CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118

The last week of July.

Summer’s heat bore down on Konoha, the air thick and sweltering under the sun.

"Sasuke, breakfast is ready!"

Uchiha Mikoto’s gentle voice called from outside the room.

"I know, Mom!"

Sasuke grumbled as he rolled out of bed. After tugging on his clothes, he slid the door open and stepped out—only to freeze after two steps.

There, seated by the entrance and putting on his sandals, was Itachi in his stark ANBU uniform. The sight was almost routine by now... and yet, it always stung. If he was dressed like that, it meant he was leaving on another mission.

"Brother," Sasuke muttered, trying to keep the pout off his face, "why aren’t you waiting to eat breakfast with me again?"

Itachi’s expression softened. "Sorry, Sasuke. I just got an urgent mission."

"It’s always like this." Sasuke crossed his arms, trying to look annoyed, but the sulk was unmistakable.

Itachi reached out and tapped his forehead with two fingers, the familiar gesture almost enough to ease his irritation. "I’ll come find you after I return. I promise."

"Then you’ll have to look for me at the training grounds," Sasuke said, his voice lifting slightly. "I’m doing special training with Kitazawa-sensei all month."

"Special training?" Itachi tilted his head. "A new Fire Release technique? You’ve already mastered three. Maybe it’s time you deepen your Fire Chakra nature."

Sasuke smirked, his pride flaring. "Neither. You’ll never guess. I’m not telling yet—you’ll see when I surprise you!"

Itachi’s lips curved faintly. ’Could it be... the Sharingan?’ He doubted Kitazawa, an outsider, knew much about it, but he didn’t press. "Then I’ll look forward to it," he said before slipping his sandals on and vanishing into the village streets.

"Come eat, Sasuke!" Mikoto called from the dining room, carrying two steaming bowls of ramen.

"Coming!"

He watched Itachi disappear, then hurried to the table.

After he finished eating, Mikoto set two neatly wrapped bento boxes on the table. "Here’s your lunch."

Sasuke blinked. "Why two? I can’t eat that much."

"One is for Kitazawa-sensei," she said, smiling. "He’s taking time to train you, so show some appreciation."

"...Right." Sasuke nodded, tucking the bentos under his arm. "I’ll give it to him at noon."

"Are you training alone?"

"I don’t know yet," Sasuke admitted. "Maybe Hinata and Naruto will be there too."

"Then listen," Mikoto said firmly. "If you bring lunch, bring one for everyone. No favoritism."

Sasuke hesitated. He almost mentioned Hinata’s big appetite but thought better of it. Kitazawa-sensei would probably handle it anyway. "...Okay."

Mikoto ruffled his hair, smiling warmly.

A knock echoed from the door.

Sasuke’s eyes lit up. "That must be Kitazawa-sensei!" He dashed to the entrance and yanked the door open.

"Kitazawa-sensei!" he greeted eagerly.

"Let’s go, Sasuke," Kitazawa said with a nod toward Mikoto. They were familiar enough that pleasantries were unnecessary.

The moment they stepped outside, Sasuke couldn’t hold back. "So what’s today’s training?"

Kitazawa’s expression turned serious. "Sasuke... to awaken the Sharingan, how far are you willing to go?"

"I’ll do anything!" Sasuke answered without hesitation.

"Good." Kitazawa’s eyes gleamed with mischief. "Then for the next two days, your training is simple—continue with Might Gai."

Sasuke blinked. "Huh? How is that supposed to help me awaken my eyes?"

"Don’t ask. Just train. You’ll understand soon," Kitazawa said cryptically. His plan to stimulate youth had already begun. Green tights and public humiliation were, of course, part of the package.

"...Fine," Sasuke muttered, gritting his teeth. Two days couldn’t be that bad.

They soon reached the training field where Gai, Naruto, and Rock Lee were already sweating through their morning regimen.

"Kitazawa-sensei!"

Naruto, dressed in a garish green jumpsuit, sprinted over with his usual boundless energy.

"I knew you’d be here," Kitazawa said, shaking his head. He’d checked Naruto’s house first—empty, of course.

"I woke up and just felt

the call of youth!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up, his grin radiant.

Hopeless. Completely hopeless.

"Kitazawa, long time no see!" Gai waved energetically.

"Gai, do you have any spare green jumpsuits?" Kitazawa asked, smiling.

Gai’s eyes sparkled. "Of course! Are you finally ready to embrace the springtime of youth?"

"Not me. Him." Kitazawa patted Sasuke’s shoulder.

Sasuke froze. "Kitazawa-sensei, no way!"

"Sasuke," Kitazawa said solemnly, "don’t you want to awaken your Sharingan?"

"...But..."

"This is the price," Kitazawa said with mock gravity. "Trust me."

After a long inner struggle, Sasuke finally relented. With the expression of someone marching to his execution, he pulled the green jumpsuit over his clothes.

Naruto clasped his hands together in awe. "Sasuke! You look perfect! This is the true path of youth!"

"I’m only doing this to awaken my eyes," Sasuke muttered darkly.

Kitazawa barely contained his laughter. "Good. Sasuke, train here with Gai. At noon, meet us at the Academy’s lake." He turned to Naruto. "Let’s go."

As they walked, Naruto realized the path was familiar. "Wait... we’re going to Ichiraku Ramen?"

"That’s right."

"Kitazawa-sensei, I already ate breakfast! We can start the Rasengan now!"

"Don’t rush," Kitazawa said. "Rasengan is an A-rank Ninjutsu. It won’t be that easy."

"With you teaching me, I’ll definitely learn it!" Naruto beamed.

Kitazawa chuckled. ’I’m not even that confident.’ But trying wouldn’t hurt.

They arrived at Ichiraku, and Naruto leaned over the counter like he owned the place. "Teuchi-san!"

"Naruto, here again?" Teuchi smiled, then noticed Kitazawa. "Ah, you brought company."

"We’re not here to eat," Kitazawa said.

Teuchi blinked. "You... came to a ramen shop not to eat ramen?"

"I came to propose a collaboration," Kitazawa said smoothly. "I want to sponsor an Ichiraku eating contest. Naming rights included: ’Kitazawa’s General Store Ichiraku Ramen Eating Contest.’"

Teuchi’s eyes lit up. "Hmm... what’s the sponsorship?"

"Fifty thousand ryō." Kitazawa had already decided. For Sasuke’s Sharingan, no expense was too great—he could always get it back from the Uchiha later.

Teuchi grinned. "No problem! And the customers still pay for what they eat?"

"Exactly. Prizes only for winners."

"Then it’s a deal."

"I want to participate!" Naruto shouted.

Teuchi laughed. "You get full after two bowls."

Kitazawa smirked. "Two days from now, then. That’ll be enough time to prepare."

"See you then," Teuchi said as they left.

Naruto skipped along beside Kitazawa, giddy. Learning Rasengan—and an eating contest? Best day ever.

When they reached the Academy’s artificial lake, Kitazawa stopped. "Before Rasengan, I’ll teach you another A-rank technique—Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Naruto’s eyes lit up. "Let’s do it!"

Kitazawa created a Shadow Clone. "He’ll teach you. I have to check on Hinata. She needs special training too."

As Kitazawa headed toward the Hyuga compound, Naruto bounced on his heels. "Alright! Let’s start, Kitazawa-sensei!"

Kitazawa only smiled as his clone took over. The summer of special training had truly begun.

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