With a bang. Tsunade directly pushed open the door to the Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen unhurriedly put down the documents in his hand and looked at Rina Uzumaki and Karin.
Without needing to ask, he had already confirmed their identities; they were definitely members of the Uzumaki Clan.
Because the enormous Chakra and red hair couldn't be faked, Hiruzen couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised.
He had originally thought there was only one, but he didn't expect there to be two.
Moreover, both were females, so if nothing unexpected happened, they would be able to branch out in Konoha Village, allowing the Uzumaki Clan to become a Ninja clan of Konoha Village.
"Hokage-sama." Rina Uzumaki quickly bowed.
She naturally knew very well that the Hokage was a figure standing at the peak of the Ninja World.
"You've worked hard. Since you've come to Konoha Village, there's no need to be so formal. This will be your home from now on." Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
His attitude was very gentle. Of course, he was so happy not just because the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha Village were allies.
Rina Uzumaki and Karin, as members of the Uzumaki Clan, naturally had a lot of Chakra. If they also had a bit of talent, becoming Jonin was inevitable, and the Uzumaki Clan was extremely suitable for learning Sealing Ninjutsu.
The value of two Sealing jutsu Jonin was far greater than that of an ordinary Jonin. After all, Sealing jutsu was the most effective against Tailed Beasts, aside from the Sharingan and Wood Release.
In the entire Konoha Village, there were only a few Ninja who could be called masters of Sealing jutsu.
Hiruzen, Danzo, and Jiraiya. There were two others before, but they had already sacrificed themselves, namely Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
Orochimaru also counted, but he had already fled.
In Hiruzen's opinion, the arrival of Rina Uzumaki and Karin was simply like adding wings to a tiger for Konoha Village.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Rina Uzumaki said gratefully.
With Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, her and her daughter's safety was guaranteed. At least the Hidden Grass Village would no longer dare to bother them.
"Rina is not well, so let her stay with me. It will also be convenient for me to treat her body." Tsunade spoke, her tone brooking no argument.
"No problem." Hiruzen naturally had no objections. He could also see that Rina Uzumaki was not in good health.
"As for Karin, she's at the age for schooling, so she'll transfer to First Year Class A," Tsunade glanced at Kitazawa and said.
"Kitazawa, you handle it." Hiruzen agreed without hesitation.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kitazawa didn't feel surprised and immediately responded.
"Karin hasn't been to school in Kusagakure before, so she doesn't have much of a foundation."
Tsunade instructed, "Kitazawa, help her with tutoring when you have time."
She deeply sympathized with the experiences of Rina Uzumaki and Karin, so she cared about them more.
[From your future teacher Tsunade's instruction, you must not shirk your duty.]
[Current Mission: Assist transfer student Karin in achieving a top ten ranking in the theoretical exam at the end of this semester.]
[Mission Reward: Sealing Jutsu – Four Limbs Weighting Seal.]
[Accept Mission?]
Kitazawa's eyes lit up. It had to be Tsunade; one sentence gave him another mission.
How to describe this mission? It was a bit difficult, but manageable.
After all, it was only a top ten ranking in the theoretical exam, not the practical exam. Theoretical knowledge could be improved through semi-cheating methods like practice questions.
The time limit for this mission was also long. The Ninja Academy had three semesters a year, and it was currently the second semester, which was three and a half months long.
One month had just passed, leaving two and a half months.
As for the reward, it was just okay.
Four Limbs Weighting Seal, as the name suggests, was a Sealing Ninjutsu used to seal the target's four limbs, often used to prevent captured enemies from escaping.
However, Sealing jutsu was like that; most of them leaned towards support, with a few Sealing jutsu directly used for combat.
"Okay, Lady Tsunade." Kitazawa accepted the mission and replied.
Karin peeked her head out from behind Rina Uzumaki, observing him. Her red eyes were filled with curiosity.
Kitazawa noticed her gaze and returned a smile.
Karin blinked, thinking that this teacher was quite handsome and seemed gentle.
"Kakashi." Hiruzen suddenly remembered something and said, "Give me the mission report for this time."
According to Konoha Village's rules, after a mission was completed, a mission report had to be written, detailing the process of the mission's completion.
But Tsunade definitely wouldn't write it. And Anbu always followed the rules; they would write one after every mission.
Kakashi heard this and took out a scroll, handing it up.
Hiruzen opened the scroll and began to read. A moment later, his mouth twitched. He knew Tsunade wasn't that well-behaved.
Kakashi didn't know that Tsunade and Kitazawa had spoken privately, so Kitazawa's actions became Tsunade's instructions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also didn't suspect anything, because he thought Kitazawa was a good-natured person and definitely wouldn't have the guts to provoke the Hidden Grass Village.
"Is there a problem?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow and asked.
"No problem." Hiruzen closed the scroll and said.
Given the circumstances, blaming Tsunade was meaningless now.
Moreover, Kusagakure had indeed gone too far, not only deceiving Konoha Village but also mistreating Rina Uzumaki.
In short, Konoha Village was already on the moral high ground and could point fingers.
"You all did well on this mission. It will be designated as S-Ranked." Hiruzen began to reward them, "The mission reward is two million Ryo, to be distributed among the four of you."
"Including Rina?" Tsunade looked left and right and asked.
Since it was four people, it definitely didn't include the eight members of Anbu. But she, Shizune, and Kitazawa were only three people.
Moreover, a reward of two million Ryo for an S-Ranked mission was also unreasonable.
"Mhm." Hiruzen nodded and said, "She's new here and needs money."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Rina Uzumaki immediately said.
Verbal promises were naturally no match for actual rewards. Using both approaches yielded better results. Now, Rina Uzumaki could be considered utterly devoted to Konoha Village.
"Good." Tsunade also knew that Hiruzen was trying to win people over. But since it was beneficial to Rina, there was no need to refuse.
"Rina's treatment will require many medicinal ingredients." Tsunade hinted.
"Konoha will cover it," Hiruzen said without hesitation.
Although medicinal ingredients were expensive, exchanging them for two future Sealing Ninjutsu Jonin was definitely not a loss.
"Kitazawa, you did very well this time." Hiruzen looked at Kitazawa and said, "You can go claim three B-Ranked Ninjutsu and one A-Ranked Ninjutsu."
How generous! Kitazawa was delighted and quickly expressed his thanks.
This time, Hiruzen had truly gone all out. Firstly, because Rina Uzumaki and Karin were indeed very valuable. Secondly, because he already regarded Kitazawa as a Ninja of the Hokage lineage, in other words, the person he could trust.
Hiruzen had always been good to his Hokage lineage Ninja. For example, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Minato Namikaze, and so on.
"I'll take Rina and Karin back first." Seeing that the matter was concluded, Tsunade didn't linger and turned to leave.
Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, and the other Anbu Ninja also disappeared.
"Kitazawa, you go to Haru and claim the Ninjutsu." Hiruzen waved his hand and said.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Kitazawa bowed slightly and walked out.
But as soon as he stepped out of the Hokage Office, he ran into Danzo Shimura head-on.
Kitazawa was stunned for a moment. Could this one-eyed man be here for Rina Uzumaki and Karin? Thinking about it, it was normal.
Danzo was well aware of the value of the Uzumaki Clan. After all, there were already Mito Uzumaki and Kushina Uzumaki before.
Plus, with the Uzumaki Clan already extinct, Rina Uzumaki and Karin seemed even more precious.
Kitazawa glanced at him and then ignored him. Danzo was busy going to see Hiruzen Sarutobi and didn't pay attention to him either.
Hiruzen saw Danzo and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. His good mood from earlier was directly reduced by more than half. He didn't even need to think; he knew the purpose of Danzo's visit.
But Rina Uzumaki and Karin could absolutely not join Root. The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Ninjutsu had strategic significance, especially concerning the Nine-Tails.
Kitazawa followed Haru to the Ninjutsu storage room.
He looked at the dazzling array of Ninjutsu and fell into decision paralysis. With too many choices, he didn't know what to pick.
Kitazawa's mind stirred, and he opened his personal panel. The Ninjutsu he mastered the most were Medical Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Fire Release, and Wind Release.
Moreover, these four types had basically been 'whitewashed' and could be used directly, so there was no need to choose any more Ninjutsu scrolls.
Kitazawa stroked his chin. He currently had five attributes, and Lightning Release and Earth Release also had missions, so obtaining these two attributes was only a matter of time.
Theoretically, he could choose Lightning Release, Earth Release, Water Release, and Sealing Ninjutsu.
Thinking of this, Kitazawa came to the bookshelf filled with Sealing jutsu scrolls. He scanned it and didn't see high-level Sealing jutsu like Reaper Death Seal, Four Symbols Seal, and Eight Trigrams Seal.
Kitazawa wasn't surprised. After all, these high-level Sealing Jutsu were too powerful.
The Four Symbols Seal and the Eight Trigrams Seal were even Sealing Ninjutsu used to seal the Nine-Tailed. Although it was not a forbidden Jutsu, it was more powerful than one.
Kitazawa pondered for a long time and decided not to choose Sealing Jutsu, but Water Release Ninjutsu.
Firstly, because he temporarily had no use for ordinary Sealing Jutsu, and powerful Sealing Jutsu were unobtainable, but Water Release could increase his strength.
Secondly, because Konoha Village had the Ninja World's strongest Water Release Ninja, Senju Tobirama.
Thirdly, because Kitazawa still had the teaching task for Yakushi Kabuto.
Fourthly, because Sealing Jutsu might be learned through Rina Uzumaki.
Kitazawa looked thoughtfully at the Water Release Ninjutsu scrolls on the bookshelf. As expected, all the Water Release Ninjutsu that Senju Tobirama had used were there.
His most powerful Water Release Ninjutsu was undoubtedly Water Release: Water Severing Wave, which could cut off the Roots of the Divine Tree.
But unfortunately, it was an S-Ranked Ninjutsu.
After much thought, Kitazawa selected four Water Release Ninjutsu.
The A-Ranked Water Release Ninjutsu, Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique.
And the B-Ranked Water Release Ninjutsu, Water Release: Water Wall, Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu, and Water Release: Instant Water.
Kitazawa did not choose randomly; he had given it careful consideration.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique was a large-scale area-of-effect Water Release Ninjutsu with a wide range and great power.
Water Release: Water Wall, on the other hand, was a good defensive Water Release Ninjutsu. Kitazawa currently had no shortage of offensive Ninjutsu, but he lacked defensive Ninjutsu.
Water Release: Instant Water was equivalent to half a Body Flicker Technique and half a surprise attack Ninjutsu.
It had two effects: one was to achieve high-speed movement using water currents, and the other was to manipulate water currents to drag enemies into the water.
As for Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu, it was a good offensive Ninjutsu, but most importantly, it had been improved by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The normal Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu required forty-four hand seals, while Senju Tobirama's Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique only required three.
Although the difference might only be half a second, in a battle between experts, half a second in hand seal speed could mean the difference between life and death.
[Current Task: Learn four Water Release Ninjutsu within the third semester.
Task Reward: Master-level Water Chakra Nature Transformation.]
[Accept?]
The sudden task made Kitazawa raise an eyebrow. This task was exactly the same as the previous one for learning Wind Style Ninjutsu.
The only difference was that the time changed from the second semester to the third semester. The task reward was also the same: Master-level Chakra Nature Transformation.
Kitazawa naturally chose to accept.
If he wanted to reach Master-level Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation on his own, it would probably take years of training.
According to Konoha Village regulations, A-Ranked Ninjutsu scrolls could not be taken out directly.
Kitazawa spent a few minutes memorizing Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique, then left with the three B-Ranked Ninjutsu scrolls.
He encountered Danzo again. But this time, his face was gloomy, and he looked extremely displeased. Clearly, he had failed to achieve his desired objective with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Kitazawa watched Danzo's retreating figure thoughtfully. He had been snatching people every day; could he turn it around and snatch someone from Root again?
Kitazawa thought of Aburame Torune, who had a good relationship with Shino Aburame.
However, snatching people from Root was quite dangerous and required a long-term plan. Of course, the most important thing was to trigger a system task.
Kitazawa left the Hokage Building.
Although it was Friday, he did not plan to go to the Ninja Academy for classes again.
He had already taken leave anyway. Kitazawa walked on the street, stretching lazily.
This time, the harvest was indeed good. He completed one task, received two new tasks, and Hiruzen even rewarded him with four Water Release Ninjutsu.
Kitazawa returned to Kurenai's home, but unexpectedly, she was not there.
He thought for a moment, then went to the open space behind the well to practice Ninjutsu. It was not Water Release Ninjutsu, but Wind Release Ninjutsu.
After all, the deadline for the Water Release Ninjutsu task was next semester, so there was no rush.
---
Time slowly passed.
He didn't know how long it had been when Kitazawa heard familiar footsteps.
"When did you get back?" Kurenai walked up to him.
"Not long ago, about an hour ago, I saw you weren't back and came here to train," Kitazawa replied.
"When Lady Tsunade and the others returned earlier, I happened to meet them." Kurenai explained, "I went and got to know the two Uzumaki Clan members you brought back."
"How do you feel?" Kitazawa asked casually.
"I should have gone with you to Kusagakure. Those guys were too despicable; it's really a pity I couldn't deal with them personally!" Kurenai clenched her fists, speaking indignantly.
At Tsunade's house, besides getting to know Rina Uzumaki and Karin, she also learned about their encounter in Kusagakure.
"It's okay." Kitazawa comforted her, "I already helped you beat them all up."
"No, I must become a Jonin quickly!" Kurenai suddenly said with renewed fighting spirit.
She was a Chunin, and on many missions, she was actually not qualified to participate in. For example, this mission where Tsunade led the team to Kusagakure.
It would be difficult for her to participate even if she wanted to. Unless it was through connections.
"Then let's train together." Kitazawa held her hand and said.
"Mm." Kurenai looked at him, leaned in, and kissed him, then dedicated herself to training.
The weekend passed, and it was the third week of October.
"Kitazawa-sensei, good morning!" Karin said with a bright smile.
She had changed into new clothes, and combined with her red eyes and red hair, she was very eye-catching.
"Let's go, I'll take you to school." Kitazawa waved to her and said.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei." Rina Uzumaki bowed slightly, speaking very formally.
"Don't worry." Kitazawa nodded, then took Karin to the Ninja Academy.
Hinata heard the door open and immediately jumped off the sofa. But at the door, her first glance fell on Karin, and she couldn't help but freeze.
"Hinata, this is Karin, our class's transfer student." Kitazawa patted Hinata's head and said.
"Hello, I am Hyuga Hinata." Hinata quickly recovered, extended her hand, and said.
"Alright, come over and eat breakfast." Kitazawa waited for them to get acquainted, then said, "I have a meeting after breakfast."
"Mm." Hinata subconsciously looked at Karin twice.
Because red hair was really rare. And she also didn't remember any Ninja clan in Konoha Village having red hair.
"Hinata." After breakfast, Kitazawa said, "Take Karin to the classroom."
"Karin, follow me." Hinata stood up and said.
---
Kitazawa arrived at the Ninja Academy's conference room.
Since it was already late October, it was customary to hold the October monthly exam meeting.
There was nothing much to say about the meeting's content; it was pretty much the same as previous monthly exam meetings.
Kitazawa had no expectations for the October monthly exam. Besides having no tasks, the time was too short, and his students hadn't made significant progress.
Even the most talented Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were the same.
Kitazawa could even guess that the ranking for the October monthly exam would be very similar to the September monthly exam.
But it wasn't without expectation.
Kitazawa planned to manipulate things a bit, to make Sasuke suffer a crushing defeat, and then see if it would trigger a new task.
---
First Year Class A's classroom.
Because of Karin's arrival, it became very lively.
"Your hair is red?!" Naruto said with a surprised look, "This is the first time I've seen red hair, too."
"It's also the first time I've seen golden hair." Karin smiled and said.
She felt that Naruto had no ill will, just pure curiosity.
"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto introduced himself and said.
"Your surname is Uzumaki?" Karin immediately stood up and asked.
"Huh?" Naruto scratched his head, asking in confusion, "Is there a problem with that?"
You... Karin hesitated to speak.
The surname Uzumaki, but not red hair, could it just be a coincidence?
Sasuke, who had just arrived in the classroom, heard their conversation and shook his head. What was the point of discussing hair color?
He walked past Naruto, hands in his pockets, towards his seat.
Is he that cool? Karin saw Sasuke and subconsciously looked at him a couple more times.
"Sasuke-kun is mine, don't even think about it!" Sakura immediately showed a wary expression and said.
"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." Karin paused, then said.
In the original work, she liked Sasuke mainly because he saved her. But that part wasn't happening now.
"You don't have to be so polite," Sakura said with a hint of embarrassment.
"Do you think everyone likes Sasuke?" Ino glared at Sakura, then leaned forward, looking at Karin with a smile and saying, "Hello, I'm Ino Yamanaka."
--
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)