Chapter 226: Chapter 226

Tuesday.

After breakfast Kitazawa headed straight for the academy’s training ground. Classes hadn’t started yet, so only a handful of students were warming up—but Kosuke and Kakashi were already there, early as always.

“Kosuke-senpai, Kakashi,” Kitazawa greeted.

“Kitazawa.” Maruboshi sighed with an amused shake of his head. “To have killed Kurosuki Raiga at your age… you’re a frighteningly capable young man.”

It was the first time anyone had called him “young” in that tone. Considering Kosuke’s own age, the compliment felt oddly fitting.

“You flatter me,” Kitazawa replied with a half-smile. “I still have much to learn.” Then he asked, curious, “How did you hear I killed Raiga?”

“Hokage-sama announced it,” Kakashi supplied. He wasn’t surprised at Kitazawa’s victory—he’d fought alongside him before and already had a sense of his skill—but Raiga had been no ordinary opponent. Kitazawa’s rise had simply been very fast, and for someone chosen and trained by Tsunade, it made sense.

Kitazawa let the implication settle: Hiruzen’s public notice would raise his profile. Fame made a target, yes—but it also increased one’s standing in Konoha in ways that could open doors.

By nine the casual conversation ended. The three instructors took charge of their respective study groups and training began in earnest. Kitazawa ran routine checks, left two shadow clones to shepherd the students, then walked down to the Artificial Lake to practice Water Release: Great Waterfall himself.

Time moved on. As the afternoon slid toward dismissal, three lines of system text blinked into Kitazawa’s vision:

[Current Mission: Learn four Water Release Ninjutsu within the third semester.]

[Mission Reward: Proficient-level Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation.]

[Host has completed the mission, reward issued.]

Kitazawa exhaled, relieved. He’d finished it. Proficient-level Water Release nature transformation would speed up every water jutsu he learned and bring him closer to the Five-Release Combination jutsu.

Still, he didn’t plan to keep chasing water jutsu right away. A parallel system mission required him to learn four Earth Release techniques this semester as well—he’d already learned Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall and needed three more. After a moment’s consideration, he decided to tackle Earth Release: Earth Replacement first. Unlike flashy offensive earth jutsu, Earth Replacement was a defensive, life-preserving technique; it could substitute ground matter for the caster’s body to evade lethal strikes. That kind of survival utility appealed to him more than another explosion.

Kitazawa headed to his squad’s training area. He’d already distributed the 1.2 million ryo he’d received the day before among Kabuto and the others; today’s visit was mostly to check on their progress and on upcoming missions.

“Kitazawa-sensei.” Kabuto and the others halted their drills when they saw him.

“Keep taking missions when you can,” Kitazawa reminded them. “If you run into trouble, come find me.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei,” they chorused.

Before he could say more, a familiar figure appeared out of the shadows. “Hokage-sama requests your presence,” the Anbu Haru said bluntly.

Kitazawa blinked. He’d thought the Raiga matter was settled. If Hiruzen wanted him, it would be clear why soon enough.

“Understood. Thank you.” Haru melted back into the shadows.

Kitazawa left after a quick farewell. The walk to the Hokage Building was crisp. At the village entrance a small crowd had gathered around the bulletin board. Curious, he approached and read the posted notice announcing Kurosuki Raiga’s death—and then noticed the line that made him stop.

It called him “Jonin Kitazawa.” Not “Special Jonin.”

He paused. Hiruzen had summoned him—not to scold. The promotion made sense: killing one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist warranted recognition. Standing there, among the murmurs, Kitazawa felt that his life in Konoha had just tilted into a slightly different orbit.

Kitazawa climbed the stairs and stepped into the Hokage’s office.

The first thing that caught his eye was the green jōnin vest laid neatly on the desk.

So his hunch had been right.

“Kitazawa.”

Hiruzen wasted no time. “There’s something I forgot to tell you earlier. From this moment on—you’re promoted to jōnin.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama.”

Kitazawa gave a small bow before asking, “Do I need to take the jōnin exam first?”

“An exam?” Hiruzen chuckled. “Defeating Kurosuki Raiga was far more difficult than any jōnin test.”

Rising to his feet, the Hokage lifted the vest and handed it over.

Kitazawa accepted it with both hands. “Thank you, Hokage-sama.”

“There’s one more matter.”

Settling back into his chair, Hiruzen exhaled smoke from his pipe. “This morning, word came from the Hidden Mist. They’re planning to send a delegation to Konoha.”

“To recover Raiga’s body… and his blades?” Kitazawa narrowed his eyes.

“Exactly.” Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ashtray, then added firmly, “But rest assured—if the blades were entrusted to you, then they are yours.”

That certainty surprised Kitazawa. Hiruzen rarely spoke with such finality. Perhaps it was because this time, the opposition wasn’t the Hidden Cloud—but the Mist.

Still, the Mist Village was in disarray. The so-called “Bloody Mist” had left it the weakest of the Five Great Villages. If it came to war, Konoha would have the upper hand.

And yet, its internal structure was fragile. Many shinobi—Gengetsu, Ao, even Mei Terumī—had long grown restless under the Fourth Mizukage Yagura’s tyranny. Even without Ao’s Byakugan exposing Yagura’s mind control, rebellion had always been inevitable.

“Konoha’s aim for this negotiation is simple,” Hiruzen continued. “We’ll exchange Raiga’s body for a financial settlement. The problem is—we still lack a negotiator.”

“You mean… me?” Kitazawa asked.

Hiruzen shook his head. “No. Raiga had ties within the Mist. If you go, they may see it as provocation. I want Tsunade to represent Konoha.”

Kitazawa froze. “Given Lady Tsunade’s temperament… she’ll most likely refuse.”

But he understood Hiruzen’s intent. Sending Tsunade wasn’t just diplomacy—it was symbolism. A message to every clan and shinobi in Konoha: Tsunade was the future Hokage. Those who wished to stay relevant had better rally behind her now.

Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed. This Sarutobi—eager to retire—was different from the man he remembered.

“If I ask her directly, she’ll refuse,” Hiruzen admitted, then fixed him with a meaningful look. “But if you ask her… she might reconsider.”

“…You’re really pushing the hard part on me, Hokage-sama.” Kitazawa’s lips twitched.

Still, with the rewards he’d gained recently, he decided to give it a try.

“I’ll await your good news,” Hiruzen said with a soft laugh.

Their business concluded, Kitazawa left the Hokage Tower.

He studied the jōnin vest in his hand. For some reason, it reminded him of Might Guy’s infamous green jumpsuit. Sure, the vest looked better—though not by much.

He tucked it away and headed toward Tsunade’s residence.

“Kitazawa-sensei.”

Karin answered the door, her red hair framing a cheerful smile.

“Is Lady Tsunade in?” Kitazawa asked, ruffling her hair lightly.

“She just returned. Please, come in.”

Inside, Tsunade was sprawled across the sofa, radiating her usual aura of lazy irritation. Judging from her expression, she’d probably lost money again.

“Lady Tsunade.”

Kitazawa started carefully, “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Instead of bringing up the negotiations immediately, he steered the conversation toward limb regeneration techniques.

“Kitazawa, have some tea.”

Shizune appeared, placing a cup before him.

“Thank you, Shizune-senpai.”

Before leaving, Shizune gave him a curious look. “I heard you defeated Kurosuki Raiga?”

“Yes,” Kitazawa replied with a modest smile. “Pure luck.”

“Luck? He was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!” Shizune shot him a disbelieving glare.

“Just one of the Seven Swordsmen,” Tsunade interjected flatly. “Nothing special.”

“Exactly,” Kitazawa said immediately, siding with her.

“…Hopeless. Both of you.” Shizune sighed, throwing up her hands. She felt like a stray dog that had wandered into a wolf pack. Since when were the Seven Swordsmen considered trivial?

Once she left, Kitazawa and Tsunade continued their discussion.

“That concept of yours is… interesting,” Tsunade admitted after a while, suddenly sitting up.

Kitazawa had deliberately revealed fragments of the forbidden art of body regeneration.

“But the side effects are severe,” Tsunade said, rubbing her temples. “Exchanging lifespan for limb regeneration—hardly worth the trade.”

“It’s a necessary sacrifice,” Kitazawa countered. “Regrowing lost limbs defies the natural order. There must always be a price.”

“You’re not wrong,” Tsunade murmured, thoughtful. “If we continue exploring this path, perhaps we can later find ways to minimize the risks.”

Kitazawa nodded. “Mm.”

Kitazawa’s thoughts drifted to Obito.

During the Third Ninja World War, half of Obito’s body had been crushed beneath falling rocks. It was Uchiha Madara who saved him, repairing his body with Hashirama’s cells. But, judging from the original accounts, it wasn’t just Hashirama cells—White Zetsu was also involved.

After all, pure Hashirama cells were notoriously unstable.

Danzo and Orochimaru had conducted countless experiments, and only Yamato survived by sheer miracle. It was unthinkable that Obito could endure them unassisted.

And White Zetsu—like Hashirama cells—possessed an array of absurd abilities. For example, when used as sacrifices for Edo Tensei, they allowed the revived shinobi to fight with strength closer to their living peak.

But White Zetsu was nearly impossible to obtain. Its talents were too abnormal—especially the Mayfly Technique, which let it merge seamlessly with earth, move freely underground, and erase all traces of its presence.

“I didn’t expect you might actually create a jutsu for limb regeneration.”

Tsunade’s eyes lingered on him, a strange disbelief in her tone. Kitazawa’s growth was so rapid it felt almost unreal. If this kept up, what could she even teach him? Only the Yin Seal and Creation Rebirth remained.

“It’s all thanks to Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa replied humbly. “Without your guidance, I wouldn’t have had this spark of inspiration.”

But as he spoke, another thought crept in: Shinno had to die.

The rogue medic-nin from the Sky Village was Konoha’s enemy. Kitazawa couldn’t explain the true origin of the forbidden Body Regeneration technique—he’d have to claim it as his own invention. But Shinno’s existence posed a risk of exposure.

Not that Kitazawa felt guilty. Shinno was hardly innocent—he imprisoned villagers to refine Dark Chakra, and in time, would lead the Sky shinobi in a bloody assault on Konoha.

The problem was finding him. According to the timeline, Shinno should already be lurking in the shadows, moving between villages, stealing forbidden techniques. Even Konoha hadn’t been spared—Eight Gates Formation and Zero-Tails jutsu had roots here.

“If you have more questions in the future, come to me.”

Tsunade reclined on the sofa again. Once perfected, limb regeneration would save countless shinobi and civilians in Konoha.

“I understand.” Kitazawa hesitated, then cleared his throat. “Lady Tsunade, there’s… another matter I need your help with.”

Tsunade gave him a sidelong glance. “I knew it. This was your real reason for coming. Go on.”

“I killed Kurosuki Raiga. The Mist will soon send a delegation to reclaim his body.” Kitazawa’s voice didn’t waver. “The Hokage hopes you’ll represent Konoha in negotiations.”

“No.”

Tsunade’s pout was immediate. “And why didn’t he tell me himself?”

“I was in his office when the matter came up, so he asked me to pass it along,” Kitazawa explained.

“The old man’s tricking you.” She snorted. “He knows I’d refuse, so he sent you as bait.”

Kitazawa tilted his head. “Then what should we do?”

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. “Wait—are you two in on this together?”

“How would I dare?” Kitazawa shook his head quickly, feigning surrender. “If Lady Tsunade truly doesn’t wish to go, then I’ll go in your place.”

“Fine, then. You go.”

“…Eh?” Kitazawa froze, his face stiffening.

“What’s wrong? You sound unhappy.” A mischievous smile played at her lips.

“I killed Raiga. If I face his old allies, it could turn violent. But if you are there, your strength and reputation will silence them.” Kitazawa added slyly, “They’d be scared out of their wits.”

“They wouldn’t dare lift a finger against you inside Konoha,” Tsunade countered with certainty.

“But my rank is too low,” Kitazawa said smoothly. “I’m just an academy teacher.”

“…An ordinary teacher?” Tsunade almost choked. A “teacher” who could slay a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—what kind of ordinary was that? Still, she had to admit his status was lacking.

His only proper title was Vice Principal of the Academy. If his apprenticeship under her were publicly acknowledged, that would be enough… but that wasn’t official yet.

“…Fine. I’ll go.”

Tsunade sighed after a moment’s silence.

“Thank you, Lady Tsunade.” Kitazawa exhaled in relief.

If push came to shove, he wouldn’t have feared going himself. But this was more than a mission—it was about the succession of Hokage. Hiruzen wanted Tsunade in that spotlight, and so did Kitazawa.

“When are the talks?” Tsunade asked. She might complain, but once she agreed, she’d see it through. And Konoha held the advantage here; negotiations wouldn’t be difficult.

“Next month,” Kitazawa answered. “The exact date will be relayed by the Anbu.”

“Mm.” Tsunade waved dismissively.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Until next time.”

Kitazawa rose. They had spoken for two hours; it was already evening. Still, he decided to stop by the Hokage’s office. Even if Sarutobi had gone home, the Anbu could pass along the news.

To his surprise, the Hokage was still at his desk.

Is the Hokage always this busy? Kitazawa thought.

“Haha! I knew you’d succeed!” Hiruzen burst into laughter after hearing his report.

——————

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