"Do you have any questions?" Kitazawa asked after explaining what the Genius Class was.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Shikamaru raised his hand. "Will the members of the Genius Class change?"
"Yes. The Genius Class will adopt a last-place challenge system," Kitazawa explained. "The last ten students in each monthly exam will accept challenges from students in other classes. If they fail, they will swap places."
"How troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed.
This meant he had to stay in the top twenty. The current Genius Class was filled with geniuses, and there were many students from the fifth and sixth grades. It would be much harder for him to get into the top twenty.
"Is it really that brutal?" Kiba's eyes widened.
At the same time, he felt a sense of relief. Thanks to the Hell Hound Kitazawa gave him, otherwise, he would have no confidence in staying in the Genius Class.
"Youth is about not fearing challenges!" Rock Lee clenched his fists, excited.
"Lee is right!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up and grinned. "Youth and challenges are the best match!"
Sasuke quickly scanned the new students who had joined First Year Class A. A moment later, he relaxed.
Because, other than Hyuga Neji, no one else posed a threat to him. This Genius Class was actually pretty similar to before; anyway, it was always the same few people competing for first place.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Ino waved her hand, asking curiously, "So what will we be learning from now on?"
The current Genius Class had students from first to sixth grade. Whether it was theory or practical combat, their learning progress varied. This made it difficult for her to understand. Did this mean they would all have to learn a new unified curriculum?
"We will tailor a learning plan for each of you based on your strengths," Kitazawa paused and said. "This is also the advantage of the Genius Class compared to other classes, allowing you to become stronger faster."
"Isn't this just like the Ninja Squad model?" Sakura felt a sense of déjà vu.
"My easy Ninja Academy life is over…" Shikamaru's vision went dark when he heard that.
Everyone would have a different learning plan, so it would be impossible for him to be lazy like before. This was simply… a bleak future.
Sasuke nodded slightly. He felt that this method was very good for a genius like him, as it saved unnecessary time. After all, he had already mastered most of what the Ninja Academy taught.
"Kitazawa-sensei, will we not have to do theory exams anymore?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"The learning plan includes both theory and practical combat. Iruka will teach you theory," Kitazawa glanced at him and said.
"Still have to do theory, huh…" Naruto's expression froze, and he immediately became very dejected.
"Youth is fearless! What's so scary about mere theory exams?" Rock Lee patted his shoulder, full of fighting spirit.
After transferring to First Year Class A, he became Naruto's deskmate.
"That's true!" Naruto's spirits lifted.
"Lee, you're always last in theoretical exams." Tenten couldn't help but retort.
"...?" Naruto subconsciously looked at Rock Lee.
"I did my best!" Rock Lee said as a matter of course. "That's already living up to youth!"
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kiba glanced at Inuzuka Hana and asked, "How do students in the Genius Class graduate? Is the standard still the Three Body Technique?"
"It's not the Basic Three E-rank Technique. It's a practical combat assessment," Kitazawa chuckled. "As for how to graduate, it's similar to before. You can apply once you reach twelve years old."
"Can't we graduate early?" Kiba asked again.
"You can graduate early," Kitazawa nodded. "If you believe your strength meets the standard, you can apply. It will still be a practical combat assessment."
Sasuke's heart stirred at the words. His older brother, Uchiha Itachi, had applied to graduate after only one year at the Ninja Academy.
But he quickly suppressed that thought. He would definitely not graduate until he got first place. And he had to get first place consecutively.
Sasuke had already realized that, in this class, occasionally getting first place didn't mean much.
"Now, I'll introduce two new teachers to you." Kitazawa walked to the door. "Kosuke-senpai, you've waited long enough. Please come in."
"No problem," Kosuke said indifferently.
As he walked into the classroom, he immediately drew the students' gazes. Because Kosuke really didn't look like a teacher. He had white hair and was carrying a large black pot and two spatulas on his back.
"Maruboshi Kosuke, a Genin, specializes in Water Release, Genjutsu, and Kenjutsu," Kitazawa slowly said. "From now on, he will be your Ninjutsu teacher. If you have any questions, you can ask him."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei."
Although they were skeptical of Maruboshi Kosuke, they still showed respect to Kitazawa, answering in unison.
"And one more." Kitazawa looked towards the door.
Kakashi put away his Make-Out Paradise and walked in.
Many students exchanged glances again. Kakashi's appearance seemed a bit better than Kosuke's. But why was only one eye visible? Was the other eye blind? What did he look like?
"Hatake Kakashi, a Jonin, Konoha's number one technician, specializes in over a thousand Ninjutsu."
After Kitazawa finished speaking, the students immediately let out gasps of surprise.
After all, Kakashi's resume was too astonishing. Moreover, his reputation in Konoha Village was not small, and some students had already recognized who he was.
Of course, Sasuke and Naruto already knew, so they weren't surprised.
"Quiet!" Kitazawa raised his hand to stop their discussion. "Next, we will begin the Chakra Nature test."
"Kitazawa-sensei, what is Chakra Nature?" A student who was previously in Fifth Year Class A raised his hand and asked.
The knowledge taught at the Ninja Academy did not involve Chakra Nature. In the original work, Naruto had already graduated long before he tested his Chakra Nature.
"The Chakra we refine is neutral, and the basic Three E-rank Technique we learn is also a neutral Ninjutsu," Kitazawa explained. "But our common Ninjutsu, such as Fire Release, involves Chakra Nature — which is fire."
"I know that!" Naruto immediately said. "My Chakra Nature is wind!"
"There are seven types of Chakra Nature: Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Yin, and Yang," Kitazawa nodded and said. "Once you know your Chakra Nature, I can teach you the corresponding Release Ninjutsu."
"Are we actually going to be taught Elemental Ninjutsu?" Shikamaru's face showed surprise.
"What's wrong with teaching Elemental Ninjutsu?" Akimichi Choji asked, puzzled.
"This should be taught by the Jonin Team leader," Shikamaru retorted. "Think about it — what would happen if the Ninja Academy taught Elemental Ninjutsu?"
"The squad leader could save a lot of effort?" Choji asked uncertainly.
"You're not wrong when you put it that way." Shikamaru gave a wry laugh. "If the Ninja Academy teaches Elemental Ninjutsu, students will mature earlier, and our Genius Class will become exceptionally important."
Shino adjusted his glasses. At that moment, he made up his mind that, no matter what, he could not leave the Genius Class.
He keenly noticed that the Genius Class had extraordinary significance.
"Kakashi, hand out the Chakra Paper to them." After Kitazawa finished speaking, he looked at everyone again and said, "Once you have the Chakra Paper, infuse Chakra into it."
Kakashi stood still, demonstrating his precise Chakra control. He held a stack of Chakra Paper, tossed it casually, and the paper scattered, landing neatly on each student's desk.
"Wow! That's amazing!" Everyone immediately exclaimed in admiration.
"The Chakra Paper will react differently based on your Chakra Nature," Kitazawa continued.
"If the paper burns, it's Fire.
If it gets wet, it's Water.
If it tears, it's Wind.
If it crumbles, it's Earth.
If it wrinkles, it's Lightning."
"Kitazawa-sensei, what about Yin and Yang?" a sixth-grade student asked.
"Yin and Yang cannot be tested," Kitazawa paused and added. "But it doesn't matter; we will find a way to test them later."
"Sasuke-kun, why aren't you testing?" Sakura asked, seeing Sasuke not making any move.
"I tested it before; it's Lightning and Fire," Sasuke said casually.
"Mine is Earth and Water," Sakura quickly said.
"So you can have two?" Naruto asked with a surprised look.
"I heard some people have three, four, or even all Natures," Shikamaru said lazily.
"I'm so envious." Naruto scratched his head. "I only have one."
"There's nothing wrong with only having one. It's not like having more Chakra Natures makes you stronger," Ino said with a smile. "Our Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique only uses Yin Release."
"Our Inuzuka Clan's Secret Technique is Yang Release," Kiba casually put down the Chakra Paper and said. "For us, there's no need to learn other Ninjutsu."
"Besides the Secret Technique Clans, in the Ninja World, there are also many Jonin famous for a particular Ninjutsu," Shikamaru gave an example.
"Like Kakashi-sensei. Although he is skilled in many Ninjutsu, he is most famous for Lightning Release."
"I see." Naruto clenched his fist. "Then I want to become a Wind Release master!"
"Wind Release, huh?" Shikamaru said thoughtfully. "Konoha Village doesn't have any particularly famous Wind Release masters."
Shino lowered his head slightly. Actually, there was one. He had heard Aburame Torune say that Danzo was a Wind Release ninja.
"Then that will be me in the future!" Naruto said confidently. "On the name of youth, I will become Konoha Village's most famous Wind Release ninja!"
"Huh?" Rock Lee asked in surprise. "Naruto, are you giving up on your dream of being a Taijutsu ninja?"
"Oh, right!" Naruto's face showed sudden realization. "I also want to become Konoha Village's strongest Taijutsu ninja!"
"Then I won't easily give up the title of strongest Taijutsu ninja to you!" Rock Lee flashed his teeth. "When the time comes, let's have a youthful showdown!"
"No problem!" Naruto immediately agreed.
Not long after, all the students' Chakra Natures had been tested. Kitazawa had them divided into five regular groups and one special group according to their Chakra Natures.
If someone had multiple Natures, they could choose a group to join. As for the special group, it consisted of Yin and Yang Natures, Bloodline Limit, and Taijutsu.
Yakumo, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and Karin, among others, chose this group.
Sasuke chose the Lightning Release learning group because he was learning Lightning Release.
Naruto chose the Wind Release learning group for the same reason. However, the members of the six groups were not fixed and could switch depending on the situation.
"Kosuke-senpai, please lead the Water Release learning group," Kitazawa spoke without any hesitation.
Kosuke's Water Release was learned from the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. Even Kitazawa currently couldn't compare to him.
"No problem," Kosuke nodded and said.
"Kakashi, you take the Lightning Release and Earth Release learning groups," Kitazawa paused and said. "I'll take the Wind Release, Fire Release, and special learning groups."
"Mhm," Kakashi replied indifferently.
After teaching Sasuke for a month, he had unconsciously raised his standards. If these students' talents weren't great, he would just send a Shadow Clone to lead them and teach them some low-level Ninjutsu.
In fact, most students could only learn some low-level Ninjutsu. Although it was a Genius Class, the real geniuses were the Konoha Twelve.
The other students had limited talent. Even so, it was much better than just learning the basic E-Rank Techniques such as Clone, Transformation, and Substitution.
Not to mention anything else, even if they only learned one or two low-level Ninjutsu, they would be among the best Genin after graduation.
For Konoha Village, this was already enough.
"From now on, you will have theory classes on Monday, and practical combat classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday." Kitazawa clapped his hands and said,
"Now, according to the order, starting from the first row, sign up. Classes officially begin tomorrow at nine in the morning."
Although he also felt that theory classes were very important, surviving in the cruel Ninja World was the most important thing, so practical combat classes were scheduled for four days.
However, for these geniuses, one day a week was enough for them to master the knowledge in their textbooks. If it still wasn't enough, they could have remedial classes after school.
For Kitazawa, it was also a good thing.
His available time changed from Saturday and Sunday to Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Three days would allow him to focus on learning Ninjutsu or taking Kabuto and his team out on missions.
"Kosuke-senpai and Kakashi, you can go back first." Kitazawa turned his head and said, "Just leave the registration to me."
"Alright then." Kosuke and Kakashi didn't say much and turned to leave.
Because there were only thirty people, registration was completed in less than two hours.
"Kitazawa-sensei, see you tomorrow!"
After registering, everyone went home to prepare for tomorrow's official classes.
Kitazawa pondered for a moment and then went to the Hokage Building. He planned to find a mission for his Ninja squad and also report on the Genius Class to Sarutobi Hiruzen. But before going to the mission hall, he detoured to the Anbu office.
"I want to see Uchiha Itachi." Kitazawa stood at the entrance and didn't go inside.
The four Anbu Ninja on duty in the Anbu office looked at each other. The number of times they had encountered a non-Anbu Ninja like Kitazawa directly coming to the Anbu office to find someone was truly few and far between.
"You… are you Kitazawa-sama?" One of the Anbu Ninja scrutinized him for a moment and asked uncertainly.
Kitazawa was now the vice-principal of the Ninja Academy, belonging to Konoha's high-ranking officials. According to Konoha Village's rules, ordinary Anbu Ninja should address him as 'sama.'
"I am." Kitazawa nodded and said.
"Please wait, I'll go find Captain Itachi now." The Anbu Ninja quickly got up and walked out.
Not long after, he and Itachi Uchiha appeared before Kitazawa.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Itachi was a little surprised and asked, "Is there something you need me for?"
"What do you think of Izumi's strength?" Kitazawa asked in return.
"Her talent is very good." Itachi was stunned for a moment, then commented, "Among her peers in the Uchiha Clan, her strength can be considered outstanding."
"Her strength has reached a bottleneck recently," Kitazawa said directly. "She's one step away from awakening her Two-Tomoe Sharingan."
"You want me to help her awaken her Two-Tomoe Sharingan?" Itachi realized and immediately showed a troubled expression.
Besides Sasuke, all the Uchiha Clan Ninja he knew who had awakened their Sharingan had lost a close person.
"That's right." Kitazawa chuckled, guessing his thoughts, and said, "Emotional stimulation doesn't necessarily require someone to die."
Itachi couldn't help but be startled.
"Izumi is only one step away from the Two-Tomoe Sharingan; she doesn't need overly intense emotional stimulation," Kitazawa explained. "For example, if your team encounters danger on a mission."
"Is that so?" Itachi understood immediately upon hearing this. "I can try."
Anbu had a total of four squads, with seventeen members in each squad. Itachi, with his powerful strength, was now a squad captain. Arranging for Uchiha Izumi wouldn't be a big problem.
"Let's set the time for next Sunday." Kitazawa thought for a moment, leaned closer, and conspired, "Like this, and like that."
"I will choose a suitable mission," Itachi said after listening.
"Mhm," Kitazawa said with a smile. "Izumi definitely won't suspect anything."
After all, to many people, Anbu was an organization directly under the Hokage. Uchiha Izumi would also not think that she would be set up by Anbu.
"This matter will probably have to be reported to Hokage-sama." Itachi hesitated for two seconds and said, "I don't know if Hokage-sama will agree."
"I'll report it." Kitazawa volunteered. "I also have something to report to him anyway."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Kitazawa-sensei." Itachi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. With Kitazawa's status, Hiruzen would certainly not refuse.
"Lady Tsunade is not Danzo; if your Uchiha Clan encounters big trouble, you can go to her first."
Kitazawa took two steps, then turned back and hinted, "Coming to me is also fine."
He was referring to Uchiha Obito.
A new year had arrived. According to the original timeline, the Uchiha Clan massacre would happen sometime this year.
Obito would most likely come to Konoha Village. The exact time was not mentioned in the original work.
Kitazawa could only prepare for the worst and give Itachi Uchiha a heads-up. If he encountered Obito, he should tell him to go to Tsunade or him.