On the Ninja Academy's training grounds, Sasuke and Naruto stood shoulder to shoulder.
The rest of the genius class formed a loose circle around them, eyes fixed forward.
"Sasuke, let's go!"
Naruto thrust out his hand and shouted, "Yang Release: Rasengan!"
Yang Release Chakra surged, spinning violently as a blue Rasengan formed in his palm.
"…"
Sasuke's mouth twitched.
He had told Naruto countless times not to yell the name—but expecting him to listen was a fool's hope.
"Yin Release: Rasengan."
Sasuke spread his fingers. Yin Release Chakra compressed inward, condensing into a deep green Rasengan.
"In the name of youth, this time it'll work!"
Naruto roared, eyes blazing. "Taiji Rasengan!"
Sasuke raised his hand, expression flat.
The Yin and Yang Rasengan rose above their heads—and began to fuse.
"Not good!"
Naruto felt it first, the Chakra spiraling out of control like a ruptured current.
"Move!"
Sasuke barked.
They withdrew instantly, body flickering in opposite directions.
BOOM!
The Yin–Yang Rasengan detonated midair.
A violent storm of Chakra erupted outward, blasting dust and pressure in all directions.
"…That's terrifying,"
Kiba muttered.
"Woof!"
At his feet, a small white dog barked sharply.
"What's Akamaru saying?"
Choji asked around with a mouthful of chips.
"He says that was insanely scary," Kiba translated.
"If it's this strong when it fails, imagine when it succeeds."
"That's ridiculous power," Tenten said, eyes wide.
"Tch… too bad I can't use Yang Release: Rasengan,"
Sakura clicked her tongue. "Otherwise, with Sasuke-kun and my perfect teamwork, we'd have mastered it already!"
"As if," Ino shot back. "That's an S-rank compound Ninjutsu, forehead!"
"You two are close enough—you might get your chance someday," Kurama Yakumo said gently.
"Impossible!"
Ino and Sakura answered in perfect unison.
Though one specialized in Yin and the other in Yang, in theory they could pull it off.
"Good thing they won't be on the same team," Kiba said with relief. "If they teamed up, who could stop that Taiji Rasengan?"
"Don't say stuff like that,"
Shikamaru muttered. "You'll curse us."
Kimimaro sighed quietly.
Naruto and Sasuke were growing at an alarming pace—and they weren't the only ones. Yakumo and Neji had also surpassed him.
At this rate… would he even qualify as a captain next time?
Neji, however, remained calm.
Since learning the World-Ending Arrow, his perspective had changed entirely.
Though forbidden to use it, just understanding its existence had elevated his mindset—and his strength.
"All right," Kitazawa clapped his hands. "Back to training. Shion, stay."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," the Genius Class responded, dispersing across the field.
"Kitazawa-sensei?"
Shion stepped forward. "You called?"
"Your Fūka Hōin is solid,"
Kitazawa said with a smile. "Today, I'll teach you another sealing technique—the Four Limbs Heavy Seal."
This would be her fifth seal.
Once mastered, her system mission would be complete.
"Watch carefully."
Kitazawa formed hand seals.
In an instant, Shion felt an overwhelming weight slam down on her body—like a mountain pressing from every direction.
Her limbs locked. She couldn't move an inch.
The pressure forced her toward the ground.
Kitazawa released the seal and caught her before she fell.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei," Shion exhaled, steadying herself.
The sensation had been suffocating—but she understood the technique immediately.
No further explanation was needed.
After lecturing for another half hour and ensuring she grasped the fundamentals, Kitazawa left a shadow clone to guide her and moved on.
Noon arrived.
Kitazawa ended his Flying Thunder God practice and took a few steps—
Then stopped.
"Kitazawa-sama."
Itachi appeared beside him.
"That was fast," Kitazawa said, surprised. "I expected this to take longer."
"Good fortune,"
Itachi replied evenly. "I encountered Hidden Mist ANBU—and learned Utakata's location."
"I see."
Kitazawa nodded.
In the original timeline, Naruto's group had met Hotaru only after stumbling into a clash between Mist ANBU and Utakata.
This time—
Things were already changing.
"Kitazawa-sama, this contains Katsura's information—and Utakata's location."
Itachi handed over a scroll.
"Thanks."
Kitazawa accepted it. "Did you run into Mist ANBU?"
"No," Itachi replied calmly. "I used my Mangekyō Sharingan to control one of them—then redirected their search so they missed Utakata entirely."
"Well done."
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "Leaving things to you really does save me trouble."
The encounter with Mist ANBU had been pure coincidence—but Itachi had read the situation instantly and chosen the most efficient solution. Truly an ideal tool.
"Get some rest," Kitazawa said.
After Itachi departed, he unrolled the scroll.
The upper section detailed Katsura's background.
Once a prodigy of the Tsuchigumo Clan, Katsura had coveted the clan's forbidden kinjutsu and murdered his own father to obtain it. After fleeing the clan, he formed a small ninja group—but compared to Akatsuki, it was laughably insignificant. Aside from Katsura himself, the rest were little more than armed bandits.
The file also noted his proficiency in Earth Release.
The lower half of the scroll displayed a map, clearly marking Utakata's current location.
Kitazawa rolled it up, tucked it away, and headed for the Hokage Building.
On the way, he stopped by a nearby izakaya and picked up a boxed lunch.
"Tsunade-sensei."
He pushed open the Hokage Office door.
"I smell something familiar," Tsunade said immediately, eyes lighting up. "You got the tender chicken, didn't you?"
"You're not an Inuzuka," Kitazawa said dryly as he set the box down. "How is your nose that sharp?"
"The stronger you get, the sharper your senses become," Tsunade replied smugly. "I'm a medical ninja. At this distance, not smelling it would be abnormal."
"Fair enough."
He handed her the chopsticks.
"Great flavor," Tsunade said after a bite. "Too bad there's no sake."
"How's work been lately?" Kitazawa asked, eating as well.
"How do you think?" She rolled her eyes. "Don't talk politics while I'm enjoying food."
"The Genius Class mid-term is coming up," he said with a smile. "I've got a mission—interested?"
"What kind of mission?"
Tsunade paused. "Unless it's major, Shizune won't let me leave the village."
"She won't object to this one."
"Oh?"
Tsunade's interest was immediately piqued.
As Hokage, she rarely left Konoha—only for matters of war or affairs involving the Fire Daimyō. And lately, both Konoha and the Land of Fire had been unusually peaceful.
"Utakata," Kitazawa said.
"…Who?"
"The Six-Tails Jinchūriki."
Tsunade's chopsticks froze midair.
She frowned, thinking.
If Konoha and Hidden Mist were enemies, capturing Utakata would be obvious. But they weren't—on paper, they were allies.
"Under normal circumstances," Kitazawa said casually, "we'd inform Hidden Mist."
Tsunade immediately caught the implication.
"…But you have other ideas."
"Even allies don't get freebies," Kitazawa replied evenly. "We capture Utakata—alive—and trade him back."
Tsunade considered it, then nodded.
"That could work."
"Then we leave tomorrow."
Kitazawa wasn't surprised by her agreement. As Hokage, Tsunade always chose what benefited Konoha most.
Alliances were fragile things.
"You really are suited to being Hokage," Tsunade said with a faint smirk.
"I'll take that as praise," Kitazawa chuckled, "not an accusation of shamelessness."
"It's praise," she confirmed. "Utakata is a Jinchūriki—we'll need a good price."
"You set the terms," Kitazawa said, then paused. "But there's one piece of intelligence we must obtain."
"What is it?"
"Do you know why Utakata defected?"
Without dragging it out, Kitazawa explained everything.
"…There's really a method like that?"
Tsunade couldn't hide her shock.
"ANBU confirmed its existence," Kitazawa said honestly. "Whether it truly keeps a Jinchūriki alive is uncertain."
"No matter what," Tsunade said quietly, "we need it." She exhaled softly.
"If we'd known sooner… Kushina might have lived."
"We can't change the past," Kitazawa said gently. "But if this method works, it gives future Jinchūriki a safety net."
"…Mm."
Tsunade nodded.
"After lunch, I'll go see Shizune," Kitazawa added casually. "Since this involves the Six-Tails, delaying a few days is perfectly reasonable."
Tsunade's eyes gleamed.
She immediately understood—and approved.
"Then I'm gambling for days straight!"
"Outside casinos aren't as fun as Konoha's," Kitazawa said.
"Easy solution."
Tsunade shrugged. "We'll just sneak back in."
"That's hilarious."
Kitazawa laughed.
"What's funny about it?" Tsunade frowned.
"The Hokage sneaking into her own village," Kitazawa said. "How is that not funny?"
"…Tch."
Put that way, it was ridiculous.
Before becoming Hokage, she could come and go freely. Now she had to sneak around.
What exactly was the point of being Hokage again?
No—the real problem was Shizune.
Tsunade shook her head inwardly.
She hadn't noticed it before, but ever since Shizune had taken on the role of Hokage's secretary, she'd become far too serious and conscientious.
'
I'll go deal with Shizune.'
After lunch, Kitazawa headed to the Hokage Secretariat.
He pushed open the door to find Shizune buried in paperwork, her hands moving briskly as she sorted documents with practiced efficiency.
"Kitazawa?"
Shizune looked up, surprised.
"Shizune-senpai."
Kitazawa didn't waste time. "I'm here to request leave—for Tsunade-sensei."
"…Why is it always you asking for leave?"
Shizune's lips twitched.
"Pure coincidence," Kitazawa coughed lightly. "ANBU has located Hidden Mist's Six-Tails Jinchūriki—Utakata."
"You and Lady Hokage plan to capture him?"
Shizune's expression sharpened immediately.
If they were merely informing Hidden Mist, leave wouldn't be necessary. And since Utakata was a missing-nin, Konoha had every right to apprehend him.
"Mm."
Kitazawa nodded.
"All right."
After a brief pause, Shizune sighed. "Stay safe—and return as soon as possible."
"Don't worry."
Kitazawa waved it off. "One Six-Tails isn't enough to trouble Tsunade-sensei and me."
That was true.
After all, the two of them had once defeated Yagura Karatachi—the Three-Tails Jinchūriki and former Mizukage. And they were far stronger now.
"Senpai," Kitazawa added, "you can begin drafting trade terms with Hidden Mist. Once we're back, we'll send word."
"Understood."
Shizune's eyes brightened slightly.
A Six-Tails Jinchūriki would fetch Konoha a hefty return.
"Then I won't interrupt your work. See you next time."
With that done, Kitazawa returned to the Hokage Office.
It was still lunch break; Tsunade was sprawled across the sofa without a shred of Hokage decorum—one leg slanted, her foot dangling lazily in the air.
"All settled?"
She asked without opening her eyes.
"Shizune agreed."
Kitazawa stepped closer.
From above, her loosened clothes and mature, alluring figure were impossible to miss.
"Good."
Tsunade exhaled. "Wake me tomorrow."
"Mm."
Kitazawa nodded.
"…Still staring?"
She cracked one eye open.
"Am I not allowed to look?" Kitazawa replied with a straight face.
"How am I supposed to nap with you looming over me?"
She rolled her eyes.
"We could nap together."
Kitazawa blinked.
Tsunade answered by clenching her fist—message delivered.
"Then I'll take my leave, Hokage-sama. See you tomorrow."
Kitazawa instantly corrected course.
Tsunade snorted softly and closed her eyes again.
The door shut behind him.
Kitazawa left the Hokage Office, glanced at the sky, and headed toward the ANBU Base.
There was still time before afternoon classes—just enough for a short nap.
"Kitazawa."
Konan removed her ANBU mask and stood.
Kitazawa stepped forward, lightly pinched her cheek, then sat on the sofa and patted his thigh.
Konan walked over, sat neatly on his lap, and leaned into his embrace.
"I'll nap for a bit," Kitazawa murmured, wrapping his arms around her warm, faintly fragrant body.
"Mm."
Konan nodded. "I'll wake you when it's time."
He closed his eyes and drifted off.
Konan watched his face quietly, her gaze lingering longer than she realized.
When he woke, afternoon light had filled the room—and Konan's cool, beautiful face was inches from his own.
He leaned closer.
Konan bit her lip, parting them slightly, the faint glimpse of pink unmistakable.
Kitazawa took the invitation, sealing her lips with his.
Only when a blush spread across her cheeks did he pull away, giving her a light swat on the hip.
Konan caught her breath, then stood and stepped back.
"You don't need to follow me this afternoon," Kitazawa said, patting her head as he turned to leave.
At the Ninja Academy, he found Hiruzen and the other instructors and informed them that the practical exam would be moved up.
No one objected.
Before afternoon classes, Kitazawa addressed the Genius Class.
"Announcement: The practical portion of the mid-term exam has been moved up. It begins tomorrow."
He paused. "Now I'll announce the team assignments."
"Sasuke!"
When the list ended, Naruto whooped.
"We're on the same team again! This is youth!"
"This has nothing to do with youth," Sasuke muttered, his mouth twitching.
"Why couldn't it be me?" Sakura protested unhappily.
Ino opened her mouth, then closed it.
Being chosen twice in a row was unlikely—she'd have to wait.
Hinata felt similarly disappointed, but she accepted it quietly.
"This mission will be easy," Karin said with a smile. "With Naruto and Sasuke around, I doubt I'll even be needed."
"Don't be so sure," Shikamaru drawled. "With those two, missions usually get harder, not easier."
"Tomorrow at nine sharp—don't be late."
Kitazawa clapped his hands. "Training starts now."
The afternoon passed quickly.
After class, Kitazawa and Kurenai left the Academy together.
"Why was the practical exam moved up so suddenly?"
Kurenai asked. "Another emergency mission?"
"Mm."
"We're going after the Six-Tails Jinchūriki," Kitazawa said calmly. "Utakata."
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