Chapter 384: 385 – Painting the Hokage Rock!!

March 13, Thursday.

The Genius Class’s final exams officially began.

Today was the theory exam, supervised by Iruka, so Kitazawa didn’t bother going to the Academy.

Nor did he spend the day training.

Instead, he headed straight for the Forest of Death.

After some deliberation, Kitazawa had decided that a portion of the Forest of Death would serve as the battlefield for the team-based practical exam.

The forest itself was vast—far too large to use in its entirety—so he planned to cordon off a suitable section and reshape it into a proper arena.

More importantly, he intended to introduce artificial terrain.

“Konan.”

Kitazawa stopped and gestured around. “What do you think of this area?”

“The trees are much denser here,” Konan observed after a careful scan. “It’s ideal for ambushes.”

“Good,” Kitazawa said thoughtfully. “We’ll use this spot as the center. A one-kilometer radius—this will be the battlefield.”

Konan nodded in agreement.

“Fly along the perimeter I marked and plant boundary flags,” Kitazawa said, handing her a scroll. “One every hundred meters should be enough.”

Konan accepted the scroll and left at once.

Kitazawa continued forward alone.

A stream soon appeared before him.

He formed hand seals, widening the flow and splitting it into multiple tributaries.

But water alone wasn’t enough.

Half an hour later, Kitazawa reached the left side of the designated zone.

Earth Release: Earth Flow River!

The ground quaked as Earth Chakra surged. Mud softened, collapsed, and spread—quickly transforming the terrain into a wide, treacherous swamp.

He moved on.

Earth Release: Clay Descent from Heaven!

A massive clump of earth, plummeted from above, crashing down and piling into a ten-meter-tall hill.

Kitazawa paused, surveying his work.

It felt less like battlefield construction and more like he was stacking terrain pieces in a game—one absurd feature after another.

Finally, he reached the right side of the zone.

Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!

Trees erupted from the earth in explosive growth, intertwining with the existing forest until the area became almost oppressively dense.

“Kitazawa.”

Konan reappeared beside him. “The boundary flags are all in place.”

“Good,” Kitazawa said. After a moment’s thought, he added, “Take me up into the air. I want an overhead view so I can draw a map.”

Konan stepped closer, wrapped an arm around him, and paper wings unfurled from her back.

With a gentle lift, they rose into the sky.

Because of the height difference, the embrace naturally shifted—Konan ended up cradled in Kitazawa’s arms instead.

Kitazawa glanced down at her calm, beautiful face.

“Thanks,” he said softly, then leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Konan’s heart skipped a beat.

She said nothing, maintaining her composure with admirable restraint.

Kitazawa blinked.

Her reaction—or lack of one—only made her more tempting to tease.

Too obedient.

He chuckled quietly, enjoying the warmth of her body as his gaze drifted down to the sprawling Forest of Death below.

Strictly speaking, with his Byakugan, he didn’t need an aerial view at all.

But this was far more comfortable.

Kitazawa brushed his fingers through Konan’s hair and retrieved a summoning storage scroll.

Every ninja had basic drawing skills—sealing formulas demanded it.

And then there was Super Beast Imitation Drawing, a technique that required exceptional precision.

He took out a pen and began sketching.

When he finished, his mouth twitched.

…He really should have brought Yakumo.

The map was functional—clear enough to understand—but painfully crude.

Hardly worthy of his status.

“Alright, let’s head down.”

Kitazawa rolled up the scroll.

Konan gently descended, setting them back on solid ground. She released him, stepped away, and dismissed her paper wings.

Kitazawa glanced up at the sky, then turned toward the Ninja Academy.

Halfway there, he suddenly stopped.

His eyes drifted toward the distant Hokage Rock.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

A mischievous idea had just taken shape.

Terrain plays a decisive role in team battles.

Kitazawa’s initial plan had been to distribute maps to every student.

But that would strip away the uncertainty—and uncertainty was half the challenge.

Besides, his own drawing skills were… serviceable at best.

Instead, he came up with a better idea.

A contest—one that would let the students earn time to personally scout the battlefield.

Training and fun, rolled into one.

As for the contest itself?

A Hokage Rock graffiti competition.

Naruto defacing the Hokage Rock was one of the most iconic moments in the original story.

But thanks to Kitazawa’s butterfly effect, the current Naruto spent every spare moment training. No pranks. No mischief.

Recreating that classic scene wouldn’t hurt at all.

There was also a very practical reason.

Paint.

Kitazawa’s grocery store still had plenty of it in stock.

He hadn’t opened shop in ages—this was the perfect excuse to clear out inventory.

[Current Mission: Graffiti the Hokage Rock together with Uzumaki Naruto.]

[Mission Reward: Super Beast Imitation Drawing.]

[Accept?]

A large question mark practically hovered over Kitazawa’s head.

…This could trigger a system mission?

Still, the reward was perfectly timed.

Super Beast Imitation Drawing was exactly what he needed right now.

By the time he reached the Ninja Academy, the Genius Class’s theory exam was nearly over.

Kitazawa waited outside the classroom for a few minutes until the bell rang.

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

The first student to rush out was Hinata.

Since Kitazawa hadn’t concealed his presence, she spotted him instantly.

“How did it go?”

Kitazawa smiled and gently patted her head.

“It should be fine,” Hinata replied modestly.

Her theory scores were always stable—never once dropping out of the top ten.

“Good.”

Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction.

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

Ino and the others quickly gathered around as well.

“The top eighteen from the last practical exam—stay,” Kitazawa announced.

“Everyone else is dismissed.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!”

The class immediately split. The selected eighteen returned to the classroom.

“Kitazawa-senpai,”

Iruka stepped forward. “Should I stay too?”

“No need,” Kitazawa replied.

“I’ll leave the papers to you.”

“Understood.”

Iruka departed with the exam sheets.

“Tomorrow is the team battle,” Kitazawa said from the podium.

“The venue has been decided—the Forest of Death.”

“The Forest of Death?!”

Kiba’s eyes widened.

“That place is huge!” Naruto groaned, scratching his head.

“As a taijutsu guy, I hate hide-and-seek fights…”

“So what?”

Lee thrust a thumb into the air.

“Youth is about embracing every challenge!”

Shino adjusted his glasses, eyes gleaming.

In the Forest of Death, he might actually take first place.

For insects, the forest was home.

Neji felt his own chances rise as well.

Towering trees blocked vision for most—but not for the Byakugan.

And with his bow in hand…

Byakugan plus long-range firepower meant limitless coverage, so long as Chakra held out.

Sasuke remained expressionless.

Forest or not—it made little difference.

With the Sharingan, ambushes were unlikely to succeed.

“This terrain suits you perfectly, Shikamaru,” Chōji remarked.

Shadows blanketed the forest floor—ideal conditions for the Nara Clan’s techniques.

“Definitely better than the training grounds,” Shikamaru agreed lazily.

“Then I’m doomed!” Kiba wailed theatrically.

“This is my moment!” Tayuya said excitedly.

Sound-based genjutsu in a dense forest meant invisible attacks with terrifying efficiency.

Kimimaro frowned slightly.

As a pure taijutsu user, the environment offered him no advantage.

“I like forests,” Jūgo said softly, smiling.

He could hear animals—and the forest would be full of them.

“I kept you here today for a little contest,” Kitazawa cut through the chatter.

“A contest?”

Naruto’s eyes lit up instantly.

“That sounds like the embodiment of youth!”

“What kind of contest?” Ino asked quickly, worried Naruto would hijack things.

“A Hokage Rock graffiti contest.”

“…Huh?”

Ino froze.

“Graffiti… on the Hokage Rock?”

If anyone else had suggested it, she’d have assumed they wanted to be arrested on the spot.

The Hokage Rock was sacred.

Every shinobi dreamed of one day seeing their face carved there.

Anyone else would be detained before lifting a brush.

“I’ll explain the rules when we get there,” Kitazawa said calmly.

“Go eat lunch first, then meet me at the Hokage Rock. I’ll bring the paint.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Suppressing their confusion, the students dispersed.

After eating and retrieving the paint, Kitazawa headed for the Hokage Rock.

By the time he arrived, the Genius Class was already gathered at the base of the cliff, gazing up at the five massive stone faces.

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

Naruto and the others called out the moment they spotted him.

“For this graffiti contest,” Kitazawa said without preamble, “we’ll be targeting the faces of the Third and Fifth Hokage.”

Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato were already deceased—out of respect, their likenesses were off-limits.

As for Hiruzen and Tsunade?

Even if they found out later, neither would truly mind.

“Before we begin, we’ll form teams,” Kitazawa continued, pausing briefly.

“We’ll use the same squads as the upcoming team battles.”

“Picking teammates now?” Ino immediately caught on.

“Mm.”

Kitazawa nodded.

“Naruto, you pick first.”

“Rock Lee!”

Naruto answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Naruto!”

Lee burst into tears on the spot.

“I can feel our blazing youth intertwining!”

“This is youth!”

Naruto shouted, charging forward to hug him as they both began sobbing dramatically.

“…?”

Kitazawa’s mouth twitched.

How did they start crying in less than a second?

Sasuke and the others instinctively took a step back.

“Yakumo,” Kitazawa said quickly, cutting in, “your pick?”

“I’ll choose Ino.” Yakumo replied gently.

She got along with everyone—but she was closest to Ino.

“With Yakumo on our team, first place is guaranteed!” Ino pumped her fist excitedly.

“This is a team battle,” Sakura said, huffing.

“First place obviously belongs to Sasuke-kun and me—we have perfect chemistry!”

“He has to pick you first for that,” Ino shot back.

“Who else would Sasuke-kun pick? Sakura smiled confidently.

“I’ll take Kimimaro.” Sasuke said calmly.

“Huh?!”

Sakura froze on the spot.

Sasuke met her gaze, silently apologizing.

He was nothing if not pragmatic—Kimimaro’s strength gave him the best chance at first place.

If Sakura was still available next round, he’d pick her then.

“Hinata?”

Kitazawa asked with a faint, knowing smile.

“Shikamaru.”

Hinata answered after a brief pause.

She knew she couldn’t compete with Naruto or Sasuke in raw power—strategy would be her edge.

“Tenten.” Neji said, meeting her hopeful eyes.

“Yes!” Tenten cheered.

“I’ll take Chōji.” Shino adjusted his glasses.

He needed a sturdy, defensive teammate.

As an Aburame, recon and control were his forte—and with the Jōryū Clan’s technique, his offense was no longer lacking.

“Round one complete. Round two begins.” Kitazawa nodded.

Tayuya stiffened.

No one had picked her in the first round?

What—did she look weak or something?!

“Jūgo!”

Naruto called without thinking.

He knew taijutsu too—easy choice.

“…Thanks.”

Jūgo nodded.

Joining Naruto’s team meant a real shot at victory, though he’d hoped to stay with Kimimaro.

“Karin.” Yakumo chose after a moment.

Sealing techniques were invaluable in team fights—and they were friends.

“Sakura.” Sasuke answered instantly.

“Sasuke-kun!”

Sakura rushed over, beaming.

She hadn’t lost—he’d picked her second.

“I’ll take Haku.” Hinata said next.

“Tayuya.” Neji decided.

“Our team needs control—your sound genjutsu fits.”

“I’m the last one picked?!” Kiba gaped.

“All right—teams are set.”

Kitazawa clapped his hands.

“Let the graffiti contest begin!”

Kiba clenched his fist.

He’d prove himself by taking first place.

Everyone turned their attention back to Kitazawa.

“Six teams, three rounds. Simple rules,” he explained.

“Paint the face, then wash it clean. Fastest total time wins.”

“Kitazawa-sensei,” Tenten raised her hand.

“What’s the prize?”

“Scouting time.” Kitazawa smiled.

“First place gets one full hour. Each rank below loses ten minutes—down to sixth.”

An uproar erupted instantly.

Knowing the terrain was a massive advantage.

An hour meant full reconnaissance; ten minutes barely let you skim one section.

Of course, for those strong enough, terrain hardly mattered at all.

“It’s not head-to-head,” Kitazawa added.

“Fastest cumulative time wins. Naruto, Sasuke—you’re up first. Everyone else, line up.”

“Team Youth—move out!”

Naruto gave a thumbs-up.

“In the name of youth, victory is ours!”

Lee echoed him.

“…?”

Under their intense gazes, Jūgo hesitantly raised a thumb.

“Poor Jūgo,” Tayuya snickered.

“Ahem—that’s team spirit,” Tenten said, barely holding back laughter.

Neji and the others simply shook their heads.

“One last rule,” Kitazawa added.

“You may climb using Chakra—but no Ninjutsu allowed.”

“Aww…”

Sakura deflated; she’d planned to rinse the rock with Water Release.

Naruto felt the same—if Shadow Clones were allowed, he’d dominate.

“Begin!”

Kitazawa placed identical buckets of paint on the ground.

Naruto leapt upward with his bucket.

Sasuke and the others followed close behind.

The Hokage Rock graffiti battle had officially begun.

Watching it unfold, Kitazawa folded his arms—quietly admiring his own brilliance.

——————————–

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