The next day, Monday.
Now that June had arrived, temperatures in Konoha had risen appreciably.
At the gate of the Ninja Academy, a large group of students crowded around the bulletin board, checking the all‑grade rankings for May's monthly exam.
Kitazawa squeezed forward for a look; just like last time, the top ten students in Class 1‑A were the top ten in the entire grade.
"Kitazawa."
Mizuki suddenly appeared and blocked his path. "Too bad your class didn't produce a single perfect score."
Didn't get to show off last time, so he's back for more?
Smiling, Kitazawa replied, "The Hokage has already agreed to my request and will referee the friendship match this Friday."
Mizuki froze.
He wanted to call it a lie, but with the Hokage involved, Kitazawa wouldn't dare fabricate it.
In other words, it was true.
How aggravating.
Mizuki felt that his attempt to act superior had turned him into a clown.
So what if he had students with perfect scores?
Kitazawa had become a favorite in the Hokage's eyes—his future was limitless.
Mizuki could already foresee Kitazawa becoming his direct superior in just a few years.
"I'm heading to class now. See you."
Watching Mizuki's face alternate between green and white, Kitazawa couldn't help chuckling.
Indeed, joy built on someone else's misery is real joy.
Of course, Kitazawa was usually kind‑hearted—
It was Mizuki who insisted on butting in; Kitazawa had taken him for nothing more than a speed bump.
…
After first period, Kitazawa headed to the school training field.
Tagging along were the truancy quartet: Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, and Haruno Sakura.
"Kitazawa‑sensei,"
Sasuke asked impatiently, "what Fire Release jutsu am I learning today?"
Last night's chain of compliments from Fugaku and Itachi had him elated all evening, and now he wanted more.
"You've already learned two C‑rank Fire Release techniques. To raise your power, you need a B‑rank one—but that takes a lot of time."
Kitazawa paused to think. "With the friendship match coming up, I can teach you a jutsu that boosts your strength quickly."
"What is it?"
Sasuke pressed.
He didn't care whether it was Fire Release so long as it made him stronger.
"The Manipulated Shuriken Technique."
Kitazawa answered with a smile.
"I want to learn that!"
Sasuke's eyes lit up at once.
Everyone knew Sasuke's three trademarks: Sharingan, Fire Release, and weapon throwing.
The Manipulated Shuriken Technique originated in the Uchiha clan.
"The key is using an almost invisible rubber wire to control the shuriken freely."
As Kitazawa spoke, he produced two shuriken.
With a casual toss, both hit a tree not far away.
A moment later he tugged the wires, making the shuriken reverse course and land in front of him.
"Start with a stationary target. Once you're comfortable, move on to moving targets."
He handed the two shuriken to Sasuke.
"Thank you, Kitazawa‑sensei."
Sasuke plunged straight into practice.
"You three, start training as well."
Kitazawa turned to Hinata and the others.
Hinata was catching falling leaves; Ino and Sakura were practicing water‑walking.
Kitazawa himself wasn't idle, either—he sent a shadow clone to a secluded spot to practice Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique.
…
Evening arrived quickly.
While Kitazawa was tossing leaves, three lines of text suddenly appeared before his eyes:
[Current Mission: Help your classmate Haruno Sakura complete her water‑walking training.]
[Reward: Healing Technique.]
[Mission completed. Reward delivered.]
Instinctively he looked at Sakura.
Hands on her hips, her face radiated smug satisfaction.
Across from her, Ino wore an expression of regret and unwillingness.
Clearly, tonight's victory belonged to Sakura.
Kitazawa absorbed a flood of knowledge and experience about the Healing Technique—a toned‑down version of the Mystic Palm.
He rubbed his chin. Given the circumstances, Sakura and Ino no longer needed water‑walking drills.
But what should he teach them next?
"Training ends here for today."
With no better idea, Kitazawa decided to leave things as they were.
"Good‑bye, Kitazawa‑sensei."
Sasuke, Hinata, and the others departed.
Leaving the school, Kitazawa headed to Yūhi Kurenai's house.
They had to discuss Kurama Yakumo's fourth jutsu this evening.
The door opened, and Kurenai—dressed in a red outfit—appeared before him.
Since she was home, she had changed back into that low‑cut red dress from before.
Truth be told, Kitazawa preferred this look: it showed off her graceful figure, especially that snowy‑white cleavage.
"Seeing a beauty like you right after work makes my whole day's fatigue vanish."
He smiled.
"Oh? Are you flirting with me?"
Kurenai folded her arms and asked.
The motion pulled at the dress, accentuating its curves.
"Not at all," Kitazawa said earnestly. "I'm just stating a fact."
"All right, get in here."
With a flirtatious glare, Kurenai turned and sashayed into the living room.
"Tsunade-sama isn't here yet?"
Finding the room empty, Kitazawa asked.
"Most likely at the casino," Kurenai answered with a helpless smile.
After spending time with Tsunade, she had figured out her habits.
"You'll get used to it."
Kitazawa sat beside her on the sofa.
A slight glance revealed her snow‑white feet.
"So you really are a pervert."
Noticing his gaze, Kurenai lifted a foot and stepped on his.
She wasn't wearing shoes, so he felt the soft arch of her sole on the back of his foot.
"No need to thank me," Kurenai said with a grin.
She already liked Kitazawa, so she didn't mind teasing him.
"Next time, try black stockings."
Kitazawa dead‑panned.
"…?"
Kurenai was momentarily at a loss for words, defeated by his shamelessness.
He behaved properly with others, yet was getting ever more glib with her.
A suspicion floated into her mind.
"What is it?"
Seeing her spacing out, Kitazawa waved a hand before her eyes.
"Nothing."
Kurenai snapped back and asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"
"I have the Special Jōnin assessment tomorrow," Kitazawa replied. "But it shouldn't take long."
"Wait—the Special Jōnin assessment?"
Kurenai asked, surprised.
"The Hokage said my skills meet the standard, so I can be promoted," Kitazawa answered with a smile.
Kurenai was momentarily dazed.
She had always considered herself a genjutsu prodigy, while Kitazawa's performance seemed merely average—yet now he was overtaking her in rank.
Something shifted subtly in her heart; at that moment, she no longer felt Kitazawa was beneath her.
"I'll go with you tomorrow," she decided. "After it's over, we can stroll around and have lunch."
Kitazawa blinked.
That sounded very much like a date invitation—quite plausible, knowing Kurenai's temperament.
"Sure," he agreed at once.
~~~
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