It wasn't difficult to tell Naruto about the Nine-Tails' existence. However, Kitazawa, given his identity, shouldn't know who the Jinchuriki was.
He could also tell Naruto privately. The idiotic system would definitely think he completed the task and issue rewards.
But as the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, Naruto was naturally under Hiruzen's close watch. He might expose himself one day and be discovered.
Kitazawa pondered for a moment and found himself in a dead end. He should pretend he knew nothing, report this matter to Hiruzen, and see how he would arrange it.
In the original work, Jiraiya returned to the village and taught Naruto how to control Nine-Tailed Chakra. But now there was a more suitable candidate than Jiraiya.
Of course, it wasn't Kitazawa, but Tsunade. Her advantage was that she was the best Medical Ninja in the Ninja World.
Teaching Naruto to control Nine-Tailed Chakra was very dangerous. In the original work, Jiraiya once said he almost died at the hands of an out-of-control Naruto.
If it were Tsunade, she had Yin Seal and Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth – Strength of a Hundred Technique; her survival ability was already maxed out. Only Orochimaru could survive better than her.
"Naruto, I'm not too clear about this matter either." Kitazawa pretended to ponder and said, "How about this, after we're done here, you come with me to see Hokage-sama."
"Oh, right!" Naruto said with a look of realization, "Grandpa Third definitely knows!"
In his mind, the Hokage was the most powerful Ninja, capable of anything.
"You go back to your team first." Kitazawa patted his shoulder and said, "The rankings will be announced soon; you're definitely first in the practical exam."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto turned and ran with a smile, and when he reached the First Year Class A students, he couldn't help but say, "I'm first!"
"Who asked you?" Kiba couldn't hold back and couldn't help but retort.
"But Naruto's first place this time is truly well-deserved." Shikamaru smiled and said.
It had to be said that Naruto's persistence earlier had a great impact on him. But... it was still better to slack off.
Sasuke's mouth twitched. He felt something was wrong. He didn't activate his Sharingan and didn't get first. He activated his Sharingan and still didn't get first—wasn't activating his Sharingan for nothing?
No, that's not right, this time he didn't even get second. Last time, he at least had a second place. Sasuke felt even more depressed thinking about this.
"Kitazawa-senpai." Iruka handed over the roster and said, "This is the ranking for this month's exam."
"You've worked hard, Iruka." Kitazawa took the roster and walked towards First Year Class A.
All the students consciously stopped talking and looked at him.
"I'll announce the rankings for the theoretical exam first." Kitazawa said unhurriedly, "First place, Haruno Sakura."
"Yea..." Sakura stopped mid-sentence.
After all, Sasuke didn't get first place, and if she showed too much excitement, it would undoubtedly add fuel to the fire.
"Second place, Sasuke... Twelfth place, Naruto, Thirteenth place, Kiba..." Kitazawa continued to read.
"It's over. How did I become thirteenth?" Kiba couldn't help but hold his head and said painfully, "Thirteenth is one thing, but I'm even one place lower than Naruto."
"Kiba, remember to treat me to Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto said happily.
Getting first place in the practical exam, and also surpassing Kiba in the theoretical exam, getting free Ichiraku Ramen—it was simply too happy!
"Damn it!" Kiba clenched his fist and said, "I'll teach you a good lesson once I have a suitable Ninja dog!"
"Now announcing the rankings for the practical exam." Kitazawa turned another page of the roster.
"Here it comes!" Naruto's spirits lifted, and his face showed anticipation.
"First place, Naruto," Kitazawa said with a slight smile.
"Hahaha!" Naruto pressed his forehead and said proudly, "I'm first again!"
"...?" Sasuke's face was full of question marks. Why are you imitating me? This was clearly my move!
"Second place, Yakumo Kurama." Kitazawa read again.
Yakumo was relatively calm. For her, it didn't matter what place she got—the most important thing was being able to attend school normally.
However, Naruto just now gave her a lot of encouragement. Her body had recovered, and she should work even harder.
"Third place, Hyuga Hinata." Kitazawa paused and said, "Fourth place, Sasuke."
Sasuke couldn't help but take half a step back. Fourth place—what a humiliating ranking!
He used to ignore second place, but now he has found that second place wasn't bad either.
No! As a Uchiha, his goal should be first place!
"The rankings for the theoretical exam and practical exam are both over; next is the official overall ranking." Kitazawa took a look, somewhat surprised, but still announced, "First place, Hyuga Hinata."
"Eh?" Hinata, who had always been quiet, subconsciously looked up, her face full of surprise.
"The final first place is actually Hinata?" Ino asked with a look of disbelief.
"Hinata, both the theoretical exam and practical exam were in third place." Shikamaru Nara analyzed, "While Naruto was first in the practical exam, his theoretical exam ranking was rather average, and Sakura was the same."
"That's true." Kiba couldn't help but smile and said, "This is what's called true strength, being good at everything."
Hinata getting first place, in their opinion, had some luck involved. After all, Sakura and Sasuke were higher than her in the theoretical exam, and Naruto and Yakumo were higher than her in the practical exam.
"Second place, Sasuke." After Kitazawa finished reading, everyone was again dumbfounded.
Shikamaru explained as usual. The main problem was that Naruto and Yakumo's theoretical exam rankings were significantly lower than Sasuke's.
"I'm actually second place?" Sasuke felt a joy of rediscovery. But he quickly reacted.
Second place, what am I happy about? Why should I be happy? Sasuke's smile froze, and he became expressionless again.
"The rankings have been announced, the rankings for the entire grade will be posted tomorrow, you can go see them if you're interested." Kitazawa clapped his hands and reminded, "Don't forget tomorrow is Wednesday, and there's class."
"Come over now to collect your report cards." Iruka shouted from a distance, "Once you've got your report cards, you can go home!"
The First Year Class A students immediately gathered forward. Some were happy, and some were sad.
Kitazawa stood in place and waited.
"Kitazawa-sensei, let's go." Naruto held his report card and said with a smile, "Just in time to show Grandpa Third my grades!"
"Hokage-sama should be very happy." Kitazawa smiled and said.
Compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi in the original work, the current Hiruzen was so much less troubled. After all, that Naruto had bad grades and caused trouble every day, and he even dared to graffiti on the Hokage Rock.
The two of them arrived at the Hokage Office.
Just as Kitazawa was about to knock, Naruto pushed the door open and ran in. Did he learn this from Tsunade?
"Grandpa Third!" Naruto said excitedly, "Look at my report card!"
"Hokage-sama." Kitazawa followed closely behind and greeted him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly in response, then looked at Naruto's report card. Thirteenth in the theoretical exam was nothing, but first in the practical exam surprised him.
Because he remembered that First Year Class A also had a Yakumo Kurama. Due to the establishment of the Psychological Medical Ninja system, Hiruzen had conducted a very detailed investigation of the key figures.
In other words, he was very clear about how powerful Yakumo's Bloodline Limit was. Under normal circumstances, Naruto would not be able to defeat her with just Taijutsu and Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"How did you defeat Yakumo?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
"It was like this!" Naruto excitedly recounted his battle with Yakumo. Although there was some exaggeration, it was generally close to the truth.
Hiruzen was very satisfied. But he wasn't satisfied with Naruto's strength, but with his fighting will. This kind of fighting will, without exaggeration, have the potential to be Hokage.
"Grandpa Third, there's just one strange thing." Naruto scratched his head and said, "I was able to break Yakumo's Genjutsu because an orange tail whipped me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze instantly sharpened. He naturally knew whose tail that was.
"Grandpa Third." Naruto asked with anticipation, "What's with that tail?"
"I have some ideas, but I need to confirm them." Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression didn't change as he said with a smile, "Once I confirm, I'll come find you."
"Grandpa Third, I'll wait for you then!" Naruto didn't feel disappointed; instead, he was very happy.
"Naruto, you can go back first." Hiruzen glanced at Kitazawa and said, "I still have some things to discuss with your teacher."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Third, goodbye, Teacher Kitazawa." Naruto left the Hokage Office with his report card.
"Kitazawa." Hiruzen thought for a moment and asked, "How is your progress with Tsunade?"
Kitazawa was taken aback. What kind of question is that?
He thought carefully for a moment before realizing that Hiruzen was asking about his mission to persuade Tsunade to accept treatment for her hemophobia.
"I've made some progress." Kitazawa pondered briefly before answering.
"Not bad." Hiruzen smiled upon hearing this and said, "It seems entrusting the mission to you was the correct choice."
"I'm just doing my best." Kitazawa quickly replied.
"How are you progressing with Medical Ninjutsu?" Hiruzen tapped his pipe and asked again.
"With Tsunade-sama's help, it's going quite smoothly." Kitazawa humbly said, "I'm currently learning Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique."
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. As a Ninjutsu Professor, he naturally understood Medical Ninjutsu.
If a Medical Ninja has started learning Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique, it means he has basically mastered most Medical Ninjutsu.
"With your strength, you are already capable of becoming a Medical Ninja Jonin." Hiruzen paused and said, "It's just that you haven't completed enough missions yet."
"I will work hard." Kitazawa immediately said.
"However, Medical Ninja Jonin are a bit different." Hiruzen changed the subject and said, "You only need to have performed enough surgeries; you can record all the surgeries you've done."
Kitazawa was slightly stunned.
Although somewhat unexpected, it was indeed very reasonable. It would undoubtedly be a waste for a Medical Ninja to go out on regular missions.
Of course, for Medical Ninjas who were assigned to Ninja squads right after graduating from the Ninja Academy, judging them by mission count would be understandable.
Hiruzen had clearly considered Kitazawa's special circumstances, so he used his privilege.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Kitazawa understood and expressed his gratitude.
"Do you know about the Nine-Tails?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned serious.
After his conversation with Kitazawa, he had already guessed Tsunade's thoughts; she was in an awkward phase. Once she thought it through, Kitazawa becoming her student was inevitable.
Since he was one of their own, some secrets could be revealed.
"I've heard of it."
Kitazawa's heart trembled, knowing the main event had arrived.
He also understood why Hiruzen had asked those two questions earlier. It was to confirm his relationship with Tsunade, or rather, to confirm if he was a Ninja of the Hokage lineage.
"There are nine powerful Tailed Beasts in the Ninja World. Their exact origins are unknown; perhaps they are related to the Six Paths Sage of legend." Hiruzen slowly said, "And the most powerful Nine-Tailed is in our Konoha Village."
"So the orange tail Naruto saw was the Nine-Tails?" Kitazawa asked with a surprised tone.
"To harness the powerful Tailed Beasts, the Jinchuriki were created, which is to seal a Tailed Beast inside a Ninja's body." Hiruzen was silent for two seconds, then said, "Naruto is the current Jinchuriki."
"No wonder so many people dislike Naruto and consider him a monster," Kitazawa said, feigning sudden realization.
"Naruto's identity should have been highly confidential, but Danzo's ideas diverged from mine, and he spread the information." Hiruzen sighed and said, "Although I have already punished him, many villagers and Ninja still have misunderstandings."
"I see." Kitazawa nodded.
Whether what Sarutobi Hiruzen said was true or false, he had to believe it. But on another note, Danzo, the scapegoat, was indeed capable of such actions.
"I'm telling you this because I hope you can pay more attention to Naruto in your daily life." Hiruzen said in a deep voice, "Once he shows any Chakra leakage from the Nine-Tails, notify me immediately. This concerns the safety of Konoha Village."
"I understand!" Kitazawa said with a serious expression.
"As for the Nine-Tails matter, don't tell Naruto about it for now." Hiruzen pondered for a moment and said, "Wait until Tsunade has recovered from her hemophobia."
Kitazawa secretly thought, 'As expected.'
Now that Tsunade was in the village, Hiruzen immediately thought of her as the candidate to teach Naruto how to control the Nine-Tailed Chakra.
In terms of understanding the Nine-Tail Chakra, Tsunade was no worse than Jiraiya. After all, she had a close relationship with both Uzumaki Mito and Uzumaki Kushina, the two previous Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kitazawa's only regret was that this mission couldn't be completed immediately. This was probably where the difficulty of this mission lay.
"Oh, right, you can tell Tsunade about this." Hiruzen suddenly remembered something and said.
"Tsunade-sama should already know." Kitazawa replied, "I invited Lady Tsunade to observe this month's exam."
"What was her reaction?" Hiruzen was momentarily stunned and asked.
"She left early." Kitazawa felt a subtle sensation. He and Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to be conspiring to set Tsunade up.
"You've worked hard. You may go now." Hiruzen smiled, waved his hand, and said.
"Yes." Kitazawa turned and left the Hokage Building.
---
After October began, summer had completely ended, and even in the middle of the day, it wasn't hot.
Kitazawa found Tsunade in a private room at an izakaya.
"You… how did you know I was here?" Tsunade had been drinking for a while, and her delicate face was flushed.
"I guessed." Kitazawa spread his hands and said.
In reality, Shizune had told him.
"It's… It's good you came." Tsunade handed him the sake cup in her hand and said, "Drink with me!"
Kitazawa instinctively glanced at it and saw the lipstick mark on the cup.
"Wh-what are you being so wishy-washy for?" Seeing his hesitation, Tsunade immediately stood up, shoved the cup into his mouth, and poured the contents directly in.
"…" Kitazawa didn't even react before he instinctively swallowed it.
"How… how's this sake?" Tsunade plopped down, her collar half-open, revealing an expanse of fair skin.
She had taken off her dark green haori and was only wearing a sleeveless top. Combined with her drunken state, she appeared very uninhibited.
"It's quite good." Kitazawa savored the taste and sat down opposite her. It was just that this auto-aim was really hard to turn off.
"Just drinking alone isn't much fun." Kitazawa thought for a moment and asked, "Want to gamble with drinks?"
"Gamble!" Tsunade immediately sat up straight.
But half-drunk, she quickly slumped back down, her soft, ample curves pressing against the table as she rested there.
"Let's change the rules." Kitazawa said with a slight smile, "The loser has to answer a question first. If they can't answer, then they drink."
"You… you talk too much… hurry up and start!" Tsunade put down her cup, raised both hands, and said.
"You lost, I'll ask you a question." Kitazawa didn't even look at the result and said directly.
"Damn it!" Tsunade bit her finger, unwilling to concede, and said, "Ask away."
"What do you think of Naruto?" Kitazawa pondered for a moment and asked.
"Wh-what else can I think?" Tsunade picked up her cup and chugged it, saying, "They're all idiots!"
"What about Nawaki then?" Kitazawa asked again.
"…"
Tsunade suddenly regretted telling Kitazawa about Nawaki earlier. In a sense, Nawaki and Uzumaki Naruto were cut from the same cloth.
"No!" Tsunade suddenly shook her head, glaring at him, and said, "You're tricking me!"
"What did I trick you about?" Kitazawa saw Tsunade realize and said, "You agreed to the drinking game yourself."
"You… you have ill intentions!" Tsunade stood up, very annoyed, walked over to Kitazawa, put her arms around him, and then poured two cups down his throat.
Seeing him cough, she laughed happily.
"You… you're so lame!" Tsunade collapsed, falling directly onto Kitazawa.
The smell of alcohol and perfume wafted over him. Kitazawa, in her embrace, felt dizzy. He instinctively pushed Tsunade away and found that she had passed out.
--
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)