Chapter 52: Chapter 52

AN : Bonus Chapter on reaching 300 power stones!!!

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“This is the spot.”

Kitazawa came to a halt.

In front of him, cherry blossom trees flanked both sides of the path, their pink petals drifting gently through the air.

He leapt up, landing firmly against the trunk of one tree, both feet gripping the bark.

Spreading his fingers, he channeled chakra through his hand and quickly gathered a small pile of leaves.

Then he released his grip, sending the chakra-infused leaves cascading downward.

“Hinata, catch all the leaves.”

Kitazawa gave the order calmly.

Hyuga Hinata instantly sprang into action.

She darted forward, her arms flashing as she reached for the falling leaves. Though her movements were fast as lightning, she couldn’t manage to catch them all.

After scooping up most of the leaves into her arms, she lunged after the last few stragglers—but still missed some.

“I’m sorry, Kitazawa-sensei,” Hinata said, clutching the leaves to her chest, her expression filled with guilt.

To her, failing something as simple as catching leaves felt like undeniable proof that she was useless.

“Catching that many leaves on your first try is already excellent. There’s no need to apologize.”

Kitazawa gave her an encouraging smile. “Do you know what the purpose of this training is?”

“I… I don’t know,” Hinata admitted softly.

“It’s meant to sharpen your vision and, at the same time, improve your reaction speed.”

Kitazawa spoke solemnly, improvising the explanation as he went. “Legend says this technique was passed down from the ancestors of the Hyuga Clan.”

“Huh?”

Hinata blinked, trying to recall any memory of such a story—but nothing came to mind.

“Your ancestor, when he first tried this training, couldn’t even catch a third of the leaves you just caught.”

Kitazawa paused, then said with conviction, “Hinata, your talent is truly remarkable.”

Hinata nodded firmly.

She didn’t know whether this mysterious ancestor actually existed, but Kitazawa’s words lit a spark of confidence in her chest.

“Let’s keep going.”

Kitazawa casually waved his hand, and the scattered leaves flew back into his palm as if pulled by invisible strings.

Truthfully, this leaf-catching exercise was a drill from the system—perfect for training the Byakugan.

Hinata’s petite frame tensed with focus, her movements nimble as she reached out again and again for the fluttering leaves.

Time passed quickly, and before long, the class was nearly over.

“That’s all for today.”

Kitazawa dropped down lightly from the tree.

Hinata immediately let out a huge sigh of relief.

The exhaustion hit her all at once. She bent forward, panting, her breath ragged. Beads of sweat gathered on her forehead, soaking into her hair and pale skin.

“Sit down and rest for a while.”

Kitazawa pulled a water bottle from a storage scroll and handed it to her.

“Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei.”

Hinata took a long drink, feeling the cool water wash away some of her fatigue.

“When you have some spare time, keep practicing on your own.” Kitazawa reminded her.

“Okay…” Hinata nodded, then hesitated as if remembering something. “Um… Kitazawa-sensei…”

She trailed off halfway through her question, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“What is it?” Kitazawa tilted his head, genuinely curious.

“N-Nothing…”

Hinata hugged the water bottle close, her fingers nervously fidgeting against the plastic.

“Alright. School’s over. Time to head home.”

After giving her a few more minutes to rest, Kitazawa stood up.

Hinata scrambled to her feet and quickly fell into step beside him.

“Kitazawa-sensei!”

A voice called out. The other students had already left—only Uzumaki Naruto remained behind.

“Here.”

Kitazawa held out a scroll. “This is your homework for tonight.”

Naruto winced but reluctantly accepted it.

He’d been working hard for a week, determined to crack the top ten in class rankings—and he wasn’t about to give up now.

“Kitazawa-sensei, I want to do it too!”

Hinata blurted out, glancing at the scroll. She remembered the hours she’d spent working on practice problems the month before.

Naruto gawked at her as though she’d grown a second head.

Who in their right mind asked for homework?! That was terrifying!

“You don’t need to,” Kitazawa told Hinata with a chuckle. “There’s no reason for someone who’s already at the top of the class to waste extra time on homework.”

Hinata blinked, considered arguing—but then decided that simply following Kitazawa’s advice was easiest.

“Naruto.”

Kitazawa gave the blond boy a stern look. “Remember to come early tomorrow. I’ll go over the problems you missed.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei…”

Naruto let out a long groan.

Homework truly was the bane of his existence.

A week flew by in the blink of an eye—and Saturday arrived.

The moment Kitazawa stirred from sleep, a rapid knocking echoed through his apartment.

He groggily dragged himself to the door and opened it.

As expected, standing there was none other than Yuhi Kurenai.

“So early?” he asked, stifling a yawn. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No.”

Kurenai stepped into the entryway with practiced ease. She bent down to remove her shoes—habitual and graceful.

As she straightened, she caught Kitazawa’s gaze fixed downward.

“…What?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Why no black stockings today?” he asked casually, his expression unreadable.

“Because I’m not wearing a dress,” she replied matter-of-factly.

She placed her shoes neatly on the rack, then padded barefoot into the living room without hesitation.

“What do you want for breakfast?” Kitazawa asked as he closed the door behind her.

“Something simple,” she said, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder as she sank into the sofa. “Got any rice balls or sushi?”

“I’ll go grab some.”

Kitazawa headed into the kitchen.

When he returned, Kurenai was sprawled comfortably across the couch. Her head rested against the armrest, her waist curved, and her long legs tucked gracefully together.

“You really don’t act like a guest, do you?” Kitazawa teased with a smirk.

“I was up all night,” she murmured, glancing at him with tired eyes. “Can’t I relax for once?”

“What kept you up?”

He paused, curiosity piqued.

“Take a look.”

She reached to her side, pulled out a scroll from her waist pouch, and casually tossed it to him.

Kitazawa caught the scroll—still faintly warm—and unrolled it.

As his eyes scanned the contents, his brows lifted in surprise.

“You actually completed the Truth Extraction Jutsu?”

“I got inspired yesterday.”

A hint of pride curled her lips. “So? I’m amazing, right?”

“Beautiful and brilliant. Far more than just ’amazing,’” he said with a sincere nod.

“Hm. Not bad,” Kurenai said, taking a bite of sushi.

“Have you told Yakumo yet?”

“Not yet,” she replied nonchalantly. “She’ll be here soon anyway.”

Kitazawa gave a thoughtful hum. “With her talent, she probably won’t even need a full day to learn this jutsu.”

“Don’t talk to me about work right now,” Kurenai groaned, waving a hand. “I’ve got a headache. Let’s forget Genjutsu today.”

“Alright, alright.” Kitazawa chuckled at her pained expression.

“With the Therapeutic Words Jutsu and Truth Extraction Jutsu done, we can officially report them to the Hokage.”

Kurenai sat up and stretched. “You go. Whatever reward we get, just accept mine on my behalf.”

“What about you?”

“I’m going to sleep,” she said flatly, collapsing back into the couch.

Later, Kitazawa made his way to the Hokage’s office, scroll in hand.

“You two have done exceptionally well,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said after reviewing the two Genjutsu techniques.

He was visibly impressed.

To develop not one but two unique Genjutsu in such a short span was remarkable—and it opened a new door for Konoha’s medical and interrogation practices.

Most importantly, it revealed the potential foundation of a Psychological Medical Ninja system.

“In accordance with Konoha protocol,” the Third Hokage continued, “you and Yuhi Kurenai may each choose three ninjutsu of B-rank or lower as your reward.”

“Thank you, Hokage-sama.” Kitazawa bowed deeply, his heart brimming with satisfaction.

This meant three techniques he could now legally claim and use as his own.

Afterward, he left with the scroll, escorted by an ANBU shinobi.

Once the room had quieted, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.

He found his mind circling around a single question:

’Should I contact Tsunade?’

With Konoha’s current state, strong, capable ninja were in painfully short supply.

Sakumo Hatake had taken his own life. Minato Namikaze had perished protecting the village. Orochimaru had defected, and both Jiraiya and Tsunade remained in long-term exile.

The Uchiha Clan was growing restless.

If Tsunade could be convinced to return, it would ease the burden he carried alone.

And perhaps, finally, Konoha would begin to heal.

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