"Uchiha Itachi's thank-you gift?"
Kitazawa felt something… subtle.
When it came to Uchiha Itachi, Kitazawa had always kept a respectful distance. After all, anyone who killed his own parents was terrifying.
Unless, of course, Kitazawa someday became Hokage himself.
Yes, Uchiha Itachi was terrifying but he had been brainwashed by the Will of Fire, turned into a blade of Konoha.
In his heart, even Uchiha Sasuke could not compare to Konoha Village.
"Sasuke, thank your brother for me."
Kitazawa said as he put away the ninjutsu scroll.
No point in refusing a free gift.
Besides, it wasn't really "free." He had helped Uchiha Sasuke improve his strength, he had earned it.
"Okay, Kitazawa-sensei."
Sasuke nodded.
"Let's go, I'll take you to train."
Kitazawa smiled and patted his shoulder.
With this ninjutsu scroll, he had just gained four Fire Style techniques, a total profit.
Kitazawa took Sasuke to the training field at the Ninja Academy.
After leaving behind a shadow clone, he left.
Uchiha Sasuke had already nearly mastered Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, so there was no need to keep watching.
After breakfast, Kitazawa sent Hyūga Hinata and Yamanaka Ino to train and this time, Haruno Sakura joined them too.
Meanwhile, he went to the classroom to prepare for the first lesson of the day: The Will of Fire.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto Uzumaki ran up to the podium, face full of excitement.
"Look! How many points do you think I got on my homework last night?"
His homework was actually a mock test Kitazawa had given him.
Hinata had received the same special treatment before, it was almost like half-cheating.
If it weren't for the mission, Kitazawa wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
He took the paper and began reading.
Naruto had been doing these mock exams for nearly a month.
He still couldn't compare to Sasuke and the others, but with this semi-cheating approach, even rote memorization worked wonders.
"Not bad, 84 points."
Kitazawa closed the paper and said.
"Yes! I finally got over 80!"
Naruto clenched his fists, eyes shining with excitement.
"Don't celebrate too soon. You can be as strong as you want on paper, but that's still fake."
Kitazawa paused. "To reliably make the top ten in the class, you'll need at least 90."
Naruto scratched his head, still beaming with pride.
For him, an 84 was nothing short of a miracle.
"Starting today, we'll increase your practice."
Kitazawa smiled.
"Huh?"
Naruto froze. "Increase how?"
He was afraid of nothing in the world, except written tests.
He had only lasted this long thanks to Kitazawa's rewards and the motivation of the top-ten ranking.
"Remember what I said before? If you make it into the top ten, I'll teach you a ninjutsu."
Kitazawa knew forcing more study wouldn't work, he had to be clever about it.
"Of course I remember!"
Naruto replied instantly.
"The technique I'll teach you is the Shadow Clone Jutsu. It's a B-rank ninjutsu."
Kitazawa said with emphasis.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Naruto's whole body trembled, eyes brimming with tears.
"But I've decided to change the reward system a bit."
Kitazawa, feeling a strong sense of déjà vu, quickly cut him off before he could shout "Thank you!" again.
"Huh?"
Naruto froze mid-celebration.
"From now on, I'll teach you Shadow Clone Jutsu, but your extra practice will depend on how you perform. Do well, and you'll just do a few extra problems. Do poorly, and you'll do several full test papers."
Kitazawa grinned.
Naruto blinked in confusion, torn between joy and dread.
Learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu sounded amazing… but why did he still have to do written work?
"How about it? This training plan sound good?"
Kitazawa asked, patting his shoulder.
"Kitazawa-sensei, don't worry, I'll do my best!"
Naruto clenched his fists and nodded hard.
His excitement about learning a new jutsu outweighed his hatred for study.
"Don't leave after class. We'll head to the academy's training field."
Kitazawa handed the test back. "Class is about to start, go sit down."
"Okay."
Naruto took his paper and returned to his seat.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was dusk.
"That's all for today's combat training."
Kitazawa clapped his hands.
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!"
The first-year A-class students called out as they left until only Naruto remained.
"Naruto."
Kitazawa formed hand signs. "Now, I'll teach you the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
In the original story, Naruto mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu in a very short time but that was after graduation, when he already had a foundation.
Right now, he was still far from that level.
"Half a test paper for today."
Two hours later, Kitazawa announced.
Naruto, who had been joyfully practicing, instantly deflated.
But Kitazawa had just taught him a B-rank jutsu, refusing the homework would be ungrateful.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei."
Naruto took the paper obediently.
Kitazawa was about to speak again when his brows twitched.
[Current Mission: Help Uchiha Sasuke master a second Fire Style jutsu.]
[Reward: One-Handed Hand Seals.]
[Mission complete. Reward granted.]
Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction.
As expected, Sasuke's talent was impressive, he had completed the mission quickly.
[Your lifelong rivals Naruto Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke are both learning new jutsu.
You refuse to fall behind.]
[New Mission: Learn a B-rank jutsu within half a month.]
[Reward: 10% of Senju Clan bloodline.]
Kitazawa's eyes widened.
Everyone knew a ninja's potential was determined by bloodline.
Those with Senju or Uchiha heritage could far surpass ordinary shinobi.
If the Uchiha bloodline's power lay in the eyes, then the Senju's was in the body.
Senju Hashirama's body was so powerful that even after death, his cells retained unimaginable vitality.
Of course, Hashirama was a unique case among the Senju.
Kitazawa guessed the system would grant him an average Senju bloodline, but that alone was enough to make him ecstatic.
After all, once you had 10%, you could get more later.
Someday, he would surpass even Hashirama himself.
He just didn't know yet how strong that 10% would be.
As for the mission, Sasuke's four Fire Style jutsu came at the perfect time. He could pick one to learn.
Half a month, huh?
Kitazawa rubbed his chin.
With his advanced-level chakra control, learning a B-rank jutsu in that time shouldn't be difficult.
And he already had Fire affinity.
"Come on, Naruto, teacher's treating you to Ichiraku Ramen."
Kitazawa said with a broad smile.
"Eh? Kitazawa-sensei, did something good happen?"
Naruto asked, puzzled by his sudden cheerful mood.