A soft warmth pressed against his face.
Instinctively, Kitazawa inhaled.
Fragrant.
Warm.
Dangerously comfortable.
For a fleeting moment, he enjoyed the same privileged position as Tsunade's necklace.
Unfortunately—
The privilege lasted less than a minute.
Tsunade shoved him away.
"That's enough. I still have work to do."
Seeing the faint dissatisfaction on his face, she lightly kicked him under the desk.
"Understood. Thank you, Tsunade-sensei."
He answered with exaggerated solemnity.
She shot him a sidelong glance but said nothing, already returning to the stack of documents.
Kitazawa left the Hokage Office in high spirits.
ANBU Base.
He entered his office, glanced around, and casually engraved a Flying Thunder God mark inside his desk drawer.
Insurance.
Mobility meant safety.
As he closed the drawer, his gaze lifted—
And met Konan's.
With a subtle curl of his finger, he beckoned.
Konan walked over silently.
Kitazawa stood.
Then leaned forward—
And buried his face in her chest.
Konan stiffened instantly.
She felt his warm breath through the fabric of her cloak.
A faint blush crept across her pale cheeks.
Yet—
She didn't push him away.
Her arms came up, somewhat stiff at first, cradling his head.
After a few seconds, her posture relaxed.
She adapted.
As always.
Kitazawa thought inwardly—
Konan was obedient.
Tsunade, however…
Was more deserving of the word "broad-minded."
Still—
Konan was more than sufficient.
He lifted his head, vision clearing again.
With a gentle touch to her cheek, he left for the Ninja Academy.
The Genius Class theory exam was nearly finished.
Kitazawa didn't interrupt.
Iruka would handle grading.
Instead, he left discreet Flying Thunder God marks on the Academy training field—and inside his own office.
Then vanished.
Forest of Death.
Learning Flying Thunder God was only the beginning.
True mastery required Second Step.
And Guiding Thunder.
Kitazawa drew a kunai and carefully engraved his formula upon it.
Every user's formula differed.
Tobirama used complex patterns.
Minato used stylized characters.
Kitazawa chose simplicity.
One character.
"Power."
Minimal. Clean. Direct.
The true essence of Flying Thunder God: Second Step wasn't teleportation—
It was what you did the instant you arrived.
Minato used Rasengan because it required no hand seals.
Strike immediately.
No delay.
No warning.
Kitazawa had far more options.
Sharingan Genjutsu.
Byakugan: pressure.
Shikotsumyaku.
Or—
Chakra-Enhanced Strength.
At full output, his punch would eclipse Rasengan in sheer destructive force.
He smiled faintly.
Second Step plus Chakra Enhanced Strength.
That would be his version.
The next day.
Ninja Academy Training Ground.
"I didn't expect the final exam to be individual battles this time," Tenten remarked in surprise.
"It's probably because of the new students," Shikamaru said lazily, glancing at Shion, Chino, and Hotaru.
"Rankings are definitely shifting again," Ino agreed.
"Even without them, I'd climb higher!" Kiba declared proudly. "With Akamaru, this great lord's ranking is bound to rise!"
"Don't celebrate too early," Tayuya scoffed. "You're not the only one improving."
"The newcomers are strong too," Ino added thoughtfully. "Especially Chino. That Ketsuryugan of hers rivals the Sharingan."
"She's nowhere near Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shot back instantly.
Chino smiled gently.
"She's right. I'm not on Sasuke's level."
Her tone was calm, not self-deprecating—just honest.
She'd observed enough during training.
Especially recently.
The Taiji Rasengan.
Even from a distance, its power was overwhelming.
She didn't need to test it firsthand to know she couldn't withstand it.
Sakura blinked, caught off guard by the lack of argument.
"…Well. That's obvious."
"Aren't you curious what Naruto's been training lately?" Shino asked, adjusting his glasses.
Naruto had been disappearing to the Forest of Death almost daily with Kitazawa.
"Training filled with youth, of course!" Lee declared passionately.
"Exactly!" Naruto grinned widely. "You'll soon witness the blazing power of my youth!"
Sasuke glanced sideways at him.
A faint unease stirred in his chest.
That grin.
Too confident.
Had Naruto improved again?
Impossible.
He was already juggling Yang Release: Rasengan and Taiji Rasengan.
There shouldn't be room for something else.
Right?
…Right?
"It doesn't matter."
Shikamaru laced his fingers behind his head and sighed toward the sky.
"We can't beat you guys anyway."
"That doesn't include Sasuke-kun!" Sakura snapped, hands planted firmly on her hips. "I think—"
"We'll only know after we fight."
Sasuke cut her off calmly, stopping her before she could jinx the outcome.
"Ino, don't start celebrating early either."
"Sak—look! Kitazawa-sensei is here!" Ino suddenly waved excitedly toward the entrance.
Hinata turned instinctively.
Kitazawa and Kurenai stepped onto the Training Ground.
Hiruzen, Kakashi, Chen, and Kosuke were already waiting near the edge, chatting quietly.
"Kitazawa-senpai."
Iruka hurried over.
"Iruka, draw the lots."
Kitazawa nodded.
There was no system mission tied to this final exam. No need to manipulate anything behind the scenes.
"Understood."
Iruka stepped forward.
Meanwhile, Kitazawa and Kurenai joined the others at the sidelines, exchanging brief greetings.
Six instructors stood watching.
"First round, first match—Chino versus Haku!"
Iruka announced clearly.
"Chino's Ketsuryugan somewhat counters Haku," Maruboshi Kosuke observed.
"Not exactly counters," Hiruzen corrected with a chuckle. "At this stage, the Ketsuryugan's genjutsu simply has a natural advantage."
"After all, it rivaled the Sharingan during the Warring States era," Chen added thoughtfully.
"Hard to say," Kurenai disagreed. "Haku also possesses a Bloodline Limit—Ice Release."
"Both of them are strong," Kitazawa said, watching the two step forward. "Top fifteen won't be a problem."
"Speaking of which," Kurenai mused, "shouldn't the Genius Class recruit another teacher? We can form seven full teams now."
"Agreed," Kosuke nodded.
The new additions—Chino, Shion, Hotaru—each had the strength to enter the top eighteen.
"I've considered it," Kitazawa said. "Any recommendations?"
"Jonin-level at minimum," Kakashi answered immediately.
A Chunin wouldn't even make the rankings here—let alone teach.
"Gai?" Chen suggested.
Kakashi and Hiruzen both stiffened slightly.
"Gai has the strength," Hiruzen coughed lightly, "but his personality…"
If more students followed the "Power of Youth" doctrine, Konoha's future might truly become chaotic.
"Most elite Jonin already hold critical positions," Kosuke said with a frown.
"Tenzo."
Kitazawa spoke decisively.
"Tenzo?" Kakashi blinked.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Who's Tenzo?" Kosuke asked.
"ANBU," Kitazawa replied calmly. "Proficient in Earth and Water Release."
He paused.
"And Wood Release."
Silence fell.
"Another Wood Release user?" Chen's voice rose in surprise.
Kurenai looked stunned as well.
"His Wood Release is far inferior to Kitazawa's," Hiruzen clarified. "That's why he remained in ANBU."
With Kitazawa's existence no longer secret, there was no reason to continue hiding Tenzo completely.
"He's my former junior in ANBU," Kakashi added. "Solid strength."
"Then he qualifies," Kosuke nodded.
"After the practical exams, I'll inform him."
Decision made.
"Begin!"
Iruka's voice rang out.
"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"
Chino and Haku formed seals simultaneously.
Two torrents of water collided midair—
BOOM!
Spray exploded outward.
Same technique.
But power depended on control and chakra quality.
Haku's stream pressed forward slightly.
Chino narrowed her eyes.
Ice Release: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!
Without hesitation, Haku formed a new set of seals.
Snow-white mirrors materialized in an instant, encircling Chino.
The temperature dropped sharply.
Chino's heart tightened.
Ketsuryugan—activate.
Her scarlet pupils shimmered.
It was her first time witnessing Ice Release firsthand.
Haku's figure vanished.
She spun—
Nothing.
The mirrors reflected only her own image.
A cold realization settled in.
She had lost initiative.
"Chino's at a disadvantage now," Hiruzen said quietly. "Haku's chances are higher."
He had expected the Ketsuryugan to dominate early.
But Haku hadn't allowed her space.
Inside Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, she couldn't even see his true body.
No eye contact.
No genjutsu.
"Information gap," Kosuke summarized.
"She just joined," Kitazawa said lightly. "She doesn't know everyone's abilities yet."
Inside the mirrors—
A flash.
Ice senbon shot from every direction.
Chino reacted instantly.
"Water Release: Flowing Shield!"
Water spiraled around her—
But the needles slipped through gaps in her defense.
Blood splashed.
Her sleeve tore.
She grit her teeth.
This was fast.
Too fast.
Her Ketsuryugan tracked the reflections—
There.
A faint distortion in one mirror.
She locked onto it.
Genjutsu: Crimson Mirage.
Haku's body flickered—
For a split second, his movements slowed.
That split second was enough.
Water surged violently upward.
Haku shattered his own mirror to escape, landing outside the formation.
The mirrors dissolved into frost.
Both stood breathing lightly.
A thin cut marked Haku's cheek.
Chino's shoulder bled steadily.
"Now this is interesting," Kakashi murmured.
Chino had adapted mid-battle.
"She's sharp," Kurenai said approvingly.
Kitazawa smiled faintly.
Talent wasn't just power.
It was the ability to survive your first disadvantage.
The sharp whistle of wind split the air.
Haku appeared atop one of the ice mirrors, sleeves fluttering. With a flick of both wrists—
Senbon rained down at cruel, unpredictable angles, sealing every possible escape.
Chino's pupils constricted.
Her Ketsuryugan might not rival the Sharingan in perception, but it far surpassed ordinary sight.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
A surge of water spiraled upward around her, forming a rotating cylindrical barrier. The technique—originally created by Senju Tobirama—was flawless in lateral defense.
The senbon struck—
Clink. Clink. Clink.
They were repelled.
But only from the sides.
A shadow fell.
Chino looked up—
Another storm of senbon descended from directly overhead.
Haku had already shifted to a high-positioned ice mirror.
Water Release: Rain Sleet!
Chino countered instantly, summoning a dense cloud of water droplets above her. The needles tore through the suspended droplets, scattering them in glittering sprays.
Her breathing quickened.
She released the water formation wall and dashed forward, attempting to close the distance.
Halfway—
Haku vanished again.
Chino skidded to a halt, frustration flashing across her face.
Hand seals flew.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Her strongest Water Release to date.
A roaring water dragon surged forth, smashing into one of the ice mirrors—
CRACK.
The mirror trembled violently.
Haku reappeared within another mirror and quickly formed seals.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
A defensive curtain of water rose before him, blocking the dragon's impact.
Chino's eyes locked onto him—
Genjutsu was about to activate—
But Haku disappeared once more.
Her expression darkened.
Absolute disadvantage.
As long as the mirrors remained intact, her Ketsuryugan was effectively crippled.
Meanwhile, Haku could move freely between reflections, wearing her down bit by bit.
Watching from the sidelines, Kitazawa couldn't help recalling Haku's battle against Sasuke in the original timeline. The situation was eerily similar.
If Naruto hadn't erupted with Kyuubi's chakra that day—
Both Naruto and Sasuke would have lost.
Two more minutes passed.
Chino's movements slowed.
Her chakra thinned.
Finally, she exhaled and lowered her hands.
"I concede."
"The winner—Haku!"
Iruka announced clearly.
The Genius Class immediately burst into discussion.
"Haku's gotten way stronger…" Kiba muttered seriously.
He wasn't even sure if his attacks could break those mirrors.
"Haku's growth really is impressive," Yakumo nodded.
"That Ice Release technique is terrifying," Ino agreed. "If you're trapped inside, you're automatically at a disadvantage."
"It counters control-type secret techniques completely," Shikamaru sighed.
"My Summoning Beasts aren't afraid of him!" Tayuya declared proudly.
Sasuke, Kimimaro, and Neji remained silent.
All three were confident they could shatter the mirrors.
"Chino underestimated him," Sakura analyzed. "She should've activated her Ketsuryugan from the start—like Sasuke-kun does."
"True," Shikamaru nodded. "That genjutsu is no joke."
"It's basically a crisis for us seniors!" Kiba scratched his head.
"The Genius Class doesn't have seniors and juniors," Tenten said with a bright smile.
Just then—
"First round, second match: Tenten versus Akimichi Choji!"
Iruka announced.
The match ended even faster.
Tenten won cleanly using the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, overwhelming Choji with sheer volume.
From the sidelines, Hiruzen watched her thoughtfully.
He couldn't help thinking of his summoning partner—Enma.
Enma possessed an indestructible body and could transform into the Adamantine Staff.
Tenten had mastered the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and was skilled in summoning…
But her taijutsu was average.
Not quite suited for Enma.
Hiruzen's gaze drifted toward Naruto.
Yet Naruto already wielded Samehada and possessed monstrous chakra.
He hardly needed Enma.
Lee. Jugo. Perhaps even Karin or Shion in the future.
Or…
Konohamaru.
Konohamaru would turn six on December 20th.
Next year, he could enter the Genius Class.
Perhaps then, Hiruzen would know.
He was getting old.
Enma needed a successor.
"First round, third match: Hyuga Hinata versus Hotaru!"
Iruka called out.
Hotaru stepped forward nervously.
She knew Water Release—but only basic techniques: Water Bullet and Water Formation Wall.
A pale Yin Release arrow shot forward.
Hotaru reacted quickly, raising a water wall.
The arrow curved.
It bent mid-flight.
Bypassed the barrier entirely.
Hotaru froze—
Before it struck, Kitazawa flickered forward and carried her out of harm's way.
"How did that arrow turn?!" Sakura gasped.
"That's the Void Arc Arrow Kitazawa-sensei taught us," Neji explained. "It allows directional control."
Sasuke and Kimimaro exchanged subtle glances.
An arrow that could curve midair—
Harder to predict.
Harder to defend.
Neji's lips curved faintly.
If they knew about the World-Destroying Arrow, their jaws would drop.
In a real life-and-death battle…
He believed he could defeat even Sasuke or Naruto with it.
"The winner—Hyuga Hinata!"
Iruka continued without pause.
"First round, fourth match: Karin versus Shion!"
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
These two were similar—both specialized in Sealing Techniques, both destined to study Medical Ninjutsu and taijutsu.
But seals weren't ideal in open combat.
So they clashed using Konoha-Style Taijutsu.
The exchange was swift and clean.
Ultimately, Karin's experience proved superior.
She secured the win.
With that, all three new students had completed their first matches.
Kitazawa evaluated silently.
Chino and Haku could enter the top fifteen.
Shion and Hotaru…
Likely hovering near the bottom of the top twenty-one.
Still—
For newcomers—
That was already impressive.
And the real battles were only just beginning.
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