Chapter 13: Fair?

A dull thud.

Uchiha Sasuke fell from the tree again.

Kitazawa nodded slightly.

Even with his face covered in bruises, Sasuke didn't make a sound.

He was throwing himself into the training, desperate to earn praise from Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi.

Unfortunately, after a whole lesson he still couldn't reach the top of the tree smoothly.

"Sasuke."

Kitazawa stepped in. "That's enough for today—continue tomorrow."

"Kitazawa‑sensei, you go on ahead," Sasuke said stubbornly.

"Haste makes waste," Kitazawa replied, shaking his head. "Work and rest in balance; that's how you train well."

Sasuke froze for a moment.

He didn't fully grasp the saying, but it sounded reasonable—especially after seeing Kitazawa's earlier Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. After hesitating a few seconds, he agreed.

"When you get back, see a medical‑ninja about those injuries," Kitazawa reminded him.

"Right. Thank you, Kitazawa‑sensei."

Limping, Sasuke headed out of the academy grounds.

Kitazawa returned to the training field.

Class was already over; most students had gone home. Only Uzumaki Naruto and Hyūga Hinata were left.

"Kitazawa‑sensei!" Naruto ran over, eyes shining. "I hit it!"

"Hit what?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.

"The bullseye!" Naruto shouted.

"Congratulations," Kitazawa said, then paused. "But don't get cocky—this is only the first step."

"Got it!" Naruto nodded vigorously.

"See you tomorrow." Kitazawa patted his shoulder. "Next combat class we'll switch to moving targets."

"I'll give it my all!" Fearless as ever, Naruto waved happily and dashed off.

"Hinata." Kitazawa smiled. "Nervous?"

"A little." Hinata felt her tension ease under his gentle smile.

"Let's go." Kitazawa offered his hand.

Hinata blinked, then instinctively took it, her cheeks warming at the contact.

They left the academy and walked to their agreed spot—a small grove.

Recognizing the place, Hinata's heart trembled.

This was where she'd run into the three bullies before. Last time it was during a snowstorm; today the sky was clear.

"They're not here yet—let's set up an ambush," Kitazawa said after thinking for a moment.

Hinata looked up, puzzled.

"I'm a teacher, after all," he coughed lightly. Teaching students is what teachers do, isn't it?

Hinata blinked again, still confused.

"You really don't get it, huh?" Kitazawa chuckled at her dazed expression and pinched her soft cheek.

Hinata's face turned an even deeper pink.

"Hinata, remember this: to conquer fear, you have to face it head‑on," Kitazawa said gravely.

Hinata pressed her lips together; determination flickered across her face.

The next instant, Kitazawa had vanished.

For some reason, fear rushed back into her heart.

She took a deep breath, turned—and saw the three bullies approaching.

"She really came alone?" Toranosuke looked around, surprised.

"Does she think she can beat the three of us?" the boy on the left snapped. "Aniki, she's totally looking down on us!"

"Hey!" Toranosuke strode forward, shouting, "What's the big idea?!"

Hinata froze.

Kitazawa had lent her courage, but two days wasn't enough to transform her personality. Panic blanked her mind.

Move, Hinata, MOVE! she screamed inside, yet her body felt powerless.

"I'm talking to you!" Toranosuke growled. "Cat got your tongue?"

Hinata flinched and stepped back instinctively, praying silently: Kitazawa‑sensei, save me!

"You've angered a lion!" Losing patience, Toranosuke lunged for her.

Just then, a violent wind roared.

Hinata's hair whipped upward; she instinctively pressed it down.

When she looked up, her eyes widened—the gust had slammed the three boys against three separate trees.

"AAAGH!" Toranosuke screamed like a wounded beast. His whole body felt dislocated, and the other two looked equally pale, hurt, and terrified.

Kitazawa stepped out.

The wind had been his doing: Wind Style: Great Breakthrough. Though a C‑rank jutsu, its power scales with chakra input; Orochimaru once used it to flatten a patch of forest.

"Wh‑Who are you?" Toranosuke stammered, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Just a passing shinobi," Kitazawa said lightly. "Three boys bullying one girl—you've disgraced your parents."

"N‑No, you're a teacher!" the boy on the left suddenly realized. "I've seen you at school!"

"Shameless! You actually got a teacher to help you?!" Toranosuke shouted at Hinata.

"Toranasuke, shut up," Kitazawa's eyes sharpened. "Calling yourself a 'lion,' are you?"

"This isn't fair!" Toranosuke shrank back.

"Fair?" Kitazawa stepped closer. "That's exactly why I'm here—fairness."

Toranosuke jerked away in fright.

"Three on one is unfair. Hinata getting my help is also unfair. Now we're even," Kitazawa said slowly. "One month from now, right here: you versus Hinata, one‑on‑one—fair fight."

Face fear to defeat it—that was the lesson. A month would be plenty for Kitazawa to help Hinata change. When she beat Toranosuke, she would have truly grown.

"Well? Do you agree?" Kitazawa raised a fist the size of a sandbag.

"I—I agree!" Toranosuke yelped.

"That scarf you stole last time?" Kitazawa asked, remembering his task.

"I tossed it over there," Toranosuke pointed left.

"See you next time." Kitazawa glanced over, spotted the scarf, and smiled.

To the boys, the smile looked demonic; they scrambled away.

Kitazawa wasn't worried about them bringing their parents. He'd checked—their parents were ordinary civilian ninja. And since the boys had started the fight, a teacher defending a student was perfectly justified—even if the matter reached Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hinata, are you okay?" Kitazawa turned back.

She had been rooted to the spot with fright. Hearing his voice and seeing his warm smile at last freed her—she stepped forward and hugged him.

Kitazawa stiffened slightly, feeling her trembling.

She was still just a small girl.

He reached out and gently stroked her head.