Chapter 175: Chapter 175

Outside Kurenai’s home, a fierce battle was in full swing.

Tsunade’s voluptuous figure blurred into motion, vanishing and reappearing before Kitazawa in the blink of an eye. A gust of wind followed her as she raised one long leg and brought it crashing down.

Boom!

The ground split apart, stones scattering like shrapnel.

Leaf Body Flicker!

Kitazawa’s body dissolved into a flurry of leaves before reforming behind her. He clenched his fist and threw a punch.

Sensing the pressure at her back, Tsunade turned calmly, spread her fingers, and caught his fist head-on.

A terrifying force rippled out. Her arm trembled, her mature body swaying slightly from the impact.

“Your strength isn’t focused enough,” she remarked offhandedly, then tugged his fist and dragged him forward.

Kitazawa stumbled toward what looked like a soft embrace—but her waiting kick stopped him cold. His heart jolted, and he slipped away with another Leaf Body Flicker.

Landing at a safe distance, he let out a breath of relief—only for Tsunade to close the gap in a single lunge. Her punch tore the air itself as it came down.

Kitazawa gritted his teeth, stood firm, and met her strike. Their fists collided, releasing shockwaves that rippled outward. The impact forced him back several steps, each one leaving a deep print in the ground.

“Continue,” Tsunade ordered with a small nod.

Her student’s technique was still unrefined, but his progress was undeniable. His learning speed had far exceeded her expectations.

Her thoughts flickered to the new jutsu—something she should have completed weeks ago. She had been avoiding it out of hesitation, but she knew it could no longer be delayed.

Bang, bang, bang!

Their silhouettes blurred as they exchanged blows. Or rather, Kitazawa endured them. Against Tsunade, there was little room for offense—only desperate blocks and counterattacks.

Even with strength close to that of an elite Jōnin, he was far from her level. And in pure taijutsu, his ninjutsu offered no help. Still, the battle was invaluable. His control over monstrous strength improved with each clash, and he gained combat experience he’d sorely lacked.

As an academy teacher, Kitazawa rarely faced true life-and-death struggles. Most of his opponents had been weaker, never the caliber of someone like Tsunade. Facing her was brutal—but it pushed him to grow rapidly.

By the time night fell, his body was drenched in sweat.

“Enough for today,” Tsunade declared, stepping back.

“Yes… Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa panted, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.

“The new jutsu is nearly complete. After your school break, tell Yakumo to prepare for treatment.”

Without another word, she turned and walked away.

Kitazawa blinked, needing several seconds to process. ’She finally agreed?’ He had suspected she was only stalling before, but at last, she was keeping her promise.

Whether he could cure her hemophobia remained uncertain—but he would try.

Dragging himself into the house, Kitazawa collapsed onto the sofa. Waves of fatigue washed over him, urging him toward sleep.

Then footsteps echoed.

“Kitazawa,” Kurenai Yuhi’s voice carried both annoyance and concern. She looked at him with faint distress. “Go to your room and rest.”

“Carry me.” Kitazawa extended a hand without opening his eyes.

“Even now, you’re trying to take advantage of me?” She huffed.

“I’m too drained to move. This isn’t taking advantage,” he muttered.

“Like I’d believe that,” she shot back, but still hooked his arm over her waist and lifted him easily.

Resting his head against her, Kitazawa couldn’t help noticing her soft warmth.

“How’s your super strength training?” Kurenai asked as she carried him to his room.

“Going well,” he answered, and she gently laid him onto the bed.

“That’s good. Rest first—I’ll call you for dinner.” She turned to leave, but Kitazawa caught her hand.

Before she could finish her protest, he pulled her down onto the bed. Their faces were suddenly inches apart.

“You—what are you doing?” Kurenai’s heart skipped.

“No rush for dinner,” Kitazawa said softly, eyes lingering on her lips. “Cook after I wake up.”

Her throat tightened. She swallowed hard, her blush spreading as his gaze drew her in.

Kitazawa leaned forward and kissed her. Kurenai stiffened, then melted into the warmth, eyes losing focus.

“Yuhi, you’re beautiful,” he whispered.

Her mind went blank, her cheeks burning. But awareness soon returned, and the blush deepened all the way to her ears.

“I—I’ll let you rest… I should…” she stammered.

“Forget dinner. Sleep with me instead,” Kitazawa teased, smiling. “It’s rare to see you this flustered.”

“Who’s flustered?!” she snapped, forcing composure. “You’re exhausted—you should rest!”

“Exhausted?” Kitazawa’s expression sharpened, his smile fading. “Then maybe I should prove otherwise.”

Kurenai froze as his hand slid down her thigh and pressed against the hem of her clothes. Fabric slipped off her shoulder, revealing pale skin and the outline of her collarbone under the mesh.

“K–Kitazawa,” she whispered, trembling.

“Yuhi,” he murmured, meeting her eyes. He stopped, silently leaving the choice to her.

“…First, take a bath.” Her face glowed red.

“Together?” he asked with a sly smile.

She averted her gaze. “…Mm.”

Without hesitation, Kitazawa lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bathroom.

Steam soon filled the room as hot water poured into the tub.

“I’ll… help you wash,” Kurenai said softly, fighting her embarrassment.

“Alright,” Kitazawa agreed easily. After all, he’d need his strength later.

Stripping down, he sank into the steaming water. Glancing back, he saw Kurenai frozen in place, eyes squeezed shut.

“How do you plan on helping me like that?” he teased.

She hesitated, then opened her eyes, relief flashing across her face when she saw him already soaking. Biting her lip, she stepped forward.

“You’re not undressing?” Kitazawa prodded.

“W–what?”

“Most people bathe without clothes,” he said with mock innocence.

Kurenai’s heartbeat thundered.

“If you’re shy, you can wait until I’m done.” His eyes glinted mischievously.

“It’s just a bath!” she snapped, quickly unfastening her clothes.

Kitazawa’s breath caught. Her snow-white body, long legs, perfect breasts, and flushed face made his chest tighten.

“I’ll… scrub your back first,” she said, hugging her chest instinctively.

“Alright.”

Turning away, Kitazawa let her climb in behind him. Her hands trembled as she picked up the sponge and scrubbed gently.

He tilted his head, catching glimpses of her from the corner of his eye. Too low an angle for more—but he could wait.

Finally, after a long pause, Kurenai whispered, “…Turn around.”

Kitazawa obeyed instantly. Their eyes met as her full figure came into view, steam curling around them.

This time, there was nowhere for her to hide. The tension in the room escalated to unimaginable levels.

Five minutes later, Kurenai finished scrubbing his back.

Kitazawa turned the hot water on again, steam hissing as it poured from the showerhead, wrapping them both in a misty veil.

“I’m done. Now it’s my turn. Turn around.”

Kitazawa grinned, holding the bath sponge in hand.

“I… I can wash myself.”

Kurenai stiffened, instinctively refusing.

“No.”

Kitazawa shook his head with mock solemnity. “I’m someone who values fairness above all else.”

“You just want to take advantage of me!”

Kurenai bit down on her lip, refusing to turn. Instead, she raised her hands in surrender and snapped, “Fine, just wash me!”

Since things had already reached this point, shyness felt pointless.

Kitazawa’s eyes widened as though struck by sudden brilliance.

Who turned on the spotlight? It’s blinding!

“You’re still the same Yuhi I know.”

He chuckled, raising his hand in the fog.

“Pervert,” Kurenai muttered with a pout.

“And here I am, doing you a favor,” Kitazawa teased, running the sponge gently along her pale skin. “Such harsh words… truly wound my heart.”

“Just wash me properly!”

Kurenai’s voice trembled between anger and embarrassment, her cheeks flushed scarlet.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Kitazawa dropped the act and worked in silence, sponge gliding smoothly across her body.

Kurenai shut her eyes. A tingling sensation spread across her skin, her body tense, toes curling against the floor.

“All right, hot water coming.”

Kitazawa warned as he twisted the tap. Steam rose again, the heat cascading over Kurenai until every trace of soap was gone.

“Done. Let’s head back to the room.”

Kitazawa reached out, but seeing her still dazed, he gave her a light smack.

Her soft backside quivered.

“You… you scoundrel!”

Kurenai gasped, glaring in shock.

“Is that so?” Kitazawa smirked, sweeping her into his arms. “Then brace yourself—there’s more scoundrel behavior to come.”

Her face flared crimson—not from rage this time, but embarrassment. She buried her head against his chest, her heartbeat racing in ways she couldn’t describe.

By the time she came back to her senses, they were already in the bedroom.

“Yuhi.”

Kitazawa laid her gently on the bed.

Kurenai glanced at him once, then shut her eyes—but her chin tilted upward, lips parted ever so slightly.

He understood at once. Lowering his head, Kitazawa captured her mouth with his.

The lamp dimmed, and under the pale moonlight, her skin glowed like porcelain.

Kitazawa’s lips trailed down her neck, stopping at her plump chest. Kurenai shivered, clutching his head tightly, her body stiff as though afraid to move.

“Are you all right?” he whispered against her skin.

“Mhm…” After a beat, she breathed out softly.

“Yuhi… thank you.”

His words carried a rare weight. Ever since he had transmigrated into the shinobi world, he’d always been alone. Now, he finally had someone to call home.

“I should be the one thanking you.”

Kurenai’s nails dug faintly into his back as if afraid to let go. She, too, had been a loner since her father’s death. Meeting Kitazawa had made life unexpectedly vivid again.

“Ki… Kitazawa…”

Her legs tightened around him, sweat glistening against her flushed skin. Her beautiful face overflowed with longing and vulnerability.

And for the first time in years, happiness filled her completely.

Outside, the moon sank and dawn crept in.

The Next Morning

Kitazawa stirred on time, immediately noticing the warmth curled up in his arms. Kurenai lay nestled against him, her hand resting lightly across his waist.

Brushing her hair back, he stroked her head. She shifted closer, her lips parting in a sleepy sigh.

She looked exhausted still. Not surprising—his Senju bloodline gave him stamina far beyond hers. In any kind of battle, she was destined to lose.

Glancing at the clock, Kitazawa slipped quietly out of bed and headed for the kitchen. After a moment of thought, he began making breakfast.

When Kurenai awoke, she instinctively reached for him—only to find empty sheets. She frowned, then flushed red as memories of last night rushed back. Competitive as ever, she had taken his provocation too far. The outcome… well, she had paid the price.

Yet deep down, she couldn’t bring herself to regret it.

“Yuhi, what kind of woman are you?” she whispered, shaking her head.

She dressed quickly, gathered the sheets, and stepped out.

The aroma of food greeted her.

“You’re awake,” Kitazawa said from the table, smiling warmly. “Wash up first, then come eat.”

“…Okay.”

She froze at his smile for a heartbeat before slipping away to freshen up.

Moments later, she joined him at the table.

“It’s almost nine. Aren’t you late for class?” she asked suddenly.

“No big deal.” Kitazawa waved it off. “You’re more important.”

She arched a brow. “Smooth talker.”

“I’m serious.” He placed a piece of fried fish in her bowl.

“You should hurry, or the students will start thinking their teacher’s unreliable.”

Kurenai smirked faintly.

“I can take the day off to stay with you.”

“No need. I’m not some fragile woman.”

He chuckled softly, letting it go. He knew pressing her further would only backfire.

After breakfast, they stood by the door.

“I’m heading out. If you miss me, just come find me at the Academy.”

He pinched her cheek teasingly.

“When did you become so clingy?” Kurenai teased back.

“I haven’t changed,” Kitazawa replied, patting her backside lightly.

“Pervert!”

She yelped, covering her rear as he walked away.

Despite her complaint, she followed him to the street, only turning back once he had vanished from sight.

At the Academy

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

Naruto came running up, having waited impatiently.

“Sorry, I got delayed,” Kitazawa said, offering a rare apology.

“It’s fine!” Naruto grinned, shaking his head.

“Follow me.”

Kitazawa led him to the northern training ground—the same place he’d sparred with Sasuke before.

“To make this practical training more realistic, I’ll take Sasuke’s form. I’ll limit myself to Fire Release, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu.”

He performed the Transformation Technique, appearing as Uchiha Sasuke.

Naruto scratched the back of his head, clearly unsettled seeing “Sasuke” before him. But he quickly dismissed the thought and activated his Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Kitazawa deliberately refrained from using his Sharingan—Hiruzen often kept a close eye on Naruto, and being caught might raise questions.

Not that it mattered. His mastery of Genjutsu alone was enough to test Naruto.

The battle began.

Almost instantly, Naruto noticed the difference—Kitazawa’s Taijutsu, Fire Release, and Genjutsu outstripped Sasuke’s by far. He wasn’t just Sasuke… he was Sasuke leveled up.

And with Kitazawa’s combat experience, honed even against Tsunade herself, Naruto found himself cornered again and again.

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