Back in Konoha
Kitazawa had returned to the village.
Thanks to Might Guy's assurance, Uchiha Sasuke would definitely show up at Ichiraku Ramen two days from now—right at noon.
And when he did, the place would be packed with villagers and shinobi.
But public humiliation hits different when it's in front of people you actually know.
So if Kitazawa could get all of Sasuke's friends to show up, the impact would be even more devastating.
Sakura, Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino would be easy enough to invite.
He was their teacher after all. And with a competitive-eating contest on the table? Let's be honest, they'd probably show up on their own just for the chaos.
Especially Chōji. There was no way he could resist something like that.
The tricky part was getting the Uchiha clan involved.
People like Fugaku and Itachi.
Ironically, they'd have the biggest effect if they did show up.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin. Fugaku? No chance. The head of the Uchiha clan entering a ramen-eating contest? Yeah, right. Even if Kitazawa invited him, he didn't have that kind of pull.
But Itachi? That was a possibility—if he wasn't on a mission.
That gave Kitazawa an idea.
He made his way to the Uchiha compound—not to go directly to Itachi, but to take the roundabout route: talk to Mikoto.
…
At the Uchiha Compound
"Kitazawa-sensei?" Mikoto blinked in surprise. "Did Sasuke do something again?"
"Nope," Kitazawa smiled. "Actually, I came to invite you to a ramen-eating contest happening in two days."
"…Huh?" Mikoto was completely lost.
Never in her life had anyone invited her to a food competition.
"It's hosted by Ichiraku Ramen and sponsored by me," Kitazawa added with a cough. "Sasuke will be participating, too."
"Why does he have to join a ramen-eating contest?" Mikoto asked, confused.
"It's a summer assignment from the academy," Kitazawa lied casually. "Family participation required."
Being the academy's admin director had its perks. Who was gonna challenge him—Hiruzen? Hisao?
Unlikely.
"I see." Mikoto smiled warmly. "That's very thoughtful of you. Thanks for coming all the way here."
She paused, considering. It did seem like a meaningful activity. Good for bonding.
But… there was a problem.
"Fugaku's been really busy lately. I doubt he'll have time," she said with a sigh. "But I'll make sure Sasuke's Oniisan comes."
"That's more than enough," Kitazawa grinned.
Honestly, Itachi probably carried more emotional weight in Sasuke's heart than Fugaku did. With Mikoto present too? Yeah—chances of "awakening" looked good.
And if this didn't work... he'd call in Yakumo Kurama.
…
Kitazawa left the Uchiha compound and headed over to the tightly-knit Ino–Shika–Chō district. Their clans lived right next to each other.
"Kitazawa-sensei?" Ino's voice rang out behind him.
He turned and saw her carrying a two-kilo carp.
"I saw you from a distance," she said, jogging over with a smile. "Wasn't sure it was really you."
"I'm here to find all of you," Kitazawa replied, glancing at the fish. "Did you go fishing?"
"Nope, bought it." Ino explained, "I was training with Sakura this morning. The fish was half-alive, so we made it lunch."
"Sakura was training?" Kitazawa blinked. "During summer break?"
"There," Ino pointed.
Kitazawa looked over—a scenic spot with tables, trees, flowers. Not bad.
"Let's head over."
"Sure." Ino walked ahead and waved. "Sakura!"
"Kitazawa-sensei?" Sakura looked up, stunned.
Thud! A figure fell out of a tree—Shikamaru.
"Why is he here?!" Shikamaru looked ready to bolt.
"You scared of him or something?" Chōji asked, still chewing chips.
"It's not fear," Shikamaru corrected. "It's about protecting my hard-earned summer!"
"Sensei." Sakura greeted him.
"How's your chakra nature transformation going with Yang Release?" Kitazawa asked.
"I can sustain a healing jutsu for five minutes now," Sakura replied.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. That was… a lot. Most genin-level med-nin couldn't do that.
Then he turned to Shikamaru.
"Ki–Kitazawa-sensei…" Shikamaru started nervously. "You're not here for me, right?"
"I'm exactly here for you."
"…?"
Shikamaru froze like a deer in headlights. His summer… was over.
"In two days, Ichiraku is hosting a ramen-eating contest. You're all joining."
"Wait, that's it?" Shikamaru asked, stunned.
"If you'd prefer special training, I can arrange that too," Kitazawa said with a smirk.
"No no no! I'm good!" Shikamaru waved quickly.
"Ramen-eating contest?!" Chōji's eyes sparkled. "Like, unlimited ramen?"
"Exactly," Kitazawa said. "Top three get free meals and a bonus prize."
"I'm in!" Chōji's eyes lit up with fire. "This contest was made for the Akimichi clan!"
"You'll probably get first place," Shikamaru patted his shoulder. "The rest of us are just filler."
"First place is mine!" Chōji declared confidently.
When it came to food, no one beat the Akimichi.
"Not necessarily," Ino muttered, thinking of Hinata.
Ramen contests were about endurance, and Hinata could be a surprise dark horse.
"Are there age divisions?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yep," Kitazawa nodded.
"Then I've got this locked," Chōji said proudly.
No one his age could eat like him.
[The strong love to say "no." A challenge appears. You've chosen to accept it.]
[Mission: Make Chōji lose first place in the ramen-eating contest.]
[Reward: Partial Multi-Size Jutsu.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa blinked. Seriously? I'm triggering missions even at a ramen contest?
But this one… didn't say he had to beat Chōji.
Just that Chōji couldn't win.
Well then—Hinata, it's your time to shine.
Mission accepted.
If it worked—great. If not—oh well.
Partial Multi-Size Jutsu was an Akimichi secret—like their full-body expansion, but limited to specific limbs like hands or feet.
"Just be at Ichiraku by noon the day after tomorrow," Kitazawa said. "I'll be there too."
"We won't miss it!" Chōji was already hyped.
He looked like he wanted to run there right now.
"See you then." Kitazawa turned to leave.
"Whew. Thank god he wasn't here for me," Shikamaru wiped his brow.
"Coward," Ino rolled her eyes and went back to sparring with Sakura.
…
Kitazawa unlocked the door to Kurenai's house, stepped inside the living room—
—and froze.
"Well, that's a face full of surprise," Kurenai said with a soft chuckle, walking toward him.
There was a faint swish of fabric as she moved.
Kitazawa's eyes instinctively dropped to her legs—wrapped in sheer black stockings, glinting under the sunlight. Smooth, sleek, deadly.
The stockings vanished beneath a tight black pencil skirt.
"That outfit really suits you," Kitazawa said, taking in the full look: professional blouse, skirt, teacher vibe turned all the way up.
"But your mind is so not on training," Kurenai rolled her eyes.
She already knew the second she saw the outfit what he was thinking.
All that "stern teacher" stuff? Yeah, right. This was 100% him indulging in his weird office lady fantasy.
"Then why'd you wear it?" Kitazawa asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If this outfit keeps you motivated, I'm willing to make the sacrifice," Kurenai smiled, clearly amused.
"You're the best woman in the world."
"Flatterer." She smirked and stomped lightly on his foot with her stockinged heel before heading to the couch.
She crossed her legs—stockings sliding, thighs pressing together—and sat like a queen.
"Alright. Time for class."
Her voice shifted to a slow, authoritative tone.
"Today's lesson: Genjutsu 101. Your first technique—Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings."
Kitazawa nodded. He already knew the jutsu—it was the base for the Truth-Reveal illusion they'd created together.
He figured that's why she chose it. Familiarity meant a faster grasp.
"Look into my eyes," Kurenai said, forming hand seals. "I'm casting it first, so you can experience it from the inside."
Kitazawa didn't resist.
In the blink of an eye, the world shifted.
Kurenai's living room vanished—replaced by his own.
He hadn't moved. But it felt real.
Classic genjutsu: visual deception.
"False Surroundings is a rare wide-range genjutsu," Kurenai's voice echoed near his ear. "It's mainly used when you're being hunted, to throw—hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
Kitazawa had reached out and casually rested his hand on her thigh—right over the silky black stockings.
"Just testing if I can still touch you while under the illusion," he said matter-of-factly.
"Why touch there?" she hissed through clenched teeth.
"Sorry," he said—but instead of pulling back, he gave her thigh a deliberate squeeze. Her soft flesh filled the space between his fingers.
Kurenai let out a startled, inappropriately suggestive little gasp.
Then she snapped out of it, face flushed, and kicked him square in the shin.
"Focus, Kitazawa."
"Yes, sensei," he said with a straight face.
"…Tch." Kurenai pulled a face. She was so done with his shamelessness.
Still, she took a deep breath and continued the lesson.
A few minutes later, she released the genjutsu.
"Alright. That's the basics. You've already mastered healing techniques, so genjutsu shouldn't give you too much trouble," she said thoughtfully.
"With your chakra control? You'll probably get it down by this afternoon."
"I'll give it a shot."
Kitazawa took a breath, focused, and began weaving the hand seals.
Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings.
Kurenai felt it hit instantly.
The world around her shifted.
She was now in Kitazawa's bedroom.
Her eyes scanned the room—nothing felt off. It was completely seamless.
That was shocking. Sure, him pulling it off on the first try wasn't unheard of…
…but doing it this well?
"Your chakra control's even better than I expected," Kurenai said, letting out a breath.
She didn't want to admit it, but… he'd already surpassed her in that department.
"What's with the sigh?" Kitazawa canceled the illusion.
"You're improving way too fast," she said. "I'm getting left in the dust."
"I'd never leave you behind," he said, stepping in and wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her close.
"That's not what I meant," she said, shooting him a glare.
But she still leaned up on her toes—stockinged toes—and planted a kiss on his lips.
Kitazawa took the opening and kissed her back, deepening it.
After a brief—but intense—exchange, Kurenai pushed him away, breathless.
"Alright, alright," she said, cheeks red. "Back to genjutsu training."
She tried to sound serious, but the blush on her face killed any chance of looking strict.
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," Kitazawa grinned.
"How many times do I have to tell you—don't call me that," she muttered, stomping on his foot again.
Then she sank back onto the couch, crossed her legs again, and pointed to the floor in front of her.
"Back to work. Keep practicing False Surroundings."
Even if his technique was already impressive, it wasn't flawless yet. And she wasn't going to let him slack.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 100 Chapters Ahead of Others!