Registration for the Genius Class only took half a day.

In the afternoon, Kitazawa arrived at the ANBU Base.

Konan appeared proactively and opened the office door for him a step ahead. She had already grown accustomed to life in the Anbu.

“Thank you.” Kitazawa entered the office.

“This is the scroll sent yesterday from the Ocean Heart Jewelry Store in the Capital of the Land of Fire.”

Konan handed him a scroll and said.

Kitazawa opened the scroll and began to read.

The Ocean Heart Jewelry Store in the Capital of the Land of Fire had already been established and successfully opened.

Due to the fame brought by the Daimyo’s Wife and the necklace auction, it was packed every day after opening, and business was excellent.

Both high-end custom necklaces and standard-issue necklaces sold well.

Because there were so many orders, the Ninja from the Hyuga Clan had been working continuously for over half a month without rest.

However, they were both pained and happy, as one-tenth of the profits belonged to them.

“With so much money, I really don’t know how to spend it.” Kitazawa couldn’t help but smile and say.

“…” Konan was speechless.

However, the terrifying speed of earning money still startled her.

She suddenly felt that the Akatsuki Organization running around the Ninja World doing missions seemed utterly unnecessary.

It was not only tiring and dangerous, but the money earned couldn’t even compare to a small jewelry store.

Fortunately, Kitazawa had already promised her that, as an Advisor to the Akatsuki Organization, it wouldn’t be long before the Akatsuki Organization could also make a lot of money.

Besides the Eye of the Moon Plan, the remaining funds could be used for the Land of Rain and the Hidden Rain Village.

In fact, the Akatsuki Organization had always been supporting the Land of Rain and the Hidden Rain Village.

The reason was simple. This was a former dream of the three of them.

When Yahiko was still alive, they founded the Akatsuki Organization, hoping to bring peace to Hidden Rain Village, the Land of Rain, and even the Ninja World.

Yahiko’s death, Nagato’s darkening, and the mysterious masked man claiming to be Uchiha Madara showing up—all changed the nature of the Akatsuki Organization.

“What are you thinking about?” Kitazawa looked up and saw her spacing out, so he asked casually.

“Nothing.” Konan paused and said, “I was thinking about the construction progress of the Land of Rain Silver Mine Processing Plant.”

Since they were going to sell jewelry, the excavated silver ore would need to be processed. Therefore, the Land of Rain Silver Mine Processing Plant was also put on the agenda not long ago.

“Half a month at the quickest, one month at the slowest.” Kitazawa estimated casually.

“Hmm.” Konan nodded and then asked, “Once the processing plant is built, will we open jewelry stores? Where should they be opened?”

“Any of the Five Great Nations.” Kitazawa smiled confidently and said, “Where do you want to open it?”

“The Land of Earth.” Konan pondered for a moment and said, “Many of our Akatsuki Organization’s clients come from the nobles of the Land of Earth.”

She thought Kitazawa would use the same promotional methods, and then these nobles could be put to use.

“Alright.” Kitazawa put down the scroll but didn’t say much more.

He hadn’t actually figured out how to advertise the Akatsuki Organization’s silver jewelry yet. But there was still time to think about it slowly.

“I still have a question.” Konan frowned slightly and asked, “How will we transport it?”

“That’s easy.” Kitazawa said with a slight smile, “Using large Summoning Beasts.”

Konan was momentarily stunned. After a little thought, her eyes lit up.

This was indeed a very good method—and the Akatsuki Organization was not short of large Summoning Beasts.

One of Nagato’s Six Paths of Pain, the Animal Path, possessed many large Summoning Beasts, such as the Giant Drill-Beaked Bird, Giant Chimera, Giant Crustacean, Giant Ox, and so on.

Not just the Animal Path—Konan also thought of the Deva Path.

The Deva Path could control gravity and repulsion, which could absolutely be used as a porter to transport silver ore and such to the Land of Earth.

Konan snapped back to reality, realizing this idea was too… impious.

The Deva Path was Yahiko, and also Pain—the leader of the Akatsuki Organization; it was impossible to let him do such a thing.

Konan subconsciously looked at Kitazawa. Having spent a long time by his side, she was inevitably influenced.

Especially her traditional Ninja mindset had undergone significant changes. Subtly, she had already come to view Ninja as a form of productivity.

“What’s wrong? Still have questions?” Kitazawa met her gaze and asked.

Konan shook her head.

“Then let’s leave it at that for now.”

Kitazawa flipped through the documents on the desk and then headed to the Hokage Building.

He originally intended to look for Tsunade, but halfway there, he suddenly remembered something and went to the Hokage Secretariat.

Currently, Konoha Village has thirteen secretaries—four in charge and nine members.

The four in charge each had their own office, while the nine members shared a large office.

Kitazawa arrived at Uchiha Itachi’s office. After becoming a Hokage secretary, Itachi was no longer an ANBU Ninja.

Kitazawa raised his hand and knocked on the door.

“Please come in.” Uchiha Itachi’s voice rang out.

“Itachi, long time no see.” Kitazawa pushed the door open, walked in, and greeted him with a smile.

“Lord Kitazawa.” Itachi saw him and quickly stood up.

Although theoretically, as a Hokage secretary, he didn’t need to address him as “Lord,” Kitazawa was different after all.

He was not only a student of the Fifth Hokage Tsunade but had also helped the Uchiha Clan multiple times.

“I have something to trouble you with.”

Kitazawa said straightforwardly, “Help me find a place—Summoning Island. It should be located somewhere east of the Land of Fire and south of the Land of Lightning.”

He planned to bring back Uzumaki Honoka, who was living abroad, and then she could be in charge of the Heart of the Ocean Jewelry Store.

Actually, Kitazawa’s ideal candidate was Konan. She had been by his side and had learned a lot of relevant knowledge.

It would be very suitable for her to be in charge of these jewelry stores, shipping companies, and Underwater Exploration Teams.

But the prerequisite was that she had to join Konoha Village. In other words, Kitazawa needed to subdue the Akatsuki Organization—or defeat them.

He currently lacked the strength to do so and could only wait for the system to exert its power.

“I understand, I’ll send someone to look for it now,” Itachi replied immediately.

“Okay, notify me when there’s a result.” Kitazawa paused and reminded, “Don’t alarm the people on Summoning Island.”

After talking with Itachi, he went to the Hokage Office.

—

“Come here.” Tsunade saw him, her eyes lighting up slightly as she waved him over.

“What happened?” Kitazawa walked forward and asked curiously.

“Give me money.” Tsunade held out her fair hand.

“What money?” Kitazawa slapped her hand lightly and asked.

“The money earned by the Ocean Heart Jewelry Store!” Tsunade glared at him and said.

Kitazawa suddenly realized. The Anbu’s intelligence reports were always divided into two copies—one for him and one for Tsunade.

She must have seen the scroll sent from the Ocean Heart Jewelry Store in the Capital of the Land of Fire and knew how much profit it had made.

“Didn’t I say I’d keep it for you?” Kitazawa asked with a slight smile.

“Then give me one million Ryo first.” Tsunade pouted, settling for less, and said, “I’ll go to the casino to relax after work.”

“Go to the casino to relax?” Kitazawa couldn’t help but retort, “Every time you come back from the casino, you’re furious. How is that relaxing?”

“Are you going to give it or not?” Tsunade’s eyes flashed fiercely.

Losing money at the casino was her taboo topic—and only Kitazawa dared to tease her about it so directly.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t.” Kitazawa took out a wad of money and said, “Eight hundred thousand Ryo.”

“Why is it missing two hundred thousand Ryo?” Tsunade asked with a frown.

“Eight hundred thousand Ryo sounds more auspicious—it’ll increase your luck,” Kitazawa said seriously.

Tsunade was so amused by his twisted logic that she laughed, her chest rising and falling. But… never mind, eight hundred thousand Ryo it was.

Kitazawa was her big patron now—she couldn’t afford to offend him too much. A steady flow was better than cutting it off.

“What do you need me for?” Tsunade took the money and said, “If it’s nothing, you can take over for me for half a day. I’m going to the casino now.”

“Why should I take over for you?” Kitazawa held out his hand and said, “You’ll have to pay me for that.”

“Dream on!” Tsunade made the same gesture, slapping his hand with a crisp smack.

“You work yourself then,” Kitazawa said unceremoniously.

“I’m your teacher, after all!” Tsunade said with a dignified tone, “You won’t even listen to me for such a small matter?”

“I can—but you’ll have to do me a favor.” Kitazawa countered smoothly.

“What favor?” Tsunade’s heart tightened subconsciously.

“I want Kabuto to become Orochimaru’s experimental assistant,” Kitazawa replied.

Tsunade was slightly startled, then inexplicably relieved.

“Kabuto has a lot of talent in experiments. He might learn a lot by following Orochimaru.” Kitazawa added.

“That shouldn’t be too difficult.” Tsunade nodded, then said, “Whether Orochimaru is willing to teach him depends on his own abilities.”

“I believe in Kabuto,” Kitazawa said with great confidence.

After all, in the original story, Kabuto had perfectly inherited all of Orochimaru’s knowledge and Ninjutsu.

Of course, the situation now was different. But Kitazawa believed Orochimaru would definitely teach him—provided Kabuto could prove useful.

“Alright, you go to the casino.” Kitazawa walked up to her and said, “Give up the seat.”

“If an outsider heard that, they’d think you were planning a rebellion.” Tsunade stood up and teased.

“If I rebelled, shouldn’t you be happier?” Kitazawa sat in the Hokage’s chair, looking up at her—but his view was… obstructed.

Tsunade paused, then smiled once she realized what he meant.

If Kitazawa rebelled, she could take the opportunity to retire. In that sense, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Tsunade turned toward him. Then suddenly, she lowered her head and kissed him on the forehead.

“Lending you a bit of luck.” Tsunade waved her hand and turned to leave the Hokage Office.

The door closed.

Kitazawa smiled. Tsunade had changed significantly—without even realizing it.

Kitazawa began to take over her work.

But even though he was working, there wasn’t much to do; most tasks were handled by the Hokage Secretariat.

He even had time to research his Yin Release Chakra Mode.

—

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the next day—the first day of school, Monday.

Today was Iruka’s theory class, but Kitazawa also came to the Ninja Academy.

He was mainly there to observe Kimimaro and Haku—especially Tayuya. Fortunately, they were quite obedient.

It was just that Tayuya seemed to have mild ADHD during class. Kitazawa thought about it and immediately understood.

Tayuya had been captured by Orochimaru at a young age and lived a hellish life alongside other children.

Her life had been nothing but training—no theory, no basic education, no literacy.

So putting her directly into class was understandably difficult.

Kimimaro, Haku, and Jugo were in similar situations, but their calm personalities helped them hide it better.

After the first class, Kitazawa spoke to Iruka about this issue. The only solution was to provide them with individual tutoring.

Considering Iruka couldn’t handle it alone, Kitazawa brought in another theory teacher from a different class specifically to teach the four of them.

When the theory class ended, it was time for practical training.

—

Tuesday morning.

After breakfast, Kitazawa met with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Kosuke, and Kakashi.

They hadn’t come on enrollment day and didn’t know about the four new students.

“They’re Orochimaru’s subordinates?” Hiruzen complained after hearing it, “He really doesn’t do anything humane in Otogakure.”

“But their talent is indeed good, especially Kimimaro.” Kosuke sighed, “The Kaguya Clan used to be the largest Bloodline Limit Ninja clan in Hidden Mist Village.”

“Hidden Mist Village’s method of dealing with them was too bloody.” Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said, “Extermination is the worst choice—it’s like cutting off one’s own arm.”

Kitazawa felt a subtle emotion upon hearing this. The Kaguya Clan’s fate was, in fact, quite similar to that of the Uchiha Clan.

If not for his butterfly effect, their discussion today would have included the Uchiha Clan, who were also exterminated.

“What are your plans for them?” Kakashi asked.

“Just leave them to me.” Kitazawa paused, then reminded, “But they’ve just joined, so please keep a closer eye on them during normal times.”

“No problem.” Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. Kosuke and Kakashi also agreed.

Kitazawa then told them that he planned to have all students participate in a practical exam for the first Monthly Exam of the semester.

The three of them had no objections.

Nine o’clock in the morning.

The students of the Genius Class gathered at the Training Ground.

“Can we finally fight?”

Tayuya, upon hearing it was a practical training class, immediately thought it would be like the life-or-death battles of Otogakure.

“It’s not fighting—it’s training,” Ino explained.

“Isn’t fighting the best training?” Tayuya asked, puzzled.

“In the Genius Class, fighting is to test the results of training,” Ino said calmly.

In her opinion, Tayuya’s ideas were extreme—but she wasn’t a bad person, just overly confident.

However, there were many confident people in the Genius Class, so one more didn’t matter.

“You guys are so strange,” Tayuya muttered, unable to understand.

But based on her experiences over the past two days, it wasn’t all bad—at least the snacks were delicious.

“Before class, I have an announcement.”

Kitazawa walked to the front of the group and said, “Considering the addition of new classmates, all students will participate in the first practical exam.”

“That’s great!” Naruto shouted excitedly, “I can spar with Sasuke and the others again!”

“Prepare for your defeat,” Sasuke said calmly, hands in his pockets.

“This is troublesome.” Shikamaru sighed.

Although he had been working hard, his effort could hardly make up for his talent. When facing Sasuke and the others, the result was always the same—defeat.

“Ino.” Sakura turned to her rival and said, “Prepare for your defeat!”

“Hey, don’t imitate Sasuke’s way of speaking!” Ino retorted.

“Sakura, why have you changed your speaking style recently?” Tenten asked, puzzled.

“Isn’t it because you guys always tell me… Hmph, I’m going to prove to you that it’s not my fault!” Sakura said seriously.

“I’d like to see how strong you all are.” Tayuya clenched her small fists.

Kimimaro glanced at her but didn’t comment. For himself, however, he had only one goal—first place.

He had been first in Otogakure. Whether in strength, talent, or even being chosen as Orochimaru’s vessel, he was always first.

It had to be the same now that he was in Konoha. Only then could he continue to prove his worth to Orochimaru.

Jugo and Haku weren’t as concerned about rankings; they were just happy to participate.

“Alright, you all begin training. Kimimaro, Tayuya, and Jugo—come with me.”

After Kitazawa finished speaking, he headed to the other side of the Training Ground.

He didn’t call Haku because Haku was already learning Ice Release under the Anbu’s guidance.

Now that he was in the Ninja Academy, his training didn’t need to change.

Kimimaro and the others followed Kitazawa.

“Our teaching method in the Genius Class is to tailor training according to each person’s situation.” Kitazawa stopped, looked at them, and said.

Kimimaro, Tayuya, and Jugo were all surprised.

This method was simply too… thoughtful. Compared to Otogakure, which was hell, this was heaven.

In Otogakure, they were taught Ninjutsu—but then thrown into the arena for life-and-death combat. Only those who survived were qualified to continue.

“They’re probably only teaching some low-level Ninjutsu.” Tayuya couldn’t help but think.

“Tayuya, I’ll teach you a B-Rank Genjutsu.” Kitazawa’s gaze fell on her.

“Huh?” Tayuya instinctively looked up, surprise flashing in her eyes.

“This Genjutsu is called Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains.” Kitazawa extended his hand and said, “Give me your bamboo flute.”

“It’s a sound Genjutsu?” Tayuya was even more surprised.

She instinctively handed over her flute.

Kitazawa placed it to his lips and infused it with sound. In an instant, Tayuya felt her vision blur—and she was pulled into an illusion.

Before she could react, ropes descended from the sky and bound her limbs.

At the same time, the terrifying slaughter from the underground hall of Otogakure replayed before her eyes.

Past memories flooded her mind, sweat dripping down her forehead. She had only one thought—was Kitazawa using this as revenge?

Just then, the flute sound stopped, and the illusion shattered.

Tayuya found herself still standing in the same place. She instinctively looked at Kitazawa, fear flashing in her eyes.

“This is Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains.” Kitazawa returned the bamboo flute to her and said, “Next, my Shadow Clone will teach you.”

He formed a hand sign and created a Shadow Clone.

Tayuya still hadn’t fully recovered. But she realized one thing—

A student like her, who had just joined the Genius Class and even shown hostility toward Kitazawa, was still being taught a B-Rank Ninjutsu.

What about the others?

—

—

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