“The winner is Uzumaki Naruto,” Kitazawa announced promptly.

First-Year Class A erupted with exclamations.

Although Uzumaki Naruto had always shown impressive skill, his opponent was Uchiha Sasuke—a widely acknowledged genius. Especially considering Sasuke had held the upper hand for most of the match, Naruto’s sudden surge and unexpected victory left many stunned and incredulous.

“Naruto actually won?” Choji gaped, still pinching a potato chip midair, frozen in shock.

“I definitely didn’t expect that,” Ino nodded in agreement. Compared to Naruto, Sasuke always seemed like the stronger candidate.

And that perception wasn’t wrong. Sasuke had performed flawlessly since his first day at the academy, while Naruto had been little more than a disaster back then.

“That’s outrageous!” Kiba grumbled. “How can anyone learn a B-rank jutsu like Shadow Clone at age six?”

He was a top-tier genius within the Inuzuka Clan, yet in Class A, he seemed ordinary. Comparing yourself to others is just frustrating!

“Sasuke also mastered the B-rank Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique.” Shikamaru analyzed calmly. “Naruto’s win wasn’t about the Shadow Clone—it was about his speed.”

“That final burst of speed was incredible,” Shino said gravely. “Even my current parasites aren’t that fast.”

“Was it thanks to Mr. Guy’s training?” Choji recalled Naruto’s earlier mention of intense Taijutsu training.

“Naruto deserved the win,” Ino said, shivering slightly. Only a lunatic could survive Might Guy’s training.

“Sasuke-kun… how could this happen?” Sakura stepped back in disbelief, her expression deflated.

Ino gave her a sideways glance. There was no doubt—she had just won their bet. Uchiha Sasuke had lost first place in the practical exam.

And as for the theoretical exam, though the results weren’t out yet, Ino had faith in Shikamaru. Even someone as lazy as him had exploded with effort in the practical exam, showing strength no one had expected.

With his high IQ, he would definitely do well in theory, too.

“Naruto, well done!” Hiruzen’s face bloomed with a proud smile.

This was the happiest he’d been since the Nine-Tails Rebellion. He couldn’t help it—Naruto wasn’t just the son of Minato Namikaze, but also the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

The stronger he became, the better for the village. After all, the power of a Jinchūriki often depended on the tailed beast within. But having both natural talent and determination made Naruto exceptionally rare.

Golden Flash + Nine-Tails Jinchūriki?

Minato Namikaze + Kushina Uzumaki?

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. He felt like bursting into laughter despite his age and title.

The future of Konoha was secure.

Of course, it wasn’t just Naruto—Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata, and Aburame Shino had also performed outstandingly. This class was brimming with talent—a golden generation in the making.

[Current Mission: Help Uzumaki Naruto defeat Uchiha Sasuke once.

Mission Reward: One-tenth of your maximum chakra reserve.]

[Host completed mission. Reward received.]

Kitazawa looked at the three glowing lines in his system interface, filled with excitement.

The mission was finally complete—and the reward was good.

Added to his previous one-tenth chakra and 10% Senju bloodline, his strength had reached the level of an elite jonin—a jonin with no obvious weaknesses.

Yet, Kitazawa knew something important: in the ninja world, bloodline determined everything. Even elite jonin were ultimately supporting roles in the endgame.

What mattered was Bloodline. Unfortunately, bloodline was incredibly difficult to obtain. But difficult was still better than impossible.

With his system, Kitazawa had already surpassed the vast majority of ninjas.

“Don’t touch me!” Uchiha Sasuke’s voice rang out, filled with frustration.

Kitazawa looked over instinctively. Naruto had extended a hand to help Sasuke up—but was flatly refused.

How to put it? Kitazawa understood Sasuke’s emotions. He’d been hailed as a genius since childhood, outshining others easily since entering the academy.

Watching Naruto rise step by step to surpass him—it was a blow to his pride. If Naruto had always been strong, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt so much. But seeing him climb from the bottom and then lose to him?

That was hard to accept.

“Iruka, you tally the scores.” Kitazawa casually handed his own score sheet to Iruka.

Sasuke’s current emotional state… It might just be the perfect opportunity to trigger another mission.

“Sasuke,” Kitazawa stepped forward.

Uchiha Sasuke said nothing. Facing Kitazawa—someone who had always helped him—he couldn’t bring himself to lash out.

But everything that had happened today shook his sense of self.

Losing to Uzumaki Naruto, nearly losing to Nara Shikamaru, and witnessing the overwhelming strength of Hinata and Aburame Shino…

Why couldn’t he become number one at the academy like his brother, Uchiha Itachi? Wasn’t he supposed to be a genius?

“A temporary setback is nothing,” Kitazawa said, patting his shoulder. “You’re a Uchiha.”

“I don’t deserve to be,” Sasuke said stiffly.

For a Uchiha, repeated failure was shameful. He could already picture his father and brother’s disappointed faces.

“Have you forgotten the true strength of the Uchiha?” Kitazawa said calmly, watching Sasuke’s shocked expression. “It’s the Sharingan.”

“Sharingan?” Uchiha Sasuke suddenly raised his head.

“Hinata, Shikamaru, Naruto—they’ve all displayed their best selves,” Kitazawa said calmly. “What about you?”

Uchiha Sasuke was stunned.

The Hyuga Clan’s greatest strength lay in the Byakugan and Gentle Fist. The Nara Clan wielded shadow-based secret techniques. The Aburame Clan specialized in insect-based jutsu. Uzumaki Naruto relied on raw Taijutsu prowess.

As for the Uchiha Clan, it was the Sharingan and Fire Release.

And yet, up to now, Sasuke had only demonstrated his Fire Release. In other words, he had only shown half of his potential. The other half—the Sharingan—remained dormant.

“As long as I awaken the Sharingan, I can defeat them all!” Sasuke’s expression brightened. He clenched his fists, full of newfound determination.

But almost instantly, another problem emerged. How was he supposed to awaken it?

He had asked Itachi before, but only received a vague, cryptic answer.

“Teacher Kitazawa, can you help me awaken my Sharingan?” Sasuke asked earnestly, looking at him with anticipation.

Logically, he shouldn’t seek such help from someone outside the clan—but Kitazawa was different. Too exceptional. Hinata, Naruto, Shikamaru, Ino… everyone who performed well today was connected to him.

Sasuke knew just how ordinary they had been at the start of school. Especially Uzumaki Naruto.

At the beginning, Naruto didn’t know anything. He couldn’t even perform the Clone Technique properly—it was like watching a defective species.

Back then, Sasuke had doubted whether Naruto could even become a ninja.

But now, three months later, Naruto had defeated him. Without any bloodline limit, without secret clan techniques.

All of that progress came from Kitazawa.

[The life of a genius needs a rival. Help your lifelong rival, Uchiha Sasuke, escape his confusion.

Current Mission: Help Uchiha Sasuke awaken the Sharingan.]

[Mission Reward: Master-Level Yin Release Chakra Nature Transformation.]

Kitazawa’s brows lifted as he read the lines flashing before him. This was a mission worth accepting.

He had previously received Master-Level Yang Release Chakra Transformation and had experienced how effective it was. It dramatically enhanced his ability to learn Yang-attribute ninjutsu.

Now with Yin Release, the effects would surely be comparable. Yin Release covered a wide range of ninjutsu across the shinobi world—genjutsu, the Nara Clan’s shadow techniques, the Yamanaka Clan’s mind techniques…

Even the Sharingan and most eye techniques were said to fall under Yin Release. Perhaps that’s why this mission’s reward was tied to it.

“We can give it a try.” Kitazawa smiled. “Follow me for special training during summer vacation.”

“Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!” Uchiha Sasuke felt a wave of reassurance at his words.

“Today’s practical exam is over. Go home and rest well. I’ll come see you at nine o’clock the morning after tomorrow.” Kitazawa thought for a moment before giving the order.

Jumping into training right after exams would be too cruel—so he gave them a day to recover.

“Got it, Kitazawa-sensei.” Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath. The suppressed emotions weighing him down now felt lighter.

“As expected of Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto said with admiration. Just moments ago, he hadn’t known how to comfort Sasuke.

“Naruto, just you wait! First place next semester will be mine!” Sasuke declared with a snort. “No matter how fast you are, it’s useless in front of the Sharingan!”

“Competition is the path to youthful progress!” Naruto gave a thumbs-up, teeth sparkling.

Sasuke glanced away. He felt like his words were wasted—this guy never understood anything. His brain was completely full of youth slogans.

But ever since joining the Way of Youth, Sasuke had never been happy. The training was inhumane and almost impossible to complete.

“Kitazawa-sensei, isn’t it our turn to spar now?” Naruto suddenly asked, remembering something.

“You want to challenge Kitazawa-sensei?” Uchiha Sasuke’s eyes widened. Why hadn’t he thought of such a cool idea?

“You want to spar?” Sarutobi Hiruzen happened to walk by and overheard Naruto’s question. He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Well…” Kitazawa cleared his throat and stepped forward, stopping in front of the Third Hokage. In a low voice, he explained everything.

It was a reason he had already prepared in advance: Uzumaki Naruto wanted to learn a technique similar to the Shadow Clone Jutsu, but Kitazawa was concerned he wasn’t ready yet.

So, he proposed a spar to evaluate his progress. If Naruto met the required standard, he’d teach him new ninjutsu.

“But I haven’t decided which jutsu to teach him yet…” Kitazawa scratched his head and added with a hint of deliberate uncertainty.

“You could teach him the Rasengan,” Hiruzen suggested after a brief silence, his voice touched with nostalgia.

Kitazawa thought silently: As expected.

He had already learned the Rasengan himself. Given Naruto’s identity, it was only natural for the Third Hokage to offer it. It was destiny—the son following in his father’s footsteps.

[Principal Sarutobi Hiruzen hopes you will take on the responsibilities of class monitor and help your classmates become stronger.

Current Task: Help Uzumaki Naruto learn the Rasengan.]

[Task Reward: 20% of the Senju Clan’s bloodline.]

[Accept?]

Kitazawa’s eyes widened. Such a generous offer? He would definitely accept it! The previous 10% of the Senju Clan’s bloodline had already been a huge boost, and with this additional 20%, the enhancement would be absolutely remarkable.

“Okay, Hokage-sama,” Kitazawa said with a slight nod.

“Come to my office after the final exams.” Sarutobi Hiruzen was pleased with Kitazawa’s attitude. He didn’t ask why the Rasengan was to be taught to Uzumaki Naruto, so there was no need for further explanation.

Kitazawa’s heart trembled slightly. It seemed Sarutobi Hiruzen had given him another reward. He couldn’t help but wonder what it would be this time.

First-year Class A, who had been chatting among themselves, suddenly fell silent.

They were witnessing something they couldn’t quite comprehend.

Kitazawa and Uzumaki Naruto had walked to the center of the training field and begun forming the Seal of Confrontation.

“Naruto wants to challenge Kitazawa-sensei?” Ino’s face lit up with surprise.

“Huh?” Even the usually sharp Shikamaru was momentarily stunned. “Did Naruto’s ego inflate after winning first place?”

“Naruto doesn’t seem like that,” Aburame Shino said with a faint smile.

“Sasuke-kun!” Sakura called out as Sasuke returned to the group. “What’s going on with them?”

“Naruto wants to challenge Kitazawa-sensei,” Sasuke replied casually. “I don’t know why exactly.” Kitazawa and Sarutobi Hiruzen had been talking apart from the group, so he hadn’t overheard their conversation.

“Awesome!” Inuzuka Kiba exclaimed. “It has to be Naruto!”

Kitazawa may have been a teacher at the Ninja Academy, but he was far from ordinary. Under his specialized training, even Sasuke, Hinata, and Shikamaru had come to acknowledge his ability. Subconsciously, they had all developed a deep impression of Kitazawa’s strength.

“Naruto’s just asking for trouble,” Ino said flatly. Hinata nodded in agreement.

“I think it’s kinda cool,” Choji said, munching on a potato chip.

“Kitazawa-sensei, here I come!” Naruto shouted, completely unafraid as he formed the Seal of Confrontation and charged forward.

Kitazawa’s response was simple—he clenched his fist and threw a punch.

“Konoha Whirlwind!” Naruto roared, launching a kick.

In the very next second, Kitazawa’s punch sent him skidding backward several steps.

“Kitazawa-sensei is still so amazing.” Naruto steadied himself, sighed, then formed hand seals. “Shadow Clone Technique!”

He had participated in Kitazawa’s combat training many times and knew that defeating him was impossible. But since they were sparring, he wanted to enjoy it to the fullest.

“Konoha Great Whirlwind!” Three Uzumaki Naruto charged from different directions.

He unleashed the same high-speed movement he’d used in his fight against Uchiha Sasuke—so fast it left afterimages in the air.

But for Kitazawa, it was still not fast enough. Even without activating the Byakugan, he could clearly track all of Naruto’s movements.

No matter how strong Naruto was, he was only six years old. His strength had its limits. In terms of raw power, he was barely at the Chunin level.

Kitazawa dodged the frontal kick, then pivoted as both side clones attacked. He punched them each, sending both clones flying.

“Come again!” The two Uzumaki Narutos quickly got back up.

Kitazawa had controlled his strength; they weren’t injured. Though minor injuries in training were normal, Sarutobi Hiruzen was watching nearby—so Kitazawa couldn’t afford to let things go too far.

Besides, the power gap was too big. If he went all out, it would no longer be a simple spar.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, watching silently, could see it clearly. Kitazawa wasn’t just any ordinary academy teacher—he had real strength.

Kitazawa stood firm, effortlessly dealing with the three Uzumaki Narutos. And he was only using Taijutsu.

Even so, Naruto was being overwhelmed. He wasn’t as fast, as strong, or as skilled.

The only advantage Naruto held was chakra. But with so few jutsu in his arsenal, he had no way to leverage that advantage.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard in thought. He had seen Naruto’s weakness.

And at that moment, he thought of a ninjutsu he could give to Kitazawa as a reward.

“Looks like this fight will end soon,” Kiba murmured. “Kitazawa-sensei’s strength is on a whole other level.”

“If even Naruto’s like this, we’d lose even faster,” Shikamaru added, hands behind his head, sounding unconcerned.

He had seen many special jonin before, but Kitazawa’s strength as a special jonin was simply unmatched.

The more Sasuke watched, the more hope he felt for unlocking his Sharingan. Kitazawa was so strong—he had to be able to help him awaken it.

“That’s Teacher Kitazawa!” Ino said with a confident snort.

Hinata glanced at her, puzzled. Why did it seem like Ino admired Kitazawa more and more?

Akimichi Choji bit another potato chip as he stared at Kitazawa, deep in thought. Shikamaru and Ino had both participated in Kitazawa’s special training. Should he join as well?

But he wasn’t sure Kitazawa could teach him anything useful.

After all, the Akimichi clan was… unique.

“Konoha Double Whirlwind!”

Two Uzumaki Narutos shouted in unison, one from the front and one from the back, launching a pincer attack.

Kitazawa stepped back and formed hand seals with both hands. “Wind Style: Gale Palm!”

A powerful gust burst from his palms, expanding outward and sweeping toward the two Uzumaki Narutos.

Bang! The Naruto clone in front took the brunt of the attack. After holding on for two seconds, it vanished in a puff of smoke.

Kitazawa scanned the field—and found the real Naruto. Because the clone disappeared, its memory and combat data returned to the original. Receiving that much information all at once must’ve made Naruto momentarily dizzy.

Kitazawa made a swift decision. Time to end this fight—with that jutsu. He used Body Flicker to close the distance and appeared in front of the remaining Naruto clone.

“Rasengan!” Chakra gathered intensely in his palm, swirling wildly. Kitazawa slammed the Rasengan into the clone. In less than a second, it vanished.

Boom!

The Rasengan drove forward, crashing into the ground with immense force. The earth split open, debris burst into the air, and within moments, a wide crater carved itself into the terrain.

At its core, concentric ripples spiraled outward from the impact point—like a whirlpool etched into solid rock, frozen in time.

—

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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep