After breakfast, Kitazawa and Kurenai arrived at the Ninja Academy.
The Genius Class's second monthly exam of the semester had entered its final stage—the practical test. The written portion had been completed the day before.
With Sasuke still absent, the theoretical top three remained unchanged:
Shikamaru, Haruno, and Neji.
At the Training Ground, Kitazawa, Kurenai, Hiruzen, Kakashi, and a few other instructors discussed the grouping. Since Kitazawa planned to take four students on a mission afterward, the number of exempt students needed to be expanded to nineteen.
While they were finalizing arrangements, the Genius Class trickled in one by one.
"Sasuke-kun isn't back yet…?"
Sakura scanned the crowd anxiously.
"Didn't we visit him at the Uchiha compound last week?" Ino nudged her.
"Seeing him once isn't the same as seeing him today," Sakura huffed.
"It is the Three-Tomoe Sharingan," Shikamaru yawned. "Takes time to master."
"Forget Sasuke," Kiba pumped his fist. "His absence just means it's easier for us to get first place!"
"You'll have to beat Neji first," Tenten teased.
"Hey, anything can happen in a mission! What if Neji doesn't run into any enemies?" Kiba shot back.
"That applies to everyone," Shino said calmly.
"Right," Tenten nodded. "What if you don't run into any enemies, Kiba?"
"My luck is always good!" Kiba declared proudly.
"Hmph, first place might be mine this time!" Tayuya interjected.
"The final rank includes the written exam, you know," Ino reminded her.
Tayuya stiffened.
Her written grades were… unspeakable.
Kimimaro and Haku had already surpassed her academically despite joining later.
"Kitazawa-sensei is coming," Sakura whispered. "I hope I don't get stuck with Ino again."
"I don't want to be paired with you either!" Ino snapped.
"I hope I get Naruto!"
Lee said with fiery enthusiasm. "Our last mission was overflowing with youth!"
Sakura pressed her forehead.
Overflowing with terror, in her opinion.
Hinata fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes drifting toward Kitazawa.
Would he be her squad leader this time…?
Kitazawa stepped forward.
"Now, I'll announce the groupings for the practical exam," he said. "Squad One will be led by me."
Hinata instantly tensed, staring at him with wide, hopeful eyes.
Ino perked up as well.
"The members are: Kurama Yakumo, Hyūga Neji, Hyūga Hinata, and Tenten."
A ripple of surprise spread through the class.
"Kitazawa-sensei, why does your squad have four people?"
Naruto raised his hand.
"This mission will be slightly troublesome," Kitazawa replied. "So we're using a four-person cell."
Kiba went pale. "Yakumo and Neji in the same squad?! My first place is gone! AGAIN!"
Ino sighed dramatically.
Still no Kitazawa squad for her.
Hinata, however, couldn't hide the tiny smile blooming on her lips.
She wasn't worried about the danger.
She was simply… happy.
Neji frowned slightly.
Team Yakumo–Hinata–Tenten?
That was tricky.
Any of them could steal the perfect-score spotlight from him, especially with Tenten's ability to summon Shiromari.
"Squad Two, led by Lord Third," Kitazawa continued.
Soon, all six squads were assigned.
There were groans and cheers, but it was just a practical exam—another chance would come next month.
The exam began, and the top nineteen students headed off to find their squad leaders.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Tenten greeted him with a bright smile—teaming with Neji again clearly delighted her.
Hinata quickly moved to stand beside Kitazawa, quiet but visibly excited.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Yakumo and Neji approached.
"Our mission this time is in the Land of Takumi," Kitazawa said. "The journey is long, so I'll give you one hour to prepare."
He glanced over the four of them.
"In one hour, meet me at Konoha's main gate."
The Land of Takumi sat just west of the Land of Wind.
In the original timeline, it took three days for an average shinobi to reach Wind Country—meaning a round trip to Takumi Village would take nearly a week.
For the Genius Class, this would be their longest mission yet.
"Understood, Kitazawa-sensei."
Yakumo, Neji, Hinata, and Tenten responded in unison before heading out to prepare.
Once they dispersed, Kitazawa made his way to the ANBU Base.
This mission wasn't just about the four prodigies—two ANBU squads were already stationed in Takumi Village, shadowing the Four Celestial Symbols from the inside.
Kitazawa entered his office.
As always, Konan sat elegantly on the sofa, reading.
He walked over without a word and rested his head on her lap as naturally as breathing.
Konan quietly closed her book and set it aside.
She didn't speak—she simply placed her cool hands on his temples and began massaging with practiced gentleness.
"Has Itachi departed?"
Kitazawa asked, looking up at her through the curtain of her hair.
"He left two hours ago," Konan replied softly. "ANBU contacted him directly."
Kitazawa nodded.
Itachi's role was simple—arrive first, assess the situation, and prepare the groundwork for Konoha's silent takeover of Takumi Village.
Since Kitazawa would be escorting students, Itachi had to go ahead.
"And your Akatsuki member's medicine?" Kitazawa asked, already knowing the answer.
Konan's eyes dipped. "Another week before it runs out."
"After this mission, bring him to the Land of Fire," Kitazawa said, thinking of the system's mission regarding Nagato.
He was curious—what would the enhanced Living Corpse Reincarnation truly achieve?
Konan lowered her gaze.
"…Do you want me with you on this mission?"
Her slight lean forward made the lines beneath her cloak shift subtly.
"We're going to Takumi Village," Kitazawa said. "And on the return trip we'll pass near Wind Country. You can return to Akatsuki from there."
In other words—she was coming along.
Konan nodded faintly.
"Wake me in thirty minutes," Kitazawa said, closing his eyes.
Konan didn't answer—she simply shifted her hands and continued massaging him, her touch slowly moving from his temples to his neck, then to his shoulders.
Time drifted quietly.
"It's time," she whispered.
Kitazawa opened his eyes, stretching.
He hadn't been sleeping—just training his Yang Release Chakra Mode.
He stood up, looked at Konan, and after a brief pause, reached out and pinched her cheek lightly.
Konan blinked, stunned for a heartbeat.
"Let's go," he said casually.
Her calm temperament always tempted him to tease her.
"Mhm," she replied softly and followed him out.
Outside the base, she vanished instantly, slipping into the shadows to tail him from afar.
Kitazawa reached Konoha's main gate fifteen minutes early—and found Hinata already waiting.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" She rushed forward, bowing slightly.
"Why are you here alone?"
He patted her head gently.
"I… didn't have much to pack," she murmured shyly, fingers twisting together.
"Let's get registered then," Kitazawa smiled, glancing at the two new gate guards who were staring nervously.
"L–Lord Kitazawa!"
They immediately straightened like arrows.
"Good vigilance," Kitazawa nodded. "Help me register my team."
"Y-Yes, Lord Kitazawa!"
Their eyes sparkled.
Kitazawa's reputation in Konoha had reached near-Sannin levels—borderline hero worship.
After registration, Yakumo, Neji, and Tenten arrived early as well.
And so, the group set off toward Takumi Village.
By dusk, they reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
"We'll camp here tonight," Kitazawa said, scanning the spacious clearing.
Tenten blinked.
"But it's too open… we should find a hidden spot."
"That won't be necessary."
They all turned to him, confused.
"No tents either," he added.
"Eh?"
The four students looked bewildered.
Were they… sleeping on dirt?
Kitazawa only chuckled and formed a sequence of hand seals.
Wood Release: Four Pillar House!
With a deep rumble, a fully formed, beautifully structured wooden house erupted from the ground.
"W–WOW!"
Tenten's jaw dropped.
"A ninjutsu like this exists…?"
Yakumo and Neji exchanged stunned looks.
"So incredible…"
Hinata's eyes sparkled with pure admiration.
Watching from the shadows, Konan narrowed her eyes.
Is this… a Summoning Technique?
The idea of Wood Release didn't occur to her at first.
Hashirama's Wood Release held an almost mythic place in shinobi history—
something world-shaking, battlefield-dominating.
To see it used…to build a house?
It simply didn't fit the image ingrained in her mind.
And Kitazawa wasn't even Senju.
Summoning, however?
That was perfectly plausible.
After all, summoning techniques were versatile enough to bring forth almost anything—
even the enormous Triple Rashomon Kitazawa had once used.
"Everyone, come in."
Kitazawa pushed the door open and stepped into the living room of the newly created wooden house.
Hinata was the first to follow, her pale eyes widening in wonder.
The inside was far more refined than any of them had expected—
sturdy tables and chairs, a proper living area, even a full kitchen layout.
Aside from appliances, it looked like a real home… conjured in mere seconds.
"Kitazawa-sensei, is this something we can learn too?"
Tenten asked, her eyes sparkling with envy.
Yakumo and Neji also looked expectantly at him.
If they could use a jutsu like this, missions would become luxurious.
"For now, no," Kitazawa said simply.
Tenten slumped a little, disappointed.
"Go look around," Kitazawa said, waving them off. "Pick your rooms. I'll handle dinner."
He headed into the 'kitchen,' which—unsurprisingly—contained nothing but wooden counters.
Wood Release: Four Pillar House could form furniture… but not cookware.
Kitazawa unsealed his cooking set from a summoning scroll and began preparing their meal.
"There are exactly five rooms," Tenten said, surprised. "Can the jutsu control that too?"
"It must," Yakumo sighed admiringly. "Kitazawa-sensei really can do anything."
Neji nodded. "One room per person."
"Which one are you taking?" Tenten asked him.
"Any is fine."
"I—I'll pick last," Hinata said quickly, flustered by the idea of choosing first.
"I'll take the far-right room," Yakumo decided.
"Then Neji and I will take the ones next to hers," Tenten said brightly.
Neji accepted without argument.
Hinata quietly nodded—she would get the fourth room.
Everyone seemed satisfied.
After half an hour, Kitazawa finished cooking.
He was about to carry the food out when he stopped.
"Konan."
Konan appeared instantly.
"This is yours."
He packed a neat bento and handed it to her.
"…Thank you."
Konan blinked, caught off guard, then accepted it carefully.
Kitazawa carried the remaining dishes out.
Four students sat waiting obediently at the low table.
"Eat up," Kitazawa said, taking the seat beside Hinata.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" they said in unison.
Dinner passed quickly, warmth filling the wooden home.
Night had fallen, but the moon shone bright enough for shinobi.
"Use the remaining time to train," Kitazawa ordered from the doorway.
Neji and Hinata immediately turned to Gentle Fist practice, flowing through the patterns of Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
After nearly two years under Kitazawa, they were close to mastering it.
Yakumo sat cross-legged, refining her Genjutsu Bloodline Limit.
Tenten practiced Shuriken Shadow Clone with intense focus.
Kitazawa watched all four, then focused particularly on the Hyuga siblings.
Once they perfected Sixty-Four Palms, what next?
Kaiten was possible… but too advanced for their age.
Then an idea struck him.
Why force the Hyuga down only one path?
With the Yin Release bows coming, archery might be a better direction.
Their current archery training was basic—fine against normal shinobi, useless against true threats.
If he could create a completely new series of bow-based techniques…
A new clan-style system could be born—
just like the Ino–Shika–Cho trio.
At that moment, glowing words appeared before his eyes:
[Current Mission: Create the first Bow-Style Secret Technique.]
[Reward: Gentle Fist Twin Lion Fists.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa almost laughed.
Twin Lion Fists? Now that's a reward.
He pondered the new technique.
The key wasn't the bow—it was the arrow.
A high-speed spiraling projectile…
A Spiral Arrow.
And an upgraded version—
Spiral Explosive Arrow, detonation upon contact.
If precision failed, overwhelming firepower would finish the job.
He now had two viable techniques for the new style.
"Alright. That's enough for today."
Kitazawa clapped once. "Turn in early—we travel at dawn."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!"
The four dispersed to their rooms.
Kitazawa closed the door and headed to his own—the last unclaimed room.
It contained only a wooden bed, but compared to sleeping outdoors, it was luxury.
He was about to sit down when a thought struck him.
…I forgot about Konan's room.
He had created exactly five.
"Konan."
She appeared soundlessly before him.
"Did you bring a sleeping bag?" Kitazawa asked.
"We can squeeze in."
Konan froze for a second.
"…I'll keep watch outside."
She turned her eyes away.
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