It was noon.

Uzumaki Naruto had just finished lunch and rushed toward the school’s artificial lake.

Bang! He was running fast, his head filled with thoughts of new training, and didn’t notice Shikamaru turning the corner ahead.

“Ouch!” Shikamaru, already exhausted from earlier training, was caught off guard by the collision and collapsed like a rag doll.

“Shikamaru? What are you doing here?” Naruto blinked in surprise and asked curiously.

“Naruto…” Shikamaru slowly got up, rubbing his sore lower back, and muttered, “You’re way too energetic.”

“Sorry.” Naruto scratched his head. “I’m on my way to the artificial lake. Kitazawa-sensei said he has a new special training for me!”

“Oh?” Shikamaru’s eyes lit up. “Special training… is it water-walking practice?”

He knew full well it was better to suffer with someone than suffer alone. More importantly, with Naruto around, Kitazawa’s focus could be divided. He might even get away with slacking.

First rule of survival: let the guy with the biggest target take the hits.

Shikamaru knew Naruto well. Strong? Yes. But his chakra control was rough.

If they trained together, Naruto would definitely draw Kitazawa’s attention. That was his ticket to minimal effort and minimal damage.

“I don’t know if it’s water-walking training. Kitazawa-sensei didn’t say.” Naruto replied, still scratching his head.

“If he brought you to the artificial lake, then it’s most likely water-walking,” Shikamaru said confidently.

“Makes sense!” Naruto nodded, trusting Shikamaru’s brainpower without question.

“I just happen to be doing the same thing.” Shikamaru offered his hand. “Let’s team up.”

“Team up how?” Naruto asked, giving him a high five.

Shikamaru explained Kitazawa’s previous training methods.

“That sounds awesome!” Naruto’s eyes sparkled.

Are you a masochist? Shikamaru stared blankly.

How could anyone call that kind of torturous training “awesome”?

“Then let’s work together to take on Kitazawa-sensei, grow stronger, and make history!” Shikamaru threw his arm around Naruto’s shoulder dramatically.

“You planning to train with Naruto?” Kitazawa’s voice rang out behind them.

“Sensei!” Naruto turned quickly and greeted him.

“We’re classmates. It’ll be more fun to train together.” Shikamaru smiled smoothly.

“Sure.” Kitazawa laughed. “Follow me.”

Crap. Shikamaru suddenly felt something was wrong. “Kitazawa-sensei, I was planning to take the afternoon off. I’ll train with Naruto tomorrow—”

“You just promised him you’d train together. Can’t break your word now.” Kitazawa smiled and continued walking ahead.

Since it was already lunchtime, Sasuke and Hinata had returned to the classroom, leaving the artificial lake area quiet.

“We’ll train here.” Kitazawa stopped in an open area.

He glanced at the two boys. One looked full of dread, the other full of excitement—a perfect contrast.

“Kitazawa-sensei…” Shikamaru hesitated. “Aren’t we training at the lake?”

They were still several meters away—not even near the water. Damn. I fell for it.

His own assumptions had backfired. Thinking Naruto was here for water training, he had agreed to join in. Now, he looked like a fool.

“It’s combat training.” Kitazawa smiled. “Both of you, attack me. Use your full strength.”

“…What?” Shikamaru froze.

Combat training? More like a setup to get beaten.

“Watch out, Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto launched forward without hesitation. “Konoha Whirlwind!”

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. His speed had improved a lot. Looks like Guy’s brutal training was working.

He met Naruto’s kick with a punch, causing Naruto’s leg to go numb. But the boy quickly recovered.

“Konoha Great Whirlwind!” Naruto flipped his body, pressed the ground with one hand, and launched a roundhouse kick.

Kitazawa didn’t move. He simply turned into a leaf.

Naruto’s attack cut through the air. He stumbled briefly but regained his balance and locked onto Kitazawa’s new position.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! Kitazawa weaved hand seals.

He hadn’t forgotten his real goal—training Naruto to defeat Uchiha Sasuke. That meant fire-style ninjutsu was essential.

As for Shikamaru? Including him had been a sudden decision, but Kitazawa saw the value in it. Shikamaru’s laziness wasn’t just personality—it came from having no real pressure.

Sometimes, a little beating built perspective.

Just like the loss of Sarutobi Asuma had once motivated him in the original timeline.

The air warped from the heat, and Naruto felt the intense warmth at his feet. He instinctively leapt back.

A massive fireball roared forward.

“Shikamaru, dodge!” Naruto shouted, rolling to safety.

Shikamaru had already spotted the fireball. With a sigh, he jumped aside. There was no avoiding it now—he’d have to fight.

If he didn’t, he’d just get burned.

Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique! Kitazawa formed more seals.

Small fireballs burst from his mouth, flying in two arcs—one aimed at Naruto, the other at Shikamaru.

“Take this!” Naruto yelled, charging through the fireballs. “Konoha Superhuman Hurricane!”

Blue chakra wrapped around his feet, shielding him from heat. He kicked the fireballs apart in a sweeping arc.

Kitazawa raised his brows. He already learned Leaf Superhuman Hurricane. That was the fourth move in the Konoha Cyclone series—powerful and advanced.

While Naruto looked flashy, Shikamaru was a total mess.

Kitazawa purposely slowed his fireballs just enough to force awkward dodges.

Shikamaru rolled, tumbled, and barely escaped. If only I knew my clan’s secret techniques already…

“Naruto! Use your Shadow Clone!” Shikamaru gasped.

“Shadow Clone Technique!” Naruto quickly formed seals.

Bang! Two clones appeared beside him.

“Konoha Whirlwind!” All three charged forward.

“That’s not a proper formation!” Shikamaru shouted—but it was too late.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique! Kitazawa smirked and released another massive fireball.

“Help!!” The two clones at the front were instantly burned away.

“Haha! Kitazawa-sensei, you’ve been tricked!” The third Naruto appeared behind him, lunging in with a powerful punch.

Are all Uzumaki born with monstrous strength? Kitazawa sidestepped the punch, raised his leg, and kicked Naruto away.

The moment Naruto landed—poof! Kitazawa turned into leaves again.

Wham! Shikamaru’s ambush fist missed completely. He realized instantly: his sneak attack had failed.

Just like Naruto, he was launched back and hit the ground hard.

“Naruto…” Shikamaru groaned. “Do you know any ninjutsu that can immobilize him?”

“Yeah!” Naruto nodded confidently.

“Really?” Shikamaru blinked in surprise. He had only been joking, not expecting a real answer.

“You’re pretty talented, Naruto—maybe even on par with Sasuke,” Shikamaru said in admiration.

“Watch me!” Naruto shouted, pumped up by the praise. “Sexy Jutsu!”

“…???” Kitazawa’s face was blank.

“Huh?” Shikamaru turned to see a blonde beauty standing before them—his brain short-circuited as if he had just been struck by lightning.

The original plan was for Uzumaki Naruto to use the Seduction Technique to distract Kitazawa so Shikamaru could land a hit.

But now, even he was caught in it and frozen in place.

I’m not pure anymore… Nara Shikamaru’s eyes lost all light.

“You’re not allowed to use the Seduction Technique during actual combat training anymore,” Kitazawa said, his mouth twitching slightly. He responded by launching a large fireball.

Naruto immediately canceled the jutsu and sprinted away.

As the fireball closed in, Shikamaru snapped out of his daze and ran alongside him.

—

An hour later, the two sat back-to-back on the ground, panting for breath. Both were drenched in sweat, their clothes soaked.

Naruto looked like he could still push on, while Shikamaru looked like he’d been pulled out of a lake—lifeless, hollow, as if his soul had left his body.

He stared blankly at the sky, looking like a puppet on its last string.

“Shikamaru, starting next week, you’ll participate in actual combat training twice a week.” Kitazawa said after a moment of thought.

Shikamaru’s stamina was far below Naruto’s. If something went wrong, he’d have to answer to Nara Shikaku. Twice a week was a balanced compromise.

Naruto, on the other hand, had the Nine-Tails’ chakra. No matter how tired he got, one night of sleep would have him bursting with energy again. He could handle even the most hellish training schedules.

And with the blood of the Uzumaki clan flowing in him, his vitality was abnormal. If anyone doubted it, they just had to look at Karin from Kusagakure—her bite could restore blood to others. That was the power of the Uzumaki lineage.

Shikamaru felt like half a corpse after hearing that. Daily combat training? He might as well look for a tree to hang from. Twice a week was painful but still tolerable.

“Shikamaru, you can head home once you’ve rested,” Kitazawa added. “Naruto, if you feel up to it, you can return to class this afternoon.”

“No problem!” Naruto grinned and patted his chest.

Monster… Shikamaru silently screamed in his heart.

—

Half an hour later, Shikamaru finally got up and trudged out of the Ninja School.

“I’m home…” he muttered weakly.

“Did you get beaten up?” Nara Shikaku gave him a quick glance, immediately noticing his miserable state.

“Let’s not talk about that.” Shikamaru waved it off and got to the point. “I want to learn the Shadow Imitation Technique. Show me the scroll.”

“Huh?” Shikaku was stunned. “Who are you and what did you do with my son?”

“Don’t joke, Dad.” Shikamaru rolled his eyes.

“You’re serious?” Shikaku blinked, then sighed deeply.

“Your teacher Kitazawa… that man’s a genius.”

“…” Shikamaru looked away. Genius? More like a demon.

—

Afternoon practical class.

“Kitazawa-sensei.” Sasuke approached before training began.

“What is it? Are you having trouble with the Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique?”

“No.” Sasuke took out a scroll and handed it to him. “This is for you.”

He’d originally planned to give it to Kitazawa in the morning, but had only found his shadow clone. He thought it would be more formal to give it directly.

Kitazawa opened the scroll and raised his eyebrows.

It contained two B-rank fire-style jutsus: Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation and Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song.

The first was similar to the Great Fireball Technique, unleashing a wide sea of flames.

The second was an upgraded version of the Great Dragon Fire Technique, firing four fire dragons in succession.

“Be sure to thank your brother for me,” Kitazawa said. “And thank you too.”

“It’s just two fire jutsus,” Sasuke replied indifferently.

I give this act 99 points—one point deducted, so he doesn’t get too cocky. Kitazawa couldn’t help but sigh again at the Uchiha clan’s arrogance. B-rank ninjutsu were just casual gifts to them.

“I’m going to train now, Kitazawa-sensei.” Sasuke ran off to practice the Great Dragon Fire Technique.

“Naruto.” Kitazawa created a shadow clone. “You’ll train with this version of me for combat practice.”

“Got it, Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto and the clone headed to a wide-open field.

Their training involved fire-style jutsu, so space was necessary. Otherwise, tomorrow’s newspaper headline would be: Director of Academic Affairs, Kitazawa, accidentally burns down the Ninja School!

Yes—there were newspapers in the ninja world. Namikaze Minato was seen reading one in the original story.

“Hinata.” Kitazawa gently patted her head. “Start practicing your Gentle Fist.”

“Yes!” Hinata nodded firmly.

Kitazawa stood by, watching and correcting her form as she practiced.

To be honest, her progress was slow—not due to lack of talent, but because the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was extremely difficult.

There were only two months left before her match with Neji in the next semester. It was nearly impossible to master the full technique at that time.

So Kitazawa decided to take the same approach Hinata used in the original story—breaking the technique down. First the Thirty-Two Palms, then the Sixty-Four. Even now, learning the Twelve Palms would be a solid start.

With two months to go, it was better to take gradual steps.

—

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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)

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