A new week arrived—Monday.
Only two weeks remained until the final exams in early April.
At ten in the morning, Kitazawa stepped into the ANBU Base.
"Kitazawa."
Konan rose to her feet and handed him a document. "This is the list of ninja who meet your criteria."
"Thanks."
Kitazawa sat beside her and opened the file.
He needed to select eighteen Ninja for the Genius Class's final exam sparring matches.
There were three conditions:
First, their strength couldn't be too high.
Jonin like Kakashi, Gai, or Itachi were out of the question—pitting them against children wouldn't be sparring; it'd be slaughter.
Second, they needed to be well-known.
Nothing boosted a student's reputation faster than defeating a familiar name.
Third, their personalities needed to be stable.
No unhinged, trauma-inducing, PTSD-delivering personalities allowed. Kitazawa wasn't about to let some deranged ninja traumatize his students.
Though realistically, anyone who dared retaliate outside the exam would face the wrath of Konoha's entire leadership. Everyone knew how important the Genius Class was.
"There are a lot of candidates," Kitazawa murmured.
More than three hundred names filled the list.
Selecting eighteen would take time.
He flipped through the pages and quickly spotted familiar names—Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.
Both were Chunin, and with the Earth Curse Mark, they could temporarily reach Special Jonin level.
He circled their names without hesitation.
An hour later, Kitazawa had filled all but the top seven slots.
He paused over the remaining list.
The top seven students—Naruto, Yakumo, Sasuke, Kimimaro, Hinata, Neji, and Shino—were in a league of their own now.
Hinata and Neji had skyrocketed in strength after receiving their bows.
Shino's growth after mastering the Jōryū Clan's secret techniques was startling.
These seven would need special Jonin or even Jonin opponents.
Not only could they handle it, but defeating a Jonin would also build the momentum the "New Konoha Three Sannin" needed to someday exist.
"It's lunchtime."
Konan's soft voice pulled him back.
She had checked the wall clock.
Kitazawa set the documents aside.
"I made a bento," Konan said, producing a lunchbox.
"You cooked this?" Kitazawa blinked, surprised by the non-ANBU-style box.
"Mhm."
"Thanks."
He opened it—grilled fish, rice, and vegetables.
He took a bite.
"…Delicious," he said honestly.
Konan simply removed her mask and ate quietly beside him.
After they finished, Kitazawa handed the empty box back.
He resumed making his selections.
Konan stood, stepped behind him, and gently began massaging his shoulders.
"…Thank you," Kitazawa said after a brief pause.
"Mhm."
Half an hour later, Kitazawa finished selecting the remaining six Ninja.
Everything was ready. Now they only had to wait for April tenth.
"Konan."
He held out the final list. "Notify them to be at the Ninja Academy at nine in the morning on April tenth."
Konan accepted the document and silently left.
Kitazawa watched her go, then headed home.
Half a month later—April 9th
The theoretical final exam of the Genius Class.
At 8:30 a.m., even though thirty minutes remained, most students had already gathered.
"Shikamaru, are you trying for first place again?" Sakura asked, watching him sprawled lazily across his desk.
"I'll try," Shikamaru muttered. "But I might not get it."
"You say that every time!" Sakura puffed her cheeks. "That's exactly what someone who will get first place says!"
"Rankings aren't that important," Choji said between crunches of chips. "We won't beat Neji or Sasuke anyway."
"I only care about one thing," Ino said proudly. "Finishing higher than Sakura."
"I beat you last time, remember?" Sakura smirked.
"That was the last time!" Ino snapped, hands on hips. "Last time doesn't count now!"
"Sasuke-kun?!"
Sakura suddenly froze, eyes sparkling.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, waving wildly.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura sprinted to him.
"You finally made it," Kiba said with relief. "I thought you'd miss the exam."
"I returned for one reason," Sasuke said coolly as he walked past them.
"To take first place."
"Sasuke-kun has activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan—he'll definitely get first place this time!"
Sakura announced proudly.
"You really haven't changed at all," Kiba muttered, rolling his eyes.
"They're back… all of them," Shikamaru sighed, already anticipating the chaos.
"This is so arrogant," Tayuya complained from the back row, annoyance written across her face.
"He does have the power for it," Jugo said, staring at Sasuke with reluctant admiration.
Even with the Earth Seal's inoculation, he still couldn't defeat Sasuke—and Kimimaro had lost even after using Cursed Seal, State Two.
"Strength is everything. It's only natural," Kimimaro added calmly, still carrying his old Otogakure mindset.
"Sasuke, does that mean your strength is basically at the Jonin level now?" Tenten asked, unable to suppress her curiosity.
"More or less," Sasuke replied with cool indifference.
A ripple of gasps spread across the room.
An eight-year-old Jonin—That was unprecedented.
Even in the Genius Class, where monsters were common, reaching Jonin-level was an entirely different realm.
Jonin were the pillars of a village—war-ready commanders.
"As expected of my eternal rival!" Naruto grinned, giving a thumbs up. "Tomorrow I'm challenging you to a youthful showdown!"
He lost last time when Sasuke was possessed by Satori—this time he was eager for a rematch.
"You'll lose," Sasuke declared confidently.
Then his gaze drifted to Yakumo.
Besides Naruto, she was his other target.
With his fully awakened Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he was certain he could surpass Yakumo in Genjutsu.
He would defeat Naruto, then Yakumo, and become the unquestioned number one of the Genius Class.
With the Three Tomoe activated… He felt invincible.
Yakumo watched him quietly.
She had heard the legendary reputation of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
But how would it fare against her own Kekkei Genkai?
Neji also sensed Sasuke's dismissive attitude.
Realistically, he knew he couldn't beat Three-Tomoe Sasuke.
But now… he had Meiha, the bow Kitazawa gifted him.
A symbol of his determination to break free from the "bird in the cage" fate.
"Jonin, huh…" Kimimaro murmured, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.
To surpass Sasuke, he needed his Shikotsumyaku to evolve—but there was a limit to how fast someone their age could grow.
"What's everyone talking about? Sounds lively."
A familiar voice drifted in.
Hinata's head snapped toward the door instinctively.
"Kitazawa-sensei! Good morning!" Ino greeted happily.
"We're talking about tomorrow's practical exam!" Naruto said excitedly. "Sasuke and I are going to have a blazing battle of youth!"
"You two can fight," Kitazawa said with a small smile, "but you'll have to postpone it."
Of course Sasuke came back with the intention of fighting Naruto and Yakumo.
It was practically in his blood.
But reality was cruel.
The Three-Tomoe Sharingan was powerful, yes—but Sasuke was still far too young to wield its full potential.
Even with full power, he wasn't guaranteed victory.
Yakumo? Impossible.
Naruto? A toss-up—about fifty-fifty.
"Why do we have to postpone it?" Naruto blinked.
Normally, they didn't even participate in practical exams—they just completed missions.
"Because tomorrow's exam won't be a mission," Kitazawa said cheerfully. "The top eighteen students of the Genius Class will face… mysterious challengers."
"Mysterious challengers?" Sakura echoed. "From other classes?"
"How could they match us?" Ino huffed, then turned to Kitazawa with sparkling eyes. "Are they Ninja who already graduated?"
"Correct. But no prize for guessing right," Kitazawa said, patting her head.
Ino immediately shot Sakura a smug look.
Hinata hesitated—she had figured it out too… just not fast enough to say it.
"Actual ninja?" Shikamaru murmured, stunned.
Even he hadn't expected Kitazawa to arrange spars between real ninja and students.
It sounded absurdly unfair.
"Will Gai-sensei be there?!" Lee practically vibrated with excitement.
"How could there be a Jonin?" Tenten groaned.
With Guy's power, they'd be flattened in a blink.
She was sure the opponents would be Chunin at most—not Jonin.
"I'm not afraid of Jonin," Sasuke said suddenly, voice cool.
"…"
Tenten had no retort.
As arrogant as that sounded… With a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, it wasn't wrong.
"Sasuke is right!" Naruto declared, flashing a grin. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is—just give it everything you've got! That's youth!"
"You'll find out tomorrow," Kitazawa said with a teasing smile. "For now, it stays a secret."
"Kitazawa-sensei, whisper it to me~." Ino leaned in and grabbed his arm with theatrical sweetness.
"Ino, we heard that," Sakura snapped.
"Alright, everyone, back to your seats."
Kitazawa flicked Ino lightly on the forehead.
"Ow—yes, Kitazawa-sensei…" Ino rubbed her head and retreated.
The others scattered back to their seats as well.
The bell rang—nine o'clock.
The written exam began.
Kitazawa left a Shadow Clone to invigilate and slipped out of the Academy.
After mastering Wood Release: Consecutive Connecting Houses, he had moved on to Wood Release: Four Pillar Prison—same naming pattern, completely different purpose.
Four Pillar House builds a cozy little home.
Four Pillar Prison builds… a giant wooden jail.
Perfect for trapping enemies.
By eleven, the written exam had ended.
Kitazawa wrapped up his training and returned to the office.
As expected, the written rankings barely shifted.
No surprise there—most students invested their time in battle skills, not test prep.
The Next Day
"Izumo, any idea why Lord Kitazawa wants us at the Academy?" Kotetsu muttered as they walked.
"No clue," Izumo sighed. "Lord Kitazawa is always five steps ahead of everyone else."
"True," Kotetsu chuckled. "Just like when he suddenly stuck us in the Curse Mark Unit. Didn't see THAT coming."
Izumo nodded.
Joining that unit had rocketed them from ordinary Chunin to Special Jonin—squad captains, even.
Their status had skyrocketed overnight.
"Asuma-senpai!"
Kotetsu spotted a familiar figure.
"Oh, it's you two," Asuma greeted with a faint smile.
"Asuma-senpai, why aren't you at ANBU today?" Kotetsu asked.
"I have something to handle at the Academy," Asuma replied.
"We're headed there too! Kitazawa-sama summoned us."
"You too?" Asuma blinked. "What is that guy planning?"
"If you don't know, then no way we would," Izumo sighed.
"Let's just get there. We'll find out," Asuma said, picking up pace.
When they arrived—
"…Why are there so many people?" Izumo blurted out.
"Seriously, what's going on?" Asuma murmured.
The entire high command of Konoha was present—Tsunade, Fugaku, Hiashi, Shikaku… practically every clan head.
"It looks like they're all here to watch the practical exam," Kotetsu guessed.
"Has to be," Asuma said as realization dawned.
The stands around the training ground were already filled with Konoha's elites.
"Asuma."
Kakashi approached.
"Kakashi," Asuma nodded back. "How's teaching?"
"Not bad."
Kakashi pointed. "Your positions are over there."
"The… Combat Ninja Area?" Asuma repeated. "What does that mean?"
"Kitazawa didn't tell you?" Kakashi tilted his head. "You're sparring with the Genius Class."
"…What?"
Asuma's voice jumped an octave.
"How could your students possibly be my opponents?!"
"That's… debatable," Kakashi said after a moment's thought.
"…?"
Asuma stared at him, utterly confused.
There was no universe where a seasoned Jonin like him could lose to a bunch of eight-year-olds… right?
"You'll see soon," Kakashi said, waving him off. "Go on."
"Hmph. Just don't get mad when I rough up your students," Asuma grumbled.
He headed to the Combat Ninja Area with Izumo and Kotetsu.
The lineup waiting for them made Asuma freeze.
Uchiha Tekka—Jonin.
Uchiha Inabi—Jonin.
Hyuga Hizashi—elite Jonin.
Uzuki Yugao—an ANBU-level Kenjutsu specialist.
Asuma's mouth twitched.
This roster could topple a small village.
And they were here… for a Ninja Academy final exam?
Absurd.
"You two came as well."
A man in sunglasses approached—Ebisu.
"Ebisu-senpai, long time," Izumo and Kotetsu greeted.
"I'm no senpai anymore," Ebisu said with a wry smile concealing his jealousy. "You two outrank me now."
He had applied to the Curse Mark Unit too, but hadn't qualified to receive it.
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