"Hokage-sama." Kitazawa entered the Hokage's office after receiving permission.
"Ah, Kitazawa." Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at him and asked, "Is Tsunade not here today?"
"Lady Tsunade is still researching a new Ninjutsu." Kitazawa paused, then explained, "I came to see Hokage-sama today about the Student Council."
"Is it about the knowledge competition event?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and asked. He kept an eye on Naruto every day, so he was naturally aware of the Student Council's affairs.
"Hokage-sama truly has foresight." Kitazawa flattered him before saying, "The Student Council has made all the preparations for your arrival, and we hope you can come tomorrow."
"You've finished preparations in just one week; you work very quickly." Hiruzen chuckled, saying, "As the patron of the Will of Fire Club, I will certainly join in the fun."
"Sasuke and Naruto have been eagerly looking forward to your visit; they'll be very excited to see you tomorrow," Kitazawa said with a smile.
"You've taught well; Naruto's performance in the Will of Fire Club has been very satisfactory to me," Sarutobi Hiruzen said bluntly.
He had always thought Naruto's personality was too boisterous, or perhaps clumsy. He might become a Ninja who could do nothing but fight in the future.
But now, it seemed he was careful despite his rough exterior. When preparing for the Student Council's first event, he was hands-on and completed it perfectly.
As the saying goes, "what a child is at three, he is at seven." Naruto might truly become the second Minato Namikaze.
Konoha Village was currently in an awkward transitional period. More accurately, the high-ranking officials of Konoha Village all had some issues.
Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Utatane Koharu were all advanced in age.
Jiraiya was constantly searching for the Child of Prophecy outside. Orochimaru had already defected, leaving only Tsunade, who also had hemophobia.
Fortunately, Kitazawa proposed the Psychological Medical Ninja. Otherwise, Tsunade's situation would be difficult to handle.
Kakashi was withdrawn, Asuma had left, Might Guy was too unreliable, and Kurenai and others lacked sufficient strength. The emergence of Naruto and Sasuke gave him hope.
At least the new generation had already begun to show their potential.
"How is Tsunade's condition?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, thinking of this.
"Lady Tsunade has agreed to accept treatment for her hemophobia." Kitazawa had not reported this matter to Sarutobi Hiruzen before. He had planned to tell him after the hemophobia treatment was completed, but since he asked, he told him the truth.
"Really?" Hiruzen's hand, holding the pipe, trembled as he subconsciously asked. To be honest, he didn't have much hope that Kitazawa could complete the mission.
The reason was that he understood Tsunade. She was not someone who could be easily persuaded. If it were that simple, it wouldn't be Kitazawa's turn.
"Lady Tsunade said it herself," Kitazawa said with a serious expression.
"If you can cure Tsunade's hemophobia, Konoha Village will definitely give you a very generous reward." Hiruzen's face broke into a smile as he promised.
He wasn't just making empty promises. If Tsunade's hemophobia were cured, she would certainly not wander the Ninja World as before, but choose to stay in Konoha Village.
Konoha Village would not only have the Ninja World's most outstanding Medical Ninja but also a Hokage successor.
This could stabilize the morale within the village and deter ambitious individuals outside. In short, there were simply too many benefits.
And as the great contributor, Sarutobi Hiruzen would naturally not be stingy. Moreover, he would most likely become Tsunade's student, both being Ninjas of the Hokage lineage, keeping the benefits within the family.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Kitazawa immediately said. He wanted to cure Tsunade's hemophobia even more than Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Because as long as Tsunade became Hokage, he would have a strong and powerful backer. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was also good, he still couldn't compare to Tsunade.
After their discussion, Kitazawa left the Hokage's office and went to the Artificial Lake at the Ninja Academy.
Kiba Inuzuka, who had been waiting, quickly came forward to greet him. After a week of intense training, his Water Walking Training was basically complete, and he could move on to new training, which was the study of his clan's secret techniques.
Kiba had been itching with anticipation ever since Kitazawa mentioned it a week ago. After all, he also wanted to make a splash like Naruto, achieve a perfect comeback, and ideally, surpass him.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kiba took out a scroll and said, "This is the Inuzuka Clan's secret technique regarding transformation."
Kitazawa took the scroll and immediately opened it. He glanced at it and instantly discovered a problem.
The scroll contained two secret techniques, but neither was complete. Kitazawa thought for a moment and understood the reason.
He was, after all, an outsider. To prevent him from learning the Inuzuka Clan's secret techniques, some parts of the content were deliberately omitted.
However, Kitazawa hadn't intended to learn them anyway.
After all, where would he get a Ninja dog?
Even if he were to find a summoning animal, it would have to be from one of the three Great Sage Lands. They could fight, heal, and support, which was much more useful than any Ninja dog.
Although some parts were omitted, the remaining sections were clear enough. Kitazawa looked at the scroll, lost in thought.
The two secret techniques were the Beast Human Clone and the Inuzuka Style: Human Beast Transformation: Double-Headed Wolf.
The former's effect was to transform a Ninja dog into a human. The latter's effect was to transform a human into a Ninja dog and merge with the Ninja dog.
It had to be said that these two secret techniques were given very appropriately—most likely chosen by Kiba Inuzuka's parents.
"I already have some ideas." Kitazawa put away the Ninjutsu scroll and said, "First, I'll teach you the Shadow Clone Technique."
"Okay!" Kiba's spirits lifted, and he said excitedly.
"You don't have as much Chakra as Naruto, and since you're just starting, you only need to create one Shadow Clone," Kitazawa reminded him.
"Only one?" Kiba thought of Naruto's countless Shadow Clones and couldn't help but twitch his mouth.
Just the number of Shadow Clones alone showed how big the Chakra difference between them was.
Kiba even wondered if Naruto was a child born of a Tailed Beast—though he hadn't heard of Tailed Beasts giving birth.
"Do you have any other questions?" Kitazawa asked after explaining the Shadow Clone Technique for half an hour.
"I understand everything!" Kiba Inuzuka said confidently. "Kitazawa-sensei explained it so clearly, I'm sure I'll succeed on my first try!"
After he finished speaking, he began to form hand signs.
With a bang! From the smoke, another Kiba Inuzuka appeared.
But he immediately fell to the ground as soon as he appeared—because he was missing a leg.
"Cough, cough, at least it's a person," Kiba awkwardly dispelled the Shadow Clone.
"No rush, take your time," Kitazawa chuckled lightly and said. "I'll leave a Shadow Clone for you; if you have any questions, just ask him."
He formed hand signs and performed the Shadow Clone Technique at a slower pace than usual.
"Kitazawa-sensei is still amazing!" Kiba immediately flattered him.
"You watch him, and also practice Water Release," Kitazawa said to his Shadow Clone, then turned and left.
Although the Shadow Clone Technique wasn't difficult, it would still take Kiba about a week to learn it at his current level.
And during this week, Kitazawa could think about how to modify his family's secret techniques.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto, who was at the training ground, immediately ran up to Kitazawa when he saw him and said, "I've already learned Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken."
"Then today I'll teach you a new Wind Release Ninjutsu." Kitazawa already knew his learning progress from the system, so he wasn't surprised.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei," Kabuto quickly said.
"The Ninjutsu I'm teaching you today is called Wind Style: Vacuum Blade; it has some similarities to Wind Release: Shuriken."
Kitazawa took out a kunai and said, "It involves infusing Wind Release Chakra into the kunai, making it more lethal."
"I see." Yakushi Kabuto nodded.
Wind Release: Rotating Shuriken was about throwing shuriken, which was a special Ninja tool. But Wind Style: Vacuum Blade was more about using the kunai as a Ninja sword rather than a Ninja tool.
Of course, it could also be thrown as a Ninja tool.
"Give it a try."
Kitazawa explained Wind Style: Vacuum Blade for half an hour, just as he had explained the Shadow Clone Technique.
But after Kabuto took out the kunai, he didn't immediately form hand signs; instead, a hesitant expression appeared on his face.
"What's wrong?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Kitazawa-sensei, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with." Kabuto took a deep breath and said.
"Why so serious?" Kitazawa asked, somewhat surprised. "Did you encounter something difficult?"
"I want to participate in the Chunin Exams," Kabuto said in a low voice.
"You're not a Chunin yet?" Kitazawa asked, stunned.
"I grew up in Root from a young age and did not participate in the Chunin Exams held by Konoha Village." Kabuto paused, then added, "Strictly speaking, I'm not even a Genin."
"That's true."
Kitazawa was stunned for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Isn't it more than enough for you to participate in the Chunin Exams with your strength? Why is it so difficult?"
"Participating in the Chunin Exams requires a team leader to sign up, and also two teammates," Kabuto said awkwardly. "I don't have any."
All the Ninjas he knew were in Root.
Now that he had left Root, looking around the vast Konoha Village, he couldn't find two Genin who could be his teammates.
Kabuto had also looked for Yakushi Nono.
But as the person in charge of Konoha Hospital, she was quite busy and didn't dare to leave her post without permission.
Kabuto thought it over and over and felt that Kitazawa was the most suitable. Moreover, he had been a teacher for so many years, so he must have had many students who had already become Genin.
[As a genius, you should become a Chunin early and make a name for yourself.]
[Current Mission: Lead Yakushi Kabuto to pass the Chunin Exams as the top-ranked team.]
[Mission Reward: Water Release: Hydrification Technique.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa looked at the four lines of text that appeared before him, his face full of question marks.
No, System, are you an idiot? I'm already a Special Jonin. Why would I still participate in the Chunin Exams?
And before, for the Special Jonin assessment, you even issued a mission? Have you forgotten all about it?
Kitazawa couldn't help but frown. To be fair, this reward was indeed very good.
The Water Release: Hydrification Technique was a Water Release secret Ninjutsu of the Hozuki Clan from Hidden Mist Village.
Its effect was to liquefy the user's body. In a liquefied state, one could basically ignore any physical attacks, and it could also be used for infiltration and surprise attacks.
After all, under normal circumstances, no one would pay attention to a puddle of water.
Besides lacking Chakra, Kitazawa now lacked defensive and life-saving Ninjutsu.
The Water Release: Hydrification Technique was undoubtedly a very good life-saving Ninjutsu; as long as he didn't encounter Lightning Release, he could almost be called immortal.
But the problem was, how could he participate in the Chunin Exams?
Even if Kitazawa and Hiruzen were close, it would be impossible for him to participate. After all, this would be breaking the rules of Konoha Village.
Wait! Kitazawa suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
The mission content said to lead Kabuto to pass the Chunin Exams as the top-ranked team, so does the team leader count?
Whether it counted or not, this was the only chance, so it was worth a try. Anyway, this system was very idiotic.
"So, you want me to be your temporary team leader?" Kitazawa snapped back to reality and asked.
"Mm." Kabuto nodded and then said, "If any of your former students are Genin, I hope you can recommend them."
"I see." Kitazawa now understood why Kabuto came to him.
He did have many students who were now Genin, but they were all very unremarkable. There was nothing he could do; the Ninja World was like this, it depended on bloodline and talent.
Kitazawa's previous students were all very ordinary.
Without a bloodline or talent, no matter how powerful he was, he couldn't teach any strong individuals.
Although Yakushi Kabuto's strength was already quite good, the Chunin Exams were, after all, participated in as a team.
Kitazawa was worried that his students would hold him back.
If they didn't pass as the top-ranked team, then his mission would fail.
Kitazawa sighed inwardly.
If only he could call upon Yakumo and Naruto, they could easily get first place. But they were Ninja Academy students, not even Genin, let alone able to participate in the Chunin Exams.
"When are the registrations for the Chunin Exams?" Kitazawa pondered for a moment and asked.
"December 1st," Kabuto replied.
Kitazawa was reminded by him. Konoha Village indeed held Chunin Exams at the end of each year.
The Chunin Exams mentioned here only involved Ninja from Konoha Village, not Ninja from other Ninja villages.
In fact, the joint Chunin Exams in the original work were an exception.
They had a performance nature, demonstrating military power to the Daimyo and nobles of the Land of Fire and Land of Wind, so the difficulty was very high.
In the joint Chunin Exams with so many participants, only Shikamaru ultimately became a Chunin.
If it really followed this standard, the number of Chunin in Konoha Village would be extremely small.
"Okay, I agree." Kitazawa nodded and said, "As for your teammates, I'll bring them to meet you once I've chosen them."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei." Kabuto breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
"Although your strength already far surpasses that of an average Chunin, still don't let your guard down."
Kitazawa reminded him, "There's still half a month until the Chunin Exams, try your best to learn Wind Style: Vacuum Blade."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei."
Kabuto raised the kunai in his hand and began practicing Wind Style: Vacuum Blade.
Kitazawa stepped back, guiding him while pondering who to find as his teammates.
Kabuto, leading two others, carried a certain risk of not getting first place. Out of careful consideration, Kitazawa felt he should find another Genin with decent strength.
But the problem was that capable Genin were few and far between.
And many had already participated in the Chunin Exams and become Chunin, like Uchiha Itachi.
He and Kiba should normally be classmates, but now he had already become an Anbu member.
Kitazawa's mind stirred, and he thought of Aburame Torune in Root; he certainly hadn't participated in the Chunin Exams.
Although he was similar in age to Shino Aburame, his nano-poisonous insects made him invincible among ordinary Ninja.
The unfortunate thing was that he encountered Uchiha Obito in the original work.
After being sucked into a different dimension by Uchiha Obito's Kamui, he was then killed by Kabuto and reanimated with Edo Tensei, truly a streak of bad luck.
But it wouldn't be easy to snatch someone from Danzo Shimura's hands.
The Aburame Clan was already considered a sizable Ninja Clan, yet they still had to hand over Torune to Danzo and his Root.
The key to the matter was finding a Ninja who could contend with Danzo. Undoubtedly, there was only one candidate left in Konoha Village now: Tsunade.
But Kitazawa felt that he shouldn't be the one to actively seek them out; the Aburame Clan should be the one to seek her out.
Moreover, if Tsunade could help the Aburame Clan and also show a bit of willingness to become Hokage, the Aburame Clan would most likely offer their hearts on the spot.
Kitazawa pondered and finally decided to start with Shino Aburame.
Under normal circumstances, he should have gone to Root, but Aburame Torune took his place.
Undoubtedly, Shino Aburame was the one who most wanted to rescue him from Root.
"Kabuto, you don't have any major problems anymore. I'll leave a Shadow Clone here; you can ask him if you have any questions."
Kitazawa formed hand signs and used the Shadow Clone Technique.
Because he had to teach students, he had recently been keeping two Shadow Clones outside. One at the Artificial Lake, and one at the training ground.
"Okay, Kitazawa-sensei," Kabuto replied in passing, then continued to cultivate.
Kitazawa glanced at the training of Hinata and Ino, and after confirming there were no problems, he walked towards the First Year Class A classroom.
In the classroom, Iruka was teaching, and it was a flower-arranging class.
After he noticed Kitazawa, he let the students arrange flowers freely, and he came to the classroom door.
"After class, have Shino come to my office," Kitazawa said directly before he could speak.
Iruka nodded.
Seeing this, Kitazawa returned to his office. He wasn't idle either, checking the preparations for tomorrow's Will of Fire Club activity.
After all, he was currently the Student Council President. If there were any problems with the Will of Fire Club activities, he would also be responsible.
About ten minutes later, a knock sounded.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Shino Aburame, dressed in a white robe and wearing sunglasses, walked in.
"Shino, what do you think of your ranking in the last monthly exam?" Kitazawa thought for a moment and asked.
"My classmates are all very strong." Shino Aburame was a little confused but still answered truthfully.
"Then are you satisfied with your ranking?" Kitazawa looked at him and asked again.
Shino Aburame couldn't help but pause. Why suddenly ask such a question?
But in his opinion, it was already extremely difficult for him to get into the top five.
After all, their class had geniuses like Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke, and Yakumo, who possessed both talent and good stats.
And they had all received special training from Kitazawa.
"I've done my best to achieve my current ranking; it's very difficult to improve further." Shino Aburame paused, then proactively asked, "Kitazawa-sensei, can I participate in your special training?"
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that he was indeed quick on the uptake.
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)