Kitagawa froze for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "As expected, I can't fool Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade's lips curved into a cold smile. "You're definitely losing this one!"
"As a medical ninja, my greatest advantage is chakra control!"
"Your Shave technique tests this perfectly."
"But my superhuman strength technique tests chakra control even more. You'll struggle to master it!"
Kitagawa nodded. "That's true, but... anything is possible."
"Tsunade-sama, don't underestimate me like last time and lose again."
Tsunade said firmly, "Impossible!"
"I already understand the technique you described. Now listen carefully to what I have to say."
It was Tsunade's teaching time. Kitagawa immediately focused intently.
And as Tsunade said, while superhuman strength grows more powerful with stronger chakra, the chakra control required is extremely delicate.
The morning flew by.
Tsunade smiled. "Alright, I've finished teaching."
"Now it's time for individual training. Of course, if you don't understand something, you can come ask me."
With that, Tsunade turned and left happily.
This time, she was certain she'd win.
In terms of raw chakra, Kitagawa's no match for me.
And chakra control? He's even further behind!
So once I master Shave too, he'll have no advantage left!
Watching Tsunade leave, Kitagawa also smiled.
Mutual teachers—achieved!
Though Tsunade probably won't call him "sensei."
As for whether I'll lose this bet? Impossible!
If I lose, someone's in trouble!
Tsunade-sensei, I have Moon Walk. What do you have?
Kitagawa's smile turned sinister.
Of course, as Tsunade said, superhuman strength demanded high chakra control. Kitagawa was already quite good at this—his control was strong. But the finesse required time and talent.
So Kitagawa decided to cheat.
Leaf Village Hospital, after lunch.
Kitagawa appeared here.
It was where the most medical ninja worked, though in reality most were chunin. Jonin-level medical ninja were rare.
After observing for a while, Kitagawa spotted several pieces of equipment.
Unfortunately, they were all chunin-level medical talent—not what he needed.
So I'll just find a jonin medical ninja.
Kitagawa made an appointment with a medical jonin named Nantetsushi.
Time passed slowly. By the time evening approached, a nurse finally called him to Dr. Nantetsushi's office.
Walking in, Kitagawa's eyes immediately fixed on something in the female medical ninja's hand—a pen.
Equipment: Nantetsushi's Pen
Trait: Jonin-Level Medical Ninjutsu Talent, Medical Jonin-Level Chakra Control
Note: Did you make a specimen today?
Perfect!
Kitagawa sat down. "Dr. Nantetsushi, hello. I've been training with heavy intensity lately, so I wanted you to check me out and give some recommendations."
Nantetsushi, wearing glasses and serious-faced, immediately stood. "Follow me!"
Kitagawa followed her to a room filled with medical instruments.
After lying down as instructed, Nantetsushi began a full-body examination.
An hour passed quickly.
Nantetsushi finished. "There are some issues."
"Your training intensity is too high, especially in the legs and feet. The muscles and meridians have already sustained damage."
"You used very strong chakra bursts, especially in the feet?"
Kitagawa nodded. "Exactly."
Nantetsushi advised, "Reduce training volume, and control your chakra burst intensity..."
Kitagawa seized the moment to interrupt. "Wait, Dr. Nantetsushi, could I borrow your pen to write this down?"
"Sure."
Nantetsushi had no suspicion. She pulled the pen from her breast pocket and found paper for Kitagawa.
Kitagawa quickly recorded everything. When Nantetsushi finished, he thanked her profusely. "Thank you so much! I'll head out then. I'll come back for a follow-up in a while!"
Then he vanished.
Nantetsushi froze. My pen?!
But Kitagawa reappeared moments later, smiling awkwardly. "Sorry, your pen!"
He returned it and disappeared again.
But once he'd exited the hospital, there was a bag in Kitagawa's hands.
Inside were specialized creams for muscle and meridian damage, and medical bandages.
Medical bandages weren't ordinary—they were specially treated, with hemostatic properties and functions to ease muscle soreness.
Most importantly: Nantetsushi's Medical Jonin-Level chakra control was now his.
And Kitagawa decided that going forward, he'd send shadow clones frequently to the hospital to search for someone with Kage-level chakra control.
Over the next few days, Kitagawa intensely focused on mastering superhuman strength, visiting Tsunade daily for instruction.
He demanded hands-on teaching from her.
Tsunade was sincere in her efforts—then discovered Kitagawa actually had decent talent.
This gave her a sense of urgency. After two days, she started sending a shadow clone to instruct him while her real body threw herself into serious training.
Shizune watched this change with wide eyes, then quietly asked Kitagawa, "Teacher Kitagawa, how did you do this?"
Kitagawa smiled mysteriously. "Secret. You're still young—you wouldn't understand."
Shizune looked uncertain, glancing at the hard-training Tsunade in the distance, thinking internally, Tsunade-sama... doesn't like Teacher Kitagawa, does she?
That afternoon, back at home, Shizune hesitantly asked, "Tsunade-sama, Teacher Kitagawa doesn't seem to be an adult yet..."
Tsunade said lazily, "I know. That's why he's a little pervert!"
Shizune twisted her fingers together. "Um... what I mean is, even if Tsunade-sama were to like someone, shouldn't you wait until Teacher Kitagawa becomes an adult?"
"Huh?"
Tsunade turned, a black line appearing on her forehead as she looked at Shizune. "I like Kitagawa?"
"Who said that?"
Shizune blinked. "Then why have you been acting like this lately? And you're even training with Teacher Kitagawa. Isn't it because...?"
"Of course not~!"
Tsunade's roar cut off Shizune's words, nearly lifting the roof.
The next day, when Kitagawa saw Tsunade, she had a sour expression.
"Idiot, you don't understand anything!"
"Too stupid! Maybe you should just admit defeat!"
...
Tsunade was acting like someone had poured fire down her throat.
Kitagawa felt inexplicably blamed.
Did her period start, or is menopause early?
Shizune trembled silently, thinking to herself, Teacher Kitagawa, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...
Half a month passed in a flash.
That morning, Kitagawa came to Leaf Village Hospital.
Because Gai had been admitted.
"Teacher Kitagawa!"
Gai on the hospital bed was delighted to see him, but then looked down bashfully.
Kitagawa turned to Dai. "Dai-san, what happened to Gai?"
Dai explained awkwardly and shamefully. "Gai used weighted training without permission, and injured himself."
"Teacher Kitagawa, I didn't supervise him properly."
Kitagawa wasn't overly critical. "Training must progress gradually."
"Gai, once you heal, train with your teacher!"
Gai's head shot up in surprise. "Really?"
Kitagawa smiled and nodded.
"Yes!"
Gai cheered.
Dai bowed gratefully. "Thank you so much, Teacher Kitagawa!"
"From now on, please take care of Gai!"