CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146

Telling Naruto about the Nine-Tails wouldn’t be difficult.

The problem was... Kitazawa, by all rights, shouldn’t even talk about it to anyone as per the Hokage’s orders.

Sure, he could pull Naruto aside, tell him in private, and the idiotic system would no doubt count it as a completed task and hand him a reward.

But Naruto—being the Nine-Tails’ vessel—was always under Hiruzen’s watchful eye. If Kitazawa got careless, his own identity could be exposed sooner or later.

After mulling it over, he hit a dead end.

Best to act ignorant. He’d report the matter to Hiruzen and see how the Hokage decided to handle it.

In the original timeline, it had been Jiraiya who returned to the village and taught Naruto how to control the Nine-Tails’ chakra.

But now? There was a better candidate.

Not Kitazawa—Tsunade.

Her greatest advantage was being the finest medical ninja in the world. Training Naruto to control the Nine-Tails’ chakra was dangerous—Jiraiya himself had admitted he almost died when Naruto lost control.

Tsunade, however, had the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Technique. Her survivability was practically unmatched. Only Orochimaru might outlast her in that regard.

"Naruto, I’m not too sure about this either."

Kitazawa made a show of thinking before suggesting, "Once we’re done here, come with me to see Hokage-sama."

"Oh, right!" Naruto brightened instantly. "Grandpa Third will definitely know!"

In his mind, the Hokage was the strongest ninja alive, capable of anything.

"You should rejoin your friends first," Kitazawa said, patting his shoulder. "The rankings will be announced soon, and you’re definitely first in the practical exam."

"Thanks, Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto grinned before dashing back to Class 1A, announcing proudly, "I’m first!"

"Who asked you?" Kiba Inuzuka shot back without missing a beat.

"Still, Naruto’s first place is well-earned," Shikamaru said with a lazy smile.

Naruto’s sheer persistence earlier had even impressed him... though slacking off was still preferable.

Sasuke’s mouth twitched. Something felt wrong.

He’d failed to get first without using his Sharingan, and even with it, he still hadn’t taken the top spot. Now he wasn’t even second.

That... stung.

"Kitazawa-senpai."

Iruka approached with the roster. "Here’s the ranking for this month’s exam."

"You’ve worked hard, Iruka." Kitazawa took the list and faced Class A.

The room fell silent in anticipation.

"First, the theoretical exam results," he began. "First place: Sakura Haruno."

Sakura almost cheered, but caught herself. With Sasuke missing first place, she didn’t want to rub salt in the wound.

"Second: Sasuke Uchiha... Twelfth: Naruto Uzumaki... Thirteenth: Kiba Inuzuka..."

"What?! Thirteenth?!" Kiba groaned. "And I’m behind Naruto?!"

"Kiba, you owe me Ichiraku ramen!" Naruto beamed. First in the practical, ahead of Kiba in theory, and now free ramen—it was a perfect day.

"Tch!" Kiba clenched a fist. "Just wait until I have the perfect ninja dog!"

"Now, the practical exam results." Kitazawa flipped the page.

"Here it comes!" Naruto’s grin widened.

"First place: Naruto Uzumaki," Kitazawa announced.

"Hahaha!" Naruto pressed a hand to his forehead in Sasuke-like fashion. "I’m first again!"

"...?" Sasuke’s expression froze. Was Naruto copying his move?

"Second: Yakumo Kurama."

Yakumo remained calm—placing didn’t matter as much to her as being able to attend class normally. Still, Naruto’s earlier encouragement had lit a spark in her.

"Third: Hinata Hyūga. Fourth: Sasuke Uchiha."

Sasuke took a step back. Fourth. It was humiliating. Suddenly, second place didn’t sound so bad.

"The overall ranking," Kitazawa continued, glancing at the roster in mild surprise. "First: Hinata Hyūga."

"Eh?" Hinata’s head snapped up, eyes wide.

"How?" Ino asked in disbelief.

"Third in both theory and practical," Shikamaru explained. "Naruto’s theory was too low, and Sakura’s practical wasn’t high enough."

Kiba chuckled. "True strength is balanced strength."

"Second place: Sasuke Uchiha," Kitazawa finished.

Sasuke felt an odd flicker of pride before crushing it. Second wasn’t worth celebrating—not for an Uchiha.

With the announcements done, Kitazawa dismissed the class to collect their report cards from Iruka.

"Kitazawa-sensei, let’s go!" Naruto waved his report card. "I’m gonna show Grandpa Third my grades!"

"Hokage-sama will be pleased," Kitazawa said with a small smile.

This Naruto was worlds apart from the one in the original timeline—fewer headaches for Hiruzen, and fewer pranks on the Hokage Monument.

When they reached the Hokage’s office, Kitazawa raised his hand to knock—only for Naruto to fling the door open.

Had he picked that up from Tsunade?

"Grandpa Third! Look at my grades!" Naruto beamed, rushing over.

Hiruzen scanned the card. Twelfth in theory was no surprise... but first in the practical? That raised an eyebrow—especially considering Yakumo Kurama was in his class.

"How did you beat Yakumo?" Hiruzen asked.

"It was like this—!" Naruto launched into an animated retelling, embellishing only slightly.

Hiruzen smiled—not at Naruto’s strength, but at his unshakable will to fight. That was the heart of a future Hokage.

"Grandpa Third, there’s one weird thing," Naruto added, scratching his head. "I broke Yakumo’s genjutsu because this orange tail hit me."

Hiruzen’s eyes sharpened instantly. He knew exactly whose tail that was.

"What’s with that tail?" Naruto asked eagerly.

"I have a theory," Hiruzen said smoothly. "Once I confirm it, I’ll let you know."

"Okay! I’ll wait!" Naruto grinned.

"Naruto, head home for now," Hiruzen said. "I need to discuss something with your teacher."

"Bye, Grandpa Third! Bye, Kitazawa-sensei!"

With that, Naruto bounded out, report card in hand.

"Kitazawa."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a plume of smoke, studying him for a moment before asking,

"How’s your progress with Tsunade?"

Kitazawa blinked, caught off guard.

’What kind of question is that?’

After a short pause, he realized Hiruzen was referring to his ongoing mission — convincing Tsunade to seek treatment for her hemophobia.

"I’ve made some progress," he finally replied after thinking it over.

"Not bad," Hiruzen said with a faint smile. "Looks like entrusting this task to you was the right call."

"I’m just doing my best," Kitazawa answered quickly.

Hiruzen tapped his pipe again. "And your medical ninjutsu training?"

"With Lady Tsunade’s guidance, it’s going smoothly," Kitazawa said humbly. "I’m currently working on the Vitality Regeneration Technique."

Hiruzen’s brow rose ever so slightly. As the Professor, he understood exactly what that meant — reaching that stage meant Kitazawa had essentially mastered the fundamentals of medical ninjutsu.

"With your ability, you could already serve as a medical Jonin," Hiruzen noted, before adding, "The only thing holding you back is a lack of completed missions."

"I’ll work hard," Kitazawa promised.

"Medical Jonin are a little different," Hiruzen continued. "For them, it’s not about the number of missions. It’s about the number of surgeries performed. Keep a record of all the operations you’ve handled."

That caught Kitazawa off guard—but it made perfect sense. Sending a skilled medical ninja on routine missions was a waste of talent. Of course, for medics assigned to field squads right after the academy, mission count was still a valid metric. Hiruzen was clearly making an exception for Kitazawa, using his authority to adjust the rules.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Kitazawa said sincerely.

Hiruzen’s tone shifted. "Tell me, do you know about Jinchuriki?"

Kitazawa’s heartbeat quickened. So this was the real reason for the meeting. The earlier questions had been to confirm his ties with Tsunade—and, by extension, the Hokage’s inner circle.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," he said carefully.

"There are nine Tailed Beasts in this world," Hiruzen began. "Their origins are unclear, though some say they’re linked to the Sage of Six Paths. The strongest of them—the Nine-Tails—resides here in Konoha."

"To control their power, we seal these beasts inside human hosts called Jinchuriki," Hiruzen explained. "Naruto... is our current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, as you might already know."

Hiruzen’s face darkened. "His identity was supposed to be a tightly guarded secret. But Danzo disagreed with me—and spread the truth. I’ve punished him, but the damage was done. Many still harbor prejudice."

Kitazawa nodded. ’Whether or not every word is true, I’ll have to take it at face value.’ And frankly, Danzo was exactly the type to pull something like that.

"I’m telling you this because I want you to keep an eye on Naruto," Hiruzen said gravely. "If you notice even a hint of Nine-Tails chakra leaking out, report to me immediately. This is a matter of Konoha’s safety."

"Understood," Kitazawa replied with equal seriousness.

"And don’t tell Naruto about the Nine-Tails yet," Hiruzen added after a moment’s thought. "Wait until Tsunade has recovered from her hemophobia."

’As I expected,’ Kitazawa thought. With Tsunade in the village, Hiruzen clearly intended for her to be the one to teach Naruto how to control that dangerous chakra—and given her ties to Uzumaki Mito and Uzumaki Kushina, she was more than qualified.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Kitazawa said, though a twinge of regret struck him—this mission wouldn’t be wrapped up any time soon. That was the real challenge.

"Oh, and you can tell Tsunade about this," Hiruzen added suddenly.

"She probably already knows," Kitazawa replied. "I invited her to watch this month’s exam."

"And?" Hiruzen asked, a little surprised.

"She left early."

That earned a strange, knowing look between them—like they’d just conspired to trap Tsunade without her realizing it.

"You’ve done well. You’re dismissed," Hiruzen said with a wave.

Kitazawa bowed and left the Hokage’s office.

—

The autumn air was crisp, the summer heat finally gone. By midday, the streets were pleasant to walk. Kitazawa found Tsunade in a private room at an izakaya.

"You... how did you know I was here?" she asked, cheeks flushed from drink.

"I guessed," he said with a shrug—though in truth, Shizune had tipped him off.

"Good. Drink with me," Tsunade said, thrusting her sake cup toward him.

Kitazawa’s eyes flicked to the lipstick mark on the rim.

"What, scared?" She teased—then, without warning, tipped the cup into his mouth.

He coughed, swallowing before he could even think.

"How’s the sake?" Tsunade asked, slouching back with her haori discarded and only a sleeveless top on, collar loose enough to reveal plenty. The combination of her drunken haze and casual posture radiated a kind of unrestrained charm.

"Not bad," he admitted, taking the seat across from her. ’Though your aim is impossible to dodge.’

"Drinking alone is boring. Let’s make it interesting and gamble," he said. "Loser answers a question. If they refuse, they drink."

"Fine! Start already!"

They played. Kitazawa didn’t even check the result before saying, "You lost. My question."

"Tch. Ask."

"What’s your opinion of Naruto?"

"Hah? Idiots, all of them!" she replied, tossing back another cup.

"What about Nawaki?" he pressed.

Her expression froze. Nawaki and Naruto weren’t so different—both young, both reckless, both brimming with dreams.

"You’re trying to trick me," she accused.

"You agreed to the rules," Kitazawa countered with a smirk.

"You’re up to no good!" she said, marching over and pouring two cups straight down his throat. Seeing him cough, she burst out laughing.

"Pathetic!" she declared—and promptly collapsed onto him, her scent a heady mix of alcohol and perfume.

Kitazawa’s head swam. He pushed her back slightly, only to realize she’d already passed out cold.

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