CHAPTER 120: CHAPTER 120

Kitazawa strolled back into Konoha, humming to himself.

With Gai’s enthusiastic guarantee, Sasuke would definitely appear at Ichiraku Ramen in two days for the big eater contest. That part was secure.

But just making him show up wasn’t enough.

’Public humiliation hits hardest when it’s in front of people you know.’

If Sasuke only embarrassed himself in front of random villagers and passing ninja, the effect would be decent... but if all his friends and family were watching? That could be the spark his Sharingan needed.

Step 1: Gather the Peanut Gallery

Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino would be easy. They were Kitazawa’s students, and a food competition was practically bait.

Choji especially. Just whisper "all-you-can-eat" and the Akimichi would come running.

The tricky part was the Uchiha clan.

Convincing Fugaku to attend a ramen contest was basically impossible. Kitazawa didn’t even have the "social clearance" to invite the clan head. But Itachi?

If he wasn’t on an ANBU mission, he was the perfect candidate. His presence would cut Sasuke deeper than any kunai.

And if Mikoto attended too? Even better.

Step 2: Uchiha Compound

Kitazawa opted for a "flank attack" instead of barging in to see Itachi directly.

"Kitazawa-sensei?"

Mikoto blinked in surprise as she opened the door. "Did Sasuke get into trouble?"

"No, nothing like that." Kitazawa smiled. "Actually, I came to invite you to a... big eater competition in two days."

"...Huh?"

Of all things she expected, this wasn’t it.

"It’s an Ichiraku event," Kitazawa said smoothly. "Sponsored by yours truly. Sasuke will be participating."

"Why would we need to attend a big eater competition?" Mikoto asked, baffled.

"It’s a new summer practical assignment from the Ninja Academy," Kitazawa said with a perfectly serious face. "It encourages family bonding. Full marks require whole-family participation."

He was the Head of Academic Affairs—if he said it was an assignment, who would argue? Certainly not Hiruzen.

Mikoto’s expression softened. "I see... that’s actually thoughtful of you. Thank you for coming in person."

She mulled it over. It did sound like a warm, silly family activity that Sasuke might secretly enjoy.

"Fugaku’s been very busy... he probably can’t make it," she admitted. "But I’ll bring Itachi."

"That’s perfect," Kitazawa said with a polite nod.

’Excellent. If this doesn’t wake his Sharingan, I’ll have to call in Yakumo.’

Step 3: Ino–Shika–Chō

Next, Kitazawa headed to the trio’s neighborhood. Their families lived close together, a living monument to their generations-long alliance.

"Kitazawa-sensei?"

He turned to see Ino jogging toward him, holding a two-pound carp like a trophy.

"Oh? Fishing trip?" he asked.

"Nope, bought it," Ino said cheerfully. "Sakura and I trained all morning, and this guy was lunch."

Kitazawa raised a brow. ’Training on summer vacation? Impressive.

"Where’s Sakura?"

"Over there." Ino pointed toward a shaded rest spot with tables, flowers, and trees.

"Let’s talk over there," Kitazawa said.

"Sure!"

As they approached, Ino waved. "Sakura!"

"Kitazawa-sensei?"

Sakura looked up, blinking in surprise.

THUD!

Someone fell out of a tree.

It was Shikamaru, eyes wide like a deer in the headlights.

"...Why is Kitazawa-sensei here?" he whispered in horror.

"Are you that scared of him?" Choji asked around a mouthful of chips.

"This isn’t fear!" Shikamaru hissed. "It’s... the death of my hard-earned summer vacation..."

Kitazawa just smirked.

"Kitazawa-sensei!" Sakura quickly stood and bowed.

"How’s your Yang Release practice?" he asked.

"When I use the Healing Technique, I can hold it for five minutes now," she said proudly.

Kitazawa’s eyebrow twitched upward. ’Five minutes at her age? Outrageous.’ Most Genin medic-nin couldn’t manage half that.

He turned his gaze on Shikamaru.

"Ki... Kitazawa-sensei," the boy stammered, "you’re... not here for me... right?"

"I am here for you." Kitazawa’s smile widened.

Shikamaru froze. His soul briefly left his body.

’My vacation... it’s over.’

"Relax," Kitazawa said, chuckling. "In two days, Ichiraku Ramen is holding a big eater competition. You’re all invited."

"...That’s it?"

Shikamaru looked like he’d just cheated death.

"If you want, I can also give you special training," Kitazawa added casually.

"Nope! No training needed!" Shikamaru flailed his hands like a man swatting bees.

"Big eater competition?"

Choji’s eyes lit up like bonfires. "Is it all-you-can-eat?"

"Exactly. And if you place in the top three, not only is it free, but there’s a grand prize."

"I’M IN!" Choji roared. "This contest was made for the Akimichi!"

"You’ll probably get first place," Shikamaru said lazily, patting his shoulder. "Ino and I will just... exist."

"First place is mine!" Choji declared. "No one can out-eat me!"

Ino crossed her arms, thinking of Hinata. ’Well... maybe.’

"Are there age divisions?" Shikamaru asked cautiously.

"Yes," Kitazawa said.

Choji grinned, brimming with confidence. "Then I’ll crush everyone my age. Victory is mine!"

[The strong like to say no to others. Faced with a challenge, you decide to accept.]

[Current Mission: Make Akimichi Choji lose first place in the big eater competition.]

[Mission Reward: Partial Giantification Technique.]

[Do you accept?]

Kitazawa’s first thought was, ’Can missions really trigger in places like this?’

His second thought was that he couldn’t possibly complete it—he didn’t have the stomach to out-eat an Akimichi.

Then the third thought struck like a shuriken: ’Wait... the mission never said I had to win.’

A slow grin spread across his face.

’Hinata, my secret weapon. It’s your time to shine.’

If she succeeded, perfect.

If she failed... well, he’d simply accept his fate.

Partial Giantification Technique was the reward—a diluted version of the Akimichi’s legendary Clan Jutsu. Unlike the full Giantification Technique, which turned the entire body into a towering giant, the partial version allowed selective enlargement: a hand, a foot, an arm. Limited but practical.

"Alright," Kitazawa said aloud, snapping out of his scheming. "The day after tomorrow, noon. Ichiraku Ramen. Don’t be late."

"We’ll be there!" Choji practically vibrated with excitement, eyes sparkling as if the competition had already begun.

Kitazawa smirked and took his leave, leaving behind a very motivated Akimichi.

"Good thing he wasn’t here for me..." Shikamaru muttered, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

"No ambition at all," Ino huffed, and immediately challenged Sakura to a new round of practice.

Kitazawa unlocked Kurenai’s door, stepped inside... and froze mid-step.

A soft chuckle drifted from the living room. "Why do you look so surprised?"

Fabric whispered as she moved.

Kitazawa’s gaze was instinctively drawn down—to the curve of her thighs wrapped in black stockings that shimmered under the light. They disappeared into a fitted black skirt, paired with a sharp blouse.

"You..." He blinked, impressed. "You look like the perfect teacher in that outfit."

"And your thoughts," Kurenai said, giving him a sly side glance, "are anything but pure."

Kitazawa coughed lightly. "Then why wear it?"

"If this outfit helps keep my ’student’ motivated," she said with a teasing smile, "I don’t mind the sacrifice."

"Kurenai... you’re the best woman in the world."

"Flatterer."

She gave him a playful kick with her stockinged foot before gliding back to the sofa. Crossing her legs, the dark fabric pressed against itself, making her thighs appear even fuller.

"Class starts now," Kurenai said smoothly. "The first Genjutsu I’ll teach you is Place Transfer Technique."

Kitazawa nodded. He was already familiar with it; after all, his co-created Truth Extraction Technique was a modification of this very Genjutsu.

"Look into my eyes." Her hands blurred into a practiced sequence of hand signs. "I’ll cast it once first—experience it yourself."

Kitazawa relaxed, letting the illusion take him.

The living room around him warped, reshaping into... his own home. He hadn’t moved an inch, but his senses told him otherwise.

"Place Transfer Technique is an area-of-effect Genjutsu," Kurenai’s voice drifted in his ear. "It’s mainly used to disorient pursuers or escape—wait... what are you doing?"

"Testing if I can still touch you while under Genjutsu," Kitazawa said with a straight face, his hand resting lightly on her thigh.

"Then why are you touching there?" Her voice dropped an octave, laced with both threat and embarrassment.

"...For research purposes," Kitazawa said solemnly, giving her thigh a gentle squeeze before withdrawing.

Kurenai let out an involuntary sound, a soft, startled groan that made the air heat up for a second.

Flustered, she kicked him again, her cheeks glowing pink.

"Please continue, Sensei," Kitazawa said as if nothing had happened, eyes full of mock innocence.

She inhaled slowly, suppressing the urge to throw him out, and continued the lesson.

A few minutes later, the illusion lifted.

"With your chakra control," she said, regaining composure, "you should be able to learn this technique by the end of the afternoon."

"Let’s see," Kitazawa murmured. He formed the hand signs, focusing his chakra—

Place Transfer Technique!

Kurenai blinked. Her surroundings shifted instantly. She was standing in Kitazawa’s bedroom.

The details were perfect. No warping, no telltale Genjutsu fuzz. Her lips parted slightly.

’He just learned this, and he’s already this precise...?’

When the illusion faded, she exhaled softly. "Your chakra control is even better than I imagined."

"Why the sigh?" Kitazawa asked, smiling faintly.

"You’re progressing too fast... I feel like I’m being left behind," she said honestly.

"You’ll never be left behind by me." Kitazawa stepped forward, sliding an arm around her waist, pulling her against him.

"That’s not what I meant," Kurenai muttered, giving him a glare that softened almost immediately as he kissed her.

For a moment, she resisted. Then she gave in.

When they finally broke apart, she was flushed and breathless.

"Alright..." she said firmly, though her voice wavered, "Back to Genjutsu training."

"Yes, Yūhi-sensei." Kitazawa grinned.

"I told you not to call me that!"

She kicked him again, halfheartedly, and returned to the sofa. "Keep practicing. You’re close to perfection—but not there yet."

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