NOVEL WEB Chapter 56: Chapter 56
"I could cancel the rules so you don't have to do homework anymore."
Kitazawa looked into Ino's bright blue eyes, then shifted the topic with a knowing smile. "But… would you really be satisfied with that?"
"No, I wouldn't!"
Ino blinked, stunned for a second—then her expression hardened into fierce determination. "I have to make Sakura taste my pain!"
Typical best friends/rivals.
Kitazawa couldn't help chuckling inwardly. Of course he'd done it on purpose—to spark Ino's competitive spirit.
After all, while they were best friends, Ino and Sakura were also rivals destined to clash again and again, practically lifelong opponents.
"In terms of chakra control, Sakura does have a slight edge," Kitazawa admitted calmly. "But when it comes to your fundamentals, you're far superior."
"Mhm! Mhm!"
Ino nodded vigorously, her golden hair bouncing.
"Hard work can make up for natural talent," Kitazawa continued. "All you need to do is carve out a bit of extra time to train your chakra control."
"What should I do?" Ino asked, leaning forward eagerly.
"Skip class," Kitazawa replied with a sly grin.
Ino stared at him, momentarily speechless.
Then she suddenly thought of Hinata—and realization dawned on her face.
Kitazawa's meaning was obvious: she could skip certain classes she'd already mastered and spend that time on water-walking training.
"I'll arrange it for you now." Kitazawa pulled out the class schedule and made a few swift marks with his pen. "Don't worry about Iruka. I'll talk to him."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino brushed aside the golden bangs falling across her face, beaming with gratitude.
"Alright. The classes I've crossed out are ones you don't need to attend this week."
Kitazawa handed her the schedule.
Ino glanced at it—and saw a large chunk of her week had suddenly been freed up.
With that much training time, she felt certain Sakura Haruno would soon be eating her dust.
"Kitazawa-sensei," Ino said hopefully, "can you train me yourself?"
"Of course." Kitazawa agreed without hesitation. "You'll train together with Hinata."
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!"
Ino turned to Hinata Hyuga and reached out a hand. "Please take care of me."
"O-okay."
Hinata blushed at Ino's enthusiastic approach, but still shook her hand firmly.
"Let's get going."
Kitazawa led them toward the school's artificial lake.
Hinata could train anywhere, as long as there was a tree nearby for leaf-catching exercises. But for Ino's water-walking practice, they needed the lake.
"Ino," Kitazawa said as they arrived, giving his wrist a flick. Two leaves shot into the air. "I'll be throwing leaves to distract you."
Ino's eyes sharpened instantly.
From the speed and force alone, Kitazawa's leaves were leagues beyond Sakura's wooden kunai.
One hit would definitely hurt.
But Ino clenched her fists. If enduring this meant making Sakura do double homework… then bring it on.
She channeled chakra into her soles and stepped out onto the shimmering water.
"Hinata, get ready," Kitazawa warned, then lifted both hands.
Chakra surged outward, tearing a whirlwind of leaves from the trees surrounding the lake.
A heartbeat later, a storm of chakra-charged leaves shot toward the two girls.
Ino and Hinata were instantly thrown into chaos, flailing to dodge and keep their balance on the water's surface.
Half an hour later, both girls collapsed on the grass, utterly drained.
"Hinata, you're incredible," Ino gasped between ragged breaths, admiration shining in her eyes.
"H-huh?"
Hinata stared at her, startled by the sudden praise.
"You lasted so long under Kitazawa-sensei's attack. I couldn't keep up," Ino admitted, waving her hand for emphasis. "I'm really not as good as you."
Hinata blinked, unsure how to respond.
She wasn't used to praise. Under Hiashi's strict upbringing, she'd always lacked confidence.
It was only after meeting Kitazawa that she'd started believing in herself again.
Now, with Ino's words, she felt an unexpected warmth in her chest. Maybe… she wasn't as worthless as she'd once thought.
"Thank you," Hinata said softly, her voice sincere.
"You're a little weird, you know that?" Ino teased, laughing. "Why are you suddenly thanking me?"
"I…"
Hinata instinctively turned toward Kitazawa for help.
Kitazawa caught her pleading look and smiled. "Alright, enough of that. What do you two want for lunch? My treat."
"I want barbecue!" Ino cried immediately, sitting up and rubbing her growling stomach. "I've used up all my energy today. I need to refuel!"
"Anything's fine with me," Hinata said quietly, relief flooding her face at the change of topic.
After a short rest, the two girls rose, ready to dive back into their training with renewed determination.
At noon, Kitazawa brought Hinata and Ino to a barbecue restaurant.
Now that Hinata had confessed her secret—that she was a big eater—to Hiashi, she no longer felt the need to hide it.
"You… you…"
Ino Yamanaka sat there, utterly stunned.
A literal mountain of barbecue vanished into Hinata's stomach, leaving Ino staring as though her entire worldview had just crumbled.
"I… I've always been able to eat a lot since I was little," Hinata murmured shyly, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.
She couldn't help worrying that Ino might think she was weird—or even distance herself—because of her appetite.
"That's… seriously enviable!"
Ino finally snapped out of her shock and let out a heartfelt sigh.
"Eh?"
Hinata blinked, looking utterly confused.
"Being able to eat so much without gaining weight—that's basically every girl's dream superpower!" Ino explained, dramatically waving her chopsticks for emphasis.
"Is… is that so?"
Hinata tilted her head, eyes wide.
Kitazawa's words echoed in her mind: 'Being able to eat is a blessing.'
And in that moment, Hinata finally believed it.
After school, Kitazawa headed to the faculty meeting room.
Another meeting about the upcoming monthly exams was underway. The agenda was pretty much identical to last time—just the teachers discussing and preparing the exam questions.
Kitazawa barely listened. The only thing he cared about was how Naruto would perform—and whether he'd finally break into the class's top ten.
When the meeting ended, Mizuki sidled up beside him, leaning closer with a smug look.
"Kitazawa," he said, lowering his voice, "don't forget about the friendly match between our classes."
"Of course I haven't forgotten," Kitazawa replied calmly, giving a faint nod.
"That's good," Mizuki said, grinning. "I was worried you might back out of competing."
"I'm more worried that you'll lose and try to back out of our bet," Kitazawa shot back coolly.
"You—!"
Mizuki clenched his fist, his face flushing. "I won't back out… And for the record, my class won't lose!"
"We'll see soon enough," Kitazawa said, glancing at him dismissively before turning to leave.
Mizuki was blinded by his own bitterness, fussing over a friendly match that didn't even carry any significant stakes.
But that was fine with Kitazawa. If anything, it only worked in his favor.
Kitazawa felt sure that Hiruzen would attend—or at least observe—the match between their two classes.
And if Naruto performed well… there was a chance some unexpected rewards might come his way.
Wednesday, Hokage's Office.
BANG!
The door slammed open with a deafening crash.
"Who the hell—?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi jolted upright, startled, pipe nearly dropping from his lips. He looked up and found himself staring at a very familiar figure.
She was back. They were all back.
Because there was only one person in Konoha who would dare kick open the Hokage's door like that. Even Danzo Shimura merely slammed it shut behind him—but never kicked it open.
"Old man," Tsunade barked, striding in without preamble, "where are Yakumo Kurama and Kitazawa? I want to see them.
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