Kitazawa subconsciously clenched his fist.
There was no doubt—this was a massive gain.
Compared to Heal Bite and Kagura Mind's Eye, even half a tail's worth of chakra felt insignificant.
Especially Kagura Mind's Eye—reputed to be the greatest sensory Ninjutsu in the ninja world, with a detection range that even surpassed an ordinary Byakugan.
The only regret was that he hadn't received Adamantine Sealing Chains.
But that was fine; he could acquire them later.
Konoha had Ninjutsu scrolls for the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
And even if it didn't, they could awaken naturally.
In the original story, Karin had manifested the Adamantine Sealing Chains without any teacher at all.
For Kitazawa, though, Kagura Mind's Eye was more practical than Adamantine Sealing Chains.
First, with both Wood Release and the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, his ability to suppress Tailed Beasts was already on par with the Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Second, Kagura Mind's Eye could sense White Zetsu.
White Zetsu might not be strong, but they were always hiding in the shadows. That constant, unseen presence made him uneasy.
Now that he had Kagura Mind's Eye, White Zetsu would no longer be able to lurk unnoticed. Any movement they made would fall under Kitazawa's surveillance.
He'd be able to react immediately and avoid any unexpected failures.
With that in mind, Kitazawa clapped his hands and entered Sage Mode.
Sage Mode heightened his sensory perception.
Combined with Kagura Mind's Eye, he refused to believe White Zetsu could still slip past him.
Kitazawa closed his eyes and activated Kagura Mind's Eye.
In the next instant, the situation throughout the entire Konoha Village was laid bare to him.
'As expected', he thought.
There were indeed White Zetsu hiding in Konoha.
They didn't dare get close to powerhouses like Kitazawa and Tsunade, but they could still gather plenty of information by observing ordinary shinobi.
Kitazawa considered his options and chose not to capture them yet.
There was no need to alert the enemy.
He would wait until the Akatsuki made their move in two months.
Besides, now that he had their locations, he could grab them whenever he wanted. There was no rush.
And for the time being, heading to the Hidden Rain Village to find Konan was much safer.
Previously, Kitazawa had only appeared directly in Konan's room because he was worried that showing up elsewhere might expose him to White Zetsu's surveillance.
His thoughts then turned to Black Zetsu.
If Sage Mode combined with Kagura Mind's Eye could detect White Zetsu, then in theory, Black Zetsu should also be within his range.
If he could sense Black Zetsu, he wouldn't have to be overly concerned about a surprise attack from him.
Kitazawa glanced at Uzumaki Naruto.
Naruto stood motionless, his consciousness still inside the Sealing Space, talking with his parents.
Kitazawa looked away and turned his attention to his own arm.
In addition to Kagura Mind's Eye, he had also obtained Heal Bite.
This ability was actually no less heaven-defying than Kagura Mind's Eye.
In the original story, even Tsunade, whose body had been nearly cut in half, could recover by biting Karin.
Now Kitazawa possessed not only the Uzumaki clan bloodline but also the Senju clan bloodline.
In terms of physical constitution, he far surpassed Karin.
Theoretically, his Heal Bite should be even more outrageous.
He didn't need it himself, but others might.
It could serve as an emergency lifesaving measure when the time came.
However, Kitazawa still hadn't tested just how powerful his Heal Bite really was.
After all, testing it would mean biting himself.
If he really wanted to try it, he could wait until tonight and let Kurenai bite him.
After thinking it over, Kitazawa moved off to the side to study his Susanoo.
Naruto's conversation with his parents wasn't going to end anytime soon; they had too much to say to each other.
Kitazawa casually set up a barrier around the area, then activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and summoned Susanoo.
In an instant, a cold, overwhelming chakra surged into the sky, taking shape as an armored giant.
Perfect Susanoo.
Kitazawa had always had one question:
Why did Itachi's Susanoo wield the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror, while other people's Susanoo did not—only possessing two ordinary giant swords and the Yasaka Magatama as their main offensive technique?
Time passed slowly.
Two hours later, Kitazawa dispersed his Susanoo.
Naruto had finally woken up.
"Naruto."
Kitazawa walked over.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto grinned. "Thank you!"
"It's nothing," Kitazawa replied with a shake of his head. "Can you use the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode now?"
"How do I use it?" Naruto asked, a bit embarrassed.
"Draw out all of Kyuubi's chakra," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. "Just like when you did the partial tailed beast transformation before."
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode was, in essence, still a form of partial tailed beast transformation.
"I'll give it a try," Naruto said with a nod.
He took a deep breath and immediately borrowed Kyuubi's chakra.
With a boom, golden chakra exploded from his body.
This time, instead of forming tails like before, it wrapped around him entirely.
His hair flared upward into two horn-like spikes, six black tomoe appeared around his collar, and his entire body radiated a brilliant golden light.
Naruto subconsciously clenched his fists, feeling an inexhaustible power surging through him.
With a single thought, his body vanished, streaking away like a flash of light.
In the original story, his speed after activating Nine-Tails' chakra mode was on par with the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release chakra mode.
Right now, he could completely live up to Minato Namikaze's title of Yellow Flash.
"Amazing!"
Naruto suddenly reappeared right in front of Kitazawa, face alight with excitement, practically buzzing with energy.
Seeing him, Kitazawa couldn't help but think of Sasuke.
Before Naruto had mastered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Sasuke had still stood a real chance of winning—especially with his Mangekyō Sharingan dōjutsu, giving him a decisive edge.
But now… the outcome was much harder to predict.
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode made up for Naruto's biggest weakness: speed.
It wasn't quite space–time ninjutsu, but it was already incredibly close.
And beyond speed, every other aspect of Naruto's abilities had been boosted as well.
Even so, Sasuke wasn't completely without hope.
As a space-time ninjutsu, Amenotejikara carried the potential for the weak to overcome the strong.
There was still a clear difference between true spatial teleportation and high-speed movement.
On top of that, Sasuke had already awakened Susanoo.
Kitazawa shook his head.
In the end, the Kyuubi was simply too powerful.
Even now, with this Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Naruto still wasn't a perfect Jinchūriki.
Looking at it from this angle, there was nothing wrong with what Hashirama had said.
His assessment was based on Kyuubi plus a Jinchūriki; without a suitable host, Kyuubi alone wasn't actually that overwhelming.
It made sense.
Kyuubi's own use of its chakra was far too crude.
In that regard, Kyuubi couldn't even compare to Shukaku.
"For the next stretch of time, you should focus on getting familiar with your Nine-Tails chakra mode," Kitazawa instructed.
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode was just a state; to draw out its full power, it needed to be combined with various Ninjutsu and Sage Mode techniques.
In the original story, Naruto had used things like Nine-Tails Chakra Arms and Mini-Rasenshuriken.
"Okay, Kitazawa-sensei."
Naruto nodded.
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask your parents first," Kitazawa added with a light chuckle.
As he said it, he realized that Sasuke's situation might be even worse than he'd imagined.
Because Naruto now carried two teachers with him at all times.
In theory, Minato and Kushina could guide him whenever necessary—even in the middle of battle.
Leaving Kushina aside for the moment, Minato's combat experience alone ranked among the very best in Konoha.
He was, after all, the victor who had carved a path through the village's harshest era: the Third Shinobi World War.
The sun dipped toward the western horizon.
The students of the Genius Class wrapped up their day's training and headed home one after another.
Kitazawa also said his goodbyes to Hiruzen and the others before leaving the Ninja Academy.
In the past, he would usually go back together with Kurenai, but recently she'd been busy with the film and television department and hadn't been coming to the academy.
Kitazawa neither disturbed nor assisted her.
After all, once he became Hokage, Kurenai's workload would only increase. Letting her get more practice now could only help her.
Half a month passed in a flash.
On July 15th, the Genius Class held its graduation exam.
It was worth noting that the exam was purely practical combat—no written test at all.
Early that morning, before nine o'clock, spectators began streaming into the Konoha Arena.
The parents of the Genius Class students, in particular, were sure to attend.
Fugaku, Hiashi, Shikaku, Shibi, and many others were all present.
Since the exam hadn't started yet, they chatted idly among themselves.
Their topic wasn't who would take first place, but how the Genius Class would be divided into teams.
Without question, they all hoped their children would be assigned to Kitazawa.
At the same time, the Hokage's office was bustling.
The seven Jōnin chosen as Jonin-senseis—Kitazawa, Kurenai, Kakashi, Anko, and the others—were all gathered.
"These are the files for the students you'll be leading," Tsunade said, pointing to seven scrolls laid out on the Hokage's desk.
At her words, everyone stepped forward and picked up their respective scrolls.
Kitazawa also took one but didn't bother to open it.
He already knew his three students like the back of his own hand.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask," Tsunade said casually, glancing over the assembled Jōnin.
Kurenai unsealed her scroll and paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
None of her three students were ordinary, but Yakumo in particular stood out—her power already surpassed Kurenai's own.
"Hokage-sama, who is Naruto's Jonin-sensei?"
Guy asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
The students he had wanted most were Uzumaki Naruto and Lee. Now that Lee was officially under his guidance, he naturally wanted to know whose student Naruto had become.
"Kitazawa," Tsunade replied.
Guy fell silent at that.
Kitazawa was the Sixth Hokage. No matter how oblivious he could be about social niceties, even he wouldn't try to steal the Hokage's student.
Besides, with Rock Lee to inherit his Eight Gates, he was more than satisfied.
"Hokage-sama."
Kakashi thought for a moment, then asked, "Who is Sasuke's Jonin-sensei?"
His three students were all excellent, but the absence of Sasuke still left a lingering sense of regret.
Sasuke was the one student who could truly inherit all of his ninjutsu.
"Kitazawa," Tsunade answered with a small smile.
Kakashi sighed inwardly and let the matter go.
Thinking it through, he could understand Tsunade's arrangement.
Naruto was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki; both his teammates and his Jonin-sensei were of critical importance.
Sasuke had been Naruto's rival since the day they enrolled, and the bond between them ran deep.
And Kitazawa—being the Sixth Hokage—couldn't have been more suitable.
"If there are no other questions, then it's decided," Tsunade said, after waiting a moment and seeing no one speak up.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Asuma and the others answered together.
"Remember to attend the Genius Class graduation exam today. Once the exam is over, the team assignments will be announced." Tsunade paused, then added, "Alright, you may go."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Asuma and the others turned and filed out, until only Kitazawa remained in the office.
"Do you have anything else?"
Tsunade looked over at him.
"No." Kitazawa shook his head. "It's almost nine o'clock. I'll wait for you, and we'll go to the Konoha Arena together."
"That works."
Tsunade stretched lazily and leaned back in the Hokage's chair, her usual majesty slipping away in an instant.
Kitazawa's eyelids twitched slightly at the sight.
He stepped forward, bent down, and sank into her embrace, ending up face-to-face with the necklace at her chest.
Tsunade's breath hitched, but she didn't push him away.
She lifted a hand and rested it on the back of his head.
Kitazawa said nothing, simply feeling the soft warmth pressing against both sides of his face.
Nine o'clock in the morning.
Under Iruka's lead, the students of the Genius Class arrived at the Konoha Arena.
"Whoa, so many people!"
Naruto shouted, eyes wide with excitement.
"There really are a lot of spectators," Kiba said, energized. "I've got to put on a good show today!"
"A lot of Jonin have come," Neji observed, calmly scanning the stands.
"Every Jonin I know is here," Ino added in surprise. "I'd guess at least half the Jonin in Konoha have shown up."
"The Konoha Arena used to be reserved for the Chunin Exams," Shikamaru explained. "Using it as the venue for a graduation exam is a first."
"The shinobi who participate in the Chunin Exams are at Genin and Chunin level," Tenten complained. "But the students in the Genius Class graduation exam are way beyond just Genin or Chunin level."
"I think Naruto and the others should've just skipped the graduation exam," Tayuya muttered.
"If they skipped the graduation exam, they wouldn't be able to participate in the team assignments," Shino said, adjusting his glasses.
"I hope I can be on the same team as Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura clasped her hands together in front of her chest, praying earnestly.
"At least you have a choice," Ino sighed. "My teammates are definitely going to be Shikamaru and Choji."
"Of course. You guys are the new Ino–Shika–Cho," Kiba laughed. "I hope my Jonin-sensei can be Kitazawa-sensei."
"Isn't Kitazawa-sensei about to become the Sixth Hokage?" Tenten asked curiously. "Will he still be a Jonin-sensei?"
"That shouldn't affect anything," Shikamaru said after thinking it over.
At those words, Hinata's fingers tightened nervously around the hem of her jacket.
There were many students in the Genius Class; the chances of her becoming Kitazawa's student weren't high.
"Don't you guys have any requirements for your teammates?" Yakumo asked softly.
"As long as they don't hold me back."
Sasuke spoke in a level, almost indifferent tone.
"Sasuke-kun, I definitely won't hold you back!"
Sakura blurted out immediately.
Yet for some reason, the moment Sasuke heard her earnest response, a quiet certainty settled in his chest: she probably wouldn't be able to stand on the same team as him.
"No matter who becomes a teammate, it's a decision of youth!"
Naruto flashed a grin and gave a loud thumbs-up.
While they were talking, four sealing squad jōnin darted to the four corners of the Konoha Arena.
A moment later, a shimmering purple barrier surged upward, enclosing the field.
This had been Kitazawa's request.
Even though the students of the Genius Class hadn't officially graduated, many already possessed strength on par with Jōnin.
Once they started fighting, it would be all too easy for the spectators to get caught up in the clash.
When the barrier was fully formed, Kitazawa and Tsunade appeared in the spectator stands overlooking the arena.
"Hokage-sama."
The nearby ninja rose at once, greeting them as they had been instructed.
"I'll head down first."
Kitazawa vaulted over the rail and dropped into the Konoha Arena.
He would serve as both referee and emergency support.
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