Thursday, May 1st. Noon.
After a full morning of training, Kitazawa lay sprawled across Konan's lap, her steady, practiced massage slowly pulling him into sleep.
He wasn't sure how long he'd drifted before a knock echoed through the room.
Kitazawa's eyes opened on instinct. Konan's face filled half his vision; the rest was obscured by by the bumps of her chest.
"Should I send him away?" she asked quietly, already reading his expression.
"At this time, it's probably Iruka," Kitazawa said as he sat up, shaking his head. "If he's here, it won't be without reason."
"Then I'll step out."
Konan reached for her ANBU mask and turned—only for Kitazawa to catch her wrist.
"…Something else?" she asked, puzzled.
He answered by leaning in and kissing her.
Konan stiffened for a split second, then relaxed without protest.
Ever since that first kiss crossed the line, moments like this had become routine. At first she resisted out of reflex; now, familiarity dulled her hesitation, allowing him to close the distance whenever he wished.
Kitazawa knew exactly what he was doing.
Konan wasn't Tsunade—this was the fastest way to bind her closer.
"Come back after he leaves," he murmured, brushing her flushed cheek before letting go and returning to his desk.
By the time he sat down, she was already gone.
"Enter."
The door opened.
"Kitazawa-senpai."
Iruka stepped inside, holding a stack of papers. "These are next week's mid-term exam sheets. Please review them."
"No issues." Kitazawa skimmed them quickly. "Print enough copies for the genius class."
"Yes."
"One more thing." Iruka hesitated, then continued. "Shion has mastered Konoha-style taijutsu and the Three Basic Jutsu. What should I teach her next?"
"You're done for now," Kitazawa said, waving him off. "Focus on the mid-terms."
"Understood."
Iruka bowed and exited.
"Back to napping?" Konan asked as she reappeared.
"No. Class starts in fifteen minutes." Kitazawa glanced at the clock. "Come here."
He moved to the sofa.
Konan approached.
"Ten-minute power nap."
He pulled her onto his lap and closed his eyes, resting his cheek against her hair.
He didn't actually sleep.
His thoughts drifted to the upcoming mid-terms—and to Oyashiro En.
He'd promised Konan they would deal with that together.
Whether En joined Akatsuki didn't concern him. Strong as he was, Oyashiro En was only an elite jōnin—hardly a real threat.
At this point, only Nagato could truly endanger him.
Possibly Obito. Possibly Black Zetsu.
Obito's danger lay in Kamui's escape speed—but Kitazawa already knew its weakness. Against him, Obito would be little more than a nuisance… though still dangerous to those nearby.
Once Kitazawa mastered Flying Thunder God, Obito would be nothing more than a stray dog by the roadside.
Black Zetsu was another matter.
In the original timeline, it had stabbed Ten-Tails Madara straight through the heart. Kitazawa couldn't survive that kind of ambush—yet.
Still, Zetsu didn't seem to possess much direct combat strength.
Returning to the present, Kitazawa considered who to bring along.
First choice: Hyūga Hinata—likely useful for reconnaissance.
He remembered that Chino had trained within Oyashiro En's estate. En's methods mirrored Orochimaru's: throw gifted children together and let them tear each other apart.
After Chino awakened the Ketsurugan, En moved her to the arena.
Which meant she'd be either at his residence or the fighting grounds.
Second thought: Uchiha Sasuke.
The Uchiha and Chinoike clans were… connected.
By blood feud, no less.
To avoid complications, he discarded the idea. Konan's recruitment came first.
After a moment's thought, he settled on Haku and Ino.
Ino was chosen on impulse. Haku, on the other hand, had a system mission tied to him—and the journey would be a good opportunity to teach Water Release along the way.
Ten minutes passed.
Kitazawa patted Konan's back. She rose smoothly and stepped away.
"I'm heading out. Skip the tail—rest at the ANBU base."
He left the office.
With lunch break over, the Genius Class resumed training on the grounds.
"Shion."
Kitazawa found her and spoke calmly. "Sealing techniques today. Start with the Finger Carving Seal."
He had already mapped her growth path—mirroring Karin's.
First sealing techniques.
Then medical ninjutsu.
And finally, taijutsu.
[Current Mission: Teach Shion five sealing techniques within one year.]
[Reward: Five Elements Seal.]
[Accept?]
A pleasant surprise.
Five sealing techniques in a year sounded demanding—unless the student was Shion.
Raised in an environment steeped in fuinjutsu, she would grasp the fundamentals quickly. The Finger Carving Seal was low difficulty; at her pace, half a month would be more than enough.
With his guidance, five seals within a year was entirely achievable.
The system hadn't specified rank, which meant even low-level seals counted.
The Five Elements Seal, however, was no small prize—an A-rank fuinjutsu capable of disrupting existing seals. Orochimaru had once used it to tamper with Minato's Four Symbols Seal on Naruto.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
He already possessed most of the Uzumaki Clan's sealing library.
What he truly wanted was the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
That technique clearly leaned toward bloodline inheritance. Karin had manifested it instinctively, without training, in a moment of panic.
"Just what kind of trigger does the system want for that mission…?"
For someone without Uzumaki blood, it would almost certainly require system intervention.
Leaving a Shadow Clone behind to instruct Shion, Kitazawa moved on.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Haku approached him.
"What is it?"
"I've mastered Water Release: Water Bullet."
Kitazawa nodded. Haku's talent in water release was truly exceptional—one in a hundred.
Four more water release techniques, and that system mission would be complete.
"Then today, you'll learn Water Release: Water Formation Wall."
He formed another Shadow Clone to guide him.
—
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
Thursday arrived once more.
Midterm exams.
Written tests on Thursday. Combat assessments on Friday.
Kitazawa skipped the academy and trained alone in the Forest of Death, focusing on Wood Release: Hobi.
That afternoon, Konan appeared with the theory exam results.
He skimmed them briefly.
Little had changed.
Iruka's exams were consistent in difficulty every term, so rankings rarely shifted unless someone was affected by personal circumstances.
"Akatsuki hasn't rushed you?" Kitazawa asked, glancing at her.
By all logic, she should have recruited Oyashiro En two weeks ago.
"No," Konan replied. "Our leader doesn't concern himself with small matters."
To Nagato, Akatsuki's true value lay in the sealing jutsu for extracting Tailed Beasts—and he trusted Konan completely.
"Half a month is long enough," Kitazawa said, folding the report. "We leave tomorrow."
"Alright."
Konan hesitated, then asked, "Anything else?"
Kitazawa shook his head.
Seeing this, she donned her ANBU mask and disappeared.
—
Friday. Nine in the morning.
"—Team Six will be led by me. Members: Hyūga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, and Haku."
Kitazawa smiled lightly. "Assignments are complete. Go meet your respective squad leaders."
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino rushed over, grabbed his arm, and beamed up at him.
Hinata instinctively bit her lip.
She wasn't as bold—just a step too slow.
"Going on a mission makes you this happy?" Kitazawa asked Ino.
"I'm happy because I get to go on a mission with you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Her answer was immediate.
"Then I'm honored," Kitazawa replied dryly, freeing his arm. "No time to waste. We leave now."
"Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata asked softly from his left, "what's the mission?"
"We're heading to the Land of Lightning," he said, patting her head. "We're looking for a merchant named Oyashiro En."
Hinata smiled faintly.
—
The Land of Lightning lay northeast of the Land of Fire, separated by the Land of Rice Fields and the Land of the Moon.
At a normal ninja's pace, it would take two days to reach its border—and three to arrive at Kumogakure.
Night fell.
The team exited the Land of Fire and entered the Land of Rice Fields.
This time, Kitazawa didn't construct a wooden shelter. Instead, they stayed in Otogakure.
With Orochimaru gone, Guren now oversaw the village.
She received Kitazawa's team personally, seizing the opportunity to ask about Orochimaru's current situation.
It had to be said—Orochimaru inspired loyalty.
Even after being captured, Guren remained unwavering.
After dinner, Kitazawa returned to the room prepared for him.
The door closed.
Konan appeared.
He handed her a bento.
"Thanks."
She didn't open it immediately. Instead, she produced a scroll.
"What's this?" Kitazawa asked.
"Information on Oyashiro En."
Konan sat across from him, picked up her chopsticks, and began eating.
Kitazawa unrolled the scroll.
Oyashiro En had spent a vast fortune constructing an enormous manor, effectively turning it into a private domain.
It was located in northern Land of Lightning.
From Otogakure, they could reach it by tomorrow night.
What caught Kitazawa's attention was what wasn't written.
No mention of the Ketsurugan. No reference to the Chinoike Clan.
He guessed that Oyashiro En's long period of inactivity had obscured his true strength—even from Zetsu.
Kitazawa shook his head.
If Konan had gone alone, she might truly have suffered a loss.
The Ketsurugan might not rival the Mangekyō Sharingan, but it was easily on par with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Any problems?" Konan asked, watching him closely even as she ate.
"Not detailed enough," Kitazawa replied casually. "But it doesn't matter. With us there, he won't escape."
"Mm."
Konan nodded, hesitation flickering across her expression.
"With our relationship, you're still being this careful?" Kitazawa said lightly. "If you want something, just say it."
"This time, we're recruiting in Akatsuki's name," Konan said softly, avoiding his gaze. "I'd like you to wear Akatsuki robes."
"Of course," Kitazawa smiled. "That's nothing."
"…Thank you."
At that, Konan produced another scroll.
It was a summoning storage scroll.
She unsealed it and withdrew a black cloak embroidered with crimson clouds.
"I never thought I'd wear Akatsuki attire one day," Kitazawa remarked as he rose and slipped the cloak on.
He glanced at himself from side to side. The fit was unexpectedly perfect.
"How did you know my size?" he asked, mildly curious.
"By observing you," Konan replied, her gaze lingering on him a moment longer than necessary.
If only he truly belonged to Akatsuki… then she wouldn't have to worry so much.
"Is that so?" Kitazawa sat back down and spoke casually. "If Oyashiro En joins Akatsuki, give me this cloak as a gift."
"If you want it, you can take it now," Konan said, turning her head away. "No conditions."
"Then thanks."
In his previous life, Kitazawa had already liked this cloak. Now that he had the chance to claim it, there was no reason to refuse.
"I'm done eating. Get some rest," Konan said as she stood.
"Your room's to the left," Kitazawa added lightly. "You could stay here instead—the bed's big enough."
Konan froze, instinctively hesitated… then shook her head and left.
The night passed in silence.
—
Early the next morning, after breakfast, the group continued onward.
By late afternoon—around five or six—they finally arrived at their destination: Oyashiro En's estate.
"What a massive place!" Ino exclaimed, staring at the towering mansion. "It feels even bigger than the Hokage Building!"
"When it comes to making money," Kitazawa said casually, "merchants beat ninjas every time."
"Kitazawa-sensei," Ino asked, puzzled, "we've found Oyashiro En—what now?"
Kitazawa activated his Byakugan and swept the estate.
Inside, numerous children were training—but none matched Chino's description.
Chino's hair leaned toward gold.
"Follow me."
Extending the range of his Byakugan, Kitazawa quickly located the arena within the estate. Under his lead, the four entered.
"Welcome," a young woman greeted them with a practiced smile. "Here's today's match schedule."
Kitazawa accepted it without much interest.
"You may purchase tickets for any match," she continued. "I recommend the Typhoon Battle—Fuushin. You won't regret it."
Kitazawa remembered Fuushin's file.
The arena's ace, wielder of the Bloodline Limit Typhoon Release—an enhanced form of Wind Release with overwhelming power.
In the original timeline, Fuushin would later lose to Chino and become her subordinate. Together, they would found the Lightning Gang—wandering the land and doing good, reminiscent of Akatsuki's early days.
"I'm not here to watch," Kitazawa said calmly. "I'm here to challenge."
"…Challenge?" The woman startled. "Are you serious?"
"I am." He gestured toward Hinata, Ino, and Haku. "Register these three."
"Sir, please don't joke," she refused quickly. "They're just children. If the match isn't exciting, we lose money."
"Register them."
Kitazawa activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
The woman stiffened, then immediately nodded. "U-Understood."
Kitazawa silently praised the Sharingan's convenience.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Ino asked curiously, "are we… conquering the arena?"
"Besides Fuushin, there's another ace here—Chino," Kitazawa said with a faint smile. "Your task is to find her. But if you lose along the way, you won't."
"An arena like this? No problem!" Ino declared confidently.
Normally, jōnin didn't appear in places like this. They had better ways to earn money than entertaining crowds.
"I'll leave a Shadow Clone to protect you," Kitazawa said, patting her head. "If any of you lose, your homework doubles when we get back."
"…Huh?"
Ino froze in shock.
Kitazawa formed seals, and a Shadow Clone appeared.
According to the original story, the arena's strongest fighters were Fuushin and Chino. Their strength was nothing to scoff at—pushed far enough, they could threaten even a jōnin.
For Ino and the others, it was ideal combat training.
Kitazawa's real task, of course, lay elsewhere: disguising himself as an Akatsuki member and recruiting Oyashiro En alongside Konan.
—
After leaving the arena, Konan appeared beside him.
She had changed into Akatsuki's black cloak, red clouds vivid against the fabric. Her ANBU mask was gone.
"This outfit suits you better," Kitazawa said, studying her with approval.
Then he produced another cloak and draped it over her shoulders.
"Your forehead protector," Konan reminded him.
Kitazawa tucked his Konoha hitai-ate away.
There was no need for a transformation technique. Oyashiro En had never seen him—his true identity was safe.
And once En joined Akatsuki, meeting him again would be even harder.
If they crossed paths later, the situation would be entirely different.
Together, they arrived before Oyashiro En's residence.
With a flick of Kitazawa's wrist, the gate burst open.
"Who are you?!" the guards shouted, rushing forward.
Byakugan Suppression!
Kitazawa's eyes sharpened.
Invisible pressure slammed outward.
The guards collapsed instantly.
Konan glanced at him, shock flashing in her eyes.
…What kind of Yin Release Secret Technique was that?
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