Kitazawa woke up right on schedule.
After a quick change of clothes and breakfast, he made his way to the Ninja Academy.
Stopping outside his office, he leaned in—and faintly heard Hinata humming her little Rice Ball Song.
A small chuckle escaped him as he pushed the door open.
Hinata’s head whipped around.
The mont her pale eyes landed on him, her tiny face turned scarlet.
She instantly let go of the half-person-tall plush toy in her arms, slid off the sofa, and sat upright with both legs neatly together.
Only her tensed toes curling into each other betrayed her panic.
"When did you get here?" Kitazawa asked casually, walking to his desk.
"H-half an hour ago..." Hinata whispered, head lowered.
"Did you have breakfast?"
"I... I ate at ho," she murmured, then hesitated before gathering her courage.
"Um... K-Kitazawa-sensei, can I... start eating breakfast here from tomorrow?"
"Of course," Kitazawa said without looking up. "You already ate here last sester, didn’t you?"
"T-thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
A shy smile blood on her face before she quickly ducked her head again, flustered under his gaze.
"Do you still rember your sparring match with Neji?" Kitazawa asked, flipping through the new class schedule.
"Mm!"
Hinata blinked, and her montary daze faded along with the blush on her cheeks.
"When do you want to spar with him?" he asked, scanning the titable, which was nearly identical to last sester’s.
"I-I’m... fine with anyti," Hinata said softly, hesitating for two seconds before leaving the decision to him.
"Then we’ll do it during tomorrow afternoon’s practical training class," Kitazawa decided.
"The longer you drag it out, the more nervous you’ll get."
Hinata froze.
’Tomorrow afternoon?’
Even though she’d trained for this all sumr, now that the mont was close, unease crept in.
"Hinatа."
Kitazawa’s tone turned firm. "You’re stronger than Neji now. You know that, right?"
Her cheeks reddened again, embarrassed by her brief self-doubt.
But his words lit a spark of confidence.
"I... I will work hard!" she said, her tone more determined.
Even if she didn’t fully believe in herself—she believed in Kitazawa.
"Good. Let’s head to the classroom."
Hinata changed into her indoor shoes and quickly trotted to his side.
Kitazawa reached out to pat her head as they walked, and a soft, secret smile curled her lips.
Her heart felt light as she followed him to First Year, Class A.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto was the first to spot him, waving wildly from his seat.
Soon after, Sasuke, Kiba, Shikamaru, and the others all called out their greetings.
"Kitazawa-senpai is really popular..." Iruka muttered, half amused and half exasperated, as he handled registration.
The kids barely noticed him at all.
"Iruka, grab the new textbooks. I’ll handle the roster."
Kitazawa handed him a summoning scroll.
Summoning scrolls weren’t cheap, and Kitazawa doubted Iruka owned one. With a whole class’s textbooks to carry, it would save him a lot of trouble.
"Ah—alright!" Iruka said, accepting the scroll before heading out.
Kitazawa glanced over the roster.
More than half the students in Class A were already here.
Then, a knock ca at the door.
"Kitazawa-sensei," a soft voice said.
Yakumo Kurama entered, followed by her father, Murakumo Kurama.
The classroom instantly fell silent.
Though Yakumo had rarely attended class last sester, her defeat of Neji had left a deep impression on everyone.
Sasuke instinctively crossed his arms.
He’d awakened his Sharingan, and his confidence had soared—but against Yakumo, he wasn’t completely sure of victory.
They were both genjutsu specialists, but Yakumo’s weakness was obvious: her fragile body.
On that point, Sasuke was certain he held the advantage.
"Yakumo, are you joining the exams this sester?"
Naruto, fearless as ever, leaned forward eagerly.
Last sester, she hadn’t participated in the practical test, much to his disappointnt.
"I will," Yakumo said with a gentle smile.
She no longer carried the eerie, haunted air she had in the original tiline.
"Whoa, then the class’s top spot will be up for grabs again!"
"Don’t forget Naruto—he’s gotten stronger too!"
"Yeah, but Sasuke’s an Uchiha! If his eyes evolve further, he’s unstoppable!"
The classroom buzzed with excitent.
"Quiet."
Kitazawa raised his hand, and the chatter died imdiately.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Murakumo stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Clan Head Murakumo, there’s no need for that," Kitazawa said, helping him straighten.
"I must show my gratitude," Murakumo said sincerely.
"Yakumo’s current health is thanks entirely to you."
"You’re being too polite."
Kitazawa smiled faintly. "Let’s get her registered first."
He had benefited from their connection too—especially the link to Tsunade.
It was a mutual gain.
"I won’t disturb you further," Murakumo said sensibly.
"If you have ti, please visit our ho for a al."
His respect wasn’t just for Yakumo’s sake—he knew Kitazawa was Tsunade’s disciple in dical ninjutsu.
Kitazawa’s future was bound to outshine most. Building a closer relationship now could only be wise.
And besides, Yakumo was officially Kitazawa’s student at the Ninja Academy—even if only in na.
After Murakumo left, Yakumo quickly finished her registration.
When she returned to her seat, several classmates imdiately gathered around her, chattering with curiosity and admiration.
’Strength attracts attention everywhere.’
Uchiha Sasuke, of course, didn’t enjoy it.
The girls—led by Sakura—sward around his desk as well, their excitent grating on him. His expression grew colder by the minute.
anwhile, Naruto was in his elent, laughing and chatting with a group of boys—Kiba, Choji, Shikamaru, and a few others.
In their own ways, both Naruto and Sasuke had undeniable charisma.
Kitazawa watched the lively classroom and couldn’t help but smile.
By ten o’clock, all the students in First Year Class A had arrived.
"Kitazawa-senpai."
Iruka approached, holding out a summoning scroll.
"These are the new textbooks for this sester."
"Hand them out."
Kitazawa unsealed the scroll, and in an instant, several small mountains of books appeared on the floor.
Iruka began distributing them according to the curriculum.
Ten minutes later, everyone had received their new textbooks.
"Registration is now complete. There are no classes this afternoon," Kitazawa announced.
"If you have ti, start flipping through the new textbooks."
Without another word, he turned and left the classroom.
"Kitazawa-senpai! Wait up!"
Iruka hurried after him.
"Sothing else?" Kitazawa asked, stopping in the hallway.
"When I went to fetch the textbooks, I ran into the vice-principal, Hisao Sarutobi," Iruka explained.
"He asked to tell you there’s a brief eting tomorrow morning at 8:30 in the conference room."
"Got it. Thanks."
Kitazawa smirked and suddenly asked, "By the way, how are things between you and Tsubaki?"
Iruka almost jumped. "W-what do you an ’things’?! Don’t talk nonsense! Tsubaki and I are... just friends!"
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may," Kitazawa said with a teasing pat on his shoulder before walking off.
"...What does that even an?" Iruka muttered, scratching his head, painfully aware of his lack of romantic knowledge.
Kitazawa didn’t head ho. Instead, he made his way to Konoha Hospital.
He had many long-term goals, but only two imdiate priorities:Learning dical NinjutsuMastering Wind Release techniquesThe rest could wait.
"Nono-senpai."
With Shizune absent, Kitazawa sought out Nono.
"You ca at the perfect ti," she said softly.
"Your office is ready. I’ll take you there."
"...Office?" Kitazawa blinked. "Why would I need an office?"
Nono smiled faintly. "Do you think just anyone can be an affiliated dical ninja at Konoha Hospital? Only dical ninja at the Jonin level are given that status."
Technically, Kitazawa was a Special Jonin, not a full Jonin. He shouldn’t have qualified.
But he was Tsunade’s semi-disciple, and his skill level was already high—just lacking in field experience.
Experience, however, was a matter of ti and surgeries.
This office was clearly Tsunade’s silent endorsent.
"...Thank you," Kitazawa said with a small nod.
Nono led him to a modest office.
It was simple, similar to her own—just missing a bookshelf.
"You can rest here whenever you’re free," she explained.
"Every morning, a nurse will bring you the surgery schedule. If there’s an ergency, you’ll be notified imdiately."
"Understood."
Nono hesitated, then said, "There’s one more thing. I’ll be leaving on a mission next week. If you need guidance, go to Kiyota Kaori—she’s a Jonin dical Ninja."
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "A mission? Far?"
"Very far," Nono admitted. "To the Land of Earth. I might not be back for so ti."
Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed.
’The Land of Earth... Could this be the mission that led to Nono’s death in the original tiline?’
He recalled how Kabuto failed a spy mission in Iwagakure and eventually encountered Nono—already brainwashed by Danzo—leading to tragedy.
’But this is happening earlier than it should...’
Kitazawa quickly pieced it together.
His existence—and his connection to Tsunade—had likely accelerated Danzo’s plans.
Danzo couldn’t risk Nono’s ties to Tsunade; even without leaks, her loyalty shift alone would be unacceptable to him.
Eliminating her would solve everything.
"...You’re a dical Ninja. Why accept dangerous missions?" Kitazawa asked quietly.
"dical Ninja are still ninja," Nono replied, averting her eyes.
"You should get familiar with your office. I’ll go see which surgeries are suitable for you today."
She left, her back slightly tense.
Kitazawa leaned back in his chair, thoughtful.
’Danzo holds her two lifelines: the orphanage and Kabuto.’
If Nono tried to break free, Root would retaliate against both—especially Kabuto, who had been planted in other villages as a spy.
’Helping her will be tricky... but I have a week. I should talk to Tsunade first.’
If possible, he wanted Kabuto to remain in Konoha.
Trained properly, he could be a second Orochimaru—but one with exploitable weaknesses.
Kitazawa glanced out the window and stretched.
’If Tsunade overcos her hemophobia and becos Hokage, my position will soar.’
Hiruzen was good to him, but being Tsunade’s shadow in this era was far more valuable.
Kitazawa sat at his desk and opened the Wind Release scroll gifted by Uchiha Mikoto.
Six techniques were recorded. He’d already learned two.
He decided to start with Wind Release: Shuriken—the simplest-looking one, though still a B-rank jutsu.
It worked by infusing shuriken with high-speed Wind Chakra to boost cutting power, sowhat like a primitive version of Naruto’s Rasenshuriken.
He studied the theory carefully. Practical training would co later.
Not long after, Nono returned with Shizune, and Kitazawa joined them in the operating room—
performing surgeries while practicing the Mystical Palm Technique.
—
The first day of the new sester.
The Academy was buzzing with life.
Excitent radiated from every corner, though Kitazawa knew it would fade in a few days, replaced by nostalgia for sumr freedom.
He stopped by the Artificial Lake, expecting to see Naruto and Hinata training—but today, the students were waiting in his office instead.
Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and even Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru, it’s rare to see you so proactive," Kitazawa teased.
"..." Shikamaru’s mouth twitched.
In truth, he’d been forced to co by his parents—volunteering was the only way to suffer less.
"After the first class, head to the school training ground," Kitazawa instructed.
"I’ll give you new training plans then. I have a staff eting first."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!" they chorused.
"Hinata, stay," he called, glancing at her.
"Did you eat breakfast?"
"N-no..." she admitted.
"Then where are you going?" Kitazawa flicked her forehead lightly.
"I... I can eat on my own," she said shyly. "Aren’t you going to the eting?"
"There’s still half an hour. Plenty of ti for breakfast."
"Mm!" Hinata’s eyes brightened imdiately.
"Eat well. You’ll need the energy to defeat Neji this afternoon," Kitazawa said with a smile, patting her head as he set out the breakfast he’d bought.
"Y-yes! I will!" Hinata clenched her tiny fists, brimming with determination.
Kitazawa chuckled.
Half her personality had blossod—shy yet courageous.
Turning her into a brash, delinquent type would ruin the charm she has now.
After breakfast, he headed to the conference room, where Iruka waved him over.
At 8:30 sharp, Hisao Sarutobi entered, and the first staff eting of the new sester began.
For the first twenty minutes, Kitazawa fought back a yawn.
The vice-principal’s speech was full of endless formalities... At the end he announced this year’s best teacher award to Kitazawa, which had a certificate and 300,000 ryo as a reward.
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