Kitazawa snapped back to reality and noticed Ino Yamanaka and Hinata Hyuga had paused their training in the mountains.
The reason was simple—Uchiha Sasuke was laughing too loudly.
Both girls were distracted, faces full of curiosity.
If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, they would have asked: Sasuke, why are you laughing?
"No need to mind him," Kitazawa cleared his throat. "Continue your training."
Sasuke, finally shaken from his daydream, stiffened as his smile vanished.
One small success had broken his composed persona.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Sasuke suppressed his embarrassment and stepped forward. "I'm ready for the next stage of training."
The enlarged Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique had bolstered both his confidence and trust in Kitazawa.
"You'll train with Hinata," Kitazawa instructed, repeating the method.
"I don't need a warning," Sasuke said confidently.
He infused chakra into his feet and climbed a tree.
Clearly, he had shifted into Sunny Sasuke mode.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
Isn't this basically saying, "Come hit me"?"
As the instructor, he had to comply.
Kitazawa casually grabbed a wooden kunai, waiting for the right moment before throwing it.
Sasuke heard the whoosh and instinctively sidestepped, but—
"Agh!"
The kunai struck his left arm.
His hearing-based perception hadn't accounted for the weapon's speed.
"Again!"
He scrambled to his feet, face flushed, and forced out the words.
Kitazawa had intended not to laugh, but lacking professional restraint, he chuckled.
Watching Sunny Sasuke take a hit was surprisingly entertaining.
Time passed, and the combat class neared its end.
Though battered, Sasuke persevered, improving faster than Hinata.
The lesson? Painful experience accelerates progress.
After class, Kitazawa and the students said their goodbyes and headed to the second-floor meeting room.
Mizuki had informed him last Thursday about today's meeting—planning the April monthly exam.
"Senior Kitazawa!"
Iruka Umino noticed him and waved.
Kitazawa greeted him and sat nearby.
Mizuki's expression soured—Iruka had been his childhood friend, yet Kitazawa had swooped in, stealing his camaraderie.
Ten minutes later, the room filled.
Many teachers were nameless in the original series, aside from Mizuki and Iruka.
Finally, a middle-aged man entered—Vice Principal Sarutobi Hisao, a jōnin.
Sarutobi Hisao managed the school in Principal Sarutobi's absence due to Hokage duties.
"I'll announce the rules for this month's exam," Hisao began, seated.
Kitazawa listened, noticing little had changed from last year.
Teachers from each grade drafted questions, the best were selected, and two sets compiled per grade—one official, one backup.
"The exam is scheduled for April 30th," Hisao continued. "Submit your questions by the 20th."
"Yes," everyone replied in unison.
"One final reminder: the more of your questions chosen, the higher your chances of being named this year's best teacher."
Hisao stood. "Meeting adjourned."
"Senior Kitazawa!"
Iruka followed, earnestly asking, "Any tips for drafting questions?"
Being his first time, he knew nothing.
He sought Kitazawa because for three years, Kitazawa's questions had been chosen most frequently.
"I can teach you, Iruka," Kitazawa replied.
Mizuki interjected with a forced smile, "Kitazawa's busy. Better not trouble him."
Iruka hesitated, about to agree, but Kitazawa cut in:
"Mizuki, you teach second grade, Iruka is first grade—better if I guide him."
"Thank you, Senior Kitazawa!" Iruka exclaimed.
Mizuki froze, face tight with suppressed frustration.
"Let's go to my office," Kitazawa said, glancing at him.
Iruka followed eagerly.
Mizuki gritted his fists in impotent rage.
Later, Kitazawa returned home after a half-hour session with Iruka.
By Tuesday morning, Kitazawa headed to the school archive.
He retrieved past exams, bringing a copy with him.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata arrived punctually.
"Your task today is to complete all these past papers," he instructed, handing her two exams.
"Understood," Hinata nodded obediently.
The school's monthly exams comprised theory and combat.
Typically, Hinata ranked in the top five; first place was harder due to talented classmates.
Combat skills took time to improve; theory could be sharpened.
Kitazawa's strategy: drill past papers, then target weak points for reinforcement.
Would it affect his own chance at first place?
Kitazawa thought wryly: The judges are mine—how can you compete?
After breakfast, Hinata began the exercises.
Technically, she skipped class—but for studying, was that even skipping?
She worked while Kitazawa crafted new, Konoha-history- and Will-of-Fire-themed questions.
He had an edge and insider knowledge, ensuring the principal's approval.
By afternoon, combat class began.
Ino had completed tree-climbing training and joined Hinata and Sasuke for the next stage.
Kitazawa's greatest surprise: Naruto Uzumaki, whose running drills had advanced dramatically.
"Kitazawa-sensei, how's this?"
Naruto grinned.
"Impressive. You startled even me," Kitazawa praised, patting his shoulder.
"The day after tomorrow's physical training… I'm counting on your performance."
"Will complete the task!" Naruto flashed a thumbs-up.
Wait—what was that gesture?
Boom!
"Do you know Might Guy?" Kitazawa asked warily.
"Huh? How did you know?" Naruto widened his eyes, shocked at Kitazawa's foresight.
One forty-five-minute combat class wasn't enough; he trained afterward, meeting Might Guy.
Kitazawa twitched—if Naruto got corrupted by Guy, would the Hokage hold him responsible?