Chapter 325: Nearing New Year | Birthday Gifts

Kitazawa and Kurenai returned home after wrapping up their duties.

They were “guests” in name only.

After spending so much time with Tsunade, Shizune, and the others, they had long since become part of the household.

Cleaning up after Tsunade’s drunken nights had practically become routine.

“How many birthday gifts did you get today?”

Kurenai asked casually as she slipped off her shoes.

“Quite a few.”

Kitazawa’s gaze lingered on her curved figure for a moment.

“If you’re curious, you can help me unwrap them.”

“I was only asking.”

Kurenai stepped onto the carpet barefoot, smiling. “They were given to you, after all.”

“Why are you still separating ’yours’ and ’mine’ at this point?”

Kitazawa stepped forward and pulled her into a warm embrace.

“What about your gift?”

“How am I supposed to give it to you when you’re holding me like this?”

Kurenai’s voice quivered slightly—his breath against her collarbone sent a shiver through her.

Kitazawa reluctantly released her.

Her eyes fluttered away, cheeks faintly warm.

“…I’ll take a shower first.”

Without waiting for a reply, Kurenai retreated toward the bathroom.

Kitazawa blinked, puzzled—but all he could do was wait.

He dropped onto the sofa, stretching lazily.

Konoha’s New Year break would begin on December 28th—one week away.

After that, it would be time to visit Hōzuki Castle.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Itachi and Sasuke would definitely need to go.

Opening the Box of Paradise required massive chakra, so Naruto was essential.

But Naruto couldn’t be the only fuel source.

Kitazawa intended to bring every available ANBU operative.

Partly for chakra support,

partly because he planned to quietly take control of Kusagakure and Hōzuki Castle.

No matter what face he wore on the surface, Kitazawa was a reincarnator.

He would never be satisfied with just Konoha.

Even if he didn’t unify the world, he would become the shadow behind it—the unseen hand guiding everything.

Kusagakure was the perfect starting point.

First, for Karin and her mother.

Second, because the Grasslands of the Land of Grass held strategic value.

Of course, Konoha wasn’t yet powerful enough to dominate openly.

So a silent takeover was the safest route.

And technically… the first village under his influence was already Otogakure.

A faint sound drew his attention—Kurenai stepping out from the hallway.

Kitazawa’s eyes widened instinctively.

Kurenai walked toward him, wearing a white suspender stocking outfit that clung to her legs like a whispered temptation.

She hooked a finger under the band of her thigh-stocking.

Snap.

The elastic struck her skin, sending a ripple across her pale thigh before settling into a soft indentation.

“How is it?”

Her voice was low, shy, and warm. “Does it look good?”

Kitazawa could only nod.

She approached, stopped before him, and slowly knelt down.

The stockings stretched taut against her legs, the suspenders pressing into soft skin.

Kurenai leaned forward, resting her chin gently on his lap, gazing up at him.

Kitazawa brushed a hand through her hair.

Neither spoke.

One didn’t need to, and the other couldn’t find his voice.

This… was Kurenai’s birthday gift.

Kitazawa woke feeling refreshed.

Even though he’d gone to bed late in the night, his enhanced body never truly fatigued.

With the Yin Seal regulating his chakra, he could operate at peak condition so long as he didn’t completely run dry.

He glanced down.

Kurenai slept curled in his arms, breathing softly, completely unguarded.

He carefully slid out of bed, not wanting to disturb her.

After last night, she deserved the rest.

After breakfast, Kitazawa headed to the Hokage Building.

He had expected Tsunade—but only Shizune was present.

After greeting her, he walked to the nearby Hokage Secretariat.

Unlike Tsunade, Itachi was never late.

“Lord Kitazawa.”

Itachi stood immediately.

“Itachi.”

Kitazawa nodded. “What do you think is the best course of action regarding the Box of Paradise?”

Itachi grew thoughtful.

“The Box of Paradise is said to be a relic of the Sage of Six Paths—a tool capable of ’uniting the world.’ Whether that is myth or truth, it is too dangerous to remain in the hands of Kusagakure.”

Exactly what Kitazawa expected.

For Itachi, the priorities were always clear:

Konoha first.

Sasuke second.

The Box was both a threat and a temptation.

Left unchecked, Kusagakure’s ambitions—to revive their village by defeating the Five Great Nations—pointed directly at Konoha.

Kusagakure knew nothing about Mui’s personal reason for opening the Box.

And their hostility toward Kitazawa and Tsunade had only grown after the incident where both had stormed into Kusagakure to rescue Karin and her mother.

It was only natural they would consider Konoha an enemy.

“I’m planning to head to Hōzuki Castle right after the New Year,” Kitazawa said.

“I want you and Sasuke to come with me.”

“Sasuke?”

Itachi blinked, genuinely surprised. “Why bring him?”

Sasuke’s strength was impressive for his age, but he was still a student—not an official shinobi.

“The Box of Paradise can ’grant any wish.’”

Kitazawa paused, then asked, “Do you believe that?”

“No.”

Itachi shook his head without hesitation. “If it were that simple, the Sage of Six Paths wouldn’t have died.”

Kitazawa chuckled.

“It’s not literally all-powerful, but… it does have abilities close enough to be dangerous.”

“It can actually grant wishes?”

For once, Itachi looked caught off guard.

“There’s a price.”

Kitazawa leaned back slightly. “When the wish is granted, the box releases an Yin-Release monster—Satori.”

“So you want Sasuke to make a wish?”

Itachi finally understood.

“I want him to use this opportunity to awaken his Three-Tomoe Sharingan,” Kitazawa said. “We just have to deal with Satori afterward.”

“Will Sasuke be in danger?”

Itachi’s tone sharpened—the protective older brother surfacing.

“I don’t know,” Kitazawa admitted, “but we can handle it. With our strength, a single Box of Paradise isn’t a threat.”

Itachi exhaled slowly.

Coming from Kitazawa, it wasn’t arrogance—just fact.

And Itachi himself, with his Mangekyō and mastery of Yin Release, was naturally suited to subdue the monster.

If Sasuke truly awakened a three-tomoe Sharingan at eight years old…

The Uchiha Clan would explode with pride.

Itachi could almost see it—Sasuke’s future brilliance, the clan’s hope for a Hokage finally within reach.

“And I’ll notify you once everything is ready.”

Kitazawa finished the discussion and headed back to the Hokage’s office.

This time, Tsunade herself was present.

“Lady Tsunade,” Kitazawa said with a smirk as he entered, “you’re half an hour late.”

“I’m the Hokage. So what if I’m late?”

Tsunade shot him a glare.

“So being Hokage means you can be unreasonable?”

“Exactly.”

Tsunade folded her arms proudly.

“A Hokage needs a thick skin… or cunning. Otherwise Konoha gets taken advantage of.”

“As expected of Lady Tsunade.”

Kitazawa gave her a thumbs-up.

“That’s why I believe you’ll make a good Hokage.”

She smirked. “You’re shameless enough.”

“…Are you complimenting me or insulting me?”

Kitazawa sighed and shifted to business.

He summarized the issue in two simple points:

Prisoners under Kusa’s custody are being forced to open the Box of Paradise.

After Kusagakure opened it, their likely target would be Konoha.

“They dare?”

Tsunade slammed the desk, eyes blazing.

Because of Karin and her mother, she already loathed Kusagakure; now they were planning to provoke Konoha?

Kitazawa’s gaze drifted to the necklace on her chest as she moved.

“What are you staring at?”

Tsunade stomped lightly on his foot.

“After New Year, I’ll lead a team to Hōzuki Castle and retrieve the Box of Paradise,” Kitazawa said calmly. “What do you think?”

“Go,” Tsunade snapped. “And teach Kusagakure a lesson while you’re at it!”

“Understood.”

Kitazawa smiled. “Don’t get so angry though. Anger ages you faster.”

Tsunade sat down with a huff. “Anything else?”

Kitazawa glanced at the crescent moon through the window.

“…Aren’t you going to give me a birthday present?”

“I forgot yesterday because I drank too much. Here.”

Tsunade tossed him a small wrapped object.

“An omamori?”

Kitazawa raised a brow. “You believe in these things?”

“It’s from Grandma Mito,” Tsunade explained. “There’s a sealing technique inside. I don’t leave the village much now—so it’ll be more useful for you.”

“This is too precious. I can’t take it.”

It wasn’t just the sealing technique—this was a keepsake from Uzumaki Mito.

Kitazawa already had Hashirama’s necklace… taking this too felt excessive.

“Since I gave it to you, keep it.”

Tsunade grabbed his wrist and pressed the charm into his palm.

“…Thank you.”

Kitazawa relented. “Then I’ll hold onto it—for your sake.”

A knock sounded at the door.

“Stand over there,” Tsunade whispered sharply as she withdrew her hand.

Kitazawa had been leaning over the Hokage’s desk, far too close to her for an outsider to misunderstand. He lifted a brow, stepped back around the desk, and returned to a proper distance.

Shizune pushed the door open.

She paused for half a heartbeat when she saw Kitazawa, but quickly returned to normal—clearly, she was already used to finding him here.

“Lady Tsunade,” Shizune reported, stepping forward, “the Cursed Seal Unit’s office has been completed. Anko and Genma can move in at any time.”

“Notify them,” Tsunade said with a nod.

Shizune bowed lightly and left.

Kitazawa waited until the door closed before speaking.

“The Cursed Seal Unit is officially established. Do you want me to have the Anbu spread the word through the village?”

“You may inform people—but only a select few.”

Tsunade rested her chin on one hand. “Just like Anbu, the Cursed Seal Unit should exist in secrecy.”

“Ninja battles are information battles,” Kitazawa agreed. “The fewer people who know about the unit, the more decisive they’ll be on the battlefield.”

Tsunade smirked. “There you go again. Shamelessly perceptive.”

“I’ll take that as praise,” Kitazawa sighed. “Also… I suggest appointing Orochimaru as an honorary member of the Cursed Seal Unit.”

Tsunade instantly understood.

“That’s true. They need a top-tier shinobi to anchor the organization. Go notify him.”

Neither Anko nor Genma were weak—but they weren’t Jonin either. A high-ranking figure was essential.

Kitazawa nodded—then stepped closer again.

“What are you doing now?” Tsunade instinctively asked.

“You promised me a reward once the Cursed Seal Unit was established,” Kitazawa replied, smiling just a little too confidently.

Tsunade’s heart gave a small tremor. “…And what reward did you have in mind?”

“This trip to Hōzuki Castle could be dangerous.”

Kitazawa leaned forward with calm seriousness. “I think I need a lucky kiss.”

Tsunade: “…”

I knew it, she thought bitterly.

After a brief internal struggle, Tsunade stood up.

Only then did she realize—Kitazawa was noticeably taller. Even on tiptoe, she wouldn’t reach his forehead.

…Unless she chose a different place.

Her gaze flicked to his lips.

A faint blush bloomed on her cheeks.

Then, before she could think better of it, she leaned in.

Kitazawa’s hands instinctively found her waist, steadying her as her soft figure pressed against him.

Their lips met—warm, soft, startling.

When they finally parted, Tsunade stepped back quickly, sitting down harder than intended. Her reddened lips shimmered faintly.

“Go notify Anbu,” she muttered, refusing to look at him.

Kitazawa composed himself and headed for the door.

“Then I’ll take my leave. See you next time, Lady Tsunade.”

The door closed.

Tsunade stared at it blankly, emotions tangled.

I shouldn’t have… but I couldn’t help it.

Maybe everything had started with that dream—the one where he cured her hemophobia…?

Snow dusted Konoha light and silent as Kitazawa walked toward the Ninja Academy.

Despite the cold, classes hadn’t slackened. Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others were still training earnestly in the snow.

“All of you, come here,” Kitazawa called out.

“Kitazawa-sensei! Is there new training?”

Naruto bounded over immediately.

“No.” Kitazawa shook his head.

Hinata hurried over next, clutching her bow, small hands reddened from cold training. Shikamaru, Ino, Neji, and the others followed.

“The New Year is approaching, and it’s freezing. For the next few days, you don’t need to train. Go home and rest well.”

Kitazawa gently patted Hinata’s snow-dusted head.

“I’m not tired!” Naruto protested instantly.

“Rest isn’t about being tired,” Kitazawa explained. “Training paired with rest gives the best results.”

“Hey, Naruto,” Shikamaru added lazily, “since you’re free, come visit the Ino–Shika–Chō household.”

“And play shogi with Shikamaru!” Ino chimed in.

Naruto’s eyes lit up. “A shogi match full of youth—LET’S GO!”

“I shall join as well!” Lee declared, burning with determination.

“…”

Shikamaru sighed in existential pain.

What did I do to deserve this?

Ino and Choji broke into laughter.

“Alright, dismissed,” Kitazawa said, clapping his hands.

“Let’s go, Naruto! I’ll take you to my house,” Shikamaru grumbled, already regretting inviting him.

“Kitazawa-sensei, we’re heading off too!”

Ino waved, leaving with Shikamaru and Choji.

“See you next time,” Haku said politely, departing with Jugo, Kimimaro, and Tayuya.

Soon, only Hinata remained.

Neji, Tenten, and Lee had gone ahead, intentionally leaving her space.

“How’s your archery practice?” Kitazawa asked gently.

“I… I can shoot as quickly as throwing kunai and shuriken now,” Hinata answered after thinking.

“Impressive. Byakugan is powerful—but it’s your dedication that makes it shine.”

Kitazawa smiled.

“After the New Year, I’ll give you a bow. Consider it an early birthday gift.”

Hinata’s eyes widened.

“Th-thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!”

“I’ll walk you home.”

He brushed the snow from her hair and raised a hand.

Chakra flowed outward, forming an invisible, warm canopy above them—shielding both teacher and student from the falling snow as they walked together through the quiet snowy village.

——————

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