Kitazawa's teaching method remained unchanged.
He divided the students of Second-Year Class A into three groups based on the results of the sparring session, imitating the approach used for First-Year Class A.
The first group was assigned to review the Clone Jutsu. The second group focused on practicing the Transformation Jutsu.
The third group, having already mastered both techniques, was allowed to move and train freely.
The first two groups made up the vast majority of the class. Only four students were in the third group—including Neji and Tenten.
Kitazawa created two shadow clones to guide the first two groups, while he stood at a distance observing Hyuga Neji's training.
In terms of basic Gentle Fist, Neji's proficiency was far above that of Hinata.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin in thought. Has he already secretly mastered the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms?
Although it was supposed to be secret, Kitazawa leaned toward the idea that it was actually done with Hyuga Hiashi's permission.
Given Hiashi's strength and vigilance, it was unlikely that Neji had truly gone unnoticed.
However, Neji's success in mastering the Sixty-Four Palms must have still come as a surprise. Otherwise, the reactions in the original work wouldn't have been so shocked.
Kitazawa raised his eyebrows slightly as Neji changed forms. Sure enough, it was the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms he was quite familiar with.
Squinting slightly, Kitazawa analyzed Neji's form.
Neji probably assumed that no one at the Ninja Academy understood the Gentle Fist deeply, so he didn't bother hiding its flaws.
Of course, Kitazawa's earlier remarks likely provoked him into pushing harder.
Neji had always surpassed Hinata since childhood. If he were suddenly overtaken, he'd naturally be unwilling to accept it. And behind it all lay the internal division between the Hyuga main and branch families.
So, how to evaluate it?
Neji was undoubtedly a genius, but ultimately, he was still too young and lacked one-on-one guidance. Thus, he had only become proficient in the first six palms.
"Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
From Kitazawa's perspective, Hinata now had a higher chance of winning.
That was, assuming she could master more of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms before the second semester began. But to make it a safer bet, she needed more real-world combat experience.
Kitazawa made up his mind: she would undergo special training during summer break.
After observing a while longer, he turned away and walked to the edge of the training ground.
Having understood Hyuga Neji's current strength, it was now time to figure out the benefit of the 10% increase in Byakugan purity.
He glanced around and, after confirming the area was clear, activated the Byakugan.
Kitazawa exhaled lightly.
The first sensation was significantly improved clarity—not overwhelming, but clearly a 10% boost. The second was an increase in pupil power.
For dojutsu users, pupil power was the fuel that enabled their ocular abilities. The Uchiha, for instance, believed the Sharingan's power was determined by pupil strength, especially in the case of Mangekyo Sharingan.
However, excessive usage could lead to deterioration or even blindness.
Kitazawa estimated his pupil power had increased by around 10% as well.
He nodded in satisfaction and looked far into the distance again. His telescopic range hadn't increased by just 10%—it had doubled.
Now this is a proper upgrade.
The farther one could see, the more advantageous it was for investigation and reconnaissance.
Kitazawa deactivated his Byakugan and returned to the training ground.
Casually picking up a medical ninjutsu book, he began reading. After all, he had a shadow clone handling the teaching, so there was nothing to worry about.
Time passed slowly, and soon, class came to an end.
"See you tomorrow."
Kitazawa dismissed his shadow clone, dusted off his sleeves, and walked away with a carefree air.
"Is there really a teacher who lets us go right after the bell?"
"I feel like Mr. Kitazawa's explanations of the Clone and Transformation Techniques were way better than Mizuki's!"
"I think so too. I learned more today than I did all last week!"
"No wonder First-Year Class A is so strong!"
Comparison makes all the difference.
It had only been one class, but the students of Second-Year Class A now genuinely admired Kitazawa.
"Neji, want to go back to class together?" Tenten found Neji still practicing his Gentle Fist.
"You go ahead." Neji didn't even look up. "I need to continue practicing."
"You really are my eternal rival!" Rock Lee clenched his fists dramatically. "This is youth! Let's run 300 laps after school!"
Tenten hesitated. Although Neji used to work hard, he also understood the value of balance.
Now… he was turning into another Rock Lee?
---
Kitazawa didn't return to his office—or leave the academy.
He still had one last class to teach: the practical session for First-Year Class A.
During the break between classes, Kitazawa strolled to the artificial lake to observe the students training.
Shikamaru had improved rapidly. This was largely due to his dedicated practice recently.
Kitazawa estimated that he'd finish Water-Walking Training within the week and could then begin studying the Nara Clan's secret techniques, just like Yamanaka Ino.
In fact, Shikamaru had already started learning the Shadow Imitation Technique from his father, Nara Shikaku.
He hoped to surprise Kitazawa with it during the next round of combat training.
Though Kitazawa didn't know about it, even if he did, he wouldn't worry. One jutsu alone couldn't make up for the gap in overall strength.
"Ino." Kitazawa walked up to Yamanaka Ino.
After observing her training for some time, he had developed some insights about the Mind Body Switch Technique. As a Yin Release technique, it aligned well with Kitazawa's own attributes, since he'd learned genjutsu as well.
In truth, Ino could master it even without his help.
But Kitazawa still offered pointers—partly to participate, and more importantly, to ensure the task was credited to him.
---
The bell rang again.
Kitazawa arrived at the training ground and looked at the students of First-Year Class A, pondering a new question.
Can they take practical classes together with Second-Year Class A?
If so, he'd save an entire class slot. After some careful consideration, he found no reason it couldn't be done.
The academy's ninjutsu curriculum focused solely on the Three Basic E-Rank Techniques.
Although the pace of the two classes was different, Kitazawa could simply teach them in groups.
"Today's class continues with Konoha-style Taijutsu."
He decided that after this month's exam, he would combine the practical sessions for both classes.
---
Wednesday arrived.
Kitazawa had finished preparing the theoretical papers for June's monthly exams for all grades. He also finalized the schedule:
Thursday: Theoretical exams
Friday: Practical exams
Saturday & Sunday: Off
"I really do have a conscience," Kitazawa couldn't help but sigh.
He could've easily scheduled the exams on Saturday and Sunday, avoiding class disruptions. But that would mean the students had to attend school two weeks in a row without a break.
And if there was one thing Kitazawa hated most in his previous life, it was working weekends.
---
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Kitazawa said, looking up.
"Kitazawa-senpai," Iruka entered as he pushed the door open.
"Iruka, there's something I need you to take care of." Kitazawa glanced at him while speaking.
Iruka looked more haggard than usual, his face tired and his energy visibly low. The reason, of course, was Mizuki's death.
Mizuki had no surviving family, and the responsibility of arranging his funeral fell to his girlfriend, Tsubaki.
Iruka, always kind-hearted, had once been close friends with Mizuki. Naturally, he stepped in to help Tsubaki however he could.
Between attending his own classes and helping plan the funeral, he'd worn himself out.
Kitazawa suddenly recalled something.
In the original timeline, Iruka never had a wife or girlfriend mentioned—likely, he remained single all his life.
And now, with Tsubaki in a fragile state after losing Mizuki... Kitazawa pushed those thoughts aside.
He didn't involve himself in other people's personal matters. Besides, Kurenai hadn't become Sarutobi Asuma's girlfriend yet—so that didn't count.
"This is the exam schedule for this month," Kitazawa said, handing him a printed notice. "Please inform all the class offices."
"Yes, Kitazawa-senpai." Iruka accepted it without hesitation.
"Iruka," Kitazawa added after a pause, "take care of yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, Kitazawa-senpai," Iruka replied with a faint but grateful smile.
Although Kitazawa had killed Mizuki, Iruka held no resentment. After all, Mizuki was the one who had gone astray.
With that, Kitazawa picked up the completed test papers and headed to the office of Vice Principal Sarutobi Hisao.
Since the papers were ready, the next step was printing. The theoretical exam was tomorrow, so time was tight.
But Kitazawa didn't need to worry—this was Vice Principal Hisao's responsibility.
[Current Task: Help Nara Shikamaru lay the foundation for learning his clan's secret technique.
Task Reward: Shadow Imitation Technique.]
[Task completed. Reward issued.]
Just as Kitazawa left the vice principal's office, he paused in his tracks. Had Shikamaru already completed the Water-Walking Training?
As expected, pressure creates growth.
Thanks to Kitazawa's persistent ninjutsu harassment and occasional live training, Shikamaru had broken past his limit.
Suddenly, a flood of information rushed into Kitazawa's mind.
The Shadow Imitation Technique, much like the Mind-Body Switch Technique, belonged to Yin Release.
Suppressing the urge to immediately try it out, Kitazawa made his way toward the school's artificial lake.
Shikamaru was still training on the water's surface.
"Shikamaru!" Kitazawa called out, dismissing his shadow clone.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Shikamaru turned and asked, "What's up?"
"Your water-walking training ends here," Kitazawa said directly.
"That early?" Shikamaru raised his brows in surprise. Normally, the training lasted all morning, but it had only been an hour.
"Not just today. You don't need to do water-walking training anymore," Kitazawa corrected.
"What?" Shikamaru's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Kitazawa replied. "With your current chakra control, continuing this training won't help much."
"Awesome!" Shikamaru was overjoyed—but in his excitement, he forgot to focus chakra on his feet.
Splash! He fell straight into the lake.
"Help—Gulp—Help—Gulp!" He thrashed around, swallowing water. Kitazawa chuckled.
With a shake of his head, he jumped lightly, stepped onto the water's surface, and pulled Shikamaru out.
The boy splashed wildly, like a carp being hauled in. Once ashore, Shikamaru immediately bent over and spat out lake water.
Kitazawa silently noted: Highly effective water retrieval technique.
"Thanks—thank you, Kitazawa-sensei," Shikamaru said between coughs, drenched head to toe.
"Need me to use a Fire Release jutsu to dry you off?" Kitazawa offered casually.
"No! Definitely not!" Shikamaru refused instantly. "My house isn't far. I'll go home, shower, and change."
"Then go quickly before you catch a cold," Kitazawa said with a smile and didn't press further.
"Okay." Shikamaru exhaled in relief. As he walked away, he suddenly turned back. "Teacher Kitazawa, is there any more training after this?"
"I only promised your father to tutor you for a month." Kitazawa shook his head.
"I see..." Oddly, Shikamaru felt a hint of disappointment.
Do I actually like training? Impossible. No way!
"Sensei, I'm heading out now. Bye!" He quickly turned and ran off.
---
A few minutes later, Shikamaru arrived home, grabbed a change of clothes, and entered the bathroom.
After a long, hot shower, he emerged feeling refreshed. Dressed in clean clothes, he lay back on the sofa, staring up at the familiar ceiling.
But after a few minutes, unease crept in.
Something's missing... Shikamaru sat up, hesitating, then glanced out the window.
An unfamiliar bird fluttered down, nearly landing on the sill. Forming hand seals, Shikamaru whispered, "Shadow Imitation Technique!"
His shadow rippled like liquid, stretching across the floor, creeping up the wall, and catching the bird's shadow.
The bird gave a startled chirp—but it couldn't move.
"Did I... really do it?" Shikamaru's eyes lit up.
With a thought, he released the technique. The bird shot off like an arrow.
Shikamaru took a deep breath. The Shadow Imitation Technique was powerful—but chakra-consuming.
Still, if one had enough chakra, even the Ten-Tails could be pinned down. In the original story, when Naruto lent Shikamaru his chakra, he'd managed to freeze the Ten-Tails in place.
"Did you just use the Shadow Imitation Technique?" A gentle voice called out.
Standing in the doorway, wearing an apron, was his mother, Nara Yoshino.
"That was my first time trying it," Shikamaru admitted, rubbing his head. He hadn't expected to succeed so quickly.
He suspected it was because of the water-walking training—his chakra control had improved dramatically.
"My son is truly a genius!" Yoshino beamed with pride.
"Your father didn't learn that jutsu at your age."
"Teacher Kitazawa helped me a lot," Shikamaru said without thinking—then froze. Crap. That slipped out.
Mentioning Kitazawa now was practically giving her fuel for the fire.
"Your father made the right call asking Kitazawa to be your tutor." Yoshino nodded with satisfaction.
Over the past month, she and Shikaku had clearly noticed the change. Their once-lazy son had transformed. He now trained daily and had even mastered the Shadow Imitation Technique within weeks.