Thud.
A dull impact echoed.
Sasuke Uchiha fell from the tree once again.
Kitazawa nodded slightly.
Despite being covered in bruises, Sasuke hadn't uttered a single complaint.
To win the praise of Fugaku and Itachi, he really was risking his life.
Unfortunately, after a full session, he still hadn't managed to reach the top.
"Sasuke."
Kitazawa spoke up to stop him. "Time is almost up. Continue practicing tomorrow."
"Kitazawa-sensei, you go back first."
Sasuke replied defiantly, wiping dirt from his face.
"Haste makes waste."
Kitazawa shook his head. "Only by balancing tension and relaxation can you achieve the best results."
Sasuke was stunned by the words.
Although he didn't fully understand the philosophy, it felt extremely logical.
Combined with the shock of Kitazawa's Great Fireball Technique earlier, he hesitated for a few seconds before agreeing.
"Remember to find a medical ninja to treat your injuries when you get back."
Kitazawa reminded him.
"Okay. Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Sasuke limped toward the school exit.
Kitazawa returned to the main training ground.
Since class had ended, most students had gone home. Only Naruto and Hinata remained.
"Kitazawa-sensei!"
Naruto ran over, practically vibrating with excitement. "I hit it!"
You hit what?
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
"The bullseye!"
Naruto shouted loudly.
"Congratulations."
Kitazawa paused, then added, "But don't get arrogant. This is just the beginning."
"Mm!"
Naruto nodded vigorously.
"See you tomorrow."
Kitazawa patted his shoulder. "Next practical class, we'll be using moving targets."
"I'll work hard!"
Naruto didn't know the meaning of fear. He waved goodbye happily and turned to leave.
"Hinata."
Kitazawa smiled at the remaining girl. "Are you nervous?"
"A little."
Hinata looked at his gentle smile and felt her tension dissipate slightly.
"Let's go."
Kitazawa extended his hand.
Hinata froze for a moment, then instinctively took it.
The warmth of his palm made her cheeks flush a soft pink.
The two left the school and arrived at the agreed location—a small grove of trees.
Seeing the familiar scenery, Hinata couldn't help but tremble.
This was where she had encountered the three bullies last time.
The only difference was that last time it had been snowing, and today it was sunny.
"They aren't here yet. Let's set up an ambush first."
Kitazawa said after a moment of thought.
Hinata looked up at him, confusion written all over her face.
"After all, I am a teacher."
Kitazawa coughed lightly.
Isn't it a teacher's duty to educate students? Why ambush them?
Hinata blinked, still not understanding.
"It seems you don't understand at all."
Seeing her innocent look, Kitazawa pinched her soft cheek.
Hinata's face turned even redder, a rosy tint spreading across her pale skin.
"Hinata, you must remember one thing: to overcome fear, you must face it directly."
Kitazawa's voice dropped to a low, serious tone.
Hinata pursed her lips, a look of determination forming on her face.
In the blink of an eye, she realized Kitazawa had vanished into the foliage.
For some reason, fear gripped her heart again instantly.
She took a deep breath, turned around, and saw the three bullies walking toward her from the distance.
She actually came alone?
Toranosuke looked around, a hint of surprise in his tone.
"Does she think she can beat the three of us by herself?"
The boy on the left sneered. "Big Bro, she's clearly looking down on us!"
"Hey!"
Toranosuke stepped forward, shouting, "What is the meaning of this?"
Hinata froze on the spot.
Although Kitazawa had given her courage, she couldn't completely change her personality in two days.
Now, the moment she felt fear, her mind went blank, forgetting everything.
Move, Hinata!
She screamed internally, but her body felt like it had been drained of all strength. She couldn't move a muscle.
"I'm talking to you!"
Toranosuke asked impatiently, "Are you mute?"
Hinata's body trembled, and she instinctively took a step back.
Kitazawa-sensei, save me! she prayed silently.
"You have successfully angered a lion!"
Toranosuke lost his patience and reached out to grab Hinata.
Whoosh!
At that exact moment, a violent gale roared past.
Hinata's hair whipped upward in the wind. She instinctively raised her hands to hold it down.
But when she opened her eyes again, they widened in shock.
The gust of wind had swept up the three boys and slammed them hard against three trees.
"Argh!"
Toranosuke let out a scream like a wounded beast.
He felt as if his entire body was falling apart.
The other two boys were in the same state, their faces pale with pain and terror.
Kitazawa walked out from the shadows.
The gale just now was caused by his Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
The power of this C-rank jutsu depended entirely on the chakra input. In the original story, Orochimaru used it to level a small section of the forest.
"You... who are you?"
Cold sweat beaded on Toranosuke's forehead.
"I'm just a passing ninja."
Kitazawa chuckled darkly. "Three boys bullying one little girl? You really are bringing shame to your parents."
"No, wait, you're a teacher!"
The boy on the left suddenly sat up, realization dawning. "I've seen you at school!"
"Shameless! You actually asked a teacher for help?!"
Toranosuke pointed a trembling finger at Hinata, furious.
"Snow Leopard, shut up!"
Kitazawa's gaze sharpened. "What lion?"
"This isn't fair!"
Toranosuke shrank back, intimidated.
"Fair? Are you sure you want to talk about fairness?"
Kitazawa walked up to him, towering over the boy. "I came here for only one purpose: Fairness!"
Toranosuke was startled and scrambled backward.
"Three of you against one of her wasn't fair. Hinata asking me for help wasn't fair. Now we're even."
Kitazawa spoke slowly, enunciating every word. "One month from now, right here, you and Hinata will have a one-on-one fair duel."
The old saying held true: only by facing fear can you conquer it.
One month was enough time for Kitazawa to change Hinata's character.
Only by defeating Toranosuke herself could she truly grow.
"How about it? Do you agree?"
Kitazawa extended a hand, clenching it into a fist that looked as hard as iron.
"Agreed! We agree!"
Seeing the fist the size of a sandbag, Toranosuke shouted frantically.
"Where is the scarf you stole last time?"
Kitazawa remembered his mission and asked.
"I threw it over there."
Toranosuke pointed a shaky finger to the left.
"See you next time."
Kitazawa glanced over, spotted the scarf on the ground, smiled slightly, and spoke.
But in the eyes of Toranosuke and his lackeys, that smile was like the grin of a demon. They scrambled to their feet and fled, tripping over themselves as they ran.
Kitazawa wasn't worried about them involving their parents.
He had checked; their parents were just ordinary civilian ninjas.
Besides, Toranosuke and his gang were the instigators. As a teacher, protecting a student was justified.
Even if it escalated to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kitazawa would still be in the right.
"Hinata, are you okay?"
Kitazawa turned back to Hinata.
She had been frozen from the start, terrified into immobility.
Hearing his voice and seeing his warm smile, Hinata finally moved. She launched herself forward and hugged him tightly.
Kitazawa was slightly startled.
He could feel her small body trembling against him.
After all, she was just a little girl.
Kitazawa reached out and gently stroked her hair.