Chapter 173: Chapter 173

Hokage’s Office

“Kitazawa, your three students have truly surprised me,” Hiruzen said with a broad smile.

Kitazawa instantly understood.

That crafty old man must have been peeking again—using his crystal ball to watch Kabuto and the others fight.

His gaze flicked to the crystal ball sitting on the table.

Once Tsunade took over as Hokage, he had to get his hands on that thing. Leaving it with Hiruzen was far too dangerous.

“I recall you mentioning you were only filling in as their temporary squad leader?” Hiruzen asked while tapping his pipe.

“Mm.” Kitazawa nodded.

“Your students’ talent and strength are among the best of their generation. On top of that, their teamwork is remarkable,” Hiruzen continued slowly. “I believe this squad of yours should be kept together.”

Kitazawa blinked in surprise. Reasonable, yes, but still unexpected.

After all, this team’s potential was frightening. Splitting them up wouldn’t destroy their futures, but when geniuses gathered in one place, something special happened. Especially in group battles, they were practically untouchable—complementing one another perfectly.

Kabuto, with his clever mind, provided tactics and strategies. He doubled as both a medical ninja and wind release user, acting as a healer and support.

Izumi, wielding the Sharingan, balanced combat and control with ease.

And Torune… not only could he scout and fight, but his nano-sized venomous insects gave the squad the ability to challenge opponents far above their level.

The team was complete, balanced, and dangerous.

Hiruzen saw what Kitazawa already knew—once they matured, they could handle missions few others could. A huge boon for Konoha.

“My proposal is simple: you continue as their squad leader,” Hiruzen said after a pause. “If you refuse, then Kakashi will take the role.”

Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi were too young to grow without a capable leader. And in Hiruzen’s eyes, Kitazawa was the obvious choice. Not only for his own strength, but because he was the one who had unearthed them in the first place. Without him, Root’s hidden gems—Kabuto and Torune—would never have been revealed. Even Izumi, who once underperformed in her old squad, had flourished only after losing the deadweight that had held her back.

Kitazawa hesitated.

Originally, his plan was simple—help Kabuto through the Chunin Exams, clear a system mission, and be done with it. Once Kabuto made Chunin, he could form his own teams. Easy.

But now, Hiruzen wanted this team preserved, and that complicated things.

Unlike other Jonin leaders, Kitazawa already had a full-time job at the Academy. Sure, he could lead them, but realistically? He only had weekends free for missions.

Just then, glowing text appeared before his eyes:

[Your performance in the Chunin Exams has earned the Hokage’s recognition; he has granted you permission to become a squad leader.]

[Current Mission: Lead your squad to complete 90 D-rank missions within one month and make a name for yourselves.]

[Mission Reward: Lightning Release: Chidori.]

[Do you accept?]

…Oh, system, you sly fox.

Kitazawa almost wanted to laugh. What performance? From start to finish, it had been Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi shining while he watched from the sidelines. Yet somehow, he ended up as the MVP.

Still, once he saw the reward, he swallowed his complaints.

Chidori. One of the most iconic jutsu in the series. Created by Kakashi. Perfected by Sasuke. If Naruto had Rasengan to the very end, Sasuke had Chidori—spawning countless variations like Chidori Stream, Chidori Blade, and even the Six Paths Chidori.

How could he say no?

“Since Hokage-sama insists, I’ll accept,” Kitazawa finally said.

Besides, with his growing chakra reserves, he could manage. Worst case, he’d send a Shadow Clone to cover teaching duties while he handled missions. And when his three students inevitably reached Jonin level, the squad would dissolve naturally—four Jonin in a squad would be overkill anyway. With their talent, that day wasn’t far off.

“Thank you for your efforts, Kitazawa,” Hiruzen said warmly, clearly satisfied.

With that settled, Kitazawa gave a polite bow and departed.

Back at the Anbu base, Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi were still around. Though the exams had ended, they hadn’t yet received their official Chunin promotion; the paperwork was still underway.

When Kitazawa walked in, they had just finished their registration.

“Kitazawa-sensei,” the three greeted him as they approached.

“I just met with Hokage-sama,” Kitazawa said with a smile. “He praised you all very highly.”

The three remained unfazed. Kabuto and Torune had grown up in Root, while Izumi carried the Uchiha name. None of them were dazzled by the Hokage’s approval the way other kids might have been.

“There’s more,” Kitazawa continued. “Our squad will remain intact. I’ll be your leader moving forward.”

This time, there was a reaction.

Kabuto blinked in surprise, then gave a small smile. His original plan had been the same as Kitazawa’s—become Chunin and move on. But he had grown fond of Torune and Izumi. Keeping the team together was a pleasant surprise.

Izumi’s happiness ran deeper. For her, this wasn’t just about friendship—it was about fulfilling Mikoto’s wishes, and eventually sharing Itachi’s burdens for the clan.

Torune was the simplest of the three. Kitazawa had saved him and proven his strength. That was reason enough for his loyalty. Had anyone else been chosen as leader, he would have quit and waited to team up with Shino once he graduated.

“You’ve all been fighting hard since morning. Go home and rest. Meet me at the Academy tomorrow,” Kitazawa instructed.

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei,” they answered in unison.

And with that, they parted ways, their futures now intertwined.

Uchiha Clan Compound

“I wonder if Izumi and the others passed the Chunin Exams.”

Mikoto spoke softly, worry flickering in her tone as she set her cup down.

“With their strength, there’s nothing to fear.”

Itachi’s voice was calm, almost detached.

“Mm.” Mikoto nodded, but her brows remained furrowed. “I just hope their squad doesn’t dissolve so quickly.”

Kitazawa’s ties to Tsunade had already drawn the Uchiha closer to her. With Izumi now becoming his student, that connection deepened even further. Yet, there was a problem—the team she was in had only been formed on a temporary basis.

Itachi caught his mother’s gaze. He understood her thoughts all too well. He hoped for the same outcome. Not only for Izumi’s sake, but for the clan’s. A permanent squad would strengthen their position. But if it didn’t work out, there was still Sasuke.

“I’m back!”

The door slid open, and Izumi’s cheerful voice filled the hall.

“Izumi, how did it go?” Itachi asked before Mikoto could.

“I made Chunin!” she replied with a bright smile.

“Congratulations,” Itachi said warmly.

“And—our squad is officially permanent!” Izumi added, her grin widening.

“That’s wonderful!” Mikoto exclaimed, relief and joy lighting her features.

Even Itachi felt a weight lift from his shoulders. With both Izumi and Sasuke now linked to Tsunade through Kitazawa, the Uchiha clan’s prospects looked brighter than ever. Once Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, their situation could finally improve. Even Danzo’s suppression wouldn’t matter as much.

For the first time, Itachi allowed himself to envision a future where the Uchiha weren’t cornered. It was a rare, almost impossible dream.

Friday

After breakfast, Kitazawa made his way to the Academy. He found Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi already waiting. Others—Sasuke, Neji, and Shikamaru—were there as well.

“Sasuke.” Kitazawa sent out a Shadow Clone and gestured. “You’ll train with him.”

He had already decided—Naruto and Sasuke’s match would take place next Monday. It would be the last practical combat test before the Student Council selection battles. Naruto’s Rasengan training was nearly complete; if he delayed any longer, Sasuke would lose his final chance to measure up.

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei,” Sasuke replied with his usual cold expression. But inwardly, if no one else had been around, he would’ve let out a bitter smile. The training was brutal… yet undeniably effective. In just a few days, he had dissected Naruto’s abilities more thoroughly than ever before. This time, he was certain of victory.

“You all, follow me,” Kitazawa instructed, leading them to the mission hall.

“Straight to missions?” Kabuto asked, adjusting his glasses in surprise. He had expected another round of special training.

“Your strength is sufficient,” Kitazawa replied. “What you lack is teamwork. Missions are the best way to build that.”

Kabuto’s lips curved slightly. “In that case, we could even handle B-rank or A-rank missions.”

He wasn’t boasting—he genuinely believed their team could face Jonin-level opponents.

“Twenty-seven D-rank missions, please.” Kitazawa addressed the staff member behind the counter.

“Huh?” Both Kabuto and Izumi froze.

D-rank missions? The lowest of the low? Chores like weeding and finding cats? Surely, at least C-rank would be more appropriate.

“Sorry, only one mission at a time,” the clerk said after recovering from his surprise.

Kitazawa frowned. He had planned to split the tasks among the three of them, one mission each per day. Sending all three on a single D-rank was a waste of time.

“Please wait.” Without further argument, Kitazawa turned and went upstairs. If you have connections, it’s foolish not to use them.

“Ah, Kitazawa.” Hiruzen looked up as he entered. “What brings you here?”

Kitazawa explained the situation.

“Why insist on D-rank missions?” Hiruzen asked, curious.

“Because Kabuto and Torune came from Root. They never went through the Academy and never learned what the Will of Fire truly means. I want them to earn the villagers’ trust, to integrate into the village properly. These small missions are the best way to achieve that.”

Hiruzen blinked, startled. Then he smiled warmly. Brilliant.

“That is an excellent idea,” the Hokage said, impressed. The more he saw of Kitazawa, the more he appreciated him. Not only did he teach the next generation, he also considered the hearts of those who had been left behind.

“You may take as many as you wish.” Hiruzen wrote the authorization and handed it over.

Kitazawa bowed slightly. ’To move Hiruzen, you need only invoke the Will of Fire. It works like magic.’

Back in the mission hall, he passed the letter to the stunned clerk, who quickly complied. “Since Hokage-sama has approved, you may register for multiple missions. Please provide your team’s names and strengths.”

As he wrote, the clerk suddenly looked up. “You’re Kitazawa?”

Kitazawa blinked. “You know me?”

“Of course. You saved countless lives at the hospital. Everyone’s heard of you.” The staff member handed over the mission scrolls with newfound respect.

Kitazawa hadn’t realized his reputation had spread so far already.

Once outside, Kabuto asked curiously, “Kitazawa-sensei, why so many D-rank missions?”

“To train the Shadow Clone Jutsu,” Kitazawa replied smoothly.

Kabuto’s eyes widened, then he nodded with admiration. “Ah—I see. Using Shadow Clones to complete them. As expected of you, Sensei.”

“….” Kitazawa’s lips twitched. ’Overthinking again? Still… he’s not wrong.’

“Torune, Izumi—I’ll teach you the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Kabuto, since you’ve already mastered it, I’ll show you the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.”

As team leader, he was fully authorized to teach even forbidden jutsu. Kabuto, with his keen judgment, wouldn’t misuse it.

The three divided up the missions, Kabuto immediately offering to map the most efficient routes. With him, Kitazawa hardly needed to worry—he was like a hands-off captain.

Monday

Time flew quickly. The team adapted well, balancing missions with training. For now, Kitazawa’s focus shifted entirely to the upcoming Student Council selection battles.

But first came today’s match: Sasuke versus Naruto.

Kitazawa gathered everyone at the training ground.

“I have an announcement,” he began. “The Student Council selection battles will take place on December 15th. That gives you eight days.”

“Eight days?” Kiba clenched his fists. He had to master Hellhound before then, especially since Kitazawa had invited their parents to watch.

“Eight days is plenty!” Naruto shouted, Rasengan blazing in his mind.

“You’ll find it’s not so easy,” Sasuke said coolly. Confidence radiated off him, sharper than ever before.

Sakura and the others exchanged surprised looks. Sasuke’s composure today bordered on arrogance. He had changed.

“To help you prepare, today will be the last practical combat test. From now on, I’ll tailor your training individually to strengthen you for the battles ahead.”

——————

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