A scorching fireball appeared out of thin air.
Naruto and Shikamaru instinctively scattered to the left and right without a word. After all their actual combat training, this reaction had become second nature.
They knew better than to try resisting Kitazawa's Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. Their only option was to run.
Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu! Kitazawa stood his ground, calmly forming hand seals. Balls of flame shot out in all directions like the petals of an exploding Impatiens flower.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" While running, Naruto quickly formed seals.
Two shadow clones appeared within the smoke and charged toward the flaming projectiles in the sky without hesitation.
"Violent — Leaf Adamantine-Strength Whirlwind." Green chakra enveloped the right legs of the two clones as they kicked out simultaneously.
The flames parted in their path. But a second wave of fire surged forward. The clones vanished with pained cries.
As the original, Uzumaki Naruto received their memories and couldn't help but break out in cold sweat.
Thankfully, the clones' sacrificial strike bought him just enough time to escape the wave of flames.
"What a pain…" Shikamaru twisted into a low, serpentine stance and dashed behind a tree by the roadside just in time.
Fireballs slammed into the tree's bark.
Shikamaru exhaled in relief. This was the escape route he had planned beforehand.
It wasn't a random path—he had already scouted the area before the exercise began and memorized every exploitable element in the terrain.
But he also knew the only reason he could pull this off was that Kitazawa wasn't using his full strength.
After all, the objective of this actual combat training was to help Naruto defeat Uchiha Sasuke. To simulate a realistic fight, Kitazawa had been mimicking Sasuke's abilities.
Still, Sasuke wouldn't realistically be able to overpower both of them alone.
Kitazawa occasionally displayed strength that exceeded Sasuke's, citing it as a response to 'unpredictable scenarios.'
As a result, Naruto and Shikamaru had grown used to training in hell mode. When it came time to face Sasuke's 'hard mode,' it would feel significantly easier.
"Is it over…?" Uzumaki Naruto wiped sweat from his brow and looked up. The wall of flames had completely vanished.
"Today's actual combat training ends here," Kitazawa said with a smile.
Naruto and Shikamaru finally relaxed. After a few more seconds, they walked back toward Kitazawa.
"Tomorrow's the final exam. I'm giving you both half a day off—go home and get some rest."
Kitazawa glanced at the two exhausted boys.
"Thank you, Mr. Kitazawa," Shikamaru said, feeling like he'd just survived a war. Finally, the torturous training was over.
After the final exam, summer vacation would begin. Surely, there'd be no combat training during summer break… right?
"I don't need rest! I'm heading to train with Guy-sensei!" Naruto stood up straight, fists clenched. "I'll beat Sasuke in this final exam and take first place!"
He wasn't just making empty boasts. After enduring Kitazawa's brutal training sessions, he felt ready to counter Sasuke's Fire Style techniques.
As long as Sasuke couldn't land a hit, Naruto was confident his superior taijutsu would secure the win.
"—" Nara Shikamaru's mouth twitched. What is this energy? Are you even human?!
"Does that 'first place' include the written exam?" Kitazawa asked casually.
"Ah?" Naruto scratched his head, suddenly embarrassed. "I meant first place in the combat exam."
After a semester of monthly tests, he knew he didn't stand a chance against Sakura and the others when it came to theory.
"First place sounds like a hassle…" Shikamaru sighed. "I just want to pass."
"You always score exactly 60. Something on your mind?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
"I can only score 60," Shikamaru replied shamelessly, eyes wide with innocence.
"Really?" Kitazawa chuckled. "Then how about this—if you make the top ten, I'll cancel your summer combat training."
"There's summer combat training?!" Nara Shikamaru was stunned.
"If you don't make the top ten, there will be." Kitazawa patted him on the shoulder. "Your choice."
Does it even need thinking? Shikamaru sighed inwardly. Is it harder to make the top ten or to survive summer training? Obviously the latter.
"Understood, Mr. Kitazawa," Shikamaru replied seriously.
This time, he had to get into the top ten. He refused to let a brutal training session ruin his summer.
"Mr. Kitazawa!" Naruto raised his hand. "Can I participate in the summer training?"
"You don't need it." Kitazawa shook his head. "Just keep training with Guy."
Although practical training is very useful, it has its limitations for children who are only six or seven years old. At their current stage, they know only a handful of jutsu—usually just one or two. No matter how much they practice in real combat, their progress will always be capped.
Given that, it's better to use this time to learn new ninjutsu instead.
"That's true." Naruto nodded.
Might Guy's training was just as intense as Kitazawa's combat drills. On top of that, he could also learn taijutsu, which suddenly made one summer vacation feel far too short.
Busy is better than bored, he thought.
Naruto truly enjoyed his current life. He had classmates, friends, and two teachers. Most importantly, none of them looked at him strangely or called him a monster.
Compared to his life before joining the academy, his current days felt like a dream come true.
"Teacher Kitazawa," Naruto looked hopeful. "If I get first place, will there be a reward?"
The Shadow Clone Technique Kitazawa had taught him had become his ultimate move. He really wanted to learn another technique.
"The reward is this: once you get first place, you'll face me—and I'll be at my best," Kitazawa replied after a moment of thought.
"Huh?" Uzumaki Naruto blinked in surprise. Is that supposed to be a reward?
Nara Shikamaru couldn't help but chuckle.
"I mean, I'll choose a ninjutsu tailored for you, based on your performance," Kitazawa added, completely serious. "To do that, I have to go all out—and you will too. Only then can I measure your true strength."
"Got it!" Naruto's eyes lit up. "I understand!"
"—?" Nara Shikamaru frowned. Something's not adding up.
After so many training sessions, Kitazawa didn't know Naruto's strength yet? Obviously impossible. But he said nothing.
He knew that if he spoke up now, he'd only drag himself into more training. If the gates catch fire, the fish in the pond will be scorched.
"Goodbye, Teacher Kitazawa!" Naruto waved to Shikamaru and turned to leave.
---
Kitazawa thought for a moment, then made his way to the ninja school's training ground.
Three roaring fire dragons flew past him. Kitazawa glanced over.
After two weeks of study, Uchiha Sasuke had successfully learned Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu.
For his age, mastering a B-rank Fire Style ninjutsu was nothing short of genius.
Still, he had hit a bottleneck in Fire Release. His foundation could only take him so far.
From here, he could either branch into new techniques or double down on chakra nature transformation for fire.
Sasuke had begun fire nature transformation training before, but only at a beginner's level.
Kitazawa's goal back then was to help Sasuke refine his Great Fireball Jutsu enough to surpass Uchiha Itachi—and complete one of his system tasks.
"Sasuke," Kitazawa called out.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Sasuke quickly stepped over.
"You've just about mastered the Great Dragon Fire Jutsu. Let's stop here for today." Kitazawa placed a hand on his shoulder.
He could continue teaching Sasuke, but chose to hold back for now. Because no new task had been triggered yet.
Kitazawa suspected one would appear after the final exam—if Naruto managed to defeat Sasuke in the actual combat test.
He had already trained Naruto heavily in preparation, but battle is unpredictable. There's no guarantee of victory. If Naruto failed, he'd simply wait for the next opportunity.
Fortunately, the task was simply to defeat Sasuke—it didn't specify when or where.
"Teacher Kitazawa, I want to keep learning new ninjutsu," Sasuke said after a moment's thought.
He was feeling the pressure. Naruto and Hinata were working so hard. He refused to fall behind.
"Tomorrow's the final exam. Starting something new now would be a waste of time." Kitazawa shook his head. "Go home and consolidate your Great Dragon Fire Jutsu instead."
Sasuke paused, then nodded.
A B-rank Fire Style ninjutsu! With it, he was confident he could place first in the final exam. His mind drifted to Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi.
Now that he'd mastered the Great Dragon Fire Jutsu, it was time for them to see it. A smug smile tugged at Sasuke's lips at the thought of their praise.
"You can go home now, Sasuke." Kitazawa noticed the twitch of his lips and quickly dismissed him.
"Thank you, Mr. Kitazawa!" Sasuke dashed off, practically glowing.
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura watched his departure, a little stunned.
"Opportunity!" Ino's eyes sparkled. She immediately captured the carp's consciousness.
Moments later, she beamed.
"Yes! I won!" Ino said proudly.
Since Sakura had mastered anesthesia, Kitazawa had moved her on to training in Yang Release chakra nature transformation.
The essence of Yang Release is to breathe life into form. Put simply, it injects life force into what already exists.
Kitazawa's assigned training was straightforward: continuous treatment of an injured carp.
Ino's routine hadn't changed. She continued to practice seizing the carp's consciousness. One healed its body repeatedly; the other stole its mind again and again.
This carp was truly blessed—or doomed—to be taken care of by these two beautiful, overly competitive rivals.
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)