Kitazawa wanted to help Yakushi Nono, the kind-hearted medical-nin, but he was realistic.
With his current strength, there was just no way.
Tsunade might be able to do something—but only if he could find the right moment to talk to her.
Nono was valuable. If Tsunade saved her, that would bring her some serious political capital when she became Hokage.
The catch? Tsunade had no interest in becoming Hokage.
Still, Kitazawa hoped she'd change her mind. With her in office, he'd have someone powerful in his corner, and that meant safety in Konoha.
Sure, Hiruzen treated him well. But his ties with Danzo ran deeper.
If Danzo ever wanted him dead, it could happen—and no one would bat an eye.
"Yeah… Tsunade's the better bet."
Kitazawa didn't bother going back to the academy.
He already knew how Class 2-A scored. As for Class 1-A, he'd get the results as soon as he dispelled his clone.
"I'm back," he called as he stepped through the door.
"There's lemonade in the fridge," Kurenai said, glancing over at him.
"Tsunade-sama and Shizune aren't back yet?"
He opened the fridge, took a swig of the cold lemonade, and let out a breath.
Refreshing.
"Nope," Kurenai replied, lounging on the couch and watching TV.
Kitazawa looked at her feet, resting casually on the coffee table. "You copying Tsunade-sama now?" he teased. "Aren't your feet cold?"
"It's summer," Kurenai said flatly. "Why would they be?"
But a second later, she inhaled sharply—Kitazawa had walked over and grabbed her feet.
His hands were freezing from the lemonade bottle.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Helping you cool down," he said, dead serious.
"Let go!"
She could feel the cold from his hands seeping into her skin—but a few seconds later, warmth returned. Summer heat.
Kitazawa smirked and lightly tickled the bottom of her foot.
Kurenai's whole body jolted, her foot arching and her toes curling tight.
She shot him a glare and yanked her legs back, hugging her knees protectively.
"Nice view by the way," Kitazawa teased, having caught a glimpse of white.
"Don't look!"
Kurenai's face flushed bright red. She dropped her legs and yanked her skirt down over her thighs.
"I'm kidding. Didn't see anything," Kitazawa said seriously.
"Really?"
Her ruby-red eyes locked onto his.
"Really," he nodded, keeping a straight face.
She let out a relieved breath.
Kitazawa smiled and sat beside her, formed a hand seal, and dispelled his shadow clone.
Class 1-A's scores filled his mind—and he smiled.
First place went to Nara Shikamaru.
Exactly as expected. Pressure works wonders—especially on smart, lazy kids.
Shikamaru didn't even need to pay attention in class. He already understood everything just by glancing at the textbook.
The rest of the rankings were almost identical to the last monthly test.
Second place: Sakura.
Third: Sasuke.
Fourth: Hinata.
Naruto landed in twelfth, once again behind Kiba.
But with actual combat involved, Naruto could probably catch up.
"Kitazawa," Kurenai asked suddenly, "what color did you see?"
"White," he answered instinctively—then froze.
"Wait! I can explain!"
Her eyes could kill.
"Pervert! Die!"
She leapt at him.
Kitazawa backed away—but too late. She landed on top of him, sending them both crashing onto the couch.
Their eyes met.
Kurenai realized their position. Her cheeks turned crimson and her heart raced.
Then the front door opened.
Kurenai jumped up and quickly sat straight, brushing her hair behind her ear, eyes fixed anywhere but him.
"Bad time?" Tsunade asked, stepping into the room and looking around.
"Nope," Kitazawa said coolly. "You're just in time. I just got back too."
"Then let's get back to working on that new jutsu," Tsunade said, stretching as she flopped onto the couch. "Where did we leave off yesterday?"
They were trying to recreate Kurama Yakumo's genjutsu kekkei genkai. It was complicated and still a work-in-progress.
Kitazawa didn't join them. He headed upstairs.
His genjutsu knowledge was limited—he only knew Tree Binding Death.
…
Later that night, after Tsunade and Shizune had left, Kitazawa and Kurenai walked Yakumo home as usual.
"Kurenai," Kitazawa said, reaching out to gently take her hand, "any plans for summer?"
"I used to take missions, but not anymore," she replied with a shake of her head.
Back then, it was all about money.
Now, she could make money safely by developing new jutsu with Yakumo. Unless the job was top-priority from the village leadership, she couldn't be bothered.
"Then… can you teach me genjutsu?"
"Can you even handle that?" she blinked.
She knew he had some talent—he had used Tree Binding Death before.
But studying both genjutsu and medical ninjutsu? That was a lot.
"I'll just learn whatever I can. I've got time to kill."
"Alright," she nodded. "Deal."
…
The next morning
At the school gate, Kitazawa ran into Iruka.
"Kitazawa-senpai," Iruka said with a smile, "any thoughts on how my students will do in their first real combat test?"
The earlier tests were more like physical education drills—not actual combat.
"They'll be fine," Kitazawa said. "Don't forget the last friendly match."
"True," Iruka nodded. "Honestly, Yakumo and Sasuke might already be stronger than I am."
He was just a regular chūnin with no special traits.
"Geniuses have a way of making you feel hopeless," Kitazawa chuckled.
"You're too modest. You're a Special Jōnin now," Iruka said, recalling how Mizuki had hired two chūnin to attack Kitazawa—and still lost.
"By the way, you're here early."
"Shizune reminded me," Iruka admitted, rubbing his head.
Kitazawa was about to reply when his expression shifted.
He spotted Naruto—and next to him was Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Trouble.
He was supposed to fight the top student today—and now Hiruzen was watching in person.
Not that it changed much—he would've spied through his crystal ball anyway.
"That's… the Hokage?" Iruka noticed too.
"Let's go," Kitazawa said with a nod.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto waved excitedly, practically bouncing over.
"Hokage-sama," both Kitazawa and Iruka greeted in unison.
"No need to stand on ceremony," Hiruzen said with a kind smile. "Just had some time today and thought I'd come watch."
Yeah, sure, Kitazawa thought. You're here because of Naruto.
"The kids are going to be thrilled," Kitazawa said with a polite smile. "Bet they'll perform even better today."
"Their performance has nothing to do with me—it's because you taught them well," Hiruzen said.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Iruka stood straight, visibly excited.
He wasn't like Kitazawa—he rarely got to meet the Hokage, let alone be praised.
"Whoa!"
"Hokage-sama!"
"Gramps!"
The kids from Class 1‑A started flooding into the yard.
When they saw Hiruzen, they all ran over in excitement.
"Good morning, everyone," Hiruzen said warmly, patting heads and shoulders.
"Hokage-sama's so down-to-earth," Iruka said, impressed.
Kitazawa nodded.
Among all the Hokage, Hiruzen had the best PR.
He nailed the image—and pushed the Will of Fire hard.
…
9:00 a.m. – Combat exam begins
"Today's exam has two rules," Kitazawa announced. "One: no serious injuries. Two: draw lots—same number means you're paired up."
The kids were only six or seven. A full tournament wasn't realistic—they didn't have the chakra for it.
Besides, this was about performance, not victory.
Kitazawa and Iruka would score each round. There would be three rounds total, and only those who passed could move forward.
Hiruzen stood by, stroking his beard.
The last time he saw Class 1-A face Class 2-A, he'd been impressed.
Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Yakumo—they had all done well.
Too bad Yakumo wasn't here today.
But Naruto and the clan heirs were his real focus—they were Konoha's future.
"Line up and draw your numbers," Kitazawa said, summoning a ballot box.
"I got number one!" Naruto shouted, eager. "Who else got one?"
Kiba checked his slip again—still a one.
Just his luck.
"Me," he muttered.
"Kiba?" Naruto grinned. "I've been waiting for this!"
"Good luck, man," Shikamaru said with a smirk.
"Don't let him walk all over you like usual!" Ino cheered.
"Number ones, to the field," Kitazawa cut them off.
"Naruto!" Kiba stepped forward. "Beating me won't be that easy!"
"I'm going all in!" Naruto flashed a thumbs-up. "Gotta live up to my youth!"
Geez, take it down a notch, Kiba thought.
Four Legs Technique!
Without hesitation, Kiba activated his clan's signature jutsu—dropping to all fours as chakra flared around him.
He charged at Naruto like a beast, leapt high, and slashed down with clawed hands.
The speed was so intense it made the air hiss.
Leaf Whirlwind!
Naruto casually kicked him midair.
Kiba's speed was good—but way slower than Kitazawa's.
Naruto had gotten used to that pace, so Kiba felt slow.
Boom!
Kiba was sent flying.
But he managed to leave a few claw marks on Naruto's pants—though they didn't break through his chakra armor.
He stumbled to his feet—just in time to see a flash of green.
Naruto had appeared right in front of him like he'd teleported.
Leaf Whirlwind!
Kiba heard Naruto's voice right in his ear before he was sent flying again, rolling across the ground.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
When had Naruto gotten this fast?
He was easily twice as fast as during the last match with Class 2-A.
Was it that hell-level training with Might Guy?
Sasuke could feel the pressure.
"Well done," Hiruzen nodded, clearly pleased.
The Inuzuka clan's Four Legs Technique was meant to boost speed and power—but Naruto's base speed still won out.
Was this the next Yellow Flash?
If Naruto weren't so young, Hiruzen might already be encouraging him to try learning Flying Thunder God.
"This one's tough to score," Iruka muttered.
He ended up giving Naruto a 90.
Normally, Naruto would get full marks—he was almost chūnin-level.
But in Class 1-A, it was too early to say. Plus, this was only round one.
"Kiba, you did your best."
"Losing to Naruto is nothing to be ashamed of."
"You're really strong. Just unlucky."
As Kiba returned to the group, everyone gave him some version of the same line.
He forced a smile.
So everyone just expected me to lose, huh?
~~~
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