April 28th.
Just one day remained until Class 1-A's first monthly exam.
"Clone Jutsu is a mandatory skill for the practical exam. Over the past two weeks, I've taught nearly all the key points,"
Kitazawa said gently, standing on the ninja academy's training ground. "This is your last class before the exam, so make the most of your time."
"Don't worry, Kitazawa-sensei! We won't disappoint you!"
Inuzuka Kiba shouted loudly.
As the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A, their performance directly impacted Kitazawa's reputation and future.
After a month of teaching, the students genuinely respected him and were willing to support his advancement.
"Exactly!"
The others chimed in enthusiastically.
"The first place definitely belongs to us!"
Naruto shouted with extra force.
"Naruto, focus on mastering Clone Jutsu first,"
Kiba shook his head.
"Who says I haven't mastered it?"
Naruto retorted, unwilling to back down. His personality clashed with Kiba's, leading to constant arguments.
Yet for kids, a little squabbling often strengthened bonds.
Kitazawa instinctively glanced at Naruto.
After two weeks of practice, Naruto had thoroughly mastered Transformation Jutsu.
Clone Jutsu, however, was like Schrödinger's cat—sometimes effective, sometimes not.
Had he truly learned it?
Better to trust him for now.
Kitazawa watched as Naruto formed his hand seals and performed the Clone Jutsu.
Boom!
Two identical Narutos appeared in a puff of smoke.
Good news: no anomalies.
Bad news: they looked malnourished.
Both clones were pale and thin, as if they hadn't eaten for months.
Naruto's face mirrored a little sweat-drop expression.
Why does it fail when it matters most? It worked twice yesterday!
"Wait! One more time!"
Naruto shouted.
"Either it works or it doesn't. What's the point of trying again?"
Kiba folded his arms and snorted. "Looks like your first-place dream is over."
"One last time!"
Naruto formed the seals again.
This time, the two clones appeared healthier, much closer to normal.
"It worked!"
Naruto grinned broadly.
"Well done. Naruto has made great progress. Everyone, learn from him,"
Kitazawa applauded. "Now, focus—start practicing."
Compared to his original counterpart, Naruto had evolved far beyond his old self.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto ran up to Kitazawa. "Will the practical exam test Transformation Jutsu?"
"No."
Kitazawa shook his head. "Transformation Jutsu will be taught next year."
"Ah?"
Naruto froze. "Then why did you teach me early?"
"I told you already: Transformation Jutsu suits you best,"
Kitazawa said with a light smile. "And indeed, it does."
"All thanks to you, sensei,"
Naruto said proudly yet humbly.
"Set Transformation Jutsu aside for now. Your priority is mastering Clone Jutsu."
Kitazawa's gaze swept the training ground, noticing Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga walking toward the usual practice area.
Yakumo Kurama was absent—she had gone to learn auditory genjutsu with Kurenai.
"Yes, sir!"
Naruto nodded firmly, then asked, "Sensei, do I still have a chance?"
"What chance?"
Kitazawa blinked.
What? Planning to ask me to climb a mountain?
"The chance for first place,"
Naruto scratched his head, unusually uncertain.
He always put on a tough front, but with Kitazawa, he was sincere.
"The outcome is undecided—anyone can be first,"
Kitazawa said.
Though he doubted Naruto's chances, he spoke carefully.
"What does that mean?"
Naruto looked up, eyes wide and foolishly innocent.
"It means anything is possible until the results are out,"
Kitazawa explained.
"Awesome!"
Naruto's spirits soared. "I'm going to practice Clone Jutsu right now!"
Kitazawa smiled. This boy was stubborn in the best way—no amount of advice could sway him.
No wonder he would one day master his verbal jutsu without a teacher.
Kitazawa watched a moment longer, then headed toward the training ground.
Before he arrived, he heard Sasuke's loud laughter.
His expression turned curious.
What's going on?
He detected the smell of scorched earth.
Looking down, he saw the ground in front of Sasuke, clearly burned.
Without doubt, Sasuke had just used Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.
Judging by the burn radius, it must have been a two- to three-meter fireball.
No wonder he was so pleased.
Kitazawa understood Sasuke's excitement: this fireball had reached the average level for the technique.
Still… it was far below the power Itachi Uchiha displayed with the same jutsu in the original timeline.
Kitazawa considered this carefully.
Itachi would never go full power in front of his beloved little brother.
Sasuke, meanwhile, was under the delightful illusion that he had caught up to his brother.
"Kitazawa-sensei, thank you!"
Sasuke stopped laughing and approached.
He even said thanks? Kitazawa was slightly stunned.
"No need to thank me—it's all your effort and sweat,"
Kitazawa said.
"Uh… sensei,"
Sasuke hesitated. "Can I go home now?"
"Yes."
Kitazawa smiled. "Your advanced tree-climbing training is nearly complete; you can stop here."
Stop? No, this is only the beginning.
This level of Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu still fell far short of Itachi's.
Sasuke would surely return to practice more.
"Thanks, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sasuke ran off, eager for his father's praise.
"You two can also go home early today,"
Kitazawa said, looking at Hinata and Ino.
"I still want to train,"
Ino said thoughtfully.
She didn't need parental approval like Hinata or Sasuke but had felt the joy of progress in tree-climbing.
"Me too!"
Hinata said firmly.
"I never said training was over,"
Kitazawa chuckled. "I meant advanced tree-climbing is complete. After the exam, we'll start a new routine."
Ino smiled sheepishly, and Hinata exhaled in relief. She couldn't live without Kitazawa's training now.
…
"I'm home!"
Sasuke shouted the moment he entered.
"Why are you so happy today?"
Mikoto Uchiha asked.
"Not telling you,"
Sasuke pouted. "Where's Dad?"
"Mama's a little hurt,"
Mikoto feigned disappointment but kept her eyes on Sasuke.
"Alright, I'll tell you."
Sasuke grinned. "I successfully mastered Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu today."
"So amazing! My son is incredible!"
Mikoto smiled warmly.
"Of course!"
Sasuke smirked, barely containing his excitement.
"Is Dad home yet?"
"He's at the Konoha Police Department. Should be back soon,"
Mikoto said, glancing at the clock.
"I'm back."
A familiar voice sounded.
"Brother?"
Sasuke's face lit up. "You're home early today?"
"Sasuke,"
Itachi, suppressing his fatigue, explained, "I just finished a mission."
"Brother, come with me!"
Sasuke grabbed him and ran outside.
"What's wrong, Sasuke?"
Itachi asked, puzzled.
"Don't ask yet."
Sasuke finally stopped by the artificial lake in the courtyard.
He formed hand seals, and a massive fireball erupted, distorting the air with rolling heat.
Itachi's eyes widened.
Already? This has the power of his first Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu?
"Sasuke, when did you become this strong?"
Itachi asked in surprise.
"Because I'm a genius!"
Sasuke beamed proudly.
"Hm."
Itachi's expression darkened slightly. "Sasuke, the future is yours."
"The future is ours,"
Sasuke corrected cheerfully, oblivious to his brother's tone.
Itachi smiled in response.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
A middle-aged man in a Jonin vest entered, expression serious.
"Dad!"
Sasuke ran forward.
"Hmm,"
Fugaku Uchiha nodded.
"Dad, look!"
Sasuke demonstrated Fireball Jutsu.
"Still not as good as your brother,"
Fugaku remarked and returned indoors, exhausted.
Daily conflicts between the Uchiha clan and Konoha left him weary.
Since Shisui's death, controlling rebellious tendencies in the clan had become even harder.
Itachi's smile vanished.
Sasuke felt as if struck by lightning. After a month of hard work, this was the assessment he received.
"Sasuke, you're still young. When you reach my age, you'll surpass me,"
Itachi said, patting his head gently.
"Brother, show me your Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu again,"
Sasuke requested, eager to see his brother's full power.
"This…"
Itachi hesitated. Using his Mangekyō Sharingan at full strength would be overwhelming.
But Sasuke's determined expression left no room for refusal.
Sighing, Itachi formed his hand seals.
An enormous eight-to-nine-meter-high fireball erupted, lighting up the surrounding buildings like a sun.
Sasuke watched, eyes wide in amazement.