Early Sunday morning.
Still half‑asleep, Kitazawa stumbled out of bed and headed toward the bathroom on instinct.
After only a few steps he suddenly opened his eyes wide and snapped fully awake—because he saw Kurenai Yūhi standing there.
Only then did he remember: just like last weekend, the two of them had arranged to spend this weekend studying Kurama Yakumo's new genjutsu, the Truth‑Revealing Technique.
"Good morning, Kitazawa," Kurenai greeted, giving him a once‑over; a flicker of admiration flashed in her eyes.
Kitazawa froze, realized something, and hastily fastened the buttons on his pajamas.
"I'm not embarrassed, so what are you afraid of?" Kurenai asked with a teasing smile.
"I'm not afraid—I just don't want to be the only one at a disadvantage," Kitazawa replied earnestly. "If only you get to look, that's hardly fair."
Kurenai was still wearing her familiar low‑cut red dress, a stretch of fair calf showing.
Perhaps because she had just gotten up, she wasn't wearing her usual black stockings.
"Then what do you want to look at?" she asked, drawing a slender fingertip across her moist red lips, eyes smiling.
Kitazawa was momentarily stunned.
He had never seen Kurenai look this sexy and playful before.
Had her true nature slipped out now that they'd spent so much time together?
"I want to look at your legs," he said—very honestly.
"You really dare say it!"
Kurenai blinked, stepped forward, and lightly stamped on his foot with her bare, delicate toes.
The brief touch—soft, slightly cool—was gone in an instant.
Kitazawa felt a pang of regret.
If only she'd been wearing black stockings… ahem.
"How is that my fault?" he protested righteously. "I was only answering the question you asked."
"Oh? You make it sound as if you're the victim." Kurenai rolled her eyes.
"I am the victim!" Kitazawa blinked. "I didn't get to see anything!"
Kurenai realized she had underestimated him.
Muttering "I'll make breakfast," she turned and walked into the kitchen.
She let out a breath.
She had only meant to tease Kitazawa a little—who would've thought she'd lose the verbal sparring?
"When did that guy change so much?" she mused, recalling the glimpse she'd just caught. Smiling, she added, "Can't deny it—he's got a great body."
A few minutes later the two of them sat down at the table.
"Thanks," Kitazawa said, looking at the char‑siu ramen set before him.
"It's nowhere near as good as Ichiraku's—just make do," Kurenai replied casually.
"That's not necessarily true." Kitazawa chuckled. "Have you heard the phrase 'a feast for the eyes'?"
Kurenai blinked, then understood.
She laughed softly. "Where do you pick up all these ridiculous lines?"
"I teach at the Ninja Academy," Kitazawa said unhurriedly. "Knowing a bit more than others is normal."
"It's not like I don't know what academy teachers are really like," Kurenai said, shaking her head.
In many people's minds, only ninja with no ambition become academy instructors—and, to be honest, that's often the case.
Those with dreams keep climbing, training hard, aiming for strength—some even for the Hokage's seat.
That's also why fresh graduates are still assigned jōnin squad leaders.
"Have you thought about returning to field duty?" Kurenai asked, slurping her ramen.
"I'm quite happy teaching," Kitazawa answered after a moment. "But if you ever need an extra hand on a mission, call me."
It wasn't idle talk—he had considered it carefully.
As the system granted him more rewards, his strength would keep rising.
He couldn't hide it forever, but revealing it all at once would be too shocking; gradual exposure was the most reasonable course.
"Deal," Kurenai agreed at once. "If a suitable mission comes up, I'll ask you."
Under Konoha rules, genin can't take assignments solo, but chūnin may form teams and accept missions.
They had barely finished breakfast when Kurama Yakumo arrived.
She didn't join the research, though; she dashed up to the roof with her art supplies to practice her kekkei genkai.
"It's nine o'clock—I've got to head out," Kitazawa said, glancing at the wall clock and standing quickly.
Today was the day Hinata Hyūga had arranged to duel Toranosuke.
"Mm." Kurenai simply nodded without pressing.
…
That same familiar grove.
Hinata Hyūga stood waiting for Kitazawa's arrival.
Every previous time she had passed this place she'd felt an uncontrollable fear, but today there was none.
Footsteps sounded.
Hinata looked up instinctively. Spotting Toranosuke, she couldn't hide her disappointment.
Why isn't it Kitazawa‑sensei?
Toranosuke, uneasy, glanced around. Seeing only Hinata, he relaxed.
With that bullying teacher gone, what was there to fear?
"Hey! White‑eyed freak! Still not ready to surrender?" he shouted arrogantly.
The tone—exactly the same as long ago—stirred old memories in Hinata's mind.
But the past was past; now was now.
"Form the seal of confrontation," she said gently yet firmly.
"You actually think you can beat me? What a joke!" Toranosuke sneered. "Last time, if it wasn't for that bastard teacher, you—"
"Shut up!" Hinata's face hardened. "Don't you dare insult Kitazawa‑sensei!"
"So what if I do?" Toranosuke flinched, then grew angry. "Teacher, my foot—he's just a—"
Hinata darted forward like an arrow. Two fingers like blades struck his right wrist.
Immediately Toranosuke felt his chakra halt.
Before he could react, Hinata attacked again—fingers spread, palm thrusting out.
"Arrrgh!"
Pain and force combined slammed him to the ground.
Clutching his chest, he rolled and screamed.
Hinata stood frozen, tilting her head to examine her pale hand, a question flashing through her mind:
I didn't even use full power—why did he fall so fast?
"Well done, Hinata," came Kitazawa's voice from nearby.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!" Hinata snapped out of it, trotting over with a beaming face.
Kitazawa smiled too—he had just received a quest reward:
[Current quest: Help desk‑mate Hinata Hyūga defeat Toranosuke.]
[Reward: Water Style: Wild Water Wave.]
[Mission complete. Reward granted.]
Wild Water Wave is somewhat akin to Fire Style: Great Fireball, except one spits water while the other spits fire.
Kitazawa reached out and patted Hinata's head.
Now, only one task remained for her: to publicly reveal her secret appetite—and the reward for that would be the Byakugan.
~~~
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