April 28th.
Just one day left until Class 1-A's first monthly exam.
"Clone Jutsu is a mandatory part of the practical exam. In the past two weeks, I've already covered nearly all the essential knowledge points," said Kitazawa as he stood on the training field of the Ninja Academy, speaking in a gentle tone.
"Today is your final class before the test. Make good use of it."
"Kitazawa-sensei, don't worry! We definitely won't let you down!"
Inuzuka Kiba responded loudly.
As the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A, their performance was closely tied to Kitazawa's own future and career prospects.
And after a month of instruction, they had come to genuinely respect him and were eager to help him earn a promotion.
"Yeah!"
The others chimed in one after another.
"First place is definitely ours!"
Naruto Uzumaki shouted with particular energy.
"Naruto, maybe wait until you've actually mastered Clone Jutsu," Inuzuka Kiba shook his head.
"Who says I haven't?"
Naruto shot back, defiant.
The two had similar personalities — perhaps too similar — so they constantly bickered.
But like many kids, their arguments actually brought them closer.
Kitazawa subconsciously glanced toward Naruto.
After two weeks of study, Naruto had fully mastered the Transformation Jutsu.
But Clone Jutsu… it was like Schrödinger's cat — sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.
Had he really mastered it?
Well, for now, Kitazawa decided to believe in him.
He watched as Naruto formed hand seals and performed the Clone Jutsu.
Poof!
Two identical Narutos appeared in a cloud of smoke.
Good news: no freak mutations.
Bad news: malnourished.
The clones had pale skin and sunken faces — like they hadn't eaten in months.
Naruto saw this and broke into a sweat, wearing an expression like a nervous bean sprout.
Why did it fail this time? It worked twice just yesterday…
"Wait! Let me try again!"
"It either works or it doesn't," Kiba crossed his arms and snorted.
"Looks like first place is out of your reach."
"Last try!"
Naruto shouted, forming the hand seals once more.
Two clones appeared again — much more normal this time.
"Yes! I did it!"
Naruto grinned.
"Not bad. Naruto's made a lot of progress. The rest of you should follow his example," Kitazawa clapped and added, "Alright, now get to practicing."
Compared to the Naruto from the original series, this version could be considered highly evolved — no longer the same as before.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto ran up to him and asked, "Will the practical exam include Transformation Jutsu?"
"No," Kitazawa shook his head.
"That's taught next year."
"Huh?"
Naruto was confused.
"Then why did you teach me Transformation Jutsu early?"
"Didn't I say? I believe Transformation suits you better," Kitazawa chuckled.
"And it turns out I was right."
"It's because you're a great teacher."
Naruto said with a mix of pride and humility.
"Put Transformation Jutsu aside for now. Your top priority is still mastering Clone Jutsu."
Kitazawa swept his gaze across the field and noticed Uchiha Sasuke and Hyūga Hinata heading toward their usual training area.
Kurama Yakumo wasn't present — today she had been pulled aside by Yūhi Kurenai to study sound-based genjutsu.
"Yes, sir!"
Naruto nodded vigorously, then asked:
"Kitazawa-sensei, do you think I still have a shot?"
"A shot at what?"
Kitazawa was slightly taken aback.
What now? Is he inviting me on a hiking trip?
"First place," Naruto scratched his head, wearing a rare look of insecurity.
In front of others, he always acted tough, but with Kitazawa, he was honest.
"The outcome isn't set yet. For all we know, you and I might both be first place," Kitazawa thought for a moment and replied.
Though in his heart, he figured Naruto's odds were slim.
Very slim.
"What does that mean?"
Naruto looked up at him with eyes both bright and… a little dumb.
"It means anything's possible until the results are out," Kitazawa clarified.
"Awesome!"
Naruto's confidence returned.
"I'm going to practice Clone Jutsu right now!"
Kitazawa couldn't help but smile.
This kid was stubborn to the bone — in a good way.
No wonder he eventually developed the legendary "Talk-no-Jutsu."
Kitazawa turned and headed toward the training grounds.
Even before he got close, he heard Uchiha Sasuke's loud laughter and looked puzzled.
What was going on?
He approached and smelled something burning.
His gaze shifted to the scorched patch of earth in front of Sasuke.
No doubt — Sasuke had just performed Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu.
Judging from the size of the scorched area — at least 2 to 3 meters — it was a pretty big fireball.
Well, no wonder he was so happy.
Kitazawa now understood:
With that kind of scale, Sasuke had reached the average standard of the Great Fireball technique.
But… it still fell far short of what Itachi had shown in the original series.
Kitazawa pondered.
Itachi likely held back when performing in front of his beloved little brother.
Which led Sasuke to develop a serious misconception:
That he had caught up to his brother.
"Kitazawa-sensei, thank you."
Sasuke walked over, no longer laughing.
He actually said thank you?
Kitazawa was stunned.
"No need to thank me — it's your own hard work and effort."
"Um… Kitazawa-sensei," Sasuke hesitated,
"Can I go home now?"
"You can," Kitazawa smiled, understanding.
"You've basically mastered the advanced tree-climbing training. Consider it complete."
Complete?
No — this was just the beginning.
This level of Fireball Jutsu still had a long way to go to reach Itachi's.
In short, Sasuke would be back.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sasuke turned and ran off — he couldn't wait to hear praise from his father.
"You two can go home early as well,"
Kitazawa said to Hinata and Ino.
"I'd like to keep training," Ino replied after thinking for a moment.
She wasn't like Sasuke or Hinata — she didn't crave her parents' recognition.
But she had experienced the joy of progress during tree-climbing training, and didn't want to stop.
"I… I want to keep training too!"
Hinata said firmly.
"I never said you had to stop," Kitazawa laughed,
"I meant the tree-climbing stage is complete. We'll begin new training after the exams."
Ino chuckled sheepishly at her misunderstanding.
Hinata, on the other hand, let out a small sigh of relief.
She had already become dependent on Kitazawa's training.
…
Later…
"I'm home!"
Sasuke shouted loudly as soon as he arrived.
"Why are you so happy today?"
Uchiha Mikoto came out and asked.
"Not telling you," Sasuke said with smug pride.
"Where's Dad?"
"Now that's just cruel," Mikoto feigned sadness, but was clearly watching him closely.
"Fine, I'll tell you," Sasuke gave in.
"I successfully mastered the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu today."
"Amazing! That's my son!"
Mikoto beamed with warmth.
"Of course!"
Sasuke grinned ear to ear.
He was used to his mom's praise, so it didn't hit as hard anymore.
"Is Dad still not back?"
Sasuke asked.
"He's working at the Konoha Police Force," Mikoto said, glancing at the clock.
"He should be home soon."
"I'm home," a familiar voice called out.
"Niisan?"
Sasuke ran to the door, thrilled.
"You're home early today?"
"Just finished a mission," Itachi replied, hiding his exhaustion.
"Come with me!"
Sasuke grabbed his hand and pulled him outside.
"What's going on?"
Itachi asked, confused.
"You'll see."
They stopped at the man-made lake in the courtyard.
Sasuke glanced at his brother, then formed hand seals.
In the next second, a huge fireball appeared, distorting the air with intense heat.
Itachi's eyes widened.
Already this strong? It's as powerful as when I first used it...
"Sasuke, when did you get so good?"
Itachi asked in amazement.
"Because I'm a genius!"
Sasuke puffed up proudly.
"Hmm..."
Itachi's smile faded slightly.
"Sasuke… the future belongs to you."
"It belongs to all of us," Sasuke corrected with a smile.
Itachi nodded in silence.
At that moment, footsteps echoed.
A stern middle-aged man in a Jōnin vest entered.
"Dad!"
Sasuke ran up.
"Hmm," Fugaku nodded.
"Dad, look!"
Sasuke immediately demonstrated the Great Fireball.
"Still not as good as your brother," Fugaku glanced once and turned to go inside.
He was mentally exhausted and had no energy to humor Sasuke's enthusiasm.
Conflicts between the Uchiha clan and Konoha were escalating daily, wearing him down.
Ever since Shisui Uchiha's death, he could barely suppress the clan's rebellious sentiments.
Itachi's smile disappeared.
Sasuke looked as if struck by lightning.
A whole month of effort — and that was all the recognition he got?
He couldn't accept it.
"Sasuke, you're still young. When you're my age, you'll be even better," Itachi said gently, ruffling his hair.
"Niisan… show me your Fireball again," Sasuke said in a low voice.
"I want to see your full power."
"This…"
Itachi hesitated.
He had already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Going all out would be… excessive.
But Sasuke's determined expression left him no choice.
Itachi sighed and began forming seals.
In an instant, an 8 to 9 meter tall fireball burst forth — like a mini sun, lighting up the buildings nearby.
Sasuke stood in stunned silence, completely dumbfounded.
~~~
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