CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123

·[NSSSG] [ARC-04] Chapter : 1233 AugShare"Ah?"

Akimichi Choji paused mid-bite, eyes wide. He hadn’t been keeping track of bowls, only the glorious flavor of ramen. Hearing that Hinata had eaten five more bowls than him hit like a kunai to the heart.

"No way..." he muttered in disbelief.

"Hinata, do you... have Akimichi blood?" Inuzuka Kiba blurted out, tilting his head in curiosity.

"Don’t talk nonsense!"

Shikamaru clamped a hand over Kiba’s mouth immediately.

’You trying to slander the Hyuga clan head? Want to die today?’

Ino folded her arms, shaking her head. "Impossible. With her Byakugan and slim build, there’s no way she’s an Akimichi."

"True," Sakura agreed, still staring at the pile of empty bowls.

"I didn’t think anyone could out-eat an Akimichi," Mikoto said with genuine surprise. Then a thought struck her, and she looked toward Hinata. "If I made her a bento every day... would she ever get full?"

"Kitazawa-sensei always brings enough," Sasuke muttered, already sensing where this was going.

Mikoto just smiled warmly. "Being able to eat a lot is a blessing. It means I never have to worry about making too much."

"..."

Sasuke’s eyebrow twitched. ’Wait... are you planning to start feeding Naruto and Hinata every day now?’

This was the first time he’d seen his mother care so much about... outsiders.

"I announce that the winner of the children’s division of the eating contest is... Hyuga Hinata!"

Ayame raised her voice for all to hear.

Choji clenched his fists in determination. "I need more training... Starting tomorrow, I’m adding an extra meal every day!"

Sasuke twitched again. ’Why does that sound so familiar?’

Then he remembered—’Might Gai. Naruto. Every day it’s: I’ll run more laps! Do more pushups!’

"Hinata, follow me," Ayame said with a smile. "Time to claim your prize."

Hinata gave a soft, "Mhm," and followed her into the shop’s back room.

Kitazawa’s eyes followed her, and three familiar lines of text appeared before him:

[Mission Complete: Make Akimichi Choji lose first place in the eating contest.]

[Reward: Partial Giantification Technique.]

As the reward settled into his mind, Kitazawa understood immediately why the Akimichi Clan was famously round.

’Ah... they have no choice.’

Partial Giantification devoured chakra, and without Uzumaki or Senju vitality, the Akimichi relied on fat as stored chakra.

Kitazawa smirked. ’Well, I’m too handsome to turn into a walking dumpling.’

Thankfully, as a Yang Release ninjutsu—like Medical Ninjutsu—he could wield it efficiently, especially if he ever learned the Yin Seal.

"Kitazawa-sensei, could you come here for a moment?"

Hinata’s soft voice drifted from the doorway, her face peeking out.

"What is it, Hinata?" he asked, stepping closer.

Without a word, she grabbed his hand and tugged him inside.

The prize room was lined with goodies: snacks, toys, and even ninja tools for young genin.

"Which one do you want?" Kitazawa asked with a smile.

"T-This one..."

She pointed at a half-human-sized plush cat, cheeks pink.

Kitazawa chuckled. ’Still a little girl at heart.’

He quickly understood why she had called him. A Hyuga heiress choosing a giant plush toy... Hiashi would never approve.

"How about this?" Kitazawa suggested. "We can keep it in my office. You’re there all the time anyway."

Hinata’s eyes lit up. She nodded quickly, a small smile blooming.

"Alright then. Store it away."

He handed her a storage scroll. Hinata hugged the plush tightly, rubbed her face against it with bliss, then sealed it with a soft poof.

When they returned, Mikoto and Shikamaru were finishing their ramen.

"Sasuke," Kitazawa said thoughtfully, "you can take a break from special training for a while."

"Why?" Sasuke asked, almost panicked. He didn’t dislike the training; it made him stronger.

"Because you awakened your Sharingan," Kitazawa replied. "You need time to adapt before pushing further."

Sasuke blinked, then remembered every ability Itachi had ever mentioned—the insight, the copying, the genjutsu.

If he mastered them all... Naruto, Neji, all of them would be left in his dust.

"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" he said, excitement rekindled. "Once I’m fully used to my Sharingan, I’ll come back even stronger!"

Kitazawa smirked at his faintly upturned lips. He already knew what Sasuke was thinking.

’Enjoy your confidence, kid. Next semester will be...very interesting.’

Especially now that Naruto had learned the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu early.

One by one, the kids waved goodbye, heading for home.

Then Mikoto dropped a little bomb: "Even if Sasuke isn’t training, he’ll still bring you bentos every day."

"Ah?!"

Sasuke froze. ’So Naruto really is my long-lost brother now...’

"Sasuke," Mikoto said with a sharp look, "Kitazawa-sensei has done so much for you, and you can’t even deliver lunch?"

"...I didn’t mean that," Sasuke grumbled. "I’ll... deliver it every morning."

"Thanks, Aunt Mikoto! Thanks, Sasuke!" Naruto beamed, blissfully unaware of the Uchiha pride dying inside Sasuke’s heart.

Mikoto smiled softly. Looking at Naruto, she could almost see Kushina’s shadow.

For years she’d been unable to visit the boy. Now, finally, she could offer the smallest kindness in return.

Kitazawa accepted the gesture without protest. He knew this wasn’t about him.

This was Mikoto’s quiet atonement—and Naruto’s first taste of home.

"Kitazawa-sensei, may I speak with you for a moment?"

Uchiha Mikoto’s voice was calm, but her eyes carried a quiet curiosity.

"Of course," Kitazawa replied easily, raising a hand and gesturing toward a quieter corner.

"Itachi, keep an eye on Sasuke for me," Mikoto said gently.

Itachi gave his younger brother a reassuring pat on the head before following his mother and Kitazawa to a secluded spot.

"Kitazawa-sensei," Mikoto began carefully, "was Sasuke’s Sharingan awakening... entirely part of your plan?"

Kitazawa smiled faintly. "What makes you ask?"

"You specifically invited me and Itachi to the eating contest," Mikoto said evenly. "You sponsored the whole event, and Sasuke just happened to show up in a green jumpsuit."

Kitazawa chuckled softly. "Mrs. Mikoto, you’re as sharp as they say."

There were simply too many ’coincidences’ for her not to suspect. Sasuke was oblivious, but Itachi and Mikoto could see through the setup.

Still, Kitazawa didn’t mind. ’Helping Sasuke awaken his Sharingan is a gift to the Uchiha. They should thank me, not question me.’

"It wasn’t me alone," Mikoto admitted, glancing at her elder son. "Itachi and I had already discussed the... emotional triggers required for the Sharingan."

"Then I’ll ask you directly," Itachi said, his voice steady. "How did you know about the Uchiha’s emotional requirement for awakening the Sharingan?"

"Lady Tsunade told me," Kitazawa answered without hesitation. "I’m... half a student of hers now. I’ve been learning medical ninjutsu under her guidance."

Both Uchihas blinked in surprise.

Tsunade—the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the Third Hokage’s prized student, the greatest medical ninja alive. Her standards were notoriously harsh. For Kitazawa, an ordinary academy instructor, to call himself half a student of hers was almost absurd.

"I’ve been assisting Shizune-senpai at Konoha Hospital with surgeries recently," Kitazawa added lightly. "If any Uchiha is injured, feel free to send them my way."

Mikoto’s suspicion eased. Someone who wasn’t close to Tsunade would never be allowed to perform surgeries with Shizune.

"Kitazawa-sensei," Mikoto said after a moment’s thought, "you’ve helped Sasuke so much. I’d like to invite you to dinner."

Kitazawa considered briefly, then nodded. "Tomorrow night works."

Though the Uchiha compound was politically sensitive these days, he was Sasuke’s teacher. Even Hiruzen wouldn’t object to a harmless dinner.

"Perfect," Mikoto said warmly.

When they rejoined Sasuke, he tilted his head. "What were you talking about?"

"Nothing," Mikoto said, holding his hand. "We just invited your sensei to dinner tomorrow."

"Oh." Sasuke had no complaints. After all, Kitazawa had helped him awaken his Sharingan.

That evening, Sasuke could hardly sit still.

"Mom, when is Dad coming home?" he asked for the third time, practically vibrating with excitement.

Mikoto smiled knowingly. "Eager to tell him about your Sharingan, hm?"

"Hehe..." Sasuke grinned sheepishly.

Itachi’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’If Father learns Sasuke awakened his Sharingan at this age... will he push him the way he pushed me?’

A faint red glow flickered in his eyes. ’I won’t let history repeat itself. Even if it means opposing Father.’

The sound of the front door opening cut through Sasuke’s anticipation.

"Dad!" He bolted to the entrance.

"Sasuke," Fugaku said sternly, "I’m busy. I don’t have time to—"

"Dad, I awakened my Sharingan!"

Fugaku froze mid-step. "...What did you say?"

"I awakened it!" Sasuke said proudly, activating his single-tomoe eyes.

Fugaku stared, stunned for a heartbeat—then burst into wild laughter.

"Hahaha! My son awakened his Sharingan at six years old! A genius!"

Sasuke blinked. ’Dad can laugh like that?’ Then he joined in, giggling with pride.

Itachi, standing in the hall’s shadow, remained silent, thoughts heavy.

—

The next morning, Friday dawned bright.

Kitazawa rose early, dressed, and slipped out to a secluded clearing.

’Time to test the Partial Giantification Jutsu.’

He formed the hand seals. Chakra surged, and his right arm ballooned outward, swelling to nearly eighteen meters before he felt his chakra reserves strain.

He dispelled the technique, breathing hard. ’So that’s my current limit.’

In truth, enlarging it that much was pointless. The Akimichi Clan typically only expanded a meter or two for combat efficiency.

By the time he reached the academy, Sasuke had already delivered three bento boxes—Mikoto’s care extending even into his morning.

Naruto and Hinata continued their training as usual, while Sasuke took his "adaptation period" for the Sharingan.

That afternoon, Kitazawa left a shadow clone at the academy and headed to Kurenai’s home for genjutsu practice.

"What are we learning today, Kurenai-sensei?" he asked with a grin. "Any advanced Genjutsu for me?"

"You’ve barely learned two C-rank techniques, and you’re already impatient?" Kurenai glared, hands on her hips.

"Don’t you think I’m talented?" Kitazawa teased.

She sighed, crossing her arms. "You are... annoyingly talented. Fine. If you want trouble, you’ll get it. Today, I’ll teach you an A-rank Genjutsu."

Kitazawa blinked. "Really? I’m honored."

"This is called the Temple of Nirvana Technique," she said, eyes narrowing. "Watch closely."

Outside, she demonstrated.

White feathers materialized and drifted down in a mesmerizing cascade.

Kitazawa allowed the Genjutsu to take him, slipping into a sudden, heavy sleep.

Moments later, he dispelled it on his own and found himself nestled against Kurenai’s soft embrace. Her faint fragrance, the warmth of her skin, and the delicate mesh under her dress filled his senses.

"Learn the technique," she muttered, face flushing, "don’t get comfortable."

Kitazawa straightened, hiding a smirk. He quickly formed the hand seals, and white feather illusions began to fall.

Kurenai blinked. "Y-You learned it already?!"

"The effect isn’t quite perfect," Kitazawa said, raising an eyebrow. The illusion worked—but hadn’t hypnotized her.

"Unbelievable," she muttered, half exasperated, half resigned. ’A few more weeks, and he’ll surpass me...’

But at least he was her boyfriend. ’Better he’s a prodigy on my side than anyone else’s.’

"Keep practicing," she said, tugging at her collar.

"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," Kitazawa replied with a serious nod.

By dusk, he ended his training and headed for the Uchiha compound, ready for the promised dinner.