Ichiraku Ramen.
"I'm full! Thank you for the meal!"
Might Guy stood up, radiating energy. "Kitazawa, if you ever want to learn more Taijutsu, come find me!"
"Will do."
Kitazawa agreed readily.
"I'm going to go check out that Rock Lee you mentioned."
Guy grinned, flashing a thumbs-up.
"See you next time."
Kitazawa nodded slightly.
Watching Guy bound away, Kitazawa wondered if this intervention would change Rock Lee's fate.
Would a Rock Lee who learned the Eight Inner Gates six years early still end up critically injured by Gaara of the Sand? It was an interesting thought.
"I'm full too, Kitazawa-sensei."
Hinata put down her chopsticks softly.
The large bowl of Chashu Ramen in front of her was empty.
"Teuchi, another bowl."
Kitazawa glanced at the bowl and called out.
"Are you eating it?"
Teuchi poked his head out from the kitchen.
"Not me. Hinata is."
Kitazawa smiled.
"Huh?"
Teuchi looked at Hinata instinctively.
"I..."
Hinata immediately felt embarrassed. She wanted to refuse, but didn't know how to say it.
"Hinata."
Kitazawa reached out and pinched her cheek gently. "Tell Sensei honestly. Are you full?"
"No."
Hinata's heart trembled. Her face flushed red, but she finally spoke the truth.
"Indeed... you can't judge a book by its cover."
Teuchi sighed in admiration and ducked back into the kitchen.
Moments later, he brought out a second bowl of Chashu Ramen.
Under Kitazawa's gaze, a crimson-faced Hinata picked up her chopsticks.
Despite her shyness, her upbringing shone through; her table manners were impeccable and elegant, even while eating quickly.
Ten minutes later, the second bowl was successfully conquered.
"Teuchi, another one."
Kitazawa called out again.
Hinata pursed her lips, the blush on her face deepening.
This was the first time anyone had discovered the secret of her terrifying appetite.
"Chakra is the product of physical energy and spiritual energy combined."
Kitazawa comforted her. "Being able to eat is a sign of great potential."
Just then, four lines of text appeared in his vision.
[You have learned a secret about your desk mate. As the Class Monitor, you should protect her secret while helping her.]
[Current Mission: Feed your desk mate, Hinata Hyūga, until she reveals her secret willingly.]
[Mission Reward: Byakugan.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa's pupils contracted involuntarily.
Although he had completed many missions, most rewards had been basic jutsu.
Fortunately, for an ordinary ninja like him, even those were significant upgrades.
But this mission was entirely different.
The Byakugan. It was an absolute treasure.
In the ninja world's black market, the bounty for a Sharingan or Byakugan started in the tens of millions of ryo.
Because of the "Caged Bird Seal," the Byakugan was even rarer and more expensive to acquire intact. A functional pair was worth no less than Asuma Sarutobi's bounty.
After all, eyes in the Naruto world were plug-and-play USB devices.
Although the Byakugan was difficult to evolve (unlike the Sharingan), even the base form was a massive leap forward.
Telescopic vision, X-ray vision, and 360-degree insight were enough to skyrocket Kitazawa's combat prowess.
If he could later learn the Gentle Fist and perhaps promote to Jōnin, things would become much simpler.
"Hinata, just eat. Teuchi and I will keep your secret."
Kitazawa regained his composure, his expression serious.
"Keeping a customer's secret is basic professional ethics."
Teuchi nodded in agreement.
"Thank you."
Hinata picked up her chopsticks and began attacking the third bowl.
Time ticked by slowly.
In the end, Hinata finished seven bowls.
Since she was younger now, her capacity was much smaller than in the anime.
Teuchi clicked his tongue in amazement.
If Hinata didn't have those distinctive white eyes, he would have suspected she was a child of the Akimichi Clan.
However, as a ramen shop owner, he welcomed such big eaters with open arms.
"Hinata, how did you feel this morning?"
Kitazawa and Hinata left Ichiraku Ramen and walked back toward the Academy.
Hearing the question, Hinata fell silent.
She didn't know how to answer.
For her, this morning had been extraordinary.
Skipping class, climbing walls, eating bowl after bowl of ramen without judgment.
It was exciting, but more importantly, it brought a sense of freedom—of breaking shackles.
"I... I felt very happy."
Hinata whispered, her voice almost inaudible.
Kitazawa barely caught the words, but he smiled.
The two arrived at the door of Class 1-A.
"Hinata, see you next class."
Kitazawa paused. "Today's special training was very effective. Let's keep it up tomorrow."
Hearing this, Hinata's face turned completely red.
She nodded quickly, then turned and ran into the classroom.
It was lunch break, and many students were sleeping at their desks.
"Hinata."
Ino Yamanaka heard the commotion, looked up, and asked, "Where did you go?"
In her impression, Hinata was a good girl.
Who would have thought she'd be the first student in class to skip school?
"I... I went out with Kitazawa-sensei for a while."
Hinata stammered.
"Kitazawa-sensei?"
Ino straightened her slender waist, her curiosity piqued.
"N-Nothing, just went to learn some Taijutsu."
Hinata buried her head in her arms. "Good afternoon."
Ino was sharp.
Special tutoring without the rest of us knowing?
But she also felt that Kitazawa wasn't that kind of creepy teacher.
Afternoon.
Kitazawa was on the training grounds explaining advanced kunai throwing techniques.
Previously, targets were stationary; now they were moving, increasing the difficulty instantly.
However, for clan students like Sasuke and Hinata, this was still child's play. They had mastered this before enrollment.
Soon, the students were divided into two groups.
Those who successfully hit the moving targets were allowed free time.
Just like the previous lesson, Sasuke went to the tree to practice his chakra control.
Kitazawa followed him shortly after.
"Hey, do you guys want to go look?"
Ino noticed the unusual movement of Kitazawa and Sasuke.
"No."
Shikamaru lay sprawled on the grass, motionless.
Choji didn't answer, too busy munching on chips.
"Hinata, let's go."
Ino grabbed Hinata's small hand.
As for Sakura, she was still practicing throwing kunai. Although her talent was good for a civilian, she lacked the clan training foundation.
"Eh?"
Hinata looked hesitant.
She was curious, but more afraid of offending Kitazawa.
Seeing this, Ino simply dragged her forward.
A moment later, they arrived at the secluded spot and found Sasuke climbing a tree.
"Since you two are here, join the training."
Kitazawa noticed them and spoke up.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Ino stepped out boldly, smiling. "What kind of training is this?"
Hinata glanced at Kitazawa, blushed, and looked down.
"This is Chakra Control Training. Normally, you wouldn't touch this until after graduation."
Kitazawa explained. "But you are all geniuses, so you can try it early."