Konoha-style Taijutsu is a complete taijutsu system that includes both punches and kicks, though it remains quite basic overall.
It shares a similar naming convention with Konoha-style swordsmanship, the style used by Gekko Hayate, whom Kitazawa had met before. However, Konoha-style swordsmanship is more advanced and powerful in comparison.
Moreover, Konoha-style Taijutsu lacks an iconic signature move like the A-rank difficulty Dance of the Crescent Moon, making it less renowned.
Even so, for many civilian ninjas, Konoha-style Taijutsu is often the only structured taijutsu system they can access.
Kitazawa structured the practical class into two halves: the first focused on explanation, while the second was dedicated to practical application.
During the practice portion, one could clearly observe the differences in physical aptitude among the students.
Sasuke, Hinata, and Naruto picked it up relatively quickly. Next came Ino, Sakura, and Choji, who were a bit slower but still progressed at a decent pace.
As for the remaining civilian students, learning Konoha-style Taijutsu might take a year or two before seeing real results.
This was something no teacher, no matter how skilled, could simply fix.
Kitazawa's gaze lingered on Naruto as he remembered a particular mission: to have Naruto defeat Sasuke at least once.
The reward wasn't small—it offered one-tenth of his chakra capacity limit. However, the difficulty of this mission had caused it to remain incomplete until now.
But after witnessing Naruto's match against Rock Lee, Kitazawa finally saw hope for success.
If Naruto employed a strategic group assault, he might just pull off a win against Sasuke.
Of course, it was only a possibility, not a guaranteed outcome.
Ironically, Kitazawa had himself to blame. Through relentless training, Sasuke's strength had increased substantially.
Naruto's gang-style combat was clever, but at the end of the day, he still had a human body vulnerable to injury.
If Sasuke played it smart, he could use Fire Release to keep his distance, adopting a hit-and-run kite tactic to counter the clone onslaught.
That led Kitazawa to think about the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. If Naruto could master that, his chances of victory would skyrocket.
Unfortunately, that technique was a forbidden jutsu stored in the Sealed Scroll, accessible only with the Hokage's approval.
It was a pity Mizuki had already been dealt with—he could no longer be exploited for more value.
Kitazawa sighed.
In the original timeline, Mizuki had tricked Naruto into stealing the scroll, creating a perfect opportunity. Now, that scenario couldn't happen again.
After some thought, Kitazawa decided to begin Naruto's special training.
Specifically, he would arrange for him to spar against a fire-style user to help him prepare early. And who would that fire-style user be?
Of course—it would be Kitazawa's own shadow clone.
Although it felt a little unfair to Sasuke, Kitazawa had no choice if he wanted to clear the mission.
Besides, after everything he'd taught Sasuke, it was time for a little payback. It was just the final exam after all.
If Sasuke later triggered a similar mission, Kitazawa would help him too. The key was to be flexible with your bottom line—and support whoever was more beneficial.
"That's it for today's practical class. When you have time, keep practicing on your own." Kitazawa said as the end-of-class bell rang.
"Yes, Mr. Kitazawa!" The students of Class 1-A quickly scattered.
---
Kitazawa was preparing to leave when someone suddenly called his name.
Turning around, he was surprised to see Vice-Principal Sarutobi Hisao walking toward him. Did he come specifically to find him?
Normally, Sarutobi Hisao would have a teacher deliver any messages on his behalf.
"Vice-Principal, is there something you wanted to discuss?" Kitazawa asked as he approached.
"The June monthly exam is approaching," Sarutobi Hisao replied. "There will be a short staff meeting in the conference room at 8:30 tomorrow morning."
"Understood." Kitazawa nodded, then asked curiously, "But why are you delivering the message in person today?"
"Because that's not the only reason I'm here." Sarutobi Hisao smiled and added, "You'll be presiding over tomorrow's meeting."
"Me?" Kitazawa blinked in surprise. In previous months, Sarutobi Hisao had always led the exam meetings himself.
"Have you forgotten your current position?" Sarutobi Hisao chuckled, patting Kitazawa's shoulder. "Until recently, no one had filled the role, so I stepped in."
Kitazawa froze for a moment before realization struck. Sarutobi Hisao was referring to his appointment as Head of the Academic Affairs Office.
It was his duty to preside over these meetings now.
"That appointment hasn't been formally announced yet, so we'll make it official tomorrow." Sarutobi Hisao added with a smile, "Congratulations, Kitazawa. You're the youngest Academic Affairs Director in the school's history."
"Thank you, Principal," Kitazawa replied modestly. "This will be my first time leading the monthly exam meeting—I hope you'll guide me tomorrow."
"No problem at all." Sarutobi Hisao's tone remained warm and approachable.
Kitazawa's rapid promotion spoke volumes. Such swift advancement usually pointed to one of two things: exceptional ability or powerful backing.
In Kitazawa's case, he had both. His future was already bright. Sarutobi Hisao had been around long enough to recognize when to support rising stars.
"I'll be there on time tomorrow," Kitazawa promised.
"Good. See you then." Sarutobi Hisao gave a nod and walked away.
Kitazawa watched him leave for a moment, then turned and headed toward Kurenai's house.
---
"Tsunade-sama hasn't come yet." Kurenai opened the door and let Kitazawa in with a smile. "I'm really looking forward to her expression when she sees you using the Rasengan."
"Then you'll be disappointed—she already came to see me at noon." Kitazawa sat down on the sofa and unrolled the scroll Shizune had given him.
"Are you really planning to learn medical ninjutsu?" Kurenai glanced at him, clearly surprised.
"Yeah." Kitazawa nodded. "I want to give it a try."
"Then I'll support you." Kurenai smiled warmly.
Although deep down she didn't have high expectations—medical ninjutsu was notoriously difficult to master, and Kitazawa had already missed the optimal age—he had given her enough surprises recently. As his girlfriend, she chose to believe in him first.
"How exactly are you going to support me?" Kitazawa blinked, the question laced with a teasing undertone.
"You really don't waste any chance to take advantage." Kurenai understood his implication immediately and gave him a playful glare.
"How can that be called taking advantage?" Kitazawa asked with mock seriousness.
"Is this what you want?" Kurenai rolled her eyes, walked up to him, bent down, and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
Kitazawa took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her waist and buried his head in her embrace. Unfortunately, the angle was off, and his face ended up pressed against her stomach instead.
Through her clothes, Kurenai could feel the heat of his breath. Her body stiffened slightly, then relaxed.
"Are you a child?" She ran her fingers through his hair and said softly, "I'll give you one minute… but if you move your hands again!"
Her face flushed as she quickly caught Kitazawa's wandering hand. Because he was sitting on the sofa while she was standing, it was easier than usual for him to reach her thighs.
"Tsunade-sama could return at any moment." Kurenai stepped back, creating some distance.
"How's your Rasengan training going?" Kitazawa asked with a sly smile, still recalling the softness and warmth of her thighs.
"It's going well." Kurenai adjusted her clothes and composed herself.
"Good. Come to me if you have questions." Kitazawa stood and added, "I'll head back to my room and study."
The framework for the new ninjutsu was already set, so there was no need for him to oversee it further.
Kitazawa returned to his room and spread out the medical books.
Some of them overlapped with the ones he'd given to Sakura earlier, and he'd already read those, so he set them aside. The rest were new and had to be finished within two weeks.
Thankfully, he had the Shadow Clone Technique. He formed two shadow clones, and all three of them began reading in tandem.
---
The Uchiha Clan Residence.
After waiting an hour, Uchiha Sasuke finally saw his older brother, Uchiha Itachi, return home.
He rushed to the entrance and called out excitedly, "Brother!"
"Sasuke." Itachi saw his younger brother's smiling face and felt the weight of the day lift from his shoulders.
As a double agent caught between the Uchiha clan and Konoha, life wasn't easy. The only relief was that Tsunade's return had significantly lessened the pressure on the clan.
"Brother, can you give Mr. Kitazawa more fire-style ninjutsu?" Sasuke asked directly.
"Did he teach you new ninjutsu?" Itachi blinked in surprise.
"Yes. Today he taught me Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique."
"That one?" Itachi raised an eyebrow. "So he's already mastered the four fire release techniques I previously gave him?"
"Is there something wrong with that?" Sasuke tilted his head, confused.
"For someone to master all four so quickly..." Itachi narrowed his eyes slightly. "Your Kitazawa-sensei is no ordinary person."
"Teacher Kitazawa is amazing!" Sasuke grinned, gesturing enthusiastically. "The three fire dragons he unleashed today were massive!"
"I'll teach you myself next time I have a break." Itachi chuckled. "Let's see whose fire dragon is bigger."
"Deal!" Sasuke nodded excitedly.
"In return, I'll provide Kitazawa with two more fire-style ninjutsu," Itachi said after a moment's thought.
The proud Uchiha clan had never been stingy about others learning their fire-style ninjutsu. Their true strength came not from elemental ninjutsu, but from their Sharingan.
As long as they had the Sharingan, the power gap between Uchiha and other clans would remain insurmountable.
"Brother, I have another question," Sasuke asked with hopeful eyes. "How do I awaken the Sharingan?"
Itachi fell silent.
He himself had awakened the Sharingan when a masked man murdered his teammates in front of him. Later, he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan after witnessing Shisui's suicide.
In truth, most Uchiha awakened their eyes through tragic experiences—typically the death of someone close. But how was he supposed to tell his little brother that?
"Wait until someone precious dies?" "Let me kill your best friend?"
No way.
"Just keep training." Itachi finally spoke, gently patting Sasuke's head. "Once your chakra and emotions accumulate enough, your eyes will open naturally."