Thursday rolled around.
Today was the Advanced Class's written exam.
Tomorrow would be the practical.
Eighteen top-performing students—including Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto—would take a new kind of practical: going out on an actual mission.
After breakfast, Kitazawa headed to Konoha Hospital.
He left the Advanced Class's written exam to be proctored by Iruka Umino.
He planned to use the time to perform a Limb Regeneration surgery for a jōnin who had lost his right arm.
As for the medical-nin training course, there weren't any free classrooms today, so it was canceled for the day.
After all, it wasn't just the Advanced Class's written exam—more accurately, all six grades were sitting their written tests.
"Kitazawa-sama."
The medical-nin at Konoha Hospital greeted him one after another.
After weeks of classes, they had a clear sense of Kitazawa's level in medical ninjutsu.
In Konoha, he ranked second only to Tsunade.
With his identity plus skill, the hospital's medical-nin treated him with deep respect.
"Nonō-senpai."
Kitazawa stepped into Yakushi Nonō's office.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Haku stood up at once to greet him.
Yakushi Kabuto was currently in the Anbu and often away on missions.
When he wasn't free, he left Haku in Yakushi Nonō's care.
"How's your training going?" Kitazawa asked Haku.
"I… think it's okay," Haku said after a moment, unsure.
"Not 'think'—it's truly very good," Nonō said with a smile. "I'm already teaching him the Three Body Techniques."
"He's progressing fast," Kitazawa said, a bit surprised—and then, thinking it over, not really.
Haku was only three years older than Naruto and Sasuke.
In the original storyline, he died at fifteen.
Even then, while he might not have been jōnin class, his Ice Release put him at the very top of the chūnin tier.
And he'd developed that Ice Release on his own.
Judging from that, his talent was first-rate.
He might not match "cheat-code" Naruto and Sasuke, but he was easily on par with most of the Konoha 12.
"Haku, keep training," Nonō said, standing. "Kitazawa and I are heading in for a surgery."
"Okay, Dean," Haku replied. "See you next time, Kitazawa-sensei."
Kitazawa nodded, then followed Nonō to the operating theater.
The entire morning passed quickly.
By the time they finished, it was already eleven.
After grabbing lunch with Yakushi Nonō, Kitazawa went to the Hokage's office.
He chatted with Tsunade as usual, then found a spot to practice his Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall.
He stopped in under an hour.
A short while later, Konan arrived.
"I've already sent people to purchase the medicines. They should arrive next week," Konan said first.
"Run into any trouble?" Kitazawa nodded, then asked.
"Not yet." Konan paused. "Your puppet will also be delivered next week."
"Sounds like the puppeteer you found is exceptional," Kitazawa said with a light laugh. "Finishing a puppet at elite jōnin level in such a short time."
"He's strong," Konan replied evenly.
Sasori had been invited to join the Akatsuki after she defeated him.
But back then he hadn't turned himself into a human puppet yet.
Now that he had, even Konan wasn't sure how far his strength had gone.
"Aoi Rokushō will be heading to the Land of Rivers on Sunday," Konan added. "He's going alone."
"Thanks."
Kitazawa nodded, satisfied.
"It's what I should do."
Konan was being so thorough because she wanted Kitazawa to be just as earnest about treating Nagato's legs.
Kitazawa could guess as much.
His principle was simple: treat others the way they treat you.
On top of that, he had a system quest; he wasn't about to play games.
"Head back to the Anbu base and rest," Kitazawa waved. "From now on, when I come to the Hokage Building, you don't have to shadow me."
There were too many eyes in the Hokage Building; Konan could easily be spotted.
And most importantly, Kitazawa didn't want anyone knowing he was training Wood Release for now.
"Understood."
Konan turned to leave.
By sunset, Kitazawa wrapped up his afternoon training and returned to the Hokage's office.
To his surprise, Nara Shikaku was there with Tsunade.
"Perfect timing," Tsunade said as soon as she saw him, tossing him a file.
Kitazawa skimmed it and immediately got the gist.
The file was from the Uchiha clan.
More precisely, it was a petition asking Konoha to let them move back to their original compound.
"What do you think, Kitazawa?" Tsunade asked after giving him a moment.
"I think we can approve it," Kitazawa said, closing the file. "That land was theirs to begin with. It should go back to its rightful owners."
"That area currently belongs to the two Hokage advisors and the Shimura clan," Shikaku reminded him.
The Uchiha compound sat in central Konoha.
After the Uchiha moved out, that space wasn't going to sit empty.
For various reasons, Shimura Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane had carved it up.
"All the more reason to grant the Uchiha request," Kitazawa said at once.
He did want to clear a system quest—but annoying those two old coots was a nice bonus.
"I knew you'd say that," Tsunade said, the corner of her mouth lifting.
Shikaku glanced between them, hesitating.
When Tsunade had asked him earlier, he'd said the Uchiha could move back—but not yet. It should be done gradually.
He worried the two advisors would overreact.
But Tsunade and Kitazawa clearly felt differently.
"Hokage-sama," Shikaku decided quickly, "I'll inform the Shimura clan to vacate as soon as possible."
That was called reading the room.
If Tsunade wasn't worried, why should he be?
And besides, she was the Hokage—and he, now a Hokage advisor, wasn't beneath Homura and Koharu in rank.
As for the Shimura, with Danzo gone, there was no one left in Konoha's upper echelons to protect them.
Staying afloat was already good enough; they weren't even qualified to step into a power struggle like this.
"If they've got a problem, they can take it up with me," Tsunade said, all swagger.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikaku bowed slightly and left.
"How long before those two come knocking?" Tsunade asked with a small smile.
"Within an hour," Kitazawa said after thinking it over.
"What a waste of my time," Tsunade stretched.
"You only need one line," Kitazawa said, blinking.
"What line?" Tsunade asked, curious.
"I'm the Hokage," Kitazawa coughed lightly.
"That makes me sound unreasonable," Tsunade shot him a look and then smiled. "But with those two old relics, reason is optional."
She wasn't fond of Homura Mitokado or Koharu Utatane.
In the original story, there's even a scene where, fed up, Tsunade grabs them by the collar and threatens them.
"How's Naruto doing?" Tsunade asked, remembering something.
"Great," Kitazawa said. "Ever since we announced he's the Fourth Hokage's son, the villagers' attitude has flipped."
"Good." Tsunade nodded. "I just hope he doesn't carry any lingering trauma from before."
"Kid's a natural optimist. That stuff won't stick," Kitazawa said with a grin. "If anything comes up, I'll tell you right away."
"With you around, I can relax," Tsunade said, picking up a file. "This was your doing—take a look."
Kitazawa stepped forward and accepted it.
It detailed the Konoha Police Department's expansion.
The Uchiha had ceded half of their seats—half their authority, essentially.
In short, the Police Department would now be half Uchiha, half other clans.
"A sincere gesture," Kitazawa said, setting the file down.
"That's why I agreed to let them move back," Tsunade said with a smile. "I can see the Uchiha changing."
"Their earlier radicalism was largely Danzo's pressure," Kitazawa mused. "It's better to guide the Uchiha than to block them."
The clan's demands were simple: they wanted a shot at the Hokage's seat.
If they truly intended rebellion, they would've followed Madara back then.
And they respected strength—Madara lost to Hashirama, after all.
Right now, there was Tsunade, there was him, and—can't forget—Itachi as an undercover.
On top of that, with the Hokage dream back on the table, the Uchiha would be manageable.
"As things stand, the Uchiha know how to adapt," Tsunade agreed. "As long as they don't endanger Konoha, everything's on the table."
"Tsunade!"
Koharu Utatane's furious voice cut in right then.
"Looks like your estimate was off—less than half an hour," Tsunade said, smiling.
"Which only proves you were even more accurate," Kitazawa said, spreading his hands.
Bang!
The door flew open.
Koharu and Homura marched in.
"This is the Hokage Building," Tsunade snapped, face hardening. "As advisors, throwing a tantrum in here—what do you think you're doing?"
Koharu trembled with anger.
But Tsunade was the Hokage; there was no faulting her for saying it.
"Tsunade, why are you letting the Uchiha move back?" Homura demanded, stepping forward.
"They were moved because of Danzo's groundless suspicion," Tsunade said evenly. "To this day we have no evidence that the Nine-Tails incident was tied to the Uchiha."
"But the Nine-Tails was controlled by a Sharingan!" Koharu said coldly.
"The Uchiha aren't the only ones with Sharingan," Tsunade shot back. "Danzo had them too."
"…"
Koharu was speechless.
"Even so, the Uchiha are a potential risk," Homura said darkly. "If they're in central Konoha, it'll be easier to cause trouble."
"I trust Kitazawa," Tsunade pivoted. "He and the Anbu will keep an eye on them."
"If the two of you don't trust me," Kitazawa said at just the right moment, "we can always spar."
"Tsunade, rein in your student!" Koharu snapped, hearing the threat.
"He's just like me," Tsunade chuckled. "And he's right."
"Tsunade!" Koharu protested. "You're the Hokage—how can you be so unreasonable?"
"I already reasoned with you," Tsunade said, expression turning steely. "This is decided. It will not change."
"You'll regret this!" Koharu burst out.
"I'm the Hokage," Tsunade shot back without hesitation.
"Let's go, Koharu," Homura said, realizing there was no room left to maneuver, and tugged her out.
"Should've listened to you and just used that line," Tsunade said, shaking her head.
"They've taken a few losses now; they'll probably hold a grudge," Kitazawa warned.
"What can they do?" Tsunade sniffed. "Compared to them, at least Danzo had some guts."
"I'll have the Anbu watch them," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought.
"Suit yourself," Tsunade said, unconcerned.
Technically, having anbu monitor Hokage advisors violated village norms.
But she truly disliked those two.
If they stepped out of line, she wasn't going to be as polite as Hiruzen.
"Come on, casino," Tsunade said, stepping up to him and extending a pale hand.
"Tsunade-sensei, what's that supposed to mean?" Kitazawa blinked, taking her hand.
"Don't play dumb!"
She rolled her eyes, tried to pull her right hand back, and found she couldn't.
"Head home early," Kitazawa said, slipping her a stack of cash. "Only five hundred thousand ryō today."
"Ugh, nag," Tsunade huffed, stomped on his foot, and finally left with the money.
Outside the Hokage Building, she glanced at the hand he'd just grabbed and curled her lip.
That guy was getting bolder.
Kitazawa shut the office door casually.
Walking down the street, he started thinking about how to make money.
With Tsunade hitting him up every day, he couldn't keep footing the bill forever.
He rubbed his chin.
Time to increase income and cut expenses.
He planned to look into the casinos around Konoha and see if he could bring them under his control.
And think up other ways to make cash.
But first—finish this month's Advanced Class exams.
Friday came.
The students gathered on the Academy Training Ground.
They were split into two groups: one taking the usual practical exam, the other taking the new field-mission exam.
The teachers arrived too: Iruka Umino, Kosuke Marusei, Hatake Kakashi, and the newly added Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Iruka came over and handed him a scroll. "The Advanced Class written-exam rankings."
"Thanks for yesterday, Iruka."
Kitazawa unrolled it and skimmed.
The rankings were basically set—no big changes.
"Let's start the practical," he said, returning the scroll, then walked over to Kakashi and Hiruzen.
For the practical, there wasn't much for them to do beyond watching and scoring.
"You and Tsunade stirred up quite a scene yesterday," Hiruzen joked when he saw him.
"If you're saying that, Third, I'm guessing the advisors ran to you," Kitazawa said, brow lifting.
"You guessed right—though I didn't get involved," Hiruzen chuckled. "I'm just an ordinary Academy teacher now."
Kitazawa tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Why did that sound so familiar?
"Haha," Kosuke Marusei laughed. "Hiruzen, you crack me up."
"Ahem." Kitazawa brought it back. "Focus on the exam."
Iruka used the same method as Kitazawa: random draws.
With Sasuke and Naruto out, there was no need for three rounds—two would do.
Of course, with fewer rounds—and without those two—the duels weren't as dazzling.
"Kitazawa," Hiruzen said after watching a bit, "about that new field-mission exam—I think I can lead a team too."
"You'll take a squad?" Kitazawa blinked, surprised.
"Why not?" Hiruzen bristled. "I trained the Legendary Sannin, you know!"
"Of course," Kitazawa said quickly. "I wasn't doubting your ability—just worried about your time."
"It's fine. I've got plenty of it," Hiruzen waved.
"All right," Kitazawa said at once. "I'll slot you in for next month's exam."
"Looks like you want to stretch your legs too," Kosuke said to Hiruzen.
"I haven't left the village in ages. A mission sounds nice," Hiruzen said with a grin.
Kitazawa was about to reply when three lines of text flashed before his eyes.
[Current Mission: Help the Uchiha return to their original compound and earn their friendship.]
[Reward: Izanagi.]
[Mission Completed. Reward Granted.]
The Uchiha were quick—barely a day had passed and they'd already moved back.
Not that he could blame them for being eager.
Izanagi—no need to elaborate, the ultimate revival technique.
Of course, the price was steep: permanent blindness in one Sharingan.
"Third, want to learn Limb Regeneration?" Kitazawa asked suddenly.
In the original lore, Hiruzen had mastered every jutsu in Konoha and was one of the rare seven-nature users.
In other words, he could learn medical ninjutsu.
Kitazawa asked for a reason: he had a system quest to teach Limb Regeneration to five people.
Tsunade, Shizune, Yakushi Nonō, Yakushi Kabuto, and Sarutobi Hiruzen—exactly five.
All five would learn fast, letting him clear the quest as quickly as possible.
"I can," Hiruzen nodded.
Limb Regeneration was extremely practical; you never knew when it might come in handy.
~~~
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