Chapter 166: Chapter 166

The third week of November, Monday

Konoha Village was unusually restless. Word had spread—at least among the upper echelons—that Lady Tsunade had stormed the Root base and forced Danzo Shimura to dissolve most of his subordinates.

To most villagers, however, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. For them, Konoha remained the same peaceful village bathed in the late autumn sun.

Kitazawa woke early, as always. After washing up, he made his way to the Ninja Academy.

“Good morning, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Hinata stood by his office door, greeting him with her usual gentle smile.

“Morning.”

Kitazawa returned the greeting and patted her head. In moments like this, Hinata reminded him of a beckoning cat charm—waiting faithfully at his door every day.

“Come eat,” he said, glancing around.

Oddly enough, only Hinata had shown up today. Ino and the others hadn’t come to freeload breakfast.

“Mm.”

Hinata nodded, her heart fluttering. She quickened her steps and sat primly on the sofa. Her short legs dangled, toes brushing the air above the floor.

“Kitazawa-sensei,” she said suddenly, “yesterday Father told me… if you have time, you’re welcome to come to our house for dinner.”

Kitazawa paused, chopsticks mid-air.

Dinner? Out of nowhere?

He quickly pieced it together—most likely the Hyuga Clan’s way of showing goodwill after Tsunade’s bold raid on Root. In the eyes of the great clans, Kitazawa was no longer just a teacher; he was Tsunade’s confidant, someone whose influence was steadily rising.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Tsunade’s reputation carried enormous weight in Konoha. He hadn’t even officially become her student, yet his status had already climbed close to that of a high-ranking official.

But Tsunade herself must be troubled. Charging into Root had been a loud declaration. Even if she had no interest in the Hokage’s seat, others would surely try to thrust it upon her.

It reminded Kitazawa of a phrase from his past life: “You’ve really put me in a difficult position!”

Still, her bold move had benefited him even more than her. He’d obtained a cursed seal, gained Tsunade’s promise to teach him the Super Strength, and received gratitude from the Aburame Clan—along with the growing attention of every major clan in Konoha.

And if the Hyuga Clan was making overtures, the rest would surely follow.

“Alright,” Kitazawa agreed.

Hinata’s face lit up, her joy impossible to hide. Kitazawa seldom visited her home, so this was a rare victory for her.

After breakfast, the two made their way to the training grounds.

Kitazawa stopped at the familiar sight of Kabuto holding court, animatedly telling a story to an eager audience: Sasuke, Naruto, Ino, Shikamaru, Shino, and Torune. Only Kiba and Neji were absent—the former training at the lake, the latter lost in Gentle Fist practice.

“And just like that, Kitazawa-sensei struck down the ambushing Root ninja with a Wind Style jutsu—”

Kabuto’s storytelling faltered the moment he spotted Kitazawa.

“What happened next?” Naruto blurted, too engrossed to notice their teacher’s arrival.

“That’s enough for now. We’ll continue another time,” Kabuto coughed lightly before calling out, “Good morning, Kitazawa-sensei.”

The others turned quickly, realizing their audience had shifted.

“Everyone, start training,” Kitazawa instructed. “This afternoon, we’ll have a practical combat class.”

His plan to put Sasuke through a rotation of beatings would begin today.

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!” they chorused before scattering, leaving Kabuto, Shino, and Torune behind.

“Torune, why are you here today?” Kitazawa asked.

“My father’s busy. Torune doesn’t like being alone at home, so I brought him,” Shino explained.

“That works.” Kitazawa nodded. “Kabuto, have you two met?”

“We’ve already gotten acquainted,” Kabuto answered smoothly. Even free from Root, his habits as a spy lingered. Spotting Torune earlier, Kabuto’s instincts had driven him to strike up a conversation.

“He’ll be your teammate for the Chunin Exams,” Kitazawa said.

Kabuto blinked in surprise. Torune hadn’t mentioned that. From his perspective, the boy was too young—could he really fight at Chunin level?

“He was Root, like you,” Kitazawa added.

Understanding dawned. Root never recruited the weak. If Torune had been chosen, his strength was undeniable.

“You too?” Torune asked, eyeing Kabuto with a strange familiarity.

“Mm,” Kabuto murmured, a trace of emotion in his voice. “If not for Lady Tsunade and Kitazawa-sensei, I’d still be trapped there.”

“…Ah? Me too,” Torune admitted quietly.

“So Tsunade-sama raided Root to save you?” Kabuto realized with a start. Their paths were oddly alike—former Root operatives, now bound as teammates. Fate, perhaps.

But then a thought struck him. Could this entire chain of events—Tsunade’s raid, Root’s humiliation—have originated with him? All because Kitazawa needed teammates for the Exams? If so, Kitazawa’s influence ran deeper than Kabuto had ever imagined.

“How do you know so much about what happened?” Kitazawa asked casually.

“Yesterday at the hospital,” Kabuto explained, “the director and I treated injured Root members. I heard bits and pieces.”

“No wonder,” Kitazawa said.

Of course—Kabuto volunteered at Konoha Hospital on weekends, honing both Wind Release and Medical Ninjutsu. Kitazawa himself had cut back his hospital shifts lately, balancing Water Release training with the occasional high-level surgery, which was rare to encounter anyway.

“Kabuto, focus on Wind Release for now,” Kitazawa ordered.

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.” Kabuto gave Torune a glance before moving off to practice Vacuum Blade.

“Torune,” Kitazawa turned back, “what kind of training did you undergo in Root?”

Torune listed it out, and Kitazawa’s expression darkened. The methods were brutal—lethal, even. Root’s philosophy was simple: survive or die. And Torune’s survival owed as much to his deadly nano-poison insects as to luck. Their venom rivaled even Hanzō of the Salamander’s.

“Given your age, you’ve already endured more than enough,” Kitazawa said at last. “For now, train tree climbing and water walking with Shino. Focus on chakra control.”

It was a softer regimen than Root’s death trials, but Kitazawa knew Torune needed recovery, not more brutality.

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.” Torune accepted without hesitation—obedience was ingrained in him.

“Good. Both of you, start with tree climbing,” Kitazawa instructed, spending ten minutes going over the key points.

Before they began, Shino added, “Father asked me to tell you—the Aburame Clan has already started tracking the Nokizaru Group’s location.”

“Understood. Tell me as soon as you find it.” Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed.

The Nokizaru Group operated like Akatsuki—taking contracts, moving in shadows. Their base was harder to pin down, but once located, Kitazawa intended to wipe them out and seize the explosion insects.

No hesitation. Assassins like them had no place in mercy.

He created a shadow clone, leaving it behind to oversee Sasuke’s leaf training and field questions from the others, while his true body made for the lake.

There, Kiba practiced the Shadow Clone. Kitazawa observed, then nodded. A few more days and Kiba would be able to use it in combat, though his chakra reserves were still meager.

Satisfied, Kitazawa moved on to the lakeshore. Time to practice his second Water Release Jutsu.

He had nearly mastered the Water Dragon Bullet and tested it successfully in combat yesterday. Now he shifted to Water Wall. Yesterday’s battle had made something painfully clear—without defensive ninjutsu, protecting others was far too difficult.

Time slipped by. By afternoon, Kitazawa considered seeking Tsunade to begin Monster Strength training.

But not yet. In broad daylight, Tsunade and Shizune would inevitably be at the casino. And disturbing Tsunade mid-gamble?

Even Kitazawa wasn’t reckless enough for that.

The fourth afternoon class was, as usual, actual combat training.

Because Kitazawa had already given notice that morning, Sasuke, Naruto, Neji, and the others were all present.

“Before we begin, I have an announcement.”

Kitazawa’s voice carried a deep authority. “Hokage-sama asked me to tell you that last Friday’s Will of Fire Club event was a huge success. He’s very pleased.”

Cheers erupted instantly.

To be praised by the Hokage—what greater bragging rights could there be? Even if the compliment was aimed at the whole Will of Fire Club, every single student there was a member. That meant the praise belonged to them too.

Something to boast about for days.

“Also,” Kitazawa continued, his tone steady, “remember how I said the Student Council was only on trial? After this event, Hokage-sama has officially approved its establishment.”

“That’s awesome!” Naruto nearly jumped out of his seat.

He had felt genuine recognition during Friday’s event, and the thought of it all ending left him uneasy. But now—confirmation. The Student Council would stay until graduation. Five more years of planning events and standing out.

The rest of the students were just as thrilled. Not only were there prizes, but club events meant a day off from dull lectures. To them, it was a win-win.

“Of course,” Kitazawa raised a hand to quiet the cheering, “an official Student Council means we must choose its members.”

“How do we pick them?” Naruto leaned forward eagerly. “Is it through combat?”

“That’s right.” Kitazawa paused before adding, “A school-wide combat selection.”

“What?!” Naruto’s eyes lit up like fireworks. “Then the final winner will be number one in the entire school, right?”

Sasuke’s heart gave a sharp jolt. His brother had once held that very title—unbeaten across every grade.

Now the chance lay before him too.

But the pressure was crushing. He wasn’t even number one in his own class. How could he claim the top of the entire Academy?

Still… it wasn’t impossible. If he could awaken his Two-Tomoe Sharingan before the selection battles, he stood a chance.

“You could put it that way,” Kitazawa said with a small smile.

“In the name of youth, I’ll be the number one in school this time!” Naruto shouted, brimming with energy.

Kiba scoffed. “Don’t get cocky. Fifth and sixth graders are in this too. They’ve got four or five more years of training than us. Their strength is on a whole other level.”

Naruto shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Whoever they are—I’ll just beat them.”

“Hmph, don’t lose to me then,” Kiba muttered, thinking about the secret training Kitazawa had hinted at.

“I won’t hold back this time!” Naruto grinned.

“When did Kiba get so confident?” Shikamaru muttered, brow furrowed. Kiba, ranked seventh, talking big to Naruto, ranked first? Something wasn’t adding up.

“Maybe it’s Kitazawa-sensei’s special training,” Ino guessed. “He’s been practicing alone by the lake lately.”

“C’mon,” Choji said uncertainly. “Even Kitazawa-sensei can’t make Kiba stronger than Naruto… right?”

Shino adjusted his glasses calmly. “Kitazawa-sensei isn’t to be underestimated.”

Sakura blinked. “Since when did you trust Kitazawa-sensei that much?”

“I always have,” Shino replied without hesitation.

Shikamaru shot him a sidelong look. He knew Shino wasn’t saying that lightly.

Just yesterday, he’d noticed something strange: a Nara clansman who had once disappeared into Root was suddenly back home. Curiosity had led him to question his father, Shikaku, who revealed the truth—Tsunade had stormed into Root’s base, forcing them to regulate recruitment. The clans’ geniuses would no longer be stolen away with impunity.

At least, not openly.

And Kitazawa had been part of that incident too. Kabuto had confirmed it earlier that morning. That alone explained Shino’s shift in loyalty.

In fact, Shikaku had personally instructed Shikamaru to follow Kitazawa’s lead at school.

“Quiet.” Kitazawa’s voice cut through the chatter again. “The Student Council selection battles will replace this semester’s combat exam.”

The announcement startled both classes, though not as much as before. An exam was an exam, after all—merging them only made sense with the schedule so tight.

“To help you prepare and to sharpen your strength, I’ll be holding three combat tests a week between the two classes,” Kitazawa added, smiling.

“Nice!” Naruto pumped his fist. Actual battles suited him far more than textbooks.

Shikamaru sighed. “Great. Troublesome stuff, just as I feared.”

Kiba, on the other hand, wore an expression of regret. He hadn’t fully mastered Shadow Clones yet, and his new secret jutsu was still incomplete. For now, against Naruto or Sasuke, he’d only be a punching bag.

But soon… soon, he’d catch up.

“Combat tests…” Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. Without his Two-Tomoe Sharingan, he probably still couldn’t beat Yakumo. But maybe—just maybe—he could test genjutsu on Naruto again. Last time, Naruto had broken free instantly, and that mystery gnawed at him.

Neji’s gaze slid toward Sasuke. If the tests were inter-class, then he could face Sasuke directly. Perfect. He had recently mastered the first ten strikes of the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. This would be the ideal chance to test its force.

Yakumo and Hinata, by contrast, remained calm and reserved. They didn’t react much at all.

“The combat tests will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,” Kitazawa declared. “And today will be the first one. Matchups will be determined by random draw.”

He pulled out a small lottery box—the perfect tool for keeping the matchups under his control.

——————

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