Chapter 206: Chapter 206

Saturday morning

A faint blur of light and shadow flickered before Kitazawa’s eyes. He stirred, slowly opening them—only to be greeted by Kurenai’s sleeping face.

Her forehead still glistened with a trace of sweat, and the strands of her messy hair testified to the intensity of last night.

Kitazawa blinked, then froze as three lines of text suddenly materialized before him:

Current Mission: Assist Ino Yamanaka in researching a C-rank offensive ninjutsu.

Reward: Barrier: Four-Corner Sealing Array.

Status: Mission complete. Reward issued.

He paused. Wait… did Ino already master Ninja Art: Hundred Petals Hurricane? Training at this hour?

Glancing at the clock on the wall, realization hit him—it was already nine o’clock.

Beauty truly leads men astray… From today, no more drinking!

Carefully, he shifted Kurenai’s leg draped over him. In that moment, a surge of information poured into his mind.

Four-Corner Sealing Array—a sealing technique requiring four users. However, with sufficient chakra, it could be performed alone with the help of three Shadow Clones.

Its functions unfolded before him:

Search – to locate a target.

Bind – to restrain them.

Seal – to lock them away.

He recalled how, in the original story, Shizune, Sakura, Ino, and Hinata had once attempted to use it against the Three-Tails Isobu. The power was undeniable. Still, no opponent would sit still and politely wait to be sealed—its drawbacks were obvious, yet it remained an invaluable jutsu.

Kitazawa absently stroked Kurenai’s hair. With Ino’s progress on the new jutsu, it was time to pass her the next technique.

Ninja Art: Moonlight Beauty, he thought. A genjutsu–taijutsu hybrid, designed to bewilder the enemy with cascading illusions of petals before striking from above with a surprise attack.

His gaze drifted back to Kurenai—her pale skin rose and fell with each breath. Suddenly, the thought struck him: these two techniques weren’t just perfect for Ino; they suited Kurenai as well.

She was a genjutsu prodigy. With her talent, she’d grasp them even faster. Once he fully devised Moonlight Beauty, he would pass both to her.

His hand slid down through her hair, finally resting on her chest.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Kurenai groaned, stirring awake.

“It’s already nine. Yakumo will be here soon. You wouldn’t want her to see you in this state, would you?” Kitazawa teased, though his hand lingered.

“Pervert.”

She rolled her eyes. “Can’t you wake me up normally?” Escaping his hold, she sat up.

“Who asked you to be so beautiful?” he said with a grin.

“Smooth-talker,” she muttered, glaring before climbing out of bed. But as soon as her feet touched the ground, her legs faltered, still sore from the night before. She sat back down, her face flushed.

Even with her shinobi stamina, she couldn’t quite match him. After a short pause, she steadied herself, changed clothes, and headed for the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Kitazawa stretched and washed up before joining her in the living room, deep in thought. This afternoon, he planned to leave for the Kubisaki Castle ruins.

The summoning contract needed to be secured. In the original events, Naruto, Hinata, and Kiba had gone. But Naruto was too young now, and his situation too delicate.

Tenten is a must, Kitazawa reasoned. She would need to sign immediately. As for the others—perhaps Iruka and Ino. In fact, replacing Kiba with Ino would give him time to refine Moonlight Beauty alongside her.

A knock broke his thoughts. Without looking, he already knew—it was Yakumo.

He opened the door. “Come in. Sit down for a bit. Kurenai and I will eat first, then we’ll go see Lady Tsunade.”

Yakumo blinked. Past nine, and they still hadn’t eaten? She held her tongue and obediently sat.

Kurenai flushed slightly when she noticed her student. Next time… no more late nights.

After breakfast, Kitazawa and Yakumo headed to Tsunade’s place.

“Let’s begin,” Tsunade said the moment she saw them.

Kitazawa glanced at Yakumo—they had already planned it out. Today’s therapy would alternate: first, sweet dreams… then, the painful reality of Nawaki’s death. How long Tsunade endured would decide their next step.

Sitting beside her, Kitazawa gently took her hand. Tsunade gave him a brief look but said nothing, focusing instead on Yakumo as the genjutsu began.

At first, the dream was calm—Nawaki alive, becoming Hokage. But as the illusion reset, Yakumo layered her Emotion Transference Technique into it.

Minutes passed. At the seven-minute mark, the dream shattered.

Tsunade jolted awake, breath ragged, chest rising and falling. Kitazawa instinctively looked, then quickly turned away. Massaging her hand, he asked softly, “Are you alright?”

This was already two minutes longer than before—the method was working.

“I… I’m fine.” Tsunade leaned against him, her weight pressing heavily on his side.

“Let’s go again.”

Once her breathing steadied, they repeated the process. This time, however, the illusion still collapsed at seven minutes.

“That’s enough for today.” Kitazawa’s voice was gentle as he supported her. Yakumo took the hint and excused herself quietly.

“Thank you,” Tsunade murmured after a while, sitting up straighter. She tried to withdraw her hand, but Kitazawa hadn’t let go.

“My apologies.” He released her immediately.

“You—” She stopped, words catching in her throat. She wanted to warn him not to misinterpret things… yet she couldn’t deny her own confusion.

Instead, she changed the subject. “You worked hard this morning. If you’re free later, let’s go to the casino.”

“I’m heading out this afternoon,” Kitazawa replied. Then, smiling, “But I’ll accompany you in a couple of days.”

Her eyes flickered. “If you need help, just ask.”

“Do you happen to have a travel pass?” he asked, the thought striking him. Normally, he would need Hokage approval for missions outside the village—but Tsunade was no ordinary kunoichi.

“The old man gave me one ages ago. Haven’t used it in years.” She disappeared briefly, then returned and tossed him a pass. “Keep it.”

“Much appreciated, Lady Tsunade.” Kitazawa’s eyes lit up as he pocketed it. With this, he could travel freely, no questions asked.

Not long after, Shizune and Rina Uzumaki entered the room. Karin remained in her room, absorbed in sealing studies.

“Let’s eat dinner here tonight,” Tsunade instructed. “Shizune, call Yuhi.”

“Understood.”

“I’ll prepare the food,” Rina offered softly.

Since being rescued and brought back to Konoha, her weakened body had kept her from missions. Instead, she took charge of household chores, often leaving Shizune with little to do.

After lunch, Kitazawa arrived at the Hyūga compound.

As expected of a great clan, discipline never wavered—even on weekends.

From the entrance, he spotted Neji and Hinata sparring in the courtyard. Not far off, Hiashi and little Hanabi observed the match—Hiashi’s face stern and unreadable, while Hanabi practically bounced with excitement. The contrast was striking.

Kitazawa watched quietly. As he predicted, Hinata managed a narrow victory, landing two extra strikes with herEight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. A hard-fought win, but a win nonetheless.

If they fought a hundred times, Hinata would win sixty and lose forty, Kitazawa estimated. Neji’s raw talent in the Gentle Fist still surpasses hers. If not for my training, Hinata might’ve remained the timid, mediocre kunoichi of the original tale.

“Kitazawa-sensei?” Neji was the first to notice him.

“Kitazawa-sensei!” Hinata, who had just been calm and collected, immediately broke into a jog.

Hiashi’s frown deepened. Such open displays of emotion went against Hyūga etiquette. Still, considering Kitazawa’s status, he held his tongue. After all, Tsunade now stood at the height of her influence in Konoha—her relentless strikes against Danzō and Root had raised her prestige even higher than before.

“Good afternoon,” Kitazawa said, ruffling Hinata’s hair.

“Kitazawa-sensei.” Neji walked over at a measured pace, offering only a curt nod.

Kitazawa returned it, then turned toward Hiashi. “Clan Head, I’d like to take Hinata on a two-day mission.”

“A mission?” Hiashi’s gaze sharpened. “She’s still too young. It isn’t time for her to take on missions yet.”

“I want to go!” Hinata blurted, determination blazing in her usually timid eyes.

Hiashi froze, inwardly sighing. In front of outsiders, you can’t give me even a little face?

“What kind of mission?” he asked again, realizing Hinata wouldn’t back down.

Kitazawa explained the details in full.

“You truly are a good teacher.” Hiashi fell silent for a moment before speaking again. Kitazawa’s regard for both Hinata and Neji was clear—he had their growth and well-being in mind.

“I’ll have Ko follow in secret.”

“Thank you, Father,” Hinata said quickly, smiling with relief.

“Then we’ll be off, Clan Head.” Kitazawa bowed slightly, leading Hinata away.

Inoichi offered no resistance—he agreed to let Ino join without even asking the mission’s details. As for Tenten, she needed no convincing; the summoning beast was meant for her, after all.

Soon, the four stood at Konoha’s gates. With Tsunade’s authorization, departure was smooth.

“Kitazawa-sensei,” Tenten asked eagerly, “what kind of summoning beast is it?”

“The Kubisaki Lizard,” he replied.

“A… lizard?” Tenten’s expression soured.

“I don’t think lizards are very cute,” Ino chimed in, echoing her. Even Hinata gave a reluctant nod.

“If looks don’t please you, then its power should,” Kitazawa said, clearing his throat before recounting the Kubisaki Lizard’s tale.

“Seriously? That strong?” Tenten’s eyes shone, her earlier hesitation gone. Strength mattered more than appearance.

“It guarded faithfully for fifty years?” Ino gasped. “That’s real loyalty.”

“Mm.” Tenten nodded. “That alone makes it worthy.”

Kitazawa agreed. The bond between ninja and summons wasn’t one of master and servant. Summons often deserted the battlefield—or worse, turned on their summoners. The snakes of Ryūchi Cave were prime examples; even Orochimaru had to bargain with sacrifices to control them. Loyalty was rare.

“Alright, let’s pick up the pace if we want to reach our destination on time.” Kitazawa quickened his stride, and the three kunoichi in training hurried after him.

By evening, they crossed out of the Land of Fire into the Land of Rivers.

“We’ll rest here tonight,” Kitazawa said after scanning the area. In the original story, Naruto’s team ran into a ghost at Kubisaki Castle. Going there at night would only terrify these three. Better to wait until morning.

“As practiced in class, I’ll assign the tasks. Hinata—set up the tents. Tenten—lay traps. Ino—find food.”

“Yes, Sensei!” they answered in unison, scattering into action.

Night fell. Hinata finished pitching two tents, Tenten rigged explosive tags and ninja tools into four traps, and Ino triumphantly returned with a deer.

After dinner, Kitazawa sent them to bed. The girls, still buzzing with excitement from their first mission, whispered secrets to each other before finally drifting off. Kitazawa, meanwhile, stayed alert, sketching out the mechanics of Ninja Art: Moonlight Beauty in his mind. When the idea was clear enough, he added a few more traps around the camp before turning in.

The night passed peacefully.

The next morning, after a quick breakfast, they continued west. Within an hour, the ruins of the Land of Neck came into view.

“There it is.” Kitazawa eyed the eerie silhouette of Kubisaki Castle. “Be careful. What you see is no ordinary castle—it’s the Kubisaki Lizard itself.”

“Right!” Hinata and the others nodded, their eyes sharp with focus.

They stepped inside—and the castle warped around them. Flesh-like tendrils erupted from the walls, surging like waves to attack.

“Watch out!” Tenten unfurled a scroll, launching a volley of ninja tools that tore through the writhing tendrils. A guttural roar shook the halls.

“What is this?!” Ino’s eyes widened.

“We’re inside the Kubisaki Lizard,” Kitazawa said calmly. “Don’t panic. Its contract scroll is hidden in one of these rooms. Find it.”

“Here they come again!” Tenten shouted, readying more weapons.

“I’ll try Mind Body Switch!” Ino formed her hand seal and released her jutsu. The mental wave struck—only for her vision to go black. She was forcefully expelled.

Her eyes snapped open, frustrated. “It didn’t work!”

“That’s the weakness of the Mind Body Switch,” Kitazawa explained. “Against a will this strong, it won’t hold.”

“Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!” Hinata stepped forward, her strikes precise and relentless. Tendrils recoiled under the assault.

“Stay together and keep pushing forward,” Kitazawa instructed. He didn’t intervene—this was valuable training for them.

The three kunoichi fought tooth and nail, barely keeping the onslaught at bay. Kitazawa, meanwhile, activated his Byakugan, scanning for the true target.

Amid the clash of chakra, a different presence flickered—a Yin Release signature. The ghost of Kubisaki Gōza, the lizard’s master.

“Lord Kubisaki Gōza?” Kitazawa located the apparition. Without wasting time, he cut straight to the point.

“Shiromari has guarded your place faithfully for fifty years. It’s time you let it go free.”

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