Chapter 189: Chapter 189

From Kitazawa’s perspective, Combination Ninjutsu felt like a watered-down version of a Kekkei Genkai.

Bloodline Limits were generally divided into two categories.

The first were organ mutations—like the Sharingan and Byakugan.

The second came from merging chakra nature transformations: for example, Wind Release combined with Water Release could create Ice Release.

Compound Ninjutsu also involved combining two or more elements, but the difference was clear. Fusion birthed new chakra natures. Combination merely stacked them together—and the results were far less overwhelming.

Kitazawa recalled how Hiruzen, in the original timeline, had relied heavily on Compound Ninjutsu. His strongest technique, the Five Elements Great Bullet, simultaneously unleashed Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, and Wind, producing a devastating barrage.

I could learn that too, Kitazawa mused. But first, I’d have to officially become Tsunade’s disciple.

He snapped back to the present, frowning in thought.

The mission before him was subtle. On paper, it was a high-level assignment meant to raise his team’s reputation.

In Konoha, B-rank and above were considered “high-level.” But the wording mattered—the point wasn’t the mission itself, it was the prestige gained from it.

Did that mean they’d need to take down a jōnin?

Outside of wartime, that was rare. Most such missions were dangerous infiltration assignments into enemy villages—too reckless for a team of students. A single mistake could mean encirclement and death.

No, the best option would be to find a lone jōnin.

“Tomorrow, meet me at the Academy,” Kitazawa finally said to his squad. “We’ll head to the Mission Hall together and choose a high-level mission.”

“Understood, Kitazawa-sensei,” Kabuto replied, and the three dispersed.

After checking the other students’ training, Kitazawa slipped away to the deserted Forest of Death.

“Lightning Release: Chidori!”

His hands blurred through seals, lightning flaring to life in his right palm. The piercing cry of a thousand birds shattered the silence as chakra condensed into blinding blue light.

His Sharingan spun to life, twin tomoe sharpening his vision as he launched forward. In an instant, he crossed the distance and slammed his strike into a massive tree.

The trunk shuddered violently, cracks splintering outward like a spider’s web, scorched black along the fissures.

Kitazawa withdrew, inspecting his handiwork with a nod.

Chidori’s nature was simple: raw speed, devastating penetration, and the paralyzing bite of electricity.

Rasengan, by contrast, lacked elemental traits but boasted overwhelming destructive force. In the end, both were lethal—against the human body’s fragile defenses, either could mean instant death.

Satisfied, Kitazawa returned to the Academy, shifting to practice Water Release: Instant Water at the artificial lake.

By sunset, training was complete.

“Alright, that’s enough for today. Head home and rest,” Kitazawa called out, clapping his hands.

“Goodbye, Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto, Kiba, and the others chorused, scattering. Even Hinata, Ino, and Karin walked home together.

Kitazawa watched briefly, then turned away. At the gate, he paused—someone was watching him.

Smiling faintly, he continued on toward Kurenai’s house.

Moments later, Shikamaru’s head poked up from behind a wall.

“Kitazawa-sensei’s gone,” he whispered.

The wall quivered before collapsing as Choji tumbled out.

“Get down, idiot! It’s going to fall!” Shikamaru snapped.

“Oh.” Choji landed heavily on his feet.

“Shikamaru!” Naruto’s voice rang from nearby. “We’re over here!”

“We’re coming!” Shikamaru leapt down, sighing. “Let’s go, Choji.”

The two hadn’t joined winter training and were waiting ahead of time. Kitazawa passing by had startled them, but luckily, he hadn’t noticed.

“Shikamaru,” Naruto said with a twinge of regret. “Too bad you didn’t come. We’ve all gotten new training now.”

“No shame, no shame!” Shikamaru waved his hands frantically. “Just—please don’t mention me to Kitazawa-sensei!”

His precious winter break had only been won by ranking top ten in exams. He wasn’t about to throw it away for extra drills.

“You might’ve escaped this time,” Ino smirked, “but next semester, you won’t be so lucky.”

“Next semester can wait,” Shikamaru muttered, resigned. “Besides, I can practice Yin Release at home just fine.”

“You’re wrong,” Ino said proudly, hands on her hips. “My training isn’t just Yin Release anymore. Next semester, you won’t stand a chance against me.”

That made Shikamaru pause. Up until now, their spars had ended sixty-forty in his favor. Nara techniques worked better solo than Yamanaka’s. So what had changed?

Curiosity tugged at him—but he quickly smothered it. For now, enjoying winter break came first. Whatever future beatings awaited him, that was his problem later.

“Is everyone here?” Kiba asked, breaking the moment.

“Not yet. Sasuke and Sakura are missing,” Karin replied, scanning the path.

“I already told them,” Shikamaru added. “They’ll be here soon.”

Sure enough, Sakura arrived with Sasuke in tow.

“Ino!” Sakura waved happily. No wonder—Sasuke walked beside her, hands stuffed in his pockets.

“What’s the plan? Didn’t we already pick the present?” she asked curiously.

“We’re going to buy it together,” Ino explained. “Then we’ll figure out the best way to surprise Kitazawa-sensei on his birthday.”

“Why not just give it to him that day?” Sakura frowned.

“Because it’s a surprise,” Ino replied firmly. “We’ll finalize the plan once everyone’s here.”

Soon after, Shino returned with Kabuto, Izumi, and Torune.

“Sorry for the wait,” Kabuto said warmly, producing a bag. “I thought you might be hungry, so I brought some snacks.”

“Thanks, Kabuto-senpai!” Naruto cheered, grabbing takoyaki.

“It’s nothing,” Kabuto replied with a modest smile. “Now then, shall we head to the commercial street?”

Shikamaru eyed him thoughtfully. Somehow, Kabuto had slipped into the role of group leader with ease.

As they walked, Kabuto continued casually, “I scouted the area on a mission before. There are two gift shops worth checking—good variety, decent prices.”

Izumi and Torune exchanged baffled looks.

When exactly did that happen?

And really… did he have time to research shops while on a mission?

“Kabuto-senpai, were your missions the same kind that official ninjas take on?” Naruto asked, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“Yes,” Kabuto answered with a mild smile. “The ones you accept at the Mission Hall, the kind that actually pay.”

“Did you run into any really strong enemies?” Naruto leaned forward eagerly.

Kiba, Karin, and the others perked up too, sharing the same burning curiosity. They wanted to know what the life of a real shinobi was like.

“That depends on the mission rank,” Kabuto explained patiently before going on to describe the five ranks of shinobi missions.

“Eh?!” Naruto scratched his head. “I thought we’d get to do high-level missions right after graduation.”

Kabuto chuckled. “How could fresh Genin be trusted with dangerous missions right away? According to the village rules, everyone starts with D-rank chores.”

“Then is there any way to do higher-level missions early?” Naruto pressed, impatience bubbling in his voice.

Kabuto thought for a moment. “If your strength is truly exceptional, you might bend the rules.”

Naruto’s fists clenched, determination blazing in his eyes. “Then I’ll train harder than anyone else! I’ll be strong enough to take on high-level missions the moment I graduate!”

Before anyone could reply, Kabuto stopped at a storefront. “We’re here. Let’s start with this gift shop.”

“Let’s go!” Naruto charged ahead—only to be blocked by the shopkeeper, a middle-aged man with a scowl etched into his face.

“Not you. Get out.” The man sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.

Naruto froze. Spending time with Sasuke and the others, he’d almost forgotten the cold stares he still drew from the villagers.

“Why can’t he enter?” Kabuto stepped smoothly in front of Naruto, voice low and steady. “Since when does it make sense to refuse a paying customer?”

“I’m the owner. I don’t have to sell to everyone,” the man barked, waving his hand as if shooing away a stray dog. “Now leave before I throw you out.”

“Kabuto-senpai, let’s just—” Naruto tugged on his sleeve, uneasy.

Kabuto exhaled slowly. “Sasuke. Turn around.”

Sasuke blinked but did as told, revealing the Uchiha crest stitched across his back.

Kabuto’s voice was calm but deliberate. “He’s the second son of the Uchiha clan head.”

The shopkeeper’s face drained of color. “Y-you’re threatening me?”

The Uchihas managed the Military Police Force. The villagers might resent them, but they also feared them deeply.

“This isn’t a threat,” Kabuto said, still unhurried. “But refusing service and insulting a customer? That’s reason enough for the Police Force to get involved.”

“That’s right!” Sasuke suddenly caught on, his voice sharp. “I could have them here in minutes!”

Cold sweat poured down the man’s face. “M-misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!” He bowed quickly. “Honored guests, please—come in, please!”

Kabuto raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”

“Everything’s thirty percent off!” the shopkeeper blurted, teeth gritted as if each word pained him.

“Good enough.” Kabuto gestured for the group to enter.

Sasuke’s eyes widened. So the Uchiha name really carries that much weight?

For the first time, he felt the true prestige of his clan. He walked into the shop with his chest puffed out, pride in every step.

“Kabuto-senpai, that was amazing!” Naruto said, his excitement bubbling back.

“Seriously,” Kiba agreed, “just a few words and the guy gave us a discount.”

Kabuto smiled faintly. “It’s not me. It’s the Uchiha name.”

Sakura giggled. “Of course! Everyone in Konoha knows the Uchihas!”

Sasuke’s lips curled ever so slightly at her words.

“Ahem,” Shikamaru cut in, bored of the drama. “Let’s just start picking out gifts already.”

The group scattered around the shop, browsing shelves. Some, however, like Hinata and Sasuke, stayed back. The presents they wanted to prepare for Kitazawa were… different.

The next morning, Kitazawa awoke to a knock at his door.

Rina Uzumaki stood there, scrolls in hand.

“Kitazawa-sensei,” she said, handing him the first. “Lady Tsunade asked me to deliver this to you.”

He unrolled it, eyes widening in delight. Inside were three basic sealing techniques he hadn’t yet mastered: Line of Light Formation, Finger Carving Seal, and Binding Field Formation.

[Mission: Master three sealing techniques over winter break.]

[Reward: Evil Sealing Method.]

Kitazawa’s pulse quickened. The Evil Sealing Method was a full rank higher than the scrolls Tsunade had gifted him—a B-rank technique with the power to seal chakra flow with cursed formulas. He recalled Kakashi once using it to suppress Sasuke’s cursed seal.

“There’s another scroll,” Rina added, passing it to him. “This one is for the Hokage.”

Kitazawa opened it and froze.

Emotion Displacement Technique.

An A-rank Yin Release jutsu Tsunade had labeled herself. It could forcibly swap a target’s emotions—rage into sorrow, sorrow into joy. In battle, it could dismantle killing intent in an instant, leaving an enemy disoriented and vulnerable. The only drawback was accuracy, just like the Yamanaka clan’s secret arts.

“Did Lady Tsunade leave any other instructions?” Kitazawa asked, rolling the scroll shut.

“She said to meet her every Saturday and Sunday starting next week. At other times…” Rina hesitated, “she’ll be at the casino.”

“As expected of Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa sighed with a wry smile. “Thank you, Rina-san. You’ve saved me a trip.”

At least now, Tsunade’s hemophobia treatment was on track—and Yakumo could benefit from the Emotion Displacement Technique in the meantime.

After breakfast, Kitazawa headed to the Uchiha compound, where Sasuke and Mikoto awaited him. Fugaku and Itachi were absent.

“Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei,” Mikoto said warmly.

“Goodbye, Mom,” Sasuke called, then hurried after Kitazawa. “Sensei, what jutsu are we learning today?”

“Lightning Release: Chidori,” Kitazawa replied.

Sasuke blinked. “Huh? But I can’t use Lightning Release.”

“You have the affinity,” Kitazawa said, producing chakra paper. “See for yourself.”

Sasuke’s eyes widened as the paper crumbled and then turned to ashes.

“I really… have a lightning nature?”

Soon, they arrived at the Ninja Academy.

“Kakashi Hatake,” a voice called. A silver-haired shinobi in a standard jonin vest approached.

“Sasuke,” Kitazawa said, “this is Kakashi Hatake, your new ninjutsu instructor.”

Sasuke’s brows furrowed. A new teacher? The name sounded familiar.

“He wants to test your strength,” Kitazawa added.

“If you can’t pass my test,” Kakashi said flatly, “you’re not qualified to be my student.”

Sasuke felt a flicker of recognition—and annoyance. Not qualified? Me?

He straightened. “Fine. If I pass your test, then you’re not qualified to be my teacher.”

Kakashi raised a brow, reminded suddenly of another Uchiha—Obito, with his same stubborn pride.

Kitazawa glanced up at the sky, bright and cloudless. The day was only just beginning.

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