Kitazawa stopped in his tracks.
If it were just an ordinary second-year class, he would have agreed without hesitation.
After all, his class was full of talent—the future "Konoha Twelve" could each fight above their level.
But Class 2-A was not ordinary. It had Neji Hyūga.
In the original story, early on, Neji was undoubtedly the strongest among the Konoha Twelve.
Even Naruto Uzumaki had to rely on the Nine-Tails' chakra during the Chūnin Exams to defeat him.
And right now, Naruto couldn't use the Nine-Tails' chakra at all.
Sasuke Uchiha hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet, and the others stood no chance against Neji.
But if the type of sparring changed, victory wasn't impossible.
For example—competitions of chakra control.
Still, the reason Kitazawa had paused wasn't just strategy.
It was because of the sudden system prompt.
[An outside class has challenged your class. As the class leader, you must accept.]
[Current Mission: Defeat Class 2-A in the friendly match.]
[Mission Reward: Gentle Fist – Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.]
Kitazawa's eyes lit up.
This reward was excellent.
Byakugan and Gentle Fist—that was the Hyūga clan's foundation for standing tall in the ninja world for a thousand years.
Though the clan lacked someone like Uchiha Madara among the absolute top, against most ninja, they were more than enough.
"Gentle Fist" was the general style, but its most iconic techniques were the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation.
If Rotation was S-rank in difficulty, then the Sixty-Four Palms were about A-rank.
The important part: both techniques were exclusive to the main family, never passed to branch members.
"How about it, Kitazawa?"
Mizuki pressed, seeing hope.
He desperately wanted to beat Kitazawa just once.
Even if the win wasn't honorable, it was still a win.
"All right."
Kitazawa made up his mind. "But I have one condition."
"What condition?" Mizuki asked quickly.
"If Class 1-A wins, you must grant me one request."
Kitazawa's tone was calm, almost casual.
He was already thinking ahead—to that mission about sending Mizuki to prison.
With Mizuki's nature, as soon as he got the chance, he would act.
Kitazawa intended to use this demand to give him just that "chance."
"Fine."
Mizuki hesitated briefly, then asked, "And if Class 1-A loses?"
"Losing is normal, isn't it?"
Kitazawa shot back.
"…?"
Mizuki's lips twitched.
You shameless bastard! You won't take even the tiniest loss, will you?!
"I'll decide on the contents of the match and let you know."
Kitazawa smiled, turning away toward his office.
"When your class is crushed, let's see if you can still smile."
Mizuki clenched his fists tightly as he watched him leave.
Whatever competition Kitazawa designed, it surely wouldn't favor Class 2-A.
But Mizuki was confident. Against absolute strength, no trickery mattered.
Class 2-A had a whole year of advantage over Class 1-A.
If they lost even then, he might as well throw himself off Hokage Rock.
Back in the office, Kitazawa found Sasuke waiting for him.
No need to ask why.
"My shadow clone will train with you."
Kitazawa made a seal and split off a clone.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Sasuke followed the clone away.
Kitazawa watched his back thoughtfully.
If Sasuke awakened the Sharingan now, could he beat Neji Hyūga?
Possibly. But unlikely.
After all, a one-tomoe Sharingan had little advantage against the Byakugan.
And awakening it was no simple matter.
Back then, Sasuke only awakened his first tomoe during the Uchiha massacre.
Right now, Kitazawa couldn't think of a suitable event that would trigger the same trauma.
As for Naruto and the Nine-Tails? That was something he wouldn't dare touch.
"Looks like I'll need another approach."
Kitazawa picked up a pen, thought for a moment, then wrote two lines on a scroll: Chakra Shape and Chakra Control.
A chakra shape contest was simple—whose ninjutsu was stronger.
Kitazawa immediately thought of Sasuke's Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. With him competing, first place was almost guaranteed.
Chakra control? That could be tested with tree climbing and water walking.
But just those two categories wouldn't satisfy Mizuki.
So Kitazawa added two more.
One: physical endurance.
Two: actual combat.
Physical endurance had Naruto, which was practically a guaranteed win.
And combat—of course Mizuki would demand it.
If it was a full class-versus-class battle, Class 1-A would definitely lose.
Geniuses could fight above their rank, but geniuses were rare.
Most of his students were ordinary; one year less training meant a clear disadvantage.
So Kitazawa planned a best-of-five format.
After all, Neji Hyūga was only one person.
Quality over quantity.
"When should it be held?"
Kitazawa rubbed his chin.
If Mizuki knew the events too early, he'd train his class specifically for them.
But Kitazawa wasn't worried. With the same training, it came down to talent.
And he had nine of the Twelve on his side. Mizuki had three.
The advantage was obvious.
He calculated the timing and decided: after the next monthly exams.
One month—enough time for his own students to improve, but not for Mizuki's to catch up.
Sasuke, Hinata, Ino… they'd all be ready by then.
Having made up his mind, Kitazawa took the scroll to Mizuki's office.
Mizuki read it and immediately agreed.
In his eyes, the four categories were laughably easy.
The first three? Neji would take first place without a doubt.
The last—combat—his students would secure at least two wins out of five.
Victory was practically guaranteed.
Kitazawa didn't return to his office. Instead, he headed straight to Kurenai Yūhi's house.
He needed to help Yakumo Kurama become a psychological medical-nin quickly. That way, he could use her as a bridge to connect with Tsunade—and complete his mission.
"Kitazawa, perfect timing!"
Kurenai greeted him warmly.
"You're this happy… did Yakumo master the Truth-Speaking Jutsu already?"
Kitazawa asked.
"No, not that. It's her kekkei genkai."
Kurenai smiled. "Yakumo, show Kitazawa."
"Yes."
Yakumo Kurama brought out a painting.
Under Kitazawa's gaze, the white cat drawn on the scroll suddenly leapt out, landing softly on the floor.
"Meow."
It padded up to him and rubbed its head against his leg.
Kitazawa crouched down and stroked its head.
"Feels real, doesn't it?"
Kurenai explained. "This is Yakumo's bloodline ability—Illusionary Beasts: Bringer of Life. It manifests her drawings into reality."
"It was thanks to Kitazawa-sensei's advice," Yakumo added gently. "He told me to use painting as the medium to channel my kekkei genkai."
Kitazawa was surprised, but not too much.
In the original story, this ability had been mentioned. In short—it brought art to life.
And suddenly, he thought of the bet with Mizuki.
Yakumo Kurama's kekkei genkai was easily at the level of a Mangekyō Sharingan.
Maybe… she could even take down Neji Hyūga.