Chapter 83: Chapter 83

“Kitazawa-sensei, what’s going on?”

Sasuke couldn’t help but ask, his tone edged with disbelief.

Though he deeply trusted Kitazawa, having his long-awaited battle with Hyuga Neji taken away left him confused and frustrated.

He wasn’t the only one. Naruto and Ino exchanged baffled glances—none of them could understand the choice.

The reason? Yakumo Kurama barely had a presence in Class A. She often skipped lessons, only occasionally showing up for practical training. And ever since Tsunade’s return to the village, she had taken a leave of absence altogether.

To the rest of the class, Yakumo was just a sickly, frail girl—someone who always seemed on the verge of collapsing.

But now, that same girl was about to face the genius of the academy—Hyuga Neji. It was simply unthinkable.

“You’ll understand once the match begins,” Kitazawa said coolly.

“But—” Sasuke protested, still unwilling.

He had wanted to test himself against the Byakugan, to gauge the strength of one of Konoha’s most legendary dōjutsu.

“Sasuke, calm down.” Kitazawa placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry—if Yakumo loses, I’ll let you spar with Neji afterward.”

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. He could accept that.

Still, his eyes remained on Yakumo, curious. What kind of ability did she possess to earn Kitazawa’s confidence?

“The Kurama Clan?” murmured Shikaku, glancing at Hiruzen. “Weren’t they once as renowned for Genjutsu as the Uchiha?”

“That’s right.” A flicker of intrigue passed through Hiruzen’s eyes. “I didn’t expect Kitazawa to field her against Neji… but it’s a choice that suits his style perfectly.”

He, too, wanted to see how far Yakumo had developed her Bloodline Limit.

Shikaku immediately began to consider the implications. If Yakumo had truly awakened the legendary Kurama Kekkei Genkai—one that rivaled the Sharingan—then the clan might be on the verge of resurgence. It could be wise to establish ties early.

“Let’s begin.”

Neji raised his hand and formed the traditional confrontational seal.

He wasn’t sure why Sasuke had been replaced, but it didn’t matter. No matter the opponent, he intended to win.

Yakumo stepped forward slowly, nervous but composed. Neji’s reputation preceded him—and deep down, she lacked confidence. But Kitazawa believed in her.

She had to try.

“Begin!” Kitazawa declared.

Neji immediately activated his Byakugan, veins bulging beside his eyes.

In that instant, he saw Yakumo’s chakra network—and froze.

“What is this…?”

His pupils narrowed. Enormous Yin chakra surged within Yakumo’s delicate frame, radiating an oppressive power.

“Shit!” Neji muttered, just as Yakumo unfurled a scroll.

With a sudden whoosh, flames burst from the scroll, transforming the area into a blazing sea of fire.

The temperature spiked. Neji began to sweat as he retreated.

“What kind of Fire Release is this?” Sasuke was stunned.

The sheer scope and intensity of the flames eclipsed both the jutsus he had studied.

“She’s strong!” Naruto exclaimed. “So this is why Kitazawa-sensei picked her!”

“There’s something off,” Shikaku muttered, eyes narrowing. “She didn’t use any hand signs…”

Ino and Shino looked equally shocked. Even Hinata stared in disbelief as Neji struggled to dodge the inferno.

A Hyuga genius—reduced to simply running.

“Damn it!” Neji gritted his teeth, surging forward in a burst of speed.

But Yakumo calmly produced a second painting.

BOOM!

Thunderclouds erupted overhead. A cascade of lightning bolts rained down, forcing Neji to retreat again.

Still unfazed, Yakumo opened a third scroll.

Gale-force winds surged out, forming invisible kunai that sliced through the air with surgical precision.

“Fire, Lightning, Wind—what is she?!” gasped one student.

Sasuke clenched his fists. ’Is she really the same age as us?’

“This has to be a Kekkei Genkai,” Shikamaru said, eyes sharp. “The Kurama Clan… I remember now—they had a Genjutsu Bloodline Limit that rivaled the Sharingan.”

Sasuke’s head snapped up.

Rival… the Sharingan?

Impossible.

And yet, what he saw defied disbelief. Yakumo’s illusions weren’t illusions at all—they were real.

“No wonder they once matched the Uchiha,” Shikaku murmured.

He could see deeper than the others. What Yakumo wielded wasn’t just unique—it was absurd. On par with forbidden techniques.

“This is… Genjutsu Made Real,” Hiruzen said gravely.

Even he hadn’t expected such a display. The potential of the Kurama Bloodline Limit was staggering.

Shikaku was at a loss for words. Genjutsu was supposed to be illusion and deception. But Yakumo’s ability had broken that very rule—turning thought into reality.

Anyone caught off guard by her would stand no chance.

And that’s exactly what Neji was discovering.

Under the unrelenting barrage of Yakumo’s conjured elements, he had no room to counterattack. Dodging was all he could do.

Kitazawa, meanwhile, stood quietly at the side, thinking: ’This… is basically a god-tier ability.’

With a few scrolls, Yakumo could hold the battlefield on her own. It was, without exaggeration, a form of invincibility.

Kurenai let out a long sigh.

Even though she had long known of Yakumo’s abilities, witnessing them firsthand still left her feeling hollow. As a traditional Genjutsu user, she could only despair.

Whether it was the Uchiha or the Kurama—once their bloodline awakened, they soared beyond reach.

Mizuki, meanwhile, was frozen in place. His team had lost every single match.

Even Neji, his trump card, had been crushed by an unknown, seemingly frail girl.

’What kind of joke is this…?’

A bitter, self-mocking smile crept onto his lips.

“Winner: Yakumo Kurama,” Hiruzen announced, chuckling. “I declare First Year Class A the victors of this friendly match!”

“We won!” the students erupted in cheers.

Neji stood in silence, gasping for breath.

He heard the declaration, but it felt distant. Unreal.

’Did I really just lose… like that?’

He reached up, touching the cursed seal on his forehead.

’Is this the fate I can never escape?’

Mizuki collapsed onto the ground.

He had lost too badly to even feel anger anymore. Only confusion remained.

Why were there so many geniuses in First Year Class A?

And then it hit him.

’I was set up… by that evil Kitazawa!’

From beginning to end, the match had played out exactly as Kitazawa wanted.

But Mizuki wouldn’t blame himself. Instead, he shifted all his resentment onto Kitazawa.

If he ever had the chance, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.

[Mission Complete: Defeat Second Year Class A in the Friendly Match]

[Reward: Gentle Fist – Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms]

[Reward Issued]

Kitazawa smirked subtly.

At last, he had obtained the technique he’d been waiting for.

With Eight Trigrams: Mountain Crusher and now Sixty-Four Palms, all he needed was Rotation and Vacuum Palm, and he’d match even Hyuga Hiashi in strength.

After all, the system didn’t just give techniques—it maxed their mastery instantly.

Even Hiashi, the clan head, might not wield Gentle Fist as perfectly as Kitazawa now did.

It really was cheating.

“Kitazawa.”

Hiruzen approached. “I’ll head back for now. Come to my office once you’ve wrapped up here.”

The surrounding teachers glanced over, many with envy in their eyes.

Clearly, this meant a reward was coming.

“Yes, Hokage-sama,” Kitazawa replied with a respectful bow.

After Hiruzen and Shikaku left, the tension lifted from First Year Class A, and their celebration erupted with even more energy and joy.

“Mizuki.”

Kitazawa approached with a calm demeanor. “You lost. That means you owe me one favor.”

Mizuki masked the killing intent simmering beneath his skin and asked coldly, “What do you want?”

“Simple,” Kitazawa replied with a smile. “Be my escort next weekend. We’ll take a mission outside the village—just the two of us.”

Mizuki’s eyes widened.

Outside the village? Alone with Kitazawa?

This was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

“I accept,” Mizuki said, forcing a grin.

Kitazawa wasn’t surprised. This was exactly the outcome he’d anticipated. In the original timeline, Mizuki had even gone so far as to kill his teammates to complete missions. Kitazawa was merely leveraging that ambition.

He turned, just in time to see Neji walking toward Hinata.

Kitazawa’s brow arched.

“Hinata-sama,” Neji said coolly. “I’d like to challenge you.”

“N-Neji-nii, I…” Hinata faltered, clearly startled and overwhelmed by the sudden request.

Just as Kitazawa was about to intervene, a familiar screen of glowing text materialized before his eyes.

[A student from another class has issued a challenge. As class representative, it’s your duty to respond.]

[Current Mission: Help your desk partner, Hyuga Hinata, defeat Hyuga Neji.]

[Reward: Eight Trigrams Palms: Rotation.]

[Accept Mission?]

“Neji,” Kitazawa stepped between them, his voice calm but firm. “Hinata just awakened her Byakugan. You’ve been training for an entire year longer. How about this—why don’t you two spar next semester instead?”

“I’ll listen to Kitazawa-sensei!” Hinata said quickly, relieved to have an out.

“Fine. That’s more reasonable,” Neji replied, turning away without argument.

“Don’t worry,” Kitazawa whispered to Hinata with a reassuring smile. “I’ll help you train.”

After exchanging a few words with Kurenai, Kitazawa headed for the Hokage’s office. After all, it wouldn’t do to keep the Hokage waiting.

—

Hokage’s Office

Kitazawa entered after receiving permission.

“Kitazawa,” Hiruzen said with a warm smile, “today’s match—you and your class truly impressed me.”

If only Naruto and Sasuke had shown growth, it would have been expected. Their talents were well-known. But today, even the civilian students had shone, especially Haruno Sakura.

“Thank you for your praise, Hokage-sama,” Kitazawa said humbly. “But I still have a long way to go.”

“Nonsense.” Hiruzen waved a hand dismissively. “There’s hardly a better teacher in the entire academy. You’ve more than earned it.”

Kitazawa bowed his head respectfully.

“This year’s ’Outstanding Teacher’ selection hasn’t officially begun,” Hiruzen continued with a grin, “but I’ll ensure the title is yours.”

It was a clear reward—but the Hokage wasn’t finished.

“I also want you to take charge of the academy’s administration.”

The position oversaw the school’s administrative operations: teacher assignments, exam planning, and curriculum goals—essentially making Kitazawa the second-most powerful figure in the school after the principal.

It was a meteoric rise.

Kitazawa was more than pleased. With this authority, his position in the village would be solidified. As long as he didn’t make critical mistakes, Hiruzen’s protection was assured.

“You’re now officially a Special Jonin,” Hiruzen added, “so you’re entitled to one A-rank Ninjutsu. Go with Haru to the Ninjutsu Vault and choose one.”

This time, Kitazawa’s gratitude was genuine. “Thank you, Hokage-sama.”

A-rank jutsu were rare and invaluable—most Jonin had only one or two to their name.

“You may go,” Hiruzen nodded.

Today’s rewards were exceptional—both a recognition of Kitazawa’s worth and an incentive tied to Naruto’s development. Hiruzen was in high spirits.

Until the door burst open.

A single-eyed gaze met Hiruzen’s, and the warmth drained from the room.

“Danzo,” Hiruzen muttered, his expression cooling.

“Hiruzen,” Danzo said gravely, “I heard that Yakumo Kurama has awakened her Bloodline Limit.”

“Your spies work fast,” Hiruzen said dryly.

“The Kurama Clan’s ability is on par with the Sharingan. She must be placed under proper supervision. I want her transferred to Root, under my direct training.”

“No.”

The refusal was immediate and firm.

“Hiruzen,” Danzo pressed, narrowing his eye, “her power is dangerous. Without guidance, it could become uncontrollable.”

“She already has a capable teacher.”

“Kitazawa? Kurenai? Neither of them is qualified to guide someone like her,” Danzo snapped. “Her Bloodline Limit could be invaluable against the Uchiha—”

“Enough!” Hiruzen slammed his hand on the desk. “The Uchiha are loyal shinobi of Konoha. There is no need to ’deal with them’!”

“Our sensei once said the Uchiha are inherently cursed. We must be prepared.” Danzo’s tone was dark, resolute. “Hand her over.”

“Absolutely not!” Hiruzen stood, authority crackling in his voice. “There will be no further discussion.”

“You’ll regret this, Hiruzen.”

Danzo turned, seething, and stormed out of the office, the door slamming behind him.

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