Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!
Kitazawa flashed through hand signs, and a torrent of chakra poured from his mouth, rapidly turning into wind.
The air howled.
The formless wind took on shape—like blade after blade of slicing air.
Each wind blade was long and thin, radiating a razor-sharp edge from tip to hilt.
You didn't even need to touch them; just looking made your skin crawl.
Dozens of blades spun out in a fan.
Everything in their path was neatly severed.
A few seconds later, the ground in front of Kitazawa was covered in a lattice of cut marks.
He rubbed his chin.
He'd now learned every Wind Release jutsu Uchiha Mikoto had given him back then.
In Wind Release, you could almost call him… a mini Danzō.
People love to joke that Shimura Danzō "used one life to seal half a bridge," but the guy's strength was nothing to sneeze at.
If he could trade blows evenly with a Mangekyō Sharingan–wielding Uchiha Sasuke, then against most jōnin he was a solid favorite.
By the standards from my previous life, he'd count as Kage-class—on the weaker end, sure, but still there.
Kitazawa drifted into thought.
If he went all out right now, could he beat Shimura Danzō?
Didn't feel likely.
In conventional ninjutsu, Kitazawa was no worse than Danzō.
But he had no answer to Danzō's sealing arts—and the man also had Sharingan and Wood Release up his sleeve.
Even a single Sharingan meant a full minute of pseudo-invincibility with a bonus revive. That's rough.
Still, Kitazawa was satisfied.
Not even two semesters in, and his power was already nipping at the heels of Konoha's top dog Shimura Danzō. If he said that out loud, no one would believe him.
Right then, three lines of text floated up in front of his eyes:
[Current Mission: Learn four Wind Release jutsu within the second semester.]
[Mission reward: Proficient-level Wind Release chakra nature transformation.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Granted.]
Finally done!
As a flood of information poured into his mind, Kitazawa couldn't help smiling.
With Proficient-level Wind nature transformation, his Wind Release learning curve would spike upward.
More importantly, he could start creating his own jutsu.
Like Wind Release: Rasengan and Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
The latter came with side effects and was much harder.
The former didn't have side effects, and was basically the prototype of the latter.
But he didn't have time to test Wind Release: Rasengan right now.
Today was the second day of October's monthly exams—the practical.
He and Tsunade had made their bet last Monday; a week had already passed.
Since the Emotion Substitution Technique wasn't done yet, treatment hadn't started.
No matter—Tsunade had already agreed. However long it took was fine.
Kitazawa headed for the Ninja Academy.
Yesterday had been the written exam; results and rankings were already out.
Overall, it was about the same as September's.
Haruno Sakura first, Uchiha Sasuke second, Hyūga Hinata third.
Uzumaki Naruto stayed put at twelfth.
Kiba Inuzuka ticked up one spot—now tied with Naruto for twelfth.
That was thanks to Kitazawa cutting back his water walking training time.
Yakumo Kurama also climbed one place.
But the one Kitazawa cared most about was Karin.
She had a task riding on making top ten in the end-of-term written.
She sat this written too and placed nineteenth.
Not great, not terrible—solidly mid-pack.
Considering she'd never been to school before, that was already pretty good.
Mostly, Karin was just that diligent.
Studying was exhausting, sure, but compared to life in Grass, it was nothing.
On the academy field, Class 1-A had gathered early.
"Wow, it's lively."
It was Karin's first time at a practical exam; she craned her neck left and right, taking it all in.
Of course, "taking part" today just meant spectating.
"Karin, have you learned any ninjutsu yet?" Yamanaka Ino asked, curious.
Since enrolling, Karin had been in remedial lessons.
Because she hadn't joined any practical classes, her actual strength was a big question mark.
"Nope," Karin shook her head.
"That's okay," Ino smiled. "Kitazawa-sensei will teach you. He can do literally everything."
"Mm." Karin didn't doubt it.
Her remedials were on the training field; on breaks she'd watched Yakushi Kabuto, Ino, and the others.
Everyone trained something different—secret techniques, Wind Release, Gentle Fist…
Sasuke and Sakura were different again: Fire Release and medical ninjutsu.
So in Karin's mind, Kitazawa had become the definition of an all-purpose teacher.
"Our last transfer student snagged second place in the practical," Ino added, encouraging. "Maybe you'll repeat the miracle."
Karin's eyes flicked to Yakumo Kurama.
When she'd heard Yakumo took second, she'd found it hard to believe at first—Yakumo looked so delicate.
And their class had both Uchiha Sasuke and Hyūga Hinata.
Even in Grass, Karin had heard of the Uchiha and Hyūga.
"But first place? I'm not handing that over," Naruto cut in out of nowhere.
"You're that strong; I definitely can't beat you," Karin said matter-of-factly. She knew herself.
"Of course!"
Naruto flashed a thumbs-up. "I'm the guy who's gonna be Hokage!"
A second later, he yelped.
"Could hear you from across the yard," Kitazawa said, rapping him on the head. "Konoha doesn't have Hokage who shout like market vendor."
"Heh…"
Naruto scratched his head, sheepish.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Ino, Karin, and the others called out.
"It's about time. Line up for the exam," Kitazawa said after a once-over.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!"
The scattered kids of Class 1-A snapped into formation.
Kitazawa's gaze landed on Karin.
In the original story, she ran support—sealing and medical ninjutsu—basically Sasuke's dedicated medic.
If not for her, Sasuke would've died several times over.
What can you do? It's in Sunny Sasuke's nature: give him power and he puffs up, goes joyriding, and gets smacked down.
With Karin's talent for sealing and medical arts, letting that go to waste would be criminal.
Kitazawa's thought was: with that much chakra, could she learn Multiple Shadow Clone and Rasengan like Naruto?
No doubt about it.
Sure, without Kurama her ceiling wouldn't match Naruto's, but becoming a combat-capable medic-nin? Totally doable.
"Kitazawa-senpai."
Iruka stepped up and reminded him, "It's nine o'clock."
"Same rules as last time. No need to repeat them," Kitazawa said, moving to the front. He unsealed a summoning scroll and took out the lottery box for match-ups.
He set both hands on the sides, letting chakra flow into his palms.
Yep—he was going to cheat.
He'd been a little unsure before, but with Proficient-level Wind nature transformation, he was completely confident.
He could use tiny currents of wind to manipulate the slips inside the box.
"Everyone, line up to draw lots," Iruka called, keeping order.
"I'm number one!" Naruto whooped, beaming at his slip.
"I got seven," Kiba Inuzuka looked around. "Anyone else get seven?"
"No," Yakumo Kurama said softly. "I'm twenty this time."
Aburame Shino, Nara Shikamaru, Haruno Sakura, and the rest all shook their heads.
"Great." A grin spread across Kiba's face.
He'd had terrible luck in previous drawings.
This time, he could feel his fortunes turning.
After all the extra training, he might not beat a monster like Naruto—but climbing a few spots in the practical rankings seemed very doable.
"Sasuke, what number did you pull?" Sakura asked as Sasuke rejoined them.
"Seven," Sasuke replied blandly.
"What?"
Kiba's eyes bulged. "No!"
"Can someone really be that unlucky?" Ino burst into laughter.
"Maybe someone's targeting you," Shino murmured, nudging his glasses.
"Everyone drew from the same box—totally fair," Shikamaru said with a lazy smile. "You just rolled snake eyes."
"Numbers ones, to the ring," Kitazawa called, roster in hand.
Since it was the first round, he didn't do much behind-the-scenes meddling—just a little trial run.
And as expected, he could indeed steer outcomes with Wind Release.
Naruto jogged out.
His opponent was a boy from the lower end of the class.
The kid lost quickly, but he didn't sulk; losing to the top seed is the natural order of things.
"Number sevens, get ready," Kitazawa called, marking scores as he went.
Fights between academy kids were basically chicks pecking at each other; given their age, most matches wrapped up fast.
The first six combined took less than half an hour.
"Good luck, Sasuke!" Sakura pumped her little fists.
"Kiba, don't lose on spirit!" Naruto hollered.
Kiba's mouth twitched.
Even Naruto, his loudest cheerleader, didn't think he could win?
"Sasuke, I've been doing Kitazawa-sensei's special training!" Kiba shouted to hype himself up. "I'm not the me you remember!"
Hands in his pockets, Sasuke watched him coolly.
Kitazawa's special training? He'd done it too. Nothing special.
"Damn it!"
Kiba lunged without hesitation.
Four Legs Technique!
He bounded forward like a leopard, fingers together, and closed on Sasuke.
Cold light flashed.
His fingers spread, nails lengthening into claw-like points as he raked forward like a hound.
"Your speed's way up," Sasuke admitted, Sharingan snapping open. "But it's still not enough for these eyes."
He slipped back and avoided it with ease.
Kiba pressed, both hands slashing.
Leaf Whirlwind!
Sasuke picked his timing and whipped a kick into Kiba's wrist.
"Sasuke, that Leaf Whirlwind was clean!" Naruto threw a thumbs-up. "Proves you've got youth in your heart!"
"I do not," Sasuke shot back despite himself.
Kiba seized the moment—Tail Chasing Fang Fang Rotating Fang! He twisted side-on, planted both hands, and scissored his legs out.
Sasuke frowned.
The best counter here would be one of Might Guy's taijutsu drills—but after Naruto's needling, he suddenly didn't feel like using them.
He raised both arms and blocked.
Raw force crashed in, making his forearms tingle.
Even his strength had climbed, huh?
Kitazawa-sensei's training really worked.
Better chakra control made the Four Legs Technique cleaner, which meant speed and power scaled up too.
But for Sasuke, none of that was new.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
He got serious.
He opened the distance and spat a roaring sphere of flame.
Kiba had no real answer to Great Fireball and could only sprint sideways.
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!
Sasuke stood his ground and launched a second fire technique.
Clusters of flame flew out in a ring.
Kiba dodged hard, but not hard enough.
Just before it hit, he felt himself go light—Kitazawa had lifted him clear.
"Winner: Uchiha Sasuke," Kitazawa announced, setting Kiba down.
"Thanks, Kitazawa-sensei."
Kiba let out a long breath.
A Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu wouldn't maim him, but it'd hurt plenty.
"You've improved a lot," Kitazawa said, clapping his shoulder. "I'll score you high."
Truth was, while Kiba lost badly, he was already top-tier by academy standards.
He'd just run into an even scarier opponent in Sasuke.
Time ticked by. Round one ended; round two began.
"Number ones, to the ring," Kitazawa said with a smile.
"Sasuke, we finally get our youthful showdown!" Naruto beamed.
He'd wanted to spar Sasuke in last month's exam.
Instead, he'd run into Yakumo Kurama.
"…"
Sasuke had no words.
Meeting Naruto in round two made it feel like the dice were loaded against him.
He tossed the thought aside almost immediately. There's only one first place.
On the road to it, they were bound to collide.
"You only took first last time because you didn't face me," Sasuke said flatly, Sharingan blooming.
He'd even asked his brother, Uchiha Itachi, to coach him for a month to wash away that last humiliation.
Just a month, but he felt he'd grown a lot.
"I'm coming, Sasuke!"
Naruto flashed through seals and yelled, "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In an instant, a horde of clones crowded the ring.
Sasuke's face tightened, but he didn't panic.
Itachi had told him: Multiple Shadow Clone is strong, but it has a fatal flaw—the real body.
If he could hit the real Naruto with genjutsu, he'd win.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
"Leaf Rising Wind!"
"Dynamic Entry!"
Naruto after Naruto surged in from every direction with a barrage of taijutsu.
"That much chakra?" Karin was genuinely surprised.
If Naruto had red hair, she'd have assumed on sight he was Uzumaki.
"Fighting Naruto requires nerves of steel," Shikamaru muttered.
"A whole squad of green bodysuit weirdos is… a lot," Ino said, tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Sasuke, please win!" Sakura pressed her palms together and started praying.
"Sasuke's handling it well," Shino noted, a little impressed.
Facing a sea of Narutos, Sasuke leaned into his strengths.
Sharingan plus ninja tools.
Clones share the original's instincts, but they're not as durable.
Under normal conditions, a solid hit from a shuriken or kunai pops them into smoke.
Sasuke moved like a dancer, slipping through the encirclement, both hands working.
Kunai and shuriken flew in sheets; every throw erased another handful of clones.
But Naruto replenished them just as fast.
Sasuke wasn't surprised; he'd predicted this exact rhythm.
He was waiting for the opening to tag the real Naruto.
Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!
After a burst of mass shuriken throws, Sasuke formed seals again.
Three roaring fire dragons tore from his mouth in a blink.
Crash, crash, crash!
The two-stage attack wiped out more than half the clones in one go.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto shouted and formed seals again.
"Found you!"
Sasuke exploded forward, running and forming seals at the same time.
The instant he closed with Naruto, his Sharingan pulsed—Genjutsu: Bubble sank in.
"It's over, Naruto!"
Seeing Naruto go slack, Sasuke's lips curled. He could practically taste the win.
All he had to do was finish it with a shuriken while Naruto was trapped in Genjutsu: Bubble.
"Ow—what the—!"
Naruto snapped back to himself.
He'd just been smacked by a massive tail—again.
"What?" Sasuke's eyes went wide.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
While he was stunned, a nearby clone lashed out with a heavy kick.
Sasuke couldn't react in time and got booted across the ring.
He scrambled up on instinct, but a fresh wave of Narutos crashed in and laid into him with fists and feet.
He held out only a few seconds before pain flared everywhere and blackness crowded his vision.
"Naruto, stop."
Kitazawa cut in at once.
When the Narutos fell back, Sasuke was left standing there, face mottled with bruises.
"Naruto!" Sakura shrieked as she sprinted in. "How could you hit his face?!"
She set to work healing him on the spot.
For all the bluster, his injuries were superficial.
Sasuke was back on his feet quickly.
But his chest was a knot of confusion and frustration.
Why had Naruto broken the genjutsu that fast?
Was that whole month of special training a joke? How did he lose?
Silent, Sasuke stepped down from the ring.