It was afternoon.
Kitazawa left a Shadow Clone behind and was about to head to the Hokage's Office when three lines of text appeared before his eyes:
[Current Mission: Help Aburame Shino cultivate Kikaichu with Water Release resistance.]
[Mission Reward: Gain 10% Water Release damage resistance.]
[Host has completed the mission, reward issued.]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. Had this mission finally been completed?
Changing direction, he headed toward the Artificial Lake.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Aburame Shino quickly approached him and said, "I was just about to look for you."
He extended his hand. In his palm were two types of Kikaichu—one light blue, one dark blue.
"It seems your Kikaichu mutation experiment has succeeded once again," Kitazawa said with a smile. "Tell me about them."
"These dark blue Kikaichu have the ability to breathe freely underwater," Shino explained. "They can be used for underwater sensing and reconnaissance."
"Not bad," Kitazawa said, his eyes lighting up.
His first thought wasn't about detecting underwater enemies—but about underwater resources, especially those hidden deep beneath the sea.
Once all members of the Aburame Clan were equipped with these Kikaichu, they could form an underwater exploration unit.
After all, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had once turned gold dust into Sunagakure's lifeline—why couldn't Konoha have something similar?
"These light blue Kikaichu," Shino continued, "are similar to Kikaichu of fire—they can withstand Water Release ninjutsu. The duration depends on the strength of the Water Release technique."
"What are your plans next?" Kitazawa asked.
"I want to research Kikaichu with Wind Release resistance."
Shino thought of Naruto. With Wind-resistant Kikaichu, he might last longer in a fight against Naruto.
"Alright," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. "Then Naruto can help you."
[Current Mission: Help Aburame Shino cultivate Kikaichu with Wind Release resistance.]
[Mission Reward: Gain 10% Wind Release damage resistance.]
[Accept?]
A familiar mission. Kitazawa glanced at the message and chose to accept.
"Then I'll go find Naruto now," Shino said, clearly impatient.
The successful mutation of his Kikaichu twice in a row had given him great confidence. If he could create Kikaichu resistant to all Five Releases, the Aburame Clan's strength would rise dramatically.
By then, he would become the first person in clan history to achieve such a feat.
Kitazawa bid him farewell and headed to the Hokage's Office.
"News has come from the Hidden Mist Village." Tsunade was still casually leaning back in the Hokage's chair.
"When are they coming?" Kitazawa asked, his gaze shifting toward her with subtle admiration.
"June 1st," Tsunade replied. "The team leader is the new Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village—Mei Terumī."
"Mei Terumī?" Kitazawa said, surprised. "I thought it would be Ao."
Mei Terumī had become the Fifth Mizukage quite late in the original timeline—not until the eve of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
To attend the Five Kage Summit, the Hidden Mist Elder, Gengetsu Hōzuki, had appointed her as the Fifth Mizukage.
In other words, this should have been nearly ten years from now.
Now that Terumī Mei had assumed the title early, she could compete with Minato Namikaze for the title of youngest Kage.
Of course, once Gaara became the Fifth Kazekage at fifteen, that debate would become meaningless.
"Ao has more seniority," Tsunade mused, "but his strength doesn't compare to Mei Terumī's. And right now, the Hidden Mist needs a bold young leader to pull them out of their decline."
"Indeed," Kitazawa agreed, then shifted the topic. "But that won't be easy."
From what he knew, the Hidden Mist had fallen into long stagnation. Even Terumī Mei had failed to reverse its decline.
By the time Chōjūrō succeeded her as the Sixth Mizukage, things had only worsened.
"We don't need to concern ourselves with their affairs," Tsunade said, waving her hand dismissively. "You and Shikaku can go welcome her."
Logically, as Mizukage, Mei Terumī should be greeted by an equal-ranking Hokage—meaning Tsunade herself.
However, since the Hidden Mist was the losing side, there was no need to show full respect. Establishing dominance early would give Konoha an edge in the negotiations.
"Understood." Kitazawa paused, then added, "I plan to take three students from the Genius Class on an outdoor mission tomorrow."
"Be careful," Tsunade said casually.
With Kitazawa's power, even a Kage-level opponent from another village wouldn't intimidate him. She wasn't worried.
"The Jōnin Meeting is scheduled for next Monday," Tsunade suddenly remembered. "If you can't make it back in time, I'll postpone it."
"Is that alright?" Kitazawa asked with a grin.
Jōnin Meetings were usually announced days in advance. Changing the date so casually went against standard protocol—it was a little willful.
"Is there a problem?" Tsunade asked, brow raised.
"No problem. You're the Hokage—you make the rules." Kitazawa gave her a thumbs-up and said with a smile, "That's what I call domineering."
"Stop being glib and go practice the Yin Seal," Tsunade said, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Kitazawa turned and left the office.
He claimed he didn't want to disturb her work, but in reality, he was secretly practicing Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall.
Still, since his Yin Seal progress was impressive, Tsunade didn't interfere much.
---
It was Saturday.
Hinata woke up early—today was her outdoor mission. She hummed her self-composed rice ball song as she cheerfully changed into her clothes.
"Sister!" Hinata turned to see a delicate little girl running toward her—it was her younger sister, Hanabi.
"Hanabi." Hinata smiled warmly and bent down to pick her up.
"Come eat," said Hyuga Hiashi, glancing at them as he walked into the living room.
"Yes, Father," Hinata replied respectfully.
When she entered the room, she set Hanabi down.
The dining table was laden with a variety of breakfast dishes—far more than four people could possibly finish.
"Mother." Hinata greeted her mother softly, her voice filled with respect.
"Mama!" Hanabi's tender, childish voice echoed after hers.
"Going on an outdoor mission is not like attending school. Dangers lurk everywhere—so you must listen to Kitazawa in everything," Hiashi said calmly, picking up his chopsticks as he spoke.
"I understand, Father." Hinata was momentarily startled, quickly lowering her head in acknowledgment.
What surprised her was not the order itself, but the fact that Hyuga Hiashi had voiced such direct concern for her safety. It was rare.
"Kitazawa is currently the Hokage's student," Hiashi continued. "If you have the chance, get closer to him. Perhaps you can become his official disciple in the future."
Although the Hyuga Clan already enjoyed a prestigious position, no clan would reject an opportunity to rise higher.
And with the Uchiha Clan showing signs of returning to Konoha's inner circle of power in recent days, the Hyuga could not afford to lag behind.
"Mm!" Hinata nodded vigorously. She also wanted to become Kitazawa's student.
She felt no resistance toward her father's suggestion—only that it seemed very difficult. Kitazawa's popularity was unmatched; everyone admired him.
After breakfast, Hinata arrived at the Ninja Academy's training grounds.
Shino Aburame was already there, standing quietly with his insects buzzing faintly around him.
"Shino, good morning." Hinata walked over, greeting him with a small smile.
"Good morning," Shino responded immediately, his tone as calm as ever.
Then, silence fell.
Shino was not an outgoing person, and though Hinata's confidence had grown thanks to Kitazawa's guidance, she still wasn't the type to start conversations easily.
"Hinata! Shino!" The awkward stillness was broken by a lively voice.
Inuzuka Hana arrived, her three ninken running alongside her, barking enthusiastically.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" Her canine partners barked in unison, tails wagging excitedly.
"What are they saying?" Hinata asked curiously.
"They're calling your names," Hana said proudly, mimicking their tones. "Woof-woof-woof means you, and woof-woof-woof-woof means Shino."
"How amazing." Hinata tilted her head in admiration, then added softly, "But… I can't tell the difference."
"I couldn't either before," Hana said with a grin. "But after spending enough time with them, I learned to understand. If you like, I can even give you a ninken."
Hinata blinked in surprise. She knew Hana's offer wasn't only out of kindness—befriending the Hyuga heiress was always a smart move.
"Thank you," Hinata said, shaking her head gently. "But… following me would be a waste."
"Woof! Woof!" At that moment, the three ninken barked again, their noses twitching.
"They smell Kitazawa-sensei," Hana translated quickly.
A familiar, steady voice followed soon after.
"It seems you're having a good chat." Kitazawa approached with a smile, his presence instantly commanding attention.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata, Shino, and Hana greeted him in unison.
"Are you all ready?" Kitazawa asked, scanning them with an approving nod. "If you are, then let's head out."
He turned and began walking toward the village gate. The three students quickly followed behind him.
"Your mission this time is very simple," Kitazawa explained as they walked. "Find a young boy named Haku. He's about your age and currently wandering alone in the Land of Water."
"Land of Water?" Hana asked in disbelief. "That far?"
Hinata and Shino exchanged looks of surprise as well. None of them had expected their first real mission to take them so far from the Fire Country.
"Distance is not the issue," Kitazawa said casually. "As a ninja, you must learn to reach even the most distant lands. Today, I'll teach you your first lesson—how to allocate stamina for long-distance travel."
His tone carried quiet authority, and all three immediately straightened, taking his words seriously.
After finishing his explanation, Kitazawa set the pace himself, leading them into a steady run.
At a trained ninja's speed, it would take about three days to reach the Land of Water.\
However, since their destination was only near the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, they could cut that time in half, less than two days.
"Hinata, your breathing is too fast," Kitazawa said after a while. "Don't rush it—control your rhythm."
Hinata quickly adjusted her breathing, matching his guidance.
"Hana, your steps are uneven. Maintain a consistent stride," he continued, smiling faintly. "Akamaru is doing great, though."
"Woof! Woof!" Haimaru wagged his tail happily, barking in response.
By the time the sun set in the west, the group reached the coastline.
Kitazawa pulled out a small boat he had prepared in advance. "Everyone, take a rest. I'll handle the rowing."
The three students immediately collapsed onto the boat, exhausted after a full day's journey. They no longer cared about their appearance—simply grateful to rest.
The ninken, too, panted heavily, tongues lolling from fatigue.
Only Kitazawa seemed completely unaffected. And in truth, he was.
With the Senju bloodline and the Yin Seal enhancing his endurance, running for three days and nights without rest would not trouble him in the slightest.
Kitazawa placed his palm on the water's surface. Chakra flowed outward, propelling the small boat smoothly across the sea.
For a moment, he recalled how Jiraiya had once taught Naruto to row a boat using the Rasengan.
Shaking his head with a faint smile, Kitazawa's thoughts drifted to the one they were seeking—Haku.
Haku lived in a village where snow never ceased to fall. Because of the Bloody Mist's cruel policies, villagers there hated all Bloodline Limit users.
Haku's mother had hidden her Ice Release to survive, but once her husband discovered her secret, he gathered the villagers to kill her.
In that moment of despair, young Haku had awakened his Ice Release—and used it to annihilate them all.
From that day on, he wandered the frozen lands of the Water Country… until the day he met Momochi Zabuza.
Before setting out, Kitazawa had already sent Anbu scouts to locate the general area of Haku's village. His plan was simple—use the village as a center point and search outward in expanding circles.
Time passed quietly as the waves lapped against the boat.
When night finally fell, Kitazawa docked on a small, uninhabited island. Hinata and the others had rested for two hours and regained much of their strength.
"Hana, set up two tents," Kitazawa instructed. "Shino, check the surroundings and set traps. Hinata, prepare tonight's dinner."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!" The three responded in unison and began their tasks.
Kitazawa stood nearby, watching and offering occasional guidance.
The tents were quickly set up.
Hinata, meanwhile, had learned how to cook—though she usually only did so at home. This was her first time preparing food in front of Kitazawa.
She even considered using her Byakugan to help monitor the cooking process—but she remembered Kitazawa's strict rule: no unnecessary Chakra use during missions.
So, she suppressed the urge and continued patiently.
Fortunately, after some effort, Hinata managed to complete the dinner without any incident.
"Hinata, you're really amazing."
Inuzuka Hana exclaimed in admiration, "I can't even cook!"
"Me neither," Shino Aburame added calmly, adjusting his glasses.
"It's nothing special," Hinata said softly, her cheeks slightly flushed with shyness.
After dinner, Kitazawa stood up, his gaze sweeping across the group. "We've already entered the territory of the Land of Water. We might encounter a Hidden Mist Village ninja at any time. As shinobi, you must remain vigilant even while sleeping."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," the three responded in unison before heading into their tents and pulling out their sleeping bags.
Kitazawa, however, didn't sleep. He sat silently outside, his back straight against the cold night breeze, keeping watch while gazing up at the starlit sky.
He was deep in thought.
The system mission required him to get first place in the upcoming practical exam. Although the system itself was idiotic, it still followed some logic.
If he wanted to secure first place, he needed to perform exceptionally well on this mission.
Since it was a search mission, finding the target before Hinata and the others would naturally be expected. But merely doing that might not be enough to claim first place.
To earn additional points, there would have to be an unexpected development — perhaps encountering Hidden Mist nin.
Now that they were deep within the Land of Water's borders, running into enemy ninja wouldn't be difficult.
If the situation allowed, Kitazawa could even use this opportunity to train his students.
The night passed quietly without incident.
By dawn, the group resumed their journey by boat. Three hours later, they arrived at a remote village where snow fell endlessly from the gray skies.
Kitazawa had prepared thick winter gear in advance, and Hinata, Hana, and Shino bundled themselves up before setting out.
"You three will search in that direction. I'll take another route," Kitazawa instructed after some thought.
Although the three felt uneasy splitting up, they obeyed and began heading west together.
Kitazawa quickly formed hand seals, summoning ten Shadow Clones. Each clone dispersed in a different direction, activating Byakugan to search for Haku, while Kitazawa's real body quietly followed behind his students.
"Any findings yet?" Inuzuka Hana asked after about an hour.
"No targets matching the description," Shino Aburame replied with a shake of his head.
"Same here." Hinata deactivated her Byakugan and rubbed her tired eyes — using it continuously for so long had strained them.
"Let's rest for ten minutes," Hana suggested after noticing Hinata's fatigue.
"Agreed," Shino said. "Searching too hastily won't help. Maintaining your condition is more important."
Hinata nodded gently.
Just then, Haimaru suddenly barked sharply.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
"There's an unusual scent — underground!" Hana's expression turned tense as she spoke.
"Thirty meters to the left!" Hinata said quickly, reactivating her Byakugan.
"Secret Technique: Kikaichu!"
Shino raised both hands, and a swarm of chakra-eating insects surged out toward the ground.
"We've been discovered! Act now!" a Hidden Mist ninja shouted as he burst out of the snow-covered earth.
An earth wall immediately rose in front of him, blocking the Kikaichu.
"Haha! To think we'd stumble upon three Konoha brats here—looks like an easy merit!" A middle-aged Mist Jonin stood perched on a tree branch above, smirking.
Even though the trio wasn't wearing their Konoha headbands, Hinata's Byakugan had already betrayed their identity.
Still, the Mist Jonin didn't attack immediately. He knew most Konoha squads consisted of four members — meaning there was likely a Jonin nearby.
He just didn't know that Jonin was already behind him.
A young Mist Chunin lunged toward Hinata at blinding speed, his fists slicing through the air.
Hinata dodged, sliding lightly across the snow.
The young ninja frowned, pivoted, and launched a fierce kick — but she evaded again.
Two failed attacks in a row made the Chunin's face twist in frustration. His opponent looked barely six or seven years old, hardly even a ninja in his eyes.
Anger burned in him as he unleashed a relentless barrage.
Hinata felt immense pressure but gritted her teeth, her Byakugan tracking every motion, waiting for an opening.
The Chunin, however, was cautious. He knew about the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist and avoided her strikes carefully.
Nearby, a female Mist ninja formed hand seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
A massive water dragon rose from the ground, roaring toward Inuzuka Hana.
"She's mine!" Shino shouted, stepping in front of Hana.
"Haimaru!" Hana called, launching her own technique. "Fang Over Fang!"
Four spinning whirlwinds tore across the battlefield, colliding with the Earth Wall. The Mist Earth-Release user flinched and retreated as cracks split the wall apart.
The female ninja's water dragon collided with Shino's Kikaichu midair. Water and insects exploded in a violent clash — the dragon's force tore through many of the insects, but the swarm didn't disperse.
Smirking, the Mist kunoichi began weaving hand seals again, ready to finish Shino off.
But then, the water erupted.
A group of shimmering, light-blue Kikaichu burst through the collapsing water dragon, moving at incredible speed as they enveloped her body.
Her eyes widened in horror.
"Aahhh!" She screamed and tried to tear them off, but it was useless. Within seconds, her chakra was being drained.
"What's going on?!" the Mist Jonin above shouted, preparing to intervene.
But before he could move, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over him. He turned his head—and froze.
Kitazawa stood silently behind him, eyes cold and glowing faintly red with chakra.
The Mist Jonin's pupils dilated. At the moment their gazes met, his mind was pulled into an illusion.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.
Kitazawa moved soundlessly. Covering the man's mouth, he drew a kunai across his throat in one smooth motion.
Without a sound, the Hidden Mist Jonin died silently in the tree, just like that.
With Kitazawa's current level of strength, ambushing an ordinary Jonin was far too easy — it wasn't even a challenge for him.
"Get lost!"
The young Mist ninja who had been fighting Hinata heard the terrified scream of his female comrade and immediately turned to run toward her.
An opening! Hinata's eyes flashed.
Without hesitation, she used the Konoha-style Body Flicker Technique, her figure vanishing in an instant.
Before the young ninja could even react, she appeared behind him like a ghost.
Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!
Her palms struck in a blur — one after another — thirty-two precise blows delivered in a single breath.
The young ninja's eyes widened in disbelief as his body convulsed, chakra flow sealing shut at thirty-two points. He collapsed onto the ground, powerless.
He hadn't expected Hinata to suddenly unleash such incredible speed, nor had he imagined she would know such an advanced Hyuga Clan technique.
Distracted by his concern for his comrade, he had been completely defenseless — and paid the price.
Hinata exhaled softly, relief washing over her.
"Damn it!" The Earth Release user's eyes bulged as he kicked Inuzuka Hana away, quickly retreating to create distance.
In the blink of an eye, all his teammates had been defeated.
Three Chunin — all defeated by three little brats. It was unthinkable.
"Sensei! Help!" the Earth Release ninja shouted desperately.
Aburame Shino froze for a second. His mind raced — the leader of a team of three Chunin had to be a Jonin. If that Jonin intervened, they wouldn't stand a chance.
"We have to retreat," he decided instantly.
"You two, fall back first!" Shino shouted, pulling a flash bomb from his pouch and tossing it toward the ground.
A blinding white light burst out, flooding the snowy clearing.
"Let's go!" Inuzuka Hana immediately stopped her spinning technique, grabbed Hinata's hand, and began sprinting through the mist and glare.
"Wait! Shino—what about you?" Hinata called out anxiously as they ran.
"Shino's always calm; he must have a plan," Hana said in a low voice, her tone firm despite the tension.
"Go!" Within moments, Shino had caught up to them, his expression steady behind his glasses.
Meanwhile, the Earth Release ninja had reacted quickly when the flash bomb detonated. He raised an Earth-Style Wall, blocking the light in front of him.
But there was no attack.
"…They ran?" The Mist ninja blinked, lowering the wall.
Then, with a snarl, he used the Body Flicker Technique, dashing after them. Yet, after only a few steps, he froze.
Something was wrong. A strange bulge had appeared beneath his uniform, pulsing grotesquely.
"What the hell—?" He ripped open his jacket and stared in horror.
A mass of small, wriggling insects clung to his abdomen, their movements synchronized as they drained his chakra at an alarming speed.
Panicked, he tried to force them off by flooding his body with chakra.
Boom! A deafening explosion echoed through the forest.
Blood splattered across the trees.
The two surviving Mist Chunin — the young man and the wounded woman — screamed in horror.
Before they could even recover, two shuriken whistled through the air, embedding themselves in their throats. Both fell lifelessly into the snow.
"Shino… what did you just do?" Inuzuka Hana caught her breath, her eyes wide. "Haimaru says no one's following us."
"It was the Exploding Insects that Kitazawa-sensei gave me," Shino explained evenly, his voice calm despite the chaos.
"Amazing…" Hana murmured, awe written across her face.
Even the Fourth Raikage would have suffered a severe wound if struck by those insects — three Chunin stood no chance.
Shino nodded slightly, then warned in a steady tone, "But stay alert. Their Jonin leader is still out there."
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata, who had reactivated her Byakugan, suddenly gasped. "I see him!"
Kitazawa emerged from the mist, calm and unhurried.
"You all did very well," he said with a faint smile.
He had expected Hinata and the others to panic under pressure, facing three Chunin for the first time. Although both Hinata and Shino already had Chunin-level skill, this had been their first true life-or-death battle.
Yet, their composure and teamwork had far exceeded his expectations — especially Shino's decisive tactics.
Hinata ran toward him and hugged his leg tightly. She hadn't been scared during the battle, but the moment she saw Kitazawa, the tension finally broke, and her fear came rushing in.
"Their Jonin leader has already been dealt with," Kitazawa said gently, patting her head. "You don't have to worry anymore."
Shino and Hana both exhaled deeply, their shoulders relaxing.
This encounter had taught them the true essence of being a shinobi — that death could appear at any moment, without warning.
Just then, Kitazawa's eyes narrowed slightly.
A flood of memories surged into his mind — the recollection of one of his Shadow Clones. It had dispelled automatically after finding Haku.
"Hinata," Kitazawa said softly, looking down at her. "Are you alright?"
"I… I'm fine," Hinata murmured, cheeks flushed as she quickly stepped back.
"Good. Then let's move. I've found our target."
Kitazawa smiled faintly, dispelling his remaining clones before leading the team toward the village from his clone's memory.
Not long after, they arrived at a desolate settlement blanketed in snow.
"There are no ninja stationed in the area," Hinata reported, her Byakugan scanning the surroundings. "Our target is in an alley to the north."
"Let's go." Kitazawa took the lead, the three young ninja following close behind.
In the narrow alley, they found a boy sitting in the corner, dressed in tattered, dirty clothes. His eyes were empty, lifeless — as if his soul had already been drained away.
It wasn't until their footsteps echoed closer that he looked up.
Haku's gaze met theirs — Kitazawa, Hinata, and the others standing before him.
"With your talent, you shouldn't die in a place like this," Kitazawa said, his tone calm but firm. "Do you want to come to Konoha? You'll have companions there — and the chance to nurture your abilities."
"Talent?" Haku blinked, stunned for a moment. His lips trembled as he asked quietly, "Am I… valuable?"
"Of course you are," Kitazawa replied without hesitation.
"I'll go with you." Haku didn't even pause to think.
In the original story, Zabuza Momochi had never treated him kindly — he had only viewed Haku as a weapon, a mere tool.
But Haku had followed him nonetheless, simply because Zabuza was the only one who had ever recognized his worth.
Kitazawa sighed inwardly.
The ninja world was filled with tragic souls like Haku — people like Kabuto, or Ranmaru — whose existence was marked by loneliness and pain.
The group began their journey back to Konoha. By the time they returned, dawn had already broken over the village.
Haku looked around at the bustling streets of Konoha, his expression dazed but softening.
Would this be his new home? The thought felt… comforting.
"You've all worked hard these past three days," Kitazawa said, placing a hand on Hinata's head. "Take the day off and rest. No classes today. I'll evaluate your performance later."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!" The three chorused together before parting ways, each heading toward their homes.
"Haku, we're going to Anbu." Kitazawa walked toward the Anbu base.
Haku followed closely behind him, his eyes constantly darting around. Everything in Konoha Village exceeded his imagination.
"Lord Kitazawa," an Anbu ninja greeted respectfully. "Lady Tsunade has moved the Jonin Meeting to tomorrow."
"I know. Go call Kabuto," Kitazawa ordered.
The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday morning at nine, which he had already missed. However, Tsunade had mentioned rescheduling it earlier, so he wasn't surprised.
"Yes, Lord Kitazawa." The Anbu ninja immediately moved to carry out the order.
Kitazawa returned to his office.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Before long, Kabuto appeared before him. He gave a quick glance at Haku, then turned to Kitazawa and bowed slightly.
"His name is Haku," Kitazawa explained. "He's an orphan I met in the Land of Water during this mission."
"Should we arrange for him to stay at the orphanage?" Kabuto asked.
"He's different." Kitazawa shook his head. "He possesses the Ice Release Bloodline Limit. I want you to teach him and have him become your teammate."
"Ice Release?" Surprise flickered in Kabuto's eyes.
"The ability to manipulate and create ice," Kitazawa said. "If nurtured properly, reaching the level of Jonin won't be an issue."
"I understand. Then I'll inform the director and have him live with us," Kabuto replied after studying Haku for a moment. He could sense a familiar aura from him.
Kitazawa nodded. With the care of Nono Yakushi and Kabuto, Haku's growth would be guaranteed.
"Haku, come with me." Kabuto stepped forward with his characteristic gentle smile.
Haku instinctively looked toward Kitazawa.
"Haku, he won't harm you," Kitazawa reassured with a faint smile. "Just follow his arrangements. I'll come find you tomorrow."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," Haku nodded softly.
Kabuto led him away.
Kitazawa sat at his desk, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
He decided to classify this mission as B-rank and record it under Hinata and the others' mission history in advance. Naturally, the corresponding rewards would also be distributed.
Although they were still students, since they had completed a mission, they deserved to be recognized as true ninja.
Stretching lazily, Kitazawa rose from his seat.
It was Monday. The Jonin Meeting had been postponed to Tuesday.
He planned to head home, get some sleep, and then wake up to cultivate Wood Release.
Leaving the Anbu base, Kitazawa walked down a secluded street—when once again, he sensed someone following him.
Raising an eyebrow, he turned into a narrow alley. The next instant, Konan appeared before him.
"Long time no see, Konan," Kitazawa greeted with a slight smile.
"Are you free now?" Konan's voice was as calm and cold as ever.
"So, that Akatsuki member of yours has arrived?" Kitazawa paused and asked, "How far from Konoha Village?"
"Not far," Konan replied. "Twenty minutes."
"I'll have my Shadow Clone go with you," Kitazawa said casually.
"Alright." Konan hesitated for a brief moment but didn't object.
Kitazawa quickly formed a series of hand signs, creating a Shadow Clone.
Konan turned and began walking away, and the clone followed silently behind her.
Twenty minutes later, the two arrived in a dense, primeval forest within the Land of Fire.
There, Kitazawa came face-to-face with Nagato.
However, Nagato didn't possess the visible Rinnegan—no, to be precise, the Rinnegan was sealed, hidden behind a powerful technique resembling an illusion.
Kitazawa understood instantly.
Nagato was Jiraiya's disciple, and he himself was Tsunade's. If he revealed knowledge of the Rinnegan through Jiraiya, it would only invite unnecessary complications.
"Please." Konan stepped aside slightly, giving Kitazawa space.
Nagato remained silent, his demeanor subdued and withdrawn.
In truth, he hadn't wanted to come, but after Konan's persistent persuasion over several days, he finally agreed.
Though he had already fallen into darkness, Konan and Yahiko still occupied an irreplaceable place in his heart.
Moreover, if his legs could truly be healed, it would greatly restore his strength—so he was willing to try.
Kitazawa extended his hands, hovering them over Nagato's crippled legs. A faint green chakra flowed from his palms and entered the damaged limbs.
As expected, a tremendous amount of life force was rapidly draining from Nagato's body. His condition was that of an old man at death's door.
But the wounds on his legs were different—they were caused by explosions from paper bombs.
Kitazawa fell into thought. In theory, such damage could be repaired with White Zetsu or Hashirama cells.
Yet Nagato hadn't used them. Or perhaps, Uchiha Obito had simply never told him about it.
Using White Zetsu cells now would arouse suspicion. Both Nagato and Obito would notice immediately, and explaining it would be troublesome. Besides, Kitazawa didn't have many of those cells to spare.
That left only one viable approach.
"How is he?" Konan asked anxiously.
"He can be cured, but it will take time," Kitazawa replied, withdrawing his hands. "His legs are too depleted. I'll need to give him medicine to restore his vitality first. Once he recovers to a certain level, we can begin limb regeneration."
"How long will that take?" Konan pressed.
"I don't know," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "It depends on how quickly his condition improves. The best solution is for both of you to come with me to Konoha Village."
"Can you write a prescription?" Konan asked after a brief pause.
"I can," Kitazawa replied calmly, "but unless you find a medical ninja whose skill equals mine—or my teacher's—they won't understand it. Others won't even grasp the meaning of the formula."
In the realm of medical ninjutsu, if Tsunade dared to claim she was the best, Kitazawa was the only one bold enough to say he was second.
"I'll go to Konoha with you," Konan finally said.
"Then you'll need to stay in the village for a while," Kitazawa replied with a faint smile. "I'll make the necessary arrangements."
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)