Ichiraku Ramen.
"I'm full. Thanks for the meal!"
Might Guy stood, grinning. "Kitazawa, if you ever want to learn more taijutsu, come find me."
"Will do." Kitazawa agreed without hesitation.
"I'll also go meet that Rock Lee you mentioned," Guy added with a smile.
"Until next time."
Kitazawa gave him a nod, watching as Guy strode away. So this is what it feels like to change someone's destiny, he thought.
If Lee started training the Eight Gates six years early, would he still fall in that battle against Gaara of the Sand?
"I'm full too, Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata said softly, putting down her chopsticks.
The large bowl of char siu ramen in front of her had been polished clean.
"Teuchi, another bowl," Kitazawa said casually.
"For you?" Teuchi leaned forward from the counter.
"Not for me. For Hinata." Kitazawa chuckled.
"Eh?"
Teuchi instinctively looked at her.
"I…" Hinata fidgeted, embarrassed. She wanted to refuse, but the words wouldn't come.
"Hinata."
Kitazawa reached out and lightly pinched her cheek. "Be honest with sensei. Are you really full?"
"…N-no," Hinata admitted, face flushing scarlet.
"Never judge a book by its cover," Teuchi muttered in awe, before heading back to the kitchen.
Moments later, another steaming bowl of ramen arrived.
Under Kitazawa's watchful gaze, Hinata picked up her chopsticks, cheeks pink. She ate shyly but with flawless etiquette, every motion refined despite her pace.
Ten minutes later, the second bowl was gone.
"Teuchi, one more," Kitazawa called out.
Hinata pressed her lips together, blush deepening. This was the first time anyone had discovered her secret appetite.
"Chakra is born from both body and spirit," Kitazawa reassured. "Eating well is a good thing."
At that moment, glowing words appeared before his eyes:
[You've uncovered your deskmate's secret. As class representative, your duty is to protect it while helping her.]
[Current Quest: Feed Hyuga Hinata until she willingly reveals her secret.]
[Reward: Byakugan]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's pupils shrank.
Until now, his tasks had only rewarded him with basic jutsu. Useful, yes—but nothing game-changing.
This was different.
The Byakugan—a treasure worth more than gold.
In the ninja world's black markets, both Sharingan and Byakugan fetched tens of millions of ryo. And because of the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird curse, a pair of unmarked Byakugan was even rarer—worth as much as a high-ranking jonin's life.
Ninja eyes were plug-and-play.
Even if Byakugan lacked evolutions like Sharingan, its abilities—telescopic vision, x-ray sight, unparalleled perception—would skyrocket his strength.
And if he learned Gentle Fist on top of that, promotion to jonin would be child's play.
"Hinata, eat as much as you like. Teuchi and I will keep your secret safe," Kitazawa said firmly.
"Keeping a customer's secret is part of the job," Teuchi agreed.
"Th-thank you."
Hinata bowed her head slightly before starting on her third bowl.
Time ticked by.
In the end, she finished seven bowls of ramen—fewer than her future self in the original story, but impressive enough for her age.
Teuchi could only click his tongue in amazement.
If not for those unmistakable white eyes, he'd have thought she belonged to the Akimichi clan.
Still, as a ramen shop owner, he welcomed every big eater.
"Hinata, how did this morning feel?" Kitazawa asked as they left Ichiraku and strolled back toward the academy.
Hinata hesitated. She wasn't sure how to put it into words.
It had been the most rebellious morning of her life. Skipping class, scaling walls, eating until she couldn't move.
Thrilling—and liberating.
"…It felt nice," she whispered, voice barely audible.
Kitazawa almost didn't catch it.
They stopped at the doorway of Class 1-A.
"Hinata, see you next period," Kitazawa said with a smile. "Today's training paid off. Let's keep it up tomorrow."
Her face burned hot. She nodded quickly before darting into the classroom.
Inside, most of the students were dozing at their desks during lunch break.
"Hinata."
Ino perked up at the sound, tilting her head. "Where were you?"
To her, Hinata had always been the picture of obedience. Who would've guessed she'd be the first in class to skip a lesson?
"I… I went out with Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata stammered.
"Kitazawa-sensei?" Ino straightened, curiosity piqued.
"N-nothing special. Just… taijutsu practice." Hinata buried her face into her arms. "Good afternoon."
Ino eyed her, suspicious.
Special tutoring behind our backs?
But Kitazawa didn't seem like that kind of teacher.
Afternoon came.
On the training field, Kitazawa lectured on kunai throwing techniques.
Yesterday's practice had been against fixed targets. Today, moving ones—difficulty spiking upward.
For ninja clan students like Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuga Hinata, though, it was child's play. They'd already been trained before ever entering the academy.
Soon, the class split in two.
Those who struck the moving targets were excused to free training.
As before, Sasuke headed straight to his tree to practice chakra control.
Kitazawa followed soon after.
"Hey, aren't you curious?" Ino asked, noticing their unusual behavior.
"Nope." Shikamaru sprawled lazily on the grass, refusing to budge.
Choji didn't answer—too busy with his chips.
"Hinata, let's go." Ino grabbed her friend's hand.
Sakura, meanwhile, stayed behind, still working on her kunai throws. Talented among civilians, but without the clan advantage, she was behind the curve.
"Eh?" Hinata faltered, torn between curiosity and fear of upsetting Kitazawa.
But Ino didn't wait—she tugged her along.
Moments later, they arrived, finding Sasuke halfway up a tree trunk.
"If you're here, then train with us," Kitazawa said, noticing them.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Ino greeted brightly, smiling. "What kind of training is this?"
Hinata stole a glance at Kitazawa, face heating as she lowered her gaze.
"Chakra control training," Kitazawa explained. "Normally you wouldn't learn this until after graduation—but you're geniuses. You can handle it early."