Kitazawa couldn't help but smile as he watched Sasuke regain his spirits. He was still a child, and his personality was easy to understand and manipulate.
But on another note, it also showed that the Sharingan held a crucial position in Sasuke's heart.
However, did the Two-Tomoe Sharingan really offer such a significant improvement?
Kitazawa could only say it was relative.
For most students, the Two-Tomoe Sharingan will be overwhelming. But for Yakumo and Naruto, it wasn't necessarily so. After all, their cheat codes were no worse than Sasuke's.
Yakumo's Genjutsu Bloodline Limit was constrained by her age and body, so it truly couldn't reach the level of a true Mangekyo Sharingan at present.
But strictly from the perspective of Genjutsu, it had already surpassed the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Naruto, needless to say, had the Nine-Tailed inside him and was not afraid of Genjutsu at all.
Coupled with the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Rasengan he was about to learn, Sasuke would have a hard time coping.
Of course, there was no need to tell him these analyses now.
"Sasuke, come find me tomorrow. I'll prepare a new special training for you then." Kitazawa pondered for a moment before speaking.
To be honest, his first thought upon seeing this mission was that Sasuke would have to take more beatings to awaken his Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
But that kind of special training method would be too cruel and devilish. What if Sasuke became reclusive from the beatings?
Kitazawa planned to adopt a gentler approach. That was to start by increasing his fundamentals.
The more solid his foundation, the greater the probability of awakening the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
"Thank you, Teacher Kitazawa!" Sasuke said gratefully.
Indeed, Kitazawa-sensei was omnipotent.
"You can pause your Fire Release Chakra nature transformation practice, but don't stop learning Genjutsu," Kitazawa added.
"Mhm." Sasuke nodded.
He also didn't want to stop learning Genjutsu. The reason was Uchiha Itachi.
Because he was teaching him Genjutsu, Itachi specifically set aside a lot of time to accompany him. This had never happened before.
"Teacher Kitazawa is really great." Ino, not far away, said with emotion.
"It really is." Choji said with lingering fear, "Sasuke's face before was terribly gloomy."
"After all, for a proud Uchiha, losing two matches in a row is unacceptable." Shikamaru yawned and said, "It's better to relax. Eat when you want, drink when you want. It's so much easier without pursuits."
"Then why are you still participating in Kitazawa-sensei's special training?" Ino retorted.
"This is called an enemy from the heavens." Shikamaru pointed to the sky and said, "I can't defy fate."
"What fate?" Naruto looked at the sky in confusion and asked.
"He's talking about his parents." Kiba patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "You need to use your brain more."
"But Naruto's ranking is higher than yours," Shikamaru said suddenly.
"..." The smile on Kiba's face instantly froze.
"I wish I could be like Teacher Kitazawa. Just three sentences, and Sasuke-kun would smile for me." Sakura said with great envy in her tone.
"You'll probably find that very difficult in this lifetime." Ino scrutinized her for a moment, then shook her head and said.
She knew Sakura too well. Just on the point of gentleness, she would never be able to compare to Kitazawa.
"Ino!" Sakura instantly exploded in anger, standing up and glaring at her with displeasure.
"Sasuke's back, you know." Ino blinked and said.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura quickly changed her expression, greeting him with a full smile.
"Women are truly terrifying." Shikamaru shivered. He became even more determined to marry an ordinary wife.
"I will now announce the rankings for this monthly exam." Kitazawa took the roll call handed to him by Iruka and walked to the front of the First Year Class A students.
Whether it was the theoretical exam or the practical exam, the rankings were similar to the previous monthly exam.
"I'm first in practical again!" Naruto couldn't help but laugh.
Sasuke subconsciously looked at him, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes. He had already forgotten the taste of being first.
"Second place, Yakumo." Kitazawa glanced at Naruto and continued to read.
In this monthly exam, Naruto and Yakumo had not sparred. But the reason he still ranked Naruto first was because he considered that Yakumo had not made much progress this month.
However, she couldn't be blamed for this. Her Bloodline Limit was simply too terrifying, with too high a starting point, which led to her slow progress.
"Third place, Sasuke."
Kitazawa paused and said, "Fourth place, Hinata Hyuga."
In this monthly exam, Sasuke and Hinata also did not fight. But Sasuke had been set up by him multiple times, so giving him a third place was a form of consolation.
Although he didn't feel there was anything worth consoling about.
"This monthly exam concludes here. The next monthly exam will be the final exam, roughly in mid-December."
After reading out the rankings, Kitazawa said with a smile, "The final exam is truly the most important. I hope everyone takes it seriously."
Sasuke clenched his fists upon hearing this. Once he awakened his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, he would definitely win everything.
"Sasuke, for the final exam, I'll give you a surprise!" Naruto suddenly thought of something and said happily.
"...?" Sasuke's face was full of question marks.
Why was there another surprise? He didn't want any surprises.
Naruto's last surprise, the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, had given him quite a scare.
"Everyone performed very well today. I look forward to you all making further progress in the final exam." Kitazawa said with a slight smile, "You can go home after getting your report cards. See you tomorrow."
"Goodbye, Teacher Kitazawa!"
The students of First Year Class A all greeted him, then, after receiving their report cards from Iruka Umino, they swarmed out of the school.
For most students, grades, while important, weren't that important. Making the most of their playtime was the top priority.
"Let's go, Naruto. I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen." Kiba sighed and said.
He felt this bet could finally end. Because he lost every time.
However, a true man kept his word, and he could afford one bowl of ramen.
"How about I treat this time?" Naruto scratched his head and asked.
He felt embarrassed about always getting free meals. Especially since Kiba was so unlucky.
"What are you saying?" Kiba slapped him on the shoulder and asked, "Are you looking down on me?"
"I didn't mean that!" Naruto quickly said.
"Then let's go!" Kiba snorted and said.
"Thank you, Kiba!" Naruto said with a wide smile.
"I'm the second son of Clan Leader of the Inuzuka clan, after all! This little bit of money is nothing." Kiba looked at the bright smile on his face, patted his chest, and said.
The two of them went to Ichiraku Ramen together. After eating, Naruto hummed an unknown tune and happily arrived home.
"So happy? Did you get first place again?" As soon as Naruto opened the door, he heard a familiar voice.
The smile on his face grew wider, and he shouted with great surprise: "Grandpa Third!"
"Naruto, you haven't answered my question yet," Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
Actually, he didn't need to answer; he already knew the answer. After all, Naruto was so happy, it couldn't be faked.
"I got first place in the practical exam again!" Naruto nodded and said.
"It would be perfect if you could get first place in the theoretical exam someday." Hiruzen Sarutobi said expectantly.
After all, Minato Namikaze was always first every year when he was at the Ninja Academy.
"I... I'll try my best." Naruto's smile instantly froze.
It wasn't that he didn't try hard; it was simply that his classmates were too abnormal. Even his first place in the practical exam was obtained through desperate effort.
But for the theoretical exam, if he didn't know it, he didn't know it. Trying hard was useless.
"Hahaha, you don't have to look so troubled." Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"That's good." Naruto couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
He was really afraid that Hiruzen would make him strive for first place in the theoretical exam. In that case, he would have to fall back into the hell of endless practice questions.
"Today is November 2nd." Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a stack of money and said, "This is your living allowance for this month."
"Thank you, Grandpa Third!" Naruto's eyes lit up, and he said, "I can buy limited edition instant noodles again!"
"You really do like instant noodles." Hiruzen shook his head and said.
"Hehe." Naruto smiled as he put away the money and said, "Grandpa Third, when I fought Sasuke today, I saw that tail again."
Hiruzen couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation. How does this Nine-Tailed feel less difficult to get along with than the legends suggest?
In less than two months, it had already helped Naruto twice, which was truly strange.
"What was that tail?" Naruto asked curiously.
"I'll tell you later." Hiruzen coughed lightly, changing the subject, and said, "You can save a portion of your money to use in December."
"Why?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
"What do you think of Kitazawa?" Hiruzen didn't answer his question directly, but asked back.
"Teacher Kitazawa is, of course, very good!" Naruto immediately smiled and said, "He's good in every way!"
"December twenty-first is Kitazawa's birthday." Hiruzen reminded him.
"So that's it!" Naruto said seriously, "He just gave me a birthday present last month, so I have to give him an even bigger one!"
"What kind of birthday present?" Hiruzen asked with some curiosity.
"It's a kunai," Naruto replied.
"A kunai?" Hiruzen was stunned.
He had thought Kitazawa would give a more special birthday gift, but it was just a kunai.
"Teacher Kitazawa said that kunai is the same model as the Fourth Hokage's!" Naruto said proudly.
"Let me see." Hiruzen's mind stirred, and he said.
"I'll go get it now!" Naruto ran back to his room and quickly came out with a kunai.
The kunai was an ordinary kunai, but on the handle, four characters were carved: "Sword of Shinobi's Love!"
This was indeed Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God kunai. Of course, this kunai was just a replica and didn't have a real Flying Thunder God Mark.
Hiruzen held the kunai, and many memories surfaced in his mind. He sighed inwardly and said, "Kitazawa truly put thought into it. Keep it safe."
As for why Kitazawa sent this gift... He most likely learned from Tsunade that Naruto was Minato Namikaze's son.
Hiruzen wasn't surprised. After all, Tsunade and Kitazawa were getting too close; it was only a matter of time before they became teacher and student.
"Have you thought about what birthday present you want to give?" Hiruzen watched him twirl the kunai and asked.
"I don't know." Naruto thought for a moment and said, "I'll discuss it with Sasuke and the others tomorrow."
"If you're short on money, then come find me," Hiruzen said very generously.
"Thank you, Grandpa Third!" Naruto clenched his fists and said, "Then I'll definitely buy the most expensive gift! More expensive than Sasuke's and theirs!"
Hiruzen chuckled wryly. He was indeed a child; even giving gifts had to be a competition.
---
A new day, Wednesday.
After entering November, Konoha experienced a noticeable drop in temperature. By December, there should be heavy snow.
Once it snowed, New Year's was not far off.
The Ninja World used the new calendar, and January 1st was the first day of the New Year. Kitazawa hadn't paid much attention to the New Year before.
Because he was alone, the date of the New Year had no meaning. But this year was different, with Kurenai and Tsunade and the others.
This New Year will definitely be very lively.
Kitazawa suddenly stopped walking. He thought of a problem.
Sarutobi Asuma rarely returned to Konoha Village except for very urgent matters because he served as a Guardian Ninja in the Land of Fire's capital.
But for special occasions like New Year's, he had to come back.
"This is indeed a troublesome matter." Kitazawa shook his head and said.
Asuma was actually a good person. But he had snatched Kurenai in the original work.
No, that's not right, he couldn't say snatched. After all, Asuma and Kurenai weren't boyfriend and girlfriend.
"Forget it, I'll deal with it then." Kitazawa stopped thinking and went directly to the Ninja Academy's training ground.
But to his surprise, the training ground was empty. Puzzled, he went to the nearby Artificial Lake, but still no one was there.
"Strange." Kitazawa stroked his chin.
Did everyone plan to freeload on food today?
Normally, only Hinata would eat breakfast with him, occasionally joined by Ino and Sakura. But Sasuke, Naruto, and Kiba all ate breakfast at home.
---
Kitazawa's office.
"Naruto, what exactly are you up to? You're being so secretive." Sakura couldn't help but ask.
Early in the morning, Naruto had called them to gather at Kitazawa's office.
"Yeah." Tenten asked, puzzled, "Why did you call us too?"
Although Neji didn't speak, he was also very confused.
"Naruto!" Rock Lee suddenly asked excitedly, "Are you going to lead us to form a Youth Club?"
"Youth Club?" Ino quickly shook her head and said loudly, "I won't join you guys!"
"Me too." Shikamaru agreed.
"Not a Youth Club, but a much more important matter!" Naruto waved his arm and said, "I now declare our first major strategy meeting officially open!"
"Don't waste time." Sasuke stood at the doorway, frowning slightly.
After he went home last night, neither his mother nor his brother blamed him. But the more this happened, the more he felt he had let down the Uchiha.
Therefore, he was in a hurry now, eager to attend today's special training.
"It's Teacher Kitazawa's birthday!" Naruto said directly.
"When?" Hinata, usually quiet, instinctively asked.
"December 21st!" Naruto replied.
"Isn't that still over a month away?" Kiba glared at him and asked, "Do we need to discuss it so early?"
"Teacher Kitazawa is so good to us, so the gift for him must be carefully chosen!" Naruto said self-righteously.
"Naruto's not wrong." Ino said thoughtfully, "What kind of gift should we give?"
"What does Teacher Kitazawa usually like?" Shikamaru stroked his chin and asked.
"I know!" Naruto raised his hand and said, "Teacher Kitazawa likes to teach!"
"...?" The others all looked at him speechlessly.
"Are you going to make Teacher Kitazawa teach us on his birthday?" Shikamaru retorted.
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly.
"Hinata, you know Teacher Kitazawa best. Do you know what he likes?" Ino suddenly thought of something and looked at Hinata.
"Eh?" Being stared at by so many people, Hinata's face immediately turned crimson, "I... I don't know either..."
"Teacher Kitazawa might like Ninjutsu." Sasuke's mind stirred, and he said, "I can give him Ninjutsu."
"If you give Ninjutsu, it wouldn't be very appropriate for us to give something else." Shikamaru paused slightly and said.
"That's it then, I'm going to the training ground first." Sasuke said impatiently, "Teacher Kitazawa has probably arrived already, so I can buy you guys some time."
After he finished speaking, he turned and left. As soon as he left the teaching building, he ran into Kitazawa head-on.
"Teacher Kitazawa." Sasuke went up to him and asked, "Are we starting new training now?"
"Let's go to the training ground." Kitazawa paused and asked, "Why are you the only one? Where are Naruto and the others?"
"I don't know." Sasuke's heart tightened, but his expression remained unchanged.
Seeing this, Kitazawa didn't ask further. The two of them arrived at the training ground.
"The main purpose of the new training is to train your Sharingan." Kitazawa stopped and asked, "What do you think is the most important ability of the One-Tomoe Sharingan?"
"It's insight." Sasuke thought for a moment and said, "It allows me to see the target's movements more clearly, and thus react accordingly."
"Not bad." Kitazawa nodded and said, "So your new training is aimed at the One-Tomoe Sharingan's insight ability."
He casually waved his hand, and Chakra transformed into wind, which swept up the fallen leaves on the ground.
The leaves, covered by Wind Release Chakra, immediately revealed a sharp edge. The next second, all the leaves completely embedded themselves into a nearby tree.
Sasuke's heart trembled at the sight. This level of Chakra control and Wind Release Chakra nature transformation was truly terrifying.
"I will attack you with leaves; after activating your Sharingan, try your best to dodge," Kitazawa said with a slight smile.
Sasuke was slightly stunned. Isn't this the same training content that Hinata had before?