"Mom, I think there's no need to trouble Kitazawa-sensei anymore. I've already mastered the Shadow Possession Jutsu," Shikamaru said carefully.
"That won't do," Yoshino replied flatly. "Our clan has many secret techniques besides Shadow Possession Jutsu. You still have a long way to go." She knew her son too well — if he quit halfway now, he'd go right back to being lazy in no time.
"..."
Shikamaru felt his vision darken.
No way! I just escaped training hell, and now you want to send me back?!
"I just think Kitazawa-sensei's fees are too high," Shikamaru said seriously.
"Really?" Yoshino smiled. "Didn't he open a small shop recently? Why don't you go work there to earn the money yourself?"
"..."
Shikamaru froze.
His mom's smile looked exactly like Kitazawa's — the smile of a devil.
"You think I don't know what's going on in that head of yours?" Yoshino said smugly. "I gave birth to you, remember."
"Yes, ma'am," Shikamaru sighed. "Mom, you're as sharp as ever."
"You really don't want to keep training with Kitazawa-sensei?" Yoshino asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I… not really," Shikamaru admitted hesitantly.
"Got it," Yoshino said with a small laugh.
If he truly didn't want to, he wouldn't sound so unsure.
"What do you mean, 'got it'?" Shikamaru asked nervously.
"We'll wait for your father to get home. We'll decide after hearing his thoughts." Yoshino waved her hand dismissively.
"Fine." Shikamaru slumped back onto the couch.
But every time he closed his eyes, he saw his water-walking drills… and those awful sparring sessions.
"No! I can't give up now!" He sat up, clenching his fists.
I still haven't made up for that embarrassment during training!
By noon, Shikaku Nara walked in. "I'm home. Huh? You're back early, Shikamaru?"
"Kitazawa-sensei said my training was over. That I didn't need to continue," Shikamaru replied.
"He's already learned the Shadow Possession Jutsu," Yoshino reminded him.
"Really?" Shikaku raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Shikamaru coughed lightly. "So… Dad, do you think there's still any need to keep paying for lessons?"
"What's this? Trying to slack off again?" Shikaku instantly saw through him.
"..."
Shikamaru knew he was doomed. The outcome was decided.
Guess I'll just call it revenge training then…
"After lunch, we'll go talk to Kitazawa," Shikaku said, glancing at Yoshino. They shared a knowing smile.
Parents always wanted their children to be strong. And in a dangerous world like this, intelligence alone wasn't enough — strength meant survival.
After lunch, father and son headed for the Academy.
Kitazawa had just packed up his lunch box and was about to take a nap when he remembered the new jutsu he'd copied — the Shadow Possession.
He sat up and formed the hand seals.
A moment later, his shadow darted forward across the floor under his control.
"This is a fun technique," Kitazawa said, amused, steering the shadow around the room.
After a while, he felt dizzy and stopped.
"The only downside is the chakra drain… no wonder the Ino–Shika–Cho trio usually fight as a team."
He thought for a bit.
Of the three clans, only the Akimichi's techniques truly worked well solo; the Nara and Yamanaka arts were best in combination.
A knock came at the door.
"Come in."
Kitazawa looked up curiously.
"Kitazawa," Shikaku entered, followed by a very unenthusiastic Shikamaru.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Shikamaru greeted weakly.
So they came after all.
Kitazawa's earlier talk about "training complete" had just been bait — he wanted to trigger a new mission.
"We're hoping you can continue as Shikamaru's private instructor," Shikaku said straight to the point.
Mission Objective: Help Shikamaru Nara master a second clan secret technique.
Reward: Shadow Sewing Jutsu.
Accept?
Kitazawa smiled faintly.
A new mission, huh? Perfect.
"So he's mastered Shadow Possession already… maybe he wanted to surprise me?"
Kitazawa glanced at Shikamaru.
Clever, but still a kid.
"As Shikaku-senpai requests," Kitazawa said with a polite smile, "I'll take full responsibility for Shikamaru's progress."
"Good." Shikaku looked to his son. "Shikamaru, do as your teacher says. Understood?"
"Yes, sir…" Shikamaru muttered, dead-eyed.
Kitazawa and Shikaku shared a chuckle.
"...?"
Shikamaru stared blankly. Are they teaming up on me?
Shikaku waved goodbye and left.
"Head back to your classroom for now," Kitazawa told him. "We'll begin new training next week. Rest up till then."
Rest up?
What kind of training needs that?!
Shikamaru felt a chill. He was sure he wouldn't sleep tonight.
"Kids are fun to mess with," Kitazawa laughed softly.
That afternoon, Kitazawa only had two classes — both combat drills, for the first- and second-year A classes.
After class ended, it was time for the June monthly exams.
"Sasuke! Let's make this a youthful battle of destiny!" Naruto, dressed in a bright green jumpsuit for some reason, shouted across the room.
Every head turned toward them.
"Does Naruto even know what embarrassment is?" Ino Yamanaka groaned, covering her face.
"Brave," Choji Akimichi said simply.
Shikamaru lay on his desk, motionless — his soul clearly gone.
"Hey, Naruto! What are you doing?" Sakura Haruno stomped over, pushing him away — a little too hard.
Naruto stumbled and nearly crashed right into Sasuke.
"No!" Sakura gasped.
Sasuke reacted instantly, dodging back with reflexes born from the Uchiha clan's pride.
Kitazawa, who had just entered the room, blinked.
He had half-expected the "accidental kiss" scene from the old stories — but not today.
"Alright, everyone back to your seats," he said calmly. "The exam's about to start."
"Sasuke!" Naruto pointed dramatically. "I'm coming for your number one spot!"
"You've got a long way to go," Sasuke replied coolly. He didn't care much for this written test anyway — he was focused on the next real combat evaluation.
At exactly nine, Kitazawa clapped his hands.
"You know the rules. Begin."
As the students opened their papers, Kitazawa created a Shadow Clone to help Iruka monitor the room — his real body slipped out quietly.
No need for him to grade personally; the clone would handle it.
He had something more important to do — study medical ninjutsu.
Ever since his relationship with Kurenai became official, Kitazawa had a room at her place. With Tsunade and Shizune's medical lessons and new jutsu experiments, he spent most of his time there lately.
He stepped into the house, setting down his sandals.
"I'm back, Kurenai."
He noticed her shoes but not Tsunade's or Shizune's.
So it was just her home today.
"You're back early," Kurenai said from the sofa. The weather was hot, so she was dressed casually. She smiled softly as he entered.
"Yeah. Iruka's covering the rest," Kitazawa replied with a small grin.
Kurenai tilted her head. "You've been working hard lately."
"Trying to keep up," he said, scratching his cheek. "Only one medical text left to finish."
"Good. Tsunade-sama will be happy to hear that," she said warmly.
Kitazawa smiled faintly and sat down beside her. For a moment, the house was filled with quiet comfort — sunlight through the window, the smell of tea, and the calm of an ordinary afternoon.
"Two more days till you start real training under Tsunade-sama," Kurenai reminded him.
"Right. I'll be ready," he replied.
After a brief chat, Kitazawa excused himself upstairs to study.
Kurenai watched him go, smiling softly — her eyes full of quiet affection.
By evening, Kitazawa finished his final book.
Two weeks of study had paid off — he'd completed Tsunade's first medical assignment.
All thanks to the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
When he released his clones, memories flooded back — including the students' test results.
Sasuke had lost the top spot to Sakura, who'd aced the theory exam. Naruto, without Kitazawa's tutoring this month, had dropped to thirteenth — though still far better than before.
The next day's physical tests went as expected: Naruto ranked first in stamina, Sasuke dominated ninjutsu and weapon accuracy.
When the final results were announced, the standings barely changed — except Naruto slipped to eleventh overall.
"Ha! I finally beat you, Naruto!" Kiba Inuzuka crowed. "You owe me ramen at Ichiraku!"
Naruto groaned loudly while everyone else laughed.
Another ordinary day at the Academy came to a close.