NOVEL WEB Chapter 65: Chapter 65
After leaving the Ninja Academy, Kitazawa made his way toward Kurenai's house.
Along the way, his mind churned with thoughts of his many ongoing missions.
Several were proving quite challenging—for instance, becoming Tsunade's disciple, or ensuring Mizuki landed in prison.
The most immediate task on his radar was the upcoming monthly exam, where he needed Naruto to place in the top ten.
Other goals, like helping Hinata awaken her Byakugan or guiding Sasuke to master a second Fire Release jutsu, were mostly a matter of time.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Kitazawa looked up to see Tsunade striding toward him in high-heeled sandals, her face etched with irritation.
Trailing behind her was Shizune, clutching her pet piglet Tonton and frantically signaling to Kitazawa with desperate winks.
"Do you have any money on you?" Tsunade demanded, thrusting out her hand.
"Not a single ryo," Kitazawa replied calmly, eyeing her pale palm. He could guess where she'd just come from—a casino, where she'd undoubtedly lost every coin.
"C'mon, give me whatever you've got! I swear I'll win it back this time," Tsunade said through clenched teeth.
"Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa sighed, shaking his head, "don't forget we have more important business."
"You're such a spoilsport," Tsunade huffed, clearly annoyed but unable to argue.
"The sooner we create new Ninjutsu, the sooner we'll secure proper funding," Kitazawa said with a faint smile. "Besides, any pocket money I hand over would be nothing but small change—and where's the fun in that?"
"…You're right," Tsunade muttered after a moment, smoothing back her hair with an exasperated sigh. "Fine. Let's go."
Turning around, she stalked off in the direction of Kurenai's house.
"Amazing…" Shizune leaned closer to Kitazawa and whispered, "You handled her perfectly."
"Don't think I can't hear you!" Tsunade snapped over her shoulder, glaring at them both.
"I didn't say anything!" Shizune protested, standing stiff and straight, her long legs drawn primly together.
"Neither did I," Kitazawa added, wearing an innocent smile.
"…"
Tsunade suddenly realized how much Kitazawa reminded her of Shizune.
Both of them always managed to thwart her precisely when she was about to indulge herself—whether in gambling or impulse-driven decisions.
But how did Kitazawa have the nerve to talk to her like this?
Shizune had been with her since childhood and knew her inside out—but Kitazawa was just a young Chunin. Unlike most ninja, who quailed in fear before her, he seemed entirely unfazed.
Suppressing her curiosity, Tsunade pushed open the door and stepped into the living room.
Inside, Kurenai and Yakumo were already waiting.
"Yakumo, did you take your medicine?" Tsunade asked, sinking into the sofa. She kicked off her sandals and propped her legs up, her fair, delicate feet swinging idly in the air.
"I just took it. Thank you for your concern, Lady Tsunade," Yakumo replied gratefully.
For a long time, she'd believed her body would never function like a normal person's—but Tsunade's arrival had given her hope again.
"Good," Tsunade said, nodding. "Now, let's get down to business."
With that, they immersed themselves in researching new Ninjutsu, working late into the night.
Eventually, Tsunade checked the time and let out a weary sigh. "We'll continue tomorrow."
And with Shizune in tow, she left to return to the house next door.
"Kurenai, are you hungry?"
Kitazawa spotted a takoyaki stand not far away as he and Kurenai finished walking Yakumo home.
"Takoyaki's nice, but it's not that exciting," Kurenai said, licking her lips. A playful glint appeared in her crimson eyes. "Want to go for a drink instead?"
"Forget it," Kitazawa said firmly. "If you get drunk again, it'll be a whole new set of headaches. Besides, we have to see Lady Tsunade tomorrow. It wouldn't look good if we showed up late…or hungover."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Kurenai gave him a playful shove, narrowing her eyes. "I don't go crazy when I'm drunk."
Kitazawa arched an eyebrow. "That's…debatable," he said, recalling her last drunken episode a little too vividly.
"Care to explain yourself?"
Kurenai grabbed his arm, glaring up at him. Despite being shorter than Kitazawa, her intense gaze made him feel unexpectedly pressured.
She reminded him a bit of Tsunade—though where Tsunade radiated a commanding, mature aura, Kurenai had more of an older-sister charm.
"What are you staring at?" Kurenai demanded.
"Just admiring a beautiful woman," Kitazawa said, unabashedly letting his gaze drift down her figure.
Standing so close, he could see the delicate curve of her pale neck and the black mesh of her undershirt peeking out from beneath her clothing.
"Don't say weird things!" Kurenai shot back, cheeks warming to a faint pink.
"Sorry," Kitazawa said, blinking innocently.
"No sincerity at all," Kurenai huffed, releasing his arm and deliberately stepping on his foot. "I want takoyaki."
"Next time, please take your shoes off before you step on me," Kitazawa said in mock seriousness.
"Are you a pervert or something?" Kurenai asked with a mix of suspicion and exasperation.
"I just don't like pain," Kitazawa replied, clearing his throat. "I'll go buy the takoyaki."
Kurenai glanced down at her own feet.
She was wearing high-heeled sandals, revealing pale, delicate toes, each one slender and neatly separated—a small but striking contrast against her ninja persona.
"You're impossible," Kurenai murmured, lips curling in a slight smile.
Soon, Kitazawa returned carrying two boxes of steaming takoyaki.
"Thanks."
Kurenai accepted the box and picked up a piece on a wooden skewer. She held it close to her lips, then paused, glancing mischievously at Kitazawa.
"What? Want me to feed you?" she teased.
"If you insist, how could I refuse?" Kitazawa answered, deadpan.
Kurenai lifted her hand halfway…then pulled it back with a sly smile.
"Too bad. It's all mine."
She popped the takoyaki into her mouth and grinned.
Kitazawa couldn't help laughing. What a mischievous woman.
The two of them chatted as they strolled along, eventually reaching Kurenai's house.
"See you tomorrow," Kitazawa said, pausing at her gate.
"Thanks for the takoyaki. I'll treat you next time." Kurenai opened the door, stepping inside. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she turned and asked, "If I take off my shoes…do you still want me to step on you?"
"...?"
Kitazawa cleared his throat. "I'm not that kind of person."
"Opportunity missed. No next time!" Kurenai declared with a wink, then closed the door behind her.
Kitazawa stood there for a moment, his mouth twitching as he finally turned to leave.
Two days flew by quickly.
Thanks to Tsunade's assistance, progress on their new Ninjutsu project was well underway. Kitazawa estimated they'd complete their third psychological medical ninjutsu in less than half a month.
A new week dawned.
The second monthly exam was scheduled for the weekend. Kitazawa was determined to put Naruto through extra training, hoping to ensure he cracked the top ten and avoid mission failure.
At the entrance of the Ninja Academy, a voice called out.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Kitazawa blinked out of his thoughts and turned to see Sasuke approaching him.
"What's up, Sasuke?" he asked.
Sasuke held out a small scroll. "This is a thank-you gift…for teaching me Ninjutsu."
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "My first gift from you. I'm honored."
He unrolled the scroll, and his eyes sharpened at its contents.
Inside were four jutsu: Fire Release: Dragon Fire Jutsu, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Jutsu, Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation, and Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Jutsu.
For a moment, Kitazawa felt the full weight of the Uchiha Clan's prestige and pride.
He had taught Sasuke two Fire Release jutsu, and in return, he now held four.
The Uchiha Clan never lacked Ninjutsu—the Sharingan alone made copying techniques almost second nature. Even Kakashi was said to have copied over a thousand jutsu thanks to it.
"Who told you to give me this?" Kitazawa asked, curiosity piqued.
Sasuke blinked. "My older brother."
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