A new day dawned.
By now, the name Uchiha Sasuke was known by everyone.
The students of the Advanced Class were surprised, sure—but not by much. With Uzumaki Naruto as the precedent, Sasuke becoming famous almost felt inevitable.
What worried them more was the new transfer student joining the Advanced Class: Fū, the Seven-Tails jinchūriki. Add Gaara, who had joined earlier, and suddenly there were two more "geniuses among geniuses."
Sasuke and Naruto themselves didn't feel much of anything about it, but people like Kaguya Kimimaro and Hyūga Neji could feel the pressure piling on. And those a step behind—Inuzuka Kiba, Tayuya, and the others—felt like their future was hopeless, like they might as well just give up.
Kitazawa could guess exactly what they were thinking, but there really wasn't a solution. The ninja world was that brutal—talent and bloodline decided almost everything.
People like Tayuya and Kiba had already gotten much stronger thanks to Kitazawa, but pushing them up to Naruto and Sasuke's tier was still extremely difficult.
Fortunately, the Advanced Class students were about to graduate soon. They just had to grit their teeth and make it through this year.
"Kitazawa-sama."
An Anbu named Haru appeared in front of him. "Hokage-sama wants to see you."
Kitazawa nodded and used Flying Thunder God, appearing directly in the Hokage's office.
"Take a look at this list," Tsunade said, handing him a scroll. "If anyone isn't suitable, tell me."
Kitazawa casually unrolled it.
The title read: Summoning-Beast Ninja Unit — Preliminary Roster.
He scanned it, then raised his brows in surprise.
The person in charge was Yakushi Kabuto, with Uchiha Izumi and Aburame Torune as deputy leads.
In other words, this new summoning-beast unit would be run by his three students.
In a sense, it was a rocket rise straight into Konoha's inner circle.
But thinking about it, they were qualified.
Kabuto didn't even need explaining—in the original timeline, he would have become a notorious figure capable of shaking the entire ninja world.
Torune, under normal circumstances, would have ended up as Shimura Danzō's personal guard, and even among jōnin he was one of the standouts.
As for Uchiha Izumi, once she awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, she already had jōnin-level combat strength. And she was still young—her potential was enormous. It wouldn't even be surprising if she awakened the Mangekyō someday.
Most importantly, they were Kitazawa's students—Hokage-line ninja. If they led the unit, nobody would have much to say.
"I don't have any objections," Kitazawa said with a smile after reading the scroll.
Aside from Kabuto and the other two leads, everyone joining the summoning-beast unit was at least chūnin-level. Add Ryūchi Cave's snakes to the mix, and they could comfortably fight above their rank.
Overall, it was a powerful force.
It could become Konoha's second elite "signature unit" alongside the Curse Mark unit—like how Sunagakure had its puppet corps.
Kitazawa had considered making the Curse Mark unit sign contracts with Ryūchi Cave as well, but he ultimately chose not to.
Combining them would be "stronger on top of stronger," sure—but it would be wasteful, and the two units had different roles.
A thought flickered through his mind. "Do you think Mount Myōboku would ever cooperate with Konoha?"
"What do you think?" Tsunade shot him a look.
She knew how the Three Great Summoning Sanctuaries operated. Aside from Shikkotsu Forest, neither Ryūchi Cave nor Mount Myōboku would ever willingly cooperate with a ninja village or allow themselves to be used.
"What a shame," Kitazawa chuckled, returning the scroll to her.
"Jiraiya is still a Mount Myōboku contractor," Tsunade reminded him.
Given Kitazawa's strength, if Ryūchi Cave couldn't stop him, Mount Myōboku couldn't either. But with Jiraiya caught in the middle, it wasn't something she could handle cleanly.
"I know," Kitazawa said lightly. "We'll talk about it later."
He personally didn't care either way, but he had to think about Tsunade—he didn't want to put her in an awkward position.
"I heard you sent Kabuto to Ryūchi Cave?" Tsunade suddenly remembered and asked with interest. "Does he have the talent to train in Sage Mode?"
"He does." Kitazawa paused, then added, "Not just talent—his aptitude is absurdly high."
"Then it looks like Konoha will have three Sage Mode users," Tsunade said, smiling.
She understood exactly how terrifying Sage Mode could be. It was what had turned Jiraiya from an elite jōnin into a powerhouse who could stand toe-to-toe with Kage-level monsters.
Then Tsunade's tone turned heavy.
"At this point, Akatsuki's remaining targets are just Konoha and Kumogakure," she said. "Who do you think they'll hit first?"
"My guess is Kumogakure," Kitazawa said confidently. "Because right now, Konoha is a bigger headache than Kumo."
In the original timeline, when Pain invaded, the only true top-tier in Konoha was Tsunade and Naruto—maybe with Kakashi and a few elite jōnin barely rounding out the list.
But now? Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade were all here.
And on top of that, Kitazawa.
This was arguably Konoha's strongest era since the days of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
If Akatsuki tried to attack Konoha, they'd probably have to pull off tactics they never used in the original timeline—full-scale group warfare.
"Kumogakure isn't weak," Tsunade said, thinking. "If it comes to that, Akatsuki will probably mobilize everything they have."
Her logic was simple: use the Kumo battle to expose Akatsuki's full strength.
"How are the other villages reacting?" Kitazawa asked, curious.
"No reaction yet," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "I'm guessing they're thinking the same way we are."
"If it were any other village, they'd be begging for help—calling the others to fight Akatsuki together," Kitazawa said with a light laugh.
"That's the Fourth Raikage for you," Tsunade said after a brief pause. "And besides, we already repelled Akatsuki once."
"Even if Kumogakure asks for help, the other villages might not agree," Kitazawa said, smiling.
Right now, only Konoha and Kumo still had their tailed beasts. The other villages feared Akatsuki—but they also feared Konoha and Kumo becoming too dominant.
To be blunt, what they wanted most was for Konoha and Kumo to lose their tailed beasts as well.
"That's true," Tsunade admitted after thinking it through.
"If both Konoha and Kumogakure fail, the Five Great Villages will unite," Kitazawa continued. "If Konoha doesn't fail, then the other four will unite."
"It sounds like you don't want the Five Great Villages to unite," Tsunade said, watching him.
"With Konoha's current strength, we can already be the number one village," Kitazawa replied. "If that's the case, there's no need to unite."
"You're confident you can deal with Akatsuki?" Tsunade asked, startled.
"What—don't you have faith in me?" Kitazawa stepped closer and gave her thigh a light pat.
"I do," Tsunade said, catching his wrist. "But I don't want anything to happen to you."
"It won't," Kitazawa said, settling comfortably beside her, close enough that his posture turned casual and intimate. The familiar warmth and scent steadied his mood.
"Don't start something," Tsunade warned, ruffling his hair with a hand.
"Start what?" Kitazawa asked, pretending innocence.
"Don't play dumb," Tsunade said, tapping his forehead.
He just leaned in quietly, resting for a moment, listening to her heartbeat. Tsunade sighed in defeat, smiling a little, but she didn't push him away.
"Kitazawa," she said, "I have an idea."
"What is it?"
His voice was muffled, softened by how close he was.
"After Akatsuki's fight with Kumogakure ends," Tsunade said, her expression turning serious, "you'll become the Sixth Hokage."
"That sudden?" Kitazawa raised a brow. "Changing Hokage at a time like this—won't that make the village uneasy?"
Switching commanders on the eve of battle was usually taboo.
And Tsunade had previously told him she'd pass the hat after the Advanced Class graduated.
Akatsuki wouldn't wait until next March to move—whenever they attacked Kumo, it would be sooner.
"It won't," Tsunade said with a teasing smile. "Do you have any idea what your reputation is right now?"
Kitazawa understood immediately.
In terms of prestige, he'd already surpassed Tsunade. He was undeniably Konoha's number one figure.
If he became Hokage, the village would feel safer, not more anxious.
After all, he was the second shinobi since Hashirama to wield Wood Release.
And now he also possessed Flying Thunder God—like a fusion of Hashirama and Tobirama.
No—strictly speaking, he was like a fusion of all five Hokage.
Hashirama's Wood Release, Tobirama's Water Release, Hiruzen's mastery of the five basic natures, Minato's Flying Thunder God, and Tsunade's medical ninjutsu.
Konoha's five Hokage signature techniques—Kitazawa had them all.
The only thing separating him from surpassing them—especially Hashirama—was chakra quantity.
"Alright," Kitazawa said after a moment, agreeing.
Tsunade had brought up the Hokage matter many times. There was no point refusing again.
"I really hope that day comes soon!" Tsunade said, suddenly energized. "Then I won't have to work anymore—I can just go have fun every day!"
Something heavy pressed into Kitazawa's face as she shifted excitedly, and he couldn't help but grimace.
So I'm not even Hokage yet and you're already revealing your true colors?
At least Konoha's casino was basically "family-owned." Otherwise, she'd gamble him into bankruptcy sooner or later.
"But what are you going to do about the Advanced Class?" Tsunade asked, reining in her excitement. "Once you're Hokage, you can celebrate later."
"Early graduation?" Kitazawa suggested thoughtfully.
Honestly, it was time. Once Akatsuki was dealt with, the Fourth Great Ninja War would be next.
For the Advanced Class, that would be the perfect stage to show what they could do.
And for Kitazawa, it was a chance to rack up more system tasks.
"Sure," Tsunade said without hesitation. "With their strength, early graduation is nothing. They could even pass parts of the jōnin exam."
If Kitazawa hadn't stopped her, she would've pushed for early graduation a long time ago. Historically, true prodigies always graduated early—Uchiha Itachi, Hatake Kakashi.
Compared to them, the Advanced Class was the unusual case.
"Then it's settled," Kitazawa said. "We'll hold a village-wide graduation combat exam."
His system task was to form the new Konoha Sannin, but the other students needed fame too.
Fame meant faster promotion to jōnin, or the legitimacy to inherit their clan and lead it.
And it would also be the Advanced Class's final ranking match.
If their graduation was just the standard three basic techniques, it would be painfully boring.
"I'll definitely be there," Tsunade said, genuinely looking forward to it.
"Good." Kitazawa took a slow breath and lifted his head. "Anything else?"
"No. Just keep an eye on Akatsuki's movements," Tsunade said, shaking her head.
"Then do you have work?" Kitazawa asked, the question carrying a familiar hint.
"I do," Tsunade said, warmth rising in her chest—but she still refused. "Tonight."
Kitazawa didn't push it. Tsunade was Hokage. She had too much on her plate.
Flying Thunder God.
He vanished.
When he reappeared, he was in Amegakure.
He wanted to learn more about Akatsuki's movements through Konan.
When you had a useful insider, you didn't waste them.
Kitazawa steadied himself and looked toward Konan, who was seated at a desk.
He walked up and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Konan stiffened for an instant, then relaxed.
The familiar embrace and scent told her exactly who it was.
"How have you been lately?" Kitazawa asked quietly.
"Same as before," Konan said, her voice calm.
For a long time, her life had felt dead and silent—until she went to Konoha and met Kitazawa. After that, everything changed.
"I captured Kakuzu," Kitazawa said.
"Mm," Konan replied, her expression still cool.
But if you looked closely, you could see the subtle tremor in her composure.
"Later, your Akatsuki members can all join Konoha," Kitazawa said with a faint smile.
Konan paused.
She could feel the confidence in his words.
Nagato had that same kind of confidence—he even called himself a god.
Konan sighed silently.
She didn't know how it would end. She only hoped it wouldn't fall into the worst possible outcome.
"When does Akatsuki plan to strike Kumogakure and Konoha?" Kitazawa asked directly.
"Akatsuki is short on manpower right now. It'll be a while," Konan answered without hiding anything. "First, we'll retrieve the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails."
"Thanks," Kitazawa said.
He gave her a light tap in passing, and Konan stood—then lingered beside him, the air between them softening into a quiet, mutual understanding.
Not long after, the two spent time together privately—consensual, familiar, and wordless—before Kitazawa finally left Amegakure.
Konan, for once, fell asleep with a deep sense of peace.
In her dreams, she didn't have to wrestle with Akatsuki versus Konoha at all.
Time passed, and May arrived.
Konoha's weather began to warm.
Deep in the Forest of Death, the earth suddenly shook violently.
A colossal wooden figure—massive enough to rival a tailed beast—rose from the ground. A wooden dragon coiled around its arm.
In an instant, the ground sank, dust erupted, and the commotion shook the whole area.
Kitazawa nodded in satisfaction.
He had finally mastered Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique—a Wood Release ninjutsu comparable to a Complete Susanoo.
At this point, he had learned most Wood Release techniques.
Only one remained that surpassed the Wood Golem in raw power: Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands.
As for Top Transformed Buddha, it was an extension derived from True Several Thousand Hands.
Once you mastered True Several Thousand Hands, you essentially mastered Top Transformed Buddha as well.
And he didn't even need to "learn" True Several Thousand Hands normally—he just needed to complete the system task of forming the new Konoha Sannin.
Right now, both Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto already had significant fame. That meant the system task was two-thirds complete.
Kitazawa formed a seal and dispelled the Wood Golem.
Standing there, he fell into thought.
Wood Release training could pause for now. Next, his goal was a Complete Susanoo.
And beyond that—his remaining system tasks.
He still had three:
Form the new Konoha Sannin.
Have Naruto master Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
Bring Akatsuki into Konoha.
All three were progressing steadily.
Thinking that, Kitazawa let out a quiet breath of relief.
So far, everything was under control. His strength was enough.
He only needed to watch out for the one lurking in the shadows: Black Zetsu.
Kitazawa continued training.
For now, all he could do was wait.
But to make sure he'd learn of Akatsuki's movements immediately, he had already sent a Katsuyu split body to Kumogakure.
If Akatsuki and Kumo clashed, Katsuyu would alert him.
Time flowed on.
When Konoha's temperature rose and reached its peak, Akatsuki finally moved.
July 1st, early morning.
Kitazawa opened his eyes right on time.
Almost immediately, he felt the softness and warmth of Tsunade asleep against him.
He glanced down.
Tsunade was curled close, their bodies pressed together in comfortable intimacy after the night before.
Kitazawa exhaled, gaze lingering for a second.
Life like this really wasn't bad.
"Tsunade-sensei," Kitazawa said, gently stroking her hair.
Her lashes fluttered. Light brown eyes turned toward him.
She wasn't fully awake yet, instinctively shifting closer.
Kitazawa's chest tightened for a moment.
If he didn't have to worry about Shizune discovering them, he wouldn't have let her get up so easily.
"Good morning," Tsunade murmured, giving him a brief kiss before sitting up.
Kitazawa quickly looked away, cleared his head, and used Flying Thunder God.
Back in his own room, he exhaled—finally calmer.
It proved he'd made the right call.
He had barely changed and left his room when he saw Shizune walking toward Tsunade's room.
Just then, Kitazawa felt a faint summoning-like pull—coming from Shikkotsu Forest.
His eyes sharpened. He understood immediately.
He didn't resist, and in the next moment he was in front of Katsuyu.
"Kitazawa-sama," Katsuyu said gently. "My split body in Kumogakure has discovered traces of Akatsuki members."
"Thank you, Katsuyu-sama," Kitazawa said, nodding.
The situation was urgent, so he didn't chat. He left immediately.
"Tsunade-sensei."
Back in the living room, Kitazawa walked toward Tsunade, who was sitting on the sofa.
"What is it?" Tsunade asked, noticing his abrupt reappearance.
"I just went to Shikkotsu Forest," Kitazawa said briskly. "Katsuyu-sama told me her split body saw Akatsuki members in Kumogakure."
"So Akatsuki is attacking Kumo today?" Tsunade sat up straight, voice turning serious.
"Most likely, yes—today," Kitazawa said, nodding.
"What are you going to do?" Tsunade asked. "Are you going to Kumogakure to watch the battle?"
"Yeah," Kitazawa said. "But first, I'm taking Naruto to Turtle Island."
"Turtle Island?" Tsunade froze for a moment. "You know where it is?"
Turtle Island wasn't actually an island—it was a giant turtle.
It belonged to Kumogakure, and its location drifted constantly. Only a handful of people could find it.
After all, it was tied to the training of perfect jinchūriki. Kumo would never allow anyone else near it.
"I'll bring Hinata," Kitazawa said, a thought sparking.
Maybe he could use this opportunity to let her fire the World-Ending Arrow and become famous in one move.
"Alright," Tsunade said after thinking. "Be careful."
"With Akatsuki drawing everyone's attention, I won't run into the Fourth Raikage and the others on Turtle Island," Kitazawa said with a small laugh.
And even if he did, it didn't really matter.
Strength ruled everything.
At worst, he'd just kick off the Fourth Great Ninja War early.
"If you're going to Turtle Island, you could have Katsuyu-sama monitor Akatsuki," Tsunade said, not forgetting the real goal—learning Akatsuki's situation.
"Akatsuki is still unclear," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. "If they have a way to detect Katsuyu, it could tip them off."
"I'll go see it myself."
In truth, he didn't need to. He already knew Akatsuki inside and out.
But Akatsuki had been recruiting lately—there might be new members he didn't know about.
And with Flying Thunder God, he could watch the battle and return in an instant.
Once he came back, he planned to lay out everything he knew to Tsunade—Akatsuki's intel, including Nagato's Rinnegan.
"Fair enough," Tsunade said, not arguing.
With Kitazawa's strength and Flying Thunder God, she felt reassured.
"Eat breakfast first," Tsunade added after thinking.
Kumogakure was big and sturdy—once the fighting started, it wouldn't end quickly. And right now, the battle hadn't even officially begun.
"Alright," Kitazawa said, not refusing.
~~~
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