Kitazawa, who was inside the Ninjutsu Archive Room, had no idea that a dramatic exchange had just occurred back in the Hokage's Office.
Had he known, he would have truly regretted missing the iconic scene play out right before his eyes.
Scanning the scroll-lined walls, Kitazawa saw countless familiar jutsu names. Sarutobi Hiruzen had been extremely generous—aside from a few restricted techniques, nearly every chakra nature transformation was present, including Wind, Fire, Earth, Lightning, Water, Yin, and Yang Releases.
Even the Rasengan was here.
Kitazawa paused, falling into deep thought.
He considered picking an A-rank technique he hadn't yet mastered. But after much deliberation, he ultimately chose the Rasengan.
His reasoning was simple.
With the system's help, there was no need to spend months mastering another jutsu. That time would be better spent learning medical ninjutsu—to grow closer to Tsunade and further strengthen his foundation.
"A-rank scrolls can't be taken out. Please memorize the technique contents here," ANBU member Haru reminded. "If you forget anything, you're welcome to return."
"Understood." Kitazawa nodded in response.
A-rank jutsu were, after all, foundational assets of the Hidden Leaf Village. Any leaks could lead to serious consequences. He unrolled the Rasengan scroll and quietly studied its contents.
Fifteen minutes later, he closed the scroll.
"I've memorized it. I'll be taking my leave." After saluting Haru, Kitazawa left the Hokage Building.
---
Strolling through the village streets, he let out a long sigh. Thanks to the friendly match, his strength had surged once again.
As long as he didn't run into powerhouses like Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Itachi, or even Hiruzen himself, he had sufficient strength for self-preservation.
Kitazawa glanced over his remaining system tasks and formulated his next steps.
First, begin studying medical ninjutsu.
Second, continue special training for his students.
Third, address the hidden threat Mizuki posed.
Thinking it over, he decided not to return to the academy. Instead, he headed toward Kurenai's residence.
It was Friday, and with the match taking up most of the day, the first-year Class A students had been granted the rest of the day off.
"You're back already?" Kurenai asked curiously as she opened the door. "What did the Hokage reward you with?"
"He appointed me head of the school's Academic Affairs Office."
Kitazawa smiled slightly. "He also granted me an A-rank ninjutsu."
"A-rank?" Kurenai's eyes widened. "I only know two A-rank genjutsu—and those were passed down from my clan."
Kitazawa stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"Not bad, right?" he said, walking into the living room.
Since Yakumo had participated in the match, she was also granted half a day off and wouldn't be home yet.
"Fine, fine—you're amazing," Kurenai replied, rolling her eyes, clearly humoring him.
"Not convincing enough. Try again!" Kitazawa playfully slapped her thigh. Her fair, smooth legs rippled slightly. Soft, yet toned from regular training.
"You looking for a fight?" Kurenai gasped, startled, then counterattacked immediately—stomping on his foot.
Unfortunately for her, Kitazawa barely felt it.
"One stomp each. We're even." She huffed, but a smile crept across her lips.
"Then stomp a few more times." Kitazawa's eyes lingered on her shapely legs.
"In your dreams!" Kurenai folded her arms.
The way she said it—teasing and playful—was irresistibly charming. Kitazawa laughed and sank into the sofa.
"So, what ninjutsu did you choose?" Kurenai sat beside him. "Wind Release?"
"Nope." He shook his head. "I picked the Rasengan."
"You mean that Rasengan? The one the Fourth Hokage created?" Kurenai blinked in surprise.
"Exactly." Kitazawa explained, "It's an unmarked, pure chakra technique. Very powerful. Once mastered, it greatly boosts combat ability."
Kurenai fell silent. She wanted to say Rasengan was notoriously difficult—one of the hardest A-rank techniques—but when she remembered Kitazawa's recent growth, she decided against it.
Right now, he was clearly stronger than she. Something she hadn't expected to happen.
"Where's Lady Tsunade?" Kitazawa took her hand—it was warm and soft.
"She's at the gambling den, as usual," Kurenai glanced at the wall clock. "She usually doesn't return until six."
"I figured." Kitazawa drifted into thought, wondering how to begin learning medical ninjutsu.
Just then, Kurenai suddenly slapped his wrist.
"What is it, Kurenai?"
"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped. "Hands off!"
"Sorry, I was just lost in thought." Kitazawa casually withdrew his hand from her thigh without flinching.
"Yeah, right—you think I'm buying that?" She glared at him.
"Since we've got time, how about practicing Rasengan together?" Kitazawa offered, an idea forming in his mind.
The Rasengan, after all, required incredible chakra control. And Kurenai, as a genjutsu specialist, possessed exactly that.
After all, among the basic disciplines—ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, medical, and sealing—the latter three were widely regarded as the most difficult to master.
"Me?" Kurenai was stunned for two seconds. "No, I can't learn it. That jutsu was granted to you by the Hokage as a reward. It'd be a violation for me to learn it."
"God knows, the earth knows, you know, and I know." Kitazawa grinned. "Are you really worried I'd turn you in?"
"That's not the point," Kurenai said, clearly hesitant.
Privately learning a restricted technique was a punishable offense in the Hidden Leaf Village. As someone who followed the rules, her hesitation was understandable.
"Just learn it, even if you never use it in public," Kitazawa said seriously. "If your life's on the line, would you still care about protocol?"
He wasn't offering her Rasengan just for fun—it was to increase her combat versatility.
Relying solely on genjutsu was too fragile. If the illusion was disrupted, her combat power would drop drastically. But with Rasengan, she'd have a reliable backup weapon.
"If we get caught, we'll ask Lady Tsunade for help." Kitazawa stood up and pulled her along.
"I…" Kurenai reluctantly followed, still conflicted.
They stepped into a quiet spot behind the house.
"Here." Kitazawa handed her a balloon filled with water. "This is the first step in Rasengan training."
Kurenai nodded, her expression focused. If she was going to do this, she'd give it her all.
"Try it." Kitazawa stood aside, watching her closely.
Kurenai channeled chakra into the balloon. It began to ripple, the water inside forming faint spirals.
"I'd say you'll get it in two to three hours," Kitazawa estimated confidently.
Having already mastered it, he could gauge her progress easily. Her chakra control was excellent—but the system's bonus had given him an overwhelming edge.
"Why are you so good at this?" Kurenai finally asked, noticing the gap.
"I completed the first stage while walking back earlier," Kitazawa lied smoothly.
"That's impossible!" Her eyes widened.
From the academy to the Hokage's office to her house took maybe half an hour. Was his chakra control that superior?
"See for yourself." Kitazawa grabbed a water balloon, injected chakra—and it burst instantly.
"You're seriously… a monster." Kurenai stared at him, speechless. "Just leave me alone. Don't bother me while I'm training."
She still hadn't come to terms with how far ahead he'd gotten.
"Come to me if you hit any roadblocks," Kitazawa said with a laugh.
It was better not to show off more than necessary. That way, his system-enhanced progress wouldn't raise too many questions.
---
Hyuga Residence.
"Rice balls, rice balls, everything is rice balls~" Hinata cheerfully hummed her silly song as she skipped into the courtyard.
Today had gone so well, she'd forgotten the rules and etiquette instilled in her since childhood.
"Hinata." A familiar stern voice rang out.
Hinata froze in place. She immediately recognized it—her father, Hyuga Hiashi.
Her heart trembled.
"Y-Yes…" She opened her mouth to apologize—then stopped.
"What's wrong with you?" Hiashi asked, frowning slightly. His daughter was behaving oddly.
"Father." Hinata took a deep breath. "I've awakened my Byakugan."
As she spoke, she activated it. The veins bulged around her eyes, the Hyuga clan's iconic dojutsu fully active.
"You… you've done well." Hiashi's expression shifted—his usual sternness replaced by rare praise.
Awakening the Byakugan at six wasn't far off from his own record. The only one who had outpaced her was Neji—but Neji was an undeniable prodigy.
Even Hiashi hadn't matched Neji's level at that age.
"Thank you, Father." Hinata could feel it—his attitude toward her had changed.
No more criticisms. No more disappointment. For the first time, she had earned his approval. And all of it… was thanks to Kitazawa-sensei.
"Now that you've awakened your Byakugan, it's time to begin training in Gentle Fist and Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms." Hiashi's voice carried warmth. "These are techniques of the main family."
"Yes, Father." Hinata was stunned to see him smile. In her memory, such expressions were rare.
Was this the power of change? Hinata felt a surge of confidence.
With Kitazawa's help, maybe… just maybe, she could become the heir her father always wanted. But the question gnawed at her:
How could she ever repay Kitazawa-sensei for all he'd done? She fell silent, deep in thought.
--
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)