After the physical fitness training ended, the students lay sprawled across the training ground in various ungraceful poses, completely disregarding their image.
Kitazawa looked at them and recalled the physical fitness test he took during his university days.
After running just one kilometer, he felt like he had been punched in the chest by Tsunade—lungs burning, legs like jelly, nearly dying on the spot.
But these six-or-seven-year-old students had run a thousand meters as easily as playing a game.
One could only say that chakra was truly a miracle.
[Current Mission: Take first place in physical fitness training.]
[Mission Reward: Leaf Strong Whirlwind.]
[Host has completed the task. Rewards have been distributed.]
After processing the information in his mind, Kitazawa nodded involuntarily.
Might Guy developed the Leaf Whirlwind series of Taijutsu.
Leaf Strong Whirlwind was the advanced version of Leaf Great Whirlwind.
Kitazawa guessed that once he completed this chain of missions, he might actually obtain the legendary Eight Inner Gates.
Although the Eight Inner Gates placed a tremendous burden on the body, its power was undeniable.
Besides, in a life-or-death situation, who cared about side effects?
"Now, I will announce the rankings."
After a short break, Kitazawa spoke up. "First place, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura and the other young girls couldn't help cheering for him.
Sasuke wasn't happy at all.
Taking first place in the fitness test and getting a snack pack—it should have been double the happiness.
But why did it turn out like this?
Can an ordinary Chūnin run that fast?
Sasuke sighed internally.
The excitement belonged to them; he felt nothing.
"Second place, Kiba Inuzuka. Third place, Shino Aburame... Ninth place, Naruto Uzumaki..."
Kitazawa stopped after announcing the top ten.
The top ten were basically dominated by students from ninja clans.
Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi were the exceptions; they had only run half the distance before quitting.
"Damn it!"
Naruto held his head in his hands, feeling utterly unwilling to accept this.
He was supposed to become the fastest ninja in the world, but he only got ninth place.
Kitazawa glanced at him.
Naruto's stamina was good, but his technique was terrible; he was just running aimlessly with brute force.
[Your lifelong rival, Naruto Uzumaki, ranked at the bottom of physical fitness training. You feel deeply ashamed.]
[Current Mission: Help Naruto Uzumaki achieve second place in physical fitness training.]
[Mission Reward: Shadow Clone Technique.]
[Do you accept?]
Kitazawa was startled by the sudden mission but quickly realized the value.
This was a good thing.
The Shadow Clone Technique created solid clones.
And a Shadow Clone could do many things; it wasn't just for combat, but also for training and even espionage.
Because when the Shadow Clone dispersed, its memories and experiences returned to the main body.
The advanced version of this jutsu was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
In the original story, that was basically Naruto's cheat code.
Because his chakra was so abundant, he could create hundreds or thousands of clones, effectively acting like a permanent experience multiplier.
Kitazawa couldn't do that.
After all, his chakra reserves hadn't reached the standard of one "Kakashi-unit" yet—not even a fifth of a "Kakashi."
However, while he couldn't spam the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, using the standard Shadow Clone Technique wouldn't be a major issue.
Why does Naruto only need to get second place?
Kitazawa rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and understood.
Perhaps the System considered Kitazawa himself to be the perpetual first place.
So saying Naruto gets second actually meant he would be first among students.
"Once everyone is rested, continue practicing moving target kunai throwing."
Kitazawa announced. "Students who have already mastered it can participate in free activities."
Hearing this, Sasuke immediately stood up and silently walked toward the secluded training ground with the tree.
He had failed in physical fitness (in his own mind), so he needed to complete the tree climbing training as soon as possible.
Hinata and Ino exchanged a glance and followed suit.
"Naruto, come with me."
Kitazawa called out.
"Kitazawa-sensei, is something wrong?"
Naruto followed him, asking curiously.
"I watched your performance in the fitness training just now. You shouldn't have been only ninth."
Kitazawa glanced at him.
"Really?"
Naruto said excitedly. "I think so too!"
Kitazawa couldn't help laughing.
In terms of stubbornness and refusing to admit defeat, Naruto and Sasuke were identical.
They really were brothers from another mother!
"In my opinion, you definitely have the strength to enter the top three."
Kitazawa changed the subject. "But do you know why you only got ninth?"
Naruto shook his head.
"Because you only know how to charge forward blindly."
Kitazawa explained. "You don't understand what running actually is."
"Kitazawa-sensei, can you teach me?"
Instead of being depressed, Naruto asked eagerly.
"Of course."
Kitazawa smiled. "I called you over specifically to teach you."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto laughed loudly. "Next time, I'll definitely take first place!"
"Hard to say."
Kitazawa shook his head. "Sasuke isn't worse than you, but you have an advantage: your constitution is stronger."
The Uzumaki Clan naturally possessed robust physiques and abundant chakra.
Furthermore, Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. The Tailed Beast's power allowed him to recover from fatigue and injury at a monstrous rate.
Although he and the Nine-Tails weren't on speaking terms yet, the chakra leaking from the seal was enough to have an effect.
The two arrived at the secluded training ground.
This was where Sasuke, Hinata, and Ino were practicing tree climbing.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto suddenly saw Sasuke climbing the tree and immediately shouted a greeting.
Thud!
Startled by the shout, Sasuke lost concentration and fell to the ground.
"Why are you shouting so loud?"
He stood up, his mouth twitching in irritation, then turned back to the tree.
"What are they doing?"
Naruto scratched his head, confused.
"That is Chakra Control Training."
Kitazawa paused. "It's not time for you to learn that yet. First, I'll teach you running techniques."
"Okay!"
Naruto's spirit lifted, and his attitude became serious.
"The most important thing in running is mastering the correct posture and rhythm..."
Kitazawa summarized. "The key lies in the sense of rhythm."
"I get it!"
Naruto nodded vigorously. "I understand!"
"Whether you understand or not, you'll know after you try."
Kitazawa was pessimistic about Naruto's theoretical learning ability.
In the original story, aside from jutsu execution, Naruto was clueless about theory; otherwise, he wouldn't have been dead last.
"Alright, go run around the training field. If there are any problems, I'll point them out."
Kitazawa patted his shoulder.
"Mm!"
Naruto immediately started running.
Kitazawa's mouth twitched.
What a monster.
He had just finished a grueling fitness test, and after only a few minutes of rest, his energy was fully restored.
Kitazawa felt a pang of envy.
Fortunately, he had the System now.
With its help, his physique and chakra would soon catch up to Naruto.
Kitazawa looked over at Sasuke, Ino, and Hinata climbing the tree.
He really felt like a proper teacher now.
Saturday.
Kitazawa raised his hand and knocked on the door.
The door opened, revealing a beautiful face.
"So early?"
Kurenai Yūhi yawned and asked.
However, Kitazawa's eyes lit up.
She was wearing a kimono-style sleepwear—a yukata.
The fitted fabric outlined her graceful figure, especially her full chest.
Although it wasn't quite on Tsunade's level, it was still considerably impressive.