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A new day dawned.
By now, the name Uchiha Sasuke was on everyone's lips.
The students of the Genius Class were surprised, but not overly so. With Naruto as a precedent, it felt almost inevitable that Sasuke would become famous as well.
Their attention was more focused on the new transfer student: the Seven-Tails jinchūriki, Fū.
Counting Gaara, who had joined earlier, there were now two more "geniuses among geniuses" in the class.
Sasuke and Naruto didn't think much of it, but Kimimaro and Neji could feel the pressure mounting.
Those with comparatively weaker strength, like Kiba and Tayuya, felt their futures were bleak. Some even had the urge to just give up.
Kitazawa could easily guess what they were thinking, but there was nothing he could do about it.
The shinobi world was simply that cruel—talent and bloodline decided nearly everything.
Take Tayuya and Kiba, for example.
Kitazawa had already pushed them far beyond their original limits, but raising them to the level of Sasuke and Naruto was almost impossible.
Fortunately, the Genius Class was about to graduate.
They only needed to endure until the end of this year.
"Kitazawa-sama."
The ANBU operative, Haru, appeared in front of him. "Hokage-sama wants to see you."
Kitazawa nodded, then used the Flying Thunder God and instantly appeared in the Hokage's office.
"Take a look at this list."
Tsunade handed him a scroll. "If there's anyone unsuitable, tell me."
Kitazawa unrolled it casually.
On the cover, it read: "Preliminary List for the Summoning Beast Ninja Unit."
His eyes moved down the names, and he couldn't help but be a little surprised.
The unit commander was Yakushi Kabuto, with Uchiha Izumi and Aburame Torune as deputy leaders.
In other words, three of his own students would be commanding this Summoning Beast Ninja Unit.
In a way, they had soared to the top in one step, becoming high-ranking shinobi of Konoha.
But thinking about it carefully, they were more than qualified.
There was no need to say much about Kabuto—in the original storyline, he was a major villain who threw the entire shinobi world into chaos.
As for Torune, under normal circumstances he would have become Danzō's personal bodyguard, a standout even among jōnin.
Izumi had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan and already had jōnin-level strength.
On top of that, she was still young, with limitless potential. She might even awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan in the future.
Of course, the most important point was that all three were Kitazawa's students, shinobi of the Hokage's faction.
With them in charge of the Summoning Beast Ninja Unit, there would be little room for objection.
"I have no objections," Kitazawa said with a faint smile after finishing the scroll.
Aside from the trio led by Kabuto, every member of the Summoning Beast Ninja Unit was at least chūnin-level.
Working together with the snakes of Ryūchi Cave, they could easily take on opponents above their rank.
Overall, this was a very powerful squad.
Alongside the Cursed Seal Ninja Unit, they could become one of Konoha's two elite, signature units—much like Sunagakure's puppeteer corps.
Kitazawa had previously considered making the Cursed Seal Ninja Unit also sign contracts with Ryūchi Cave, but ultimately decided against it.
Although combining them would create a terrifyingly strong force, it felt wasteful, and the two units were meant to fulfill different roles.
"Do you think Mount Myōboku would be willing to cooperate with Konoha?" Kitazawa asked, the thought arising naturally.
"What do you think?" Tsunade shot him a look.
She knew the ways of the Three Great Summoning Lands very well.
Aside from Shikkotsu Forest, there was no way Ryūchi Cave or Mount Myōboku would willingly cooperate with Konoha and let themselves be ordered around by shinobi.
"A pity," Kitazawa chuckled, rolling the scroll back up and handing it to her.
"Jiraiya is, after all, a contractor of Mount Myōboku," Tsunade reminded him.
With Kitazawa's strength, if Ryūchi Cave couldn't stop him, then Mount Myōboku wouldn't be able to either.
But with Jiraiya caught between them, it would be difficult for her to deal with the fallout.
"I understand," Kitazawa replied dismissively. "We'll talk about it later."
He truly didn't care that much, but he still had to take Tsunade's position into account and avoid putting her in a difficult spot.
"I heard you sent Kabuto to Ryūchi Cave. Does he have the talent to learn Sage Mode?" Tsunade suddenly asked, curiosity in her eyes.
"Yes."
Kitazawa paused for a beat, then added, "Not only does he have it—his talent is extremely high."
"Looks like Konoha will have three shinobi who've mastered Sage Mode," Tsunade said, a smile tugging at her lips.
She understood the power of Sage Mode all too well.
Jiraiya had gone from an elite jōnin to a powerhouse on par with a Kage precisely because of Sage Mode.
"The Akatsuki's targets now are only Konoha and Kumogakure."
Tsunade's tone grew solemn. "Who do you think they'll move against next?"
"I'm betting on Kumogakure," Kitazawa answered with considerable confidence.
"Because Konoha, as it stands now, is far more troublesome than Kumogakure."
In the original timeline, when Pain attacked Konoha, the only true powerhouses present were Tsunade and Naruto.
At most, you could add elite jōnin like Kakashi.
But in today's Konoha, Hiruzen, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all here.
Including Kitazawa, this could be called Konoha's strongest era since Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
If Akatsuki wanted to attack Konoha now, they would have to use methods completely different from the original story—in other words, send their full force.
"Kumogakure isn't weak," Tsunade said, her tone pensive.
"Then the Akatsuki should be going all out this time."
Her plan was simple: use Kumogakure's battle to gauge the Akatsuki's true strength.
"How have the other villages reacted?" Kitazawa asked, genuinely curious.
"For now, there's been no response." Tsunade shook her head. "I expect they're thinking the same things we are."
"Any other village would definitely ask the others for help and deal with the Akatsuki together," Kitazawa chuckled.
"That's just the Fourth Raikage's personality," Tsunade said after a brief pause. "Besides, they've already driven off the Akatsuki once."
"But even if Kumogakure does ask for help, the other villages might not agree," Kitazawa added with a faint smile.
Right now, only Konoha and Kumogakure still had their Tailed Beasts.
The other villages were afraid of the Akatsuki, but they were just as wary of Konoha and Kumogakure becoming too powerful.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that what they wanted most was for Konoha and Kumogakure to lose their Tailed Beasts as well.
"That's true," Tsunade admitted after thinking it over.
"If both Konoha and Kumogakure lose," Kitazawa went on, "then the Five Great Villages will unite. If Konoha doesn't fall, then the other four will band together."
"I'm getting the feeling you don't actually want the Five Great Ninja Villages to unite," Tsunade said, studying him.
"With Konoha's current strength, it can already become the number one village," Kitazawa replied. "In that case, there's no need for a united front."
"You're that confident you can handle the Akatsuki?" Tsunade was briefly taken aback.
"What? "You don't have confidence in me?" Kitazawa stepped closer, patted her thigh, and looked up at her.
"I do," Tsunade caught his wrist and said quietly. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"It won't."
Kitazawa naturally settled onto her lap, leaning forward until his face rested against her chest.
A faint, clean fragrance drifted up from her, clearing his head and relaxing his body.
"Don't get carried away," Tsunade warned, raising a hand to gently stroke his hair.
"Carried away with what?" Kitazawa's gaze slid down to her fair, smooth skin.
"Don't play dumb." Tsunade flicked a finger against his forehead.
Kitazawa shot her a brief look, then buried his face deeper against her chest.
Through the soft fabric, he could clearly hear Tsunade's heartbeat.
"Kitazawa."
Tsunade smiled helplessly but didn't push him away. "I have an idea."
"What is it?"
His voice came out muffled, echoing slightly in the quiet valley.
"After the battle between the Akatsuki and Kumogakure is over, you'll become the Sixth Hokage."
Tsunade's expression turned serious.
"So suddenly?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "Won't changing the Hokage at a time like this make everyone in Konoha uneasy?"
Changing commanders right before a major battle was usually a huge taboo.
Besides, Tsunade had promised him before that he'd become Hokage after the genius class graduated.
He wasn't sure when the Akatsuki would attack Kumogakure, but it definitely wouldn't drag on until next March.
"It won't," Tsunade said with a small smile. "Don't you realize how people see you now?"
Understanding dawned on Kitazawa.
In terms of reputation, he had already surpassed Tsunade. Right now, he was the undisputed number one figure in Konoha.
If he became Hokage, both the shinobi and the villagers would only feel more secure.
After all, he was the second shinobi after Senju Hashirama to wield Wood Release.
Now that he had also mastered the Flying Thunder God, he could be seen as a fusion of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama.
No—strictly speaking, he was like a combination of all five generations of Hokage.
Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, Senju Tobirama's Water Release, Hiruzen Sarutobi's five nature transformations, Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God, and Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu
Kitazawa had already mastered the signature techniques of every Hokage since Konoha was founded.
All he lacked was the sheer amount of chakra to surpass all five of them, especially Hashirama.
"Alright then."
After thinking it over, Kitazawa nodded his agreement.
Tsunade had brought up the Hokage position many times already; there was no reason for her to refuse again.
"I really hope that day comes soon!" Tsunade said, suddenly energized, "Then I won't have to go to work anymore and can just go play every day!"
Something heavy bounced against Kitazawa's face.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
I haven't even become Hokage yet, and you're already revealing your true nature?
Fortunately, the Konoha Casino belonged to him. Otherwise, with Tsunade around, he'd be bankrupt sooner or later.
"But what about the genius class?" Tsunade asked, forcing herself to calm down.
She could celebrate all she wanted after Kitazawa officially became the Hokage.
"How about letting them graduate early?" Kitazawa suggested after a moment's thought.
Come to think of it, it really was about time. Once the Akatsuki were dealt with, the Fourth Great Ninja War would follow.
For the students of the Genius Class, that would be the perfect stage to show their abilities.
It would also give Kitazawa a chance to complete a few more system missions.
"That works," Tsunade agreed without hesitation. "With their strength, not only could they graduate early—quite a few of them could pass the jōnin exams."
If Kitazawa hadn't stopped her before, she would've pushed for their early graduation long ago.
Geniuses had always left the Academy ahead of schedule.
Just look at Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi.
By comparison, the so‑called Genius Class was practically an exception to the rule.
"Very well."
Kitazawa nodded. "At that time, we'll hold a practical graduation exam—with the entire village watching."
His system mission was to form the new Konoha Sannin, but the other students needed fame as well.
With fame, they could become jōnin more quickly or inherit their clans and rise as clan heads.
It would also serve as the final ranking for the Genius Class.
If they graduated, like in previous years, relying only on the Three-Body Technique, it would be far too boring.
"I'll definitely be there when the time comes," Tsunade said, genuine anticipation in her eyes.
"Mm."
Kitazawa drew a deep breath, looked up at her, and asked, "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing else. Just pay more attention to Akatsuki's movements," Tsunade replied, shaking her head.
"Then, do you have work to do?" Kitazawa asked, licking the corner of his mouth.
"Yes."
Tsunade felt a heat rising in her chest but still refused. "Wait until tonight."
Seeing this, Kitazawa didn't push further.
She was the Hokage, after all, with countless matters to handle.
Kitazawa vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already in Amegakure.
He'd come to learn about Akatsuki's movements through Konan.
With a useful mole in place, there was no reason to let the opportunity go to waste.
Once he steadied himself, he saw Konan seated at her desk.
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Konan's body tensed for a moment, then softened.
That familiar embrace and scent told her exactly who it was.
"How have you been lately?"
Kitazawa's hands slid forward, coming to rest on her chest.
A soft warmth pressed against his palms through the fabric.
"The same as before," Konan murmured with a muffled moan.
Her life had been stagnant for so long.
Only after going to Konoha and meeting Kitazawa had everything begun to change.
"I captured Kakuzu," Kitazawa said as he kneaded her shoulders and breasts, massaging her.
"Mm."
Konan answered, her cool expression barely shifting.
But if one looked closely, her skin was trembling slightly.
It wasn't his words that made her shake, but his touch.
Her heart felt warm, slowly heating up from within.
"When the time comes, all of your Akatsuki members can join Konoha," Kitazawa said with a faint smile.
Konan's eyes widened slightly.
She could feel the absolute confidence in his voice.
Nagato had carried that same kind of conviction—he had even seen himself as a god.
Konan sighed inwardly.
She didn't know how things would end; she only hoped it wouldn't come to the worst possible outcome.
"When does Akatsuki plan to move against Kumogakure and Konoha?" Kitazawa asked after a moment's thought, not bothering to beat around the bush.
"Right now, Akatsuki is short-handed. It will take some time," Konan replied without hiding anything. "Akatsuki will capture the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails first."
"Thanks."
Kitazawa withdrew his hand and gave her a light smack on her ass.
At that, Konan stood up.
But she soon bent forward over the desk again, arching her back, presenting her peach-like hips and swaying them slightly.
Kitazawa's eyelids twitched.
He couldn't help but step up behind her, gripping her soft rear with both hands before pulling her slender waist into his arms.
Konan's Akatsuki cloak slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor.
Kitazawa leaned in, pressing his lips to her pale neck.
Konan's breathing hitched; her body trembled as she stretched her neck, eyes rolling back as dizzy gasps slipped from her lips.
Three hours later, Kitazawa left Amegakure.
Konan, meanwhile, had fallen into a deep, contented sleep.
In her dreams, she no longer needed to agonize over Akatsuki and Konoha.
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