Chapter 18: Chapter 18

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“Sasuke-kun!”

Ino stepped forward, voice sweet as she tried to greet him.

But Sasuke didn’t spare her a single glance. He focused completely on channeling chakra into his feet, maintaining his balance against the tree trunk.

Ino’s face fell slightly, but she swallowed her pride and said nothing more. Instead, her eyes drifted toward Hinata.

At that moment, Hinata was already halfway up the tree, suspended off the ground, feet firmly planted against the bark. Her expression was serious, and her short blue hair dangled downward like a curtain.

Seeing this, a spark of competitiveness ignited in Ino’s chest.

’If Sasuke-kun won’t pay attention to me, then I’ll show him!’

Determined, she gathered chakra in her feet and began her own climb.

Kitazawa watched them, surprised.

Out of the three, Hinata clearly had the strongest chakra control.

’Must be the Byakugan’, he thought.

The Hyuga Clan’s entire fighting style revolved around precisely perceiving chakra networks with the Byakugan and attacking an opponent’s tenketsu with Gentle Fist. To do that required incredible chakra sensitivity and control.

Even a genius like Sasuke was slightly behind Hinata in that regard. After all, in the original timeline, even Sakura had managed to complete tree-climbing training earlier than Sasuke.

A sharp yelp interrupted his thoughts.

Ino let out a small shriek as she slipped and plummeted toward the ground.

Kitazawa lunged forward and caught her easily.

Her body felt soft and light in his arms, like a delicate figurine.

“T-Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei,” Ino gasped, breathless and blushing.

“No problem.”

Kitazawa gently lowered her back to the ground.

“…?”

Sasuke glanced over, an almost imperceptible crease forming between his brows.

’I fell off that tree yesterday, and nobody caught me. Is this what they mean when they say a man has to be self-reliant?’

“Wow, Hinata’s already that high?”

Once she’d regained her balance, Ino stared up in amazement at Hinata, who was almost near the treetop.

But in the very next second, Hinata wobbled—and fell.

Ino froze, then stuck her tongue out sheepishly.

’Heaven knows, I was only trying to compliment her!’

Kitazawa was quick as ever, stepping forward to catch Hinata in his arms.

“Th-Thank you…” Hinata murmured, her cheeks blooming crimson.

“If you’re getting tired, don’t push yourself,” Kitazawa said gently, patting her head. “Jump down before you lose your balance, okay?”

Thud!

Before they could even process Hinata’s fall, the next one to tumble was none other than Sasuke.

“I’m fine,” Sasuke muttered as he brushed himself off, doing his best to look unfazed. He refused to let a hint of embarrassment show and immediately turned back to the tree to try again.

No matter what, an Uchiha couldn’t afford to fall behind.

Ino and Hinata also dove back into training. Kitazawa watched closely, offering corrections and occasionally catching them when they lost their footing.

Time ticked by until finally, the end-of-day bell echoed across the grounds.

“All right, you three—finish one more climb, and then you’re done for today,” Kitazawa called. “I’m going to check in with the others.”

Back at the Training Ground, he found Naruto bounding over, eyes shining with pride.

“Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto shouted. “I hit the moving target!”

“Good job, Naruto,” Kitazawa said, glancing at the distant target. Even though Naruto hadn’t hit the bullseye, hitting a moving target at all within one class period was impressive for a first-year.

“Hehehe.”

Naruto beamed under the praise, practically glowing.

“All right, class dismissed!” Kitazawa announced, clapping his hands. “Be careful on your way home.”

“Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!” the students chorused before scattering in all directions.

Kitazawa watched them go, shaking his head with a small smile.

’Kids who linger after school… usually have something unusual on their minds.’

“Kitazawa-sensei, what are we going to do in our next practical combat class?”

Uzumaki Naruto piped up, curiosity shining in his eyes.

“Next class will be physical training,” Kitazawa replied after thinking for a moment.

“Running?” Naruto’s whole face lit up.

“Yes, there’ll definitely be running.”

Kitazawa blinked, surprised, then tilted his head. “Are you… actually excited about running?”

“I’m going to become the fastest ninja in the whole world!” Naruto declared, pumping his fist. “That way, I’ll surpass the Fourth Hokage!”

“Ah, I see.”

Kitazawa nodded in understanding. No doubt, Naruto had learned about Minato Namikaze from Hiruzen Sarutobi.

[Your lifelong rival, Uzumaki Naruto, has challenged you to physical training. You generously accept the challenge.]

[Current Mission: Take first place in physical training.]

[Mission Reward: Konoha Strong Whirlwind.]

[Do you accept?]

Kitazawa let out a soft exhale.

This was practically a free mission reward. As the teacher, he was expected to participate in physical training anyway.

’But wait… wasn’t my lifelong rival supposed to be Sasuke? When did it become Uzumaki Naruto?’

“See you tomorrow.”

After waving goodbye to Naruto, Kitazawa headed back toward the tree where the others were training.

But before he even reached them, he spotted trouble.

Ino was leaning heavily against Hinata, her face pale.

Her left foot was planted on the ground, but she was gingerly keeping her right foot lifted.

“I’m fine,” Ino said quickly. “I just twisted my ankle coming down.”

“Sit down. Let me have a look,” Kitazawa said gently. “Sasuke, Hinata—you two can head back first.”

“No need, really… hiss…”

Ino tried to protest but was cut off with a sharp gasp of pain.

“All right, don’t push yourself.”

Kitazawa helped her sit and added, “I’m pretty good at treating these kinds of sprains and bruises.”

Back when he’d been a Genin, Medical Ninja were a rarity. In a four-man squad with no medic, they’d had to handle injuries themselves. Unless it was a severe wound, they’d manage temporary treatment with basic supplies.

“Thanks…”

Ino stopped resisting. After a moment’s hesitation, she slipped off her shoe.

Kitazawa’s eyes dropped to her foot. Her skin was pale and delicate, her pinkish-white toes instinctively curling as she turned her head away, clearly embarrassed.

He took out some bruise ointment, warming it in his palms, then gently grasped her ankle. Her foot was so small he could hold it entirely in one hand.

Bowing his head, Kitazawa carefully massaged the ointment into her fair skin.

Ino’s gaze drifted to his focused expression, a wistful thought surfacing in her mind once again:

If only he were my age…

If he were my age, I’d happily let Sakura have Sasuke.

“All done. When you get home, see a Medical Ninja to help speed up the healing,” Kitazawa advised, pulling back his hands.

“Mm.”

Ino blinked away her daydreams and nodded, gratitude in her voice. “Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei.”

“I’ll carry you back,” Kitazawa offered, turning his back toward her.

Ino paused for a moment, then gave in. Holding her shoe in her right hand, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her onto his back.

As she lay against him, she couldn’t help thinking:

Kitazawa-sensei really is a good guy.

Kitazawa, meanwhile, had no idea he’d just earned himself another “good guy” label.

When they reached the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Kitazawa gently lowered her to the ground.

“Kitazawa-sensei,” Ino said, clutching her shoe and smiling brightly, “see you tomorrow!”

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