Kitazawa headed home—or more accurately, to Kurenai Yuhi's place.
But instead of going inside, he walked around to the back.
He stopped at the secluded spot where Kurenai used to practice the Rasengan.
"Eight Gates... First Gate: Open!"
A jolt ran through his body. In an instant, his chakra surged like a geyser, boiling from the inside out.
With the mental limiters released, it felt like he'd just woken up from a dream—and the whole world had changed.
He stretched his limbs a bit, walked up to a big rock, clenched his fist, and punched.
Boom!
The rock exploded into pieces.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. He hadn't even gone all out, but the rock couldn't handle the force.
It wasn't that he held back—rather, unlocking the First Gate meant he could now access 100% of his body's power effortlessly.
That was the effect of the Eight Gates' first level.
After getting a feel for it, he closed the gate.
A wave of fatigue hit him immediately.
Even though the first three gates were considered "safe," they still pushed the body hard—just without life-threatening side effects.
"No wonder Guy trains like a lunatic every day," Kitazawa muttered as he sat to rest.
If your body wasn't built like steel, you'd never survive the Eight Gates.
Most ninja could barely manage the First Gate.
Even Kakashi Hatake had only ever opened one.
Kitazawa stroked his chin.
If he remembered right, unlocking the First Gate also allowed you to use Front Lotus—a powerful taijutsu technique.
Might be worth tracking down Might Guy for a lesson.
"You practicing out here again?" came a familiar voice.
He turned to see Kurenai in a deep red dress.
"You're back already?"
"You made quite the scene," she said, glancing at the pulverized rock. "Did your students bomb the exams?"
"Nope. They did great," Kitazawa replied. "I was just working on my taijutsu."
"Training the second you get home?" she said, a bit surprised.
"Anyway—" Kitazawa cleared his throat, stepped forward, and gently took her hand. "When are you gonna teach me genjutsu?"
"Whenever you're ready," she replied casually. "I'm flexible."
"Then let's start this afternoon."
"What's your morning look like?"
She let go of his hand, opened the front door, and bent down to change shoes.
"Special training with my students."
His eyes drifted to her hips as the dress tightened with her movements. Yeah… dangerously distracting.
"They have classes during summer break now?" she asked, surprised. "That wasn't a thing in our day."
"It's not the school. The kids asked for it themselves."
"Ohh," she said, nodding as she stood up. "You really are a good teacher."
No way the school was paying him for that.
He was straight-up volunteering.
Only seriously dedicated teachers would take on that kind of unpaid work.
"Not like I've got plans during summer break anyway."
He closed the door and followed her into the living room.
"You're learning medical ninjutsu, training in genjutsu, mentoring kids—and you say you're not busy?" she teased.
"It's manageable," he said. "I can delegate some of it to my shadow clones."
"Just be careful. Shadow clones are helpful, but they come with downsides."
"I know."
He nodded, then added, "How about we officially start genjutsu training the afternoon after tomorrow?"
"Sure," she smiled. "Just be ready. I'm a tough instructor."
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," he said with a wink.
"That sounded way too weird," she blinked. "Please don't say that again—I'm not used to it."
"That's not gonna work," Kitazawa said mock-seriously. "You've gotta project authority. That's what makes a lesson stick."
"Authority, huh? Like this?"
She straightened up, crossed her arms, and gave him a cold, stern look.
"Nice," Kitazawa clapped. "But it's still missing something."
"What?"
"The outfit," he said. "You need a proper suit. You'd look amazing in a professional skirt suit."
"…Really?"
She paused, looking genuinely thoughtful.
Kitazawa nearly laughed but held it in.
Convincing your girlfriend to wear a skirt suit wasn't a crime. Worst case? A few curses and a stomp on the foot.
Totally worth it.
Besides, they did exist in the ninja world—just look at Mabui, the Raikage's secretary in Cloud. She wore one every day.
Teachers and secretaries had slightly different styles, sure—but the vibe was similar.
"Tsunade-sama and the others should be back soon," Kurenai said, glancing at the clock. "I'll make dinner."
"Need help?"
"Nope." She gave him a dazzling smile. "You've been busy all day. Go sit on the couch and be good."
She ruffled his hair, then headed for the kitchen.
Yep—definitely wife material.
Kitazawa chuckled to himself.
Honestly, in the original series, most kunoichi—minus a few exceptions—ended up being fantastic wives. Even Sakura mellowed out into an amazing partner.
He closed his eyes, recalling the details of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
It was basically an advanced version of the standard Shadow Clone, minus some chakra limitations.
He reviewed it a few more times, then formed the hand seal.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof!
Three clones appeared instantly.
"First try?" Kitazawa blinked. Not bad.
Then again, he already knew the basics and had elite chakra control. A clean first attempt wasn't that shocking.
Of course, there was still a long road between "learning" and "mastery."
He tried pushing the number higher. Once he hit ten, though, his chakra was down by more than half.
He could probably squeeze out more, but chose to stop. Ten was enough.
Any more would just be reckless—especially with the memory feedback when clones dispel.
Too much information at once could mess you up.
He had time. No need to rush. He had the system on his side, after all.
Just then, the front door opened.
Tsunade and Shizune walked in.
Seeing them, Kitazawa dismissed all his clones at once.
"Multiple Shadow Clones?" Tsunade raised a brow. "What did you do to get the old man to give you that?"
"Nothing special," Kitazawa shrugged. "I'm just a good teacher."
"You really expect me to believe that?"
Tsunade stretched out on the couch, lifting one bare foot casually—her ankle gleamed in the light.
"I'm serious," Kitazawa said. "My students are… a little unique."
Tsunade paused, then nodded.
She didn't know all his students, but she did know Naruto Uzumaki was one of them.
Her thoughts drifted to Kushina. She sighed.
Back when Mito was still alive, Kushina had been brought to Konoha.
Tsunade had basically watched her grow up.
Life had been cruel.
"You all back?" Kurenai came out of the kitchen with a bowl of water. "Go wash up—dinner's almost ready."
She was in a white apron now, her sleek black hair tied over one shoulder with a simple band.
"I think your hair looks better down the back."
Kitazawa walked over, gently moving it from her shoulder so it flowed down her spine.
That side-ponytail style was just too dangerously cute.
Kurenai shot him a sharp look.
Not now. We've got guests.
He got the message and washed his hands like a good boy.
Of course, Tsunade and Shizune had already picked up on the vibes between them.
The two had been working closely for months on Kurama Yakumo's jutsu. It wasn't subtle.
Tsunade thought it was perfectly normal—Kitazawa was good-looking, capable, charismatic. Most women wouldn't be able to resist.
Shizune sighed internally.
She couldn't even remember the last time she'd met a decent guy—let alone dated one.
And the ones she did meet? Usually just asked her to pay off their debt.
…
"Sasuke, why the long face?"
Mikoto Uchiha stepped out from the kitchen in her apron, smiling gently.
"I got second place."
Sasuke sounded like he'd just tasted something bitter.
Even though Kitazawa-sensei had promised to train him over the break, he still couldn't shake the disappointment.
"Second place is still amazing," Mikoto blinked, genuinely surprised. "You've worked hard."
"Uchiha don't do second place," Sasuke muttered, crossing his arms. "Itachi-niisan was always top of his class."
"You're not your brother," Mikoto said, walking over and flicking his forehead. "Stop trying to be him."
"Then who should I be like?"
Sasuke tilted his head, serious.
After Shisui's death, the strongest of their generation in the clan was undoubtedly Itachi.
"I didn't mean you need to copy anyone," Mikoto said gently. "You need to figure out who you are."
Sasuke frowned. "I don't get it."
"Then start with this—figure out what you're best at."
Mikoto paused, thinking for a moment. "What's the one thing that makes you feel strongest?"
"Kitazawa-sensei asked me that this morning too!"
Sasuke's mood lifted instantly. "Obviously, it's the Sharingan!"
Mikoto sighed softly.
That's the only thing you took from that conversation...?
She couldn't help it. Whether it was Fugaku, Itachi, or Sasuke—everyone in this clan seemed obsessed with the Sharingan.
But again, could she really blame them?
In the Uchiha clan, power was everything. And the Sharingan was power.
"Mom, when's Dad coming home?"
Sasuke tugged at her sleeve. "I need to talk to him about something."
"Usually he's home by dinner," Mikoto replied, then narrowed her eyes a bit. "Why can't you just tell me?"
"I mean... I guess I can," Sasuke shrugged. "I'm gonna do special training with Kitazawa-sensei during summer break."
"Special training?" Mikoto nodded approvingly. "That's great. I'm sure your father will support it too."
"Good."
Sasuke clenched his fists. "Next semester, I'm gonna beat Naruto!"
"Who?"
Mikoto's expression changed subtly.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Sasuke muttered, clearly frustrated. "He just got lucky and beat me to first place."
Uzumaki…
Mikoto's eyes narrowed. That name. She instantly put it together—Naruto had to be Kushina's son.
She and Kushina had been close back in the day.
Real close.
Her heart sank a little.
If Minato and Kushina were still alive…
If things had gone just a little differently... maybe our clan wouldn't have ended up like this.
"Do you know him?" Sasuke asked, noticing her change in expression.
"I don't know him," Mikoto said after a pause. "But I knew his parents."
"Oh?"
Sasuke perked up. "Were they strong?"
"Not just strong," Mikoto replied. "They were on a completely different level."
"That's weird."
Sasuke frowned. "If his parents were that powerful, why do people still call him a monster?"
Mikoto opened her mouth... but no words came.
"Who were they?" he pressed.
"Wait—!"
Mikoto suddenly stood up. "I've got something on the stove—I need to check it before it burns!"
"…Huh?"
Sasuke blinked as she disappeared into the kitchen, clearly dodging the question.
~~~
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