Ninja Academy–Vice Principal’s Office

The faint scent of ink and sterilized parchment filled the room as Konan watched silently from across the desk.

Before her, black markings began spreading from Kitazawa’s forehead, snaking across his skin like living calligraphy. The seal lines pulsed once—then steadied—covering his entire body in symmetrical patterns of chakra.

Konan’s sharp amber eyes flickered in quiet awe.

That technique…

She had never seen it with her own eyes, but even in the hidden corners of the shinobi world, its name carried weight.

Creation Rebirth: Hundred Healings Jutsu.

Until now, there had been only one person capable of performing it—the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju.

And yet, before her stood another.

Kitazawa slowly exhaled.

The markings began to fade, retreating to his forehead and solidifying into a single diamond-shaped seal.

It was done.

October 1st—the day Kitazawa finally completed Tsunade’s ultimate medical technique.

He had mastered every medical ninjutsu she’d ever created.

The only thing he still lacked was experience—the kind that only came from years of battle and patients saved.

But experience, he thought, could be earned.

“Congratulations,” Konan said, her calm voice carrying a note of genuine admiration.

“Thank you.”

Kitazawa stood, straightening his cloak. His eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. “Perfect timing.”

Today marked more than his breakthrough—it was also the first monthly exam for the Genius Class.

And this exam came with two active system missions—one tied to Tayuya and one to Kimimaro.

The first was guaranteed.

The second… a little trickier.

Still, Kitazawa had found a clever loophole.

The system’s mission stated Kimimaro must not enter the top three.

It didn’t say who had to replace him.

If Kitazawa himself participated—technically still considered part of the Genius Class by the system—the results would satisfy the requirement perfectly.

A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips.

He’d just need to coordinate things carefully between Yakumo, Naruto, and perhaps Sasuke.

If all went according to plan, the rankings would take care of themselves.

“By the way,” he said suddenly, turning toward Konan, “is your… associate’s medicine supply running out?”

Konan blinked once, then nodded. “It will be gone by the end of the week.”

Kitazawa knew exactly who she meant—Nagato.

Though White Zetsu could’ve handled delivery, Konan always insisted on doing it herself.

Nagato’s frail condition was a secret even among Akatsuki; gods, after all, could not afford to look human.

“Have him come to the Land of Fire again,” Kitazawa said, leaning back slightly. “After the next treatment phase, the Limb Regeneration should be ready for use.”

For a heartbeat, Konan’s composure cracked. Her eyes widened, just slightly.

“…You mean—?”

“Yes,” Kitazawa said simply. “He’ll walk again.”

Konan’s fingers tightened imperceptibly on the edge of the desk.

For years, she’d dreamed of seeing Nagato rise to his feet, not as a weapon or a god—but as the man she once knew.

And yet… a quiet thought slipped into her mind.

If he recovers… will I still have a reason to stay here?

But she quickly pushed that thought away.

No—she had a new purpose.

To learn.

To understand Kitazawa’s strange and brilliant ways of reshaping the world—not with violence, but with trade, and intellect.

And if it meant earning money for Akatsuki while learning how to rebuild the Land of Rain… then Nagato would approve.

“I’ll go ahead to the classroom,” Kitazawa said, breaking her from her thoughts.

Konan watched him leave—before quietly returning to her work.

By the time Kitazawa arrived, the room was already buzzing.

“What?!”

Tayuya’s shout nearly rattled the windows. She was glaring at Ino like she’d just been betrayed.

“What are you talking about?!” Sakura leaned over from her desk, curious.

“Tayuya didn’t know that theory exam scores also count toward the final ranking,” Ino explained with a sigh.

“This isn’t fair!” Tayuya slammed her hands on the desk. “I’ve only studied theory for a month! How am I supposed to compete with you bookworms?!”

“That’s… not wrong,” Sakura admitted sympathetically. “But that’s just how it works. Yakumo and Karin went through the same thing.”

“You’ll catch up eventually,” Ino said encouragingly. “You’re smart enough.”

“Damn it!” Tayuya hissed through clenched teeth. She felt cheated.

If theory counted, her shot at the top five was doomed.

No—wait.

Her mind clicked.

The rules said the ranking was based on the practical exam, didn’t they?

If she could argue that technicality later… watching Kitazawa’s face twist in frustration would be delicious.

Tayuya smirked inwardly. Revenge would be sweet.

“It’s fine,” Sakura said, resting her chin on her hand. “Theory doesn’t matter anyway. None of us are getting first place.”

“Why not?” Tayuya asked, snapping back to reality.

“Because Shikamaru’s youth is simply unbeatable!” Naruto declared with a sparkling grin and a dramatic thumbs-up.

Tayuya stared blankly. “…What?”

Naruto’s enthusiasm defied all logic.

Sakura laughed. “What he means is, Shikamaru’s the smartest of all of us. He always gets first in theory.”

“I don’t believe it,” Tayuya said immediately. “No one’s that smart.”

“You’ll see soon enough,” Sakura sighed. “I used to be first.”

Shino adjusted his glasses. “You can tie for first,” he said matter-of-factly. “If you get a perfect score.”

Sakura gave him a deadpan look. “Thank you for that motivating reminder.”

Shino nodded solemnly, missing the sarcasm entirely.

Tayuya crossed her arms, already planning her revenge. “Whatever. I’ll just destroy everyone in the practical exam instead.”

Kitazawa, standing at the back of the classroom, couldn’t help but smile.

The monthly exam hadn’t even started, and already, the energy in the Genius Class was electric.

Exactly as he’d planned.

“The most important thing for a ninja,” Tayuya declared confidently, “is practical combat!”

Her mood had flipped the instant she understood how the rankings worked. “As long as I take first in the practical exam, that’s all that matters!”

“I’d still be careful if I were you,” Ino said, arms crossed. “Especially of Sasuke, Naruto, and Neji.”

“I know, I know.” Tayuya waved her hand dismissively, her tone dripping with confidence.

In truth, she had already made her own list of threats—Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuga Neji, and Hyuga Hinata.

Those two surnames alone carried enough weight to make anyone cautious. The Sharingan and Byakugan weren’t things to take lightly.

Even so, she was confident her Genjutsu and summons could carry her through.

Her three Nuki Oni summons were no ordinary beasts; each one was easily at the level of a skilled Chunin.

Even if she couldn’t yet defeat Kimimaro, she conveniently chose to ignore that fact—he was from Otogakure too, so he didn’t count as competition.

“Confident, huh?” Kiba chuckled nostalgically. “I used to sound just like you.”

Before joining the Genius Class, he’d been the same—loud, proud, and convinced he’d crush everyone. After a few months under Kitazawa’s brutal reality checks, that confidence had… adjusted.

“Tayuya,” Shikamaru said lazily from the back, “you haven’t seen Naruto’s training, have you?”

“No. Why would I?” she shot back without hesitation.

Shikamaru whistled softly. “Then you’ll understand soon enough.”

He remembered the dozens of Narutos sprinting across the training field, the sheer absurdity of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. Anyone who saw it once would know—fighting that lunatic wasn’t a normal experience.

Shikamaru leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly.

Kitazawa had done this on purpose.

He had kept Tayuya and Kimimaro training separately, isolating them from Naruto and Sasuke. Not to favor anyone—but to teach them.

He was waiting for reality to humble them.

Shikamaru smirked to himself. “That guy really does think three steps ahead.”

Across the room, Sasuke said nothing. His gaze was fixed, sharp as ever.

Kimimaro’s presence bothered him—not because of arrogance, but recognition. He could feel it. The same quiet intensity, the same hunger for strength.

He exhaled slowly. “Troublesome opponent,” he murmured.

Naruto grinned brightly. “Hey, don’t go making rivals already!”

“You’re not one to talk,” Sasuke muttered.

“You bet I’m not! I’m already your rival!”

Everyone collectively sighed.

“Good luck,” Tenten said to Tayuya with a knowing grin. “You’ll need it.”

Tayuya snorted, crossing her arms. “I don’t need luck.”

Tenten smiled sympathetically. You will.

“Everyone, back to your seats,” Kitazawa’s calm voice rang out as he entered the classroom. “The exam’s about to begin.”

The chatter ceased instantly. Even Tayuya obediently sat down.

A month in Konoha had changed her more than she realized. She still mouthed off sometimes, but she’d adapted—mostly thanks to Ino and the endless flow of snacks she shamelessly accepted.

“There’s only one rule,” Kitazawa said, placing a neat stack of test papers on the desk. “No cheating.”

Tayuya took her paper, scanned it—and her expression froze.

Two words summed it up perfectly: It’s over.

She could barely understand half the questions.

Why were there essays about the Will of Fire? Since when did a ninja need philosophy to fight?

Suppressing a groan, she picked up her pen and started writing… whatever came to mind.

She wasn’t the only one. Kimimaro, Jugo, and even Haku were also staring blankly at their papers, filling them out with heroic nonsense.

Kitazawa sat calmly at the podium, completing a test of his own. Not for practice—but to manipulate the results.

If he submitted perfect answers, his name would automatically appear on the ranking list, ensuring Kimimaro couldn’t take the top three spots.

Once he finished, he leaned back and began sketching notes on the Eight-Layered Cursed Seal, the modified version he planned to test soon.

Three to eight layers, adjustable depending on the user’s capacity… he mused. Like giving a weapon multiple safety locks.

The hours passed quickly.

When the bell rang at eleven, Kitazawa collected the papers with practiced efficiency.

“Tomorrow morning at nine,” he announced, “meet at the training ground for the practical exam.”

“Kitazawa-sensei!” Ino raised her hand. “The teams will only be formed after the practical exam, right?”

“That’s right,” Kitazawa nodded. “Only the top eighteen will qualify for team assignments.”

“Then pick me first!” Ino said sweetly, clasping her hands together.

Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.

“Sensei’s fair and impartial!” Sakura immediately said, narrowing her eyes at Ino. “Your tricks won’t work on him!”

Shikamaru sighed quietly. Hard to say about that… He had seen enough of Kitazawa’s “fair” manipulations to know there was always more to them.

“I’ll pick my own team,” Kiba said proudly. “Three people—uh, I mean—” He froze mid-sentence, realizing Hiruzen wasn’t there to overhear his blunder.

The class burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, Tayuya’s thoughts were a whirl of contradiction. She wanted to team up with Kimimaro and Jugo—fellow Sound shinobi—but… being with Ino and the others didn’t sound terrible either. Especially if snacks were involved.

“You’ll find out tomorrow,” Kitazawa said, interrupting her thoughts. “For now, go home and rest.”

He gathered the papers and left the room.

Tayuya bit her lip, hesitated for two seconds, then chased after him.

“Is there something else?” Kitazawa turned, already knowing.

“When I said I’d make top five, I meant the practical exam!” she blurted.

Kitazawa’s lips curved upward. “That’s what I meant too. What, you think I’d set up a child like you?”

“I’m not a child!” Tayuya snapped, glaring up at him.

“Oh? Then what are you?” he asked, tone teasing.

“I—” she straightened, voice rising, “I’m an official ninja of Otogakure!”

Kitazawa smiled faintly. “Correction. You’re currently a student of the Genius Class, Konoha Village.”

“I am not!” she insisted, planting her hands on her hips.

“Alright,” Kitazawa said mildly, turning toward his office, “then I’ll let you grade these test papers.”

Tayuya froze. “W–Wait, what?!”

He didn’t stop.

“Since you’re such a capable official ninja, it should be easy work.”

Her expression changed faster than lightning. “Forget it!” she yelled, spinning on her heel and sprinting away.

Kitazawa chuckled under his breath. “And she says she’s not a child.”

With a small smile, he entered his office, the sound of her retreating footsteps still echoing faintly down the hall.

Ninja Academy – Vice Principal’s Office

Konan looked up from her paperwork as Kitazawa entered. “Kitazawa.”

He gave a brief nod in acknowledgment, settling into his seat and pulling the stack of test papers toward him.

By noon, he had already finished grading and ranking the Genius Class’s theoretical exam results.

As expected, Shikamaru took first place, with Sakura close behind in second.

What surprised him, however, was third place—Sasuke.

His summer of intense tutoring had clearly paid off.

The rest of the rankings followed the usual pattern. The transfer students—Kimimaro, Jugo, Haku, and Tayuya—fell somewhere in the middle. It was their first time taking a theory-based exam, after all.

None made it into the top fifteen, and Tayuya, predictably, landed near the bottom.

Second to last.

The last spot, as always, was firmly secured by Rock Lee.

Kitazawa leaned back, glancing over the papers one last time.

Everything was within expectations.

That afternoon, he returned home.

Now that he had fully mastered Creation Rebirth: Hundred Healings Jutsu, he could shift his focus to Wood Release.

His next target was mastering Wood Release: Great Forest Technique. Once that was complete, he planned to have an open conversation with Tsunade—about everything.

Whenever he needed a break from ninjutsu practice, he would spend his time refining the cursed seal and adjusting the Yang Release Chakra Mode.

It had become his quiet, steady routine.

The world was unusually peaceful. No major incidents had shaken the shinobi nations lately.

Ironically, the only “war” happening now was economic—the Ocean’s Heart Jewelry Store in the Fire Capital had become so successful that imitations were popping up across the Land of Fire.

But Konoha’s brand had already gained the upper hand. With the Daimyo’s public endorsement and the store’s reputation, the copycats could only feed on the leftovers.

They were no real threat.

The Next Day – Practical Exam Day

The Training Ground was lively under the morning sun.

For this event, Hiruzen, Kakashi, and Kosuke were all present to observe.

“Kimimaro’s name seems to be spreading quite a bit these days,” Kosuke remarked, glancing toward the white-haired boy waiting calmly at the edge of the field. “When I visited the hospital for a check-up, the medical staff couldn’t stop talking about him.”

“Oh?” Kakashi tilted his head. “Why’s that?”

“The kekkei genkai disease,” Kosuke replied quietly.

“Ah.”

Hiruzen nodded in understanding, stroking his beard. “Fortunate that Tsunade and her team caught it early. It would be a waste to lose a shinobi with Shikotsumyaku.”

Orochimaru’s return to Konoha had changed many things.

Otogakure, now a subsidiary of Konoha, meant its ninja—including Kimimaro, Tayuya, and Jugo—were officially under the village’s protection.

And among them, Kimimaro had drawn Hiruzen’s particular attention.

The last heir of the Kaguya Clan, he mused. If he thrives here… perhaps the Kaguya bloodline could rise again.

“I’m curious to see his performance today,” Kosuke said. “Few can use their own body as a weapon.”

Hiruzen smiled. “I predict he’ll make the top five.”

Kakashi nodded. “Same here.”

Kitazawa arrived precisely on time, drawing every student’s gaze as he approached.

He carried a small lottery box in one hand.

“This time,” he said, holding it up, “pairings will be determined by random draw.”

Of course, random was only half true.

He planned to draw the slips himself—to quietly steer the results.

Kimimaro was too strong. If left to chance, he’d almost certainly place in the top three. That couldn’t happen—not if Kitazawa wanted to clear his system mission.

As he began mixing the slips, the class buzzed with excitement.

Sasuke folded his arms, confidence radiating from him.

After weeks of Kakashi’s special training, he had learned three new Lightning Release techniques. In terms of ninjutsu mastery, he already rivaled a Chunin.

He’d trained hard for today—not just for glory, but to earn the acknowledgment of his brother, Itachi.

Naruto grinned eagerly, cracking his knuckles. “I hope I get Sasuke or Kimimaro! I wanna fight someone strong!”

Simple as always.

For him, battle itself was the reward. Winning was just a bonus.

Tayuya, meanwhile, smirked to herself.

Today was her day to prove herself—and maybe wipe that smug look off Kitazawa’s face while she was at it.

Kimimaro stood silently beside her, calm but resolute. Deep down, he wanted only one thing: to prove to Orochimaru that he was still the strongest.

The other students—Kiba, Shino, Tenten, and Sakura—were more grounded. They’d been through many exams before and knew where they stood.

Only Ino and Sakura shot determined glances at each other, their rivalry renewed as always.

Kitazawa reached into the box and drew the first pair.

“First round, first match—Tayuya versus Hinata Hyuga.”

The crowd murmured.

Tayuya’s expression hardened slightly. “Hinata, huh? This might be annoying…”

Across from her, Hinata silently activated her Byakugan, her eyes turning a milky white.

She had studied Tayuya carefully—her strength lay in genjutsu and summoning beasts. But if she was confident enough to face her head-on, that meant she wasn’t planning to hold back either.

“Battle—begin!” Kitazawa declared.

Eight Trigrams: Vaccum Palm!

Hinata moved first, her palm slicing through the air.

A compressed wave of chakra shot forward like a cannon blast.

Tayuya had just lifted her flute when the shockwave struck her square in the chest. The impact forced her to drop it, eyes wide with disbelief.

Gentle Fist can be used at long range?!

Before she could recover, Hinata vanished from sight.

“Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!”

In a blur, Hinata appeared in front of her, palms striking with precision and speed.

Tayuya barely had time to react. Her taijutsu was average, and against a Gentle Fist specialist, that was as good as useless.

Each hit sealed her tenketsu one after another until, with the final strike, she collapsed to the ground, unable to move.

The match was over in less than a minute.

The audience was stunned into silence.

Even Kitazawa raised an eyebrow, slightly impressed.

Hinata lowered her stance, exhaling softly, her eyes returning to their normal state.

First round, victory—Hinata Hyuga.

——————————–

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