"Here will do."
Kitazawa came to a stop.
In front of him stood a cherry blossom tree to the left, and another one to the right.
With a swift leap, he landed steadily on the trunk.
Kitazawa spread his palm, guiding chakra through it, and soon a leaf floated into his hand.
He loosened his grip, letting the chakra-infused leaf flutter down.
"Hinata, catch every leaf."
He gave the instruction calmly.
Hinata moved immediately.
Her small hands darted out like lightning, catching most of the drifting leaves in midair.
She pressed the handful against her chest before reaching out for the rest.
Despite her speed, she still couldn't grab them all.
"I'm sorry, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata clutched the leaves, her face flushing in embarrassment.
To her, failing at something as simple as catching leaves only highlighted how useless she was.
"Catching this many on the first try is already excellent. No need to apologize."
Kitazawa chuckled and asked, "Do you know the purpose of this exercise?"
"I… don't."
Hinata shook her head honestly.
"It trains your eyesight, and at the same time, sharpens your reaction speed."
Kitazawa said seriously, though he was really improvising. "They say this method was first used by your Hyūga ancestors."
"Eh?"
Hinata searched her memory but found no such story.
"That ancestor of yours, during his first attempt, couldn't even grab a third of the leaves you just did."
Kitazawa paused, then added with a smile, "Hinata, your talent is remarkable."
Hinata nodded firmly.
Even if she wasn't sure whether such an ancestor existed, Kitazawa's words reignited her confidence.
"Let's continue."
Kitazawa waved his hand, and the leaves drifted back into his palm.
In truth, this leaf-catching drill came from his system, it was designed to refine the Byakugan.
Hinata's little face tensed in concentration. Her petite figure darted with surprising agility as her hands kept grasping at the falling leaves.
Time slipped by, and soon the lesson reached its end.
"That's enough for today."
Kitazawa leapt down from the tree.
Hinata instantly relaxed at his words.
Exhaustion surged through her. She opened her mouth, breathing hard, while sweat trickled down her brow, dampening her bangs and pale skin.
"Sit and rest."
Kitazawa retrieved a bottle of water from his summoning scroll and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata drank a sip, the cool liquid refreshing her.
"Practice more when you have time."
Kitazawa reminded her.
"Yes."
Hinata nodded, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but grew shy halfway.
"What is it?" Kitazawa asked curiously.
"N-nothing…"
Hinata clutched the bottle, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Class is over. Time to head home."
After a few minutes of rest, Kitazawa stood.
Hinata quickly followed.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
By the time they reached the grounds, the other first-year A-Class students had all gone, leaving only Naruto behind.
"Here."
Kitazawa handed him a scroll. "This is tonight's homework."
Naruto groaned but still took it reluctantly. He'd already endured a week of these nightly assignments just to stay in the class's top ten, he couldn't quit now.
"Kitazawa-sensei, I want to do it too."
Hinata's eyes brightened at the sight of the scroll, recalling their month of practice drills.
Naruto stared at her in disbelief.
Who volunteers for extra homework? Terrifying!
"You don't need to."
Kitazawa shook his head. "No need to waste so much time just to be number one."
Hinata gave it some thought, then obediently let it go.
"Naruto."
Kitazawa added, "Come earlier tomorrow. I'll review your mistakes then."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei…" Naruto answered weakly.
Homework, ugh, the worst!
The week passed quickly, and Saturday arrived.
Kitazawa had barely gotten out of bed when urgent knocking sounded at his door.
He opened it, unsurprised to find Kurenai standing there.
"So early?"
He yawned. "Had breakfast?"
"No."
Kurenai stepped inside naturally, bending down to remove her shoes.
When she looked up, she caught Kitazawa staring at her feet.
"Why no black stockings today?"
Kitazawa asked with a straight face.
"Because I'm not wearing a dress."
Kurenai set her shoes neatly aside, stepping barefoot across the floor into the living room.
"What do you want for breakfast?"
Kitazawa closed the door behind them.
"Something simple. Rice balls, maybe sushi?"
"I'll get it."
He headed into the kitchen.
When he returned, Kurenai was already lying on the sofa, head propped against the armrest, her slim legs pressed neatly together.
"You really don't treat yourself like a guest, do you?"
Kitazawa chuckled.
"I was up all night."
She gave him a sideways glance. "Can't I relax a little?"
"Why the late night?"
He frowned.
"See for yourself."
Kurenai pulled out a scroll from her hip pouch and tossed it to him.
Kitazawa caught the still-warm scroll, unrolled it, and skimmed the contents.
His eyes widened.
"You actually completed the Art of Truth-Telling?"
He looked at her in surprise.
"Inspiration struck yesterday."
Her lips curved proudly. "Impressive, right?"
"Beautiful and talented, you're more than impressive."
Kitazawa complimented her.
"Mm. Good answer."
She bit into a sushi roll, satisfied.
"Did you tell Yakumo yet?"
Kitazawa asked.
"Not yet. She'll be coming later anyway."
"With her talent, she'll master this genjutsu in a day at most."
"Stop. You're giving me a headache."
Kurenai waved her hand dismissively. "No more new jutsu talk today."
"Alright."
He laughed at her exasperated look.
"Between the Art of Conversation and the Art of Truth-Telling, we've got two brand new genjutsu ready to report."
Kurenai sat up. "Head to the Hokage's office later. Whatever rewards there are, claim them on my behalf."
"And you?"
"I'm going to sleep!"
She raised her voice, shutting the matter.
Kitazawa brought the scrolls to the Hokage's office.
"Well done, both of you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi studied the two new techniques with surprise.
That Kitazawa and Kurenai could develop fresh genjutsu in such a short time was beyond his expectations.
More importantly, it hinted at the possibility of building an entire system of psychological medical-nin.
"As per the rules of the village, submitting new jutsu merits rewards."
Hiruzen considered, then said, "You and Kurenai may each choose three jutsu of B-rank or lower."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Joy flickered in Kitazawa's chest.
That meant three more jutsu he could legitimize.
After leaving with the ANBU escort, Hiruzen sat alone in thought.
Should he call Tsunade back?
The question weighed on him.
Konoha had so few who could shoulder responsibility now.
Sakumo had taken his own life, Minato had sacrificed himself, Orochimaru defected, and both Jiraiya and Tsunade remained away from the village.
The Uchiha clan was growing restless.
If Tsunade returned, the burden on him would finally ease.