Kitazawa returned home—or more precisely, to Kurenai Yuhi's home. But he didn't go inside right away. Instead, he made his way around to the back of the house.
He stopped at a secluded spot, where Kurenai had once practiced the Rasengan.
Eight Gates! First Gate—Open!
Kitazawa's body quivered as a surge of chakra erupted from within. At that very moment, the release of his mental restraints gave him the sensation of awakening from a long dream, like stepping into a world that looked completely different.
Kitazawa stretched his limbs, walked up to a nearby boulder, and punched it with a loud—Bang!
The rock exploded into fragments. Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. He hadn't even felt like he'd used much strength, yet the stone had crumbled the moment he struck it.
In reality, it wasn't that he hadn't exerted strength; it was that he was now effortlessly using 100% of his physical capacity.
That was the power of the First Gate of the Eight Gates.
Kitazawa, already experienced, calmly closed it. Fatigue instantly swept over him.
Even though the first three gates were considered safe zones, they still placed considerable strain on the body, though the side effects were relatively minor.
"No wonder Guy subjects himself to hellish training every day," Kitazawa muttered after catching his breath.
Without tremendous physical conditioning, one simply couldn't withstand the Eight Gates. For most ordinary shinobi, even opening the first gate was their absolute limit.
Take Hatake Kakashi, for example. In the original story, even he had only opened the First Gate.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin. He remembered that once the first gate was opened, a shinobi could unleash the accompanying taijutsu technique—Front Lotus.
If the chance arose, he'd consider learning it directly from Might Guy.
"What are you doing here?" Kurenai's voice rang out behind him.
"Why are you here?" Kitazawa turned to see Kurenai, dressed in red, standing with her hands on her hips.
"You were too loud," Kurenai glanced at the shattered rock and asked, "Did something go wrong in the final exam?"
"No, everything went really well," Kitazawa said quickly, realizing she had misunderstood. "I was just practicing taijutsu."
"Practicing taijutsu the moment you get home?" Kurenai blinked in surprise.
"Let's not talk about that," Kitazawa coughed lightly and walked forward, gently taking her hand. "When are you going to teach me genjutsu?"
"Anytime," Yuhi Kurenai replied as they walked together. "It depends on you."
"Then let's start in the afternoon," Kitazawa said after thinking it over.
"What are you doing this morning?" Kurenai let go of his hand and opened the front door.
She bent slightly to change her shoes, arching her back—causing her dress to hug her hips in a way that was undeniably alluring.
"Student training."
Kitazawa's eyes naturally fell on her waist and curves. As she moved, her clothes accentuated her figure with every motion.
"Do ninja schools hold classes even during summer vacation now?" Kurenai asked, surprised. "We didn't have it this hard back in our day."
"It's not the academy's doing," Kitazawa replied, shaking his head. "The students requested it."
"I see," Kurenai finished changing her shoes, turned to him, and said, "You really are a good teacher."
If it wasn't officially mandated, that meant there was no pay. Kitazawa was voluntarily working overtime. Few teachers would go that far for students.
"I've got nothing better to do during the summer break anyway." Kitazawa shut the door behind them and followed her into the living room.
"You have to study medical ninjutsu, learn genjutsu, and train students—and you still say you have nothing to do?" Kurenai gave him an incredulous look.
"It's not that big a deal," Kitazawa said breezily. "I'll let my shadow clones handle some of it."
"Shadow clones are useful, but they have side effects." Kurenai reminded him. "You have to be careful and use them sparingly."
"Yeah." Kitazawa nodded. "How about you start teaching me genjutsu in the afternoon after tomorrow?"
"Sure." Kurenai smiled. "But just so you know, I'm very strict when it comes to teaching."
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," Kitazawa said with a wink.
"Why does it sound so weird when you call me that?" Kurenai looked stunned. "Don't call me that again—I'm not used to it."
"That won't do," Kitazawa said with a serious face. "You need to assert your teacherly authority. That way, the teaching will be more effective."
"Authority? Like this?" Kurenai straightened up, arms crossed, and looked down at him with a stern expression.
"Perfect," Kitazawa clapped, then quickly added, "But something's still missing."
"What's missing?" Kurenai asked with a curious tilt of her head.
"The outfit," Kitazawa replied with complete sincerity. "You should try wearing a proper professional outfit."
"Seriously?" Kurenai blinked in surprise—and then, to Kitazawa's astonishment, actually began to consider it.
He nearly burst out laughing on the spot, but somehow managed to hold it in. Tricking your girlfriend into wearing a professional outfit wasn't exactly evil. At worst, you'd get scolded or stepped on.
But for the visual reward? Totally worth it.
It's worth mentioning: professional outfits do exist in the ninja world. For example, Mabui, the Raikage's secretary from the Hidden Cloud Village, wore one every day.
Of course, the professional attire of a teacher is a little different from that of a secretary.
"Tsunade-sama and the others should be back soon. I'll go make dinner," Kurenai said, glancing at the wall clock.
"Need help?" Kitazawa offered.
"No need," Kurenai smiled warmly. "You've been busy all day—just relax on the couch and wait for me."
She reached out, gently patted his head, and walked into the kitchen.
She truly was the kind of kunoichi who could become a good wife and loving mother. Kitazawa smiled softly.
He reflected that, with very few exceptions, the kunoichi in the original story were all remarkably capable. Even someone as carefree as Sakura became an excellent wife after marriage.
Kitazawa sat down and closed his eyes, reviewing the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. It was essentially the same as the standard Shadow Clone Jutsu, except without the number limitation.
He reviewed it a few more times before forming the hand seals. Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Bang! Three shadow clones appeared from the swirling smoke.
"Succeeded on the first try?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow—not too surprised. He had already mastered the base Shadow Clone technique. With his expert chakra control, success on the first attempt was only natural.
Still, mastering the basics was far from reaching mastery.
Kitazawa tried increasing the number of clones. Once the number passed ten, he felt over half his chakra reserve drain instantly.
Though he could push further, he chose to stop there. Ten clones were more than enough.
In fact, ten was already a heavy burden. Especially once the clones were dispelled, the return of accumulated experience and memory would hit all at once.
Too much of that could be dangerous. Kitazawa didn't need to take that risk. After all, he had time—and he still had the system.
The door opened. Tsunade and Shizune stepped inside.
Seeing them, Kitazawa immediately dispelled the clones.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?" Tsunade asked, slightly surprised. "What did you do to make the old man hand over that Jutsu?"
"Nothing," Kitazawa replied honestly. "I'm just a good teacher."
"Do you think I'd believe that?" Tsunade stretched out lazily and settled onto the sofa, lifting her legs and revealing her pale ankles.
"Everything I said is true," Kitazawa added after a pause. "It's just that my students are a bit… special."
Tsunade smirked faintly, finally catching on. She might not know exactly who his students were, but she did know that Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, was one of them.
Her thoughts drifted to Uzumaki Kushina, and she sighed softly. Kushina had been sent to Konoha while Uzumaki Mito was still alive. Tsunade had, in a way, watched her grow up—
But fate was never kind.
"You're all back?" Kurenai Yuhi came out of the kitchen holding a basin of water. "Come wash your hands. Dinner will be ready soon."
She wore a white apron, her long, black hair tied back with a rubber band.
"You look even better with your hair down," Kitazawa said as he gently loosened it, letting it cascade down her back. But this style was far too provocative to try in front of others.
Kurenai shot him a glare. Now wasn't the time for intimate gestures—others were around.
Kitazawa got the message and went to wash up politely.
Still, Tsunade and Shizune had already picked up on the subtle tension between them. After all, the two had spent a lot of time together studying Yakumo's new genjutsu.
Tsunade found it understandable. Kitazawa was strong and handsome—few women would be able to resist.
Shizune, on the other hand, sighed quietly in her heart. She had followed Tsunade all these years and hardly met any decent men, much less experienced romance.
Even when she did, the first thing they asked was for her to repay Tsunade's gambling debt.
"Tsunade-sama, what are your plans for this afternoon?" Kitazawa asked as the four of them sat down for dinner.
"Heading to the casino," Tsunade answered confidently. "If you want to learn medical ninjutsu, have Shizune take you to the hospital."
"Tsunade-sama, we're out of money!" Shizune couldn't help but interject.
"Out of money?!" Tsunade's eyes widened. "How is that possible?"
"What do you think?" Shizune replied bluntly.
Tsunade's expression instantly deflated like a withered gourd. She slumped onto the table, her sulky posture unusually exaggerated.
Kurenai was stunned for a moment at the sight. Then, recovering, she gave Kitazawa a swift kick under the table.
"Since we're broke, let's focus on developing new ninjutsu," Kitazawa turned serious and looked away.
"Fine..." Tsunade rubbed her temples. "Kurenai, call Yakumo over this afternoon."
"Okay, Lady Tsunade." Kurenai nodded without hesitation.
---
The Uchiha Clan Headquarters
"Sasuke, why've you been so sulky since you got back?" Uchiha Mikoto, wearing an apron, emerged from the kitchen with a gentle smile.
"I got second place," Sasuke replied gloomily.
Even though Kitazawa-sensei had agreed to train him, it didn't ease the depression of finishing second.
"Second place is still very impressive." Mikoto blinked, then tried to comfort him.
"The Uchiha don't need second place," Sasuke pouted. "Besides, my brother was always number one at the academy."
"You're you, and your brother is your brother." Mikoto tapped him lightly on the forehead. "You don't have to copy him."
"Then who should I copy?" Sasuke tilted his head. Since Shisui's death, the Uchiha's brightest star had been Itachi.
"That's not what I meant," Mikoto shook her head. "You don't need to copy anyone. Just be yourself."
"I don't get it," Sasuke admitted after a moment.
"Discover your own strengths," Mikoto encouraged.
"Kitazawa-sensei said the same thing this morning!" Sasuke perked up. "And my greatest strength has to be the Sharingan!"
Mikoto sighed internally. All that discussion, and it still came back to the Sharingan?
Whether it was Fugaku, Itachi, or Sasuke, all of them were obsessed with it. But she couldn't blame them—this was the Uchiha way. In their clan, power was everything, and the Sharingan symbolized that power.
"Mom, when will Dad be back? I need to talk to him." Sasuke tugged at her sleeve.
"He usually doesn't get home until evening." Mikoto frowned slightly. "Why can't you tell me instead?"
"I can tell you," Sasuke said after a pause. "I'm doing special training with Kitazawa-sensei over the summer."
"Special training?" Mikoto nodded. "Of course, your father will agree."
"Great." Sasuke clenched his fists. "Next semester, I'm going to beat Naruto!"
"Who are you talking about?" Mikoto's expression changed slightly.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Sasuke said, awkwardly. "He just got lucky. He beat me and took first place."
"Uzumaki…?" Mikoto instantly realized—he had to be Kushina's son. She and Kushina had been close once, almost like sisters.
A trace of regret flickered in Mikoto's eyes. If Minato and Kushina were still alive, maybe the Uchiha clan wouldn't be in this state.
"Mom, do you know him?" Sasuke noticed her odd expression.
"I don't know him," Mikoto hesitated, then said, "But I knew his parents."
"Oh?" Sasuke looked intrigued. "Were they strong?"
"Extremely." Mikoto's answer was firm.
"That's strange," Sasuke frowned. "If his parents were so strong, why do people call him a monster?"
Mikoto opened her mouth but couldn't find a proper answer.
"Who were his parents?" Sasuke pressed.
"Wait!" Mikoto abruptly stood. "I have something cooking—I need to check it before it burns!"
…? Sasuke stared after her, half-confused, half-suspicious.