Chapter 26: Chapter 26

“As long as you’re happy,” Kitazawa said with a resigned smile.

Naruto and Gai already knew each other, so there was no reason for him to intervene. Besides, Kitazawa hadn’t technically done anything wrong, so Hiruzen likely wouldn’t come knocking on his door over it.

’As for Minato Namikaze…’ Kitazawa thought wryly. ’Well, I wish him luck. Hopefully, he’ll still recognize his son when he sees him next.’

“I am happy!” Naruto beamed. “Uncle Gai’s really nice to me. He’s taught me tons of cool stuff!”

“You should definitely keep asking him for advice on taijutsu,” Kitazawa said with a sigh.

This kid was a bit pitiful, really. He didn’t have many normal friendships.

“Mhm!” Naruto nodded enthusiastically. Then he leaned closer. “Kitazawa-sensei, can I start tree-climbing training now?”

Maybe it was some strange magnetic force between fellow “brothers,” but Naruto was completely fixated on beating Sasuke.

He simply couldn’t stand falling behind him.

“Not yet,” Kitazawa replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “Focus on getting first place in physical training first. You wouldn’t want to lose your top spot because you overreached too soon, right?”

“I got it!” Naruto shouted, his eyes blazing with determination.

He was going to claim first place in physical training and prove himself once and for all.

“I’m going for another run!” he declared, sprinting off around the training ground at top speed.

Kitazawa’s gaze shifted to Yakumo Kurama.

Despite the sweat pouring down her face, she was still jogging determinedly.

He nodded to himself.

’Children in the Ninja World really do grow up fast. When I was six, I was still busy making mud pies.’

Kitazawa tore his eyes away and walked over to the tree where Sasuke and the others were training.

Lately, he was starting to feel stretched thin.

His biggest hope now lay with Naruto’s mission. If he could get Naruto first place in running, which would help him master the Shadow Clone Jutsu, he’d finally be able to ease some of his own burden.

Two days flew by in the blink of an eye, and Thursday arrived with another practical combat class.

On the Ninja Academy’s training ground, the students of Class 1-A were gathering one by one.

“Ugh, more physical training. How troublesome…” Shikamaru groaned, resting his chin in his hand.

“I, the great me, narrowly lost to Sasuke last time,” Kiba announced dramatically, punching his fists together. “But this time, I’m gonna take back everything that’s mine!”

“Those are my lines!” Naruto shot back loudly. “First place is mine!”

“How could you ever beat Sasuke-kun?” Sakura giggled, nudging Ino. “Right, Ino?”

“Yeah, whatever,” Ino Yamanaka replied absently.

She’d been so focused on her training lately that she hadn’t even had the energy to compete with Sakura over Sasuke’s attention.

“…?” Sakura blinked, noticing her lackluster response.

Sasuke nodded coolly at all the noise.

Honestly, he agreed.

In his mind, everyone here—aside from Kitazawa—was destined to end up beneath him.

“This time is different!” Naruto shouted, puffing out his chest. “Kitazawa-sensei taught me a secret running technique!”

’Sasuke, you’re going down!’

“Just because Kitazawa-sensei is good doesn’t mean you’re good,” Sasuke said coolly, folding his arms.

He knew Naruto had been training under Kitazawa, but he didn’t believe a single week could make such a difference.

After all, last time there had been eight whole places between them.

“Just you wait!” Naruto shot back defiantly. “I’m gonna make you cry!”

“Hey! I was in second place last time!” Kiba barked, waving his arms. “Don’t leave me out of this!”

“Kitazawa-sensei is here!” Ino suddenly exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted him approaching.

Kitazawa strode over to the ground and spoke without preamble.

“Line up! Today we start with fifty laps.”

Immediately, he felt a sharp, familiar stare boring into him.

He didn’t even have to look to know it was Sasuke.

“Ready—go!” Kitazawa shouted.

The students shot forward as one, but this time, unlike before, Naruto didn’t sprint off recklessly.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him.

He still didn’t think Naruto could catch up, but… with Kitazawa-sensei in the picture, maybe he should be a little more cautious.

Kitazawa ran steadily at the very front.

He didn’t look particularly fast, but none of the kids could close the gap on him.

’If Sasuke could read Kitazawa’s mind right now’, it would say: ’When a stat monster masters a technique, it’s game over.’

As expected, after fifty laps, most of the students were dropping like flies.

By the sixtieth lap, only a handful remained: Sasuke, Naruto, Kiba, Shino, and Hinata.

“What’s going on?” Sakura asked, sitting down with a thump and wiping sweat from her brow. “Why is Naruto still running?”

Last time, Naruto would have collapsed by now.

“As expected of Kitazawa-sensei,” Ino panted, still catching her breath.

“Is that secret running technique really so effective?” Choji asked, wide-eyed.

“The technique helps, but the real difference is Naruto’s own strength,” Shikamaru said lazily, hands in his pockets. “Last time, he wasted his energy sprinting all over the place. That’s why he burned out.”

Time dragged on, and the runners pushed into their seventieth lap.

Sasuke was gasping for breath, muscles burning, feeling the weight of fatigue drag him down.

He glanced up at Kitazawa, still running effortlessly ahead, and clenched his teeth.

No matter how hard he pushed, he couldn’t close the gap.

’Fine. Kitazawa-sensei’s a grown man with over a decade’s advantage. I just need to beat everyone else for first place…’

’…Wait. First place among the students…’

Suddenly, Sasuke heard rhythmic breathing behind him.

’That can’t be right…’

Last time, by lap seventy, the only one left standing was himself.

He glanced over his shoulder—only to see Naruto still running, looking determined… and suspiciously energetic.

’No way. Why is he still going? Even Kiba and Shino are done! And the guy who finished ninth last time… is breezing along like this?’

Sasuke’s mind reeled.

’This is impossible! What did I miss?!’

Just then, Naruto noticed Sasuke glancing back.

’Perfect timing!’ Naruto thought. ’Time for my move!’

With a burst of speed, Naruto surged forward, leaving Sasuke behind.

Sasuke’s breath hitched. His footwork faltered, and his vision blurred as he watched Naruto gradually pull away.

He tried to give chase—but he’d hit his limit. His lungs screamed for air, and his legs refused to cooperate.

“Hahaha! I’m first place!” Naruto cried triumphantly, thrusting a fist into the air. “This… is youth!”

“…?”

Kitazawa pinched the bridge of his nose.

’Oh no… not another youth fanatic!’

Just then, a glowing screen appeared in front of Kitazawa’s eyes:

[Current Mission: Help Uzumaki Naruto achieve second place in physical training.]

[Mission Reward: Shadow Clone Jutsu.]

[Host has completed the mission. Reward issued.]

Kitazawa blinked in surprise, then broke into a grin.

’Well done, Naruto!’

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