A single class period passed quickly.
"Good work today, Hinata," Kitazawa said with a gentle smile.
"Um… Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata Hyuga lowered her head shyly, fidgeting with something in her hands.
"What is it?" Kitazawa asked curiously.
"This is for you!"
Hinata held out a small bankbook with both hands. "This… this is all of my allowance!"
She had been thinking for days about how to thank her teacher but couldn't find any good way.
In the end, she decided the only thing she could give him was money.
"I'm not short on money, Hinata. You don't have to do that," Kitazawa said, half amused, half helpless.
"N-no! You have to take it!"
Hinata's voice trembled, but her expression was unusually firm.
"…It's rare to see you so assertive," Kitazawa chuckled. "Alright, I'll accept it."
He opened the passbook—and froze.
Three million ryō?!
You call this allowance?
Am I seriously being a kept man right now?
But after a moment, he realized something.
Hinata was the Hyuga clan's heiress… but even so, three million was too much.
Could Hiashi have done this on purpose? As a way of thanking me?
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata said softly, her cheeks faintly pink.
This kid… she gives me money and still says thank you?
Kitazawa sighed inwardly but smiled. "Let me walk you home."
Hinata's face brightened immediately, and the two walked together toward the Hyuga compound.
It wasn't far—ten minutes later, they reached the gate.
"Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata waved reluctantly before stepping inside.
"You're back? Then come practice your Gentle Fist," came Hiashi Hyuga's firm voice.
"Yes, Father," Hinata replied immediately, with no hesitation.
She was already exhausted from the day's training, but she didn't want to disappoint him.
To her surprise, Hiashi didn't scold her at all—he was pleasantly surprised.
Her progress was beyond expectation.
In just a few days, her movements had become much sharper and more fluid.
Since Kitazawa wasn't a Hyuga and didn't have the Byakugan, Hiashi dismissed him as a possible influence.
So, he reached only one conclusion—Hinata must have incredible natural talent.
"Hinata, keep working hard," Hiashi said with a rare smile. "The future of the Hyuga clan rests in your hands."
"Yes, Father," she answered, though she didn't understand why he suddenly said that.
Still, if it made him happy, that was enough.
Kitazawa arrived at Kurenai Yuhi's house, but she wasn't home.
After thinking for a moment, he walked around to the back yard.
Sure enough, he found her—sitting on a tree branch, half-hidden by thick leaves, holding a small rubber ball in her hand.
She was practicing the Rasengan.
The secrecy made sense—she was learning it without permission.
Watching her, Kitazawa suddenly thought of a completely legal solution: marriage.
According to the rules of the Hidden Leaf Village, spouses could legally teach each other ninjutsu.
He had received the Rasengan directly from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—it was a legitimate reward.
If Kurenai married him, then her learning it would be perfectly within regulations.
Just like how Minato Namikaze had learned sealing techniques from Kushina Uzumaki.
Of course, those two were special cases—but still, the precedent existed.
"Kurenai," he called softly.
Kurenai turned, startled. "When did you get here?"
"Just now," he smiled. "Come down, I'll catch you."
"I know exactly what's on your mind," she said with a faint snort, but jumped anyway.
Her arms wrapped around his neck; her long legs instinctively clamped around his waist.
The downward momentum sent her crashing into his chest.
What the—body slam with a ball attached?
Kitazawa couldn't help but notice the soft sensation pressing against him.
His hands instinctively moved to support her thighs, fingers brushing her curves as he lifted her slightly.
"Put me down, Kitazawa," Kurenai said, blushing, tapping his shoulder.
"I'll walk you home," he said playfully.
From this close, he could clearly see the pale skin rising and falling with her breath—though the black mesh undershirt ruined the view somewhat.
"You wish," Kurenai smirked, performing a quick hand sign and vanishing in a puff of smoke—leaving a wooden log in his arms.
"I'm heading out on Saturday," Kitazawa said evenly, tossing the log aside.
"Where to?" she asked, falling into step beside him.
"A mission—with Mizuki."
At the name, Kurenai frowned immediately. "He doesn't mean you any good. I'll come with you."
"That's exactly why I'm going," Kitazawa replied calmly. "I don't take kindly to threats."
"You're planning to kill him?" she asked, face tightening. "That's dangerous. You know memories can be extracted from both the living and the dead."
In the shinobi world, there was a saying: "Corpses speak."
It referred to the technique of memory extraction—something the Yamanaka clan specialized in.
"I won't make the first move," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "If Mizuki doesn't act, nothing happens. If he does—I'll just be defending myself."
That way, even if Konoha later extracted Mizuki's memories, Kitazawa would be cleared of guilt.
"…I see," Kurenai said after thinking it over. "Then I'm still going with you."
"No need," Kitazawa smiled knowingly.
He'd told her this because he knew her personality—and just as he expected, she immediately took his side.
"The more people involved, the greater the risk," he explained. "If you're seen leaving the village, the Hokage might think I planned Mizuki's death in advance."
"Fair point," Kurenai conceded, relaxing.
She trusted Kitazawa's strength—especially now that he'd mastered the Rasengan.
A mere chunin like Mizuki couldn't possibly harm him.
Saturday came quickly.
A sharp pop! echoed through the clearing.
The rubber ball in Kurenai's hand burst apart.
"Congratulations," Kitazawa said. "You've completed the second stage of the Rasengan. Only one more to go."
"You've helped me so much," Kurenai said, smiling.
"Just words of thanks?" Kitazawa teased, taking her hand and pulling her close.
Kurenai rolled her eyes, stood on her toes—and kissed him.
But a few seconds later, her eyes widened and she pushed him away, face crimson.
"Y-you… you shouldn't have…!"
Kitazawa only smiled. "With a goddess's blessing, my mission will go perfectly."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" she asked, regaining composure.
"Don't worry," Kitazawa said lightly. "I'm basically jonin level now."
Mount Tanuki wasn't far from the Leaf—still within the Land of Fire.
Even if Mizuki hired rogue ninjas, it was unlikely he could afford a jonin.
And unless it was someone like Kakuzu, none of them could beat Kitazawa anyway.
"Alright," Kurenai said softly. "I'll wait for you. Be careful."
He kissed her briefly, then turned and left.
At Konoha's front gate, Mizuki was already waiting—his face dark and cold.
But when he saw Kitazawa, he forced on a fake calm.
"What's the mission?" he asked.
"To wipe out a bandit group in Mount Tanuki," Kitazawa said. "One of my students' hometowns has been suffering from them."
"How noble of you," Mizuki sneered inwardly. Hypocrite.
Still, he had to admit—the remote mountain was a perfect place for an ambush.
"Not really," Kitazawa said calmly. "There'll be a free helper, too."
"…"
Mizuki's face twitched.
You smug bastard. You're dying today.
They set off in silence.
Mount Tanuki wasn't far—an hour's run at ninja speed.
"You handle the bandits guarding the base," Kitazawa ordered.
Mizuki vanished into the shadows, kunai in hand.
Moments later, bodies hit the ground with dull thuds.
Only the two leaders were ninja—the rest mere thugs.
Bandits who murdered and pillaged without mercy—Kitazawa had none to spare for them either.
They climbed toward the mountaintop.
"We'll each take one of the leaders," Kitazawa said.
Mizuki nodded slightly.
"I'll start by lighting things up," Kitazawa said, forming hand signs.
He spat out a Fireball, setting the wooden fortress ablaze.
Flames spread instantly.
"Fire! Put it out!"
"Get water!"
"Help!"
The hideout erupted in chaos.
Kitazawa and Mizuki exchanged a glance—then split up.
Stealth was one of a ninja's basic skills.
Though Kitazawa could have ended this instantly, he couldn't show too much in front of Mizuki.
He didn't want to scare his prey into fleeing too early.
Soon, Kitazawa found his target: the mountain boss, a middle-aged man with a short sword at his waist—a skilled elite chunin, adept at Water Style and kenjutsu.
"Chakra fluctuation!" the man shouted suddenly. "Ninjas! We've been infiltrated!"
"You're sharp," Kitazawa said, appearing in plain sight.
But his right hand was already behind his back, forming seals.
"Who are you?!"
Bandits surrounded him, kunai drawn.
"Konoha ninja?!" the boss gasped when he saw Kitazawa's forehead protector.
Everyone knew—the Leaf was one of the Five Great Villages.
If they'd been targeted, there was no hope.
"You guessed right," Kitazawa said with a pleasant smile. "But there's no prize for that."
The man reached for his sword—then froze.
Vines burst from the ground, wrapping tightly around his legs.
"What—?!"
Before he could react, the vines lifted him into the air—bound by a giant tree.
Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!
Kitazawa vanished and reappeared before him, kunai in hand.
The blade pierced straight into the man's heart.
"Genjutsu really is an instant kill for average ninjas," Kitazawa murmured.
Without it, that fight would've taken far longer.
"You…" the man gasped weakly before collapsing.
The surrounding bandits panicked. "The boss is dead! Run!"
Kitazawa weaved signs again—Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!
Screams filled the air as the fleeing men were engulfed.
When it was over, Kitazawa looked toward Mizuki—who was still fighting his own target.
He sat down and pretended to rest, waiting.
A few minutes later, Mizuki approached. "You alright?"
"I'm fine. Just burned some chakra," Kitazawa said calmly. "Let's head back."
"Head back?"
Mizuki's fake smile twisted into a snarl. "You're not going anywhere, Kitazawa."
"What do you mean?" Kitazawa frowned.
"You really don't know?" Mizuki roared. "You stole my 'Outstanding Teacher' title, took my rewards, and made my class lose the inter-class match!"
His face twisted with rage. "Don't you think you deserve to die?!"
"Mizuki," Kitazawa said evenly. "Are you questioning the Hokage's judgment?"
"The Hokage?" Mizuki spat. "That senile old fool?"
Kitazawa's eyebrow twitched.
Perfect.
That single line was all he needed to clear his name later.
"I'm a Special Jonin now," Kitazawa reminded him.
"A Special Jonin who got promoted through connections," Mizuki sneered.
Kitazawa's mouth twitched.
"But since we used to be colleagues, I brought you some company," Mizuki grinned darkly. "Come on out!"
Two shadows appeared beside him—both chunin.
"Do I still have a chance?" Kitazawa asked lightly, glancing between them.
"No," Mizuki said coldly. "Kill him."
The two charged, blades flashing—
But Kitazawa was gone.
"What—?!" Mizuki spun around, alarmed.
Wind Style: Gale Palm!
A violent gust roared through the clearing, knocking the two allies off balance.
"Spread out!" Mizuki shouted, retreating.
Leaf Great Whirlwind!
Kitazawa appeared in front of him and kicked hard.
Mizuki crossed his arms to block—
BAM!
The impact hurled him backward—right to the cliff's edge.
"Mizuki," Kitazawa said calmly, walking forward, "ever heard of the Rasengan?"
"Who hasn't? The Fourth Hokage's—"
He stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening.
"You… you can't possibly—!"
Rasengan!
Kitazawa's palm slammed into his chest.
"AAAAHHH!"
Mizuki screamed as the spiraling chakra tore through him—then tumbled off the cliff.
Kitazawa watched silently.
He hadn't planned to kill him, but letting such a threat live wasn't worth it.
Besides, he wanted to see whether the "system" would still count the mission as complete.
And it did.
Leaving the body behind would make him seem innocent—no need to erase evidence.
Turning, Kitazawa faced the two remaining chunin.
"My turn."
Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!
One was caught instantly; Kitazawa slit his throat cleanly.
"Wait!" the other shouted. "Don't kill me! I'll give you all my money—!"
Body Flicker Technique!
Kitazawa vanished, reappeared in front of him, and thrust out his palm—
Rasengan!
The man screamed once before going silent.
Kitazawa exhaled slowly.
Using only Tree Binding Death, Great Fireball, Rasengan, and the Leaf Body Flicker,
he'd just killed four chunin.
And with ease.
[Mission: Send Mizuki to Prison.]
[Reward: Fire Style – Heavenly Prison.]
[Mission Complete. Reward Granted.]
[Bonus Achievement: Overfulfillment detected – additional reward granted: Fire Style – Great Fire Heavenly Prison.]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow at the glowing text before him.
He'd thought killing Mizuki might cause mission failure—
but instead, it was overfulfilled.
"System," he murmured with a grin, "good job."
The Great Fire Heavenly Prison was an advanced version of the Heavenly Prison, a powerful fire technique once used by Mui to imprison a monster nearly as strong as a Tailed Beast.