"Kitazawa, from now on, you'll be responsible for Second-Year Class A. Terai and Isamu Yamada will assist you."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, reminded him calmly. "You can decide what subjects are to be taught."
Isamu Yamada — that was the former Second-Year A instructor. Usually, every class had two or three teachers. Before, Class 2-A had been taught by Mizuki and Yamada.
"Understood," Kitazawa replied, collecting his thoughts.
"Terai is a shinobi from the Foundation," Hiruzen continued, his tone turning firm. "He must not be allowed to teach any of the important courses — especially The Will of Fire."
He clearly didn't want Danzo Shimura's "Root ideology" replacing his own "Will of Fire."
"I understand," Kitazawa nodded. "I'll personally teach that class."
"Good," Hiruzen said with a small smile. "With you handling it, I can rest easy."
"If that's all, Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave."
After a respectful bow, Kitazawa exited the office and stepped outside the Hokage Tower, exhaling sharply.
"This old schemer really has his roots everywhere…"
In his previous life, Kitazawa had disliked Danzo. Now, experiencing his manipulations firsthand, that dislike had become pure loathing.
Luckily, he had people above him to rely on — not only the Hokage, but also Tsunade. With them around, he felt secure in the Hidden Leaf.
Still, his mind began to race.
Could I use Tsunade to take Danzo down?
Going through Hiruzen was out of the question — Danzo was his right-hand man, his "black ops glove." As long as Danzo didn't betray the village, he'd never truly be punished.
That left only one person capable of opposing him: Tsunade Senju.
Kitazawa's first thought was to expose the Wood Release experiments Danzo had conducted in secret.
But there was a problem — he wasn't supposed to know about them. He couldn't explain how he'd learned that information.
His thoughts drifted to Yamato, the lone survivor of those very experiments. Maybe, just maybe, he could find an opening there…
But such a move would have to be planned carefully. One mistake, and it would cost him his life.
For now, Danzo hadn't targeted him directly. Increasing his strength took priority.
He focused his chakra, and the mission screen appeared again before his eyes:
[As a genius, you should dominate the Ninja Academy. Your first step is Second-Year Class A.]
[Current Mission: Defeat Neji Hyuga, the strongest student in Class 2-A.]
[Reward: +10% Byakugan Purity]
[Accept Mission?]
Kitazawa blinked. "You've got to be kidding me."
Still, it wasn't impossible.
He couldn't exactly walk into Class 2-A shouting "Neji! Come out and fight me!" But as the new head teacher, he'd have the perfect chance during combat training.
And that reward — Byakugan purity — fascinated him.
There were two kinds of Byakugan:
One, the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, like Hiashi Hyuga's.
The other, the Otsutsuki Clan's Byakugan, like Kaguya's — outwardly identical, but vastly more powerful.
His current Byakugan was clearly of Hyuga origin. This reward hinted that its purity — and power — could evolve toward Otsutsuki levels.
Interesting. Very interesting.
That evening, Kitazawa returned to Kurenai Yuhi's home.
"You're back?" Tsunade looked up from the sofa, lazily glancing at him. "What did the old man want with you?"
"The Hokage asked me to oversee Second-Year A," Kitazawa said truthfully. "And to keep an eye on the new teacher, Terai."
"Why would he need you to watch him?"
"Because Terai's from Root," Kitazawa said. "I suspect Danzo's got his eyes on Yakumo Kurama."
"He dares?"
Tsunade's expression darkened immediately, slamming a hand onto the armrest. "As long as I'm here, Danzo won't lay a finger on that girl!"
Her outrage came from more than hatred of Danzo — Yakumo was her patient, and Tsunade was fiercely protective of those under her care.
Kitazawa smiled inwardly. With Tsunade's temper on his side, both he and Yakumo were safer already.
"If Root or Danzo makes a move, tell me right away," Tsunade huffed. "Konoha isn't his private playground!"
"Lady Tsunade, that was… badass," Kitazawa said sincerely.
"You've got guts yourself," Tsunade replied, smirking slightly. "Most shinobi freeze up at the mere mention of Danzo's name."
"That's only because Lady Tsunade's standing behind me," Kitazawa answered smoothly.
"You really know how to flatter a woman," she said, propping her pale legs on the table. "Now, go on. I've got new jutsu to develop."
"Yes, ma'am."
Kitazawa retreated to his room upstairs. Danzo and Root could wait — for now, he'd finish Tsunade's assigned medical studies.
If he could become her student officially, he'd never have to fear political danger again.
The next morning.
The last week of June began.
Iruka Umino stretched in his chair, looking proudly at the thirty exam questions he'd spent days perfecting.
"Let's see how many make it into the final test."
After breakfast, he stopped by Mizuki's house.
"Mizuki! You back yet?" he called, knocking.
The door opened — but instead of Mizuki, a young woman with short hair appeared.
"Good morning, Iruka," she greeted gently.
"Morning, Tsubaki. Mizuki's still out?"
Tsubaki, Mizuki's fiancée and a fellow chunin, shook her head worriedly. "He left Saturday morning and hasn't come back."
"You know how missions can be," Iruka said kindly. "Sometimes they take ten days or more."
"I hope that's all it is," she said softly. "Please, tell me if you hear anything."
"I will," Iruka promised, then turned toward the Academy — only to overhear whispers the moment he entered.
"Did you hear what Mizuki did?"
"I can't believe he'd go that far."
"Trying to hurt Kitazawa-sensei? That's insane!"
"What?!" Iruka blurted, rushing forward.
A fellow teacher handed him a notice.
It read:
Mizuki, overcome with jealousy, attempted to harm Instructor Kitazawa and was killed in self-defense.
Second-Year Class A will temporarily be placed under Kitazawa's care as acting homeroom teacher.
Iruka froze, trembling. "That can't be…"
But the notice bore the Hokage's seal. Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't lie.
Mizuki really was dead.
And worse, he'd broken the most sacred rule of the village — turning on his own comrade.
"How am I supposed to tell Tsubaki…" Iruka whispered, face pale.
Meanwhile, Kitazawa entered the Second-Year teachers' office.
The atmosphere was icy. Immediately, he spotted Terai.
You could always tell a Root operative. The air around them was… dead. No warmth. No emotion.
Every Root member was conditioned by Danzo's brainwashing to be nothing but tools — loyal only to him.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Isamu Yamada looked visibly relieved. "You're finally here!"
"Let's hold a quick meeting," Kitazawa said. "In the old Mizuki office."
He now had two offices — one for each class.
"Right away!" Yamada said eagerly, grateful to escape the cold tension.
"Terai," Kitazawa said politely, "I'm Kitazawa."
"Hello," Terai replied in a flat monotone.
"Come along, then."
Inside the office, Yamada was already seated. Kitazawa handed each of them a new class schedule.
"Today's meeting is simple — just a reassignment of subjects."
Yamada skimmed the paper — and blinked.
He'd been given most of the academic load, almost as much as Mizuki used to have.
Kitazawa himself would only teach The Will of Fire and the Ninjutsu Practical (covering the Three Basic Jutsu).
As for Terai?
He'd been assigned Flower Arrangement and Astronomy.
Yamada nearly burst out laughing.
This Root assassin teaching Ikebana? That was comedy gold.
He peeked at Terai's face — still emotionless. Not a flicker of reaction.
Was this guy even human?
"Any objections?" Kitazawa asked calmly.
"None," Yamada said quickly. If anything, more classes meant more pay — and possibly a promotion.
"None," Terai echoed, toneless as ever.
"Good. The schedule takes effect today," Kitazawa said, standing. "If anything comes up, you can find me downstairs."
When he left, the room fell silent.
"I'm Isamu Yam—" Yamada began, trying to be friendly.
Terai turned and walked out mid-sentence.
Yamada froze. "Rude much?!"
Back in his own office, Kitazawa was greeted by a worried Hinata Hyuga.
"Kitazawa-sensei, are you all right?" she asked, eyes full of concern.
"I'm fine," he said softly, realizing she must've heard the rumors.
"I… I can ask Father to assign someone to guard you," she offered timidly.
"It's not that serious," he said, flicking her forehead lightly.
Hinata hadn't realized how strange that sounded — she could have protection as the Hyuga heiress, but he was just a teacher.
"But…" she began.
"No 'buts,'" he said firmly, smiling. "Come on, it's time for breakfast."
"Yes!" Hinata nodded, brightening again.
After they ate, they headed to Class 1-A.
"Kitazawa-sensei, are you really okay?"
"That jerk Mizuki got what he deserved!"
"Just say the word, Sensei — we'll go rough up Class 2-A!"
Kitazawa sighed. "Stop talking nonsense. Mizuki's gone, and Class 2-A has nothing to do with it."
He quickly added, "In fact, I'm now their head teacher too — so we're all on the same team."
Once his morning class ended, he made his way to Class 2-A.
The students were buzzing.
"Did you hear what happened to Mizuki-sensei?"
"He really lost it."
"At least we're getting Kitazawa-sensei now — they say he's amazing."
"Yeah! He's the guy who led Class 1-A to beat us!"
At the mention of his name, Neji Hyuga frowned slightly.
He didn't dislike Kitazawa — but the thought that this man was Hinata's teacher made him uneasy.
"Yesterday's rival, today's teacher," Tenten said, resting her chin in her palm. "Funny how life works, huh?"
"I've heard Naruto talk about him nonstop," Rock Lee added. "Do you think we'll train together with Class 1-A now?"
"Could be," Tenten said with a sly glance at Neji.
He said nothing — but his Byakugan eyes gleamed faintly.
Looks like things at the Academy were about to get interesting.