After school, Kitazawa left the academy and headed to Kurenai Yuhi's house.
Once granted permission, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.
In the living room, Kurenai Yuhi and Kurama Yakumo were sitting side by side.
Both were barefoot, their feet—one larger, one smaller—resting on the floor.
"Kitazawa-sensei,"
Kurama Yakumo greeted softly. Her voice carried an almost enchanting power.
Kitazawa relaxed immediately, feeling the fatigue of the day melt away.
"How are you feeling?"
Kurenai asked with a smile. "Refreshed, I hope?"
"Indeed,"
Kitazawa replied, marveling. "Yakumo's talent for genjutsu is extraordinary."
"After all, she comes from the Kurama clan, once rivaling the Uchiha,"
Kurenai said, pausing. "You came at the right time. What should we name this auditory genjutsu?"
Yakumo had just demonstrated the sound-based technique—the D-rank genjutsu Kitazawa and Kurenai had spent two weeks developing.
Its effect was simple: using sound to lower the target's guard and relieve fatigue.
"A name?"
Kitazawa rubbed his chin. He was notoriously bad at naming things, often spending hours just on game character names.
"How about Word Therapy Jutsu?" he suggested with a spark of inspiration.
"Using words for healing… not bad. Fits the effect of this genjutsu,"
Kurenai mused.
"Thank you, sensei,"
Yakumo said, standing and bowing slightly.
"No need for thanks,"
Kitazawa said, patting her head. "If you become a mental health ninja, it benefits all of us."
"Exactly,"
Kurenai added. "Someday, we might rely on you for treatment too."
She wasn't just encouraging Yakumo—mental strain is the greatest risk for genjutsu users.
Genjutsu is a yin-natured technique. Fighting it is a battle of minds. One misstep can leave lasting psychological scars.
Take Kakashi Hatake, for instance. Trapped in Itachi Uchiha's Tsukuyomi, his mind was shattered, and he remained unconscious for a month.
Of course, the true victim was Sasuke Uchiha, whose hatred would be repeatedly manipulated by Itachi's illusions.
"Yes!"
Yakumo said firmly. "I'll work hard!"
"Kitazawa and I can guide you in genjutsu,"
Kurenai said thoughtfully, "but your true power lies in your kekkei genkai. You must learn to harness it properly."
"I understand,"
Yakumo nodded. "Kitazawa-sensei has shown me the way. I'll use my brush to unleash its power."
"Your kekkei genkai is strong,"
Kitazawa said, recalling Idou from the original timeline. "Don't fear it—embrace it."
"I will,"
Yakumo smiled. "Besides, you two are here. Everything will be fine."
"Take your time,"
Kurenai stood. "Kitazawa, stay for dinner before you go. I'll cook."
"Sure,"
Kitazawa accepted without hesitation. Over the past two weeks, he'd enjoyed many meals with them and grown closer.
"I'll help you,"
He followed her into the kitchen.
Kurenai donned her apron and tied her long hair back, revealing her fair neck.
Holding a spatula, she radiated the aura of a capable, nurturing homemaker.
After dinner, Kitazawa bid them farewell and returned home.
The next day—April 30th—was Class 1-A's monthly exam.
Kitazawa would also participate, as he had tasks to complete.
Achieving first place wasn't easy, but as the examiner and homeroom teacher, he already knew all the answers.
A little teacher "cheating" wasn't cheating at all.
Early in the morning, Kitazawa arrived at the classroom, which served as the exam venue.
He gave a small sound of surprise.
Sasuke Uchiha was already there.
Compared to yesterday, today Sasuke seemed clouded, as if a dark cloud hovered over his head.
"Sasuke, what's wrong?"
Kitazawa approached.
"I'm fine,"
Sasuke said without looking up.
"No, you're not,"
Kitazawa said, sitting beside him. "If you don't speak, how can I help?"
Sasuke thought for a moment.
"You can't do it," he finally said.
He had seen Kitazawa's Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. Powerful, yes—but still not on par with Itachi.
Kitazawa frowned.
My temper flares! I'll give him another chance—organize your words!
"Why not?"
Sasuke stammered. "Have you… used your full power?"
"No…"
Sasuke blinked. "Are you stronger than my brother?"
Kitazawa skipped the question. "How high did your brother's fireball reach?"
"About three stories,"
Sasuke demonstrated with his hand. The gap between him and Itachi seemed immense, even though they were siblings.
"Nine meters, huh?"
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."
"Not bad?"
Sasuke straightened, hope sparking in his chest.
"I can teach you to blow a ten-meter-high fireball,"
Kitazawa said seriously.
He wasn't exaggerating. The system's reward for Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu was the culmination of all possible experience, directly imparted.
In other words, no one in the ninja world understood the technique better than him.
With enough chakra, he could make the fireball as large as he wished.
My fireball is huge. Brace yourself.
"Really?"
Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Why would I lie?"
Kitazawa patted his shoulder. "After the exam, I'll teach you."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Sasuke said gratefully.
"Now, focus on the exam."
Kitazawa rose and took his place at the teacher's desk.
"Kitazawa-sensei,"
As time passed, Hinata Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka, and Naruto arrived one by one.
"The only rule: no cheating. Any violators will have their scores nullified,"
Kitazawa said sternly.
At 9 a.m., the theoretical exam officially began.
Kitazawa scanned the room.
Reactions varied.
Sasuke and Shikamaru seemed relaxed, Hinata tense and on edge.
Naruto scratched his head, puzzled by the questions, feeling his brain itch for answers.
Outside Kitazawa's class, Naruto's performance in other subjects was average.
Kitazawa refocused and distributed the test papers.
Before the students began, he created two shadow clones to patrol the classroom.