Water Style: Water Wave

Early Sunday morning.

Kitazawa got up groggily and subconsciously walked toward the bathroom. After a few steps, he suddenly widened his eyes and fully woke up.

Because he saw Kurenai. Only then did Kitazawa remember—they were continuing the study of Kurama Yakumo's new illusion this weekend, just like last week: Art of Truth Jutsu.

"Good morning, Kitazawa." Kurenai looked at him, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Kitazawa froze for a moment, then quickly realized something and buttoned up his pajamas.

"I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?" Kurenai asked with a smile.

"I'm not afraid. I just don't want to suffer a loss." Kitazawa looked at her seriously and said, "It's unfair that only you get to see."

Kurenai was still wearing her red, low-cut dress, with a portion of her pale calves exposed. Maybe because she had just woken up, she wasn't wearing her usual black stockings.

"Then what do you want to see?" Kurenai stretched out her slender jade fingers, brushing them across her moist red lips, and asked playfully.

Kitazawa was stunned. He had never seen this side of Kurenai—sexy and teasing. Was it their deepening relationship that let her true personality emerge?

"I want to see your legs," Kitazawa replied honestly.

"You dare say that!" Kurenai was taken aback, then stepped forward, raised her jade foot, and lightly stepped on him.

The cold, soft touch vanished the moment it came.

Kitazawa felt it was a shame. If she had worn black stockings... ahem ahem.

"How can you blame me for this?" Kitazawa defended, "I was just answering your question."

"You sound so aggrieved." Kurenai rolled her eyes at him.

"I really am!" Kitazawa blinked and said, "I didn't even get to see anything!"

"..." Kurenai Yuhi felt like she had underestimated him.

After muttering, "I'm going to cook," she turned and walked into the kitchen.

Kurenai let out a breath. She had just wanted to tease Kitazawa a little, but didn't expect to lose the verbal exchange.

"When did this guy change so much?" She thought of the glimpse she just had and smiled. "I have to say, he has a great figure."

A few minutes later, the two sat at the dining table.

"Thank you," Kitazawa said as he looked at the char siu ramen in front of him.

"It's not as good as Ichiraku Ramen, so just bear with it," Kurenai said casually.

"That's not necessarily true." Kitazawa smiled and asked, "Have you heard of the term 'beautiful food'?"

Kurenai was slightly stunned, then quickly caught the meaning. She chuckled, "Where did you learn such nonsense?"

"I'm a ninja school teacher," Kitazawa said calmly, "Knowing more than others is normal."

"It's not like I don't know the teachers there." Kurenai shook her head.

In most people's eyes, only ninjas with no ambition became academy teachers. Which wasn't entirely wrong.

Ninjas with dreams kept climbing forward, training hard, increasing their strength, and aiming to become Hokage. This was also why, even after graduating, ninja teams still needed leading instructors.

"Have you ever thought about becoming a ninja again and going on missions?" Kurenai asked while slurping a mouthful of ramen.

"I think being a teacher is pretty good." Kitazawa thought for a moment and said, "If you ever need help during a mission, just call me."

He wasn't being lazy; it was a strategic decision. As the system rewarded him, his strength would only keep growing.

He couldn't keep hiding it forever, but revealing it all at once would be too shocking. It was better to reveal it gradually and reasonably.

"Alright." Kurenai agreed immediately, "If there's a suitable mission, I'll contact you."

According to Konoha's rules, Genin couldn't take missions alone, but Chunin could form teams to do so. Just as the two finished breakfast, Kurama Yakumo arrived on time.

But instead of joining the truth-telling jutsu study, she headed straight to the roof with her painting tools to practice her bloodline limit.

"It's nine o'clock—I need to go." Kitazawa glanced at the wall clock and stood up quickly.

Today was the day Hinata Hyuga and Toranosuke were going to fight.

"Mm." Kurenai simply nodded, not asking anything.

---

Once again, it was the familiar forest clearing. Hinata stood there, waiting for Kitazawa's arrival. In the past, she would always feel scared walking through this grove, but not anymore.

Footsteps approached.

Hinata instinctively looked up, but upon seeing Toranosuke, her expression dimmed in disappointment. Why isn't it Teacher Kitazawa?

Toranosuke looked around nervously. Upon realizing it was only Hinata, he relaxed. Without that scary teacher who bullied the weak, what did he have to fear?

"Hey! White-eyed freak, not giving up yet?" Toranosuke taunted arrogantly.

That familiar tone brought back old memories for Hinata. But the past was the past—now was now.

"Form the seal of opposition," Hinata said gently but firmly.

"You really think you can beat me? What a joke!" Toranosuke sneered, "If it wasn't for that bastard teacher last time, you—"

"Shut up!" Hinata's face hardened, "You're not allowed to insult Mr. Kitazawa!"

"So what if I insult him?" Toranosuke was startled but quickly grew angry. "That teacher's just a—"

Hinata suddenly stepped forward. Her two fingers shot out like arrows, striking his right wrist.

Toranosuke instantly felt his chakra freeze. Before he could react, Hinata struck again—her hand opening and closing gracefully before slamming into him with a palm strike.

"Ahhh!" The pain and force sent Toranosuke flying, crashing to the ground. Clutching his chest, he writhed in agony.

Hinata blinked. She tilted her head and looked at her small white hand, confused.

I didn't even use much force—why did he fall down?

"Well done, Hinata." Kitazawa's voice came from not far away.

"Teacher Kitazawa!" Hinata lit up and ran to him, a bright smile on her face.

Kitazawa also smiled because the system had issued a reward.

[Current Task: Help your classmate Hinata Hyuga defeat Toranosuke.

Task Reward: Water Style: Water Wave.

Task Complete. Reward Issued.]

Water Style: Water Wave was somewhat like the Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique—one spits water, the other spits fire.

Kitazawa reached out and gently patted Hinata's head. Now, Hinata's only remaining task was to take the initiative to reveal her secret talent for eating.

And the reward for that would be the Byakugan.

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