Thursday arrived, and the Advanced Class faced their second monthly exam.
After breakfast, Kitazawa headed to the Academy. He'd been training Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique for the past two days, but the progress felt too slow.
He considered using his three-tomoe Sharingan's copying ability to speed things up—but flashing a three-tomoe Sharingan in front of Konoha shinobi would be hard to explain.
With the Anbu currently hunting for Uchiha Obito, exposing himself now would inevitably draw Hiruzen's suspicion.
After thinking it over, Kitazawa decided to take a page from Kakuzu's playbook: go to the underground black market—the bounty exchange—on the weekend and pick up a contract. He planned to test the waters this Saturday by targeting an Iwagakure shinobi.
"Good morning, Kitazawa-sensei!" A light fragrance drifted by as Ino Yamanaka popped up in front of him.
"Morning." Kitazawa came back to himself and smiled. "Why are you alone today? Where are Shikamaru and Chōji?"
"I swung by the flower shop, so I didn't walk with them," Ino said.
"What for?" he asked as they walked.
"I asked my mom to prep flower petals I'll need for tomorrow's jutsu." Ino pumped a tiny fist. "This time I'm definitely beating Sakura!"
"You're a bit stronger than Sakura," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. "Just watch out for her Water Release: Water Formation Wall."
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Ino sped up to block his path, then kept walking backwards in front of him, her golden single ponytail swishing. "Does Water Formation Wall have a weak point?"
"What's this?" Kitazawa chuckled, flicking a finger against her forehead. "Trying to make me help you cheat?"
"Sakura's seen my jutsu plenty, but I've never seen her use Water Formation Wall," Ino blinked. "I'm just gathering intel ahead of time."
"I'll cast Water Formation Wall for you once," Kitazawa said after a pause. "As for the weak spots—you'll have to find those yourself."
"Thank you, Sensei!" Ino's smile bloomed.
At the Academy, Kitazawa took her to the training field. It was theory-exam day, so the grounds were empty.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" Kitazawa formed the signs, and a stream appeared from nowhere, circling him; walls of water rose up all around.
"An all-around defense, huh?" Ino bit a fingertip, thinking hard.
"How about it?" Kitazawa dispelled the technique.
"Feels like a pain to deal with," Ino said, wincing. "No wonder Sakura's so confident."
"Think it through," Kitazawa said, ruffling her hair. "No jutsu is invincible."
"Mm. I'll mull it over this afternoon. For now, let's get to class," Ino said breezily, then tugged him toward the Advanced Class room.
"Ino, why'd you come in with Kitazawa-sensei today?" Tenten asked, curious.
"Ran into him on the way," Ino said, eyes glinting. "I asked Sensei how to beat Sakura."
"Eh?" Sakura's eyes went wide. "That's not fair!"
"Hmph, get ready to lose," Ino said smugly, hugging Kitazawa's arm.
"Kitazawa-sensei isn't that kind of person!" Sakura shot him a look, certain.
"Can't fool you, huh?" Ino's smile stiffened; she pouted.
"Scary," Shikamaru sighed. "Mind games for a monthly exam."
"I call that youthful spirit!" Rock Lee gave a thumbs-up, teeth sparkling.
"Naruto still not here?" Kiba looked around. "Without him echoing along, it feels weird."
"If you can get used to that, you're not far from doomed," Shikamaru quipped.
"He probably overslept," Kitazawa said after checking the time. "Ten minutes left."
"He must've trained too late last night," Kiba guessed.
"Talent and hard work—that's how Naruto took first," Ino said, impressed.
"Last time Sasuke-kun was first!" Sakura corrected immediately.
"This time too," Sasuke said evenly.
"Ahhh!" Naruto's voice rang out as a green whirlwind blasted into the room.
"D-did I miss it?" he panted.
"It's already over," Shikamaru said solemnly.
Naruto froze. Sasuke couldn't help shaking his head—how did he fall for that?
"All right, take your seats—exam starts now," Kitazawa said, patting Naruto's shoulder.
"Not over?" Naruto exhaled in relief, then glared at Shikamaru. "You actually lied to me?"
"I'll buy you Ichiraku at noon," Shikamaru offered the simplest fix.
Kitazawa handed out the papers row by row. When the bell rang, pens lifted and the test began.
This time he didn't slip out to practice. Sitting at the lectern, he took out pen and paper and worked on his limb-regeneration medical ninjutsu.
Time slid by. Two hours vanished in a blink.
"Time," Kitazawa said, standing. He swept the room; their expressions were all over the place.
Smiling, he collected the papers. "Tomorrow at nine a.m., practical exam on the training field. Don't be late."
Back in his office, he got to work. "Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!" As before, he split into nine clones. Ten graders working together made short work of thirty tests, and the rankings followed.
He scanned the list. About the same as last time, except Shikamaru fell from first to tenth. Sakura, Neji, Sasuke, and Hinata each moved up one spot.
"The key is the practical," Kitazawa said, stretching. He had two system quests riding on this one—one for Ino, one for Naruto. He'd taught them all he could; the rest was up to them. It should be fine.
He closed the door and left the Academy—only to spot Tsunade, Shikaku Nara, and the Kirigakure envoy.
He raised a brow. The Kiri–Konoha talks had started because of him, but he hadn't kept tabs on the progress. He hadn't expected to run into the Kiri delegation as they were leaving.
He decided to follow.
At Konoha's gate, Suikazan Fuguki said darkly, "Konoha's high-handedness—Kirigakure will remember. We'll be back to 'learn' from you."
No matter what price they offered, Konoha wouldn't hand over the Thunder Blade: Kiba. He'd planned to keep negotiating for a couple of days, but Anbu from Fourth Mizukage Yagura had told him to stand down yesterday. Orders were orders; he relented and took only Raiga Kurosuki's corpse.
Konoha's conduct over the past two days left him with a deep impression—and a deeper unwillingness.
"Konoha's doors are always open," Tsunade said with an airy smile, not taking his words to heart.
"We're leaving." Fuguki leapt, vanishing into the Forest of Death; the others hurried after.
"Finally over. What a waste of my time," Tsunade grumbled, dropping the dignified act. "Next time, let someone else go!"
Shikaku and company pretended they hadn't heard.
"You can head back," Tsunade said, waving them off.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama," they bowed and left.
"Rough day, Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa said, walking up.
"Got plans this afternoon?" she asked, eyeing him. She'd noticed him trailing them earlier.
"Nothing," he said, then hesitated. "But if you're dragging me to the casino, I—"
"You what?" Tsunade seized his wrist, eyes wide. "I stayed away from the casino for days because of you. You owe me!"
She'd represented Konoha in the talks because Kitazawa killed Raiga and took Kiba. If the blade hadn't been taken, they wouldn't have haggled so long.
Kitazawa reflexively tried to pull free—no use. She was much stronger than he was.
"Fine," he said after a beat. It was largely his fault.
"Let's go! Before Shizune notices, we hit the casino now!"
"Aren't you eating lunch?"
"Go buy two bentos," she said, finally releasing him—and warning, "If you run, deal with the consequences."
"Wouldn't dare," Kitazawa smiled. "I keep my promises."
"I'll wait at the usual spot," she said, mollified.
He watched her go, thought for a moment, then headed home. Buying bentos was wasteful when the house had food—better to make two.
"You're back? I'll cook, then," Kurenai said, rising.
"I'm eating out," Kitazawa explained. "Tsunade-sama wants me to bring two lunches to the casino."
"The Kiri talks are finished?" Kurenai cottoned on at once.
"Yeah," Kitazawa said, moving into the kitchen. Kurenai followed, tied an apron around his waist, and smiled. "I'll grab the lunch boxes."
When the food was ready, Kitazawa took the two bentos to the casino. Tsunade sat at a table, eyes fixed on the dealer's hands.
"Tsunade-sama," Kitazawa said, taking the seat beside her. "Eat first."
"No time. You feed me," she said without looking away.
"How can you even say that?" he muttered.
"Why not? I'm your teacher, after all," she said, perfectly justified.
"Well, when you put it like that…" He picked up a piece of fried shrimp and held it to her lips.
Her red lips parted; she bit down and rolled it in with a rose-pink tongue.
The phrase "a feast for the eyes" flashed through his mind.
"Damn it!" Tsunade snapped a moment later, scowling. "How did I lose again?"
Kitazawa shook his head. Losing for this many years and still not giving up—that took talent.
"Open," he said, lifting a rice ball. She took a big, stormy bite. He flinched; for a second he thought she'd take his fingers with it.
Time slipped by. As expected, Tsunade lost the whole afternoon. They stepped out into the street.
"Suikazan Fuguki was… off," she mused. "He was adamant a few days ago. Today, total about-face."
Kitazawa frowned. Obito? Controlling Yagura, he could order the Kiri envoy however he liked. A bad feeling welled up. In the original, Obito abandoned Kirigakure after Ao discovered Yagura was being controlled by using the Byakugan. Ao hadn't discovered anything yet, and Obito was badly wounded. In a rage, he might do anything—like push Kiri into war with Konoha.
"Whatever. It's just Kirigakure," Tsunade said, unconcerned. Kiri was weaker than Konoha to begin with, and Blood Mist had weakened it further. She doubted they had the guts to act.
"Mm." Kitazawa nodded. If soldiers come, we'll block them; if water floods, we'll dam it. Even if it did turn to war, he wasn't worried—end it by revealing Yagura was being controlled. Might even pop a few system quests for free gains.
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune appeared hugging Tonton. "Did you go to the casino again?"
After the talks ended, Tsunade had left her in the meeting room to tidy up. That "tidy" took all afternoon.
"No," Tsunade said, poker-faced after a glance at Kitazawa. "We were at the training field."
"That's right," Kitazawa said earnestly.
"Really?" Shizune asked, doubtful.
"You don't believe me—fine. But you don't believe Kitazawa?" Tsunade waved it off. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
Shizune could only drop it. "Kitazawa, have Kurenai join us for dinner," Tsunade added.
"Got it," he said.
Night deepened.
In the Mizukage Building, inside the Mizukage's office, Yagura faced Obito's back. "Fuguki's group is on their way back."
"Good." Obito's voice was flat. "Tomorrow you will formally declare war on Konoha."
"Yes," Yagura replied without hesitation.
"Go," Obito said, waving him away. Yagura bowed and left. When the door closed, "Obito" reverted—white from head to toe. With the real Obito recuperating in the Land of Fire, White Zetsu was relaying orders in his stead.
Fortunately, Mangekyō control is permanent unless released; even gravely wounded, Obito's hold remained. Pitting Kiri against Konoha was his little parting gift. He knew Kiri couldn't win, but making Konoha miserable would vent his anger. He'd played long enough in Kirigakure; time to focus on Akatsuki and the Eye of the Moon Plan. Kiri could be discarded.
Friday—the second day of the monthly exam, the practicals.
"Morning, Kosuke-senpai. Kakashi," Kitazawa said, arriving right on time. Kōsuke Maruboshi and Kakashi Hatake had beaten him there.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto, Kiba, and the others called out.
"Line up—practicals start now," Kitazawa clapped. Iruka Umino had already brought out the lot box, and the students fell into formation.
"Round one, match one: Yamanaka Ino vs. Haruno Sakura," Kitazawa announced—quietly rigging the draw to put the best friends together.
"Ino, let's go!" Sakura clenched a fist, fighting spirit burning.
"You're losing today," Ino said, hands on hips, brimming with confidence.
"This isn't like before," Sakura shot back, just as sure of herself. "I've learned Water Release. I'm not just a non-combat medic anymore."
"I learned my jutsu from Kitazawa-sensei," Ino sniffed.
"Kosuke-sensei isn't exactly shabby," Sakura parried.
Kitazawa couldn't help smiling at their bickering. They stepped into the ring, traded the Seal of Confrontation, and the match began.
"Ninja Art: Profusion of Flowers!" Ino flung her hands; petals filled the air. With her vision blocked, Sakura didn't hesitate—hands flashed through signs. Ino appeared on her left and drove a flower shuriken forward.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" Water rose on all sides; the flower shuriken jammed in the wall. Sakura spun, a kunai already in hand—but Ino vanished.
Petals swirled again, encircling Sakura. Ino leapt, dropped from above, and dove into the Water Formation Wall itself—that was the counter she'd worked out overnight. Sakura instinctively snapped a throw; Ino tilted her head, let the kunai whistle past, and slammed a punch. Sakura staggered half a step, gritted her teeth, and closed in. They flowed into close-quarters Leaf-style taijutsu—same style against same style, nearly dead even.
"Ninja Art: Profusion of Flowers!" Mid-scrap, Ino seized an opening and hurled a storm of petals. Sakura started to weave signs—but too late. Ino pressed a blossom-blade to her neck.
Her win came down to this: the two techniques Kitazawa had taught her required no hand signs. Toss the petals, and the genjutsu triggers.