Sunday morning.
Kitazawa woke up groggily and, almost by habit, headed toward the bathroom.
A few steps in, his eyes widened, and he snapped fully awake.
He had seen Kurenai Yuuhi.
Kitazawa suddenly remembered, just like last week, this weekend they were together again to study Yakumo Kurama's new genjutsu, the Truth-Telling Technique.
"Good morning, Kitazawa."
Kurenai looked him over, her eyes briefly glimmering with surprise.
Kitazawa froze for a moment, realizing something, and hastily buttoned up his pajamas.
"I'm not afraid, so why are you?"
Kurenai asked with a teasing smile.
"I'm not afraid. I just don't want to be at a disadvantage."
Kitazawa stared at her, speaking earnestly. "Only you get to see. That's unfair."
Kurenai still wore her signature red low-cut dress, exposing one smooth, fair leg.
Perhaps because she just got up, she wasn't wearing black stockings.
"Which part do you want to see?"
Kurenai's slender fingers traced her moist red lips as she asked with a playful grin.
Kitazawa froze.
He had never seen this sexy yet playful side of Kurenai before.
Had it been revealed after spending so much time together?
"I want to see legs."
Kitazawa answered honestly.
"You really dare to say that!"
Kurenai paused, then stepped forward, raising her foot and lightly tapping him.
The pale, slightly cool touch made Kitazawa feel an instant sting of regret.
If only she had been wearing black stockings… cough, cough.
"How can you blame me?"
Kitazawa protested with a righteous tone. "I'm only answering the question you asked."
"Sounds like you're feeling wronged,"
Kurenai rolled her eyes at him.
"I really am wronged!"
Kitazawa blinked, insisting, "I didn't see anything!"
"…."
Kurenai realized she had underestimated Kitazawa.
After leaving the kitchen with a quick, "I'm going to cook," she turned away.
Kurenai exhaled.
At first, she had just wanted to tease Kitazawa. Who knew she wouldn't win even the verbal sparring?
"When did he change so much?"
Kurenai recalled the glimpse she had just seen, smiling. "I have to admit, that figure is fantastic."
A few minutes later, the two sat down at the breakfast table.
"Thanks."
Kitazawa looked at the bowl of char siu ramen in front of him.
"It's not Ichiraku, but make do," Kurenai said casually.
"Not necessarily."
Kitazawa smiled. "Have you heard the phrase so beautiful it's edible"?
Kurenai paused, realizing. She chuckled softly. "Where did you learn all these ridiculous words?"
"I'm a ninja academy teacher," Kitazawa said calmly. "Knowing a bit more than others is only natural."
"I'm not unaware of what ninja school teachers are like,"
Kurenai shook her head.
In popular perception, only ninjas without ambition become ninja school teachers.
In fact, it was mostly true.
Ambitious ninjas strive to climb higher, train hard, increase their strength, sometimes aiming to become Hokage.
That's also why there are instructors after graduating from ninja school.
"Have you thought about going back on missions?"
Kurenai slurped a mouthful of ramen and asked.
"I think being a teacher is fine."
Kitazawa thought for a moment. "If you ever need someone for a mission, call me."
He wasn't idle; he had considered it carefully.
As system rewards increased, his power would also grow.
He couldn't hide forever, but exposing himself all at once would be shocking. Revealing slowly was far more reasonable.
"Alright."
Kurenai agreed immediately. "I'll call if there's a suitable mission."
By Konoha village rules, genin cannot take missions alone, but chunin can take missions in a team.
After finishing breakfast, Yakumo Kurama arrived.
But she didn't join the Truth-Telling Technique research. Instead, she went to the rooftop with her drawing tools to practice her kekkei genkai.
"It's 9 o'clock. I need to head out."
Kitazawa glanced at the wall clock and got up quickly.
Today was the day Hinata Hyuga and Toranosuke had arranged their sparring match.
"Mm."
Kurenai didn't ask further, simply nodding.
The familiar small grove.
Hinata Hyuga stood in place, waiting for Kitazawa.
Previously, passing through the grove had triggered uncontrollable fear in her, but this time, her heart was calm.
Footsteps approached.
Hinata instinctively looked up, disappointed to see Toranosuke instead.
"Why isn't it Teacher Kitazawa?"
The anxious Toranosuke glanced around, relieved to see only Hinata.
Without the teacher who dominated him before, what was there to fear?
"Hey! You Byakugan freak, still not giving up?"
Toranosuke asked arrogantly.
The tone reminded Hinata of long ago.
But then was then; now was now.
"Form the Tied Seal."
Hinata said softly but firmly.
"You really think you can beat me? What a joke!"
Toranosuke sneered. "Last time, if it weren't for that damn teacher, you—"
"Shut up!"
Hinata's expression darkened. "Don't you dare insult Teacher Kitazawa!"
"So what if I do?"
Toranosuke was startled, but immediately embarrassed and angry. "What teacher? He's just a—"
Hinata leapt forward, her fingers like arrows, pressing onto his right wrist.
Toranosuke immediately felt chakra block in his body.
He couldn't react before Hinata struck again, fingers opening and closing, then slamming her palm forward.
"Ahhh!"
The pain and her overwhelming force sent Toranosuke crashing to the ground.
He clutched his chest, writhing, screaming in agony.
Hinata froze, tilting her head at her fair little hand. I haven't even tried… why did he fall?
"Well done, Hinata."
Kitazawa's voice came from nearby.
"Teacher Kitazawa!"
Hinata snapped back to reality, running to him, her face radiant with a smile.
Kitazawa smiled too, having received his mission reward.
[Current Mission: Assist Hinata Hyuga in defeating Toranosuke.]
[Mission Reward: Water Release · Water Colliding Wave.]
[Host completed the mission. Reward issued.]
Water Release · Water Colliding Wave was similar to Fire Release · Great Fireball Technique, but spat water instead of fire.
Kitazawa reached out, patting Hinata on the head.
Her only remaining task was to voluntarily reveal edible secrets, which granted the Byakugan as a reward.