After Terumi Mei and the others left, Konoha's shinobi immediately buzzed with excitement.
They'd all heard, more or less, about the genius reputations of Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and the rest—but seeing it with their own eyes hit differently. Anyone who reaches jōnin was a "genius" once, but this Genin Exchange still rocked them—especially with Mist prodigies like Chōjūrō and Hōzuki Suigetsu there for contrast. Naruto and Sasuke were geniuses among geniuses.
"You all did great," Tsunade said to Sasuke and the others, pleased. "You showed Konoha at its best in this exchange."
"Thank the Hokage," Iruka Umino prompted. He wouldn't normally have the rank to sit in the stands, but as the Advanced Class's teacher, an exception was made.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Sasuke and the rest said in unison.
"All five of you won your matches, so you can each choose one B-rank jutsu," Tsunade smiled. "Think it over and tell your Kitazawa-sensei when you've decided."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," they answered again. To them, a single B-rank jutsu wasn't a big deal. Beating the Mist's prodigies—that was what had them truly pumped.
"Anything the rest of you want to add?" Tsunade looked to Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.
"Nothing to add," Hiruzen chuckled. "They were flawless—no notes."
Shikaku Nara and the others nodded agreement.
"That concludes today's Genin Exchange," Tsunade said, glancing at Kitazawa. "The rest is yours."
She left the academy with Hiruzen and the others.
"No need for speeches—I'm giving you two days off," Kitazawa said with a grin.
The Advanced Class exploded in cheers. It was Thursday; two days off meant a four-day weekend. They hadn't expected that students who didn't even fight—everyone besides Sasuke's group—would also get a reward.
"Top eighteen from the last monthly exam—don't forget we have a mission on Saturday," Kitazawa reminded them.
"Going out with Gramps Third? Now that's exciting!" Naruto threw up a fist. "I can feel my youth igniting!"
Sakura nodded—she was excited too. Not only would the Third Hokage be leading, she'd have Sasuke as a teammate. Peak life.
Sasuke was already thinking about how to outshine Naruto on the mission.
"Kitazawa-sensei leading is just as good!" Yamanaka Ino flicked her bangs, refusing to be outdone.
"There's no point competing over that," Kitazawa said, ruffling her hair twice with a smile. "Alright, head home."
"See you, Kitazawa-sensei!" the Advanced Class called, then sprinted out like happy little butterflies, thrilled by the sudden four-day break.
"Wait for me, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura blinked and realized Sasuke had already vanished—he was racing home to hear his father and brother praise him, running so fast from sheer joy.
"Kitazawa-sensei, what mission are we doing Saturday?" Ino asked, curious.
"Think we'll run into a jōnin?" Kiba Inuzuka said, eager.
"We can't beat a jōnin," Tenten shook her head.
"Don't sell yourselves short!" Kiba laughed. "Even if we can't, Kitazawa-sensei definitely can!"
"You're the ones taking the practical exam, not me," Kitazawa shot him a look. Kiba scratched his head, embarrassed into silence. Kitazawa was kind most of the time, but somehow still scary.
"We're going to the Land of Waves," Kitazawa said after a beat. "I'll tell you the specifics when we get there."
"Where's the Land of Waves?" Kiba frowned. "Never heard of it."
"It's a tiny island nation," Ino answered. "It's normal if you haven't heard of it—I only know because my dad mentioned it."
"Meet here at nine a.m. Saturday," Kitazawa cut in. "Chat later—time to go."
Ino, Kiba, and Tenten said goodbye and headed out.
[Current Mission: Make the Mist lose five straight.]
[Reward: +10% Byakugan Purity.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Granted.]
Kitazawa waited a moment where he stood; no new prompt appeared. A pity. Looked like 60% Byakugan purity hadn't unlocked anything new. He'd have to wait for the next quest and see what higher purity might do.
He handed the remaining cleanup to Iruka and went to the Hokage's office.
Tsunade looked in good spirits—no surprise. Konoha had swept the exchange; as Hokage, she was elated.
"Terumi Mei's group will head back to the Mist in a couple days," Tsunade said, picking up a pen. "Which five B-rank jutsu should we ask for?"
"They're all about the same," Kitazawa said casually. "Pick any five."
Kirigakure is famous for Water Release, but thanks to Tobirama Senju, Konoha's water techniques are arguably better. Besides, Konoha already had most of the Mist's jutsu anyway—spoils of war, to be blunt, taken from Mist shinobi's corpses. Kitazawa himself had even killed Raiga Kurosuki, an elite jōnin. They even had the village-signature Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique.
"That's true," Tsunade nodded, thought a moment, and wrote down five B-rank jutsu. As for the five B-rank rewards for Sasuke's group, Konoha would provide those directly—no need to ask the Mist.
"Alright," Tsunade said, handing the list to Shizune. "Take this to Terumi Mei."
Shizune nodded, gave Kitazawa a quick greeting, and left.
"Tsunade-sensei," Kitazawa smiled. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?" Tsunade blinked, thinking hard—but came up empty.
"Our bet," Kitazawa reminded her.
"You won. What do you want?" Tsunade tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Anything?" Kitazawa asked, blinking.
"Of course not!" Tsunade's heart skipped. "Depends if I agree!"
"Is the Hokage going to weasel out?" Kitazawa stepped closer.
"Say what you want first." She met his gaze. Instinct said look away, but she held steady.
Kitazawa leaned down slowly.
"W-what do you want?" Tsunade felt a flutter of nerves as he drew close.
"A gift," Kitazawa said, eyes flicking to the pale line of her collarbone rising and falling with her breath.
"A gift?" Tsunade was thrown. Weren't they talking about what he wanted from the bet? Why was he giving her something?
Kitazawa opened his hand. A necklace lay on his palm.
Tsunade hadn't worn the First Hokage's necklace since giving it to him. Recently, Kitazawa had stopped by a jeweler—not to shop for her specifically, but to scout the jewelry and precious metals market. If their undersea expedition hit gold, silver, or gems, he could turn them into jewelry.
"Let me put it on you." Kitazawa lifted the chain, swept it through her golden hair, and fastened it at the nape of her neck.
Looking at his face so close, Tsunade's heartbeat quickened for the first time in ages. Her lashes quivered; she bit her lip.
"All set. How is it—looks good?" Kitazawa glanced down at how the necklace fell into the white valley below her throat.
Tsunade didn't answer. She suddenly reached out and wrapped his head in her arms.
Caught off guard, Kitazawa toppled into her chest. Warmth and softness made his eyes go wide; all he could see was white. The necklace wasn't the only thing getting that treatment now.
"Thank you," Tsunade said after a moment, loosening her hold.
But Kitazawa didn't straighten.
"Wanna die?" Tsunade clenched a fist and threw a punch when he stayed buried there.
Kitazawa jerked back; cold sweat beaded on his forehead. That had been close. For a woman with such… impact, she could be awfully stingy at times. Still, that hug made him feel the distance between them had shrunk a little.
"If you're free, go to Konoha Hospital and operate," Tsunade said, shooting him a glare.
"Then I'll get going, Tsunade-sensei," Kitazawa smiled and turned to leave.
Watching his back, Tsunade lifted the necklace he'd just given her. The stone's color was close to the chakra crystal of the First's necklace—clearly chosen with care. Her lips curved; even her work felt lighter afterward.
Kitazawa headed to Konoha Hospital. An afternoon flashed by. He successfully performed two limb-regrowth surgeries for Konoha shinobi.
The next day—Friday. Even though he'd given the students time off, Kitazawa still went to the academy.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto, running handstands on the field, waved first. With him were Sasuke, Hinata Hyūga, Neji Hyūga, Yamanaka Ino, and more. Aside from the ever-lazy Shikamaru, the Konoha 12 were all there—plus Kurama Yakumo, Hana Inuzuka, and Karin.
Just as he expected. Sasuke and a few others had trained with him daily even before joining the Advanced Class; habit brings them back. The rest followed the normal class schedule and enjoyed their normal break. That was fine—talent plus effort meant these kids would surpass their "originals" by a lot.
"Ino," Kitazawa called after watching a moment.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Ino trotted over, beaming. "What's up?"
"Your Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique is basically there. Time for the next one," Kitazawa said, smiling.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Ino bounced.
"This time it's a higher-level genjutsu—B-rank: Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death," he decided.
"B-rank?" Ino's eyes went wide.
"Not confident?" Kitazawa tapped her forehead.
"Not in myself," she said, blinking playfully. "But I'm confident in you!"
Kitazawa couldn't help laughing. He'd said that kind of thing to "pressure" his own system before. So now he was Ino's plug-in?
"You're the one learning—not me," he said. "If you can't get it, you'll take extra homework as punishment."
"Please don't, Kitazawa-sensei!" Ino clung to his arm, pleading.
"Depends on your performance," he said, unmoved.
"Okay…" Ino let go and stood properly.
Kitazawa began explaining Tree Binding Death. Maybe to dodge extra homework, Ino listened hard and learned faster than usual. Still, it was B-rank; with her current aptitude, she wouldn't master it overnight. Kitazawa told her to practice on her own, then found a spot to work on Five Release Great Combo Technique.
Sunset. Five in the afternoon.
Kitazawa took everyone to a yakiniku joint.
"Thanks for today, Kitazawa-sensei," Ino said, dropping a freshly grilled slice of beef into his bowl, eyes bright—clearly begging for mercy on the homework front. Seeing that, Hinata hurried to put a piece into his bowl as well.
"Thanks," Kitazawa smiled. "But grill and eat your own; don't worry about me."
"No way," Kiba blurted. "You just eat, sensei—we'll grill!"
"I can grill too!" Naruto announced. "Let's have a fiery, youthful grilling contest!"
"I'm in!" Rock Lee lit up.
"Let's not make a contest out of barbecue," Tenten frowned. "If we overcook, it's wasteful."
"With Chōji and Hinata here, how could anything go to waste?" Naruto countered.
"…" Tenten had no comeback.
"No problem—leave it to me!" Akimichi Chōji grinned. Free barbecue and free grillers? Heaven.
"Bring it on," Sasuke said evenly. "Even at grilling, I'll take first."
"I'm with you, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura declared at once.
And so the barbecue "competition" began.
"Hinata, why are your Byakugan still on?" Ino quickly noticed.
"No one said we couldn't use Byakugan," Neji said as his eyes bloomed pale as well. If Sasuke and Naruto were going for first, he wasn't about to lag behind.
"Damn it!" Kiba almost resorted to the Shadow Clone Technique—then remembered Naruto's Multiple Shadow Clone and thought better of it. If Naruto spammed clones, the game was over.
"Sasuke, you're really using Fire Release?" Kiba felt the heat spike on the left. He turned to see Sasuke's left hand steadily feeding fire-natured chakra.
"You can use fire too," Sasuke said blandly.
"Kiba, I'll boost you with Wind Release!" Naruto offered.
"Wait!" Kiba yelped. "Your wind will just blow the fire out!"
Naruto knew Wind Release, but his chakra control wasn't the best—he'd probably make things worse.
"Winner of the barbecue contest: Sasuke," Kitazawa announced, half laughing, two hours later.
"That's cheating!" Kiba protested.
"A win is a win," Sasuke replied, cool as ever.
"Next time, set rules up front," Shikamaru said lazily. He hadn't trained that day, but Kitazawa had invited him anyway. As for the contest, he was there for the vibes, unhurried from start to finish.
"Alright, once you're done eating, head home," Kitazawa said, standing. "I'll see you off."
Night passed quietly. Saturday arrived.
Instead of going straight to the academy, Kitazawa headed for the Anbu base.
"Kitazawa," Konan was already waiting in his office. After she joined Anbu, he'd arranged a dorm room for her at the base.
"Morning," Kitazawa nodded. "Has Yamato come back?"
The Anbu squad that left with Aburame Shibi's undersea exploration team had been led by Yamato—his Wood Release made establishing a foothold fast.
"He stopped by earlier, but you weren't in," Konan said, producing a scroll. "He left this for you."
Kitazawa took the scroll and opened it. It detailed Gato's situation—much like the original story, just more thorough. His backing was indeed the Land of Water—but not the country "controlling" him. Rather, Gato had bribed Land of Water officials to secure a measure of support.
No wonder that after Gato's death in the original, the Land of Waves regained its freedom without Water intervening. Convenient for Kitazawa's plans. And even if Water had been pulling Gato's strings, after the Mist's crushing loss, no one there would dare make trouble for him now.
"Want me to call Yamato over?" Konan asked.
"No need," Kitazawa shook his head. "This intel is enough."
Konan let it drop.
"Let's go," Kitazawa said after finishing the scroll. "You're coming with me to the Land of Waves."
Konan was puzzled, but agreed.
~~~
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