"As long as you're happy," Kitazawa said helplessly.
Since Naruto and Might Guy already knew each other, he had no reason to interfere. Besides, Naruto hadn't done anything wrong. Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't blame him for this.
As for Namikaze Minato… he could only wish him good luck. Hopefully, he'll still recognize his son when they meet again.
"I'm really happy," Naruto said with a bright smile. "Uncle Guy is really good to me. He's taught me a lot of useful things."
"You can ask him more about taijutsu," Kitazawa sighed softly. This child was so pitiful—he had so few normal friends.
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded, then asked, "Teacher Kitazawa, can I start tree climbing training now?"
Perhaps it was the strange pull between Indra and Ashura, but Naruto had a peculiar obsession with Uchiha Sasuke. In short, he didn't want to fall behind him.
"Wait until you get first place in physical training before climbing trees." Kitazawa thought for a moment and asked, "You don't want to lose first place because of a moment of laziness, right?"
"I understand!" Naruto was immediately energized. He wanted to win first place in physical training and shock everyone.
"I'm going to run now!" Naruto started dashing around the training field again.
Kitazawa's eyes shifted to Yakumo nearby. She was drenched in sweat, but still persevering through her jogging.
Kitazawa nodded slightly. Maybe it was because ninja children matured faster. Their willpower was remarkably strong.
At six, in his previous life, he was still playing in the dirt.
Kitazawa retracted his gaze, turned, and walked over to the trees to help Sasuke and the others train. He now felt slightly overwhelmed.
His hope now rested on Naruto's task. With the Shadow Clone Technique, things would get a lot easier.
---
Two days passed in a flash, and Thursday's practical class arrived.
At the Ninja School playground, students from Class A of the first year arrived one after another.
"Another physical training class? So troublesome," Shikamaru muttered, hands behind his head with a bored expression.
"Last time, I lost to Sasuke. This time, I'll get it back—I'll reclaim everything that belongs to me!" Kiba said, clenching his fists.
"Those are my lines!" Naruto shouted, "First place is mine!"
"How could you possibly beat Sasuke-kun?" Sakura said with a smile. "Right, Ino?"
"Yes," Ino replied absentmindedly. She had been focused on training recently and hadn't competed with Sakura for Sasuke.
"…?" Sakura noticed her indifferent tone.
Sasuke, on the other hand, nodded slightly. He thought the same thing. To be honest, everyone present—except for Kitazawa—was destined to lose to him.
"This time is different! Teacher Kitazawa taught me the secret of running!" Uzumaki Naruto declared proudly. Little Sasuke, you're going down!
"Just because Mr. Kitazawa is excellent doesn't mean you are," Sasuke said calmly.
He knew Naruto had received special running training from Kitazawa, but a week wasn't nearly enough to bridge the gap. After all, last time, Naruto ranked eight places below him.
"Just wait and see!" Naruto said defiantly, "I'll beat you until you kneel!"
"Hey! I got second place last time!" Kiba couldn't help but remind him. "Don't ignore me!"
"Mr. Kitazawa's here!" Ino suddenly called out energetically.
"Line up. Run fifty laps first." Kitazawa stood on the track and got straight to the point.
He soon felt a familiar gaze. No need to guess—of course, it was Uchiha Sasuke.
"Ready! Start!" Kitazawa raised his voice.
Everyone started running in order. Unlike last time, Naruto didn't sprint immediately.
Sasuke also glanced at him. Even though he didn't believe Naruto could surpass him, the fact that Kitazawa trained him made Sasuke take things a bit more seriously.
Kitazawa breathed steadily as he ran in the lead. It didn't look fast, but no one could catch up.
He didn't know what Sasuke was thinking, but if he did, he would've told him: Once the number-crunching monster learns the method, he's unstoppable.
Just like before, after fifty laps, most students couldn't keep going. Ten more laps later, only Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyuga Hinata remained.
"What's going on?" Sakura sat on the ground, confused.
"Why is Naruto still running?" Last time, Naruto had already collapsed by this point.
"As expected of Mr. Kitazawa," Ino exhaled.
"Are running techniques really that useful?" Choji asked, surprised.
"Running form is part of it, but the real key is Naruto's own strength," Nara Shikamaru said, seeing through it all. "Last time, he sprinted too randomly and exhausted himself early."
Time passed. They reached the 70th lap.
Sasuke was panting, and his body felt heavier. He looked at Kitazawa still running effortlessly in front of him and gritted his teeth.
But no matter how hard he pushed, he couldn't catch up. Forget it. Kitazawa is a teacher. He has more than a decade of experience over him—losing to him is normal.
He just had to secure first place… Wait! Suddenly, Sasuke heard breathing behind him.
Last time, by lap 70, no one was left but him. He turned his head—and saw Uzumaki Naruto.
Something was off. Very off. How had he lasted this long?
Even Kiba and Shino had dropped out, yet the guy who ranked ninth last time was still running? And he looked way more relaxed than I.
Impossible! This can't be real! What went wrong?
At that moment, Naruto noticed Sasuke was distracted. Now's my chance!
He suddenly burst forward and overtook Sasuke.
Sasuke's breathing was completely off. His steps were shaky and his reflexes dulled. He watched Naruto pull further and further ahead.
He was already at his limit—he couldn't catch up anymore.
"Hahaha! I'm first!" Naruto pumped his fists in excitement. "This is youth!"
"…?" Kitazawa couldn't help but press his forehead. No good! Another youthful maniac?
[Current Task: Help Uzumaki Naruto get second place in physical training.
Task Reward: Shadow Clone Technique.
Task Completed. Reward Issued.]
Kitazawa froze for a second. His expression remained calm—but his mind lit up.
Nice work, Naruto!
--
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