Kitazawa followed the Anbu ninja, Haru, to the ninjutsu storage room.

After a brief consideration, he selected three ninjutsu: Water Style: Water Wall, Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique, and Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation, which he had a mission for but hadn’t obtained yet.

For ordinary ninjas, there are three types of ninjutsu that are particularly difficult to acquire.

The first is forbidden techniques, such as Impure World Reincarnation.

The second is strategic ninjutsu, like the Flying Thunder God Technique.

The third is clan-specific secret or bloodline techniques, such as the Multiplication Technique or Gentle Fist.

Although Phoenix Fire Technique and Great Fire Annihilation are signature techniques of the Uchiha clan, they don’t fall into these three categories. After Kitazawa picked his three ninjutsu, he had basically replaced most of the system-rewarded techniques.

However, this only applied to his current situation—there was still more to discover in the future. Kitazawa stored the three scrolls and returned home.

—

“Kitazawa-sensei.” Kurama, who was sitting on the sofa, stood up to greet him.

She was holding the Art of Truth Technique scroll in her hand, clearly already studying it.

“You keep learning.” Kitazawa glanced around but didn’t see Kurenai. She was probably still asleep in the room.

After thinking for a moment, Kitazawa walked to the open space behind the house and pretended to practice ninjutsu.

Time passed slowly, and by noon, Kurenai finally woke up. She sat up, stretched, and immediately sensed intense fire-style chakra fluctuations.

“Who’s practicing Fire Style? Kitazawa?” Kurenai walked to the window and looked out.

As expected, it was Kitazawa. Under his precise control, large amounts of chakra transformed into small flaming projectiles, resembling clusters of impatiens flowers.

This was Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique. Kurenai recognized it instantly. Though many ninjas knew this jutsu, Kitazawa’s execution was highly proficient.

The flames danced nimbly in his hands, striking precisely where he aimed.

In her memory, Kitazawa was just an ordinary Chunin. But now, he seemed far more formidable. Kurenai recalled what he’d once said: that she could call on him if there was ever a mission short of people.

Touching her chin, curiosity lit up her eyes. She stepped out of the room, changed her shoes, and walked outside.

“Awake? How was your sleep?” Kitazawa asked as he dispersed his chakra.

“I slept great.” Kurenai smiled. “I feel full of energy now.”

“Hokage-sama gave three ninjutsu as a reward.” Kitazawa reminded her, “Go to the Hokage building when you’re free.”

“As expected of the Hokage—so generous.” Kurenai paused, then asked, “The Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique you were just practicing—is that one of the rewards?”

“Yes,” Kitazawa nodded.

“You hadn’t learned Phoenix Fire Technique before?” Kurenai’s tone shifted slightly.

“No.” Kitazawa guessed what she was thinking, but offered no explanation—this was exactly what he wanted.

“You mastered it in just one morning? Your fire-style talent is incredible.” Kurenai sighed, “It’s a shame you’re wasting your potential teaching at a ninja school.”

Ordinary ninjas had a sensei to lead them on missions, giving them plenty of chances to grow. But ninja school teachers lacked such opportunities.

In Kurenai’s view, Kitazawa’s talent was being stifled.

“Want to spar?” Kurenai asked, eyes sparkling.

“You sound like you’re itching to beat me up.” Kitazawa joked.

“Don’t worry—I’ll go easy on you.” Kurenai grinned.

“Let’s head to the nearby training ground.” Kitazawa agreed.

Sparring with Kurenai wasn’t a bad idea—and it would let him showcase his strength appropriately.

The two soon arrived at the nearest training field.

“Be careful!” Kurenai warned, forming hand seals.

But Kitazawa was faster. Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

A massive fireball surged toward her.

Kurenai was forced to abandon her Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death seal and use the Body Flicker Technique.

Chakra surged into her legs, and she burst forward, narrowly dodging the attack. As the fireball passed, the intense heat made sweat bead on her forehead.

Kurenai was stunned. Kitazawa’s Great Fireball Technique exceeded the power of most B-rank jutsu—not only was his seal speed impressive, but the force behind it was tremendous.

While she was momentarily frozen, Kitazawa had already appeared before her. Konoha Whirlwind!

Kurenai raised her arms just in time to block the kick.

Bang! The powerful blow numbed her arms. Using the momentum, she flipped back and widened the distance.

Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death! Kurenai landed, immediately forming seals with both hands.

The next moment, her body vanished. Kitazawa froze as a giant tree sprouted from beneath him, binding him in vines.

Kurenai appeared atop the tree, dagger in hand, ready to strike.

But just before the blow landed, everything dissolved. Kurenai’s face changed drastically. That was the moment the illusion was broken.

Kitazawa, fully aware of her genjutsu prowess, had been on guard from the start. The instant he fell into her illusion, he dispelled it.

A rush of wind behind her—she turned quickly, only to meet Kitazawa’s fist. There was no time to dodge.

But Kitazawa merely smiled, relaxed his fist, and rubbed her head. Kurenai froze for a second, then glared and raised her leg to kick him.

Kitazawa dodged just in time. Her open-toe boots flashed past his face.

Demonic Illusion: Mirage Clone Jutsu! Seeing her kick fail, Kurenai quickly formed new seals.

Two clones materialized in the smoke. The three Kurenai surrounded Kitazawa in rapid succession.

With illusion and clone techniques combined, Kitazawa found it hard to differentiate. He could use the Byakugan—but that would definitely scare her.

Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique! Unable to distinguish the real one, Kitazawa resorted to spitting out flame bullets. The fireballs rained down like a storm.

Her clones vanished instantly. Body Flicker Technique! Kurenai darted left and right, narrowly dodging the scorching attacks.

She caught her breath, surprised to see Kitazawa still standing calmly. Judging from their exchange, his strength clearly exceeded most Chunins.

“With your level of skill, why stay a teacher at the ninja academy?” Kurenai couldn’t help asking.

“Didn’t I tell you? Just personal preference.” Kitazawa smiled. “Still want to keep fighting?”

“No. I’ve already seen what I needed to see.” Kurenai paused, then added, “If we keep going, I might lose. That’d be too embarrassing.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep