CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 155

Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!

Kitazawa’s hands blurred through seals. A torrent of chakra surged from his lungs, exploding into a violent gale.

The wind roared.

Invisible currents sharpened into reality—countless blades of air, thin and deadly, carrying an edge that seemed to sting the skin just by looking at them.

The blades spun outward in a storm, slicing apart everything in their path.

Moments later, the training ground before Kitazawa was etched with deep gouges, as though clawed by a thousand knives.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

With that, he had mastered all the Wind Release jutsu Mikoto had passed on to him. In terms of Wind Release alone, he might even be called a "Little Danzō."

For all the jokes about Danzō sealing half a bridge using one life, the man’s strength was no laughing matter. He had gone toe-to-toe with Sasuke, Mangekyō blazing, and still held his own. Against most jōnin, he would have been an overwhelming force. By standards from Kitazawa’s past life, Danzō was solidly Kage-level—though on the weaker end.

Kitazawa narrowed his eyes in thought.

Could he defeat Danzō at full power? Uncertain.

In sheer ninjutsu, he was already comparable. But Danzō’s sealing arts were troublesome, and then there was Shisui’s stolen Mangekyō. A single Kotoamatsukami could unravel any plan.

Even so, Kitazawa was satisfied.

In less than two semesters, he had risen to the level of one of Konoha’s top powerhouses. If he told anyone, they wouldn’t believe it.

Then, glowing letters appeared before his eyes:

Current Mission: Learn four Wind Release jutsu within the second semester.

Mission Reward: Proficient-level Wind Release Chakra Nature Transformation.

The Host has completed the mission. Reward issued.

"Finally!" Kitazawa grinned as an influx of knowledge and instinct surged into his mind.

With proficient-level chakra nature transformation, his mastery of Wind Release would accelerate drastically. More importantly, he now had the foundation to create original jutsu.

Testing Wind Release: Rasengan would have to wait, though. Today was the second day of the October monthly exam—the practicals.

The bet with Tsunade had been last Monday; a week had flown by. The new jutsu wasn’t complete yet, but that was fine. Tsunade had already agreed, and she could wait as long as it took.

Kitazawa made his way to the Academy.

Yesterday had been the written exam. The rankings were out: Sakura first, Sasuke Uchiha second, Hinata third.

Naruto, as usual, was still twelfth.

Kiba, however, had climbed one place, now tied with Naruto, thanks to Kitazawa cutting his Water-Walking practice short. Yakumo had also moved up.

But what mattered most to Kitazawa was Karin.

Her mission was to break into the top ten by the final exam’s written test. For this one, she had managed nineteenth. Not spectacular—but considering she had never attended a real school before, it was impressive.

Sheer diligence carried her this far. Compared to surviving in Grass, studying was nothing.

Training Ground, Ninja Academy

The students of Class 1-A were already assembled, buzzing with excitement.

"It’s really lively," Karin said, looking around. It was her first time at a practical exam—though for now, she was just spectating.

"Karin, have you learned any ninjutsu yet?" Ino asked curiously. Since enrollment, Karin had only been catching up academically, skipping most practicals. Her strength remained a mystery.

"No," Karin admitted with a shake of her head.

"That’s fine." Ino smiled. "Kitazawa-sensei can teach you anything."

"Mm." Karin didn’t doubt it.

She had seen Kabuto and Ino train during breaks. Each student practiced different things—secret arts, elemental jutsu, Gentle Fist, Fire Release, Medical Ninjutsu. To Karin, Kitazawa seemed like an all-knowing teacher.

"Our last transfer student scored second place in her first practical," Ino said encouragingly. "Maybe you can repeat the miracle."

Karin’s gaze drifted to Yakumo. She still found it hard to believe someone so frail-looking had beaten Sasuke and Hinata.

"But first place is mine!" Naruto suddenly declared, bursting out of nowhere.

"You’re too strong, I can’t match you," Karin said honestly.

"Of course!" Naruto puffed out his chest and flashed a thumbs-up. "I’m the man who’ll become Hokage!"

"Ouch!"

Kitazawa’s hand had landed on his head.

"I could hear you from a mile away. Konoha doesn’t need a Hokage that noisy."

"Hehe..." Naruto scratched his cheek sheepishly.

"Kitazawa-sensei!" The students greeted in unison.

"Time’s almost up," Kitazawa said. "Line up for the exam."

The class quickly formed ranks. Kitazawa’s eyes lingered on Karin.

In the original timeline, she had been Sasuke’s indispensable healer. With her massive chakra reserves, he wondered... could she master Shadow Clones and Rasengan too? The thought intrigued him.

Iruka stepped forward. "It’s nine o’clock. Let’s begin."

"The rules are the same as last time," Kitazawa announced, unrolling a summoning scroll and producing a box of slips. Chakra flowed subtly from his hands into the box. He intended to cheat just a little—testing his new wind manipulation by guiding the draw.

"Everyone, step up and draw." Iruka managed the line.

"I’m number one!" Naruto cheered.

"I drew seven," Kiba said, glancing around. "Anyone else?"

"No." Yakumo shook her head softly. "I got twenty."

Shino, Shikamaru, and Sakura also shook their heads.

"Finally! My luck’s turning," Kiba muttered, relief washing over him. After months of bad draws, maybe this time he could actually shine.

"Sasuke-kun, what number did you get?" Sakura asked eagerly.

"Seven," Sasuke replied coolly.

Kiba froze. "...No way!"

"Unlucky as always," Ino giggled.

"Or perhaps someone’s targeting you," Shino murmured.

"Don’t complain," Shikamaru added with a smirk. "Drawing lots is fair. You’re just cursed with bad luck."

"Number one—both contestants, step forward," Kitazawa called.

Naruto jogged into the arena. His opponent was a boy ranked near the bottom, who quickly lost. Still, he held his head high; losing to the top student was no shame.

"Number seven—both contestants, prepare to enter," Kitazawa announced, pen in hand, scoring calmly.

The sparring matches between the academy students looked more like clumsy pecking contests than real battles. With their young age and limited stamina, results usually came fast.

The first six matches combined didn’t even last half an hour.

"Sasuke-kun, good luck!"

Sakura waved her tiny fists enthusiastically.

"Kiba, don’t lose on momentum!"

Naruto Uzumaki yelled from the sidelines.

Kiba’s mouth twitched.

Even Naruto—the one who usually cheered him on the loudest—sounded doubtful now. Did no one believe he could win?

"Sasuke, I joined Kitazawa-sensei’s special training too!" Kiba shouted, pumping himself up. "I’m not the same as before!"

Sasuke, hands tucked lazily in his pockets, watched him without a ripple of emotion. He had also undergone Kitazawa’s training. Nothing new there.

"Damn it!"

Kiba charged without hesitation.

Four Legs Technique!

Dropping to all fours like a wild beast, he lunged at Sasuke with startling speed. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as his sharpened nails clawed forward like fangs of a wolf.

"Much faster," Sasuke admitted, his Sharingan flickering to life. "But against these eyes... it’s still not enough."

He slipped back, effortlessly avoiding the strike.

Kiba kept pressing, claw after claw tearing through the air.

Leaf Whirlwind!

Sasuke seized an opening and lashed out, his kick smashing into Kiba’s wrist.

"That was beautiful, Sasuke! Nice Leaf Whirlwind!" Naruto shouted, flashing a thumbs-up. "You’re burning with youth!"

"I’m not."

The praise had the opposite effect. If it reminded him of Might Gai, Sasuke wanted no part in it. He deliberately avoided following up with Gai’s other moves.

Instead, he blocked Kiba’s next strike with his forearms. A heavy impact numbed his arms.

So his strength’s grown too?

Kitazawa’s training really had sharpened him. Better chakra control made the Four Legs Technique more lethal—stronger, faster.

But Sasuke had grown too.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

He sprang back, weaving signs before unleashing a roaring inferno.

Kiba skidded away, unable to counter fire with brute force.

Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!

Without pause, Sasuke launched a second jutsu, scattering small fireballs like falling stars.

Kiba dodged desperately, but one clipped him—until suddenly his body lightened. Kitazawa had plucked him out of danger.

"Winner, Sasuke Uchiha," Kitazawa declared, lowering him to the ground.

"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei." Kiba exhaled, relieved. A small fireball wouldn’t kill him, but it would sting like hell.

"You’ve improved a lot," Kitazawa said, patting his shoulder. "I’ll give you a high score."

Though Kiba had lost decisively, he was still among the stronger students in the Academy. He’d just drawn the short straw—facing a prodigy like Sasuke.

Time ticked on. The first round ended. The second began.

"Number one, both students, step into the arena," Kitazawa announced with a faint smile.

"Sasuke, it’s finally time for our youthful showdown!" Naruto grinned ear to ear.

Last exam, he hadn’t gotten the chance—Yakumo had taken that spot.

"..."

Sasuke was speechless. Facing Naruto this early felt like rotten luck. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. There was only one first place, and meeting on that path was inevitable.

"The only reason you won last time was because you didn’t face me."

Sasuke’s Sharingan spun as he spoke coolly.

For this moment, he’d begged Itachi to train him for a whole month. And though it was just one month, the progress felt immense.

"Sasuke, here I come!"

Naruto flashed through hand signs.

Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!

In an instant, the arena flooded with clones.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. Not panicked, just wary. Itachi had warned him: the jutsu was powerful but flawed. Take down the original, and victory followed.

The clones surged.

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

"Leaf Rising Wind!"

"Dynamic Entry!"

Taijutsu strikes from all directions rained down.

"So much chakra..." Karin muttered, astonished. If Naruto had red hair, she’d swear he was pure-blood Uzumaki.

"Fighting Naruto is more about stamina of the mind," Shikamaru sighed.

"Or tolerance for green spandex weirdos," Ino deadpanned.

"Sasuke-kun, you must win!" Sakura prayed with clasped hands.

"Sasuke’s doing well," Shino observed.

Indeed, Sasuke flowed through the chaos like a dancer, Sharingan reading movements, kunai and shuriken flying from his hands. Each strike dispersed a clone in a puff of smoke.

But for every clone destroyed, Naruto spawned another.

Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu!

Sasuke spat three serpents of flame, weaving them through a storm of shuriken. Explosions of heat wiped out half the clones in one breath.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto bellowed again, replenishing his forces instantly.

"Found you!"

Sasuke lunged, hands flashing through seals. Sharingan gleamed.

Genjutsu: Bubble.

Naruto froze mid-step, dazed.

"It’s over, Naruto," Sasuke smirked, already imagining victory.

He readied his final strike—

"Argh, that hurt!"

Naruto jerked awake as if slapped. In truth, the Nine-Tails’ chakra had lashed out again, shattering the genjutsu.

"What?!" Sasuke’s eyes went wide.

Leaf Strong Whirlwind!

A clone capitalized on his hesitation, kicking him clean across the arena.

Sasuke scrambled to his feet, but the horde descended. Fists, feet, elbows—Naruto’s clones pummeled him relentlessly.

Within seconds, Sasuke collapsed under the barrage, bruised and reeling.

"Enough, Naruto."

Kitazawa’s calm voice cut through.

The clones dispersed, revealing Sasuke battered and swollen.

"Naruto!"

Sakura shrieked, rushing forward. "How could you hit his face?!"

She fussed over Sasuke, applying quick first aid. The damage looked bad, but it was all superficial. He’d recover quickly.

But inside, Sasuke seethed with frustration.

Why had Naruto broken his genjutsu so easily?

Was his entire month of training meaningless?

Why... why did he lose?

Silent and heavy-hearted, Sasuke left the arena.

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