“Kitazawa, long time no see.” Kurenai approached, her long, slender legs wrapped in white bandages, walking gracefully up to Kitazawa.

“Not that long—we met just last week.” Kitazawa’s gaze shifted to the bandages on her hands.

In his previous life, he’d always been curious: Why did Kurenai Yuhi wear bandages around her thighs and hands?

“Kitazawa, I need a favor,” Kurenai said, her fair face showing a gentle smile.

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow in surprise. Though they were both Chunin, there were levels even among Chunin.

Kurenai had inherited her clan’s ninjutsu. Her father, Shinku Yuhi, was one of Konoha’s few Genjutsu-type Jonin. If Kurenai was at the peak of Chunin—a half-step Jonin—then Kitazawa was merely at the starting line.

“I became a private tutor recently,” Kurenai explained, a hint of frustration in her voice. “But the student is very unruly, so I wanted to learn from your experience.”

Kitazawa pondered for a moment. In the original timeline, Kurenai was the leader of Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka.

But she also had another known student, Yakumo Kurama.

Yakumo possessed a unique genjutsu Kekkei Genkai that could turn illusions into reality. Her ability, rooted in Yin Release, was so powerful that it caused physical instability in her body.

For her safety, her parents forbade her from attending the academy and asked Kurenai to personally tutor her.

But Yakumo was obsessed with becoming a ninja.

After repeated rejection, a Yin Release entity named Ido manifested within her. Out of control, she ended up killing her own parents.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, eventually recognized the threat and tasked Kurenai with erasing the monster within her.

“You’ve been awarded Best Teacher at the Ninja Academy three years in a row,” Kurenai said, clapping her hands together as she leaned in slightly. “Come on, old classmate. Help me out.”

Just as Kitazawa was about to reply, a blue light screen appeared before him.

[Current Task: Help your classmate Yakumo Kurama return to the Ninja Academy.]

[Reward: Genjutsu – Tree Binding Death.]

[Do you accept?]

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. Even this triggered a mission? Still, more tasks meant more rewards. He accepted without hesitation.

“No problem,” Kitazawa said. “Teaching students is what I do best.”

“Thanks. I feel so much better with your help.” Kurenai patted her chest in relief.

“Come find me after school tomorrow,” Kitazawa said after a moment’s thought. “I’ll pass on some teaching techniques.”

“Alright.” Kurenai nodded, smiling brightly. “I’ll treat you to drinks tomorrow night.”

“Deal,” Kitazawa grinned. “We don’t go home till we’re drunk.”

“You’ve never outdrunk me—not even once,” Kurenai smirked. “I bet I’ll be the one dragging you home again.”

“That was then. This time will be different,” Kitazawa said stubbornly.

“I’ll look forward to it.” Kurenai gave him a light punch on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”

Kitazawa watched her leave and shook his head.

He and Kurenai were childhood friends. They’d been in the same class since they were six and had known each other for fifteen years.

His classmates also included Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin.

Most of them had perished during the Third Great Ninja War. The grass over their graves was now three feet tall. There was no doubt about it—Kitazawa was a transmigrator.

Since his parents had both been Chunin, he was enrolled in the academy at age six. Unfortunately, he was painfully average.

He barely managed to graduate at thirteen, only to receive news that both his parents had died. That day, Kitazawa came face-to-face with reality.

Shouting about bonds and charging at Uchiha Madara—that was something only protagonists could do. He was cannon fodder among cannon fodder.

So, he decisively changed paths and became a teacher.

Before that, he had joined the medical ninja experimental class founded by Tsunade—but again, he lacked the aptitude.

At the Ninja Academy, Kitazawa mainly taught the Will of Fire and Konoha’s history. He even developed a theory of his own: ‘The Hokage is the sun; his warmth never fades.’

Thanks to this, he was named Best Teacher three years in a row. Of course, his actual teaching ability was also excellent.

Kitazawa thought for a moment and decided not to return to the academy. With Umino Iruka in charge of registration, he had nothing to worry about.

“System,” he said inwardly, “show me my character panel.”

[Name: Kitazawa

Age: 6

Ninjutsu: Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, Transformation Technique, Body Flicker Technique, Wind Release: Gale Palm, Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu

Evaluation: ‘Genius’ is just a starting point for you. You are a natural-born shinobi, destined to be the strongest.]

Kitazawa rolled his eyes.

Was the system being sarcastic? A 21-year-old genius ninja? If he told the Uchiha, they would laugh for three days straight.

But upon seeing the age displayed, he realized the system wasn’t lying—it was just running off a bug. Still, he thought, If a bug runs well… don’t fix it.

—

Konoha’s Northern Training Ground.

Kitazawa stopped and formed hand seals. Chakra surged into his throat. He opened his mouth—and a massive fireball, five to six meters wide, roared out.

The air warped from the heat, waves of thermal pressure spreading outward.

Boom! The fireball crashed into the ground, scorching it black.

“This system… really isn’t bad,” Kitazawa murmured, a grin forming on his face.

The power of a jutsu always depended on two things: chakra and proficiency. He’d seen many ninjas use the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu—but none had unleashed it with this much force.

With enough chakra, he wouldn’t lose out to Uchiha Madara himself.

That’s the benefit of the system boosting proficiency to its maximum.

—

Hokage’s Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen opened a scroll. It documented Naruto’s activities earlier that day. When he saw the section where Naruto interacted with Kitazawa, Hiruzen paused in thought.

He recalled Kitazawa’s profile.

An ordinary Chunin, yet someone who had a deep understanding of the Will of Fire.

“He likely doesn’t know Naruto’s true identity,” Hiruzen muttered. While others avoided Naruto, Kitazawa treated him kindly and fairly.

This alone showed he truly upheld the Will of Fire.

“I wonder… what Naruto will learn from him,” Hiruzen whispered, a look of expectation in his eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep