"As a medical ninja, you must possess an extensive foundation of knowledge,"
Kitazawa said with a calm smile.
Though medical ninjutsu could be fast and convenient, no matter how miraculous the technique, it required the user to understand the human body in detail to use it effectively.
Moreover, a medical ninja's expertise often extended into poison and antidote work — meaning they needed to know every herb and medicinal plant across the ninja world.
"…."
Haruno Sakura suddenly felt a pang of regret.
Why did being a medical ninja involve studying so much?
Wasn't medical ninjutsu supposed to be convenient and useful — not this complicated?
"You're going to study medical ninjutsu?"
Uchiha Sasuke looked at Kitazawa, then at Sakura, visibly surprised.
As someone born into a great shinobi clan, he knew how difficult medical ninjutsu really was.
Sakura aside — how was Kitazawa supposed to teach medical ninjutsu? Was he a medical ninja?
"Yes!"
Sakura quickly dropped her doubts, her eyes shining.
"From now on, whenever you're injured, Sasuke-kun, I'll treat you — for free!"
"…"
Sasuke fell silent.
Sure, her sentiment was kind, but the enthusiasm in her voice made it sound like she was hoping he'd get injured.
"Sakura, are you certain about this?"
Kitazawa asked with a small smile.
"I'm certain!" she said firmly, her face full of determination.
Yamanaka Ino sighed and rubbed her forehead.
It was the first time she'd ever seen someone study medical ninjutsu out of such a shallow motive.
"Women are terrifying," muttered Nara Shikamaru.
If he had to study that many books, he'd faint on the spot.
"Then do your best," Kitazawa said, pulling out a summoning scroll.
This time, what appeared was a full desk and chair — a setup he'd prepared specifically for Sakura.
Knowing how lovestruck she was, he placed her seat right next to Sasuke's.
That way, she'd at least stay motivated to study.
"Ino, your training for today is just to keep working on your Mind Body Switch Technique," Kitazawa continued.
He'd been assigned the task by the system, but since he didn't actually know that jutsu, he'd just observe for now.
"Got it," Ino nodded.
"You already learned the Mind Body Switch?"
Shikamaru looked shocked.
The Ino-Shika-Cho clans had always been closely tied, and they knew each other's secret techniques well.
And in terms of difficulty, all three clan techniques were about equally hard to master.
Neither he nor Akimichi Choji had reached the level to start learning theirs — so how had Ino?
"That's all thanks to Kitazawa-sensei's special training," Ino said with a smirk.
"You're part of it now too, so you'll be using Shadow Possession soon enough!"
I don't want to!
Shikamaru groaned internally.
He'd heard a little about Ino's "special training" — apparently exhausting and time-consuming.
During that period, she'd barely even shown up to class.
Just imagining endless daily training made him feel like his future had gone dark.
"Sasuke, how's your mastery of Manipulated Shuriken Technique coming along?"
Kitazawa asked.
"I've already mastered it," Sasuke said confidently.
He'd originally planned to show it off in his sparring match with Hyuga Neji, but hadn't gotten the chance.
"I know you were frustrated about missing Friday's match," Kitazawa said.
"So as compensation, I'll teach you a B-rank Fire Release jutsu today — one of the ones you gifted me."
He smiled. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sasuke's voice rose in excitement.
He really had felt a little resentful, but now Kitazawa was repaying his grudge with kindness — which made him feel guilty instead.
When he got home, he'd have to ask Itachi if there were more Fire Release techniques he could offer as thanks.
"B-rank?"
Shikamaru muttered in disbelief.
Normally, only Chunin or Jonin could handle B-rank ninjutsu.
And Sasuke was learning it at six years old. Ridiculous.
These prodigies weren't just gifted — they were insane.
If they already had so much talent, why did they still have to work so hard?
"You missed the last match, but don't worry — the term-end exam next month will include a true combat test," Kitazawa reminded him.
"Getting first place won't be easy."
Sasuke's gaze sharpened.
Once, he'd have been certain he'd win.
But now, there was Hyuga Hinata with her Byakugan, Uzumaki Naruto who'd mastered the Shadow Clone Technique, and Kurama Yakumo with her genjutsu bloodline limit.
All three were formidable opponents.
"Yakumo's participating?" Ino asked curiously.
"If she is, she'll definitely take first place."
"…"
Sasuke opened his mouth to object — but found he couldn't.
"She likely won't," Kitazawa said after a thought.
"Her body can't handle that many consecutive fights."
Sasuke subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
"But," Kitazawa added, "that's only this term. With Lady Tsunade treating her, she may be ready next semester."
Sasuke's expression immediately tensed.
Kitazawa couldn't help smiling.
Just a few sentences, and he had the Uchiha boy's nerves completely rattled.
"I'll do my best," Sasuke said solemnly.
If he wanted to win first place, Dragon Flame Jutsu would be the key.
If only he could awaken his Sharingan — but he still had no idea how.
He'd have to ask his brother about that too.
Just then, Kitazawa froze.
[First Semester Ending Soon: As a genius among geniuses, you must leave them utterly awed.]
[Current Task: Achieve first place in the final exam with overwhelming dominance.]
[Reward: The First Gate of the Eight Gates.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's mouth twitched.
What kind of Pinduoduo-tier system was this?
Still, thinking about it, even if he got all Eight Gates, he couldn't handle them right now.
The technique demanded immense physical strength — opening too many gates without the body for it meant certain death.
With a full Senju bloodline someday, maybe he could.
But for now, one gate was plenty.
He remembered:
The First Gate – Gate of Opening released the brain's limiter, allowing 100% of physical potential.
That might sound simple, but in battle, it was a massive buff — essentially putting him in full peak condition at will.
The only problem was the task itself.
If it had been a written exam, no problem.
But a practical combat exam meant he'd actually have to fight his own students.
He'd need a convincing excuse — otherwise, it'd look like he was bullying kids.
Thankfully, being a teacher gave him cover.
"Sasuke, I'll give you a demonstration," Kitazawa said after glancing around.
"You all take a few steps back — I'd rather not burn anyone."
Everyone quickly moved away.
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!
Kitazawa formed rapid hand seals, chakra surging to his throat.
In an instant, he exhaled — and the air warped from the heat.
Three colossal dragons of pure flame roared into the sky, twisting and coiling under his control.
"Such huge dragons!"
Ino gasped aloud.
"So… strong," Sasuke murmured.
Shikamaru was awestruck.
That kind of control and intensity — what rank was this teacher, really?
Only Hinata looked calm, finding it natural.
After all, to her, Kitazawa-sensei could do anything.
"Here," Kitazawa said, handing Sasuke a scroll.
"This contains the Dragon Flame Jutsu, along with my notes."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Sasuke's eyes gleamed.
Compared to the Great Fireball Jutsu, this was on another level.
No wonder it was B-rank — once he mastered it, the Uchiha clan would shine because of him!
Kitazawa, watching him, suddenly remembered — Dragon Flame Jutsu was actually the prerequisite for Lightning Style: Kirin.
That S-rank lightning technique was Sasuke's own creation in the original story — the pinnacle of Lightning Release.
And to create storm clouds for it, he'd used this fire technique.
"My shadow clone will help the three of you train," Kitazawa said, creating one with a puff of smoke.
"Shikamaru, Hinata — come with me."
Hinata nodded eagerly, eyes bright with anticipation.
Shikamaru, meanwhile, looked like a man headed for execution.
"Shikamaru, your training's simple — water-walking," Kitazawa said as they arrived at the academy's artificial lake.
He skipped the tree-climbing step; Shikamaru already had decent chakra control, judging by his clone technique.
Lazy or not, the boy's fundamentals were solid — and his tactical sense near flawless.
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei," Shikamaru said listlessly, stepping onto the lake's surface.
"Hinata, we'll train over there," Kitazawa said, leading her to a shaded grove nearby.
Shikamaru could manage on his own for now.
"Hinata, show me your Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms," Kitazawa instructed.
"O-okay," Hinata said nervously, stepping into stance.
He watched silently from start to finish.
Kitazawa said nothing — he knew Hinata's personality too well.
The more pressure she felt, the worse she performed.
The best way to help her was praise and patience.
With his system-granted master-level Gentle Fist, he could see all her flaws instantly.
But that was fine — she'd only trained two days. He could fix that.
Whether she'd surpass Neji would depend on her determination now.
After all, Kitazawa's support was already maxed out — and Neji, as a branch family member, wasn't even allowed to learn Sixty-Four Palms officially.
If he'd only learned it by stealing glances, then Hinata's progress might soon overtake his.