The next day, Monday.

It was already June, and the temperature in Konoha Village had risen significantly.

At the entrance of the Ninja School, a large number of students were gathered in front of the bulletin board, looking at the rankings for the May monthly exam.

Kitazawa walked over and took a glance. Just like last time, the top ten students in Class A of the first grade also held the top ten spots across the entire grade.

“Kitazawa.” Mizuki suddenly appeared and stopped him. “What a pity. No one in your class got full marks.”

He failed to show off last time, and he was trying again now? Kitazawa smiled and said, “The Hokage has agreed to my request. He’ll be the referee for the friendly match this Friday.”

Mizuki was stunned. He wanted to say Kitazawa was lying—but no one would dare lie about the Hokage.

Which meant it was true. An uncomfortable feeling welled up.

Mizuki suddenly felt like a clown trying to show off. So what if he had more full-mark students?

Kitazawa had already become a rising star in front of the Hokage, with a future full of promise. Mizuki had a premonition that in a few years, Kitazawa might become his superior.

“I’m heading to the classroom now. See you.” Kitazawa couldn’t help but laugh inwardly as he watched Mizuki’s face pale.

As expected, happiness built on someone else’s frustration is the most satisfying kind. Of course, Kitazawa was usually kind to others—

It’s just that Mizuki insisted on confronting him, and now he looked like nothing more than an annoying obstacle.

After the first class, Kitazawa brought a few students to the school’s training ground. With him were Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, and Haruno Sakura.

“Teacher Kitazawa.” Sasuke asked eagerly, “What Fire Style ninjutsu are we learning today?”

Yesterday, he had basked in his father’s and Itachi’s rare praise, feeling thrilled all night. Now, he craved more.

“You’ve already learned two C-rank Fire Style jutsu. If you want to level up, it’s time to try a B-rank Fire Style, but that takes time to master.”

Kitazawa thought for a moment and said, “Since the friendly match is coming soon, I’ll teach you a technique that can quickly boost your strength.”

“What is it?” Sasuke asked without hesitation. He didn’t mind whether it was a fire jutsu or not—anything to grow stronger.

“Shuriken Jutsu.” Kitazawa smiled.

“I want to learn that!” Sasuke’s eyes lit up immediately.

Everyone knew Uchiha Sasuke’s three signature strengths: Sharingan, Fire Style, and deadly precision with ninja tools. Shuriken Jutsu, after all, originated from the Uchiha clan.

“The key to this technique is manipulating the shuriken using a nearly invisible rubber wire,” Kitazawa explained as he pulled out two shuriken.

He threw them casually, and they embedded themselves in a distant tree. Then, with a simple tug on the rubber cords, he retrieved them, and they spun back through the air and landed at his feet.

“Start with stationary targets. Once you’re comfortable, move on to moving targets.” Kitazawa handed Sasuke two shuriken.

“Thank you, Teacher Kitazawa.” Sasuke took them and immediately began training.

“You three start as well.” Kitazawa turned to Hinata and the others.

Hinata was focusing on leaf control, while Ino and Sakura continued water-walking training.

Kitazawa wasn’t idle either. He summoned a shadow clone to go off and practice Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu in a remote area.

Time passed, and soon it was dusk. As Kitazawa tossed leaves, three lines of text suddenly appeared before him:

[Current Task: Help your classmate Haruno Sakura complete the water-walking training.

Task Reward: Healing Jutsu.]

[Task Completed. Reward Issued.]

Kitazawa instinctively looked at Sakura. She stood confidently, hands on her hips, face full of pride. Across from her, Ino looked frustrated and unwilling to concede.

Clearly, tonight’s victory belonged to Sakura.

Kitazawa received knowledge and experience related to the Healing Jutsu—a slightly weakened version of the Mystical Palm Technique, just as he expected.

He rubbed his chin. Judging by their progress, Sakura and Ino no longer needed basic water-walking practice. So what should he teach them next?

“That’s all for today’s training.” Kitazawa didn’t have a good answer yet, so he decided to keep things as they were for now.

“Goodbye, Teacher Kitazawa!” Sasuke, Hinata, and the others left one after another.

—

After leaving the school, Kitazawa headed to Kurenai’s house. Tonight, they were going to discuss Yakumo’s fourth genjutsu.

When the door opened, Kurenai stood before him in a red dress. Since she was at home, she had changed into her previous low-cut red outfit.

To be honest, Kitazawa liked this version of her more. It highlighted her elegant curves, especially that striking shade of white.

“Seeing a beauty like you after a long day makes all the fatigue disappear.” Kitazawa smiled.

“Hmph, are you trying to tease me?” Kurenai crossed her arms with a playful glare. Her movements made the fabric stretch slightly, enhancing her figure.

“Of course not,” Kitazawa replied seriously. “I’m being completely honest.”

“Fine, come in.” Kurenai gave him a half-smile, turned, and walked into the living room, her hips swaying gracefully.

“Tsunade-sama isn’t here yet?” Kitazawa glanced around the empty living room.

“She’s probably at the casino.” Kurenai smiled helplessly. After spending some time with Tsunade, she had figured out her usual habits.

“You’ll get used to it.” Kitazawa sat on the sofa beside her. With a subtle glance, he saw her delicate, pale feet.

“You’re such a pervert.” Kurenai noticed and gently stepped on him. She wasn’t wearing shoes, so her soft sole pressed directly against the top of his foot.

“No need to thank me,” Kurenai said teasingly. She had always had a soft spot for Kitazawa, so she didn’t mind flirting.

“You should wear black stockings next time,” Kitazawa said seriously.

“…?” Kurenai was momentarily speechless at his shameless suggestion. This man, usually so composed around others, was getting bolder with her lately.

She suddenly had a thought.

“What is it?” Kitazawa noticed her dazed look and waved his hand in front of her.

“Nothing.” Kurenai snapped out of it and asked, “Are you free tomorrow?”

“I have the Special Jonin assessment tomorrow,” Kitazawa paused, “But it shouldn’t take too long.”

“Wait, the Special Jonin assessment?” Kurenai’s face showed clear surprise.

“The Hokage said I’ve met the standard and can be promoted to Special Jonin,” Kitazawa said with a calm smile.

Kurenai was a bit dazed. She had always considered herself a genjutsu genius and viewed Kitazawa as average. But now she realized he had surpassed her in rank selection.

Something changed in her mind. She no longer saw Kitazawa as inferior.

“I’ll go with you tomorrow,” Kurenai said after a moment. “Once it’s over, let’s go shopping and have lunch.”

Kitazawa blinked in surprise. That sounded a lot like a date. Considering Kurenai’s personality, it might really be one.

“Alright.” Kitazawa agreed without hesitation.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep