At the entrance of the Ninja Academy, three figures in identical white windbreakers appeared.

“Kitazawa-sensei, your ability to draw such a crowd never ceases to amaze me,” Shibi Aburame remarked, his sharp gaze sweeping across the gathered spectators.

It wasn’t an exaggeration—nearly half of Konoha’s Jonin had shown up.

“Kitazawa-sensei is indeed remarkable,” Shino Aburame added, calmly adjusting his glasses.

“What a shame,” Shibi sighed, shaking his head. “This stage would’ve been perfect for unveiling the explosive insects.”

The Aburame Clan was far from obscure within Konoha, yet they had always remained low-profile. Their strength was steady but lacked any truly renowned individuals. The advent of the explosive insects promised to change that, offering the clan the chance to produce powerhouses of their own.

But the insects carried serious risks. Without precise control and intel, reckless chakra use could trigger explosions. For that reason, Shibi forbade Shino from using them on classmates. If something went wrong, the consequences would be disastrous. Kitazawa himself had reinforced this warning: the explosive insects were not to appear in the practical exam.

“There’ll be a proper time,” Shino said, restraining his own eagerness despite the itch to test them.

“Shino, good luck out there!” Torune Aburame cheered without hesitation.

“Torune, your teammates are here,” Shibi noted, spotting Kabuto and Izumi nearby. Alongside Kabuto stood Yakushi Nono.

“I’ll go greet them,” Torune said after a moment of thought.

Thanks to Shino and the others, the suffocating aura of Root was gradually fading from him. His emotions and mannerisms were slowly returning to those of a normal boy.

“Director,” Kabuto introduced warmly, “this is my teammate, Aburame Torune.”

“Hello,” Nono greeted with a gentle smile.

She’d heard Kabuto mention Torune before, knowing he too had once been part of Root. Strict regulations had kept Root members isolated; unless on missions, they rarely encountered each other. That the three of them now stood together at the Academy felt strange—and all of it was possible thanks to Tsunade and Kitazawa.

“I’ll go see the clan head first,” Izumi excused herself politely, heading off toward Fugaku and the Uchiha family.

“Come, let’s find seats,” Nono suggested softly.

“Mhm.” Kabuto nodded, following with Shibi and Shino.

Soon after, another group arrived—the old and new generations of Ino–Shika–Chō.

“What lively kids,” Shikaku observed as he watched the students bustling about.

“Don’t think I missed that jab,” Shikamaru muttered lazily, hands tucked behind his head.

“I meant for you to hear it,” Shikaku shot back with a shake of his head. “Really now, what kind of ‘youth’ behaves like you?”

“Uncle Shikaku, maybe you should let Kitazawa-sensei knock some energy into him later,” Ino teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Hey!” Shikamaru dropped his hands and looked around nervously. “What’d I ever do to you?”

“Haha! That’s the first time I’ve seen Shikamaru look flustered,” Choza roared with laughter.

“I’ll have to ask Kitazawa for a few tips myself,” Inoichi mused thoughtfully.

“Dad, I’m already so well-behaved! Do you still need pointers?” Ino huffed, hands on her hips.

“You’ve learned two clan techniques, so I’ll let it slide—for now,” Inoichi replied with a grin.

“That’s too blatant, Inoichi,” Shikaku said with a twitch of his lips. “I haven’t even mentioned that Shikamaru also mastered two techniques.”

“…?” Choza’s laughter froze, his expression riddled with question marks.

Are these two ganging up on me?

“This is all thanks to Kitazawa-sensei,” Ino interjected quickly, then turned to Choji. “You should join us in his special training too.”

“Me?” Choji paused mid-bite of potato chips. “But… I just need to eat.”

“Don’t dismiss it so easily,” Choza said firmly. “Your Kitazawa-sensei is no ordinary man. Ask him next semester.”

Special training was one thing, but forging ties with Kitazawa was more important. Ino–Shika–Chō had always stood united; with the Nara and Yamanaka already moving, the Akimichi clan couldn’t lag behind.

“…Alright then,” Choji said, crunching into another chip.

“There are so many people here!” Ino exclaimed, scanning the crowd. “Where’s Kitazawa-sensei?”

“He’s probably busy,” Shikaku replied before waving them off. “Go on, head to the field.”

“Do your best,” Choza told Choji, giving his son’s shoulder a firm pat.

“There’s a big audience today,” Inoichi added encouragingly. “Don’t chase first place—just show the spirit of Ino–Shika–Chō.”

“What a drag,” Shikamaru sighed, trudging toward the center.

“We’ll try our best!” Ino pumped her fists with enthusiasm.

Choji… simply kept eating.

“Ino!” Sakura spotted her from the training ground and waved.

“Morning, everyone,” Ino greeted warmly, acknowledging Sasuke, Yakumo, Hinata, Neji, and the others.

“Where’s Naruto?” Shikamaru scanned the group. No sign of him.

“Did he oversleep?” Choji asked worriedly.

“No way. He wouldn’t miss today,” Kiba shook his head confidently.

Just then, the training ground hushed. All eyes turned to the entrance.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had arrived—walking alongside Naruto.

“Talk about making an entrance,” Kiba muttered, squinting at the sight.

Naruto said a few words to Hiruzen, then strode over to join Sasuke and the others.

“We thought you’d skip out, scared of losing,” Kiba teased, slinging an arm around his shoulders.

“Not a chance!” Naruto grinned, flashing a thumbs-up. “My goal is first place!”

“Funny, so is mine,” Kiba snorted. “Don’t expect me to go easy.”

“You kinda sound like Sasuke today,” Naruto said, scratching his head in surprise.

“How’s that anything like Sasuke-kun?!” Sakura protested instantly.

“They’re both overconfident,” Ino pointed out slyly.

“Kitazawa-sensei’s here,” Shikamaru interrupted, spotting him.

Everyone fell silent as Kitazawa approached.

“Line up,” Kitazawa ordered. Then he turned to greet students from other classes.

This year’s practical exam involved every student in the academy. But instead of the usual drawn-out three-round format, Kitazawa had proposed a new system.

Based on monthly exam scores, students were divided into two arenas. The Elite Tournament for those with an overall score of ninety or above, and the General Tournament for everyone else.

Kitazawa oversaw the Elite matches at the central training ground, visible to the entire audience. Vice Principal Hisao Sarutobi handled the General Tournament in the side arenas.

Normally, the vice principal would preside over the central event, but Kitazawa’s strength and reputation had already eclipsed his. To his credit, Hisao stepped back willingly.

Still, general participants weren’t without hope. Kitazawa had introduced a challenge system—a kind of “dojo-crushing” rule. Winners from the General side could challenge their way into the Elite bracket.

“A clever idea,” Hiruzen said from his front-row seat. Each chair held a flyer outlining the rules.

“Indeed,” Shikaku agreed, seated beside him. He had expected a chaotic free-for-all, but this format was sharper, more exciting for spectators.

To Hiruzen’s left sat Shikaku, since Danzo, Homura, and Koharu had yet to arrive. To his right sat Hiashi Hyuga, with the Uchiha family further down.

Hiruzen set aside the flyer, glancing over the crowd once more—yet still no sign of Tsunade.

“Hokage-sama, are you looking for someone?” Hiashi asked, noticing.

“It’s nothing,” Hiruzen deflected smoothly, shifting the subject. “I hear both Neji and Hinata have learned the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms?”

“They haven’t fully mastered it,” Hiashi admitted, though a rare smile tugged at his lips. “Only parts.”

“The younger generation is growing strong,” Hiruzen chuckled.

“It’s all thanks to Hokage-sama’s wise leadership,” Hiashi replied politely.

“What’s so exciting about a bunch of kids brawling? Why are all of you even here?”

A sudden voice cut through the air.

“Aren’t you here too?”

Hiruzen froze for a heartbeat, then chuckled wryly at the sharp retort. Tsunade—blunt as ever.

“Lady Tsunade,” several ninja greeted respectfully, bowing their heads.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, eyes widening with surprise.

It made perfect sense for Hiruzen to attend. As the Third Hokage and headmaster of the Ninja Academy, it was only natural for him to oversee the Student Council’s selection trials.

But Tsunade? She had no official ties to the Academy. The only explanation whispered among the clans was simple—she was here for Kitazawa.

“Hokage-sama. Lady Tsunade.”

Kitazawa approached, bowing politely.

“Mm,” Tsunade replied with a nod, claiming a seat without ceremony.

“Hokage-sama,” Kitazawa asked, glancing toward Hiruzen, “before the practical exam begins, would you like to say a few words?”

“Since you’ve invited me, I’ll say a couple.”

With that, Hiruzen rose and made his way to the center.

“Please do,” Kitazawa said, suppressing a sigh as he raised his hand.

“I’ll cover six points…”

The Hokage began, speaking with the familiar gravitas of his office.

“You shouldn’t have let him up there,” Tsunade muttered, lips pursed.

Kitazawa bent slightly, whispering back, “What can I do? Rules are rules.”

Of course, he couldn’t openly criticize the Hokage.

“If I’d known, I would’ve come an hour later,” Tsunade grumbled, unbothered by the idea of scolding Sarutobi to his face.

Their quiet exchange didn’t escape notice. The clans exchanged knowing looks—Tsunade had clearly taken Kitazawa under her wing, even if it wasn’t official yet.

Some of the clanless jonin couldn’t help but feel a sting of envy. If Tsunade was truly grooming him, and she was destined to be the Fifth Hokage… then Kitazawa’s future was practically guaranteed.

Time ticked by. Hiruzen spoke for nearly half an hour before finally yielding the arena—though anyone who knew him suspected he could’ve gone on for two more.

Kitazawa quickly stepped forward. “I now declare this semester’s final exam, and the Student Council selection trial, officially open! Matches will be decided by random draw. Those who shine brightest will advance to the next round.”

He pulled out a lottery box, this time drawing the slips himself to maintain suspense.

The first two names brought a stir: “Uzumaki Naruto versus Rock Lee!”

“The first match is me? Against Lee?” Naruto’s eyes lit up. Double fortune!

A fight between two taijutsu fanatics could only mean one thing—pure, explosive action.

“Naruto!” Lee shouted, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Lee!” Naruto flashed a thumbs-up. “Let’s show them the power of our youth!”

“The clash of youth itself—just thinking about it sets my blood aflame!” Lee clenched his fists.

“Naruto! Lee! Burn with no regrets!” Gai suddenly bellowed, springing to his feet.

Every head turned.

Kakashi and Kurenai, seated unfortunately close, immediately regretted their choices.

“Gai-sensei!” Naruto and Lee cried in unison, collapsing into a teary embrace of shared passion.

The entire training ground fell into an awkward silence.

Hiruzen shifted uncomfortably. As Naruto’s guardian, he couldn’t help but worry what Minato and Kushina would think if they saw their son like this.

Tsunade smirked. “If those two were watching from the afterlife, I wonder what expressions they’d wear.”

“Young people are… energetic. That’s all,” Hiruzen managed after a pause.

Shikaku, off to the side, was just grateful that his son was normal.

“Is he always like this?” Fugaku asked dryly, struggling to reconcile the scene with Minato Namikaze’s perfect shinobi image.

“Mm,” Izumi nodded, deadpan. After becoming Kitazawa’s student, she had witnessed plenty of Naruto’s “illness.”

“He’s… spirited,” Mikoto offered carefully.

Itachi exhaled in relief. Thank goodness Sasuke wasn’t like that. He didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Match start!” Kitazawa declared quickly, eager to cut through the nonsense.

“Come on, Naruto!” Lee shouted, kicking off. “Leaf Whirlwind!”

Naruto mirrored him instantly. Their legs collided with a thunderous crack, both forced backward—though Lee slid two extra steps, the edge of strength tipping toward Naruto.

Naruto pressed the advantage. “Dynamic Entry!” He lunged with a flying kick.

Lee blocked, skidding back under the impact. He twisted midair, countering with an elbow drop. “Leaf Hard Rock Ascending!”

Naruto braced with one hand, spinning low. “Leaf Strong Whirlwind!” His heel slammed toward Lee’s ribs.

Lee barely managed to shift, but the force numbed his arm and sent him tumbling across the ground.

“Lee still has a bit of a gap,” Gai admitted, though his eyes blazed with pride.

“Even so, for their age it’s remarkable,” Kurenai breathed. “I wasn’t anywhere near this level at seven.”

Her gaze slid toward Kakashi—after all, he had been a Chunin at six. A genius among geniuses.

“You didn’t teach them the Eight Gates, did you?” Kakashi asked after a pause.

“Of course not,” Gai shook his head. “They’re still too young. But Naruto’s body… in a couple of years, he might be ready.”

“Monster,” Izumo muttered, grimacing.

Kotetsu nodded stiffly. These kids were supposed to be academy students, yet they were putting on a show that felt more like the Chunin Exams.

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