"Hinata."
While walking, Kitazawa asked, "Do you want to go home, or keep training?"
"I…"
Hyūga Hinata had just opened her mouth when a loud, powerful shout cut her off.
"Youth! Youth! Youth!"
Three voices blended into one. Though clearly tired, their chant was perfectly in‑step and rhythmic.
Instinctively, Hinata looked over.
Three oddballs in matching green bodysuits came into view.
"Is that… Naruto?"
Hinata peered more closely and recognized one of them as her classmate, Uzumaki Naruto.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
Naruto spotted them and waved excitedly.
"A great chance!"
Rock Lee suddenly burst forward, overtaking him.
"Not that easy! Watch my Youth Tornado!"
Naruto leapt straight up, spun in mid‑air, and effortlessly caught back up to Lee.
"So fiery and passionate!"
Seeing this, Might Guy shouted with tears streaming down his face, "Burn, youth!"
Because of Kitazawa's "butterfly effect," Rock Lee had become Might Guy's pupil earlier than in the original story.
Yet the one most affected wasn't Lee, but Naruto.
Born of the Uzumaki clan, Naruto's body was naturally tough and his recovery astounding—an ideal taijutsu prodigy.
Might Guy had poured his heart into teaching him and already regarded him as a student.
That, too, was why Kitazawa had lately taken a hands‑off approach with Naruto.
Guy covered taijutsu; Kitazawa only needed to help Naruto boost his academic scores.
Kitazawa stroked his chin.
If Naruto ever learned the Eight Gates, that would be terrifying.
Who could stand up to that?
He even felt a moment of silence for Uchiha Sasuke's future.
"They…"
Hinata stared, dumbfounded.
She simply couldn't comprehend the dynamic among Guy and the two boys—it was shocking.
"Hinata, you still haven't answered my question."
Kitazawa reminded her.
"I want to keep training."
Hinata snapped back and answered without hesitation.
She was used to Kitazawa's regimen. Though she had already beaten Toranosuke, she still didn't want to stop—
Because she had another dream: to earn Hyūga Hiashi's approval.
"Let's invite Sasuke as well."
Kitazawa thought for a moment.
To beat Class 2‑A, both Uchiha Sasuke and Naruto were essential—and Sasuke would definitely agree to extra practice.
The two of them turned toward the Uchiha district.
Since the Nine‑Tails incident, the clan had been moved to the village's edge.
Kitazawa and Hinata's arrival immediately drew many Uchiha eyes.
"Kitazawa‑sensei…"
Hinata instinctively hid behind Kitazawa and clutched his hand.
"It's fine," Kitazawa reassured her. "They're fellow villagers—there won't be trouble."
Attacking one's own comrades in Konoha was basically rebellion.
The Uchiha weren't bold enough for that yet.
Besides, he and Hinata hardly qualified as a spark for conflict.
"Who are you?"
A sudden voice sounded, and a young ninja stepped in front of them.
Kitazawa sized him up and recognized him—the dutiful son, Uchiha Itachi, his distinctive tear‑trough lines a giveaway.
"I'm Kitazawa, a teacher at the Academy," he said directly. "I'm looking for Uchiha Sasuke."
"So you're Kitazawa‑sensei?"
Itachi smiled. "Sasuke mentions you often—says you're an excellent instructor."
"Are you Sasuke's brother?"
Kitazawa feigned surprise. "I've long heard of your genius. An honor."
"All exaggerations," Itachi replied, shaking his head. "Sorry, I have things to do and can't escort you, but…"
He pointed out the way.
"Thank you."
Kitazawa and Hinata soon reached Sasuke's home.
With Fugaku away, Uchiha Mikoto welcomed them warmly.
After brief pleasantries, Kitazawa stated his purpose and left with Sasuke.
…
Ninja Academy Training Ground
"Sasuke, how's your chakra‑nature training coming?"
Instead of answering, Sasuke picked up a leaf.
Fire‑style chakra surged out; the air wavered with heat.
Moments later the leaf dried out, all moisture gone—yet it didn't ignite.
"You're advancing fast," Kitazawa praised. "One more day and you'll finish the basics."
"The basics?" Sasuke sounded surprised.
"Chakra‑nature change isn't as easy as you imagine," Kitazawa chuckled.
"Whatever it takes," Sasuke said, clenching his fists. "I'll do anything to reach my goal."
Anything? Kitazawa echoed in his mind, then shook the thought away—he wasn't some evil mastermind.
"Keep practicing."
Leaving a shadow clone behind, he took Hinata to the artificial lake.
Without a word she jumped onto the surface and began water‑walking drills.
Time slid by, and dusk fell.
"Haha!"
Sasuke stared at the burning leaf in his hand and laughed aloud, then quickly formed hand signs.
A blazing fireball appeared in mid‑air.
Sasuke smirked—the fireball had grown from two or three meters tall to five, nearly doubling.
Catching up to Itachi wasn't far off now.
"Kitazawa‑sensei!"
He hurried over. "I need the next exercise!"
"Fire Style isn't just flame; it's also extreme heat."
Kitazawa pulled out a glass, filled it with lake water, and said, "Evaporate this."
Sasuke held out his hand, palm to the rim, channeling Fire chakra.
A moment later his face tightened—this was hard.
"Enough for today. Continue tomorrow."
Kitazawa patted his shoulder. "The glass is yours."
"Thank you, Sensei."
Glass in hand, Sasuke left the school.
Kitazawa walked Hinata back to the Hyūga compound, then headed home.
…
"Hinata."
In the courtyard, Hyūga Hiashi said, "It's been a while since I checked your Gentle Fist. Spar with me."
Moments earlier he'd received Hyūga Tokuma's report—Hinata's clean win over Toranosuke had surprised him.
Hinata froze.
The sudden challenge puzzled her, but Hiashi's word was law.
She stepped forward and took her stance.
Her eyes sharpened—she struck first.
Thud!
Hiashi stood firm, easily blocking the blow.
One eyebrow rose in mild surprise.
Hinata was knocked back a step. She drew a deep breath and attacked again—
—but no matter what she tried, it was useless.
"That's enough."
Hiashi stepped back.
"I‑I'm sorry, Father," Hinata said automatically, seeing his stern face.
"Why apologize?" Hiashi said approvingly. "Your progress exceeds my expectations."
"Eh?" Hinata stared, startled.
"Since our last spar, your reaction speed, chakra control, and Gentle Fist power have all improved markedly."
He paused. "Most of all, your chakra reserves are half again what they were."
His tone overflowed with surprise.
"I… That's all thanks to Kitazawa‑sensei!" Hinata blurted.
"Kitazawa's only a chūnin. At most he can help your control," Hiashi said, shaking his head. "But chakra capacity depends on you—he can't raise that."
"I… I don't know," Hinata answered, bewildered.
~~~
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