Suddenly, three lines of text appeared before Kitazawa's eyes.
[Current Task: Help your lifelong rival, Naruto Uzumaki, achieve a top-ten ranking in the next monthly exam.]
[Task Reward: Yin Attribute.]
[Host has completed the task. Reward granted.]
Kitazawa nodded slightly.
Setting aside everything else, the system's reward was delivered promptly.
The Yin attribute was Kitazawa's fourth chakra nature. Before this, he already possessed Wind, Fire and Water.
Now, he only lacked Earth, Lightning, and Yang to complete all seven chakra nature, achieving full-chakra nature mastery.
In the original timeline, very few ninjas possessed all elements.
Theoretically, with all chakra nature mastered, one could comprehend Yin-Yang Style and form a "Truth Seeking Orb."
Of course, this required fully mastering all chakra nature transformations and chakra shape transformation.
Given Kitazawa's aptitude, this was impossible, so the system bore all the pressure.
"The May monthly exam ends here."
After reading the rankings, Kitazawa said, "Everyone, go home early and rest."
"Kiba!"
Naruto's face lit up as he reminded him, "Don't forget our bet!"
"Hmph, of course I haven't forgotten!"
Kiba Inuzuka waved his hand with bravado. "It's just Ichiraku Ramen; you can have it."
"Great!"
Naruto exclaimed excitedly, "I won't hold back!"
"You little brat, don't get too cocky. Next time, you'll definitely lose!"
Kiba stepped forward, draped an arm around Naruto's shoulders, and said, "We'll see about that!"
Naruto froze slightly at Kiba's friendly gesture, then laughed.
Kitazawa watched them and thought of one word: "partners in crime."
Ahem, not derogatory, he was genuinely relieved that Naruto had a good friend like Kiba.
After all, the kid had a pitiful childhood.
Unfortunately, no new task was triggered.
But on second thought, even if it had triggered, he might not have been able to complete it.
The next task would either require Naruto to enter the top five or rank first in the class.
That difficulty was comparable to Kakuzu attempting to assassinate Hashirama Senju.
"Sasuke, walking home together?"
Sakura Haruno quickly stepped in front of Uchiha Sasuke.
"No, we're not going the same way."
Sasuke glanced at her and quickened his pace.
"Damn it!"
Sakura clenched her fists. "Am I really that annoying?"
"Sasuke treats everyone equally."
Ino Yamanaka shook her head. She was a bit of a fangirl but had far less infatuation than Sakura, she could take things seriously yet let them go easily.
Because of this, she understood Sasuke's personality clearly.
Not entirely, though.
Sasuke increased his pace not because he disliked Sakura, but because he wanted to get home sooner.
Having ranked first this time, he was certain he would achieve his goal.
"Dad, praise me! Brother, praise me!"
....
"Kitazawa!"
A familiar voice called out.
Mizuki appeared before Kitazawa, smiling.
"Neji scored full marks again?"
Kitazawa asked suddenly.
"…."
Mizuki froze.
Being predicted like this was frustrating; his attempt to show off ended before it even began.
"Congratulations."
Kitazawa said calmly.
"I came to ask, when is the friendship match between our two classes scheduled?"
Mizuki had to shift the topic.
"Next Friday, how about that?"
Kitazawa thought for a moment before asking.
"No problem."
Mizuki said confidently. "Any day is fine."
"I think we should invite a referee for this match."
Kitazawa looked at him and asked, "Why not invite the Hokage?"
"Are you joking?"
Mizuki shook his head. "Why would the Hokage care about a friendship match between two classes?"
"Normally, indeed impossible," Kitazawa said with a faint smile. "But if I ask, it's highly likely to succeed."
In reality, even if he didn't ask, Hiruzen Sarutobi would still watch secretly.
"You?"
Mizuki looked skeptical.
Though Kitazawa had been summoned by Hiruzen before, in Mizuki's mind, he was just a Chunin teacher—not someone worth the Hokage's attention.
"Let's wait and see."
Kitazawa didn't explain further and turned to leave.
"Hmph!"
Mizuki watched him walk away, no longer pretending, revealing a look of displeasure. "I want to see how capable you really are!"
As for whether Kitazawa would really invite Hiruzen, it was impossible.
A simple friendship match between first- and second-year classes was trivial in the Hokage's eyes, there was no reason for him to come and referee.
…
Sasuke ran home.
"First, take a bath."
Before he could speak, Uchiha Mikoto interrupted, "Your father and brother aren't back yet."
"Oh?"
Sasuke's excitement cooled slightly.
"You got first place in the monthly exam?"
Mikoto asked as she walked toward the bathroom.
"Huh? How do you know?"
Sasuke asked in surprise.
"You're my son; don't I know you?"
Mikoto set the hot water and smiled. "After your bath, they should be back. Don't rush."
"Got it!"
Sasuke closed the door and stepped into the tub.
Half an hour later, Uchiha Fugaku entered.
"Dad!"
Sasuke quickly showed him the results.
"First place?"
Fugaku glanced at it and praised, "Well done."
"I also learned the Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Fire Jutsu!"
Sasuke held his head high, silently signaling, "Keep praising me!"
"You didn't disgrace the Uchiha name."
Fugaku, meeting Sasuke's expectant gaze, smiled for once. "As expected of my son."
"Thanks, Dad!"
Sasuke restrained his laughter and said excitedly.
At that moment, the door opened.
"Brother!"
Sasuke handed the results to Itachi.
"Congratulations, first place."
Itachi said generously, "You'll surpass me in first-place finishes eventually."
He had entered school at six, graduated at seven.
The ninja academy had three terms a year, with three to four monthly exams per term.
As long as Sasuke stayed long enough, he could indeed surpass Itachi in the number of first-place finishes.
Sasuke hadn't considered this yet, but his lips curved into a smile, at this moment, he felt like the happiest ninja in the world.
"Itachi, come to my room; I need to talk to you."
Fugaku walked toward his room.
"Sasuke, wait a moment."
Itachi touched Sasuke lightly and turned, his smile gone.
"Any news from Konoha, especially Root?"
Fugaku asked directly.
He had allowed Itachi to join the Anbu as a spy to keep the Uchiha clan informed of Konoha's movements.
"Everything is normal."
Itachi replied.
"Previously, I asked you to investigate why Tsunade returned to the village. Any results?"
Fugaku asked after a pause.
"It's because of Kitazawa."
Itachi explained, "He proposed the establishment of a psychological medical ninja system to the Hokage."
"Who is Kitazawa?"
Fugaku looked puzzled.
"He's a teacher at the Ninja Academy and also Sasuke's teacher."
Itachi sighed internally.
His father had paid no attention to Sasuke's situation at all.
On the other hand, a Chunin proposing a psychological medical ninja system was truly extraordinary and astonishing.
"Explain in detail."
Fugaku asked, confused.
"Yes."
Itachi explained everything.
"I see."
Fugaku frowned slightly. "I wonder how long Tsunade will stay."
"I think Tsunade-sama's presence is good."
Itachi hesitated a few seconds. "At least it will give the Uchiha clan a moment of peace."
Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, and student of the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, was unmatched in both power and prestige in Konoha.
Since Uchiha Shisui's death, the clan's hardliners had grown stronger.
But Tsunade's return caused them concern.
With her there, even if they attempted rebellion, their chances of success were much lower.
"Itachi, remember your position."
Fugaku said seriously, "You are an Uchiha ninja."
"I understand."
Itachi remained silent for a moment before replying.