"Well?"
Kitazawa looked at Kurenai's dazed expression, dispelled the Rasengan in his hand, and reached out to gently pinch her soft cheek.
"When did you learn that?"
Kurenai blinked, coming back to her senses, unable to hide her curiosity.
"Yesterday," Kitazawa replied after thinking for a moment.
Technically, it wasn't a lie — it had indeed only taken him two days to master the Rasengan.
"Being surpassed that easily… I can't stand it," Kurenai muttered, glaring at him after a brief silence.
Kitazawa's gaze dropped to her lips — soft, pink, and glistening faintly under the morning light.
He leaned in closer.
Kurenai stared at his handsome face, finally realizing what he was doing.
But she didn't move away — a faint, dreamy look flickered in her eyes.
Kitazawa kissed her, his arms wrapping naturally around her slim waist.
But just as his hands brushed against the soft curve of her hips, he was pushed away.
"You're not behaving," Kurenai said, her cheeks flushed red.
"It's about time," Kitazawa said, coughing lightly to hide his smile. "I need to head to the academy."
"I'll keep practicing the Rasengan," Kurenai said, giving him a light stomp on the foot. "Now go."
Kitazawa glanced down at her fair, delicate foot and thought privately that one day, he'd get his revenge.
He turned, put on his shoes at the entryway, and left Kurenai's home.
Konoha Ninja Academy
When Kitazawa opened the door to his office, he found Hinata Hyūga sitting quietly on the sofa.
Her posture was perfect — back straight, legs together, hands neatly resting on her lap — the result of her strict family upbringing.
But because she was still small, her two pale little feet dangled slightly above the floor.
"Good morning, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Hinata jumped off the sofa as soon as she saw him and ran up eagerly.
"Morning, Hinata."
Kitazawa patted her head and smiled. "You seem to be in a good mood today. Something happen?"
"Father was pleased with me yesterday," she said, blushing a little. "He even praised me… and taught me the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms."
A faint, proud smile touched her lips.
Kitazawa's mind stirred — a sudden idea forming.
Could he use this opportunity to learn and 'legitimize' the Gentle Fist and the Sixty-Four Palms?
Theoretically, yes. But in reality… very risky.
Unless he gained absolute strength and reputation, he might end up hunted down by some Hyūga branch member one day.
After all, stealing clan jutsu was a serious crime.
Still, the thought was worth keeping in his back pocket.
"Congratulations, Hinata," Kitazawa said warmly. "You're becoming a first-rate genius."
"I-I'm not," she stammered quickly. "It's only because of your teaching, Kitazawa-sensei."
"If you didn't have talent, my teaching wouldn't matter," he said, flicking her forehead gently. "Hinata, you need to have confidence."
Hinata looked up at his kind smile, her heart swelling.
No one — not even her clan — had ever encouraged her like this before.
The Hyūga and Uchiha clans both raised their children under harsh, militaristic discipline.
But in truth, education needed both firmness and gentleness.
"What do you think about your challenge against Neji?" Kitazawa asked, sitting down and opening a storage scroll to take out breakfast.
"I… I'm not my cousin Neji's match," Hinata said softly, lowering her head.
"Of course not — you only just awakened your Byakugan," Kitazawa said reassuringly. "Don't let that discourage you."
He handed her a rice ball.
"Thank you."
She took a small bite, then asked hesitantly, "But… can I really catch up to him someday?"
"Under normal circumstances, it'd be difficult," Kitazawa said with a confident grin. "But you have one advantage he doesn't."
"What's that?"
"You have me as your teacher."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata said, smiling shyly, a spark of confidence lighting her eyes.
She never even questioned how a non-Hyūga could possibly teach her Gentle Fist.
"Kitazawa-sensei! I'm here!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
"Eh? You two started eating without me?"
Ino Yamanaka walked in, carrying two lunch boxes.
She sat down right beside Hinata without hesitation and opened them up.
Thanks to Hinata's big appetite, she was never worried about leftovers.
"I thought you'd eat at home today," Kitazawa remarked, glancing at her neatly prepared lunch — delicate and clearly homemade.
"I was going to, but I wanted to share my good news with you first!"
Ino's face lit up like the sun.
"I mastered the Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
"You did?" Kitazawa raised a brow.
"W-well, sort of…" Ino admitted sheepishly, scratching her cheek.
Kitazawa smiled, already guessing the truth.
Being able to barely use a jutsu, learning it, and mastering it were three entirely different levels — entry, proficiency, and mastery.
"For someone your age to perform the Mind Transfer Jutsu at all makes you a genius among geniuses," he said sincerely.
"I-It's not that amazing," she said, blushing now that he'd complimented her.
She knew perfectly well she'd only managed it because of his guidance.
"Keep it up," Kitazawa said, patting her head. "Master it as soon as possible."
"Mm!" Ino beamed. "I'll be counting on your help, sensei!"
[Current Mission: Help Yamanaka Ino master the Mind Transfer Jutsu.]
[Reward: Mind Transfer Jutsu.]
[Accept mission?]
Kitazawa's brows rose slightly at the new notification.
Was the system trying to make him learn all three of the Ino–Shika–Cho secret techniques?
Thinking about it, it actually made perfect sense.
The system was called The Strongest Hokage Development System, after all — naturally, he'd have to learn every type of ninjutsu eventually.
And those clan techniques were powerful.
The Nara's Shadow Imitation Technique controlled the enemy's movements through their shadows.
The Yamanaka's Mind Transfer Jutsu allowed one's consciousness to invade another's body.
All extremely useful.
"After first period, we'll start training," Kitazawa said with a smile.
The three of them finished breakfast and headed to Class 1-A.
When Kitazawa entered, he immediately saw Sakura Haruno chattering endlessly in front of Sasuke Uchiha.
Sasuke wore his usual cold expression, but Kitazawa could tell he was inwardly annoyed.
By contrast, Naruto Uzumaki was having the time of his life, animatedly telling Kiba and Choji about the huge fish he'd caught over the weekend.
Kitazawa faintly remembered the original story — Naruto had been good at catching fish in the wild, and even the Hokage had freeloaded off his meals once.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
The room suddenly erupted into cheerful greetings.
Every student called out to him with enthusiasm and admiration.
As the saying goes — people can't always teach people, but experiences can.
After their victory over the second-years, Kitazawa's reputation in Class 1-A had skyrocketed.
"You all worked hard in Friday's match," he said, smiling as he opened a storage scroll.
"I've prepared some snacks for you — one bag each."
"Kitazawa-sensei, you're the best!"
"Thank you, sensei!"
The classroom filled with cheers.
"Come up one by one," Kitazawa said, smiling warmly.
Ten minutes later, everyone had their share.
"Alright, save them for recess. Let's start class."
He picked up a piece of chalk and began.
Maybe it was the snacks, but everyone paid extra attention today —
everyone except Shikamaru Nara, who sat slouched in his chair, half-awake.
His eyes were open, but completely unfocused.
When the bell rang—
"Class dismissed," Kitazawa said calmly. "Shikamaru, come to my office."
"Huh?"
Shikamaru blinked awake instantly.
"You're done for," Kiba teased. "Kitazawa-sensei caught you slacking!"
"He's not that kind of teacher," Ino said, shaking her head. "He probably just wants to talk to you."
"Good luck," Choji added, patting his shoulder sympathetically.
"What a drag," Shikamaru sighed, dragging his feet toward the office.
The door was open, so he stepped inside.
"Kitazawa-sensei," he said quickly, "I already know everything in the textbook. I wasn't daydreaming."
"In that case," Kitazawa said smoothly, "how about I teach you something new?"
Shikamaru frowned.
"You're too busy for that, sensei. You shouldn't waste time on me."
"Your parents asked me to be your private tutor," Kitazawa said — deliberately adding both parents.
He knew Shikamaru well enough: he feared nothing… except his mother.
"Huh?"
Shikamaru froze.
"What, huh?" Kitazawa said, standing up. "Come on, we're going to the training field."
"..."
Shikamaru groaned inwardly. It felt like the lazy dog's peaceful days had officially come to an end.
At the academy's training field, a few students were already waiting.
Besides Ino and Hinata, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno were there as well.
Yakumo Kurama had been busy with her bloodline limit and creating a new jutsu lately, so she rarely attended.
As for Naruto — he had to stay in class to keep his academic grades afloat.
"Sakura," Kitazawa said, pulling out a scroll, "these contain basic medical-ninja materials. Start memorizing them."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sakura beamed, but her smile froze the moment she opened the scroll.
A small mountain of books materialized before her.
"Th-this much?!"
Ino jumped, startled.
A quick glance told her they weren't even about medical ninjutsu — just pure medical theory.