A new day arrived—Wednesday.
Kitazawa reached the ANBU Base early in the morning.
Yesterday, he had told Kurenai about the Giant Clam Summoning Beast, but Gato's Shipping Company still hadn't located it. If they kept waiting, they probably never would. That left him with only one option:
Use Edo Tensei to resurrect Hōzuki Gengetsu, then control him long enough to summon the Giant Clam.
Conveniently, Kitazawa had already mastered Edo Tensei thanks to a System Reward.
The only problem was that using Edo Tensei required the target's physical body. Hōzuki Gengetsu was long dead, so Kitazawa needed to find his corpse and take a piece of it.
In other words, he would have to travel to the Hidden Mist Village and become, essentially, a grave robber.
Tampering with the remains of the dead was unquestionably immoral in the Ninja World. If discovered, not only would it damage Kitazawa's own reputation, but it would also stain Konoha's name.
Even though Kitazawa was thick-skinned, his reputation was still useful in many situations. Until he reached true invincibility, he couldn't afford to act recklessly.
He also had his own bottom line. If it weren't for the Giant Clam Summoning Beast, he would never consider using Edo Tensei. But since he had the technique on hand, letting it go unused would be a waste.
After thorough consideration, Kitazawa decided to entrust the task to the Akatsuki Organization.
At this stage, the Akatsuki would accept almost any request for money—and more importantly, they had the ability to accomplish such missions far more efficiently than even the Konoha ANBU.
He didn't even need to pay, since the Akatsuki—more accurately, Konan—still owed him a significant amount of unpaid compensation.
"Konan," Kitazawa said as he pushed open the ANBU office door. "I have a mission I'd like your Akatsuki Organization to handle."
"What mission?" Konan stood, meeting his gaze.
"The remains of the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu."
Kitazawa's expression was calm. "I don't need the entire body—just a small piece."
Konan paused for a moment, unable to immediately process this strange request.
The Akatsuki had taken many jobs, but none quite as bizarre as stealing a part of a deceased Kage's corpse. And only part of it? What exactly was he planning?
"…Understood. I'll return to the organization today and arrange for someone to handle it." Konan didn't pry and accepted without hesitation.
"Why didn't you ask about the reward?" Kitazawa teased. "You responded so quickly, I almost mistook Akatsuki for the ANBU."
"You've helped the Akatsuki Organization many times. No reward is necessary," Konan replied.
"It's a shame you're not a Konoha kunoichi," Kitazawa sighed.
Konan blinked, expression still with silence.
"Let me know when the mission is done," Kitazawa added. "Try to finish before next Saturday."
"Understood. I'll leave now—see you tomorrow."
After watching her depart, Kitazawa headed to his office at the Ninja Academy.
"Kitazawa-senpai," Iruka called out as he approached. "These are the test papers for the Genius Class Theory Exam."
"Time flies. The term is already ending," Kitazawa mused.
"Well, you were delayed half a month in the Land of Demons," Iruka reminded him while opening the office door.
"That's true."
Kitazawa sat at his desk and began reviewing the papers. Midway through, he remembered something.
"Iruka," Kitazawa said, lifting his head. "The Priestess of the Land of Demons, Shion, wants to join the Genius Class. Please arrange her enrollment."
"…Huh?" Iruka froze.
The Priestess? The Daimyō? Enrolling in a Ninja Academy? If he spread the word, people would definitely accuse him of lying.
"She should arrive at the classroom shortly," Kitazawa added. "After you finish the enrollment process, send her to the Training Ground to meet the other students."
"O-Of course, Kitazawa-senpai." Iruka forced himself to suppress his shock and left quickly.
Kitazawa continued reviewing the exam papers. After a few minutes, he confirmed there were no issues.
Iruka's teaching had improved dramatically over the past three years. And in the original story, he eventually became the Academy Principal—clearly, the man had talent.
After setting the papers down, Kitazawa began planning the grouping for the Practical Exam. He had already led all eighteen top students in missions at least twice, so he could afford to be flexible with the teams now.
His mind drifted back to Hōzuki Gengetsu.
Simply summoning the Giant Clam felt wasteful. Why not use Hōzuki Gengetsu himself as the test opponent for the Practical Exam?
Since Kitazawa only possessed the original version of Edo Tensei, Hōzuki Gengetsu's resurrected strength would be less than half of what it had been in life, making him the ideal opponent for the Genius Class to face.
Now he just needed to choose the right students.
Even with his strength halved, Hōzuki Gengetsu was still a former Mizukage with formidable combat experience.
Realistically, only Naruto and Sasuke could handle such an opponent.
The others weren't weak, but they still lacked the necessary foundation to fight a former Kage.
As for Kurama Yakumo… forget it. Mangekyō-level Genjutsu was simply too outrageous.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin.
After thinking it through, he decided to bring Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata.
Although he had just taken them to the Land of Demons, they hadn't truly unleashed themselves in battle.
Mōryō and the Ghost Army were handled entirely by Kitazawa's Wood Release. The trio had only briefly fought the Ghost Army at the very beginning.
Kitazawa picked up a pen and paper and began arranging the teams. Shortly after, six new groups were formed.
Checking the time, he headed toward the Training Ground.
The Training Ground was already bustling — the source of attention was Shion.
Both the Land of Demons and the Priestess were unfamiliar concepts to the students of the Genius Class.
Shion, however, didn't get annoyed despite being bombarded with questions. Instead, she patiently answered them one by one.
After all, she had almost no one to talk to in the Land of Demons.
Of course, a small portion of the students weren't involved. Hinata, for instance.
The moment she spotted Kitazawa, she ran to him immediately.
"I still have matters to attend to." Kitazawa patted her head with a gentle smile.
Leaving her, he found Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other teachers and informed them of the team groupings.
---
Nine in the morning.
The Genius Class training officially began.
Since Shion had already familiarized herself with the other students earlier, she didn't need to go through a self-introduction.
Kitazawa brought her to a tree at the edge of the Training Ground.
Chakra control training, naturally, had to start with the basics: Tree Climbing and Water Walking.
Shion took a deep breath, gathered Chakra beneath her feet, and began climbing. Step by step, she quickly passed halfway up the trunk and continued toward the top.
Kitazawa narrowed his eyes in thought. Her Chakra control was slightly better than he had expected.
But the reason soon became clear — Shion had been practicing Sealing Jutsu since childhood. Sealing Jutsu demanded precise Chakra control, so she had built a solid foundation without realizing it.
It was a pleasant surprise. Still, her current control wasn't enough.
Kitazawa's goal was for Shion to freely control her power without relying on the bell. If she reached that level, she could very well become another Kurama Yakumo.
The morning passed quickly.
After lunch with the Genius Class, Kitazawa headed to the Hokage Office with them in tow.
He opened the door to see Tsunade sitting cross-legged on the sofa with her eyes closed.
Kitazawa's gaze immediately landed on the subtle movement of her clothes. She was cultivating Yang Release Chakra Mode; the cellular activation caused faint tremors along her skin.
Kitazawa quietly felt a sense of regret.
After helping Tsunade complete the Yang Release activation for her hands, he had been "abandoned" — he hadn't gotten the chance to help her finish the activation throughout the rest of her body.
As he walked closer, her pale, faintly trembling skin came into clearer view.
"Why didn't you knock?" Tsunade opened her eyes.
"I figured you were cultivating," Kitazawa said with a straight face. "I didn't want to disturb you."
"Do you think I don't know exactly what you're trying to do?" Tsunade glared. "Are you still staring?"
"Teacher Tsunade, you misunderstand." Kitazawa's tone was solemn. "I was observing your training. If there's an issue, I can correct it immediately."
"So? Is there an issue?" Tsunade asked, dropping her legs and leaning back. Her clothes shifted slightly with the movement, revealing nothing modest.
"No," Kitazawa said after a moment. "Teacher Tsunade, you truly are the Ninja World's greatest Medical Ninja."
He sat down beside her.
Before Tsunade could speak, she felt Kitazawa take her hand. She instinctively tried pulling away, but couldn't.
"Did you come here just to interfere with my Yang Release Chakra Mode training?" Tsunade complained.
"Training requires a balance between work and rest," Kitazawa replied, admiring her flawless face. "You've trained long enough — now it's time to relax."
"A smooth talker." Tsunade pouted but didn't pull her hand back this time.
Feeling Kitazawa's warmth seep into her palm, her heart settled despite herself.
"Have you been working on Wood Release lately?" Tsunade asked, her tone mellowing.
"Mhm," Kitazawa nodded. "I'm learning Wood Release: Wood Transformation Technique."
"You've already mastered Deep Forest Emergence and Wood Dragon Technique — that's enough Wood Release for now." Tsunade paused. "Are you planning to learn Sage Mode?"
It was Sage Mode — not ordinary Chakra — that made Senju Hashirama truly invincible. Sage Art Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands alone was enough to overwhelm Uchiha Madara and the Nine-Tails simultaneously.
Kitazawa already had Wood Release; he only lacked Sage Mode.
Although Sage Mode was notoriously difficult, Tsunade believed he might succeed. Kitazawa had done nothing but overturn expectations since the day she met him.
"Of course I want to learn it." Kitazawa didn't hesitate.
"No time like the present. Let's go today," Tsunade said. "We'll head to Shikkotsu Forest together."
Kitazawa blinked, briefly surprised, but didn't refuse.
It was true he probably lacked the talent to master Sage Mode, but Sage Mode was never something achieved quickly. It could take years. He could at least give it a try — perhaps it would even trigger a system mission.
Tsunade tugged her hand, but since Kitazawa still didn't let go, she stomped on his foot.
"I forgot. My apologies." Kitazawa released her hand — though he mischievously brushed his fingers across her palm on the way out.
Tsunade rolled her eyes but didn't comment. She bit her thumb and pressed her blood-marked hand to the floor.
With a burst of smoke, a fist-sized Slug appeared.
"Lord Katsuyu, please use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring Kitazawa and me to Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade said directly. "Kitazawa wants to learn Sage Mode."
"Understood, Lady Tsunade," Katsuyu replied, then vanished on the spot.
Kitazawa waited quietly. A moment later, he felt the pull of a summoning technique from the depths of the void. He didn't resist; the world blurred, and in the next instant, the scenery shifted completely.
He had arrived in Shikkotsu Forest.
This was Kitazawa's first time stepping into this legendary sacred land. He looked around. Other than the dense trees and rich vegetation, nothing seemed particularly special at first glance.
"Follow me." Tsunade appeared moments later and walked deeper into the forest.
Kitazawa followed her. Before long, the immense figure of the true Katsuyu entered his field of vision — or rather, Katsuyu's original body.
As far as the eye could see, a colossal white body filled the landscape, stretching seemingly without end. Surrounding it were countless smaller Slugs, all merely segmented parts of the main body.
Kitazawa suspected Katsuyu might even be larger than the Nine-Tails.
It had lived for over a thousand years, and as the only Slug in Shikkotsu Forest, it enjoyed the forest's Natural Energy all to itself.
"Lady Tsunade, Lord Kitazawa, welcome," Katsuyu said, lowering its massive head. Its voice was gentle, but its size alone created overwhelming visual pressure.
"Lord Katsuyu," Tsunade greeted. "You already know why we're here. Let's begin."
"Mhm." Katsuyu nodded slightly. "I will first explain the principles and steps of Sage Mode training."
Sage Mode, in essence, was a special state obtained through the use of Senjutsu Chakra.
The process was essentially the creation of Senjutsu Chakra — a perfect blend of Natural Energy, Physical Energy, and Spiritual Energy in a one-to-one-to-one ratio.
The training was divided into two stages:
First step: Sensing Natural Energy and drawing it into the body.
Second step: Synthesizing Senjutsu Chakra.
Once synthesis succeeded, markings or eye shadow would appear on the user's face, signifying entry into Sage Mode.
Naturally, the second step was the most dangerous.
An imbalance in the three energies resulted in severe consequences. For Mount Myōboku practitioners, the risks were Frog Transformation or petrification.
Kitazawa had never known the consequences of failing Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode training.
Katsuyu now explained: Slug Transformation and Forest Transformation.
In other words, some harmless-looking trees in Shikkotsu Forest might once have been Ninjas.
Fortunately, such incidents were rare. Katsuyu actively monitored trainees and intervened; as long as the imbalance wasn't immediate and catastrophic, they could be rescued — just like how Sage Fukasaku had knocked Naruto awake with a stick.
Still, most Ninjas didn't even reach the second step.
The majority failed at the very beginning — unable to sense Natural Energy at all. Those who couldn't pass step one were deemed completely untalented in Sage Mode.
"We will now begin the first step." Katsuyu opened its mouth and spat out a bucket.
Inside was a clear, translucent liquid.
"Apply the liquid to your upper body. You may remove your clothes or leave them on," Katsuyu explained. "This liquid will help you perceive Natural Energy more easily."
Kitazawa glanced at the substance but didn't ask what it was. Mount Myōboku used something similar — Toad Oil.
He removed his shirt, waved his hand, and used Chakra to lift the liquid, spreading it evenly across his skin.
A cool, refreshing sensation washed over him — and nothing else.
Kitazawa sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began trying to sense the Natural Energy in the surroundings, following Katsuyu's guidance.
Tsunade stood nearby, watching him. Hmm. Nice physique.
After observing him for a bit, she withdrew her gaze and left Shikkotsu Forest. Sage Mode training was extremely time-consuming; as Hokage, she couldn't stay with him indefinitely.
Time passed quietly.
After sitting motionless for the entire afternoon, Kitazawa finally opened his eyes.
How should he put it? He had gained absolutely nothing.
"It's normal not to sense Natural Energy on the first day," Katsuyu said softly.
"Thank you for your help today, Lord Katsuyu." Kitazawa stood and put his clothes back on.
"It is no trouble," Katsuyu replied. "You may return daily to continue training."
"I'm often busy," Kitazawa said. "I may not be able to come every day. I'll return whenever I can."
"Very well." Katsuyu paused, then added gently, "Sage Mode requires an extremely long time to learn. There is no need to rush."
"I understand, Lord Katsuyu." Kitazawa nodded.
"I will send you back," Katsuyu said. "See you next time."
Kitazawa remained still. A moment later, his vision shook — and he found himself back in the Hokage Office.
"How did it go?" Tsunade sensed the Chakra fluctuation and looked up.
"I didn't succeed," Kitazawa replied honestly.
"Keep training." Tsunade didn't seem surprised at all.
If he had sensed Natural Energy on the first day, that would have shocked her.
"Teacher Tsunade, how long did you train before giving up?" Kitazawa asked.
"Around a year," Tsunade said after some thought. "If you can't learn it in a year, continuing is just a waste of time."
"Then I'll also give it a year," Kitazawa mused to himself. A year should be more than enough to trigger a Sage Mode system mission.