Chapter 168: Chapter 168

Eight o’clock in the evening.

Tsunade’s lesson on Super Strength finally came to an end.

Dragging his worn-out body, Kitazawa stumbled into Kurenai’s home. Without a word, he collapsed onto the sofa, utterly drained—he didn’t even want to lift a single pinky finger.

Super Strength wasn’t just physically exhausting—it burned through mental energy too. Even with his little “cheat,” Kitazawa couldn’t endure it for long. Lasting three whole hours had already impressed Tsunade.

Soft footsteps drew his attention.

Kurenai’s charming face appeared in his vision as she bent slightly to look at him. The shift in her posture caused her loose clothing to dip, outlining her figure more than usual.

“You’ve been working hard, Kitazawa,” she said gently.

The echoes of his earlier training had been loud; she had noticed them long before he walked in. She didn’t need to ask—anyone would know that learning Super Strength was a torment.

“I’ll give you a massage,” she decided after a moment, then sat on the sofa. “Rest your head on my lap.”

“Thanks.”

Kitazawa didn’t refuse. His head sank against her thighs, which were still wrapped in bandages. From that angle, he could see her abdomen all the way to her face. He couldn’t help but think of Tsunade—if it were her, he probably wouldn’t even see her chin from here.

Kurenai’s hands moved to his temples, kneading gently. Kitazawa shut his eyes, inhaling the faint, soothing fragrance around her.

“Did Lady Tsunade accept you as her student?” Kurenai asked curiously.

It was a fair question. Aside from medical ninjutsu, Super Strength was Tsunade’s most famous taijutsu—one of her very hallmarks.

“No.”

“That’s odd,” Kurenai frowned. “She’s already taught you so many techniques.”

“She’s just… preoccupied with other things,” Kitazawa replied casually. “Once she sorts them out, she’ll take me on properly.”

“That’s good, then.” Kurenai nodded. As his girlfriend, she naturally hoped he’d go further—and becoming Tsunade’s disciple would be a giant step in that direction.

“Turn on your side,” she instructed after ten minutes.

Kitazawa rolled over immediately.

“Face outward!” she snapped when she realized where his eyes had wandered.

Of course, he ignored her, nestling against her thigh and gazing toward her waist. Unfortunately, her clothes were long enough to cover everything thoroughly.

“You’re not listening,” Kurenai muttered, annoyed, and rubbed his face hard with her palm.

“I’m too tired to move,” Kitazawa replied solemnly.

“Always an excuse.” Kurenai sighed but resumed massaging anyway, her nimble fingers soothing his temples.

“Yuhi, you’re amazing,” Kitazawa murmured, touched.

“As long as you know,” she answered with a soft hmph.

“Next time, I’ll massage you.”

“Pervert!” Kurenai blurted, cheeks heating. “What kind of massage? You’re just taking advantage of me!”

“I’m not that kind of guy,” Kitazawa protested smoothly. “A real massage—nothing else. If you don’t believe me, let me prove it.”

“I won’t fall for such a lame provocation,” she rolled her eyes.

“As expected of Yuhi—clever and beautiful,” Kitazawa said with exaggerated admiration.

“Why do you talk so much?” Despite herself, her lips curved slightly. “Turn over. I’ll get your other side.”

He obeyed reluctantly. Though he couldn’t see her face anymore, his gaze landed on her pale thighs beyond the bandages. His hand crept up before he even realized it.

“Don’t mess around!” Kurenai scolded sharply.

“This isn’t messing around,” Kitazawa grinned, giving her thigh a firm squeeze. “It’s called returning the favor.”

Her legs stiffened at the sudden sensation, her toes curling instinctively before relaxing again.

“Bastard!” she hissed, increasing the pressure of her massage.

To Kitazawa, however, the added strength only made it feel better.

“Enough! That’s the end of your massage!” Kurenai finally snapped, unable to stand his wandering hands.

“Thanks,” Kitazawa said brightly, sitting up. “I feel completely recharged now.”

“Then make dinner. I’m hungry.” She pouted, crossing her arms.

“Got it.”

He kissed her cheek, then walked into the kitchen. Kurenai watched his retreating back, and despite herself, a smile tugged at her lips.

—

The next day.

Compared to yesterday, today was far lighter. After arranging the students’ special training, Kitazawa returned to his office. Two tasks awaited him.

First: prepare test questions for Karin.

She had been tasked with ranking in the top ten for the final exam’s theoretical portion. Luckily, as the head of the academic affairs, Kitazawa already understood the teachers’ patterns in setting questions. With the limited first-year material, he could predict almost everything that might appear.

His plan was simple: five sets of practice papers every week. Karin would have her tutoring plus homework. In a way, it was cheating—but only a little. He’d done the same with Hinata and Naruto before. Once their tasks were complete, there was no need for endless drilling.

Second: research Kiba’s new secret technique.

The test papers were easy; he finished those in an hour. But the jutsu was another story. Fortunately, he wasn’t starting from scratch. He had two of the Inuzuka clan’s secret arts as references: Beast Clone (D-rank) and Human-Beast Combination Transformation: Two-Headed Wolf (B-rank).

His plan was to build off Beast Clone and blend elements of the Two-Headed Wolf, aiming for at least a C-rank jutsu. A B-rank was too difficult—too time-consuming for him to create, and too demanding for Kiba to learn. A C-rank, however, would be perfect.

The Inuzuka’s techniques were rooted in Yang Release, since they involved genuine transformations of the body, not just illusions. Kitazawa’s advanced skill in Yang Release Chakra Transformation became crucial here. Combined with the idea already forming in his mind, his progress was steady.

Tuesday slipped by, and soon enough, Wednesday rolled around.

“Kitazawa-sensei! I did it!”

The moment Kitazawa arrived at the Lake, he was greeted by Kiba’s overly excited shout.

He turned his head, and sure enough, standing next to Kiba was… Kiba again. A perfect Shadow Clone.

“How’s that?” Kiba asked impatiently, eyes sparkling.

“Not bad,” Kitazawa said after giving it a glance. “You’ve already managed the Shadow Clone Jutsu.”

“Hah! I knew it—I really am a genius!” Kiba puffed out his chest proudly.

“You’ve only just started,” Kitazawa countered, shaking his head. “Being able to form one clone is good, but you’ll need more practice if you want to create several.”

“It’s just that my chakra isn’t enough…” Kiba muttered, then grumbled with envy, “If I had as much chakra as Naruto, I’d crush him easily.”

Kitazawa chuckled helplessly. “You’re good at daydreaming, I’ll give you that.”

“People need dreams to aim for!” Kiba shot back, but his expression quickly shifted to hopeful curiosity. “Kitazawa-sensei… do you know a way to increase my chakra?”

“If I did, would I really be wasting it on you?” Kitazawa gave him a sharp look. “Chakra reserves are something you’re born with. They can’t be changed.”

Of course, that wasn’t entirely true. There were methods, but all came with serious drawbacks.

Takigakure’s Hero Water could boost chakra, but at the cost of one’s lifespan—trading HP for MP, in simple terms. And then there was the far more “convenient” path of becoming a Jinchūriki. But with only nine Tailed Beasts in existence, the odds of that happening were slim to none.

“Alright, enough about that. Let’s move on to your new secret technique.” Kitazawa redirected the conversation.

Kiba’s eyes widened. “Wait—you already made a new one?” His excitement and relief were impossible to hide.

Kitazawa gave a small nod.

“As expected of you, Kitazawa-sensei! Truly omnipotent!” Kiba grinned, trying to butter him up.

It hadn’t been easy convincing his clan to hand over two of their secret jutsu for Kitazawa to study—after all, Kitazawa wasn’t an Inuzuka. But now, with a brand-new technique to show, Kiba could already imagine the stunned faces of his clansmen.

“Alright then—who’s going to be the ninja hound?” Kitazawa asked, glancing around.

“The Shadow Clone, of course!” Kiba answered immediately.

“I refuse!” the clone shot back without hesitation.

“I’m the original—you have to obey me!” Kiba demanded, utterly confused.

“Why should I?” the clone retorted, folding its arms. “My life is mine, not yours. A clone’s life is still a life!”

“I can dispel you anytime I want!” Kiba snapped, trying to save face.

“And yet, no matter what, Shadow Clones eventually disappear. What’s the difference?” The clone shrugged.

“You—you—!” Kiba was left speechless.

Kitazawa laughed quietly to himself. As expected. Shadow Clones had independent will. They’d handle small tasks without complaint, but something humiliating like playing the role of a dog? Not so easy.

Kiba turned to Kitazawa with pleading eyes.

“Shadow Clones are like that,” Kitazawa explained. “If you wouldn’t willingly be the ninja dog, neither will he. After all, you’re the same person at the core.”

Kiba’s face twisted through several expressions before he finally clenched his teeth. “…Fine. I’ll be the ninja dog!”

For the sake of ranking higher in the final exam, he’d pay the price.

“This technique is called Hellhound,” Kitazawa explained once the roles were settled.

The principle was simple: Kiba and his Shadow Clone would fuse together into a two-headed beast. In the future, when Kiba could make multiple clones or use his actual ninja hound, the form could evolve into a three-headed version. That was why Kitazawa chose the name Hellhound.

It resembled the Inuzuka clan’s Two-Headed Wolf Transformation, though this version was weaker. Its key advantage? It didn’t require an actual ninja hound to perform.

“Understand?” Kitazawa asked after half an hour of explanation.

Kiba let out a breath. “Yeah. So basically, I’m not transforming into a dog—I’m just filling the dog’s role in the combination.”

“Exactly. Now, begin.”

Kitazawa stepped back, watching closely.

Kiba and his clone faced each other, weaving hand signs in unison. Their chakra flared, weaving together like threads.

“Now—combine!” Kiba shouted.

He and his clone leapt forward, colliding as chakra wrapped around them. In an instant, the two became a fearsome, snarling two-headed dog.

“It looks successful,” Kitazawa murmured, raising an eyebrow.

But that impression lasted only a second—because the beast promptly tripped and collapsed face-first into the dirt.

“Left leg first, idiot!” Kiba barked. “How can you not even know how to walk?!”

“Why should I move left first?” the clone snapped back. “You’re the one who doesn’t know how to walk!”

The two heads began bickering immediately.

In the clan’s original Two-Headed Wolf Transformation, the ninja held dominance over the hound, eliminating coordination problems. But here, with two equal minds sharing one body, it was chaos. This was the true difficulty of mastering Hellhound.

“Kiba, the final exam is less than a month away,” Kitazawa reminded.

“…Tch.” Kiba fell silent.

The clone smirked. “Don’t forget—you’re the dog now. A ninja dog should obey its master.”

“Damn it!” Kiba gritted his teeth. “…Fine, you lead.”

“That’s better.” The clone laughed smugly.

Kiba swallowed his pride, feeling utterly humiliated. Deep down, he cursed the Second Hokage for ever designing Shadow Clones with independent wills.

Still, Kitazawa was satisfied. Forcing himself into the role of the dog meant Kiba had at least taken the first step toward learning Hellhound. Control would take time, but since he and his clone were essentially the same person, their potential was enormous.

Leaving them to practice, Kitazawa wandered back to the lakeside to train his Water Release: Water Wall.

Time passed quickly, and afternoon arrived.

The last lesson of the day was, as always, practical combat.

Both classes gathered at the training ground.

“Do you know what day it is?” Naruto asked excitedly, bouncing on his feet.

“Wednesday,” Kiba said dryly, already guessing. “Which means another sparring test.”

“Exactly!” Naruto’s fists clenched, his grin wide. “I can’t wait to see who I’m up against today!”

“Probably Sasuke again,” Shikamaru yawned, too lazy to care.

“I won’t lose this time,” Sasuke cut in suddenly. His brother Itachi had taught him the Body Flicker Technique—and with the Sharingan, he was confident in landing a decisive strike.

“Of course, Sasuke-kun will win!” Sakura cheered loudly.

Sasuke’s mouth twitched. ’Please… stop talking.’

“Out of seventy students, what are the odds you’d fight Naruto again?” Ino rolled her eyes. “You’ll probably face Yakumo this time.”

Sasuke froze. Against Yakumo, he wasn’t so sure. Genjutsu duels weren’t about tactics—they were contests of raw Yin Release strength. And his was weaker.

“It’s just a spar,” Choji said, shrugging. “No need to get worked up.”

“Choji’s right,” Shikamaru agreed lazily.

“Alright, everyone—line up and draw lots,” Kitazawa announced, stepping into view.

The students shuffled forward one by one.

“I’m number four,” Yakumo said.

“Number seventeen for me,” Naruto muttered in disappointment.

“…Number four,” Sasuke said after a long silence.

Ino gasped. “No way—it really happened!”

“Please take care of me,” Yakumo said with a gentle smile.

“…” Sasuke had no words.

“Students holding number four, step forward,” Kitazawa instructed with a sly smile. He had arranged this match on purpose.

The two took their places in the arena, forming the Seal of Confrontation.

“Begin.”

Sasuke vanished in a blur—the Body Flicker Jutsu. He closed in fast, aiming to end it before Yakumo could react.

But Yakumo was no ordinary opponent. Startled, she nevertheless activated her Genjutsu instantly, without even needing hand signs.

Sasuke’s surprise attack crumbled as he was drawn into the illusion.

“So he’s learned Body Flicker, has he?” Kitazawa raised a brow, faintly impressed. Sasuke’s approach was tactically sound; against most Genjutsu users, sudden close combat would have worked. Unfortunately, Yakumo wasn’t “most.”

The rest of the battle resembled the previous month’s exam. Sasuke tried everything, but he couldn’t break Yakumo’s Genjutsu. In the end, he was left utterly defeated and disheartened.

“Overall, today’s performances weren’t bad,” Kitazawa concluded after the last match. “The next combat test will be on Friday. Use the time to prepare yourselves.”

——————

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