“Mom, I think we don’t need to trouble Mr. Kitazawa anymore. I’ve already learned the Shadow Imitation Technique,” Nara Shikamaru said cautiously.

“Absolutely not.” Nara Yoshino rejected it without hesitation. “Our clan has more than just the Shadow Imitation Technique—you still have many secret techniques to master.”

She knew her son too well. If he stopped now, it wouldn’t take long for him to fall back into his lazy habits.

Nara Shikamaru’s expression dimmed. No way… I just crawled out of hell, and now you want me to dive back in?

“I think Mr. Kitazawa charges too much,” Shikamaru said with great seriousness.

“Oh, really?” Yoshino raised an eyebrow with a smile. “I remember Mr. Kitazawa opened a shop. Why don’t you go work for him to earn the tuition?”

Shikamaru’s face froze. At that moment, he realized—his mother’s smile was just like Kitazawa’s. That same devilish grin!

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to,” Yoshino snorted. “I gave birth to you. I know how your mind works.”

“Yes…” Shikamaru sighed. “Mom is wise.”

“Do you really not want to train under Kitazawa-sensei anymore?” Yoshino’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I… I really don’t want to,” he said, sounding unconvinced even to himself.

“Got it.” Yoshino chuckled. If he truly didn’t want to train anymore, he wouldn’t be hesitating like this.

“No—wait!” Shikamaru panicked. “What do you mean, ‘got it’?”

“We’ll wait for your father to come back and see what he thinks before making any decision,” Yoshino said casually with a wave of her hand.

“…Okay.” Shikamaru collapsed onto the sofa again.

But the moment he closed his eyes, all he could think about was the water-walking drills and the sparring sessions.

No! He sat up suddenly. “I haven’t redeemed myself in actual combat yet! How can I just give up now?!”

—

By noon…

“I’m home.” Nara Shikaku entered the living room and blinked in surprise when he saw his son.

“Back so early today?”

“Kitazawa-sensei said I’ve completed my training,” Shikamaru replied calmly. “I don’t need it anymore.”

“He’s already learned the Shadow Imitation Technique,” Yoshino added as a reminder.

“Really?” Shikaku looked pleasantly surprised.

“Yeah.” Shikamaru glanced at his mother, coughed, and asked, “Dad, do you think it’s necessary to keep studying under Kitazawa-sensei?”

“Why?” Shikaku narrowed his eyes. “Trying to slack off again?”

His intellect was no less than Shikamaru’s, and he instantly saw through his son’s intentions.

Shikamaru sighed inwardly. It’s over. The adults are united. Might as well take revenge during sparring.

“Let’s talk to Kitazawa after dinner,” Shikaku said, exchanging a knowing smile with Yoshino.

They were in agreement: their son had changed for the better. In the shinobi world, brains alone weren’t enough. One needed strength to survive.

After lunch, Nara Shikaku brought Shikamaru back to the ninja school.

Kitazawa had just finished his meal and was about to nap when he remembered the Shadow Imitation Technique he’d recently acquired.

Sitting up, he formed hand seals. His shadow suddenly stirred, slithering out under his control.

“This jutsu is pretty interesting.” Amused, he manipulated the shadow like a toy—spinning, zigzagging, and chasing shapes—until he felt dizzy.

“The only drawback is the chakra cost,” Kitazawa muttered thoughtfully. “No wonder the Ino-Shika-Cho people always fight as a team.”

Among the three clans, only the Akimichi techniques were well-suited for solo combat. The Nara and Yamanaka techniques required coordination to be most effective.

At that moment, a knock came at the door.

“Come in,” Kitazawa called, raising his head with curiosity.

“Kitazawa.” Nara Shikaku stepped inside.

“Kitazawa-sensei…” Shikamaru followed behind, his voice barely above a whisper.

Here they come. Kitazawa had deliberately told Shikamaru his training was over, hoping to trigger a new mission.

“We’re here to ask if you’d continue tutoring Shikamaru,” Shikaku said, getting right to the point.

[Current task: Help Nara Shikamaru learn the second secret technique of the Nara Clan.

Task reward: Shadow Stitching Jutsu.

[Do you accept?]

A grin tugged at Kitazawa’s lips. A new mission—perfect.

So Shikamaru had already learned Shadow Imitation and kept it secret as a surprise?

Kitazawa glanced at the boy. He’s clever, but still a child—eager to prove himself, unaware of the real gap between us.

As for the Shadow Stitching, Kitazawa recalled its function: turning one’s shadow into physical tendrils—versatile, flexible, and powerful.

“Since you’re asking, of course I’ll accept,” Kitazawa smiled. “You can leave Shikamaru to me.”

“Great,” Shikaku said, then turned to his son. “Shikamaru, listen to your teacher. Understood?”

“Yes…” Shikamaru replied with a face full of gloom.

Kitazawa and Shikaku exchanged amused looks.

Are they laughing at my misery?! Shikamaru was filled with silent resentment. I’m suffering here—and you’re both smiling?!

“I’ll take my leave now, Kitazawa.”

With that, Shikaku departed.

“Shikamaru, head back to the classroom for lunch,” Kitazawa said, patting his shoulder. “Your new training won’t start until next week, so rest up in the meantime.”

Why would I need to “rest up”? What kind of training are you planning?! Shikamaru had a sinking feeling that he wouldn’t be sleeping well tonight.

“It’s fun teasing kids,” Kitazawa murmured, watching the boy walk away with worry written all over his face.

By afternoon, Kitazawa had two classes—both practical. One for Class A of the first grade, and the other for Class A of the second grade.

Once class ended, it would be Thursday—time for the June monthly exams.

“Sasuke, let’s have a youthful monthly exam today!” Naruto, clad in a green jumpsuit, marched confidently in front of Uchiha Sasuke and shouted with fiery passion.

Instantly, all eyes in the classroom turned toward them.

“Does Naruto really not know what shame is?” Ino muttered, covering her face with both hands. She was utterly embarrassed.

“Fighter.” Akimichi Choji commented with a single, sincere word.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru remained slumped over his desk like a lifeless husk.

“Naruto, what are you doing?” Sakura stormed over with a frown and gave Naruto a shove. But she used too much force—and Naruto toppled straight toward Sasuke.

“No!” Sakura’s face turned pale.

Sasuke’s expression shifted dramatically as he leapt away with unprecedented speed, narrowly avoiding a collision.

Kitazawa, who had just stepped into the classroom, blinked.

He thought he was about to witness that famous scene from the original story: the accidental kiss between Naruto and Sasuke.

Sasuke exhaled in relief, while Naruto scratched his head, seemingly unaware of what had just happened.

“All right, everyone—take your seats. The exam is about to begin.” Kitazawa stepped up to the podium and reminded them calmly.

“Sasuke!” Naruto shouted with burning resolve, “This time, I’m going to challenge your first place!”

“You’re still far from that,” Sasuke replied coolly.

He wasn’t interested in the June monthly exam—it didn’t involve any real combat.

What Sasuke looked forward to was the final exam in July. By then, he would have mastered the Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique. Even if Naruto summoned a hundred clones, it wouldn’t matter.

“I don’t need to explain the rules again. Begin answering now.” At precisely nine o’clock, Kitazawa gave the command.

The students opened their papers and picked up their pens.

Seeing everything in order, Kitazawa left a shadow clone behind to supervise the exam with Iruka, while his real body returned to Kurenai’s home.

Collecting and grading the papers could be handled by shadow clones. He had more pressing matters—like reading medical texts.

In two days, he would officially begin studying medical ninjutsu.

Since he and Kurenai had started dating, Kitazawa now had a room at her place. Besides, most of his meetings with Tsunade and the others about new jutsu development happened there.

—

At the entrance, Kitazawa took out a key and opened the door.

His gaze landed on the shoe rack.

“I’m back, Kurenai.” He spotted Kurenai’s sandals but not those belonging to Tsunade or Shizune.

“Isn’t today the monthly exam?” Kurenai sat on the sofa, legs crossed. Because of the summer heat and being at home, she wore denim shorts today.

Upon seeing Kitazawa, she lowered her legs. Her fair, slender thighs were now fully exposed in the sunlight—dazzlingly pale.

“Iruka’s got it covered.” Kitazawa’s eyes flicked upward.

Kurenai was also wearing a short-sleeved beige top to match her shorts. The hem stopped just above her waist, revealing a smooth, toned abdomen and her navel.

“Does it look good?” Kurenai noticed his gaze and spread her arms slightly.

As she moved, the soft weight of her figure shifted naturally.

“It looks great,” Kitazawa admitted, then asked, “Did you go out today?”

“Nope.” Kurenai blinked. “Why do you ask?”

“Because you look too beautiful to be seen by anyone but me,” he replied seriously.

“It is only for you.” Kurenai beamed at him. She’d bought this outfit after they started dating.

Before, she stuck to three styles: kimono, red dress, or her usual red-sleeve combat outfit.

Kitazawa’s heartbeat quickened with satisfaction. He stepped forward, bent down, and drew close to her face.

Up close, he could clearly see Kurenai’s delicate features and smell her faint fragrance.

“You…” Their breaths mingled. Kurenai’s heart sped up, and she instinctively curled her toes.

“Can I kiss you?” Kitazawa asked softly, staring at her glossy lips.

“At this point, why are you even asking?” Kurenai rolled her eyes and leaned in.

Their lips met gently. Kitazawa’s eyes remained fixed on her slightly flushed face as he deepened the kiss.

Kurenai let out a soft murmur. Her cheeks turned redder, and even her pale neck blushed. But this time—she didn’t push him away.

Eventually, their lips parted.

“You… you should go read. There are still two days,” Kurenai whispered, licking the corner of her mouth, parched from the heat—and the kiss.

“It’s not urgent,” Kitazawa replied, his eyes lingering on her flushed face. “I only have one more medical book left, the one Shizune gave me.”

“Lady Tsunade will be back soon…” Kurenai turned her gaze aside, flustered.

Kitazawa tilted his head and gave her a light kiss near the collarbone, then turned and walked upstairs.

Kurenai inhaled sharply, her chest rising and falling. Just now, it really felt like she was about to be devoured.

—

Back in his room, Kitazawa smirked.

With Kurenai, his approach had always been to slowly break down her walls—and clearly, it was working. From the first kiss to the deep kiss, she had fully accepted him.

If he had pushed just a bit more, perhaps… He shook off the thought and picked up the last medical book.

If he focused, he could finish it today. Of course, if he just skimmed, he would’ve completed it long ago. But real understanding and memory came much more slowly.

That was just how studying medicine worked.

The sun was already starting to set, but the heat hadn’t let up. Kitazawa suddenly thought of Ice Release.

If only he could produce ice anytime, anywhere—it’d be incredibly refreshing.

He set down the book. After two weeks of effort, he had finally completed the first task Tsunade had given him.

Thanks to shadow clone training, of course. With that in mind, Kitazawa released his shadow clone.

The clone in the school office vanished, and its memories flowed back into him. The theory test for Class A of the first grade had ended, and the results were posted.

Previously, first place belonged to Uchiha Sasuke.

But this time, Sakura took the top spot. Kitazawa figured Sasuke had likely slacked off on studying in favor of training his Fire Style ninjutsu.

Sakura, on the other hand, had always excelled in theory, so her win was fair.

Naruto’s decline was more noticeable. Without Kitazawa’s help, he dropped from sixth to thirteenth.

Still, it was a massive improvement from how he used to rank—at least he wasn’t dead last anymore.

—

The next day arrived—Friday.

It was time for the practical exam. The events remained unchanged from the last test.

Naruto still placed first in physical fitness. Sasuke, however, dominated the clone technique and weapon-throwing portions.

By afternoon, the June monthly exam had concluded.

Combined rankings from theory and practical scores were announced. They closely matched the results of the last exam—except for one shift:

Uzumaki Naruto had dropped to eleventh place.

“Hahaha!” The loudest laugh came from Inuzuka Kiba. “Naruto, I finally beat you! Time to treat me to Ichiraku Ramen!”

Last month, he’d lost to Naruto and stewed in frustration. Now, sweet revenge was his.

—

—

Show your support with Power Stones, guys!

If we make it into the top 20 rankings at the week’s end, I’ll drop 2 bonus chapters as a thank-you!

P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep