Friday.
Kitazawa's office.
Hinata Hyuga glanced at Yakumo Kurama, feeling slightly reassured.
Another student had joined the "skip class" team.
She had thought that skipping half a day already made her unbeatable at the academy, but Yakumo boldly skipped a full day, only attending the practical class.
"Hinata, did you run into a problem?"
Kitazawa looked up and noticed her spacing out.
"N…no,"
Hinata's cheeks flushed as she shook her head.
She had only drifted in thought for a moment, yet Kitazawa had caught her.
Embarrassed and shy, she instinctively tightened her legs, her pale toes curling slightly.
"If you have a question, just ask me," Kitazawa said with a smile.
In the ninja world, female shinobi mostly wore open-toed boots or sandals, so her subtle movements didn't escape his notice.
"Okay,"
Hinata exhaled quietly, relieved.
Kitazawa then focused on Yakumo Kurama in the distance.
Hinata was grinding through theory problems, aiming for first place in the month-end exam.
Yakumo was studying Yin-style techniques, preparing for her path as a medical ninja.
Kitazawa withdrew his gaze and continued creating exam questions.
By afternoon, he had completed thirty questions.
"Here you go, another me,"
He handed the questions to a shadow clone to deliver to Vice Principal Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Then he slowly walked to the training field.
"Kitazawa-sensei, what are we learning today?"
Naruto approached eagerly.
"Clone jutsu," Kitazawa answered.
"Wow!"
Naruto asked excitedly, "Is that the jutsu you used yesterday?"
"Hmph, are you an idiot?"
Sasuke suddenly interjected. "That was the Shadow Clone Jutsu, not just basic clone jutsu."
"Eh?"
Sakura immediately noticed the discrepancy.
Why was normally aloof Sasuke suddenly talking to Naruto? And giving him that kind of attention?
Sakura glared at Naruto, feeling slighted.
"Basic clone jutsu is one of the Three Clones techniques. It creates illusory copies to confuse the enemy, but unlike the Shadow Clone Jutsu, it has no substance," Kitazawa explained succinctly.
"I see,"
Naruto scratched his head.
"The Three Clones technique is tested in the graduation exam; everyone must master it," Kitazawa continued.
"Watch closely, I'll demonstrate," he said, stepping forward.
Bang!
Smoke appeared, revealing two Kitazawas.
"Did you memorize the hand seals?"
He dispersed the clones and asked.
"Yes!"
The students answered in unison.
"Start practicing."
Kitazawa nodded.
Immediately, Sasuke formed the seals and produced two identical clones.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura cheered.
"I can do it too!"
Naruto wasn't to be outdone. He formed his seals.
A puff of smoke, and two clones appeared.
One sprawled on the ground like a strange creature, the other flailed cluelessly.
After two seconds, everyone burst into laughter, filling the air with joy.
Sasuke smirked faintly.
So embarrassing—you might as well quit.
Yesterday, he had still thought Naruto might be a contender.
Kitazawa chuckled.
It was a perfect reenactment of the original story.
Naruto's basic clones weren't great, but his "Seduction Technique"—so absurd it could even control Kaguya Otsutsuki—was another matter entirely.
"All right, keep practicing," Kitazawa clapped his hands.
Scanning the class, only Sasuke succeeded immediately, along with Hinata, Shino, and Shikamaru.
Ino, Sakura, and Kiba took slightly longer but mastered it within the lesson.
Only Naruto showed little progress.
"That's it for today's practical class."
As the bell rang, Kitazawa said, "See you next week."
"Goodbye, Sensei!"
The students shouted and raced out like untamed horses, anticipating the upcoming holiday.
"Kitazawa-sensei,"
Naruto pouted. "Am I talentless in ninjutsu?"
"No," Kitazawa shook his head.
"You just haven't found the right technique for you."
"What kind of jutsu suits me?"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Well…"
Kitazawa thought for a moment. "Be at the training ground tomorrow at nine in the morning. I'll teach you a new jutsu."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
"No problem, just a small favor," Kitazawa replied.
A deeper bond with Naruto meant safety in Konoha, as seen with Iruka's rise to school principal.
The next day, after breakfast, Kitazawa arrived at the academy.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto had been waiting and greeted him immediately.
"The jutsu I'll teach you is the Transformation Technique. I'll demonstrate first."
Kitazawa wasted no time, forming hand seals.
His body and appearance instantly changed.
"Amazing!"
Naruto stared in wonder, as if looking into a mirror.
"Your turn."
Kitazawa dispelled the transformation.
"Okay!"
Naruto quickly formed the seals.
A shocking sight: his head became Kitazawa's, but his body remained his own.
"Keep going,"
Kitazawa twitched his mouth.
Three hours later, Naruto collapsed, gasping.
"Here,"
Kitazawa handed him water.
"Thanks, Sensei."
Naruto guzzled it down.
Sitting across, Kitazawa spoke.
"What's the Transformation Technique for?"
Naruto scratched his head. "Isn't the clone technique more useful?"
"Nope,"
Kitazawa suddenly remembered something. "Transformation can save your life in critical moments."
"Save my life?"
Naruto blinked in confusion.
"Remember I told you about Uchiha Madara?"
Kitazawa spun a tale. "According to unofficial history, Madara once transformed into a beautiful woman, tricked Hashirama Senju, and preserved his life."
"Ah?"
Naruto's eyes widened. "Really?"
"I can't guarantee it's true," Kitazawa laughed, "but done right, Transformation can be that powerful."
Naruto pondered.
Kitazawa was about to speak when four lines of text appeared before his eyes:
[Know your enemy, and you will win every battle.]
[Current Task: Learn your lifelong rival Naruto Uzumaki's secret jutsu, the Seduction Technique.]
[Task Reward: +10% of Kakashi Hatake's chakra limit.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa froze.
Ten percent of Kakashi Hatake's chakra? Excellent!