Three lines of text suddenly appeared in front of Kitazawa's eyes.
[~ Current task: Help your lifelong enemy, Uzumaki Naruto, rank in the top ten of the class in the next monthly exam.
Task reward: Yin Attribute. ~]
[The host has completed the task. The reward is now issued.]
Kitazawa nodded slightly. If nothing else, at least the system's rewards were always delivered promptly.
Yin Attribute became Kitazawa's fourth chakra nature. Before this, he already possessed Wind, Fire, and Water. Now, all he needed were Earth, Lightning, and Yang to complete the seven chakra attributes—in other words, attain all elemental natures.
In the original work, very few ninjas ever possessed all five basic elements, let alone Yin and Yang. Theoretically, once one has mastered all seven attributes, it would be possible to comprehend Yin–Yang Release and even create Truth-Seeking Balls.
Of course, this required a perfect understanding of both the Form and Nature transformation of each element.
With Kitazawa's current aptitude, it was practically impossible—so the burden fell entirely on the system.
"The May monthly exam is now over." After checking the rankings, Kitazawa said, "Everyone, go home and rest early."
"Kiba!" Naruto reminded with a bright grin, "Don't forget our bet!"
"Hmph! Of course, I haven't forgotten!" Inuzuka Kiba waved him off with a proud look. "It's just Ichiraku Ramen. Order as much as you like!"
"Awesome!" Naruto shouted excitedly, "Then I won't hold back!"
"Don't get cocky, kid. I'm definitely beating you next time!" Kiba threw an arm around Naruto's shoulder with a grin.
"That's hard to say!" Naruto was slightly stunned by Kiba's friendly gesture, but quickly laughed along.
Watching them, Kitazawa suddenly thought of a word—bad friends. Ahem, no insult intended. On the contrary, he felt relieved that Naruto had a friend like Kiba.
This child had endured too much in his early years. It was just a pity, the system didn't issue a new task.
But thinking it over, even if it had, he might not have been able to complete it. A follow-up task would likely involve getting Naruto into the top five, top three, or even first place.
That would be as difficult as Kakuzu assassinating Senju Hashirama.
"Sasuke-kun, want to walk home together?" Sakura quickly blocked Sasuke's path.
"No, we're not going the same way." Sasuke glanced at her and quickened his pace.
"Ugh! Am I really that annoying?" Sakura clenched her fists in frustration.
"Sasuke hates everyone equally." Ino shook her head. Though she was a fangirl herself, she wasn't as love-struck as Sakura—she could take it or leave it.
Because of that, she could see Sasuke's personality more clearly. Though she didn't fully understand him.
Sasuke wasn't speeding up because he hated Sakura—he simply wanted to get home faster. He'd secured first place in the exam this time. That meant—Dad, praise! Brother, praise!
"Kitazawa!" A familiar voice rang out. Mizuki appeared in front of him with a smile on his face.
"Did Neji get full marks again?" Kitazawa asked directly.
"…" Mizuki was speechless. He felt completely deflated—his attempt to show off had been ruined before it began.
"Congratulations," Kitazawa said calmly.
"I actually came to ask—when is our class's friendly match scheduled?" Mizuki quickly changed the subject.
"Next Friday—how does that sound?" Kitazawa thought for a moment and replied.
"No problem." Mizuki said confidently, "Doesn't matter what day it is."
"I think we should invite a referee for this match." Kitazawa looked at him and added, "How about inviting the Hokage?"
"You're joking, right?" Mizuki laughed, "Why would the Hokage care about a friendly match between two classes?"
"Normally, he wouldn't." Kitazawa smiled faintly, "But if I ask, there's a good chance he'll come."
In fact, even if he didn't ask, Sarutobi Hiruzen would probably observe from the shadows.
"You?" Mizuki looked skeptical. Even though Kitazawa had been summoned by the Hokage before, in Mizuki's eyes, he was still just a lowly Chunin instructor—not someone worthy of the Hokage's personal attention.
"Just wait and see." Kitazawa turned to leave without further explanation.
"Hmph!" Mizuki looked at his back, frowning. "I want to see how capable you really are."
As for inviting the Hokage? Absolutely impossible. In his mind, a simple friendly match between first and second-year students wasn't worth the Hokage's time, let alone acting as a referee.
---
Uchiha Sasuke jogged home.
"Go take a bath first." Before he could say anything, Uchiha Mikoto interrupted, "Your father and brother aren't back yet."
"Is that so?" Sasuke's excitement deflated a bit.
"Did you get first place in the monthly exam?" Mikoto asked as she headed to the bathroom.
"Huh? How did you know?" Sasuke asked, surprised.
"You're my son. How could I not know?" She smiled as she prepared the hot water. "By the time you're done bathing, they'll probably be home. But don't rush."
"Got it!" Sasuke closed the door and stepped into the tub.
Half an hour later, Uchiha Fugaku walked in.
"Dad!" Sasuke immediately handed him the report card.
"First place?" Fugaku glanced at it and nodded. "Well done."
"I also learned Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!" Sasuke lifted his chin, waiting for more praise.
"You haven't brought shame to the Uchiha." Fugaku met his son's eager gaze, smiled faintly, and said, "You are worthy of being my son."
"Thank you, Dad!"Sasuke tried to hold back his joy, but inside, he wanted to laugh out loud.
Just then, the door opened.
"Brother!" Sasuke quickly shoved the report card into Itachi's hands.
"Congratulations on getting first place." Itachi said warmly, "You'll definitely earn more first places than I ever did."
He had entered the Academy at six and graduated at seven. With three terms and four monthly exams per year, Sasuke could definitely surpass him in total rankings—if he stayed long enough.
Sasuke hadn't thought about that, but now the corner of his lips curled, and he felt like the happiest boy in the ninja world.
"Itachi, come to my room. I need to talk to you." Fugaku walked toward his room.
"Sasuke, wait for me." Itachi patted his brother's head and turned away—his smile vanishing.
"Any signs in Konoha? Especially Root?" Fugaku asked directly. He had allowed Itachi into the Anbu to monitor village activities as a spy for the Uchiha clan.
"Everything's normal," Itachi replied calmly.
"And the reason for Tsunade's return to the village? Have you found out?" Fugaku asked after a pause.
"It's because of Kitazawa." Itachi explained, "He proposed the psychological medical ninja system to the Hokage."
"Who's Kitazawa?" Fugaku asked with a confused look.
"He's a teacher at the Academy—Sasuke's teacher." Itachi sighed inwardly. His father didn't even know who Sasuke's teacher was.
Still, it was shocking—a Chunin proposing a new medical ninjutsu system?
"Explain in more detail," Fugaku said, puzzled.
"Yes." Itachi relayed the situation.
"Is that so?" Fugaku frowned slightly. "I wonder how long Tsunade intends to stay."
"I think Lady Tsunade's presence is a good thing." Itachi hesitated, then added, "At the very least, it might calm the Uchiha clan for now."
Tsunade was one of the legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage, and student of the Third. Her strength and reputation were unmatched in the village.
Since Uchiha Shisui's death, rebel views within the clan have grown.
But Tsunade's return made them uneasy. If rebellion broke out, their chances of success were much slimmer with her in the village.
"Itachi, don't forget your position." Fugaku said seriously, "You are a ninja of the Uchiha clan."
"I know," Itachi replied after a brief silence.