In the shinobi world, there are many types of Body Flicker Techniques.
The most basic form simply gathers chakra in both legs to boost speed.
More advanced versions add chakra nature transformations, such as the Water Release: Water Body Flicker used by Hanzō, the leader of Amegakure.
Beyond that are space–time ninjutsu, for example the Flying Thunder God Technique.
So what exactly is the Leaf Body Flicker?
After thinking for a long while, Kitazawa finally remembered.
In the original story it was performed by the Konoha jōnin Hayama Shirakumo, who could turn his body into a flurry of leaves to evade enemy attacks.
To Kitazawa, it looked very similar to Uchiha Itachi's Crow Clone Technique—all in all, a remarkably handy jutsu.
Kitazawa snapped out of his thoughts and continued rotating the water inside the balloon.
An hour later—pop!—the balloon burst.
Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction.
Having chakra‑control and chakra shape transformation at a master level really is outrageous.
In the original, Naruto Uzumaki took roughly ten days to learn the Rasengan.
Kitazawa figured he could do it in two—and truly master it, without needing shadow clones to help knead the sphere like Naruto did.
Night fell.
Tuesday passed, leaving only two days until Friday.
For the coming friendly match, Kitazawa had done everything he needed; the rest depended on how well Sasuke Uchiha and the others performed.
Over the next two days he gave no new assignments. Aside from practicing the Rasengan, they just stuck to normal training.
Friday arrived.
It was a cloudless, beautiful day. Early in the morning, warm sunlight bathed Konoha.
Standing before a boulder behind his house, Kitazawa drew a deep breath.
"Rasengan!"
As his chakra surged, a spinning sphere of chakra formed in his right palm.
A faint smile tugged at his lips; he slammed it into the rock.
Cracks spider‑webbed across the boulder, debris spraying in every direction. In the blink of an eye the Rasengan bored straight through, carving a deep crater in the ground beyond.
Such is the Rasengan's power: most shinobi who take it head‑on would lose half their life.
Now that Kitazawa had mastered it, he had gained a formidable trump card.
The only issue was how to "launder" it publicly.
He stroked his chin: once Tsunade created a fourth medical ninjutsu, maybe he could ask Hiruzen Sarutobi for an A‑rank technique in exchange—after all, when he handed in the Genjutsu "Heart Viewing Technique.," he only got money, no jutsu reward. Two techniques together might be worth an A‑rank.
He also thought about today's friendly match: if he could put on a good show in front of the Hokage, he'd have an even better shot at that A‑rank jutsu.
"Can't afford to lose."
With that thought, he glanced at the glowing text before him:
[Current Task: Master the Rasengan without anyone's help.]
[Reward: Leaf Body Flicker Technique.]
[Task Completed—Reward Delivered.]
A flood of information hit him, and Kitazawa's body dissolved into a swirl of leaves. The next instant he re‑appeared five meters away.
"This Body Flicker is pretty useful," he muttered, then cleaned up the training site and headed for the Ninja Academy.
…
"Kitazawa‑senpai!"
At the school gate, he heard Iruka Umino calling. Turning, he saw Iruka beside Mizuki, whose smile looked a bit forced.
"Kitazawa," Mizuki reminded him, "don't forget today's friendly match."
"Of course not," Kitazawa answered calmly. "And don't you forget that if you lose, you owe me a favor."
He planned to use that favor to bait Mizuki into revealing his true colors.
"Relax. I'm a man of my word," Mizuki snorted. "But you won't get the chance!"
Iruka sensed the gunpowder in the air. One side was his own Class 1‑A, the other was Mizuki's Class 2‑A. Although Kitazawa's rise had put a strain on their friendship, picking whom to support was difficult.
"One more thing," Mizuki added jealously. "I hope the Hokage actually shows up."
Ever since Kitazawa had unexpectedly been promoted to special jōnin, Mizuki felt Hiruzen was losing his touch—choosing the wrong person, when clearly he was superior.
"You'll see the Hokage," Kitazawa said, waving as he turned away. "See you at ten."
"Enjoy laughing while you can!" Mizuki growled.
"Mizuki, why are you always picking on Kitazawa‑senpai?" Iruka asked in confusion.
Mizuki's mouth twitched. What an innocent fool.
"It's just a friendly match," he said, tamping down his irritation. "I'm not targeting anyone."
If Kitazawa were here, he'd add that Mizuki was simply jealous of anyone doing better than he was—true to his nature in the original story.
Kitazawa opened the faculty office door and found Kurenai Yūhi inside.
"Yakumo's already in the classroom," she said.
"Thanks, Kurenai." He stepped up, taking her hands.
"It's nothing," she replied. "I happened to be free today and thought I'd watch your match."
"Your hands are so soft," Kitazawa said with a grin.
"I'm trying to talk business!" Kurenai glared.
"Haven't we finished?" Kitazawa sat in a chair—without letting go.
Realizing his intent, Kurenai didn't shy away; instead she sat right down on his lap. A sweet fragrance enveloped him, and he felt the round softness of her hips. A bold personality—just my type.
He slipped an arm around her slender waist.
"Yakumo's opponent is the renowned Hyūga Neji. If things get dangerous, you must intervene," she said, shifting uneasily. This was her first time being so close to someone.
"I will," Kitazawa promised. "I'll keep an eye on her."
With the Hokage present, no student would be allowed to get hurt.
"Good. You should head to class—I'll wait here."
She pried his fingers free. "See you at ten."
Reluctantly he let the softness go.
…
9:45 a.m.
In Class 1‑A, first period had just ended.
"Our friendly match with Class 2‑A is about to start. Are you confident?" Kitazawa asked with a smile.
"Yeah!" led by Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka, the students shouted with gusto.
"Then—move out!" Kitazawa swept a hand forward.
~~~
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