The Konoha-Style Taijutsu. was a complete taijutsu system — it had punches, kicks, and basic forms.
It wasn't flashy, but it was solid.
It resembled the Konoha-Style Kenjutsu used by Hayate Gekkō, whom Kitazawa had met before — except the sword style was harder to master and far deadlier.
Unlike its sword counterpart, however, Konoha-Style Taijutsu, lacked any signature "secret techniques" — nothing on the level of A-rank skills like the Dance of the Crescent Moon.
Even so, for many civilian-born ninja, it was the only fully developed taijutsu style they could ever learn.
Kitazawa divided the combat class into two halves: theory first, practice second.
During practice, everyone's physical talent became clear.
Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, and Naruto Uzumaki picked things up the fastest.
Next were Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, and Choji Akimichi — a little slower, but still solid.
As for the rest of the civilian students… most wouldn't master Konoha-Style Taijutsu. without at least a year or two of work.
Even a great teacher couldn't change that.
Kitazawa glanced at Naruto, remembering his side mission —
to help Naruto defeat Sasuke once.
The reward wasn't bad either: a permanent 10% increase to his chakra limit.
But the task was difficult, which was why he'd been putting it off.
After watching Naruto's fight against Rock Lee, though, Kitazawa finally saw hope.
If Naruto used his "righteous group beatdown" tactics, there was a chance he could beat Sasuke.
Only a chance, though — not a guarantee.
And that was Kitazawa's fault.
He'd trained Sasuke so much that the boy's strength had skyrocketed.
Naruto's swarming shadow-clone strategy was nasty, sure — but he was still made of flesh and blood.
If Sasuke played it smart, he could kite him with Fire Style attacks and win with ease.
Kitazawa thought of the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
If Naruto could use that, his odds would increase dramatically.
Unfortunately, that jutsu was sealed inside the Hokage's Scroll of Seals — forbidden, and only accessible with the Hokage's permission.
A shame about Mizuki — Kitazawa couldn't squeeze any more usefulness out of him.
He sighed.
At this rate, the original incident — Mizuki tricking Naruto into stealing the Scroll — would never happen again.
After some thought, Kitazawa decided to personally train Naruto.
His plan was simple:
find a Fire Style user for Naruto to spar against, to get him used to the matchup early.
And who better than… Kitazawa's own clone?
Sure, it felt a little unfair to Sasuke —
but missions came first.
Besides, Kitazawa had already given the kid plenty of training.
It was time Sasuke "paid him back" a little.
And if Sasuke ever got a similar quest, Kitazawa would help him too.
His motto: flexible morals — help whoever helps you.
"Alright, that's all for today's combat class. Practice when you've got free time," Kitazawa said as the bell rang.
"Yes, Mr. Kitazawa!" the students chorused before scattering like birds.
Kitazawa was about to leave when someone called his name.
Turning around, he was surprised to see Vice Principal Hiruzen Hisao himself approaching.
He actually came in person?
Usually, the vice principal sent another teacher when he had a message.
"Vice Principal, what can I do for you?" Kitazawa asked.
"The June exam's coming up," Hisao said. "There'll be a short staff meeting tomorrow morning at 8:30 in the conference room."
"Understood."
Then Kitazawa frowned. "But why tell me personally?"
"Because there's more."
Hisao smiled. "Tomorrow, you'll be chairing the meeting."
"Me?"
Kitazawa blinked. That was new — Hisao had always led the exam briefings himself.
"Have you forgotten your new position?" Hisao said, patting his shoulder. "That spot's been vacant for a while. I was just filling in."
Kitazawa paused — then it clicked.
He meant Kitazawa's promotion to Head of Academic Affairs.
Hosting the monthly exam meetings was his responsibility now.
"The announcement hasn't been made yet," Hisao continued with a grin. "We'll do that tomorrow too. Congratulations, Kitazawa — you're the youngest Head of Academic Affairs in school history."
"Thank you, sir."
Kitazawa nodded humbly. "It's my first time leading a meeting, so please guide me if I slip up."
"Of course."
Hisao's tone was warm — more than polite.
And no wonder. Kitazawa's rise had been fast —
which usually meant one of two things: great talent, or powerful backing.
Kitazawa had both.
That made him someone to treat carefully.
"I'll be there right on time tomorrow," Kitazawa promised.
"Good. See you then."
Hisao turned and left.
Later, Kitazawa arrived at Kurenai Yuhi's house.
"Tsunade-sama hasn't shown up yet," Kurenai said with a smile as she opened the door.
"I can't wait to see her face when you pull off the Rasengan."
"Then you'll be disappointed," Kitazawa replied, sitting on the couch and unrolling a scroll from Shizune.
"She already found me at noon."
"You're really planning to learn medical ninjutsu?" Kurenai asked, glancing at the scroll in surprise.
"Yeah," he nodded. "I want to give it a try."
"Then I'll support you."
Kurenai smiled brightly.
She didn't really think he'd succeed — medical ninjutsu was hard to master, and Kitazawa wasn't exactly a teenager anymore.
But he'd surprised her so many times lately… and, well, he was her boyfriend. So she chose to believe in him.
"How exactly are you going to 'support' me?" Kitazawa asked, eyes glinting playfully.
"You never miss a chance to push your luck, do you?" she shot back, glaring softly.
"How is it 'pushing my luck'?" he said innocently.
"Like this?"
Kurenai sighed, then leaned down and kissed his forehead.
Kitazawa immediately wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face against her —
unfortunately, only reaching her stomach.
Kurenai felt the warmth through her clothes and stiffened slightly… then relaxed.
"You're such a child," she murmured, stroking his hair.
"You've got one minute, then— hey! Hands off!"
Her face flushed as she grabbed his wandering hand.
Since he was sitting and she was standing, his reach made things… easier than usual.
"Tsunade and the others could be back any minute," she warned, stepping back.
"How's your Rasengan practice going?" Kitazawa asked, smiling.
He could still feel the memory of her soft thigh against his hand.
"Pretty well," Kurenai said, straightening her clothes.
"Good. If you need help, you know where to find me," he said, standing. "I'll be in the room reading."
He had no need to join the new jutsu trials — the framework was already set.
In his room, Kitazawa spread out a stack of books.
Some were duplicates of those he'd given to Sakura Haruno, so he set those aside.
The rest he needed to finish within two weeks.
Thankfully, he had the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Two clones appeared, and the three of them started reading together.
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha Compound—
After waiting an hour, Sasuke Uchiha finally saw Itachi come home.
He ran to the door, beaming. "Brother!"
"It's good to see you, Sasuke," Itachi said softly.
That smile — that innocence — was enough to wash away his exhaustion.
Being a double agent between the Uchiha clan and Konoha was no easy life.
Thankfully, Tsunade's return had eased some of the clan's pressure.
"Brother, is there any other Fire Style jutsu I can give to Mr. Kitazawa?" Sasuke asked straightaway.
"He taught you a new technique again?" Itachi blinked, smiling.
"Yeah!" Sasuke said eagerly. "Today he showed me Fire Style: Great Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
"That one?" Itachi was surprised. "Then he's already mastered the four Fire Jutsu you gave him before?"
"Is that a problem?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
"To master four Fire Release techniques in such a short time… your teacher, Mr. Kitazawa, is no ordinary man."
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mr. Kitazawa is amazing!" Sasuke said proudly.
"The three fire dragons he breathed out today were huge!"
"Haha. I'll teach you someday," Itachi chuckled. "Then you can see whose dragons are bigger."
"Really? Awesome!" Sasuke's face lit up.
"As for a gift, give him two more Fire Style jutsu," Itachi suggested after thinking a moment.
The proud Uchiha clan never minded others learning their fire techniques.
After all, what truly defined them wasn't Fire Release — it was the Sharingan.
With that, they stood far above ordinary shinobi.
"Brother, one more thing," Sasuke asked expectantly. "How do I awaken the Sharingan?"
"…."
Itachi fell silent.
He had awakened his Sharingan after watching a masked man kill his teammate before his eyes.
And later, he'd awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan when he witnessed Shisui Uchiha's suicide.
Most Uchiha awakened theirs through the same kind of trauma —
the death of someone close.
Itachi hesitated.
What was he supposed to say?
"Wait here while I kill your best friend"?
Or worse — "Wait while I kill me"?
He smiled faintly and patted Sasuke's head.
"Train hard. When the time comes, it will awaken naturally."