A scorching Great Fireball burst into existence out of thin air.
Naruto and Shikamaru immediately split left and right without a second thought.
After so much real-combat training, their bodies reacted on pure instinct.
They both knew there was no way to withstand Kitazawa's Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu head-on.
The only option, run.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Kitazawa stood calmly where he was, forming hand signs without haste.
Clusters of flame scattered in all directions like bursting seeds.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
While sprinting, Naruto formed signs, and two shadow clones burst out of smoke, charging bravely into the rain of fire.
"Leaf Whirlwind, Steel Kick!!"
Green chakra wrapped around both clones' right legs as they kicked forward at the same time.
A path opened through the flames,
But even more fire surged toward them.
Their screams vanished with their bodies.
Naruto received all their memories instantly. Sweat rolled down his forehead.
Still, the clones' suicidal charge bought him precious time, letting him fully escape the flames' pursuit.
"What a drag…"
Shikamaru zig-zagged in serpentine steps, narrowly slipping behind a roadside tree.
Flames slammed into the trunk an instant later.
Shikamaru let out a relieved sigh.
This was the route he had chosen in advance.
Not random, he had memorized the terrain before training even began, ensuring he could use every possible advantage.
But he also knew Kitazawa wasn't fighting seriously.
This whole real-combat program existed to help Naruto defeat Sasuke.
Kitazawa had been simulating Sasuke's power the whole time.
But Sasuke couldn't beat two opponents at once, so sometimes Kitazawa intentionally used strength above Sasuke's, calling it "preparing for unexpected situations."
After suffering Kitazawa's "hell mode" training, fighting actual Sasuke in "normal difficulty" would feel easy.
"Is it over…?"
Wiping sweat from his brow, Naruto instinctively looked up.
The terrifying flames had vanished.
"Today's combat training ends here."
Kitazawa smiled as he declared it.
Naruto and Shikamaru's bodies slackened with relief.
After catching their breath, they walked back toward him.
"Tomorrow is the final exam. You two have half a day off, go rest."
Kitazawa looked at their exhausted faces.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei…"
Shikamaru felt life return to his limbs.
This painful training was finally taking a break.
After the exam came summer vacation.
There was no way Kitazawa would drag him out for combat training during summer… right?
"I don't need rest! I'm going to keep training with Guy-sensei!"
Naruto straightened, fists clenched.
"This exam, I'm going to beat Sasuke and take first place!"
He wasn't bragging.
After Kitazawa's hellish training, he was confident he could handle Sasuke's fire techniques.
If Sasuke's flames couldn't hit him, his taijutsu would decide the match.
After all, his taijutsu was stronger than Sasuke's.
Shikamaru's mouth twitched.
Bro, why are you like this? Calm down…
"Does 'first place' include first in written exams?"
Kitazawa asked.
"Uh?"
Naruto scratched his head.
"I meant first place in the combat exam…"
After a semester of tests, he already understood he couldn't beat Sakura in theory.
"First place sounds like such a drag…"
Shikamaru exhaled. "Passing is enough."
"You always get exactly sixty points. Something on your mind?"
Kitazawa asked.
"I can only get sixty."
Shikamaru lied without blinking.
"Is that so?"
Kitazawa smiled.
"Then how about this, if you score top ten, I'll cancel your summer combat training."
"…There's summer combat training?!"
Shikamaru stiffened.
"If you don't place top ten, then yes."
Kitazawa patted his shoulder.
"Your choice."
Choice?
What choice?!
Top ten was troublesome…
But summer combat training sounded even worse.
"I understand, Kitazawa-sensei."
Shikamaru replied with rare seriousness.
This time, he had to make top ten.
He was not letting training ruin his perfect summer.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto raised his hand.
"Can I join summer combat training!?"
"You don't need it."
Kitazawa shook his head.
"Keep training under Guy."
Combat training was useful, but only to a point for six- and seven-year-olds.
They simply didn't know enough jutsu yet.
Better to spend time learning new techniques.
"Yeah… you're right."
Naruto nodded.
Guy's training intensity was no less brutal, and he got to learn taijutsu.
Suddenly one summer didn't feel long enough.
Naruto loved his life now.
Friends, classmates, teachers,
Most importantly, people who didn't look at him with fear or disgust.
Compared to his life before enrollment, this felt like a dream.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto's eyes shone with hope.
"If I get first place, is there a reward?"
Kitazawa had already taught him Shadow Clone Jutsu, which became his ace technique.
He wanted to learn more.
"The reward is… a spar with me at full power."
Kitazawa said immediately.
"Eh?!"
Naruto's eyes popped open.
That was a reward?!
Shikamaru almost burst out laughing.
"What I mean is, I'll pick a jutsu specifically suited for you. To do that, I need to fight you seriously and gauge your exact strength."
Kitazawa added, perfectly straight-faced.
"I see!!"
Naruto instantly believed him.
Shikamaru squinted. Something felt off…
Kitazawa already knew Naruto's strength after weeks of real combat.
But, wisely, Shikamaru kept silent.
If he spoke up, he was sure that summer combat training would land on his head.
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto and Shikamaru waved and left.
Kitazawa thought for a moment, then headed to the Academy's training grounds.
Three dragons of flame roared past his vision.
He glanced over.
After half a month of study, Sasuke had mastered Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu.
At his age, learning a B-rank fire jutsu made him a genius among geniuses.
But he was now hitting a wall.
His foundation wasn't strong enough yet.
To progress, he needed either new jutsu, or deeper training in fire-nature transformation.
His earlier fire-nature training was only beginner level, assigned so he could surpass Itachi Uchiha's Fireball and complete Kitazawa's task.
"Sasuke."
Kitazawa called out.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Sasuke walked over immediately.
"Your Dragon Flame Jutsu is almost complete. That's enough for today."
Kitazawa patted his shoulder.
He could continue teaching Sasuke… but he chose to wait.
No new "task" had triggered.
He suspected Sasuke would get one after the final exam, assuming Naruto defeated him.
Even with hell-mode training, a fight was never 100% guaranteed.
If Naruto lost, they'd wait for the next chance.
Fortunately, the task didn't specify when Sasuke needed to be beaten.
"Kitazawa-sensei, I want to keep learning Fire Style."
Sasuke said firmly.
The pressure on him was heavy.
Naruto and Hinata were both training relentlessly.
He didn't want to fall behind.
"Tomorrow is the final exam. Starting a new jutsu now would only waste time."
Kitazawa shook his head.
"Go home and reinforce your Dragon Flame Jutsu."
Sasuke blinked, then nodded.
A B-rank Fire Style jutsu!
With this, first place tomorrow was guaranteed!
He imagined Fugaku and Itachi watching him…
The thought made his mouth curl upward.
"You can go home now, Sasuke."
Kitazawa cut off his daydream.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sasuke happily ran off.
"Huh?"
Sakura Haruno saw Sasuke leaving and paused in confusion.
"Now's my chance!"
Ino Yamanaka's eyes sparkled.
She seized control of the test carp's mind and smiled brightly seconds later.
"Yes! I did it! I beat you again, Sakura!"
Ever since Sakura learned anesthetic jutsu, Kitazawa had her practice Yang Release: chakra nature training.
Yang Release governed the power to give life to form,
In simple terms: restoring vitality.
Her daily assignment?
Continuously heal the same carp.
Ino's training didn't change either,
Continuously taking over the carp's mind.
One healed the body.
One seized the mind.
That carp was living a luxurious life, cared for by two beautiful "frenemies" every day.