"Class dismissed."
Kitazawasmiled lightly. "See you all tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!"
After greeting their teacher, the students from both classes began to leave the training field.
It had been their first combined lesson — and everyone had found it strangely refreshing.
Everyone, that is, except Sasuke.
Ever since losing to Neji, he had worn a stormy expression — like the whole world owed him money.
"Sasuke."
Kitazawa called out to him. "Neji's older than you, and he's already awakened his Byakugan. Losing to him is completely normal."
"But…"
Sasuke hesitated, clenching his fists.
He understood the logic — but he couldn't accept it.
He was an Uchiha.
Losing to a Hyuga — and letting the entire academy know — would be humiliating.
What's worse, he couldn't bear the thought of seeing Fugaku's disappointed face.
"Have you thought about why you lost?" Kitazawa asked calmly.
Sasuke froze.
Truth be told… he hadn't.
Ever since the defeat, he'd been obsessed with learning stronger Fire Style jutsu and wondering why he still hadn't awakened his Sharingan.
Kitazawa sighed inwardly. Classic Sasuke — learns nothing from defeat.
There was a reason why, in the original timeline, people joked about him being "blessed by plot armor."
He'd power up, get cocky, and immediately get beaten down again — every single time.
Even after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, he rushed into fighting Killer Bee and even stormed the Five Kage Summit.
If not for Itachi, he probably would've gone blind in record time.
"Because he has the Byakugan," Sasuke finally said. "My Manipulated Shuriken Technique couldn't fool him."
"Anything else?" Kitazawa pressed.
Sasuke frowned, thinking hard. What else could it be?
"His taijutsu's stronger than mine," Sasuke realized aloud. "Once he gets in close, I can't keep up."
But the admission only frustrated him further. The Hyuga Clan specialized in the Gentle Fist, while the Uchiha were known for their Sharingan and genjutsu. Trying to beat Neji in close combat felt impossible.
"If I could just awaken my Sharingan, I'd win," Sasuke muttered, eyes burning with stubborn pride.
With the Sharingan, he could read Neji's movements and counterattack. Without it, he was simply too slow — just like in their sparring match, when Neji's final Four Palms combo had blurred into invisibility.
"Don't focus only on the Sharingan," Kitazawa warned. "You have your own strengths."
"My Fire Style?" Sasuke guessed.
It was the only thing he had that might threaten Neji. But his fire control wasn't refined enough.
With the Byakugan's 360° vision, Neji could evade every jutsu with ease.
"Exactly. Fire is your weapon," Kitazawa nodded. "If your flames can land a single hit — you win."
"But I can't hit him," Sasuke replied flatly. "Not unless I have the Sharingan."
Kitazawa rubbed his forehead. This kid... three sentences and we're back to the Sharingan again.
Still, it wasn't surprising. The entire Uchiha Clan was built around it — that "crutch" had defined their identity.
"Forget awakening it for now," Kitazawa said, patting his shoulder. "Do you know what you need to work on?"
Sasuke blinked. "…What?"
"You really hate thinking, don't you?" Kitazawa sighed.
"You need to train your taijutsu while improving your Fire Style."
"Train my taijutsu?" Sasuke frowned.
"Exactly. Neji's Gentle Fist is strong, but he's only a year older. He's not invincible," Kitazawa explained.
"You don't need to master taijutsu — just enough to keep up for one exchange. Once you do, your Fire Style can counter."
In truth, Kitazawa wasn't thinking of taijutsu — but Lightning Release.
Lightning was speed. And Sasuke had enormous potential for it — far beyond Fire Release in the original timeline.
Unfortunately, Kitazawa himself didn't know any Lightning Style.
Still, others did. Kakashi Hatake, for example — creator of Chidori, one of Konoha's few true Lightning Release masters.
But for now, this wasn't about elements. It was about mission triggers — and there was no "teach Sasuke Chidori" quest yet.
Besides, without the Sharingan, Sasuke wouldn't survive using it anyway.
"I understand now!" Sasuke suddenly straightened, eyes blazing. "Kitazawa-sensei, can you teach me taijutsu?"
"You can train with Naruto," Kitazawa replied.
Sasuke froze. "No way!"
He immediately shook his head. "There's no chance I'm wearing that green jumpsuit!"
Kitazawa chuckled. "You're not required to wear it just to train, you know."
"...Really?"
"Of course. Why would I lie?"
After all, even Neji and Tenten were Guy's students — and neither ever wore that outfit.
"So I just… ask to join their training?" Sasuke asked cautiously. "They'll even let me?"
"They will," Kitazawa assured him.
"Even if you don't focus on taijutsu, training under Might Guy will make your body stronger — faster reflexes, more chakra, better endurance."
Sasuke still looked doubtful. "That strong, huh?"
He thought of Naruto's explosive growth lately… and hesitated. Maybe it was worth trying.
"You'll see soon enough," Kitazawa said with a grin.
"…Fine," Sasuke said finally, exhaling sharply. "I'll go talk to him now."
As Sasuke left, Kitazawa couldn't help but smirk.
If Sasuke actually wears the green jumpsuit, the embarrassment alone might trigger his Sharingan.
After all, the Sharingan awakened through strong emotion — usually pain or loss… but intense humiliation? That might work too.
A glowing notification suddenly appeared in Kitazawa's vision:
[Class A, Year 1 Captain's Mission]
Help Sasuke Uchiha defeat Neji Hyuga.
Reward: One-Tomoe Sharingan.
Accept mission? [Y/N]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
He'd just gotten the Byakugan from a previous mission — and now this?
If word got out, both clans would start an internal investigation over "who corrupted their bloodline first."
But the mission wouldn't be easy.
The Byakugan and Gentle Fist combo was brutally strong in early stages.
Even with help, Sasuke wouldn't win easily — not unless he awakened his Sharingan.
Still, Kitazawa rubbed his chin. "So that's the plan then… make him awaken it."
That would balance things out.
And if Naruto's training clash with Sasuke happened soon… that might just do the trick too.
And if all else failed — there was always Yakumo Kurama.
A well-placed illusion could trigger emotional shock — just as Itachi had done, replaying the Uchiha Massacre to force Sasuke's evolution.
But that was for later.
Right now, he had to meet Lady Tsunade for another day of medical ninjutsu training.
Meanwhile, Sasuke found Naruto easily.
After all — three people in green jumpsuits shouting "Power of Youth!" were impossible to miss.
Watching Guy-sensei, Lee, and Naruto running laps upside-down, Sasuke almost walked away.
If anyone saw him here… he'd never live it down.
"...Sasuke?" Naruto noticed him mid–handstand run.
He flipped forward and landed lightly. "It is you! What are you doing here?"
"I want to train with you," Sasuke said firmly.
Naruto blinked. "Huh?"
"Is… that a problem?" Sasuke asked stiffly.
Naruto's eyes widened — then sparkled.
"So you've finally embraced the Way of Youth, huh, Sasuke?!"
"I'm just here to train!" Sasuke snapped, exasperated.
"Welcome, then!"
Lee beamed. "Training is youth, and youth is training!"
"What?! Even the legendary Uchiha acknowledges our youth?!"
Guy suddenly appeared in front of Sasuke, tears streaming down his face.
"I can feel it — the fires of youth burning within you!"
"I—" Sasuke began, horrified.
"Here!" Guy whipped out a spare green jumpsuit. "You'll need—"
"I'm not wearing that!" Sasuke shouted immediately. "I just said I'm here to train!"
"…Ah, what a shame," Guy said, genuinely disappointed — but didn't insist.
For the first time in his life, Sasuke Uchiha realized what true helplessness felt like.