CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 136

Wednesday Morning – Ninja Academy Training Grounds

Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Hinata, Kiba, and Shikamaru stood gathered in a loose circle.

"How’d Sasuke-kun even show up today?"

Naruto scratched his head. "Your secret training done already?"

"Not yet," Sasuke replied coolly.

Genjutsu was notoriously difficult, but with Itachi’s guidance and Kitazawa’s chakra control drills, Sasuke’s progress was steady—though it still needed time.

"Naruto," Ino cut in, "don’t you think there’s something... off about Kitazawa-sensei lately?"

"Huh?" Naruto blinked. "Off how?"

"You’re wasting time asking him," Sasuke muttered, shaking his head.

"Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?" Naruto puffed up. "I’m smart! Kitazawa-sensei even said I learn ninjutsu faster than most!"

"Calm down, Naruto," Ino sighed before turning to Hinata. "You tell them—you noticed first."

Hinata nodded, her face tightening in seriousness. "For the past two days... Kitazawa-sensei hasn’t brought me breakfast."

"Maybe he’s been busy and forgot?" Shikamaru suggested, arms crossed.

"He’s never forgotten before." Hinata hesitated, leaving out another detail—he hadn’t patted her head either.

"I believe Hinata," Ino said firmly. "He hasn’t felt as gentle lately."

"True," Sakura chimed in. "When teaching me medical ninjutsu this week, he’s been way stricter than last."

"I’ve noticed something too!" Kiba slapped his palm. "His lessons aren’t as easy to follow anymore. Used to understand everything—now I’m only catching half of it!"

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. "Sounds like someone’s impersonating Kitazawa-sensei."

He’d rushed over the moment he heard Kitazawa was involved. Now, his instincts screamed trouble.

Sakura shivered. "Could it be...?"

"This is Konoha," Shikamaru said slowly. "He’s probably on some special mission."

"But what kind of mission needs an impersonator?" Ino frowned.

"Not enough intel to figure it out," Shikamaru admitted.

"What’s there to figure out?" Naruto clenched his fists. "Let’s just catch him and demand answers!"

The other six stared at him.

"...What?" Naruto asked, uneasy.

"I like it," Kiba grinned. "Seven against one—we’ll crush him!"

"Exactly! We’re top-class geniuses!" Naruto beamed.

"Reckless," Shikamaru admitted, "but... direct. And it could work."

"Then it’s settled." Sasuke rose. "No more wasting time."

They agreed on an ambush in the small woods near the artificial lake. Shikamaru laid out the plan: "Ino and I restrain him first—then the rest of you attack."

Naruto raised a fist. "Mission to rescue Kitazawa-sensei—start!"

Minutes later, Kitazawa strolled into the woods, yawning. His brow arched—he’d already sensed their ambush.

’Strange... but let’s see how this plays out.’

Shadow Imitation Jutsu!

Shikamaru’s shadow snaked forward silently. "Ino—now!"

Mind Body Switch Jutsu!

But Kitazawa sidestepped just in time, breaking her line of fire.

"What?!" Shikamaru gritted his teeth. Kitazawa was moving despite being caught in his shadow.

"I... can’t... hold... him..."

"Leave it to me!" Naruto yelled, launching into a Leaf Whirlwind.

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered as everyone groaned—Naruto had just given away their position.

Kitazawa smirked and countered with a swift punch, sending Naruto flying. Sasuke caught him midair.

Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!

Hinata dashed forward, but Kitazawa intercepted, striking her hand first. Her body went numb—motor nerves scrambled.

Lightning style: Disorientation.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Sasuke launched a roaring fireball, but Kitazawa shattered it with a chakra-charged punch.

Sasuke’s eyes widened. "Impossible..."

Kitazawa clapped once. "Alright, we’ve sparred—now, anyone care to explain?"

They exchanged looks. No one could deny it—this wasn’t a fight they could win.

"You’re not Kitazawa-sensei," Hinata said quietly.

Kitazawa released her from the disorientation. "And what gave me away?"

Voices overlapped—forgot breakfast, lost gentleness, bad at lecturing. Kitazawa’s mouth twitched.

’Since when is a ninja instructor supposed to be this... domestic?’

The truth was stranger—Kitazawa was actually Tsunade.

She’d sent an Anbu to impersonate him, but the man failed instantly—he couldn’t do medical ninjutsu, Rasengan, or Gentle Fist.

’Who teaches all three? Even jonin don’t multitask like this!’

Left with no choice, Tsunade stepped in herself. But she still hadn’t expected to be found out—by first-year students, no less.

"Your teacher, Kitazawa, went on a mission. He should be back today or tomorrow."

Faced with their suspicious looks, Tsunade decided there was no point in hiding the truth.

"Is that so?"

Hinata finally let out a quiet breath of relief.

"Why should we believe you?"

Ino narrowed her eyes, her voice laced with doubt.

Tsunade didn’t bother replying. Instead, she released her Transformation in an instant.

"L–Lady Tsunade?!"

Ino gasped, frozen in place.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Sakura’s eyes went wide. Shock quickly melted into joy—her idol had been the one teaching her these past two days? The realization hit her like a wave, leaving her almost giddy.

Sasuke, Shikamaru, and the others quickly greeted her as well. They had seen Tsunade once before during a practical class when she came looking for Kitazawa.

"Do you believe me now?" Tsunade asked with a small, amused smile.

Ino’s face turned pink. Questioning her idol—and right to her face—was more than a little embarrassing.

"Alright, enough gawking. Back to training," Tsunade ordered.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade!" they chorused, excitement still bubbling under the surface. Even if it had all been a misunderstanding, sparring with one of the Legendary Sannin was the kind of story they’d be bragging about for years.

Just then, an ANBU operative with the codename Haru appeared.

"Lady Tsunade. They’ve completed the mission and returned to the ANBU headquarters."

"They" could only mean Kakashi and Kitazawa.

"Not bad," Tsunade sighed, stretching her shoulders. "Finally over. Being a Ninja Academy teacher is more exhausting than I thought."

Then she reconsidered—no, it wasn’t the teaching that was exhausting. It was all the extra trouble Kitazawa tended to stir up.

ANBU Headquarters

The return of Kitazawa, Kakashi, and Kabuto drew an immediate reaction from Nono. She had been too worried to even go to work at the hospital these past few days, instead waiting here for them.

"Director!"

Kabuto stepped forward, struggling to contain his excitement.

"You... you’ve changed so much," Nono said, her voice trembling as she reached out a hesitant hand.

It wasn’t surprising she hadn’t recognized him in the original timeline. Danzo had deliberately kept them apart, only allowing Nono to see altered photographs so their bond would fade.

Kitazawa caught Kakashi’s eye and gave a subtle signal to leave. Kakashi understood. As he closed the door behind them, he cast one last look inside—just a flicker of envy in his gaze. His own parents, sensei, and teammates were all gone. Seeing a reunion like this brought old memories rushing back.

Kitazawa noticed but stayed silent. Some feelings didn’t need words.

They waited quietly in the hallway until the rhythmic click of high-heeled sandals echoed down the corridor. Tsunade approached.

"Why are you standing out here?" she asked, curious.

"Mother and son are reuniting. We didn’t want to intrude," Kitazawa explained.

"Fair enough," Tsunade nodded. "In that case, come with me to see the Hokage."

With a sharp bang, Tsunade kicked open the Hokage’s office door.

"Mission complete?" Hiruzen asked, unfazed. At this point, he was used to her dramatic entrances.

"Kitazawa, give the report," Tsunade instructed.

Kitazawa stepped forward, detailing the events of the past few days.

"You killed three Jonin and three Chunin from Iwagakure?" Hiruzen asked, eyebrows lifting in surprise.

"What’s so strange about that?" Tsunade said casually. "Kakashi and Kitazawa are both elite Jonin. Three average Jonin aren’t much of a problem."

Hiruzen realized he had underestimated Kitazawa. It wasn’t his fault—Kitazawa’s growth had been too fast. In his mind, Kitazawa had been an outstanding teacher first and a Jonin second. Now... it was clear the order had changed.

"Mission complete. Return your ANBU team to their duties," Hiruzen said.

"And keep Danzo in check," Tsunade added sharply. "I don’t want him targeting Yakushi Nono again."

"It won’t happen," Hiruzen promised. He could

restrain Danzo—he had just chosen not to in the past.

"S-rank mission," Tsunade declared. "No objections? Then process the reward."

"Given the involvement of Iwagakure Jonin, S-rank fits," Hiruzen agreed. "One million two hundred thousand ryo."

Kitazawa produced a scroll. "The bodies of six Iwagakure shinobi."

Hiruzen’s eyes gleamed. "Excellent work." The Jonin corpses were especially valuable—possibly even holding enemy secrets.

"In addition to the payment," Hiruzen added, "you may each choose one A-rank jutsu."

Kitazawa hid a small smile. This was perfect—he could finally register the Bringer of Darkness as his own.

"Kitazawa," Tsunade said as they turned to leave, "after you collect your reward, wait for me at the ANBU office."

"Understood."

Once the room was clear, Tsunade folded her arms.

"Old man, if you have something to say, say it. Don’t waste my time."

Before he could speak, ANBU Haru entered.

"Danzo-sama will arrive shortly."

Hiruzen just smiled faintly. "He’s probably here to demand an explanation."

"Does he have the right?" Tsunade scoffed.

Danzo arrived moments later, walking with slow, deliberate steps.

"Hiruzen, I’m here to lodge a formal complaint against Tsunade," he began.

"Against me?" Tsunade’s tone dripped with sarcasm. "This should be good."

"Yakushi Kabuto was my operative in Iwagakure. By retrieving him, Tsunade has destroyed years of Root’s work."

"Funny," Tsunade shot back. "Didn’t you sell his intel to Iwagakure?"

"Lies!" Danzo slammed his cane down. "I would never betray Konoha."

"Then tell me—wasn’t it you who used the orphanage to blackmail Nono?"

"Blackmail?" Danzo’s voice hardened. "I provided funds. She worked for me willingly."

"The orphanage is a Konoha institution," Tsunade snapped. "Since when is it your job to fund it?"

Hiruzen shifted uncomfortably. Technically, the Hokage’s office should have been providing that funding—Danzo had only stepped in because he’d maneuvered things that way.

"Let’s stop here," Hiruzen interjected before things could get uglier.

"Yakushi Kabuto will return to Root," Danzo insisted.

"No," Tsunade said flatly. "He’s a medic-nin. He belongs in the hospital, not Root."

"Tsunade is right," Hiruzen agreed. "Neither Kabuto nor Nono will be going back to you."

Danzo’s grip on his cane tightened, his body trembling. His oldest ally had just sided with Tsunade against him.

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