A New Day
Kitazawa awoke from his dreams.
He sat up and let out a yawn.
Last night he, Tsunade, and Kurenai Yuhi had spent the whole evening discussing a new ninjutsu, yet nothing concrete had come of it.
The problem was that, after inventing three diagnostic‑type jutsu, they had already discovered one that could genuinely treat psychological illness.
Even Tsunade couldn't come up with a fresh idea for something like that in just two or three hours.
If it were up to Kitazawa, once he reached that stage he would switch to helping Yakumo Kurama develop her kekkei genkai instead—
—because, in his view, a real ninja system is never built around just one person.
A true master studies ninjutsu with a master's mindset.
Consider the three techniques they had already created: Talk Therapy Jutsu, Truth‑Revealing Technique, and Demonic Illusion: Heart Viewing Technique.
Ideally, this fourth technique should recreate the effect of Yakumo Kurama's kekkei genkai.
That was obviously difficult.
Fortunately, they still had plenty of time and could advance on both fronts: strengthening Yakumo Kurama while simultaneously researching a comparable jutsu.
A knock sounded at the door.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow and quickly got dressed.
"Good morning, Kitazawa."
Kurenai Yuhi stood in the doorway wearing the same red dress from last night, her delicate face brimming with cheer.
"You've been here long? Have you eaten?"
Kitazawa stepped aside and asked.
"No."
Kurenai walked in and, at the entryway, slipped off her shoes.
Kitazawa's gaze fell to her feet.
Only then did he notice that unlike yesterday—when she'd been barefoot—today she wore black stockings.
In the bright morning light, the black stockings clung tightly to her pale skin, making the lines of her legs look even smoother.
"What are you staring at?" Kurenai brushed past him.
"Why the black stockings today?" Kitazawa asked with a knowing smile.
"What I wear is my own business," Kurenai huffed. "I'm hungry—I want your ramen."
"I'll make it right now." Kitazawa took a few steps, then looked back with a grin. "I meant the black stockings suit you perfectly—you look stunning."
Kurenai paused for a heartbeat, then smiled.
A woman dresses to delight the one she cares about.
She had worn the black stockings for Kitazawa; now that he had complimented her, the feeling was mutual.
"But this guy's flattery is nowhere near as prim as he looks," Kurenai thought, shaking her head. Still, she wasn't some shy eighteen‑year‑old; she handled it with ease.
"Come eat."
Ten‑odd minutes later, Kitazawa brought out two bowls of ramen.
"When does your Special Jonin assessment start?" Kurenai lowered her head, took a sip of broth, and oil glistened on her soft red lips.
"Eight a.m., at the Anbu Training Grounds," Kitazawa replied.
"So it really is a test the Hokage arranged just for you; only a handful of people ever get that treatment." Kurenai's envy showed the moment she heard "Anbu."
A normal Special Jonin exam would never be held on Anbu grounds; the only explanation was a special waiver from Hokage-sama—no doubt for Naruto's sake.
"I'm cashing in on being Naruto's teacher—and on how much the Hokage values him," Kitazawa said honestly.
Kurenai had lived through the Nine‑Tails incident; she was one of the few who knew Naruto's true identity.
"You can't put it like that." She shook her head. "The Hokage is always fair—if you didn't have the ability, he wouldn't help you."
"It's just a pity genjutsu isn't part of the Special Jonin criteria; otherwise you'd already hold the rank," Kitazawa said, then smiled. "But no need to hurry—at your level you'll be a jōnin sooner or later."
"From your lips to the heavens," Kurenai laughed. "All right, let's stop flattering each other. When we finish the ramen, we head to Anbu."
"It's not flattery; it's the truth," Kitazawa corrected her.
"So who will make jōnin first—you or me?" Kurenai blinked playfully.
"Either way, it's the same," Kitazawa dodged the lethal question.
Kurenai rolled her eyes. The answer obviously displeased her, but she let it drop. In truth, she had her own conclusion: from what Kitazawa had shown, he was at least her equal—and more importantly, he had never unleashed his full strength.
Soon, they would see his true power.
…
The Special Jonin Test
The exam was straightforward.
1. Specialty evaluation—teaching, interrogation, and the like.
Kitazawa had been an outstanding instructor for three consecutive years; his excellence in education was beyond dispute.
2. Combat evaluation—Special Jonin strength lies between chūnin and jōnin; the candidate must be an elite among chūnin. After verifying one's credentials, the test became a direct fight against an existing Special Jonin.
After breakfast, Kitazawa and Kurenai arrived at the Anbu base.
Two masked Anbu were already waiting on the training field.
One of them was Kitazawa's acquaintance, Haru.
"Kitazawa," Haru said bluntly, "this is your examiner, Hayate Gekkō. Just spar with him once."
"Ki—cough, cough…" Hayate tried to speak but was seized by a violent fit of coughing, clutching his chest.
Kurenai frowned. Is this really an Anbu ninja? He looks like he might keel over any second.
Kitazawa, however, remained calm. In the original series, Hayate Gekkō had plenty of screen time as an early exam proctor—but his ending was grim. Shippuden even joked, "A… Hayate dies," referring to this unlucky fellow. He did, at least, have a beautiful girlfriend—Yugao Uzuki.
Kitazawa recalled Hayate's abilities.
No question, he was a bona‑fide Special Jonin, far stronger than ordinary chūnin. He specialized in Konoha‑ryū kenjutsu; his secret move, Dance of the Crescent Moon, was a formidable A‑rank sword art—rare even among sword‑wielding ninja. He also possessed the Transparent Release Kekkei Genkai, allowing him to turn invisible—one reason he earned Special Jonin rank, as it was ideal for reconnaissance.
"Please," Kitazawa said, stepping to the center of the field with no wasted words.
Hayate noted his confidence and raised an eyebrow, but remained unimpressed—he had never heard of Kitazawa. Normally, any powerful chūnin in Konoha would have at least some reputation—like Kurenai, whose genjutsu was already famous. Where had this Kitazawa sprung from? And the Hokage had even set up a special test just for him—utterly baffling.
Hayate's eyes narrowed. With a Body Flicker, he charged straight at Kitazawa.
When faced with someone riding on connections, he would strike with full force—because if he lost, he'd be nothing but a stepping‑stone.
~~~
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 100 Chapters Ahead of Others!