with confidence, "but you have an edge—me as your teacher."
"Thank you, Kitazawa‑sensei."
Hinata gained much more confidence, never once asking how an outsider would teach her clan's Gentle Fist.
"Kitazawa‑sensei, I'm here!"
A lively voice rang out.
"Eh? You started eating without me?"
Ino Yamanaka walked in holding two bento boxes. She unceremoniously sat next to Hinata and opened them. Thanks to Hinata's big appetite, she never worried about leftovers.
"I thought you'd eat at home today," Kitazawa said, glancing at her neat, delicate lunches.
"I was going to, but I wanted to share my good news early."
Ino's face lit up. "I've learned the Mind Body Switch Technique!"
"You've learned it?"
Kitazawa looked at her in surprise.
"Well… kind of learned it," Ino admitted, blinking playfully.
Kitazawa understood: barely casting a jutsu, learning it, and mastering it are three stages—entry, proficiency, mastery.
"At your age, learning the Mind Body Switch already makes you a genius among geniuses."
He praised with a smile.
"N‑not that much of a genius…"
Just now she hadn't been shy; now she felt a bit embarrassed—after all, she learned it thanks to him.
"Keep at it and master it soon."
He patted her head.
"Mm‑hm! Please keep teaching me, Sensei."
[Current Mission: Help Ino Yamanaka master the Mind Body Switch Technique.]
[Reward: Mind Body Switch Technique.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow at the sudden system prompt—so he was meant to learn the Ino‑Shika‑Cho trio's secret arts? Reasonable for the "Strongest Hokage System": to become the strongest Hokage, he would need every ninjutsu. And their three techniques were indeed useful: Shadow Possession controls the opponent's body through a link of shadows; Mind Body Switch sends one's spirit crashing into the opponent to seize control.
"After first period we'll train," he said with a smile.
…
The three finished breakfast and went to First‑Year Class A.
Upon entering, Kitazawa saw Sakura Haruno chattering non‑stop in front of Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke's face was cold, but Kitazawa guessed he was annoyed inside. Naruto, by contrast, was having a great time, pulling Kiba and Chōji into a story about the half kilo fish he had caught over the weekend. Kitazawa vaguely remembered the original story in which Naruto fished in the wild—even Hiruzen Sarutobi mooched a meal.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
In the next second the classroom burst into excitement. All the students greeted him enthusiastically, eyes full of admiration.
There's a saying: people may fail to teach people, but events teach in one go. Crossing the gap of an entire grade and defeating Second‑Year Class A had skyrocketed Kitazawa's standing in their hearts.
"Great work in Friday's Friendly Match—you all did wonderfully."
Standing at the podium, he unsealed a summoning scroll and smiled. "I prepared snacks—one pack each."
"Sensei is awesome!"
"Thank you, Sensei!"
Cheers erupted, and their admiration grew.
"Come up in order to collect them," Kitazawa said with a smile.
Ten minutes later everyone had a snack pack.
"All right, eat them after class—let's begin."
He picked up a piece of chalk.
Perhaps because of the snacks, every student was attentive—except Shikamaru Nara, who as always slouched half‑asleep. Though his eyes were open, they were lifeless.
…
"Class dismissed."
When the bell rang, Kitazawa paused. "Shikamaru, come to my office."
"Huh?"
Shikamaru snapped awake.
"You're done for—Sensei caught you slacking!" Kiba said gleefully.
"Sensei isn't like that," Ino shook her head. "He probably needs you for something."
"Good luck," Chōji patted his shoulder.
"Sigh—what a drag."
Shikamaru sighed and headed to Kitazawa's office.
The door was open, so he walked straight in.
"Sensei," Shikamaru said right away, "I've already mastered the textbook, so technically I wasn't daydreaming."
"If that's the case, how about I teach you something new?"
Kitazawa knew he had misunderstood but went along with it.
"Sensei, you're busy—you don't need to waste time on me."
Shikamaru instinctively sensed trouble and refused.
"Your parents asked me to tutor you," Kitazawa added—especially mentioning his mother, knowing Shikamaru feared nothing but her.
"Eh?"
Shikamaru was dumbfounded.
"What's with the 'eh'?"
Kitazawa stood up. "Come on—to the training field."
Shikamaru opened his mouth but felt his lazy days collapsing around him.
…
At the training field several students were already waiting: besides Ino and Hinata, there were Sasuke and Sakura. Kurama Yakumo was busy with her bloodline limit and creating new jutsu, so she seldom came now. Naruto had to stay in class to maintain his theory grades.
"Sakura."
Kitazawa produced a scroll. "These are some basic medical ninja books—memorize them first."
"Thank you, Sensei!"
Sakura beamed, opened the scroll—and froze.
A small mountain of books appeared in front of her.
"So many?!"
Ino was startled. Scanning them, she realized none were medical jutsu—just medical textbooks.
~~~
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