After leaving the ninja academy, Kitazawa headed toward Kurenai Yūhi's house.
On the way, he began to think about his missions.
There were quite a few that he hadn't completed yet.
Some were particularly difficult, like becoming Tsunade's disciple or sending Mizuki to prison.
His most recent task, though, was next week's monthly exam: making sure Uzumaki Naruto ranked in the top ten.
As for missions like helping Hinata Hyūga awaken her Byakugan or teaching Sasuke Uchiha his second Fire Style jutsu, those were just a matter of time.
"Stop right there!"
A familiar voice called out.
Kitazawa snapped out of his thoughts and looked ahead.
Tsunade was striding toward him in high-heeled sandals, looking irritated.
Behind her, Shizune clutched Tonton and frantically tried to signal him with her eyes.
"You got any money on you?"
Tsunade extended her hand toward him.
"No."
Kitazawa looked at her pale, delicate palm and guessed she had just come from the casino, no doubt after losing everything again.
"Give me whatever you have. I can win it back."
Tsunade gritted her teeth.
"Lady Tsunade, don't forget what we're supposed to be doing."
Kitazawa shook his head.
"You're such a killjoy!"
Tsunade frowned but couldn't argue.
"The sooner we develop the new jutsu, the sooner we'll have funding again," Kitazawa said with a smile. "The money I give you is just pocket change, you can't even enjoy gambling with that."
"…You're not wrong."
Tsunade's expression softened. She brushed a lock of hair aside. "Fine, let's go. Back to Kurenai's place."
She led the way.
"Nice work," Shizune whispered to Kitazawa as she caught up. "You handled that well."
"I heard that!"
Tsunade turned around and glared at them.
"I didn't say anything!"
Shizune straightened up, her long pale legs stiffening in alarm.
"Neither did I," Kitazawa said with a pleasant smile.
"…."
Tsunade suddenly realized Kitazawa and Shizune were oddly alike, both had a knack for stopping her right when she was about to have fun.
But where did this kid get the courage to talk to her like that?
Shizune had been with her since childhood, so that was understandable.
But Kitazawa?
Most ninjas would tremble in her presence, he clearly wasn't one of them.
Suppressing her curiosity, Tsunade walked into the living room.
Kurenai Yūhi and Kurama Yakumo were already there waiting.
"Yakumo, did you take your medicine?"
Tsunade plopped down on the sofa, crossed her legs without a care, her fair foot swinging lazily in the air.
"Yes, I just did. Thank you for your concern, Lady Tsunade."
Kurama Yakumo's eyes were filled with gratitude.
She had once thought she would never move freely like a normal person again, but Tsunade's appearance had given her hope.
"Good."
Tsunade nodded. "Then let's get to work."
And so, they researched the new jutsu late into the night.
"Let's continue tomorrow," Tsunade said eventually, checking the time before heading next door with Shizune.
"Kurenai, are you hungry?"
Kitazawa noticed a takoyaki stand nearby as they walked back after dropping Yakumo home.
"Takoyaki alone sounds boring," Kurenai said, licking her lips slightly. "Want to grab a drink instead?"
"No way. You getting drunk again would just be trouble," Kitazawa replied. "Besides, we're meeting Lady Tsunade tomorrow, can't afford to be late."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Kurenai playfully bumped his arm. "I don't get drunk and make a scene."
"That's… debatable."
Kitazawa remembered the last time she'd had too much.
"Say that again!"
Kurenai grabbed his hand, her ruby-like eyes staring straight into his.
She was shorter than him, yet somehow her presence was just as intimidating as Tsunade's.
Though Tsunade exuded mature allure, Kurenai carried a more refined, cool older-sister charm.
"What are you staring at?"
She noticed his gaze.
"A beautiful woman," Kitazawa said bluntly, his eyes tracing downward.
Being so close, he could see the smooth curve of her neck and the faint outline of her mesh innerwear beneath her outfit.
"Stop letting your imagination run wild!"
Kurenai's cheeks flushed red.
"Sorry," Kitazawa said, blinking innocently.
"Not convincing at all. Hmph, fine, I want takoyaki."
Kurenai released his hand and stepped on his foot.
"Next time, take off your shoes before stepping," Kitazawa said seriously.
"Are you a pervert?"
Kurenai froze, staring at him with disdain.
"I just don't like pain," he coughed lightly. "I'll go buy the takoyaki."
Kurenai glanced down.
She was wearing high-heeled sandals, her fair toes tinged pink.
"Unbelievable."
Kurenai smiled faintly.
Before long, Kitazawa returned with two boxes of takoyaki, grilled octopus balls, a popular snack.
"Thanks."
Kurenai took a skewer and picked one up.
Just before putting it in her mouth, she paused.
"What? You want me to feed you?" she asked, locking eyes with him.
"If you want to, I can't say no," Kitazawa said with complete seriousness.
Kurenai raised an eyebrow and extended her hand only to pull it back halfway.
"Nope, not giving you any," she said with a teasing smile, taking a bite.
What a wicked woman, Kitazawa thought, chuckling.
They chatted as they walked until they reached Kurenai's home.
"See you tomorrow," Kitazawa said, stopping at the gate.
"Thanks for the takoyaki. Next time, it's my treat," Kurenai said, opening her door. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned back. "If I take off my shoes, do you want me to step on you?"
"…?"
"I'm not that kind of guy," Kitazawa said firmly.
"Too bad, missed your chance."
Kurenai waved and closed the door.
Kitazawa twitched his lips and turned to leave.
The next two days passed quickly.
With Tsunade's help, the creation of the new medical-ninjutsu had entered a stable phase.
Kitazawa estimated that within half a month, the third mental-healing jutsu would be complete.
A new week arrived and with it, the second monthly exam on the weekend.
This week, Kitazawa planned to intensify Naruto's training to make sure he didn't fail the mission.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
At the academy gate, Sasuke Uchiha stopped him.
"What is it, Sasuke?"
"This is a gift to thank you for teaching me ninjutsu," Sasuke said, holding out a scroll.
"It's my first time getting a gift from you," Kitazawa said with a smile as he opened it, then froze.
It was a ninjutsu scroll containing four Fire Style techniques:
Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu
Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu
Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation
Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu.
For the first time, Kitazawa felt the true pride and generosity of the Uchiha clan.
He had taught Sasuke two fire techniques and Sasuke had repaid him with four.
Of course, the Uchiha were never short on jutsu; after all, with the Sharingan, even Kakashi Hatake was said to have copied a thousand of them.
"Who told you to give me this?" Kitazawa asked curiously.
Sasuke was too young to think of such social gestures himself, someone must have guided him.
"My brother did," Sasuke answered.