The physical test was finally over. Everyone collapsed onto the ground to rest — everyone except Naruto Uzumaki.
Having taken first place, he was so excited that he ran around the group like a whirlwind.
Kitazawa felt he was one shout away from yelling, "We are the champions!"
"What a familiar sight," murmured Shikaku Nara, watching the boy sprint by. The figure instantly reminded him of the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded approvingly.
Indeed — Naruto had a bit of Minato's aura about him now.
A touch more youthful energy, perhaps, but the resemblance was there.
At this point, the Third Hokage couldn't have stopped things even if he'd wanted to.
He turned his gaze toward Kitazawa, thinking.
What kind of reward should he give this man?
According to Konoha's rules, special rewards were reserved for ninja who went beyond their missions — those who performed great deeds.
By that logic, a mere teacher shouldn't qualify.
But considering Naruto's status, Hiruzen thought no one would object if Kitazawa received a reward.
After all, keeping the village's Jinchūriki stable was priceless.
"Lost again?" muttered Mizuki, despondent.
Kurenai Yūhi gave him a sympathetic glance. Losing three times in a row would shake anyone's spirit.
Kitazawa, however, didn't gloat.
He was already deep in thought, planning the lineup for the next event — the practical combat match.
Without question, Class 2-A would field Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee.
Neji would go up against Yakumo Kurama.
Rock Lee, he'd leave to Naruto Uzumaki — after all, the earlier physical test had made it clear: Lee still lagged behind Naruto.
That left Tenten. She was tricky — her arsenal of ninja tools was like a dimensional advantage.
For young students like Sasuke, such weapons were a serious threat. One mistake could cost them the match.
The first candidate that came to Kitazawa's mind was Sasuke Uchiha.
Even without the Sharingan, his Fire Release and shurikenjutsu could go head-to-head with Tenten's weapon barrage.
But then another idea came to him — Hinata Hyuga.
If Hinata activated her Byakugan, Tenten's projectiles would be nearly useless. The Byakugan provided a full 360° field of vision, after all.
Only one problem remained: what if she couldn't activate it?
Kitazawa pondered for a moment — and decided it was time to push her past her limits.
"Congratulations to Class 1-A for another victory," announced Hiruzen, dutifully playing the role of referee.
"Take a thirty-minute break. We'll begin the practical matches afterward."
"Right — the combat round!"
Mizuki perked up immediately.
When it came down to it, a ninja's true measure was combat ability.
Everything else — speed, stamina, teamwork — was just decoration.
This was his last chance to redeem himself.
He hurried back to his students, gathering Class 2-A to lay out their strategy.
As a chūnin, his experience and insight far exceeded theirs — and he'd already guessed which five would be representing Class 1-A.
"Aren't you going to talk to your students?" Kurenai asked Kitazawa, who seemed completely at ease.
"Everything that needs saying has been said," he replied with a confident smile.
"It's their turn now. I trust them."
"Your students really are remarkable," Kurenai admitted, still puzzled.
"I don't know how you do it."
"If you've got time, I could teach you too," Kitazawa said with a wink.
"Oh? You want to be my teacher now?" Kurenai rolled her eyes.
"In your dreams."
Kitazawa chuckled but didn't press it.
He hadn't been joking, though.
In the original timeline, Kurenai was a jōnin, yes — but not a particularly powerful one.
If given the chance, he'd gladly help her learn a few new jutsu to boost her strength.
For now, though, his own repertoire was still limited.
He'd have to rely on the system for that.
Thirty minutes later, everyone gathered again, forming a large circle around the training field.
The final event: live combat.
Each class would send out five of their best.
No question — these were the cream of the crop.
Standing at the center as referee, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't hide his anticipation.
The future of Konoha's next generation — Hyuga Neji, Uzumaki Naruto, and the rest — was about to unfold before him.
"The rules are simple," Hiruzen said in his calm, authoritative tone.
"First: no reckless violence. Stop when your opponent can no longer fight.
Second: absolute fairness. I will neither miss nor favor any side."
"Mizuki," said Kitazawa politely.
"After you."
Long ago, when they first arranged the event, Kitazawa had cleverly set a rule:
Class 2-A would choose their fighters first.
Mizuki, confident in his class's superiority, had agreed without hesitation.
Now, after three crushing losses, he regretted that arrogance.
Even he, who had once viewed Class 1-A as mere children, now felt uneasy about the coming battle.
"Tenten."
His tone was grim.
After three defeats, Class 2-A's morale was at rock bottom — they needed a win.
But their ace, Neji, was to be saved for last.
So the second-strongest — Tenten — would go first.
"Go get 'em, Tenten!"
Lee cheered, brimming with passion.
Neji didn't speak, but gave a slight nod — his meaning clear.
"Leave it to me. I've got this."
Tenten patted the large scroll at her waist.
"Hinata Hyuga," Kitazawa called softly.
"Eh?"
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise.
She hadn't expected to be chosen first.
Meeting her teacher's gaze, she took a deep breath — and nodded firmly.
Kitazawa-sensei has done so much for me… I won't let him down!
Hinata walked to the center of the field with newfound determination.
"Hi there! I'm Tenten — Neji's friend," Tenten greeted warmly, extending a hand.
"I've heard about you before, but I didn't expect we'd face each other today."
Hinata glanced toward Neji.
He stood motionless, his face unreadable.
"Hello," Hinata replied softly, shaking her hand.
"Careful, Hinata," Tenten warned with a grin, opening her scroll.
"For Class 2-A's sake, I won't be holding back!"
Hinata said nothing — only dropped into the stance of the Gentle Fist.
As Tenten activated her Summoning Technique, Hinata darted forward—but she was a second too late.
A storm of shuriken whistled through the air toward her.
Tenten wasn't holding back at all.
Hinata's eyes widened — and she began to move.
Kitazawa's leaf-grabbing reflex training finally paid off.
Her small frame slipped between the flying blades with remarkable agility.
At the same time, she deflected others midair using twin kunai.
"Impressive," Tenten murmured, surprised.
She knew her weapon barrage bordered on unfair — but ninja tools were fair game, after all.
Even so, she hadn't expected Hinata to dodge that cleanly.
"Twin Rising Dragons!"
Without hesitation, Tenten unfurled two larger scrolls and flung them skyward.
They spiraled like twin dragons, spewing a torrent of weapons in every direction.
Unlike before, this was no linear attack — it was a full-scale bombardment.
Hinata was instantly driven back.
She narrowly dodged one kunai — only for another to slice her wrist. Blood dripped to the ground.
Cold sweat beaded her forehead.
She tried to keep up, but the sheer number of projectiles was overwhelming.
Should I give up?
Then Kitazawa's gentle smile flashed through her mind. His trusting gaze.
No…!
I won't fall here!
A sudden surge of chakra burst from her body.
In the next instant, veins bulged around her eyes—
Hinata Hyuga had awakened her Byakugan.
The world changed.
The once-blurry storm of weapons now appeared crystal clear.
"Byakugan?!"
Tenten froze. The sight of those pale, unblinking eyes — so much like Neji's — sent a chill through her.
That sharp gaze felt like a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through every defense.
Even Neji's expression changed for the first time — eyes narrowing in surprise.
She awakened it now?
At this age? She's almost caught up to me…
"Not many open their Byakugan this young," said Shikaku, genuinely impressed.
"It seems the Hyuga clan, like the Uchiha, will have two geniuses," Hiruzen added, stroking his beard.
He knew the Hyuga heiress well — and like Neji, he had once thought her unfit for the shinobi path.
But now… this transformation could only be the work of one man.
Kitazawa.
Inwardly, Hiruzen felt his approval deepen.
Barely three months of teaching, and this man had completely changed both Naruto and Hinata.
A true talent.
With the Byakugan active, Hinata's power skyrocketed.
She charged through the storm of weapons like a gust of wind, closing the distance in seconds.
Without hesitation, her two fingers struck forward—piercing the chakra point in Tenten's wrist.
Tenten gasped — her chakra flow went haywire.
Hinata followed with a single palm strike, sending her opponent flying backward.
"I surrender," Tenten sighed.
Her chakra points were sealed; she couldn't summon any more weapons.
And if a Hyuga closed the distance — the fight was already over.
Every ninja in the world knew what happened once a Hyuga got close.
"I… I awakened my Byakugan?"
Hinata blinked, finally realizing what had happened.
A wave of emotion flooded her chest — part disbelief, part joy, part release.
For the first time, she felt a quiet, exhilarating pride.