Hyuga Clan Residence

After school, Hyuga Hinata ran straight home without stopping. She clutched the report card tightly in her hand, exhaled deeply, and only then slowly stepped into the courtyard.

The Hyuga clan was strict about rules and decorum. If she were to rush in recklessly, she would surely be scolded.

“Father.” Hinata arrived outside the study where Hyuga Hiashi was located.

“Come in.” A deep, majestic voice responded.

Hinata opened the door, removed her shoes, and stepped inside the room.

“What is it?” Hiashi asked, sitting cross-legged on the tatami, a book in hand.

“The monthly exam is over, and the results have been announced,” Hinata replied, kneeling before him with her white soles turned outward in proper form.

“What rank did you achieve?” Hiashi asked calmly. He was already aware of the details regarding Class 1-A, to which Hinata belonged.

It was, in many ways, a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers—the elites of the next generation from major ninja clans were all in that class.

Notably, Uchiha Sasuke, the younger brother of the famed genius Uchiha Itachi, was among them.

Hiashi sighed inwardly. The Hyuga clan also had a prodigy, Hyuga Neji, but he belonged to the branch family.

As for Hinata, Hiashi had long stopped placing hope in her—especially after the birth of Hyuga Hanabi.

According to clan tradition, only one member from each generation would become the heir. The others would receive the Caged Bird Seal and be relegated to the branch family.

In theory, either Hinata or Hanabi would one day bear that curse.

The so-called Caged Bird was a method used to protect the secrets of the Byakugan—but it was also a means for the main family to control the branch.

“Please take a look, Father.” Hinata extended the report card toward him, her eyes filled with hope.

“Hm? First place?” Hiashi muttered after a glance. His expression changed at once.

First place? A flicker of disbelief crossed his face. He rarely lost his composure, but this result had truly caught him off guard.

He had never even considered the possibility of Hinata taking the top rank.

Noticing his reaction, Hinata’s heart leaped with joy. Clearly, she had managed to surprise him.

“Hinata,” Hiashi said after reading through the report, “You did well. You did not bring shame to the Hyuga clan.”

“Thank you, Father!” Hinata beamed. It was the first time she had ever received praise from him.

“How did you get first place?” Hiashi asked curiously.

“It’s all thanks to Mr. Kitazawa,” Hinata replied truthfully.

Kitazawa? Hiashi grew contemplative.

He’d already heard of Kitazawa from Hyuga Tokuma, the guard he had assigned to quietly protect Hinata. One incident particularly stood out—when Kitazawa had stepped in to discipline a student who was bullying Hinata.

“It seems he’s a capable teacher,” Hiashi nodded.

“Yes,” Hinata said with bright eyes, “Mr. Kitazawa is amazing!”

How good could a mere Chunin be? Hiashi thought to himself. At best, his teaching is decent.

“Mr. Kitazawa taught me how to walk on trees using chakra. He said it helps with chakra control…” Hinata began talking more freely.

Hiashi was stunned. Is this really my daughter? In the past, getting five words out of her was a feat. But now, she was full of energy and enthusiasm.

The root of this change was clearly Kitazawa.

Hiashi fell silent. Unfortunately, it’s too late now.

Hanabi had already been born, and the painful history between him and his brother Hizashi might soon repeat itself.

—

Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha…

Kitazawa left the academy, walking along the street, sighing to himself. It’s good to have a backer.

Whether it was being chosen for the thirty exam questions or Hinata being named Outstanding Student Representative, everything had been arranged by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Privilege felt good, no doubt—but Kitazawa was well aware that it all stemmed from his identity as a teacher and his connection to Naruto.

When it came to true power in the village, he still had no say. He couldn’t make a difference when it mattered.

“Strength is what matters most,” Kitazawa muttered, reviewing his mission objectives.

Once Hinata completed her speech and defeated Toranosuke, the mission would be complete. Given Hinata’s superior strength, as long as she gained enough confidence, victory was inevitable.

As for sending Mizuki to prison—he had set that task aside for now. There wasn’t a good opportunity yet.

Besides, any clash with Mizuki would likely escalate into a fight.

Kitazawa had many jutsu at his disposal, but with his current chakra reserves, he could barely use two before being completely drained.

He needed to strengthen himself further, and the key lay in completing the mission to learn Naruto’s ‘Sexy Jutsu.’

That would earn him a chakra capacity upgrade equal to one-tenth of a full card.

Creating the jutsu wouldn’t be hard, but it would ruin his image as an upright teacher—and possibly offend Hiruzen.

Kitazawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Is there anyone who could take the blame for me?

After some thought, his eyes lit up. Yes—there was someone perfect. Hatake Kakashi.

The more Kitazawa considered it, the more suitable Kakashi seemed. First, he had the skill to create such a technique.

Second, he was a fan of “Make-Out Paradise” and shameless enough to use Jutsu like Thousand Years of Death.

Third, he had the reputation and background—Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn’t hold it against him.

With that, Kitazawa changed direction and soon arrived at Kakashi’s home.

“I wonder if he’s in.” He knocked on the door.

After a moment, it opened to reveal Kakashi—silver hair, mask, and all.

“Kakashi, I need a favor,” Kitazawa said in a low voice. “And… don’t tell anyone about this.”

“You planning to defect?” Kakashi deadpanned.

“Absolutely not! That’s slander!” Kitazawa retorted. “There’s only one sun in my heart—and that’s Hokage!”

“Then what is it?” Kakashi asked, his dead-fish eyes watching curiously.

“Do you know Uzumaki Naruto?” Kitazawa got straight to the point.

“What do you mean?” Kakashi’s gaze sharpened instantly.

He didn’t just know Naruto—he’d been silently protecting him since before his birth.

“I’m a teacher at the academy now,” Kitazawa explained. “Naruto’s one of my students.”

“So?”

“Lately, Naruto has been working on a new ninjutsu based on the Transformation Technique,” Kitazawa said with a sigh. “But I’m just a regular Chunin. I don’t have the skill to guide him in that…”

“He’s developing jutsu already? At six?” Kakashi was surprised.

Then again—he was the son of Minato Namikaze. The Rasengan, a pinnacle of chakra shape transformation, had been developed by Minato himself.

Kakashi nodded inwardly. He truly is the Fourth’s son.

“You’re the Copy Ninja. Konoha’s number one Expert in Ninjutsu. This is something only you can do,” Kitazawa said sincerely. “Will you help?”

“Don’t call me the number one expert,” Kakashi said, sighing. “I’m free tomorrow. Bring Naruto to see me.”

Though he had buried his emotions long ago, he couldn’t turn down the son of his late sensei.

—

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