Chapter 169: Chapter 169

The practical test finally came to an end.

Sasuke walked out of the Ninja Academy, his expression dark and brooding.

Losing to Uzumaki Naruto was painful, yes—but not something that broke him. Deep down, he was convinced that given another chance, he could turn the tables. Victory was always just within reach.

But his battle against Yakumo was different. That fight hadn’t just stung—it had left him with a heavy sense of despair. No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, he couldn’t see a path to victory.

Unlike Sasuke, Kiba left the Academy in high spirits, grinning ear to ear. He had won all three of his matches today.

The first two opponents had been unimpressive, nothing worth bragging about. But his last match had been against Ino, and that victory meant something. He had beaten her with his newly-learned Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Ino, still without the Mind Body Switch Jutsu, could only manage to control a single target. Against Kiba’s clones, she was overwhelmed.

The win filled Kiba with pride. If he could polish his mastery of the Hellhound Jutsu, perhaps one day he could even stand toe-to-toe with the likes of Sasuke and Naruto.

“I’m home!” Kiba shouted as he pushed open the door.

“You’re fifteen minutes late.”

Waiting for him was a sharp-eyed kunoichi with the same red fang markings on her cheeks. His mother, Inuzuka Tsume.

Her methods were as strict with her children as they were with her ninja hounds. In fact, Kiba remembered how, in the past, she had flipped the dinner table simply because he’d overslept. To Tsume, if you weren’t disciplined enough to wake on time, you didn’t deserve breakfast.

“There was another test today—it ran long,” Kiba quickly explained.

“Did you win?” Tsume’s tone was stern, though not unkind. She already knew about the scheduled test; that was the only reason she didn’t press him on his tardiness.

“All three matches!” Kiba replied eagerly. “And I even learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Tsume’s expression softened, just slightly. “Not bad.”

From across the room, Hana leaned in, sounding almost wistful. “Your sensei really is something. Ours never taught us Shadow Clone.”

“That’s true,” Tsume admitted after a pause. “Invite him to visit us when he’s free.”

“Okay.” Kiba nodded. After a moment of hesitation, he added, “Today, Kitazawa-sensei also taught me a secret jutsu.”

Tsume’s eyes narrowed. “The one you mentioned before?”

Kiba had told her earlier that Kitazawa intended to create a new clan-level jutsu. She hadn’t believed him then. When he’d begged her for permission, she’d reluctantly allowed him access to two of the clan’s hidden jutsu—never expecting Kitazawa would deliver on such an outrageous claim.

“Yes! That one,” Kiba said, practically glowing with admiration. “A jutsu that lets me fuse without a ninja hound!”

Tsume’s eyes widened. “And he actually created it… in such a short time?”

“I’ll show you.”

Kiba formed hand seals, created a Shadow Clone, and together they unleashed the Hellhound Jutsu. Their bodies merged into a two-headed beast.

The form, however, quickly collapsed.

“I just learned it today,” Kiba admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. “My coordination with the Shadow Clone isn’t good yet. Even walking is clumsy. The clone… thinks too much—it’s nothing like a loyal ninja dog.”

Tsume silently considered this. The Jutsu was clever but flawed—awkward to use, yet too valuable to ignore. It would be useful only for those rare clan members without a ninja hound, but even so, Kitazawa’s innovation exceeded her expectations.

After all, the Inuzuka clan’s Jutsus were rooted in Yang Release. For Kitazawa to craft something like this meant his command of Yang Release chakra was formidable.

Tsume’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’So the rumor is true.’

Ever since Lady Tsunade stormed into Root headquarters, whispers had been spreading. One of them claimed Kitazawa was her disciple—a fact never publicly confirmed. But after witnessing this new jutsu, Tsume was convinced.

Medical ninjutsu was also born of Yang Release. It only made sense that a skilled medical ninja could create a Yang-based secret Jutsu.

“Kiba, I’ll come with you to school tomorrow,” Tsume decided at last.

“Got it.” Kiba agreed without complaint. He already knew her intent. In his eyes, Kitazawa had given their clan something genuinely useful. Meeting him was only proper.

The next morning, Kitazawa opened his eyes and groaned. Every muscle in his body ached as if he’d been pummeled all night.

Well, that wasn’t too far from the truth. He had spent another grueling evening training Super Strength under Tsunade.

Now he finally understood why Might Gai was so obsessive about daily conditioning. Taijutsu demanded a body that could endure it.

After breakfast, Kitazawa headed for the academy’s training ground.

“Kitazawa-sensei.”

Karin noticed him first. She walked up, expectant.

“I’ve prepared five sets of practice papers for you,” Kitazawa said with a small smile. “One each day. I’ll check them next Thursday.”

“Okay,” Karin replied without hesitation. Unlike Naruto, she had no dislike for written work.

“During winter break, I’ll start teaching you ninjutsu.” He patted her head gently. “Your goal is top ten in the written exam.”

“Top ten? I’ll do my best!” Karin declared with determination. Harder than the Grass Village? Definitely not.

“Good. Keep studying then.” Kitazawa turned away.

Just then, glowing text appeared before his eyes—an invisible system prompt only he could see.

Mission complete. Reward issued.

His chakra surged. In an instant, it grew by nearly a fifth. His stamina and recovery spiked as well.

Kitazawa clenched his fist.

Now, he carried twenty percent of the Senju clan’s bloodline.

If this was only twenty percent, what kind of changes awaited him at full completion?

Of course, “Senju bloodline” didn’t mean Hashirama’s. At best, it would resemble Tsunade’s level—or perhaps a little beyond. He would know when the time came.

Next on his list: helping Naruto learn the Rasengan. That mission promised another twenty percent.

He resisted the urge to cut himself with a kunai to test his new resilience. There was a better method—pushing further in his Super Strength training that evening. With this boost, he’d be able to endure much more.

Kitazawa’s eyes shifted to Kiba. From his pouch, he withdrew the storage scroll Tsume had given him.

He unsealed it and raised a brow.

Much like the scroll from Shibi Aburame, it contained secret medicines, specialized ninja tools… and three million ryo.

“Eight million ryo, just like that.” Kitazawa sighed. The problem was, what was he even supposed to buy?

Standard tools rarely cost more than a few hundred ryo. Even the pricey ones were barely a thousand.

The only exception: chakra-metal weapons. They were rare, sharp, and conducted chakra seamlessly. Asuma’s twin blades, for example, were said to cost twenty million.

Shaking his head, Kitazawa tucked the scroll away and returned to practice. His Water Release training consumed the rest of the day.

Time slipped by in a flash.

After classes ended, Kitazawa was about to head home when a familiar silhouette appeared at the academy gate.

“Kitazawa-sensei.”

Shibi approached, his voice direct and steady. “We’ve located the Nokizaru group.”

Kitazawa didn’t look surprised. When a clan like the Aburame mobilized its full strength, tracking down an enemy organization was only natural.

“When do you intend to move out?” he asked.

“Considering your teaching schedule, we’ve set it for Saturday,” Shibi replied thoughtfully.

“Then I’ll trouble you, Clan Head Shibi.” Kitazawa smiled faintly. “I’ll meet you at nine in the morning.”

The Explosive Insects mission hardly worried him. With the Aburame Clan operating in full force, it was practically guaranteed success. In fact, it was an opportunity—if any clan members were accidentally infected, he could perform the highly difficult removal surgery himself. A chance to hone his skills while earning their gratitude.

After parting ways with Shibi, Kitazawa returned to Yuhi’s home, only to find Tsunade already waiting at the door.

“Lady Tsunade, why have you been coming back so early these past two days?” Kitazawa asked curiously.

“Naturally, to teach you Super Strength.” Tsunade cracked her knuckles with a sly smile. “Today’s lesson will be actual combat.”

“…?” Kitazawa blinked slowly, practically radiating a question mark.

Are you frustrated from losing too much lately and now planning to vent on me? He swallowed the thought—voicing it would only worsen her mood.

“Come.” Tsunade strode to face him, planting her feet firmly. “Only Taijutsu.”

Kitazawa inhaled deeply and sprang forward.

In an instant, he closed the distance.

“Good speed,” Tsunade remarked before lazily throwing a punch—yet that punch carried the full weight of her monstrous strength.

Their fists clashed. Chakra waves rippled out, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Kitazawa was driven back several steps, his arm ringing from the impact.

“Your strength has grown since yesterday,” Tsunade admitted, eyes narrowing in intrigue. She had gauged his limits over the past two days, and this leap in power was no ordinary improvement. He had broken through again—a rare thing, even for shinobi.

Kitazawa steadied himself, shaking the numbness from his right arm. Her blows were as crushing as ever. Truly, one of the legendary Sannin.

“Again.” Tsunade beckoned.

Kitazawa flickered forward! His body scattered into drifting leaves. Tsunade pivoted, catching his feint, and drove a kick backward.

Bang!

Kitazawa crossed his arms to block, teeth gritted against the numbing shock, before countering with a swift kick toward her midsection.

Ineffective. Tsunade slipped back, slammed her heel into the ground, and split the earth in a jagged crater. Kitazawa pulled away just in time to keep his footing, but her next punch was already arcing toward him.

Super Strength!

He met her blow with his own, and the force sent him flying. Mid-air, he twisted, landing smoothly, and pressed forward again.

The spar stretched on, the clash of fists echoing through the night until the clock struck half past eight.

“Not bad,” Tsunade said at last, watching him sprawl across the floor, gasping for air. “Half an hour longer than yesterday. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

“La… Lady Tsunade, goodbye,” Kitazawa wheezed, too drained to even lift a hand.

Still, he had to admit—the trace of Senju blood in his veins was paying off.

After resting briefly, he dragged himself up, stretching out his sore limbs. Grueling as it was, this training doubled as brutal conditioning.

Before long, the weekend arrived.

Saturday, 9 AM sharp, Kitazawa arrived at the Aburame compound. The previous day’s academy test—the third practical—he’d left untouched. Targeting Sasuke three times in a row would have been too blatant. Twice a week was enough.

“Kitazawa-sensei.”

Shibi stepped forward to greet him.

“Clan Head Shibi.” Kitazawa straightened, his eyes sweeping the gathering. The Aburame had assembled nearly their entire elite force—Shibi himself, accompanied by eight Jonin. A testament to the mission’s gravity.

“The Nokizaru group’s base lies in a valley within the Land of Iron,” Shibi explained as they moved. “They number twenty-seven, but only five are Jonin.”

Kitazawa gave a small nod. Not bad at all for an unofficial ninja organization.

The Land of Iron—neutral ground in the shinobi world, home to the samurai. Though they wielded chakra much like ninja, their nation’s neutrality gave it unique weight—hence why the second Five Kage Summit would one day be held there.

By evening, the group reached the valley.

“Kitazawa-sensei, wait here.” Shibi adjusted his glasses. “We’ll strike under cover of night and crush the Nokizaru group in a single blow.”

Versatility was the Aburame Clan’s trademark. Their kikaichū could scout, heal, attack, defend—few clans could match that adaptability, not even the Uchiha.

“Understood. Don’t worry about me.” Kitazawa paused, then added, “If anyone is infected by an Explosion bug, no matter what, don’t channel chakra.”

“We know.”

With a wave, Shibi led the Jonin into the valley.

Moments later, screams echoed.

Kitazawa sighed, then joined the fray, loosing bursts of Fire Release and Wind Release to support them.

Half an hour later, glowing text flashed before his eyes:

“Current Mission: Assist the Aburame Clan in obtaining the Explosion Insect.”

“Mission Reward: White Zetsu’s Body Substitution Jutsu..”

“Mission complete. Reward issued.”

A flood of new knowledge surged into Kitazawa’s mind.

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