"Before we clock out, I'll teach you the Medical Ninjutsu for Limb Regeneration first."
Kitazawa wasn't in a hurry to find the Uchiha Clan. It didn't matter whether he went early or late.
If Tsunade mastered Limb Regeneration, the progress of his system mission would advance significantly.
"Teach me." Tsunade nodded, setting aside the documents in her hand.
Kitazawa began explaining the key points and principles behind Limb Regeneration. Tsunade was undoubtedly a perfect student — her comprehension was sharp, and she could easily infer ten things from one. Her rate of progress was astonishing.
An hour passed in a flash. The sun outside had begun to dip, and the clock now pointed to five in the afternoon.
"This feeling of learning… It's truly been too long." Tsunade stretched, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "Let's stop here for today."
"Then I'll make a trip to the Uchiha," Kitazawa said, his gaze unconsciously admiring her graceful figure.
Smiling, he added teasingly, "Do you want me to help you sort out Shizune-senpai?"
"You have a way?" Tsunade immediately stood up, her expression lighting up with impatience.
"The same way," Kitazawa replied smoothly. "You leave work with me, and then we'll say we're learning the Yin Seal together."
"But… I don't have any money." Tsunade's amber eyes shifted, fixing on him with a playful look.
"I'll give it to you," Kitazawa said, smiling at her expression.
"As expected of my good student!" Tsunade nodded in satisfaction, a rare smile tugging at her lips.
"But this is still my money," Kitazawa continued leisurely. "And since your luck hasn't been too great lately, why don't I add a little luck value for you?"
"…?" Tsunade froze.
That sentence—why did it sound so familiar?
Her mind instantly flashed back to the incident after they'd gotten drunk. Originally, she had meant to give Kitazawa a lucky kiss… but the position of the kiss had gone a little off.
As she was recalling that moment, she saw Kitazawa walking toward her.
"Stop!" Tsunade's heart skipped a beat as she subconsciously shouted, "I don't need it!"
"Alright then." Kitazawa stopped and handed her a passbook. "There are two million ryō inside."
Tsunade blinked in surprise. Did he just give up that easily?
"See you tomorrow." Kitazawa waved his hand casually and turned to leave.
Tsunade stood in place, holding the passbook. Her expression was complicated, emotions flickering behind her golden eyes.
Meanwhile, Kitazawa arrived at the Uchiha Clan's compound.
There's a saying — sometimes giving up doesn't mean giving up. It's called retreating to advance.
After a few more rounds of this, Tsunade wouldn't feel comfortable taking his money for free. Eventually, she'd have to find a way to repay him.
---
"Kitazawa-sensei?" A slightly hesitant voice sounded from behind.
"Sasuke, are you just getting out of school?" Kitazawa turned around, seeing the boy standing there.
"Mhm." Sasuke nodded before asking curiously, "Kitazawa-sensei, why are you here?"
"You came at just the right time," Kitazawa said with a smile. "I'm here to see your father."
"I'll take you to him." Sasuke's eyes lit up with excitement, and he immediately offered to lead the way.
"Let's go then." Kitazawa followed Sasuke toward the house.
"Dad!" Sasuke shouted before even stepping inside.
"Sasu—Kitazawa-sama?" Itachi, who had been in the hall, looked surprised to see him.
"Brother? You're home so early today?" Sasuke asked in delight.
"Nothing much today," Itachi replied briefly, then turned to his brother. "Sasuke, go get the tea from Father's room."
"Has Dad not come back yet?" Sasuke asked, glancing around.
"He should be back soon." Once Sasuke had gone, Itachi faced Kitazawa and gestured politely. "Please have a seat, Kitazawa-sama."
Given Kitazawa's current status and influence, his visit to the Uchiha Clan wasn't something trivial. It definitely wasn't about Sasuke.
"I'll speak when Fugaku-sama returns," Kitazawa said before Itachi could ask.
"I'll send a Shadow Clone to call him." Without hesitation, Itachi formed the seals and dispatched a Shadow Clone.
"Brother!" Sasuke reappeared moments later, holding a tray. "Here's the tea you wanted."
"Kitazawa-sama, please wait a moment."
Itachi took the tea, stepping away briefly, then returned with a steaming cup and placed it before him.
"Thank you." Kitazawa accepted it with a nod.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Sasuke said curiously, "has the team roster for next week's practical exam been released yet?"
"Who do you want to team up with?" Kitazawa asked, amused.
Itachi stayed quiet, listening from the side. He already knew about the new structure of the practical exams from Sasuke.
If it had been anyone else proposing such a system, Itachi wouldn't have agreed. He understood better than anyone the psychological scars early missions could inflict.
After all, he had been taken to the battlefield by Fugaku when he was just four years old. The scene of killing was still etched deeply in his memory.
He didn't want Sasuke to go through the same thing. But with Kitazawa overseeing it, he knew it would be different.
"If I could choose, I'd pick Sakura and Shino," Sasuke replied, tilting his head. "Sakura is a Medical Ninja, and Shino is a sensory type. Both can help me."
In front of Itachi, the proud façade Sasuke showed at school disappeared. He spoke more like a normal child—innocent and honest.
"If it's a sensory ninja you want, why not Neji and Hinata?" Kitazawa asked with a knowing smile.
"This…" Sasuke suddenly faltered.
Kitazawa already understood his thoughts.
Sasuke didn't want Neji or Hinata stealing his points. The same logic applied to why he didn't choose Naruto or Yakumo Kurama.
Sakura was a healer and always listened to him—she wouldn't compete for points.
Shino, though capable, was far weaker than Neji and Hinata. Sasuke figured he could handle him easily.
Still, he knew a team that was too weak wouldn't help complete the mission efficiently. And that balance, was exactly why he chose Shino Aburame.
How to put it?
Kitazawa felt that Sasuke's choice was good—arguably the optimal solution. Perhaps he could really get first place.
But the first mission Kitazawa gave him was not D-rank or C-rank, but B-rank. His plan was to bring Sasuke and Naruto. Just like in the original story, they would defeat Midori Aoi.
The sound of the door opening echoed.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Kitazawa." Uchiha Fugaku rushed in and said.
"Not at all, I just arrived myself," Kitazawa said with a smile. "Please sit, I have something to discuss with you all."
"Sasuke." Uchiha Mikoto called out in time, "Come here."
"I…" Sasuke originally wanted to say that Kitazawa hadn't told him how to form a team yet, but after Fugaku glared at him, he could only quickly leave.
"Fugaku-sama."
Kitazawa thought for a moment and asked, "What do you think is the main reason for the Uchiha Clan's poor reputation?"
"It's the Nine-Tails Rampage." Fugaku paused slightly, then replied.
He hadn't expected Kitazawa to ask such a question right away. If it were anyone else, he would have thrown him out.
"That's part of the reason." Kitazawa shook his head and said, "But I think the main reason lies with the Konoha Military Police Force."
"What do you mean?" Fugaku's expression changed slightly, and he asked.
His first reaction was that Tsunade wanted to seize power. The Konoha Military Police Force was the only institution where the Uchiha Clan held power; it was impossible to give it up.
Otherwise, the Uchiha Clan would be completely removed from Konoha Village's center of power.
"Your Uchiha Clan handles matters too justly." Kitazawa slowly said, "Because of this justice, you are not popular with the villagers."
"I don't understand." Fugaku was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why would being overly just make one disliked?"
Itachi, who was nearby, couldn't help but ponder. He had also been confused before about why not only Ninja disliked them, but even the villagers did.
He could understand Ninja disliking them—after all, many Uchiha Clan Ninja seemed somewhat arrogant. But what about the villagers?
Itachi had never been able to figure it out. Now, Kitazawa's answer gave him a feeling of sudden enlightenment.
"For minor issues, a method of resolving them quietly should be adopted, rather than escalating them."
Kitazawa gave an example, "Villagers are not Ninja; you cannot imprison them for a single fight."
"Then what should we do?" Fugaku asked impatiently.
"Let both parties reconcile, act as if nothing happened, and you can even have Medical Ninja treat their injuries."
Kitazawa paused and said, "Only then can you establish good relationships with the villagers."
Fugaku and Itachi were both stunned. They suddenly realized the true intention of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, in giving them the Konoha Military Police Force.
Theoretically, if they did well enough, they could gain the villagers' approval through the Konoha Military Police Force. One of the three major procedures to become Hokage would be directly completed.
But due to the Uchiha Clan's pride, they had all subconsciously overlooked these unarmed villagers.
"The path of our Uchiha Clan went wrong from the very beginning."
Itachi said in a deep voice. Kitazawa's words completely hit home for his dream. His dream was for Konoha Village and the Uchiha Clan to coexist peacefully.
Such a path could have been achieved through the Konoha Military Police Force, but they had all failed to notice it. Not only Fugaku, but he and Uchiha Shisui had also been completely unaware.
Were they all too arrogant? Itachi realized his own problem for the first time.
"Is it too late now?" Fugaku sighed and said, "Besides, the personalities of the clan members are difficult to change in a short time."
"Then introduce Ninja from other clans," Kitazawa stated his true purpose, which was the power-sharing he and Tsunade had discussed.
"That's impossible!" Fugaku rejected it without thinking. He became even more convinced of his initial guess—Tsunade wanted to seize the Uchiha Clan's power.
"Father." Itachi held a completely opposite opinion, "I think we can try it."
"No!" Fugaku said with a firm attitude.
"Father, the Uchiha Clan has reached a point where it must make changes!" Itachi retorted sharply.
"I think you both misunderstand. Tsunade-sensei is a Hokage who values fairness." Kitazawa stopped their argument. "She is willing to give the Uchiha a position as Hokage Secretary."
"Are you serious?" Fugaku immediately became excited, his face showing an expression of disbelief.
Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had established the Hokage Guard Platoon, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and others had all joined it.
Although the current Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, had not established a Hokage Guard Platoon, she had a Hokage Secretary.
From the fact that Shizune was the Hokage Secretary, it could be seen that the nature of the Hokage Secretary was similar to that of the Hokage Guard Platoon, with the qualification to become Hokage.
Even if one couldn't become Hokage, a position in the Konoha Village's higher echelons was guaranteed. Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu, among others, were the best examples now.
If the Uchiha Clan produced a Hokage Secretary, the current awkward situation would be reversed. The opportunity to become Hokage was right before their eyes!
Not only that, but the Uchiha Clan might even be able to use this opportunity to return to their original compound.
"Of course it's true." Kitazawa nodded and said, "Tsunade-sensei will announce it at next week's Jōnin Meeting."
"Hokage-sama is truly… extraordinary!" Fugaku immediately praised, "I believe that under Hokage-sama's leadership, Konoha Village will become even stronger!"
Compared to Tsunade, Hiruzen, and Danzo were simply heinous towards their Uchiha Clan.
"But there's still that one problem." Kitazawa coughed lightly and said, "For the Uchiha to become Hokage Secretary, they need the support of most Jōnin."
Fugaku's expression stiffened at these words. This request was truly too difficult for their Uchiha Clan.
"With only one week left, the quickest way to mend relationships is through mutual benefit," Kitazawa said, implying something.
Even Uchiha Fugaku, no matter how foolish, reacted.
Introducing Ninja from other clans into the Konoha Military Police Force was the best way to gain their support.
The Konoha Military Police Force was a large organization in Konoha Village, and its power was not small.
Theoretically, the Konoha Military Police Force managed all the villagers and Ninja in the village. However, with the decline of the Uchiha Clan, many of the Police Force's powers had been encroached upon.
But if Ninja from other clans were introduced, perhaps some of their power could be restored. Of course, the most important thing was the position of Hokage Secretary.
"Kitazawa." Fugaku took a deep breath and said, "However you say to do it, the Uchiha will do it."
"Alright then." Kitazawa said with a smile, "I'll just mention a few points casually."
---
Night fell.
Kitazawa declined the invitation to stay for dinner and returned home.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha Clan dispatched an Uchiha squad led by Itachi to visit the major Ninja clans.
The major Ninja clans did not refuse. The reason was simple — given the Uchiha Clan's nature, such a change was simply impossible.
The Konoha Military Police Force was an organization of Konoha Village, and any changes required the Hokage's approval. In other words, the mastermind behind all this was Tsunade.
Tsunade's message was already very clear: the Uchiha Clan would give up some power, allowing others to change their attitude toward the Uchiha Clan.
With the benefits gained and the Hokage's approval, the major Ninja clans had no reason to make things difficult.
Under the cover of night, the structure of Konoha Village quietly underwent a change.
Time came to Friday.
[Current Mission: Create Lightning Release: Kirin with Kakashi.]
[Mission Reward: Lightning Release: Chidori Curret(Stream).]
[The Host has completed the mission; rewards are being issued.]
Kitazawa woke up to see these three lines of text before his eyes. His first reaction was—had Kakashi really woken up so early to train?
This wasn't like his original personality. Perhaps influenced by Sasuke and others, he was gradually stepping out of the shadows of the past.
Lightning Release: Chidori Current was a variation of Lightning Release: Chidori.
It discarded Chidori's high attack power and penetration, replacing them with excellent defensive capabilities. Simply put, it spread lightning from the hand to the entire body.
Kitazawa felt it was somewhat similar to Kurosuki Raiga's Ninja Art: Lightning Armor. But the difference was that Chidori Current also had a certain degree of offensive power, capable of channeling the lightning from the entire body into the ground to achieve an area attack.
In short, it was a very practical Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
Kitazawa had breakfast and arrived at the Ninja Academy.
"Here you go." Kakashi had arrived at the Training Ground earlier, and upon seeing Kitazawa, he casually tossed him a Ninjutsu scroll.
"Congratulations, Kakashi."
Kitazawa glanced at the Ninjutsu scroll and then said with a smile. The scroll recorded the Lightning Release: Kirin that Kakashi had just created.
"You can submit it to Konoha Village for a reward," Kitazawa reminded him.
Although he provided the idea, Kakashi did the work. There was no need to snatch this small reward.
Besides, he didn't lack such small rewards now. His teacher had become the Hokage — he could just ask Tsunade directly for anything he wanted.
"Thank you," Kakashi said, sparing his words.
"Wait a moment." Kitazawa told him, then called out to Kosuke nearby, "Kosuke-senpai, come here."
"What's wrong, Kitazawa?" Kosuke walked up to them.
"A new practical exam," Kitazawa explained. "We each need to lead two teams, and to avoid affecting the Genius Class's studies, the time will be set for the weekends of these two weeks."
"Starting next weekend?" Kosuke nodded and then asked.
"I think we can start this weekend," Kitazawa replied.
"I have no objections," Kosuke said indifferently.
"How will we form teams?" Kakashi asked directly.
"I have already selected the members for the two teams I will lead."
Kitazawa paused and said, "You two will choose from the remaining students."
The first team he chose was Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji — because he planned to have them do Midori Aoi's mission.
Midori Aoi was a Chunin before he defected from Konoha Village and became a Jonin after going to Hidden Rain Village.
From the original work, his Jonin status was very inflated. Sasuke and Naruto should be able to handle him.
For safety and convenience in finding people, he added Hyuga Neji.
The second team was Hyuga Hinata, Shino Aburame, and Inuzuka Hana. Kitazawa planned to take them to the Land of Water to find Haku.
Whether it was Byakugan, Kikaichu, or Ninja Hounds, all were very suitable for finding people.
"Kosuke-senpai, you choose first."
Although Kakashi was a little disappointed not to have chosen Sasuke, he said nothing. Kosuke unhesitatingly chose Sakura — after all, she was his Water Release successor.
The other team members were chosen randomly, five of them.
---
Nine in the morning.
The students of the Genius Class all arrived at the Ninja Academy's Training Ground.
"Next Thursday is the Monthly Exam."
Kitazawa looked at them and said, "To avoid the practical exam being completed too late, I have decided to start missions from tomorrow."
"That's great!" Naruto said excitedly upon hearing this.
"I wonder who my teammates will be." Ino's face showed anticipation.
"You Ino–Shika–Chō won't be split up," Sakura said with a relieved expression. "Good thing Sasuke-kun doesn't have a fixed combination like you guys."
"This is a practical exam, not a team assignment after graduation," Ino put her hands on her hips and said. "I won't necessarily be teammates with Shikamaru and Choji!"
"I want to be teammates with Naruto and Sasuke."
Shikamaru clasped the back of his head and fantasized, "That way, I won't have to do anything to complete the mission."
"Why are you always thinking about being lazy?" Tenten couldn't help but retort.
"Anyway, the mission will be completed, so what's wrong with being a little lazy?" Shikamaru said carelessly.
"Sasuke-kun is mine!" Sakura snorted lightly and said, "I have a premonition that my teammate will be Sasuke-kun!"
"What you say doesn't seem to be very accurate." Shino Aburame adjusted his glasses and said.
"..." Sakura's expression froze upon hearing this. It really seemed to be true. She often jinxed Sasuke, and it always backfired.
Hinata clenched her hands. For her, teammates didn't matter — as long as the team leader was Kitazawa.
"I will now announce the three teams going out on missions this Sunday," Kitazawa began.
"First team, Hyuga Hinata."
"Eh?" Hinata subconsciously looked up, her expression surprised.
She hadn't expected Kitazawa to call her name first. Could it be... Hinata couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.
"Shino Aburame," Kitazawa continued.
Shino Aburame nodded slightly. Hinata was strong; with her as a teammate, completing the mission should be no problem.
"Inuzuka Hana." Kitazawa had originally wanted to choose Kiba, but he didn't have Akamaru now.
"Me?" Inuzuka Hana was a little surprised, but more so happy. After all, both of her teammates were stronger than her.
"I will lead this team," Kitazawa said with a smile.
Hinata immediately clutched the corner of her clothes, her heart soaring.
"Ah?" Ino looked disappointed.
"Sensei Kitazawa will also lead another team," Shikamaru reminded her.
"That's right!" Ino's spirits lifted, and she felt hope again.
"The second team will be led by Kosuke-senpai," Kitazawa announced.
"Sakura, Kurama Yakumo, and Tenten."
"Where is my Sasuke-kun?" Sakura's pupils widened in shock, and she immediately put on a mask of pain.
"What a pity." Tenten was actually quite satisfied with her two teammates, but the absence of Hyuga Neji made her a little unaccustomed.
Sasuke frowned slightly. His previously chosen two teammates, Sakura and Shino Aburame, had both left him.
Is Sensei Kitazawa targeting me? Sasuke quickly shook his head again. He still trusted Kitazawa very much.
"The third team, led by Kakashi," Kitazawa finished in one breath. "Ino, Akimichi Choji, and Nara Shikamaru."
"It's over!" Shikamaru sighed and said, "Now I can't be lazy!"
"Why isn't it Kitazawa Sensei?" Ino and Nara Shikamaru, for once, had synchronized expressions, both looking dejected.
"It's pretty good." Akimichi Choji said with a simple smile.
"Kitazawa-sensei, who are my teammates?" Naruto really couldn't hold back and raised his hand to ask.
"You're on a team with Neji and Sasuke," Kitazawa replied.
"Neji and Sasuke?" Naruto paused, then said excitedly, "What youthful teammates!"
"...?" A question mark slowly appeared on Sasuke's face.
Shikamaru's idea was that the stronger the teammates, the better. But Sasuke's idea was completely opposite.
Teammates shouldn't be too strong — that way, they wouldn't steal his spotlight.
Now, Naruto and Neji were both no worse than him. What kind of performance would he need to surpass them?
Sasuke suddenly felt it was tricky.
"This is troublesome." Neji and Sasuke had somewhat similar thoughts. But since things had come to this, he didn't say much more.
"Isn't this team a bit excessive?" Kiba asked, puzzled. "Putting the three who are often in the top three in one team, how are we supposed to compete?"
"This is a problem!" Sakura immediately said, "I think I should swap with Neji!"
"Sensei Kitazawa must have his reasons for doing this." Ino glanced at her and said, "Don't always think about your Sasuke."
"This allocation method is not necessarily advantageous," Shikamaru shook his head and said.
"Those three will definitely compete for points, and in the end, when averaged out, they might not be as good as us."
"That makes sense." Yakumo agreed.
Sasuke fell silent upon hearing this.
Was Sensei Kitazawa really planning that? Then it would be dangerous. Lest their three rankings all drop sharply.
But would the other two give him the chance to perform?
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Ino raised her hand and asked expectantly, "Will we be regrouped for the next Monthly Exam?"
"Yes," Kitazawa nodded and said. "Each Monthly Exam will have different team groupings."
"Yay!" Ino's face immediately lit up with a smile upon hearing this. Many others also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, everyone, go train," Kitazawa clapped his hands and said. "Students from the first three teams, remember to gather here at nine tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Kitazawa-Sensei!" The students of the Genius Class began their respective training.
"Kosuke-senpai, and Kakashi," Kitazawa looked at them and reminded, "I will have Anbu follow you then; just act as if they don't exist."
Kosuke and Kakashi nodded.
They could all understand why Kitazawa was so cautious. Not to mention the talent of these students — their identities alone were enough to make them very important. Each one was an heir to a major Ninja clan.
If anything happened, it would affect the future of Konoha Village.
"I'm going to class; see you later." Kitazawa turned and walked toward the Genius Class classroom.
After a week of study, the Medical Ninja of Konoha Hospital had gained a certain understanding of Limb Regeneration.
The fastest were Tsunade and Yakushi Nono — especially Tsunade. Kitazawa estimated she would learn it in less than half a month.
--
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)