Ninjutsu Gift

After leaving the Ninja School, Kitazawa made his way toward Kurenai's house.

On the way, he pondered his current missions. He had quite a few unfinished ones. Some were particularly challenging—becoming Tsunade's apprentice and getting Mizuki imprisoned, for example.

The most immediate one was helping Naruto rank in the top ten in next week's monthly exam.

Helping Hinata awaken her Byakugan and guiding Sasuke to learn his second Fire Jutsu was just a matter of time.

"Stop right there!" A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Kitazawa looked ahead. Tsunade was approaching, wearing high-heeled sandals, a clearly annoyed expression on her face. Trailing behind, Shizune held her pet pig, Tonton, while frantically signaling to Kitazawa.

"Do you have any money on you?" Tsunade extended her hand, palm up.

"No." Kitazawa eyed her pale hand, instantly guessing that she'd just come from a casino—and had probably lost everything.

"Give me whatever you've got. I swear I'll win it back!" Tsunade gritted her teeth.

"Tsunade-sama, don't forget what we're here for." Kitazawa shook his head.

"You're such a buzzkill." Tsunade groaned in frustration, but couldn't do anything about it.

"The sooner you help create a new jutsu, the sooner you'll get proper funding," Kitazawa added with a grin. "What I give you is pocket change—it's not enough to gamble with."

"You've got a point." Tsunade's tone softened. She flicked her hair and turned around. "Let's go, let's go back."

She took the lead toward Yuhi Kurenai's home.

"Nice job." Shizune walked up beside Kitazawa and whispered, "That was well handled."

"I can hear you, you know!" Tsunade turned back and glared.

"I didn't say anything!" Shizune replied, straightening her long white legs.

"Me neither," Kitazawa added with an innocent smile.

"…" Tsunade suddenly realized Kitazawa was a bit like Shizune—always stopping her at crucial moments, keeping her out of trouble.

But where did he get the nerve? She understood Shizune; they had grown up together. But Kitazawa? Most ninjas got nervous just standing near her—but not him.

Suppressing her curiosity, Tsunade stepped into the living room.

Kurenai and Yakumo were already waiting.

"Yakumo, did you take the medicine?" Tsunade sat on the sofa, legs crossed casually, swinging her fair feet in the air.

"I just drank it. Thank you for your concern, Tsunade-sama." Yakumo responded gratefully. She had long accepted that her body was frail, but Tsunade's arrival had rekindled her hope.

"Good." Tsunade nodded. "Then let's get to business."

The group worked on developing new ninjutsu late into the night.

"We'll continue tomorrow." Tsunade eventually checked the time and left with Shizune.

"Kurenai, are you hungry?" Kitazawa noticed a takoyaki stall not far away. They had just escorted Yakumo home.

"Takoyaki alone is boring." Kurenai licked the corner of her lips and asked, "Want to grab a drink?"

"Better not. If you get drunk, it'll be a problem." Kitazawa declined. "Besides, I have to meet Tsunade tomorrow. I don't want to waste time."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kurenai bumped his arm playfully. "I won't get drunk."

"That's debatable," Kitazawa recalled the last time she did.

"Explain yourself!" Kurenai grabbed his hand and locked eyes with him. Even though she was shorter, her ruby-like gaze carried a commanding presence.

She reminded him of Tsunade—but where Tsunade exuded maturity, Kurenai had a queenly air.

"What are you staring at?" Kurenai caught his gaze and raised an eyebrow.

"Just admiring a beautiful woman." Kitazawa openly scanned her from top to bottom. From this distance, he could clearly see her white neck and the curve of the mesh beneath her clothes.

"Stop with your nonsense!" Kurenai blushed.

"Sorry." Kitazawa blinked innocently.

"You're not even sorry! Hmph, I want takoyaki now." Kurenai stomped on his foot.

"Next time, take your shoes off first," Kitazawa said with a straight face.

"Are you a pervert?" Kurenai looked at him with mock contempt.

"I'm just afraid of pain." Kitazawa coughed and turned toward the stall. "I'll go get the takoyaki."

Kurenai looked down. She wore high-heeled sandals, revealing her delicate toes—fair, rosy, slender, and flawless.

"So unfair," she muttered with a smirk.

Soon, Kitazawa returned with two boxes of takoyaki. Takoyaki—grilled octopus dumplings—was a popular snack.

"Thanks." Kurenai took one with a skewer. She was about to eat it when she paused.

"What? Want me to feed you?" She raised her eyebrows, meeting Kitazawa's gaze.

"If you insist, I won't refuse," Kitazawa replied earnestly.

Kurenai reached out, then pulled back midway.

"Nope, not giving it to you." She popped it into her mouth with a mischievous smile.

What a wicked woman. Kitazawa couldn't help but laugh. They chatted casually as they walked and soon reached her house.

"See you tomorrow." Kitazawa stopped at her doorstep.

"Thanks for the takoyaki. Next time it's my treat." Kurenai opened the door and stood at the entrance.

Suddenly, she turned and asked, "Now that I've taken off my shoes, want me to step on you?"

"…?" Kitazawa replied seriously, "I'm not that kind of person."

"Miss your chance, and there won't be a next time." Kurenai winked and closed the door.

Kitazawa's mouth twitched as he turned to leave.

---

Two days flew by.

With Tsunade's help, the development of the new ninjutsu was now on track. Kitazawa estimated that the third psychological medical ninjutsu would be completed within half a month.

A new week began. The weekend would bring the second monthly exam.

Kitazawa planned to give Naruto extra training and more practice to ensure mission success.

"Teacher Kitazawa." At the Ninja School gate, Sasuke called out to him.

"What's up, Sasuke?" Kitazawa turned around.

"This is a thank-you gift for teaching me ninjutsu." Sasuke held out a scroll.

"This is a first." Kitazawa smiled and opened it. His eyes widened.

It was a ninjutsu scroll containing four Fire Jutsu: Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu, Great Dragon Fire Jutsu, Phoenix Crimson Claw Jutsu, and Great Fire Annihilation.

For the first time, Kitazawa truly felt the pride of the Uchiha clan. He had taught Sasuke two Fire Jutsu and received four in return.

The Uchiha didn't lack ninjutsu, especially with Sharingan. Even Kakashi claimed to know over a thousand Jutsu.

"Who told you to give me this?" Kitazawa asked. Sasuke was too young to think of etiquette—it had to be someone else's idea.

"My brother," Sasuke replied.

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