"Can't I avoid the training after all?" Nara Shikamaru sighed as he walked through the street.
It was Monday—the beginning of his new round of training—but he had no idea what it would involve.
And the unknown was terrifying. Given how hellish the treading-water training had been, he already had a bad feeling about what the future held.
"I think Kitazawa's training is actually pretty interesting." Ino tilted her head, speaking thoughtfully.
"Did Kitazawa use ninjutsu on you during your water training?" Shikamaru asked with narrowed eyes.
"No," Ino shook her head. "I was just distracted by kunai throwing, along with Sakura."
"Then my pain is worse than yours!" Shikamaru cried dramatically, his face twisted in exaggerated misery. "You don't understand at all!"
"Why do both of you have special training?" Akimichi Choji asked, puzzled.
"Run," Shikamaru muttered instinctively. "Hell lies ahead."
"That bad, huh?" Choji quickly dismissed the thought. "Never mind, I was just curious."
"Ino!" Haruno Sakura ran over and called out as she approached.
"We're talking about Kitazawa-sensei's special training," Ino replied, then turned to ask, "Are you starting medical ninjutsu today?"
"Yes!" Sakura nodded firmly, "I've been looking forward to it for so long!"
"You're really lucky," Ino and Shikamaru said simultaneously as they exchanged glances.
Sakura, born a civilian without any special connections, was already being trained in medical ninjutsu in the first grade. That alone was extraordinary.
"Are you two insulting me?" Sakura frowned. "If you're jealous, you can go ask Kitazawa-sensei too!"
"You think medical ninjutsu is that easy?" Ino crossed her arms and said earnestly, "If you hadn't met Kitazawa-sensei, you'd never have had a chance."
"Is that so?" Sakura blinked, surprised by the rare expression on Ino's face. She quickly caught on.
"Then I really should thank Kitazawa-sensei," Sakura nodded seriously.
"Same here. When I learn the Mind Body Switch Technique, I'll need to thank him too."
Ino sighed. But she was also troubled—how exactly should she thank Kitazawa?
"Kitazawa-sensei told us to meet him directly at the school training ground this morning," Ino said when they reached the school entrance.
"Good luck!" Choji waved his fist encouragingly while holding a bag of chips in the other hand. For members of the Akimichi clan, eating snacks was actually part of their training—storing energy in fat for combat use.
"What's coming will come," Shikamaru muttered grimly.
"You're being too dramatic," Ino giggled as she glanced at his mournful face.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura suddenly spotted Uchiha Sasuke and rushed toward him.
"Don't come closer." Sasuke turned and spat out three small fire dragons in warning.
The surrounding air distorted, the temperature spiked, and Sakura was forced to halt in her tracks.
Kitazawa raised his eyebrows when he saw it. Had Sasuke gone home and trained more? He could now spit out three fire dragons?
Four words immediately surfaced in Kitazawa's mind—Uchiha Itachi.
With a genius like that guiding him, Sasuke's progress was no surprise. Still, he was far from mastering it.
Sasuke could only manage B-rank Fire Style jutsu at most for now. Unlike Naruto, he didn't have a vast chakra pool.
It wasn't that the Uchiha lacked chakra—the issue was Sasuke's age.
While chakra reserve can be cultivated over time, a person's maximum potential is largely determined at birth.
Simply put, it's all about the body. And a ninja's body doesn't reach its prime until around the age of twenty.
"Sakura," Kitazawa called out, "Go to the school's artificial lake and catch a fish."
The reason he'd gathered everyone directly at the training ground was that he'd spent the morning studying medical ninjutsu.
This way, no one would be suspicious when he trained Sakura. Not that anyone had the time to watch a first-year student at a ninja academy anyway.
"Fish?" Sakura blinked, shifting her gaze from Sasuke to Kitazawa.
"Yes. Catch a fish," Kitazawa repeated. "Just knock it unconscious—don't kill it."
"Alright." Though confused, Sakura nodded and ran off.
"Ino, Shikamaru—you two, come here." Kitazawa beckoned.
Ino smiled faintly. Could her training be changing too?
Shikamaru relaxed slightly. If Ino trained with him, it couldn't be that terrifying.
The truth was, Kitazawa hadn't figured out a new training plan for Shikamaru until he obtained the Shadow Imitation Technique.
But now, based on that secret technique, he quickly devised something new.
It would focus on refining Yin Release chakra control—essentially improving the spiritual transformation of chakra.
The nature of Yin Release could be described as creating something from nothing.
In simple terms, it meant using spiritual energy to generate physical interference—like giving form to the intangible.
For example, the Shadow Imitation Technique.
A shadow isn't a real object—it's just an optical phenomenon. Yet with the Yin chakra, it could be materialized into something that exerts force.
Similarly, the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switch Technique worked by giving form to mental energy to control another's body.
"Your new training will focus on altering Yin chakra nature," Kitazawa explained.
Shikamaru and Ino glanced at each other, both equally stunned.
They were born into ninja clans, so they naturally understood the complexities of chakra nature transformation.
Among them, Yang Release and Yin Release were considered the most difficult to master.
And now, a simple academy teacher was asking them to train in Yin Release chakra transformation?
It was almost unbelievable.
"Your training is quite simple," Kitazawa said, taking out a wooden doll and placing it on the ground. "Shikamaru, control its shadow."
Hearing this, Shikamaru formed a seal with both hands. His shadow stretched out, connecting quickly with the puppet's shadow.
"Now, mold its shadow into the shape of a desk," Kitazawa added calmly.
Shikamaru frowned slightly and began to concentrate. The Shadow Imitation Technique typically allowed him to control the target and force it to mirror his movements. But sculpting a shadow? That was new territory.
After a few tense moments, sweat trickled down Shikamaru's face. He finally managed to reshape the puppet's shadow into a crude desk.
"Not bad." Kitazawa smiled, then pulled out a bundle of wooden puppets. "These are all yours."
"Huh?" Shikamaru was stunned.
If the previous water-treading training was physical torture, then this shadow-sculpting drill was mental torture.
He honestly didn't know which was worse.
"What about me?" Ino asked eagerly.
"Wait a moment." Kitazawa replied, "We'll start once Sakura gets back."
Ino tilted her head in confusion. What did her training have to do with Haruno Sakura?
"Teacher Kitazawa!" Moments later, Sakura returned, carrying a large carp in her arms.
"The medical ninjutsu I'll be teaching today is called the Healing Jutsu." Kitazawa brought out a table and had Sakura place the carp on it.
He then casually drew a kunai and scratched the carp's side, leaving a long bloody mark.
Forming a series of hand seals, Kitazawa pressed his glowing palms onto the wound. A gentle green light spread across the carp's body, and the injury vanished without a trace.
"Teacher Kitazawa knows medical ninjutsu?" Ino exclaimed in surprise.
"Your turn," Kitazawa said as he cut the carp again and stepped aside. Sakura took a deep breath, forming the same hand seals she had observed.
A faint green light flickered on her hands but disappeared within two seconds.
"It's normal not to succeed on your first attempt," Kitazawa reassured her with a calm smile. "Keep trying."
Half an hour later—through sheer focus and determination—the wound finally healed under her hands.
"Very good." Kitazawa nodded with approval. "This will be your training moving forward—mastering the Healing Jutsu."
"Yes, Teacher Kitazawa!" Sakura said, her face glowing with happiness.
"Teacher Kitazawa, what about me?" Ino couldn't help but speak up, her anticipation returning.
"This carp isn't dead yet—it still has consciousness," Kitazawa said, turning to her. "Your task is simple: seize that consciousness."
"I see..." Ino's eyes lit up with understanding. She was to practice the Mind Body Switch Technique—using a fish as her target.
"But let me remind you," Kitazawa added with a serious tone, "Sakura will keep cutting the carp, and to avoid taking any damage, you must exit the carp's body before she strikes."
The Mind Body Switch Technique had a critical weakness: any injury to the host would be mirrored in the user's own body.
Ino's face changed slightly.
Right now, Sakura takes around half an hour to perform a healing cycle, giving Ino time to retreat. But as Sakura improved, that time would shorten rapidly.
In other words, just like in the water-treading challenge, the two would soon be competing again.
"To make things more exciting—like before—whoever loses doubles their homework tonight," Kitazawa said with a mischievous smile.
Instantly, Sakura and Ino's eyes locked. The same spark of rivalry reignited.
"One last thing." Kitazawa called out to everyone, "Don't forget your afternoon class. You'll be attending practical training with Second-Year Class A today."
Sakura, Shikamaru, and Ino didn't react at first.
But farther away, Hinata and Sasuke overheard and paused.
Hinata's heart skipped—she wasn't sure how to face her cousin, Neji Hyuga.
Meanwhile, Sasuke's eyes narrowed in thought. He'd long wanted to challenge Neji Hyuga, hoping their previous friendly match would offer that chance.
But that day, it was Yakumo Kurama who stole the spotlight—Sasuke hadn't even gotten the chance to step onto the field. Now that he had grown stronger since then, he believed he could finally give it a try.
---
Time moved into the afternoon.
Since this was the first time the two classes had a joint practical lesson, many students found it refreshing and exciting. Some of the more outgoing ones even took the initiative to mingle.
After all, everyone had already gone through the previous friendly match, so in a way, they'd gotten to know each other through combat.
"Lee!" Uzumaki Naruto shouted as soon as he stepped onto the training field.
"I'm here, Naruto!" Rock Lee bolted over enthusiastically.
"This is the meeting of youth!" The two locked eyes dramatically, then sprinted at each other for a tight, over-the-top embrace.
"This is too much to watch..." Tenten groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead.
Hyuga Neji's mouth twitched subtly. Rock Lee alone was already intense—throw Naruto into the mix, and it became double the emotional chaos. Who in their right mind could withstand this?
"It's over..." Inuzuka Kiba looked at Naruto and Lee weeping in each other's arms, and sighed heavily.
"How are there two of them in the same school at the same time?"
"I suddenly feel that merging classes was a mistake." Haruno Sakura glanced at Uchiha Sasuke. "Fortunately, Sasuke-kun is normal."
But Sasuke, hearing this, felt a cold chill run down his spine. Even if he were to die and be reborn, he refused to act like that.
Only Hinata appeared distracted. Until a warm hand gently patted her head.
She looked up, startled, and met Kitazawa's calm gaze.
"Let's begin." Kitazawa gave her a small smile, then stepped forward. "Class 1-A, stand to the left. Class 2-A, to the right."
The students quickly formed two orderly lines.
"Even though it's a joint class, there's no need to hold back. Everything continues as before," Kitazawa explained calmly. "You'll train in the same groups assigned during the last practical class."
"Teacher Kitazawa!" Uchiha Sasuke raised his hand.
"Yes?" Kitazawa looked at him, brows slightly raised.
"I want to challenge Neji." The announcement caused a ripple of excitement among both classes.
In the last friendly match, everyone had expected Uchiha Sasuke to face Hyuga Neji—but Kurama Yakumo had stolen that opportunity.
Kitazawa looked up at the clear blue sky. It was indeed a bright, sunny day—no rain, no excuse.
Sasuke seemed confident and ready.
"I accept your challenge," Hyuga Neji replied calmly.
"Alright then," Kitazawa nodded. "Perfect timing."
Since Sasuke wanted a lesson, Kitazawa wasn't going to deny him the experience.
Sasuke and Neji stepped into the open area, facing off.
"Begin!" Kitazawa announced, acting as referee.
Sasuke leapt back immediately. Six shuriken—three in each hand—flashed into view. He hurled them all toward Neji.
Byakugan, activated! Veins bulged near Neji's temples as his eyes turned white and focused.
He could see everything—the trajectory, the angle, even the spin—all in perfect clarity. He moved with precision, twisting his body within the narrow space.
The six shuriken missed and embedded themselves harmlessly into the ground around him.
"Amazing..." Hinata clenched her fists in awe.
Though Byakugan widened one's field of vision, it didn't mean the body could always keep up. Sasuke's shuriken were fast—if it were her, she would've panicked.
Neji, on the other hand, moved effortlessly.
"Although Sasuke is talented with ninja tools, using them against Neji was a mistake," Tenten commented, lips curling into a smug smile. "My own shuriken skills are half a level better than his—and I can't even touch Neji in sparring."
"Can Sasuke-kun win?" Sakura's voice wavered with concern.
She believed in Sasuke, but Neji was also a top-tier prodigy. And from this early exchange, his strength was clear.
"Of course, we'll win!" Naruto said, full of confidence.
"Sakura, don't forget Sasuke's special training," Ino chimed in. "He hasn't even started using his full strength yet."
Just as Sakura nodded, a cry of surprise drew their attention. They turned toward Sasuke—he stood with both arms raised like a pianist mid-performance.
The six shuriken embedded in the ground suddenly leapt back into the air, dancing around Neji.
"You've been tricked, Neji!" Sasuke smirked, suppressing the urge to laugh loudly. 'What Hyuga genius? You fell to my shuriken technique!'
"Is that so?" Neji's eyes narrowed as his body flickered forward.
In one swift motion, he dodged all six shuriken.
"What?" Sasuke's heart dropped.
"The rubber strings tied to the shuriken were well hidden," Neji said, tapping his temple. "But with the Byakugan, nothing escapes me. Your technique was never a threat."
"Tch!" Sasuke clenched his teeth.
'That's my line!' He was supposed to say something cool after activating his Sharingan—not be countered like this.
Neji was already in front of him. Palms out, he launched a rapid series of strikes, aiming for Sasuke's chakra points.
Sasuke's instincts kicked in—he leaned back sharply, catching himself with one hand. Neji's first strike missed, but he followed with a sharp kick.
Sasuke was flung back, sliding several meters across the ground. But he gritted his teeth, pushed through the pain, and rose to his feet.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! Sasuke completed his seals.
The air sizzled. A massive fireball—nearly ten meters wide—roared toward Neji.
"Now's my chance!" Using the fireball as cover, Sasuke formed another set of seals.
Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique! Though not fully mastered, three fire dragons emerged behind the fading flames.
Gasps rose from the crowd.
Neji's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected Sasuke to use this many fire jutsu already.
But this was a mistake. The dragons were small, slow, and less dangerous than the earlier shuriken assault.
Neji shifted gears. He dodged with minimal effort, then advanced, palm extended. Four strikes landed in rapid succession on Sasuke's chest.
He collapsed, gasping.
"You lose, Sasuke." Neji stood tall, his voice calm and even.
"I-I haven't—" Sasuke tried to rise, but his limbs trembled. Neji's precise strikes had disrupted his chakra flow entirely.