Since it was still early, Kitazawa returned to the Ninja Academy.
He didn't go to the training ground immediately, but instead headed to a quiet corner on the south side. From afar, he could already hear the crackling sound of electricity and, occasionally, Sasuke's muffled grunts.
Kitazawa walked closer and saw Sasuke enveloped in lightning. Is this practice for Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation?
Kitazawa paused, then looked up at Kakashi, who was sitting in a tree, intently reading his Make-Out Paradise.
"Kakashi." Kitazawa leapt up and landed in front of him.
"What is it?" Kakashi calmly put away his book.
"You've been training Sasuke for about two weeks now. How's his Lightning Release talent?" Kitazawa asked with a smile.
"It's not bad," Kakashi said after a brief pause.
"It seems my judgment was right," Kitazawa nodded.
For Kakashi to call something "not bad" meant Sasuke's Lightning Release talent was exceptionally good — and that was indeed the case.
As one of the protagonists of the original story, Sasuke's talent was beyond question. His Lightning Release might not be the best in the Ninja World, but placing him in the top five was certainly no problem.
"When can he start learning Lightning Release Ninjutsu?" Kitazawa asked, watching Sasuke endure the crackling shocks.
"He can learn some low-level Lightning Release Ninjutsu next week," Kakashi replied after thinking for a moment.
"What about your Lightning Release: Chidori?" Kitazawa asked again.
"Lightning Release: Chidori?" Kakashi frowned slightly. "He's still far from that."
"Sasuke's goal is to defeat Naruto," Kitazawa reminded him.
"No wonder," Kakashi finally understood why Kitazawa wanted him to teach Chidori — it was to counter Uzumaki Naruto's Rasengan. After realizing this, he felt a subtle pang; after all, Rasengan was a Ninjutsu created by his teacher, Minato Namikaze.
"I'll try my best," Kakashi said after a moment.
Sasuke truly was well-suited to learning his Lightning Release: Chidori. If he could master it, Kakashi didn't mind teaching it.
He subconsciously touched his left eye. Although his Sharingan had been given to him by Uchiha Obito, he was not a Uchiha himself. In a sense, he owed the Uchiha clan a favor, and teaching Sasuke Chidori would settle that debt.
"I've been learning Lightning Release recently," Kitazawa asked casually. "Can I learn Lightning Release: Chidori?"
"Lightning Release: Chidori is a surprise-attack technique. Without a Sharingan, not only would you fail to hit the enemy, but you wouldn't even be able to control it properly." Kakashi shook his head. "Even if you learned it, you wouldn't be able to use it."
"That's not necessarily true," Kitazawa said confidently. "I can modify Lightning Release: Chidori."
In the original story, quite a few Ninjutsu were derived from Chidori, and after their forms changed, they no longer relied so heavily on the Sharingan. The Lightning Release Ninjutsu Kitazawa valued most was called Chidori Stream.
While Chidori concentrated Lightning Chakra into the hand, Chidori Stream spread it throughout the entire body — a Lightning Release Ninjutsu that combined both offense and defense.
In Kitazawa's opinion, Chidori Stream was even more practical than Chidori itself. After all, he wasn't lacking in purely offensive techniques.
In fact, Kitazawa could likely create Chidori Stream without Kakashi's help. After all, he already possessed proficient-level Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
Kakashi hesitated. Lightning Release: Chidori was an A-rank technique; the difficulty of modifying it was almost as high as creating it from scratch.
To be honest, he didn't think Kitazawa had that ability. In his impression, Kitazawa was skilled in Medical Ninjutsu, Wind Release, and Fire Release — not Lightning Release.
"When I teach Sasuke Chidori, you can come and learn with us," Kakashi finally said.
"Thank you, but I've always valued fairness, so I can't just learn your Lightning Release: Chidori for free." Kitazawa's eyes lit up as an idea struck him. "I have an idea for an S-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu. Would you like to hear it?"
"S-rank Lightning Release?" Kakashi's tone betrayed his surprise.
Regardless of the type, S-rank Ninjutsu were extremely rare. For a single elemental nature, there might not be more than five in total.
"If this Lightning Release Ninjutsu can be completed, it will definitely be S-rank," Kitazawa guaranteed.
"Then why don't you create it yourself?" Kakashi retorted. If Kitazawa could really develop an S-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu, he would instantly become famous in Konoha.
"My energy is limited," Kitazawa said casually. "And in Konoha Village, you are the most proficient in Lightning Release."
"Hokage-sama's Lightning Release is stronger than mine," Kakashi said, shaking his head.
"Hokage-sama is busier than even me. It's not good to bother him," Kitazawa replied. "If you're interested, let's create this S-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu together."
"I am indeed curious," Kakashi admitted after a short hesitation. "I happen to have some free time, so tell me about it."
No Ninja could resist the temptation of an S-rank Ninjutsu, and Kakashi was no exception.
"It's called Lightning Release: Kirin," Kitazawa said with a light cough.
Undoubtedly, he was borrowing Sasuke's future idea. But under normal circumstances, Sasuke wouldn't create Kirin until much later — at least a decade from now. It would be better to let Kakashi create it first, then teach it to Sasuke, saving a great deal of time.
Kitazawa didn't know how to form the hand seals for Lightning Release: Kirin, but he understood its principle.
The reason it was called the ultimate Lightning Release was that it required drawing on natural lightning. Its weakness, however, was that it depended on the weather. Without thunderclouds, it couldn't be used. But it could also be created artificially.
In the original story, Sasuke used Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique. The surrounding area rapidly heated due to this technique, creating rising air currents. These air currents formed cumulonimbus clouds in the sky, and eventually, the cumulonimbus clouds gave birth to lightning.
Sasuke then used Lightning Release: Chidori or other Lightning Release Ninjutsu to guide the lightning from the cumulonimbus clouds, transforming it into a Kirin that descended.
Its power was said to be world-destroying.
"Your idea is truly brilliant!" Kakashi's eyes lit up after hearing it.
"How about it? Want to give it a try?" Kitazawa paused, hinting, "But you know, I'm quite busy."
He really was busy. Not only did he have to learn Earth Release, but also Sealing Techniques and Water Release. He no longer had spare time to create Lightning Release: Kirin with Kakashi.
"Alright," Kakashi nodded. "I'll give it a try when I have time."
[Current Mission: Create Lightning Release: Kirin with Kakashi.]
[Mission Reward: Chidori Stream(current).]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa couldn't help but let out a soft sound. Could this even trigger a mission? But this was a good thing. Although he could create Chidori Stream, it would still take time, and the Chidori Stream given by the system would be at maximum proficiency.
"If you have any questions, come find me," Kitazawa said with a light laugh. "I'm quite confident in Lightning Release."
But Kakashi was somewhat unconvinced. If Kitazawa were truly confident, he wouldn't have given an S-rank Lightning Release idea to him.
"You continue reading Make-Out Paradise, I'm leaving first." Kitazawa finished speaking and jumped down from the tree.
"This isn't 'Make-Out…" Kakashi hadn't even had time to explain before Kitazawa was already gone. He shook his head and pulled out a notebook.
Regarding Lightning Release: Kirin, he still needed to research it thoroughly. After all, Kitazawa had only told him the principle.
Kitazawa arrived at the training ground.
Hinata was the first to spot him. She was about to stop practicing the Shadow Clone Technique, but Kitazawa's gaze drifted over, and she quickly continued.
Kitazawa then looked at Ino. The scene before him was very artistic: amidst a sky full of pink petals, she swiftly caught a single petal. Chakra flowed into it and, with a flick of her wrist, the petal flew out and embedded itself in a tree.
Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction. He estimated that Ino would soon master Ninja Art: Hundred Flower Chaos.
Naruto and his Shadow Clones, on the other hand, were sitting on the ground not far away, all holding a leaf and appearing restless.
Clearly, his practice of Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation was not going so smoothly. Kitazawa suspected the Nine-Tails' mischief was the reason.
No matter what, let Naruto practice first. Once Tsunade cured her hemophobia, he would be able to tell him about the Nine-Tails' existence. At that time, his strength would undergo further enhancement. Kitazawa couldn't help but sigh — the Nine-Tails was truly a cheat.
After giving some pointers to Kabuto, Aburame Torune, and Uchiha Izumi, he went to a secluded spot in the north.
A pungent smell wafted over. Kitazawa looked at the insect nest in front of Shino Aburame. Once surrounded by flames, a continuous stream of Kikaichu attempted to break out.
"How are things?" Kitazawa asked.
"Kitazawa-sensei, please look." Shino Aburame extended his hand. In it was a blackish-red Kikaichu.
"It succeeded?" Kitazawa was a bit surprised.
"Half-succeeded," Shino Aburame explained. "I found it three days ago. It lasted a full three seconds in the flames."
"Three seconds is not short; in battle, three seconds is enough to turn the tide," Kitazawa said, raising an eyebrow.
"The only pity is that there's only one," Shino Aburame added, adjusting his glasses. "If there were two, I could try to have them mate."
Forcing the Kikaichu to evolve with fire was ultimately not a long-term solution. The best outcome would be to completely mutate the Kikaichu's genes, giving birth to offspring with fire resistance. Only then would the experiment be considered a success.
"Where there's one, there will be two," Kitazawa said with a smile. "It won't be long before there are more mutated Kikaichu."
"Indeed."
After speaking, Shino Aburame immersed himself back into the experiment. He needed to create Kikaichu with Chakra in time and then replenish them.
After circling around, Kitazawa returned to the training ground. He also had to begin his special training — the practice of Sealing Techniques.
There were still two weeks left in the winter break, and he intended to learn three Sealing Techniques during this time. Fortunately, they were all very basic. He had already learned the Finger Engraving Seal.
Among the String Light Formation and Binding Jutsu, he pondered for a moment and chose the former. Its effect was simple: to create a barrier to restrain the target within it, preventing them from leaving. It could be used by multiple people or by a single person.
Kitazawa stood in place, forming hand signs. Chakra flowed from his feet into the ground. Centered on him, three concentric circles composed of black cursed seals appeared.
In the original work, Iruka had used the String Light Formation on Naruto, but Naruto quickly broke free. Overall, the String Light Formation seemed very useful, but in reality, it wasn't. After all, it was just a low-level Sealing Technique.
The sun set, and in the blink of an eye, it was dusk. Sasuke and Naruto, among others, finished their training and went home. But Kitazawa called out to Hinata.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Hinata looked up at him.
Having trained all day, sweat beaded on her forehead, dampening her hair and making it slightly disheveled. Yet, combined with her Hyuga Clan training uniform, she exuded a hint of heroic spirit. Of course, given her young age, it was more a kind of innocent cuteness.
"Here." Kitazawa took out a Summoning Storage Scroll and handed it to her.
"What is this?" Hinata subconsciously accepted the scroll.
"Some snacks from the Capital of the Land of Fire," Kitazawa said after a pause. "You can also consider it a birthday gift from me."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Hinata's heart immediately leaped with joy upon hearing this. She had thought Kitazawa had forgotten her birthday.
"You gave me a precious ninja blade, but I can't think of a gift of equal value for you right now." Kitazawa patted her head. "There's no need to rush. I'll give you a suitable gift when I find one later."
"In my opinion, this is already a gift of equal value." Hinata held the scroll, a smile lighting her face.
"You're like someone who gets sold and still helps count the money," Kitazawa said, shaking his head with a laugh, then tapped her forehead. "Let me walk you home."
"Mm!"
Hinata clutched the scroll and skipped along beside him. As they walked, Kitazawa introduced her to the Capital of the Land of Fire.
"Kitazawa-sensei, goodbye!" Hinata reluctantly returned home.
Time shifted to the next day. The third week of winter break officially began.
Including today, there were three days left until the New Year. Kitazawa planned to train for two more days and then give his students a break. After all, training during the New Year would be too inhumane.
Kitazawa had only done one thing these two days: practice the String Light Formation.
Two days passed, and it was December 31st — the last day of the year.
Kitazawa received a pleasant surprise right after waking up:
[Current Mission: Help Hinata learn the Shadow Clone Technique during the winter break.]
[Mission Reward: Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.]
[Host has completed the mission. Reward issued.]
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm was nothing to Kitazawa, but to the Hyuga Clan ninja, it was extremely important.
It compensated for the Gentle Fist's weakness of being effective only in close combat. Moreover, it possessed extremely high stealth, emitting Chakra shockwaves invisible to the naked eye.
Kitazawa stroked his chin.
Since Hinata had learned the Shadow Clone Technique, Neji had probably also mastered it.
Neji had a mission to defeat Naruto next semester. What should he teach him? The newly acquired Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm might be very suitable.
Given Naruto's current situation, his strength wouldn't change much during this winter break. After all, his Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation training was progressing slowly.
Neji, using the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm, might be able to defeat him by surprise. But this technique would first have to be taught by Hyuga Hiashi, and then Kitazawa could give pointers to save a lot of trouble.
---
"Are—are you awake?" Kurenai groggily twisted her waist, lifting her fair leg and placing it on Kitazawa.
Kitazawa subconsciously glanced, then quickly averted his gaze. If he looked one more time, he would sink into its dark abyss.
"It's time to get up, Kurenai." Kitazawa held her soft body and lightly patted her twice.
"Let—let me sleep a little longer." Kurenai lifted her head, kissed him, and then buried herself in his arms again.
Kitazawa reached out and pinched her nose. A moment later, she woke up.
"Are you still going to the Ninja Academy today?" Kurenai sat up, stretched, and asked.
"No. I gave the students two days off." Kitazawa openly admired her exquisite body.
"Alright then." Kurenai looked at him. "Today, you'll accompany me shopping. Let's buy groceries for dinner first."
Kitazawa had previously invited Tsunade and Shizune to celebrate the New Year together, so preparations had to be made in advance.
"Mm." Kitazawa nodded.
No matter where, celebrating the New Year was very particular. In the Ninja World, the last day of the year was called Oomisoka. And during New Year's Eve, soba noodles also needed to be eaten.
"What do you want for breakfast today?" Kurenai reached out and stroked his chest. Kitazawa's well-trained body fascinated her.
"I'm fine with anything," Kitazawa replied casually.
"Pervert!" Kurenai's chest ached as she quickly grabbed his wrist. She glared at Kitazawa, then got out of bed and dressed.
Kitazawa couldn't help but smile. The pressure that had filled his fingers just now was indeed pleasant. Just then, he heard a loud boom.
Kitazawa paused, quickly changed into his clothes, and went to the window.
He followed the sound and looked out.
A white-haired ninja was embedded headfirst in the ground. Kitazawa observed him for a couple of seconds. Although he couldn't see his full face, he recognized him from his distinctive clothes and hair — Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Sannin.
Had he returned to the village? But it was normal; after all, it was New Year's. However, his current situation looked like he'd been punched flying by Tsunade.
Kitazawa pondered for a moment and then left the house. He turned his head and saw Tsunade, expressionless, clapping her hands.
"Lady Tsunade, good morning." Kitazawa greeted her.
"Mm, good morning." Tsunade's attitude softened when she saw him. She casually said, "Just taught a lesson to an ignorant fellow."
"What's going on?" Jiraiya sat up and saw Tsunade chatting and laughing with a young and handsome ninja.