When the last echoes of thunder faded and the raging storm subsided, the battlefield finally fell silent.
The Ultimate Summoned Beast no longer moved. Its colossal body—once filled with destructive power—now lay still, half-buried in the shattered earth.
Kitazawa studied it calmly.
He had released it prematurely, well before it reached the power it had in the original timeline. Even so, the creature had been formidable—powerful enough to rival most major summons in the world, second only to the beasts of the three great holy lands.
But unlike them, this thing lacked intelligence. It was pure instinct and malice—a weapon with no will of its own. That alone made it unfit to be a true summoning beast.
"Good work, everyone," Kitazawa said, turning toward his students with a faint smile. "Mission accomplished."
Tayuya wiped the sweat from her brow. "So… does that mean we get full marks?" she asked hopefully.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow, stepped forward, and flicked her forehead lightly. "Do you honestly think you deserve full marks?"
"I—" Tayuya froze mid-protest, her expression stiffening.
She wanted to argue, but couldn't.
The one who had contributed the most in this battle wasn't her, but Tenten—and her summon. If anyone deserved a perfect score, it was her teammate.
"…Half marks," Tayuya muttered under her breath.
Kitazawa smirked. "That's more like it."
He turned to the group. "There are plenty of summoning beasts on this island. You've earned a chance to find one of your own. Take half a day—we'll regroup here."
At that, Tayuya's eyes lit up instantly.
"Kitazawa-sensei, can you at least give us a hint?" Tenten asked, already sensing a competition brewing.
Kitazawa's expression didn't change. "There's an eagle nesting somewhere in the cliffs to the north. Strong, fast, proud—whoever finds it first can have it."
"That eagle's mine!" Tayuya declared, pumping her fist.
"We'll see about that!" Tenten leapt onto the Shiromari's back. "Come on!"
"Wait— hey! That's cheating!" Tayuya shouted as the massive lizard took off, vanishing into the trees with startling speed.
Even with its size, Shiromari moved with fluid, almost feline grace—its tail flicking as it bounded away.
Tayuya's jaw clenched. "Oh, it's on!" she growled, sprinting after them.
Kitazawa watched them go, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Kurenai folded her arms, smiling slightly. "Do you want me to follow them?"
"No need," Kitazawa replied. "Between Tayuya, Tenten, and Shiromari, they can handle anything this island throws at them."
Kurenai tilted her head. "And what about me? Should I look for a summoning beast too?"
Kitazawa thought for a moment. "The creatures on this island wouldn't suit you," he said thoughtfully. "You rely on genjutsu—what you need is something more… unique."
Kurenai gave a small, amused smile. "I was only teasing, you don't need to overthink it."
But Kitazawa was already thinking.
He'd considered the matter of summoning beasts long before this mission. After all, there were precious few truly powerful ones in the ninja world—you could count them on one hand.
And then a thought struck him.
The Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, once had a summon—a giant clam capable of creating an illusionary mirage so potent that even Onoki and Gaara struggled against it during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
That ability would suit Kurenai perfectly.
Of course, there was one small problem: Hōzuki Gengetsu had been dead for decades.
Still… if the clam had been summoned during the war, that meant it was still alive somewhere.
Kitazawa's mind began to spin. If I could use Edo Tensei to bring Gengetsu back temporarily, have him summon the clam, and then store it in a contract scroll for Kurenai…
He exhaled softly.
That sounded suspiciously like stealing another man's summon.
Ahem. Well, for the good of the village, of course.
Alternatively, he could try locating the creature directly—clams lived near the sea, after all. It would take longer, but it avoided diplomatic fallout.
Because the other option—raiding the Mizukage's tomb—was messy.
Konoha and Kirigakure had just signed a peace treaty. Digging up the Second Mizukage's grave wasn't exactly good politics. Even if they didn't start a war over it, it would still stain Konoha's reputation.
Kitazawa decided on a compromise.
He'd have Gato's shipping company and their underwater exploration division search the coastal regions for any sign of the clam first. If that failed… then he'd consider Edo Tensei.
His train of thought broke when he noticed Honoka nearby, chatting softly with Karin. The two redheads looked strikingly similar standing side by side—like two generations of the same legacy.
"Honoka," Kitazawa called. "Have you made up your mind?"
Honoka turned toward him, eyes steady. "Yes. I'll go to Konoha with you."
There was no hesitation in her voice this time.
Kitazawa smiled faintly. "Good."
Honoka had already learned much from Karin about their mother and daughter's life in Konoha—and honestly, it was almost unbelievable.
To put it simply, they were thriving.
Not only could they freely study Konoha's sealing techniques, but Rina Uzumaki herself had become the head of the village's finance department—an influential position with direct access to the Hokage's office.
She even lived with the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade. In Honoka's eyes, that was practically being her confidante.
By comparison, Honoka's own life in the Land of the Sea had been bleak and colorless. She had worked as a regular shinobi, paid modestly, recognized rarely, and respected even less.
Coming to Konoha, she didn't expect luxury or fame. Just stability—safety, dignity, and a chance to truly belong. That alone would be enough.
"Alright then," Kitazawa said with a faint smile. "You'll start in the Finance Department as well."
He already had a plan in mind—to put her in charge of the Ocean Heart Jewelry Store, one of Konoha's covert assets.
Honoka's eyes brightened immediately.
Rina was the Finance Director, and she herself was also an Uzumaki. That connection alone promised her a warm welcome—and perhaps, for the first time in years, a genuine sense of family.
A small smile tugged at her lips. For the first time since she left the Land of Whirlpools, she began to feel excited about the future.
Kurenai's voice broke her thoughts. "What about the Ultimate Summoned Beast?" she asked, glancing toward the enormous carcass lying in the distance. "Is it still of any use?"
Honoka shook her head. "No. Once it's dead, it's useless. Their experiment was designed to create a creature that could devour and evolve endlessly."
"Devour and evolve, huh?" Kitazawa mused, recalling a certain monster from his previous world. He smiled faintly at the comparison.
"If it had succeeded," Kurenai admitted, "it really would deserve to be called the ultimate summoning beast."
Kitazawa, however, was unimpressed. Even if it could evolve infinitely, could it really surpass the Ten-Tails?
The group chatted idly while waiting.
Half an hour later, a sharp eagle cry split the sky.
"What the— that's huge!" Choji exclaimed, staring upward.
Descending from the clouds was a magnificent eagle—its wingspan easily ten meters wide. Even with Tayuya and Tenten standing on its back, there was still room to spare.
"We're back!" Tenten shouted excitedly, waving as the eagle circled once before descending.
Tayuya stood beside her with a sullen look, arms crossed.
The eagle landed gracefully, sending gusts of wind rippling through the grass.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Tenten called as she jumped down. "Guess who found it first?"
Kitazawa arched an eyebrow. "Do I even need to guess? The answer's written all over your face."
Tenten grinned triumphantly, and even the stoic eagle seemed to puff its chest with pride.
Choji stepped forward, marveling. "That thing's big sure! What's special about it?"
"Flying alone already makes it special," Kurenai replied with admiration. "Very few shinobi can fly—and even fewer summoning beasts can. A creature like that is priceless."
Normal eagles could only fly short distances or carry small objects, but this one clearly had chakra coursing through its body. Only with chakra could a creature break through the limits of its species.
"It can also manipulate Wind Release chakra," Tenten said proudly. "Nyon—show them."
"Nyon?" Kurenai blinked, then laughed. "That's… quite the cute name for a giant eagle."
Karin tilted her head. "Yeah, that name doesn't exactly scream 'fearsome predator.'"
"The name's not important!" Tenten waved dismissively.
The eagle—Nyon—spread its massive wings and took flight. The air around it roared as the wind gathered beneath its wings, then exploded downward in a fierce blast.
The gust tore through the clearing, flattening grass and scattering debris everywhere.
Kitazawa shielded his face with a hand, assessing. "Good power. Around a mid-level B-rank Wind Release."
Tenten nodded. "It's got more than that. Its talons are harder than kunai—if it grabs someone, it's like being skewered by shuriken."
"Not bad," Kitazawa said approvingly. "A solid contract beast."
He turned to Tayuya. "And you?"
Tayuya huffed. "None. The rest were all weaklings. I'll wait for a better one next time."
Kitazawa chuckled. "There'll be other chances."
Then, with a small smile, he said, "Alright, everyone—we're heading home."
The group—now accompanied by a proud new eagle—boarded the ship for the return trip.
As they sailed, Kitazawa casually mentioned the clam to Gato, instructing his company's underwater exploration team to keep an eye out.
Unlike normal clams, the summoning beast he sought was massive—at least four or five meters across, according to the records. Big enough to be unmistakable… and far too big to fit in any cooking pot.
Still, it was intelligent. If it wanted to hide, finding it would take time.
By Monday morning, they arrived back in Konoha.
For Honoka, it was her first time seeing the legendary village.
The morning sun glinted off the Hokage Monument in the distance, and the bustling streets hummed with life—merchants, shinobi, and children training in the courtyards.
So this was Konoha.
It was even more prosperous than the stories said.
"I'll take Honoka to report to Hokage-sama," Kitazawa said. "You all head home and rest."
"No classes today?" Tayuya perked up immediately.
"It's Monday," Tenten reminded her. "Theory day."
Tayuya made a face. "Ugh."
Kitazawa smiled faintly. "If you want to attend, go ahead."
"I'll pass!" Tayuya said quickly.
Kurenai sighed but smiled. "Alright. We'll head back then. Don't keep Lady Tsunade waiting too long."
She waved, leading the others off.
Kitazawa and Honoka, meanwhile, turned toward the Hokage Tower—sunlight catching the Uzumaki crest on her cloak as they walked.
For Honoka, it wasn't just a new assignment.
It was a new beginning.
A soft knock echoed through the Hokage's Office.
"Come in," Tsunade called, setting down the documents in her hand.
The door opened, and Kitazawa entered with a red-haired woman following behind.
Tsunade's gaze immediately caught on that hair color—a deep crimson, unmistakable. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Tsunade-sensei, this is Uzumaki Honoka," Kitazawa said, introducing her. "We found her on Summoning Island in the Land of the Sea."
"Another Uzumaki?" Tsunade asked, surprise flashing across her face. "Is she truly one of them?"
Honoka bowed respectfully. "Hokage-sama."
At Tsunade's gesture, she straightened and began recounting her story—the day of her clan's downfall, how she happened to be away from Uzushiogakure when it was destroyed, and how she had drifted to the Land of the Sea, surviving quietly ever since.
When she finished, Tsunade's expression softened. She stood and approached her.
"Konoha failed your clan," she said solemnly. "But that ends here. From this day on, you'll live safely under Konoha's protection. No one will dare mistreat you."
Honoka's eyes glistened faintly. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade nodded, satisfied by her humility.
"I think she'd fit best in the Finance Department," Kitazawa suggested.
"That's actually a good idea," Tsunade agreed. "She can work alongside Rina—they'll look after each other."
She looked toward Kitazawa. "Call Rina over, will you?"
Kitazawa simply waved for Haru, who had been waiting outside. "Have Rina come here."
Moments later, Tsunade turned back to Honoka. "You're both of the Uzumaki bloodline. Work together and make our village stronger."
Honoka bowed again, gratitude clear in her tone. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. And thank you, Kitazawa-sama."
Before long, the door opened again.
Rina entered briskly, but the instant she saw Honoka, she froze—eyes wide in disbelief.
"Rina," Tsunade said warmly, "take her to the Finance Department and handle her onboarding. She's family—a fellow Uzumaki."
Rina's serious expression melted into excitement. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
She hurried to Honoka's side and clasped her hand. "Come with me. You'll love it there."
The two women left the office together, chatting like long-lost sisters.
When the door closed, Tsunade leaned back against her desk and gave Kitazawa a curious look.
"So," she began, "how did you even find another Uzumaki in the Land of the Sea?"
Kitazawa shrugged lightly. "Pure luck."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Luck, huh? You've found two Uzumaki in less than a year. Are there more out there that you haven't told me about?"
Kitazawa smiled faintly. There was one. But Nagato Uzumaki—now calling himself a god—wasn't someone Konoha could approach yet.
"How should I know?" he replied smoothly.
Tsunade chuckled. "Fair enough. Three Uzumaki in one generation—that's already more than anyone could hope for." She leaned back, smiling. "Still, I'll credit you for this. It's no small achievement."
Kitazawa nodded politely. "Thank you, Tsunade-sensei."
Tsunade smirked. "If you ever want to cash in on your achievements, come see me—though frankly, I can't think of anything you don't have already."
Kitazawa's lips twitched. "Actually, now that you mention it… there is something."
"Oh?" Tsunade arched a brow. "And what would that be?"
"The Yamato no Orochi jutsu," he said evenly.
Tsunade blinked, caught off guard. "You want to learn from Orochimaru now?"
"Not exactly." Kitazawa folded his arms. "I just want a technique powerful enough to restrain a Tailed Beast if necessary."
That, of course, was a lie—the real reason was that his system had already rewarded him with it, and he didn't want the scroll to go to waste.
Still, Tsunade looked genuinely impressed. "Most shinobi try to avoid fighting Tailed Beasts. You're the first I've met who wants to prepare for it."
"With the current state of the world, you never know," Kitazawa said mildly.
Tsunade nodded. "True enough. If another war breaks out, it'll help Konoha stand on equal footing against the other villages' Jinchūriki."
She rose from her chair. "Wait here."
A few minutes later, she returned with a sealed scroll in hand.
Normally, S-rank forbidden techniques weren't allowed outside the archives—but Tsunade didn't seem to care about formalities.
"If anyone's capable of handling this without dying, it's you," she said, handing it to him.
Kitazawa accepted it with a faint smile. "Much appreciated."
"You've earned it. Now go—get some rest. You look like you've been working non-stop."
"Understood."
Kitazawa left the office and returned home, the scroll tucked safely under his arm.
The mission hadn't been particularly difficult, but home was still home—quieter, steadier, warmer.
That afternoon, he stood in his backyard, practicing Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, the ground blooming with living roots at his command.
The next morning—Tuesday.
At dawn, Kitazawa met Konan, freshly returned from Akatsuki. Without hesitation, he dispatched a Shadow Clone to accompany her to Amegakure for a quiet meeting with Nagato.
His true body, meanwhile, made its way to the Ninja Academy.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino's cheerful voice greeted him first. She practically glided up the hallway, her blonde ponytail swaying as she brushed her bangs aside, eyes shining expectantly.
Hinata wasn't far behind—quieter, but just as eager, arriving only a heartbeat later.
Kitazawa smiled faintly. "Ino, how's your progress on Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death?"
Ino scratched her cheek. "Still a bit rough… but I'll have it down before the end of the year!"
Kitazawa nodded. "Good. But for now, pause that training. I'm going to teach you something new—a Yin Release technique. It's called Ninja Art: Mind Butterfly."
"Mind Butterfly?" Ino repeated, eyes widening. "Is it a Genjutsu?"
"Not exactly," Kitazawa explained. "It's a Yin-based Ninjutsu—or, in your clan's terms, a secret art."
He stepped back. "Watch closely. You'll feel it firsthand. Try not to faint."
Ino gulped but nodded. "Go ahead, Sensei."
Kitazawa formed a single hand seal.
"Ninja Art: Mind Butterfly!"
A pulse of invisible mental energy shot from his fingertips, striking Ino like an unseen arrow.
She gasped, staggering. A wave of dizziness crashed through her senses—her vision blurred, and her knees gave way.
Before she hit the ground, Kitazawa caught her easily, pressing a hand to her forehead as a soft pulse of Chakra steadied her.
"Easy there," he said gently.
Ino blinked, regaining focus. "Th-thank you, Sensei."
"How does it feel?" Kitazawa asked.
Ino's eyes sparkled. "It's amazing! If I used that on Sakura, she wouldn't stand a chance!"
Kitazawa chuckled. "Then learn it well—and make sure you prove that next time."
He turned toward Hinata, whose hands were clasped nervously before her.
"Hinata," he said, "continue refining your Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. But I'm also adding something new to your regimen."
He handed her a simple bow and a quiver of arrows.
"Archery?" she asked softly, confused.
"Exactly. Practice for one hour each day. You'll understand why later."
The bow was ordinary for now—nothing special. But once Kitazawa successfully forged the Yin Release Bow, it would be something entirely different.
Hinata looked down at the weapon, then up at her teacher, eyes filled with quiet trust. "Yes, Kitazawa-sensei."
She didn't understand his purpose—but she believed in him completely.
And Kitazawa smiled faintly. Good. That's how growth begins.
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