Chapter 202: Chapter 202

It was Friday.

Jiraiya had already left the village.

After breakfast, Kitazawa strolled toward the Ninja Academy, finally able to relax now that the sealing jutsu mission was behind him. The Water Release and Earth Release missions weren’t due until next semester, so there was no need to rush.

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

Shino—normally calm and collected—approached, his usual composure replaced with visible excitement.

“Made some progress?” Kitazawa asked, raising a brow.

“I’ve just bred a Kikaichu that can withstand fire for five seconds!”

Shino extended his palm. Resting there was a crimson Kikaichu, its color far more vivid than the previous blackish-red variety that survived three seconds. The fiery hue alone seemed to evoke flames.

Kitazawa gave an approving nod. “Looks like your flame-resistance experiment is nearly a success. Five seconds is enough to shrug off most Fire Release jutsu.”

For instance, a Kikaichu of this breed could easily fly straight through a Great Fireball jutsu.

Of course, there were still natural enemies: large-scale Fire Release like Great Fire Annihilation, precision-based jutsus such as Great Dragon Fire, and ultra-high-heat flames—though Kitazawa’s own Fire Release was already quite fierce.

“Judging from this one’s condition, five seconds is probably its limit,” Kitazawa observed. “Pushing further will be difficult.”

“Mhm,” Shino agreed. “You’re right. My plan is to end the experiment once this Kikaichu breeds offspring.”

“Did the three-second breed manage to form a stable colony?” Kitazawa asked.

“It did!” Shino’s voice carried rare enthusiasm as a dozen black-and-red Kikaichu swirled from his sleeve, hovering in the air.

“You should name them to tell them apart,” Kitazawa suggested.

“Then… Fire-Resistant Bugs,” Shino decided after a pause. “Three-second Fire-Resistant Bugs and Five-second Fire-Resistant Bugs.”

Kitazawa chuckled. “That’s… direct.”

“As long as it’s practical,” Shino replied flatly.

“That’s true.” Kitazawa patted his shoulder. “Keep at it.”

Shino nodded and made his way toward the artificial lake.

Kitazawa’s gaze shifted to Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi. Their talents were exceptional; most of the ninjutsu he’d taught them was already under their belts. Stroking his chin, he recalled it had been half a month since their squad’s last Guardian Ninja mission. Once classes resumed, he planned to drop by the Mission Hall—maybe he could trigger new system missions. If not, he’d just pick a B-rank mission for practice.

His eyes lingered on Izumi. How to awaken her three-tomoe Sharingan?

Naturally, Itachi was the key. Their bond was the closest, and only a deep shock could force her eyes to evolve. But how to create such a shock? Itachi couldn’t be in real danger—it would have to be staged, half-truth and half-performance.

Kitazawa shook himself free from the thought and turned to training. Finding an open spot, he began working on Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall. His plan was simple—master an Earth Release first, then move on to Water Release to meet the mission requirements. The remaining Water jutsus were A-rank and would demand far more time. Earth Flow Wall, a B-rank jutsu, should take no more than two weeks.

Hours slipped by.

By five in the evening, Kitazawa gathered his students—Naruto, Hinata, Ino, Sasuke, Sakura, and even Kakashi.

“The day after tomorrow is Sunday,” Kitazawa announced. “Registration day. Which means… our winter break special training ends here.”

“What? Already?” Naruto groaned. “I feel like I barely learned anything this whole month.”

“I learned plenty,” Sasuke cut in coolly. “Next exam, I’ll be taking your spot at the top.”

“As expected of my eternal rival!” Naruto’s spirit flared up again. “Just you wait—I’ll train twice as hard and crush you in a youthful showdown!”

“Don’t leave us out!” Ino planted her fists on her hips with a grin. “First place could be mine.”

“Impossible!” Sakura blurted before she could stop herself. “First place belongs to Sasuke-kun!”

Kitazawa smiled faintly. “First place won’t come so easily next semester. On registration day, Class A will face… a little surprise.”

“What surprise?” Ino leaned in, curious.

“A transfer student like Yakumo?” Naruto’s eyes shone.

“Yes… and no,” Kitazawa teased. “You’ll see soon enough. For now, head home.”

Reluctantly, they dispersed.

“Kakashi,” Kitazawa called after him. “Be at the academy by nine the day after tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

Kakashi gave a curt nod before vanishing.

Instead of going straight home, Kitazawa headed to the Kurama compound to meet Yakumo. They worked together on revising her treatment—specifically, the details of the illusion therapy—for the next day.

Night passed quietly.

On Saturday morning, Kitazawa and Yakumo arrived early at Tsunade’s house.

“Why so early?” Tsunade muttered, rubbing her temples. Each treatment session was nothing short of torment for her. If not for the promise she’d made to Kitazawa, she might have run away long ago.

“Forget it,” she sighed. “Let’s just get this over with. Better to endure the pain quickly.”

Kitazawa stepped forward, taking a seat beside her. He extended his hand, waiting silently.

Tsunade met his eyes. His gaze—gentle yet steady—sent a ripple through the still waters of her heart. Flustered, she averted her eyes but placed her hand in his.

The very next moment, Yakumo activated her Bloodline Limit—Terrifying Illusion.

In an instant, Kitazawa and Tsunade once again stood within a recreated Konoha war camp.

“Tsunade, you’re finally here!”

Orochimaru strode forward urgently. “Nawaki’s condition is critical. Only you can save him!”

“Wh-what?” Tsunade froze in shock.

Kitazawa, however, silently studied her reaction.

With Tsunade’s strength, she could easily dispel the genjutsu if she wished. This dream, no matter how carefully woven, could not trap her unless she chose to accept it.

Fortunately, she did not resist.

After only a few stunned seconds, she slipped fully into the role the illusion had prepared for her.

“Where’s Nawaki? Take me to him!”

“Inside that tent,” Orochimaru pointed. “Two medical-nin are trying to stabilize him now.”

Without hesitation, Tsunade rushed inside.

The sight awaiting her was her bloodied little brother.

“Step aside—I’ll take over!” she commanded.

“Yes, Lady Tsunade!” the medical-nin moved away instantly.

Kitazawa arched a brow in surprise. She hadn’t panicked at the sight of blood. Had her desperation to save Nawaki outweighed her phobia? Or was it simply because this illusion cast her back twenty years, to the Tsunade who had not yet broken?

The surgery began.

To keep the illusion seamless, Nawaki’s wounds were still from explosive tags—but this time, there lingered a fragile hope of survival.

Five grueling hours passed.

At last, Tsunade staggered back, her body swaying. Kitazawa stepped forward, steadying her before she collapsed.

“Thank you,” she whispered, then snapped her gaze toward Nawaki.

“He’s out of danger,” the medical-nin confirmed after checking.

Relief broke across her face like sunlight. This time, she had saved him.

“It’s a good thing you arrived when you did,” Orochimaru sighed.

“Nawaki needs rest,” Tsunade said firmly. “I’ll take him back to the village.”

“That’s wise,” Orochimaru agreed. “The battlefield is no place for him now.”

Three days later

Tsunade and Kitazawa returned to Konoha with a recovering Nawaki.

“As long as he’s alive, that’s enough,” Hiruzen said warmly as he welcomed them home.

Not even a week had passed when Konoha convened a jōnin meeting.

“Sensei,” Tsunade rose, voice steady. “I have a proposal concerning medical-nin.”

“What is it?” the Third Hokage asked.

“I want every squad to include a medical-nin. Doing so would greatly raise our survival rate.”

Danzo immediately shook his head. “Impossible. In wartime, we lack the time and resources to train so many.”

“Danzo is right,” Homura added.

Several jōnin murmured their agreement.

“I support it.”

Kitazawa stood, his tone calm but firm. “Yes, training medical-nin takes effort. But one medic can mean the survival of an entire squad.”

Tsunade turned, caught off guard, and for a moment her gaze lingered on him in wonder.

“We’ll revisit this matter once the war is over,” Hiruzen said after some thought.

Later, Tsunade sought Kitazawa out.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing,” he smiled. “I’m a medical-nin myself, after all.”

The dream unfolded seamlessly. Nawaki survived and returned to the war. Under the leadership of the Legendary Sannin, Konoha ended the Second Ninja World War. The village thrived. Children were born—Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, Gai, and more.

Years passed in a blink.

The Third Ninja World War erupted, with Konoha under siege. But Nawaki awakened Wood Release. Together with Minato, he turned the tide and saved the village.

When the war ended, Hiruzen stepped down as Hokage. Nawaki and Minato both vied for the mantle of Fourth Hokage. With Wood Release and the support of Tsunade and Orochimaru, Nawaki emerged victorious.

January 1st—New Year’s Day

At the Hokage handover ceremony, Hiruzen placed the Hokage’s hat on Nawaki’s head.

“From today onward, the village is in your hands. Serve it well,” the old Hokage said warmly.

Nawaki donned the hat and faced the cheering crowd.

“I, Senju Nawaki… am the Fourth Hokage!” he declared proudly.

His eyes found Tsunade and Kitazawa among the villagers. He raised his hand high.

“Big sister! My dream has come true!”

Tsunade stared, frozen. Then her vision blurred as tears filled her eyes.

With a resounding crack—

The illusion shattered.

“…What a long, long dream,” Tsunade murmured, dazed.

Yakumo glanced at Kitazawa uncertainly, unsure whether the treatment had worked.

“Thank you,” Tsunade said at last.

“Eh?” Yakumo blinked, startled.

“No more treatment today.” Tsunade smiled faintly. “Don’t spoil such a beautiful dream.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.” Yakumo bowed and slipped quietly away.

“Was this your doing?” Tsunade asked Kitazawa.

“Yes,” he admitted without hesitation. “Repeating tragedies won’t cure hemophobia. A dream like this… offers another way.”

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. “But you changed the details.”

“I changed a lot,” Kitazawa said evenly. “All for the sake of treatment.”

And for his own selfish reasons—but his words weren’t untrue.

“You’re bold,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “For giving me such a dream, I’ll let it slide.”

“Much appreciated, Lady Tsunade!”

“You may avoid death, but not punishment.” She promptly stepped on his foot. “You’re coming with me to the casino.”

Sunday—Registration Day

Naruto was up at dawn, restless after not seeing Kiba or Chōji all break.

“Naruto!”

“Kiba!” Naruto grinned as his friend leapt down from a wall.

“You should be honored—I came to meet you myself,” Kiba smirked.

“Thanks! I can already feel the fire of youth burning!” Naruto beamed.

“Keep it down, will you?” Kiba waved him off. “So, what new jutsu did you learn? I’ve got a killer new secret jutsu.”

“None.” Naruto shook his head.

“…Seriously?” Kiba blinked. “Then I might actually beat you this time.”

“Even standing still, Naruto would crush you,” came a lazy voice.

“Who said that?!” Kiba barked, bristling.

“Me,” Shikamaru appeared, hands tucked behind his head.

“Potato chip?” Chōji offered casually.

Kiba snatched a handful without hesitation, leaving Chōji staring in horror. Naruto mercifully only took one.

“Shikamaru, what did you mean by that?” Kiba demanded.

“He means you can’t even beat me, let alone Naruto,” Ino cut in with a grin.

“Impossible! Your mind jutsu doesn’t work on me!” Kiba snapped.

“Kitazawa-sensei taught me something new,” Ino replied slyly.

Kiba froze. If her trump card came from Kitazawa, he had every reason to worry.

“…Troublesome,” Shikamaru muttered, yawning. “If I don’t get first, tenth is fine.”

“Not so sure,” Ino teased. “With the reforms, you might not even make tenth.”

“What reforms?” Shikamaru groaned, already sensing the headache.

“No idea. Kitazawa-sensei will explain in class,” Ino shrugged.

Their group grew as they met Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata along the way.

“Kitazawa-sensei!” Naruto ran up eagerly. Hinata nearly stepped forward too, but hesitated, watching her chance slip away.

“Good morning,” Kitazawa said calmly. “Don’t register yet. Take your seats first.”

“Yes, sensei,” Sasuke and the others obeyed.

“…Strange,” Shikamaru observed after a while. “Some students came in… then left again.”

“Suspicious indeed,” Shino adjusted his glasses.

“Do you think it’s the reform?” Ino asked.

“Most likely.”

Sakura suddenly gasped. “Why are Neji and Tenten here?”

“What the—my sister too?!” Kiba spotted Hana outside.

The entire class buzzed in confusion.

“All of you, come in,” Kitazawa called.

Neji, Hana, and Tenten entered.

“From today, you’ll all be part of Class A,” Kitazawa announced with a faint smile.

The room fell silent.

“What?!” Both the original Class A students and the newcomers stared in disbelief.

“This is the academy’s reform,” Kitazawa explained. “The top thirty students in the school will now form a single class.”

His smile deepened.

“Welcome… to the Genius Class.”

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