Chapter 41: Chapter 41

AN : Bonus Chapter for reaching 200 power stones. Keep em coming🤩

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Kitazawa couldn’t help but chuckle as he stared at the closed bathroom door.

Kurenai might have a bold personality—but clearly, even she had her limits.

“I’m not coming in,” he called out, amusement in his voice. “Take your time.”

Turning away, he headed back into the living room and settled on the sofa.

His mind shifted to the next training plans for his students.

Naruto’s Transformation Jutsu had already been passed on to Kakashi for further guidance. Naruto’s goal was to rank in the top ten for the next monthly exam, so his new regimen would be similar to Hinata’s: endless drills and problem-solving practice.

Sasuke, meanwhile, was fixated on mastering the Great Fireball Jutsu. Sasuke had completed tree-climbing training, so Kitazawa planned to push him into chakra nature transformation next.

For Hinata and Ino, Kitazawa didn’t know the intricacies of their respective clan’s secret Jutsus, so he could only keep working on their chakra control and stamina.

As for Yakumo, she still needed physical conditioning, developing her bloodline limit, and learning new genjutsu.

In the bathroom, steam curled into the air.

Kurenai sank into the bathtub, exhaling slowly as the hot water eased her muscles. Her earlier fluster vanished as warmth soaked into her skin.

“What’s gotten into that guy?” she murmured.

She lifted a pale arm, trailing her fingers across the surface of the water, which rippled around her slender silhouette.

Her thoughts were tangled with confusion—and a faint thrill. Kitazawa’s behavior earlier had been unexpected.

It was like seeing a quiet house cat suddenly turn into a fierce tiger.

“But… he’s more interesting like this,” she admitted, a small laugh escaping her lips.

When she finished bathing, Kurenai stepped out of the bathroom with her damp hair clinging to her neck and shoulders.

Kitazawa heard her approach and instinctively turned.

Kurenai wore a loose, pale yukata—a lightweight kimono used like pajamas. Its draping folds hid her long legs, leaving only her bare feet visible.

’A shame’ Kitazawa thought with a silent grin. ’No black stockings now.’

He stood and fetched the hairdryer.

Kurenai reached out to take it, but paused halfway, an impish idea sparking in her eyes. She withdrew her hand and tilted her head.

“I’m the guest, you know,” she said, giving him a meaningful look.

Kitazawa caught her implication and chuckled. “Alright. Sit down. I’ll dry your hair for you.”

“Thanks,” Kurenai said, turning her back to him and sitting on the sofa.

She sat up straight, leaning forward slightly.

Kitazawa’s gaze drifted over her. Even beneath the yukata, her back traced a graceful curve from her shoulders to her waist, hinting at the soft lines of her figure.

He forced his attention upward and focused on her hair.

Switching on the dryer, he gently ran warm air through the silky strands.

A tiny, triumphant smile curved Kurenai’s lips as she basked in the attention. She glanced over her shoulder—only to find Kitazawa wearing a completely focused, almost solemn expression.

Her chest tightened unexpectedly.

Quickly, she turned away again, dropping her gaze to her bare feet against the floor.

The last person who’d helped dry her hair had been Shinku Yuhi—her father, who’d passed away many years ago.

Kitazawa finally switched off the dryer. He brushed a few loose strands from her face.

“You’ll sleep in the room on the left tonight,” he said gently.

“Mhm.”

Kurenai stood and tucked her damp hair behind one ear, looking at him as if debating whether to say more.

“Something else on your mind?” Kitazawa asked when she remained silent.

“…No, nothing,” she said quickly.

She turned toward the hallway. “Good night. See you tomorrow.”

“Good night,” he replied softly.

She slipped into the guest room and closed the door.

Kitazawa stared at the door for a moment, then shook himself from his thoughts.

After a quick shower of his own, he headed for bed as well.

The night passed quietly, and when Kitazawa opened his eyes, morning sunlight was already streaming into the room.

He dressed, stepped out into the hallway—and immediately caught the faint aroma of something delicious.

Following the scent to the kitchen, he found Kurenai standing at the stove.

She wore a red dress with a white apron cinched around her waist. Her posture was perfectly straight, and her black stockings stretched just enough to accentuate the shape of her legs.

“I forgot to say yesterday—that dress looks great on you.”

Kitazawa offered the compliment with an easy smile.

“Thanks.”

Kurenai glanced over her shoulder, her expression cool yet secretly pleased.

“I should be thanking you for getting up so early to cook breakfast,” Kitazawa added.

“It’s nothing,” Kurenai replied lightly. “You cooked dinner yesterday, so I’m returning the favor.”

After breakfast, the two settled back into discussing new genjutsu concepts for Yakumo.

The day flew by in a blur of ideas and debate.

When evening came, Kurenai gathered her things and headed home. She didn’t stay the night this time.

Kitazawa felt a flicker of regret, but he quickly shook it off.

Their relationship was progressing, step by step—and he could sense that things were growing closer between them.

—

The next day marked the start of a new week—and a new month. May had arrived.

Outside the Ninja Academy, a small crowd gathered around the bulletin board displaying the latest exam results.

“Neji, you’re first in the entire grade again!”

Tenten beamed, her twin-bun hairstyle bouncing slightly as she spoke. She wore an expression of “of course he is.”

“Mhm.”

Hyuga Neji nodded, utterly calm.

Since his enrollment, he’d held the top spot without fail. It no longer surprised him.

“Come on. There’s nothing interesting to see here,” Neji said, frowning as more students crowded around.

“Wait, hold on!”

Tenten leaned closer to the first-year rankings—and suddenly gasped.

“Look at who’s first place in the first year!”

Neji stopped mid-step, glancing back. His pale eyes narrowed when he read the name “Hyuga Hinata” listed at the top.

“That famous Uchiha Sasuke is only in second?”

Tenten sounded astonished.

“Seems he’s just a so-called genius after all,” Neji said coolly, his voice edged with scorn.

With that, he turned on his heel and strode off toward their classroom.

Tenten hurried after him.

Inside the classroom, Rock Lee was doing handstand push-ups in his green jumpsuit, sweat dripping from his brow.

“Lee’s been working really hard lately,” Tenten observed.

“Diligence is meaningless against fate,” Neji said, face expressionless.

“…”

Tenten bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

She’d been Neji’s classmate for two years and knew him well. Despite his composed exterior, he often spoke with a sort of fatalistic gloom.

“You scored perfectly this time. You’ll definitely be the outstanding student representative again,” she said, changing the subject with a cheerful smile. “I’m honestly a little jealous.”

“If you want the title, you can have it,” Neji said indifferently.

“I’m nowhere near qualified for that. That’s a place for geniuses like you,” Tenten replied, shaking her head.

“A genius shackled by fate isn’t a genius at all,” Neji said, his expression turning colder.

“…”

Tenten sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Talking to Neji could sometimes feel like trying to converse with a wall.

At that moment, Mizuki entered the classroom, wearing a faintly apologetic smile.

“Neji,” he said, “I’m afraid the outstanding student representative this time… isn’t you. It’s Hyuga Hinata.”

“What? Why not Neji?”

Tenten’s eyes widened.

“Hinata’s grades aren’t quite as high as Neji’s,” Mizuki admitted, “but this was ordered directly by the Hokage. There’s nothing I can do.”

Tenten turned worried eyes on Neji.

Despite claiming moments ago that he didn’t care, Neji’s composure slipped for an instant, a flicker of shock crossing his features.

Mizuki, noticing it, felt a surge of secret satisfaction.

He was deliberately stoking Neji’s resentment, hoping to push him into stirring trouble with the first-year Class A.

’Let’s see how Kitazawa deals with this mess,’ Mizuki thought, suppressing a smirk.

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