Chapter 323: Shikamaru FIRST place??!!!

Tuesday, Ninja Academy.

All the Genius Class students and teachers gathered on the Training Ground.

Outgoing types like Naruto, Kiba, and Lee were animatedly bragging about their mission exploits. Kitazawa didn’t interfere; he simply collected the mission score sheets from Hiruzen, Kosuke, Kakashi, and the others.

One quick glance told him everything.

Quite a few perfect scores this time.

Not surprising, the Genius Class had grown absurdly strong.

Especially Sasuke and Naruto, picking flaws in their performance was nearly impossible.

The chatter faded as all eyes turned toward Kitazawa.

Sasuke’s fists tightened unconsciously.

He was sure he had first place this month.

A perfect mission score from Kosuke…

Kitazawa hid a smile.

“I’ll announce the theoretical exam rankings first,” he said lightly. “They’re similar to last time.”

He lifted the ranking sheet.

“Third place again!”

Sasuke’s eyes lit up.

Perfection was within reach.

“How do you even study, Shikamaru?” Naruto groaned. “You always get first!”

“I dunno,” Shikamaru replied lazily, hands behind his head. “I read the questions once and understood them. I didn’t study.”

“…?”

Naruto stared at him, betrayed by reality.

“Shikamaru, why are you trying to copy Sasuke now?”

Kiba scowled. “Is being smart that big a deal?!”

Sasuke twitched.

Why am I being dragged into this? When have I ever bragged like that?

“Tch! That’s it!” Ino clenched her fists. “Next practical exam, I’m beating you up!”

“For once, I agree with her.”

Sakura crossed her arms, glaring at Shikamaru.

“A-all right, all right, I was just kidding!”

Shikamaru immediately backed down. Genius or not, two angry girls were too troublesome.

“Intelligence is innate. Some things you can’t help.”

Tenten sighed.

“Kimimaro improved the most in this theory exam,” Kitazawa added. “Everyone should learn from him.”

“…?”

Tayuya stiffened.

That felt like a direct attack on her.

Burying her face behind her score sheet, she seethed internally.

Jugo didn’t react.

Haku looked quietly ashamed, he’d focused too much on Ice Release and neglected theory. He resolved to study harder next month.

“Next is the mission performance of the top ten students over the past two days,” Kitazawa said.

“This time, there are five perfect scores, the highest number so far.”

“What? That many?”

Ino blinked in surprise.

Could one of them be her?

…No, wait. Kitazawa had already said she and Sakura tied, and they had both contributed, but Kimimaro had overshadowed them. Their score wouldn’t be perfect.

Meanwhile, Sasuke felt his heartbeat spike.

Five perfect scores?

His advantage… was gone.

Kitazawa continued:

“Students with perfect scores are: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Kurama Yakumo, Kimimaro, and—

Nara Shikamaru.”

“What? Shikamaru?!”

Kiba yelped.

“You got a perfect score?”

Ino asked, incredulous.

“Why can’t I?”

Shikamaru shot back.

“I mean… it makes sense.”

Yakumo nodded thoughtfully. “When it comes to mission protocols and precautions, Shikamaru knows more than all of us combined.”

“That’s true,” Tenten added. “He aced every theory exam.”

“Wait—!”

Sakura suddenly gasped. “If he got a perfect mission score and a perfect theory score… doesn’t that mean his final ranking is…?”

Her gaze drifted toward Sasuke.

Realization struck Sasuke like a lightning bolt.

He had lost first place.

Impossible.

He’d done everything perfectly.

There was a 100% chance of victory.

So why…?

Sasuke’s brain short-circuited.

How could something guaranteed…

still fall apart?

“Oh—right!”

Choji finally reacted, even pausing mid–potato chip. His eyes widened.

“This time… the final first place is Shikamaru!”

“Someone actually beat Sasuke and Naruto?!”

Kiba practically vibrated with excitement. “Doesn’t that mean I have hope too?!”

Before this, it had only been a theoretical possibility.

Now that Shikamaru had done it, even the dreamers felt inspired.

No one had expected Nara Shikamaru to snatch the top spot.

“Kimimaro, congratulations.”

Jugo didn’t join the loud discussions. He simply looked at his friend with quiet pride.

“Thank you,” Kimimaro replied calmly.

But inside, satisfaction warmed his chest.

Winning first place in the practical exam meant he hadn’t disappointed Orochimaru.

Tayuya watched from the side, frustrated.

Back in Otogakure, she’d been one of the top experimental subjects—always praised as a genius.

But after arriving in Konoha, she’d hit walls everywhere she turned.

“This really is an unexpected turn,” Hiruzen chuckled.

“Missions always have unpredictable elements,” Kosuke added. “Honestly, it’s good. If Sasuke kept getting first place every time, he might get arrogant.”

“With Naruto and Yakumo around, Sasuke’s ego is in no danger,” Kakashi said mildly.

Sasuke wasn’t like the typical Uchiha—no arrogance, no superiority complex.

He and Obito were outliers in the clan.

“Teaching this class is far more entertaining than staying at home,”

Chen said, feeling more satisfied than he’d expected.

Agreeing to join the Genius Class had been the right decision.

“I’ll now announce the final rankings,” Kitazawa said, smiling slightly as he lifted the sheet.

“First place: Nara Shikamaru.”

Even Kitazawa hadn’t seen this coming.

And since Shikamaru hadn’t been in his team, there was no room for manipulation.

But when he thought about it, it made sense.

Shikamaru’s strength had risen greatly, and with his frightening IQ and maturing personality, a perfect mission score wasn’t surprising at all.

“Shikamaru, you have to treat us today!”

Choji said instantly.

“Yeah!” Kiba added loudly. “First place means you treat!”

“I’m coming too!” Naruto declared.

“Everyone’s coming. Even Hinata.”

Ino grinned. “Let’s make Shikamaru’s wallet cry a little!”

“…Okay.”

Shikamaru accepted his fate.

He was fully aware that Choji + Hinata would be devastating to his savings…

But it couldn’t be helped.

Besides, he planned to ask his parents for reimbursement.

Genius Class first place, his parents would happily foot the bill.

Sasuke stood stiffly, aura darkening like a thundercloud.

The entire training ground gave him a wide berth.

Everyone’s having fun… except me.

“That concludes this month’s rankings.”

Kitazawa clapped his hands lightly. “Return to your training.”

Students scattered to find their instructors.

Kitazawa glanced at Sasuke.

The boy’s frustration flared bright… then quickly burned out.

He’d lost first many times before.

He could adapt.

And he’d be back with a vengeance next exam, Kitazawa was sure of it.

[Current Mission: Help Kimimaro achieve first place in a practical exam.]

[Mission Reward: 20% Shikotsumyaku.]

[Mission complete, reward issued.]

[Shikotsumyaku at 70%. New abilities unlocked: Bone Membrane Creation & Rapid Healing.]

A flood of new sensations washed through Kitazawa’s body.

Bone Membrane Creation: A thin armor of bone beneath the skin, increasing defense.

Rapid Healing: Quick regeneration of external injuries.

Kimimaro had showcased both in the original story.

This put Kitazawa a step closer to being unreasonably hard to kill, especially combined with Yin Seal.

“Jugo, come with me.”

Kitazawa formed a hand sign; a Shadow Clone appeared and took over Genius Class instruction.

Though confused, Jugo followed him out of the Academy and toward the Hokage Building.

They entered the conference room—

And Genma, senbon in his mouth, opened the door to see something unexpected:

Iwashi and Raido were already inside, seated at the table.

All three froze.

They had once worked together as Minato’s guards—and all learned the Flying Thunder Formation Technique, a three-man version of Flying Thunder God.

Iwashi blinked. “Genma? You’re here too?”

“Do you know why the Anbu summoned us?” Raido asked.

“I was just about to ask you two.”

Genma approached, brow creasing.

“Maybe Hokage-sama wants to use the Flying Thunder Formation,” Iwashi guessed.

“Possibly…” Raido nodded.

“But if that were the case,” Genma muttered, “we would’ve been called to the Hokage Office, not the conference room. Something else is going on.”

Footsteps echoed in the hallway.

The three men turned—only to lock eyes with Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane in the doorway.

“Why are you two here?”

All five spoke at once.

“You guys got an Anbu summons too?” Genma asked, brows rising.

“Yeah,” Izumo said, scratching his head. “They even told us we don’t need to guard the gate anymore.”

Kotetsu crossed his arms. “Sounds like we’re being reassigned to something special.”

Then he sighed. “Shame… I actually liked gate duty.”

“What are you talking about?” Izumo elbowed him.

“If Hokage-sama has orders, we follow them! Through fire or water!”

And gate duty wasn’t fun.

If it were, they wouldn’t have volunteered as Chunin Exam proctors every other month.

“So lively already?”

A teasing voice carried into the room.

Anko Mitarashi walked in, pineapple hair bobbing, grin sharp.

“Anko? You too?”

Genma blinked. “What in the world is Hokage-sama planning…?”

Kotetsu crossed his arms again, thinking aloud.

“This doesn’t feel small. Four Special Jonin and two Chunin already gathered…

“Don’t overthink it,” Anko waved off their questions. “Just wait. Hokage-sama will show up soon enough.”

“…Fair.”

Everyone nodded reluctantly.

A moment later, they all instinctively turned toward the doorway—Kitazawa and Jugo stepped inside.

“Kitazawa?”

Genma’s eyes widened.

“Lord Kitazawa!”

Kotetsu, Izumo, and the others straightened immediately.

They were all from the same generation, technically peers…

But Kitazawa had risen to a height far beyond their reach.

“Kitazawa, why’d you call us here?”

Anko asked bluntly, arms crossed.

With her background as Orochimaru’s student—and her naturally bold personality—she had no reservations speaking plainly.

“It’s Tsunade-sensei’s order,” Kitazawa said with a casual smile.

“She wants all of you to form a Cursed Seal Unit.”

Genma blinked.

Kotetsu and Izumo exchanged confused looks.

None of them recognized the term.

“Wait—you mean the Cursed Seal of Heaven and the Curse Mark of Earth?”

Anko stepped forward, surprised.

“Exactly.”

Kitazawa nodded. “More specifically, the modified Curse Mark of Earth.”

Understanding dawned across Anko’s face.

She opened her mouth—likely to say that the original versions had absurdly low survival rates and were unusable for forming a unit—but Kitazawa beat her to it.

“You two mind filling the rest of us in?”

Genma complained.

“We’re completely lost here.”

“It’s simple,” Kitazawa said, launching into a concise explanation.

He outlined the concept of the enhanced Curse Mark of Earth, the creation of a specialized Cursed Seal Unit, the safety mechanisms he’d added, and the division of responsibilities between Orochimaru and himself.

By the time he finished, everyone wore stunned expressions.

“So… I’m going to be in charge?”

Anko asked, eyes widening—then sparkling with excitement.

Ever since Orochimaru defected, she’d been quietly sidelined by Konoha.

Now, Tsunade was putting her at the head of an entire new elite division.

Her status within the village would skyrocket overnight.

Genma and Kotetsu felt the same shock—then joy—creep across their faces.

After Minato’s death, they too had faded into background roles.

This suddenly dragged them back into the spotlight.

“The tentative size of the Cursed Seal Unit is sixty-two members,” Kitazawa continued.

“Anko and Genma will act as supervisors, overseeing fifteen squads.”

He added lightly,

“The Cursed Seal Unit will report directly to the Hokage.”

Anko, Genma, Izumo, and Kotetsu all broke into grins.

Reporting directly to the Hokage meant one thing:

They were now on the same level as the Anbu in terms of structure and authority.

This wasn’t a promotion—this was a rebirth.

“The Curse Mark modifications are moving in two directions,” Kitazawa explained.

“First, increasing implantation success rates—Orochimaru is handling that.”

“Second, limiting side effects—that part’s finished, and I handled it.”

Anko whistled softly.

“I’ve heard plenty about your reputation as a creative-type ninja, but this… you’re unbelievable.”

She understood the Cursed Seal’s workings better than anyone here.

Modifying it successfully was no small feat.

“Let me demonstrate.”

Kitazawa looked at Jugo.

“This is Jugo—think of him as a natural Curse Mark of Earth user.”

Jugo straightened, visibly eager.

He had understood everything:

Kitazawa had finally found a way to stop his Sage Transformation rampages.

“Jugo, remove your shirt.”

Jugo obeyed immediately.

“The improved version is called the Eightfold Earth Seal Curse Mark.”

As Kitazawa formed hand seals and carved complex sealing formulas across Jugo’s skin, everyone leaned forward.

Most didn’t understand the specifics—but Anko recognized enough to be impressed.

Half an hour later, Kitazawa pulled his hand away.

The intricate black seals faded slowly into Jugo’s skin.

“These markings only appear when activating the Curse Mark,” Kitazawa explained.

“Now then—if any of you want to back out, speak up.”

Kitazawa looked at them with a teasing smile.

“We’re no

t backing out.”

Anko, Genma, Kotetsu, and Izumo all responded immediately.

A boost in power and a boost in authority?

Who in their right mind would decline?

“For now,” Kitazawa said, clapping his hands lightly,

“your job is to scout suitable candidates for the Cursed Seal Unit. Compile a list and submit it to Tsunade-sensei.”

“That’s all. We’re done here.”

He turned and left with Jugo.

Anko, Genma, Izumo, and Kotetsu remained standing in the conference room for a long moment.

Everything felt surreal.

In a single afternoon, they had gone from overlooked ninjas to key figures in Konoha’s new elite division.

——————

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