Although Kitazawa wanted to help Nonō, the kind-hearted kunoichi of the orphanage, he knew his own limits.
In his current state, there was simply no way he could manage it.
Tsunade could help her, of course… but whether he could find the right moment to speak with her was another question entirely.
Nonō had value. If Tsunade saved her, it would be a strong advantage when she inevitably became Hokage.
Of course, at this point in time, Tsunade avoided the Hokage position like poison.
Still, Kitazawa hoped she would one day take the seat. With her as Hokage, he'd have a true protector, and life in Konoha would become much safer for him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi treated him well, yes…
But his connection to Shimura Danzō was far closer.
If Danzō really killed him, nothing would happen.
"Better put my hopes on Tsunade."
Kitazawa didn't return to the Academy that afternoon.
He already knew the results of Class 2-A.
As for Class 1-A, he only needed to dispel his Shadow Clones to learn their scores.
"I'm back."
Kitazawa opened the door.
"There's lemonade in the fridge," Kurenai Yuhi said without looking away from the TV.
"Tsunade-sama and Shizune-senpai still not home?"
Kitazawa took out the cold lemonade and drank, feeling the refreshing chill spread through him.
"No."
Kurenai remained seated on the sofa.
Kitazawa glanced at her legs resting casually on the table.
"You're really learning Tsunade-sama's habits, huh? Aren't your legs cold?"
"It's summer," she said over her shoulder. "Why would I be cold?"
The very next second, she sucked in a breath.
Kitazawa had stepped forward and placed both hands on her ankles.
His hands were ice-cold from touching the drink.
"H-Hey! What are you doing?!"
Kurenai jerked her legs back and kicked him on reflex.
"Cooling you down," Kitazawa said with a completely straight face.
"Let go!"
Her feet were warm again after a moment, the cold fading quickly in summer heat.
Kitazawa smiled and lightly tapped a finger against her heel.
Kurenai's whole body jolted.
Her toes curled, and her foot arched like a bowstring.
She glared at him sharply and immediately pulled her legs in, hugging them to her chest to avoid him reaching again.
Kitazawa raised a brow.
"I saw something just now."
A flash of white cloth.
"You didn't see anything!"
Kurenai instantly went red and dropped her legs, pulling down her skirt to cover her thighs.
"I was just teasing. I didn't see anything," Kitazawa said calmly.
"…Really?"
Kurenai looked up, ruby-red eyes searching his expression.
"Really."
She let out a small sigh of relief.
Kitazawa chuckled and sat beside her. He formed a single hand seal.
Poof. The memories of all his Shadow Clones surged back. The results of Class 1-A filled his mind.
First place, Nara Shikamaru. As expected, pressure could motivate even the laziest genius. Though honestly, with talent like his, Shikamaru won purely through sheer intellect.
Second place: Haruno Sakura.
Third: Uchiha Sasuke.
Fourth: Hyūga Hinata.
Naruto Uzumaki was twelfth, once again below Inuzuka Kiba in ranking.
But in real combat? He'd probably surpass him.
"Kitazawa."
Kurenai suddenly asked, "What color did you see?"
"White."
The answer slipped out automatically. A heartbeat later he realized what he'd said.
"Wait, let me explain!"
Kurenai's eyes narrowed with a murderous glare.
"Pervert! Get back here!"
She lunged. Kitazawa tried to retreat, but it was too late. She collided with him, knocking him onto the sofa.
Kurenai ended up braced over him, faces close, both freezing in awkward realization. Her cheeks reddened.
Just then, a door opened. Tsunade entered the living room.
"…Looks like I came at the wrong time."
"No," Kitazawa said instantly, sitting up with a straight face. "You came at the perfect time. I just got back too."
"Good. Then let's continue researching the new jutsu."
Tsunade stretched and sat down.
The new technique, modeled after Yakumo's Kekkei Genkai illusions, was proving extremely difficult.
Kitazawa didn't join their discussion. He quietly went upstairs.
He wasn't proficient with Genjutsu, he only knew one technique: Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death.
Night passed quickly. After Tsunade and Shizune left, Kitazawa and Kurenai walked Yakumo home as usual.
"Kurenai."
Kitazawa gently took her hand.
"What's your plan for summer break?"
"I used to take missions," Kurenai said, shaking her head. "But I don't need to anymore."
Her new Genjutsu-creation project with Yakumo earned plenty of income, and without danger.
"Then can you teach me Genjutsu?"
Kurenai blinked.
"You think you can learn it?"
She knew he had potential, after all, he managed Tree Binding Death. But learning medical ninjutsu AND genjutsu? That was terrifying.
"I'll take whatever I can manage. I'm free all break anyway."
"…Alright," she nodded.
The next morning.
Kitazawa ran into Iruka Umino at the Academy gate.
"Kitazawa-senpai!" Iruka greeted him. "How did my class do in the first true combat exam?"
"The students won't disappoint us," Kitazawa said. "Didn't you see the previous friendly match?"
"True…" Iruka smiled. "Yakumo and Sasuke have probably already surpassed me."
He was a standard chūnin, no Kekkei Genkai, nothing flashy.
"Geniuses can be discouraging," Kitazawa agreed.
"Kitazawa-senpai, don't be humble. You're a special jōnin now."
Iruka remembered vividly how Mizuki had hired two chūnin, tried a three-on-one, and still lost.
"You're early today," Kitazawa said casually.
"That's because Tsubaki reminded me," Iruka said sheepishly.
Kitazawa was just about to respond when he suddenly froze.
He'd spotted Naruto…
And beside him, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Trouble.
For the final exam, Kitazawa had to spar with the top student. With the Hokage watching, there would be no hiding anything.
But even if Hiruzen hadn't come, he would've watched through his crystal ball anyway.
"Is that… the Hokage?" Iruka asked, stunned.
"Let's go," Kitazawa said.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto waved excitedly.
"Hokage-sama," Kitazawa and Iruka greeted together.
"No need to be formal," Hiruzen chuckled. "I had some free time today, so I came to watch."
Sure you did, old man. You came because of Naruto. Obviously.
"Class 1-A will be thrilled," Kitazawa said politely. "Their performance will surely be even better today."
"That has nothing to do with me," Hiruzen said mildly. "It's because their teachers are excellent."
Iruka straightened proudly. Praise from the Hokage was a rare honor.
"Wow!"
"Hokage-sama!"
"Grandpa Third!"
As Class 1-A arrived, they swarmed Hiruzen with excitement.
Hiruzen patted heads, offered kind smiles, fully embracing his public persona.
Iruka whispered, "Hokage-sama is truly approachable."
Kitazawa nodded slightly. Hiruzen's self-image work, and the Will of Fire propaganda, were masterful.
9:00 AM — Final Exam Combat Test Begins
"The rules are simple," Kitazawa announced.
"First: this is friendly sparring. Do NOT injure your opponent.
Second: you will draw lots. Matching numbers fight each other."
The students were only six or seven. A full bracket tournament would be impossible, not enough chakra.
This was an exam, not a real competition. They were judging performance, not victory.
Three rounds in total. Only those with passing scores would advance.
Hiruzen stroked his beard, remembering the previous friendly match between 1-A and 2-A.
Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Yakumo had stood out.
Only a pity Yakumo wasn't present today.
Still, Naruto and the clan heirs were his priority. They were the future of the village.
"One by one, draw your numbers."
Kitazawa opened a storage scroll and produced the lottery box.
"I'm number one!"
Naruto held up his slip excitedly.
"Who else is number one?!"
Inuzuka Kiba checked his slip…
Then checked again.
Still a "1."
Unbelievable. How was he supposed to beat Naruto?
"…It's me," Kiba sighed.
"Kiba?" Naruto's eyes lit up. "Awesome! I've been wanting to fight you!"
"Good luck, Kiba," Shikamaru smirked.
"Show the same energy you always use when yelling at Naruto!" Ino teased.
"Those with number one, step forward," Kitazawa said.
"Naruto!"
Kiba stepped into the center.
"Beating me won't be easy!"
"I'll give it everything I've got!" Naruto grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "That's how you honor youth!"
…You don't HAVE to be this serious.
Kiba exhaled and dropped into stance.
Four Legs Technique!
Chakra surged around him as he sprinted forward like a wild beast.
He leaped, hands turned claws, wind shrieking around him.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Naruto calmly kicked upward.
Kiba's speed was good, but compared to Kitazawa's, it was nothing.
Naruto, used to training with Kitazawa and with Might Guy's hell-level drills behind him, suddenly felt Kiba was… slow.
THUD!
Kiba was kicked away.
But before flying back, he managed to leave claw marks on Naruto's pant leg, blocked by Naruto's chakra coating.
He struggled to his feet, just in time to see a flash of green.
Naruto appeared before him like a blur.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Kiba felt a shock run through his whole body as he rolled across the ground.
Sasuke's pupils shrank. When did Naruto get that fast?!
Compared to the friendly match with Class 2-A, his speed had doubled. Was this the result of Guy-sensei's brutal training?
Sasuke felt a surge of pressure.
"Excellent," Hiruzen nodded.
Inuzuka techniques focused on speed and power, yet Naruto's base speed surpassed Kiba's enhanced speed.
Could another "Yellow Flash" be born in Konoha?
If Naruto weren't so young, Hiruzen would have already pushed him to learn Flying Thunder God.
"…This score is hard to give," Iruka muttered, scratching his head before giving Naruto a 90.
Normally, it should've been full marks. Naruto's speed was nearly chūnin level already.
But in Class 1-A? One never knew.
Besides, it was only the first round.
"Kiba, you did your best!"
"Losing to Naruto isn't shameful!"
"You were great, just unlucky!"
Kiba returned to the group and immediately received a wave of consolation. He twitched at the corner of his mouth.
So everyone expected him to lose, huh?