Chapter 167: Chapter 167

Drawing lots was nothing new for the students of both classes.

Every monthly assessment involved drawing for practical matchups, so without Kitazawa needing to say a word, the students lined up and approached one by one to draw their numbers.

“I got number twenty-seven.”

Naruto Uzumaki announced it proudly, immediately looking around with an impatient grin. “So, who’s my opponent?”

With more than seventy students combined from both classes, the number of lots was nearly double that of their usual monthly exams.

“I’m number twenty-seven.”

Sasuke Uchiha stepped forward, face unreadable. “Your opponent is me.”

“What—Sasuke?!” Naruto’s grin only widened. “Perfect! Let’s have another showdown, dattebayo!”

“Last time was last time,” Sasuke replied coolly, hands stuffed in his pockets. “This time, I won’t lose.”

“Me neither!” Naruto beamed, eyes full of excitement.

“Good thing I didn’t draw you two.”

Kiba let out a relieved sigh after checking his number. His opponent wasn’t Shikamaru or Hinata either.

“Looks like luck’s on your side this time,” Shikamaru said with a small smile.

“Don’t celebrate yet.” Shino’s voice was quiet but cutting. “This is just the first round.”

Kiba froze on the spot.

“The two students who drew number one, step forward,” Kitazawa called, putting away the lottery box.

Only Naruto and Sasuke’s lots had been tampered with; everyone else’s was pure chance.

Two boys from different classes walked out hesitantly. After a brief exchange, the student from Second Year Class A secured victory—unsurprisingly, given his extra year of training.

Time flowed quickly as other matches followed.

Neji, Shino, Sakura, and others took the stage in turn, each dispatching their opponents with relative ease since they hadn’t drawn each other.

By now, the first round was nearly finished.

“The two students with number twenty-seven, prepare yourselves.”

Kitazawa’s smile hinted at his anticipation—the main event was about to begin.

Naruto and Sasuke strode into the arena side by side.

“Sasuke-kun, good luck!”

The girls, led by Sakura, cheered excitedly from the sidelines.

Naruto’s lips curled in mock annoyance. “Sasuke, you’re really popular, huh?”

It wasn’t just Class A—many of the older students were also rooting for Sasuke.

“Naruto!”

Lee raised a gleaming thumbs-up. “Show the fire of youth!”

“I will!” Naruto shouted, instantly fired up. “For youth!”

Sasuke’s eye twitched. Old memories he’d rather forget crept up uninvited.

“Begin!” Kitazawa called once they’d exchanged the Seal of Confrontation.

“Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Naruto wasted no time, filling the arena with countless clones.

“Fire Release: Great Fireball jutsu!”

Sasuke countered smoothly. He knew Naruto well enough—his fighting style was reckless, yes, but that didn’t make him easy prey. Shadow Clones were already a terrifying jutsu at the Academy level, and soon their clash reached a tense stalemate.

Sasuke’s strategy was clear: slip a Genjutsu into Naruto’s defenses. That was his best shot at victory.

The moment he spotted the real Naruto among the clones, his Sharingan flared.

“Genjutsu: Bubble!”

Naruto’s vision warped—Sasuke dissolved into a swarm of crows, then vanished. But before the illusion could fully settle, Naruto’s sight cleared, and the crows were gone.

“Wait—what?!”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. He had cast Genjutsu properly, but still naruto broke out easily, like last time.

Shadow Clones swarmed again, forcing him back.

“Naruto, let’s keep going!”

Naruto bounced back, energy undimmed.

Sasuke answered with another roaring fireball. Smoke and flames burst across the arena, dispelling several clones.

But from the side—

“Leaf Great Whirlwind!”

Naruto’s kick came flying. Sasuke reacted with his own counter-kick. Their legs clashed, the shock rattling both, but Naruto’s raw strength pushed Sasuke back.

“Genjutsu: Bubble!”

Unfazed, Sasuke seized another chance. Again, Naruto was caught. Again, he broke free instantly.

This time, Sasuke didn’t hesitate. Already lunging forward, kunai in hand, he slashed—only for the blade to meet resistance.

“You’re still wearing weights?!” Sasuke blurted out in disbelief.

The kunai hadn’t pierced through—Naruto’s metal wristbands had blocked the strike.

“Oh—uh, I forgot to take them off.” Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. Every morning, he wore his training weights with Gai-sensei. He hadn’t thought about them at all during Kitazawa’s surprise exam.

“Damn it!” Sasuke cursed, furious. He slashed again—but in his frustration, forgot about the circling clones.

“Got you!”

A whirlwind kick knocked him off balance. He twisted midair, landing hard, only to find himself immediately surrounded.

“Naruto, not the face!” Sakura screamed.

“That’s enough.”

Kitazawa raised his hand, ending the match before things escalated.

Naruto immediately dispelled his clones and rushed to Sasuke’s side.

“You okay, Sasuke?”

Sasuke was conscious, but humiliation burned hotter than pain. Twice, his Genjutsu had failed. Twice, he had lost. If he counted the incident in Yakumo’s illusion and the last spar, that made four.

This was unbearable.

His fists clenched tightly. Why? Why was the Uchiha clan’s pride—Genjutsu—useless against him?

“Sasuke-kun, let me heal you!” Sakura rushed over, worry plastered across her face.

Kitazawa watched quietly, satisfied. Sasuke’s bitterness was exactly what he wanted to provoke. Yet, there was progress too—the cold edge in Sasuke’s eyes had only sharpened further.

The tests went on. Kitazawa even gave Sasuke two wins in the next rounds, careful not to break him entirely. There would be time to push further—Wednesday, perhaps.

At last, the day wound down.

“Everyone did well in today’s practical exam.” Kitazawa clapped once. “That’s all. Go rest early.”

“Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!”

The students dispersed, buzzing with talk of Naruto and Sasuke’s duel.

Sasuke, face impassive, brushed past Sakura without so much as a glance and turned to leave.

He might have won his matches in the second and third rounds, but his opponents had been far too weak. Victory felt hollow.

“Sasuke.”

The familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Brother?”

Sasuke’s expression instantly shifted, surprise lighting his face. “Why are you back today?”

“I wrapped up a mission yesterday,” Itachi explained calmly, placing a gentle hand on his brother’s head. “I have some free time today. But… why do you look so downcast?”

Sasuke’s lips tightened as he admitted reluctantly, “I lost to Naruto again in class.”

“As a shinobi, wins and losses are part of the path,” Itachi reassured him. “No one can always win.”

The last time Sasuke had lost to Naruto, Itachi had looked into the matter himself. Truth be told… it wasn’t an undeserved defeat. At seven years old, even he would have struggled against an opponent capable of summoning an army of shadow clones.

“Brother, have you ever lost before?”

Sasuke’s dark eyes looked up curiously. To him, Itachi was untouchable—an unmatched genius of the Uchiha clan.

“Of course,” Itachi answered quietly, a shadow flickering across his expression. “Once, I was utterly defeated… I nearly lost my life.”

A masked figure surfaced in his mind. The day his Sharingan awakened. If that man had not spared him, he would have shared his teammates’ fate.

“What?”

Sasuke’s eyes went wide, disbelief written all over his face.

“This is the shinobi world, Sasuke,” Itachi said gently, his calm tone returning. “There will always be enemies stronger than us. Better to stumble here, in the Academy, than when you’re on real missions.”

“…I guess so.” Sasuke nodded, though his voice betrayed his lingering doubt.

“Come,” Itachi said, rising with a faint smile. “I’ll be free for the next couple of days. I’ll teach you genjutsu.”

Sasuke tilted his head. “You seem… oddly cheerful today, brother.”

“Do I?” Itachi paused, then gave a rare, honest reply. “Maybe it’s just because I’m happy to see you.”

The truth was different. Tsunade’s brazen assault on Root had triggered a rare moment of peace between the Uchiha clan and the village. Root had been dealt a heavy blow, forcing Danzo to turn his attention entirely on Tsunade. Even Fugaku, influenced by Itachi’s role in the affair, had ordered restraint among the Uchiha, cooling tensions. For once, the clan could breathe.

If only Shisui were still alive to see it.

“I don’t want to learn genjutsu,” Sasuke muttered suddenly, stepping into the courtyard. His voice carried a note of frustration. “It doesn’t work on Naruto.”

“…Doesn’t work?” Itachi’s brows furrowed.

“That’s right,” Sasuke grumbled. “I tried twice today and once another time—he dispelled them instantly.”

Itachi’s mind sharpened. Impossible. To dispel genjutsu that quickly, one needed either Mangekyō Sharingan… or to be a perfect jinchūriki.

He swallowed the explanation. Sasuke wasn’t ready to hear it. And if such a truth slipped out, Sarutobi would move swiftly, jeopardizing the fragile peace the Uchiha had gained.

“How about this instead?” Itachi offered after a pause. “I’ll teach you the Body Flicker jutsu.”

Sasuke’s eyes lit up immediately. “Yes! I’ll learn that!”

Genjutsu might fail against Naruto, but speed—true, blinding speed—could turn the tide. After all, he had once lost to Hinata for the very same reason: the Leaf Body Flicker.

Meanwhile, after class, Kitazawa made his way to Kurenai’s home. He stopped at the doorstep, though, noticing the door next to hers—the one belonging to Tsunade and Shizune—was ajar.

“You’re back early today?” he remarked curiously, knocking as he stepped over.

Shizune peeked out and let out a relieved breath. “Oh, it’s you.”

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve just seen your savior,” Kitazawa teased.

“All day,” Shizune sighed, “people have been flooding in to see Lady Tsunade. She hasn’t had a moment’s rest.”

“Who came?” Kitazawa asked, pausing.

“Almost every major clan, and plenty of chūnin and jōnin too,” Shizune replied.

“Ah… related to Root, isn’t it?” Kitazawa guessed.

Shizune nodded. “They all came to thank her.”

“As they should.” Kitazawa smirked. “Being freed from Root’s grasp is no small thing.”

“Come inside,” Shizune said, shutting the door behind him.

“I said I’m not seeing anyone!” Tsunade’s irritated voice rang from the living room before he could even enter.

“Why so grumpy, Lady Tsunade?” Kitazawa asked, glancing around. The corner of the room was piled high with gifts, forming a miniature mountain.

“Kitazawa?” Tsunade scowled when she spotted him. “Don’t tell me you’re done with school already? Damn! I didn’t even get to the casino today!”

“Not gambling for one day isn’t a loss,” Kitazawa countered smoothly. For someone who always lost, skipping the casino meant guaranteed profit.

“Hmph. Fine, I’ll make up for it tomorrow,” she muttered. “This time I’ll leave early, before the crowds block my door again.”

“They brought you gifts, Lady Tsunade. Shouldn’t you be happy?” Kitazawa asked, pointing at the stacked presents.

Tsunade pouted. “Gifts are just excuses. What they’re really doing is pledging loyalty.”

The truth gnawed at her. If she wanted, she could topple Sarutobi tomorrow and sit in the Hokage’s chair. That, more than anything, was what frustrated her.

“You came at the perfect time,” she said suddenly, her irritation shifting to a sly smile. “I’ll teach you the Strength of a Hundred Seal—right now.”

“…How about tomorrow?” Kitazawa asked warily, already sensing trouble.

“Stop whining!” Tsunade barked, cracking her knuckles. “Outside. Now.”

Kitazawa sighed. He wanted to argue, but there was no winning against Tsunade. Reluctantly, he followed.

Shizune blinked in shock, frozen in place. Was Kitazawa already ready to learn the Strength of a Hundred Seal? If he mastered the Yin Seal too… he’d be the second coming of Tsunade. Worse, his strength already surpassed hers—her title of “senpai” would be meaningless.

Outside, Tsunade took Kitazawa’s wrist, her face thoughtful. “Hmm. Your chakra reserves are impressive.”

Kitazawa stayed silent. His natural reserves weren’t extraordinary, but his hidden advantage boosted him far beyond most shinobi—even surpassing Kakashi. And with his Senju bloodline slowly strengthening, his chakra would only keep growing.

“The Strength of a Hundred Seal,” Tsunade began, releasing him, “isn’t just about raw power. It’s about storing vast amounts of chakra in one place, then unleashing it in an instant.”

Half an hour later, Kitazawa had already grasped the fundamentals.

Simple in theory. Demanding in practice.

It required exquisite chakra control to condense power instantly. That was why Tsunade had checked him first. If his chakra were insufficient, the jutsu would cripple him instead of empower him.

But with her Senju heritage and Yin Seal reservoir, Tsunade had no such limits. In her hands, the Strength of a Hundred Seal was a weapon rivaling even S-rank or forbidden jutsu.

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