April 28th.
There was only one day left before the first monthly exam for Class A of the first-year students.
"The Clone Technique is a mandatory part of the practical exam. Over the past two weeks, I've almost covered all the necessary knowledge points."
Kitazawa stood on the training field of the Ninja Academy and said gently, "Today is your last class before the monthly exam. Make good use of it."
"Teacher Kitazawa, don't worry! We definitely won't let you down!" Inuzuka Kiba shouted confidently.
As the homeroom teacher of Class A, their exam results were closely tied to Kitazawa's future and career path.
After a month of classes, the students sincerely acknowledged him and were willing to help him rise through the ranks.
"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.
"The first place will definitely be ours!" Naruto yelled energetically.
"Hey Naruto, you should at least master the Clone Technique first." Kiba shook his head and said.
"Who says I haven't mastered it?!" Naruto retorted defiantly.
He and Kiba had similar personalities, and maybe because of that, they constantly bickered. But for kids, quarreling often brought them closer.
Kitazawa glanced subconsciously at Naruto.
After two weeks of practice, Naruto had fully mastered the Transformation Technique. But the Clone Technique was like Schrödinger's cat—sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.
Has he really mastered it? Let's assume yes, for now.
Kitazawa watched as Naruto quickly formed hand seals and performed the Clone Technique.
Bang. Two identical Naruto's appeared in a puff of smoke.
The good news: no deformities.
The bad news: the clones looked severely malnourished. They were pale and skinny as if they hadn't eaten in days.
Seeing this, Naruto showed an embarrassed expression, sweating like a cartoon character.
Why did it fail again? He had succeeded twice just yesterday.
"Wait! Let me try again!" Naruto shouted quickly.
"If it works, it works. If it doesn't, then don't force it. What's the point of trying again?" Kiba crossed his arms and snorted. "Looks like you're not getting first place after all."
"This is the last time!" Naruto insisted and formed the seals again.
Two clones appeared once more, noticeably better than the previous ones.
"I did it!" Naruto grinned with satisfaction.
"Not bad. Naruto has made great progress—everyone should take him as an example." Kitazawa clapped and said, "Alright, get to practice now."
Compared to the original version of Naruto, this one was already a super-evolved version—completely different from before.
"Teacher Kitazawa!" Naruto ran up and asked, "Will the Transformation Technique be tested in the practical exam?"
"No." Kitazawa shook his head. "Transformation will be covered next year."
"Huh?" Naruto blinked in confusion. "Then why did you teach me Transformation early?"
"Didn't I say? I think Transformation suits you more." Kitazawa chuckled. "That's the reason."
"It's all thanks to your great teaching!" Naruto said with a mix of pride and modesty.
"Put Transformation aside for now. The most important thing is to master the Clone Technique." Kitazawa scanned the area and noticed Sasuke and Hinata heading toward their usual training spot.
Yakumo, however, wasn't there—Kurenai had taken her to study sound-based Genjutsu today.
"Yes!" Naruto nodded and asked, "Teacher Kitazawa, do you think I still have a chance?"
"A chance for what?" Kitazawa blinked. Huh? Is he going to ask me to climb a mountain or something?
"I mean the chance to get first place." Naruto scratched his head, showing rare uncertainty. In front of others, he was all bravado—but with Kitazawa, he became honest.
"The world hasn't been decided yet. You and I could both be number one." Kitazawa replied after thinking.
Of course, in his heart, he knew Naruto had little chance. It was grim.
"What does that mean?" Naruto looked up with clear, innocent eyes.
"It means that until the results are out, anything is possible," Kitazawa explained.
"Awesome!" Naruto's eyes lit up, and his confidence reignited. "I'm going to practice the Clone Technique now!"
Kitazawa smiled. This kid was truly stubborn and persistent. No wonder he could master the 'Talk-no-Jutsu' without anyone teaching him.
Kitazawa watched for a bit, then walked toward the training ground. Before he got close, he heard Sasuke laughing wildly.
His expression immediately turned odd. What now?
As Kitazawa stepped closer, he caught the scent of something burning. His eyes landed on the scorched earth in front of Sasuke.
Clearly, Sasuke had just used the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu.
Judging by the burn radius, it must have been a fireball at least two to three meters wide. Not bad.
He understood why Sasuke was so pleased. The size of a fireball had reached the average level of the jutsu. But... it still fell short compared to the one performed by Uchiha Itachi in the original work.
Kitazawa pondered.
Itachi had likely held back his strength in front of his beloved little brother. That's why Sasuke now lived with his greatest illusion—he thought he had caught up to Itachi.
"Thank you, Teacher Kitazawa." Sasuke stopped laughing, walked over, and said sincerely.
He actually said thank you? Kitazawa was slightly stunned. "No need to thank me. It's your own effort and sweat."
"Um... Teacher Kitazawa." Sasuke suddenly looked awkward. "Can I go home now?"
"Sure." Kitazawa smiled. "You've pretty much completed the advanced tree-climbing training. You can stop here."
Is it over? No, this is just the beginning. This level of Fireball Jutsu still couldn't compare to Itachi's.
One thing was certain—Sasuke would return.
"Thanks, Teacher Kitazawa!" Sasuke turned and ran off excitedly. He couldn't wait to receive his father's praise.
"You two can go home and rest early today as well." Kitazawa looked at Hinata and Ino.
"Teacher Kitazawa, I want to continue training." Ino thought for a moment and said.
Unlike Hinata or Sasuke, she didn't need to prove anything to her parents. But she had experienced the benefits of the training and didn't want to stop.
"I... me too!" Hinata added firmly.
"I didn't say stop training." Kitazawa laughed. "I meant that advanced tree-climbing is over. We'll begin new training after the monthly exam."
Ino smiled awkwardly.
Hinata secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want to stop Kitazawa's training.
---
"I'm back!" Sasuke shouted as soon as he got home.
"Why are you so happy today?" Mikoto stepped out after hearing his voice.
"I'm not telling you, Mom," Sasuke said proudly. "Where's Dad?"
"Oh dear, that makes Mom sad." Mikoto pretended to pout but peeked at him from the corner of her eye.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you." Sasuke relented. "I mastered the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu today!"
"Really? You're amazing, my son!" Mikoto smiled warmly.
"Of course!" Sasuke almost broke into another grin. Luckily, he was used to his mom's praise, so the effect wasn't overwhelming.
"Dad's not home yet?"
"He went to the Konoha Police Department. He should be back soon."
Just then, a familiar voice came from the entrance. "I'm home."
"Brother?!" Sasuke's face lit up. He ran over. "You're home early today!"
"Sasuke." Itachi suppressed the fatigue in his heart. "I just finished a mission."
"Come with me!" Sasuke grabbed his hand and dragged him along.
"What's going on?" Itachi asked, puzzled.
"You'll see." Sasuke led him to the artificial lake in their courtyard.
He made a hand sign and in the next second—Boom!—a massive fireball roared out, distorting the air around them.
Itachi's eyes widened. This power… was on par with his own first attempt!
"Sasuke, when did you get so strong?" Itachi asked in surprise.
"Because I'm a genius!" Sasuke declared proudly.
"Yes." Itachi suddenly grew serious. "Sasuke… the future belongs to you."
"No," Sasuke smiled. "The future belongs to us."
Itachi smiled back and nodded.
Just then, footsteps approached. A middle-aged man in a Jonin vest with a stern face entered.
"Dad!" Sasuke ran up to greet him.
"Hm." Fugaku nodded.
"Dad, look!" Sasuke immediately performed the Great Fireball Technique.
"It's still a step behind your brother." Fugaku glanced once and turned to go inside.
He was physically and mentally exhausted and in no mood for childish games. The conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village worsened by the day.
Since Shisui's death, he had struggled to quell the clan's rebellion.
Itachi's smile faded while Sasuke was struck like lightning. After a month of hard work, that was all the praise he got.
"Sasuke, you're still young. When you reach my age, you'll surpass me." Itachi gently touched his head.
"Brother… show me the Fireball Technique again. This time… at full strength." Sasuke said softly. "I want to see what you're truly capable of."
"Uh…" Itachi hesitated. He had already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—showing full power would be overkill.
But Sasuke's determined face told him there was no turning back. He sighed, formed hand seals—
And in the next instant, an enormous fireball, nearly eight or nine meters wide, burst out, illuminating the nearby buildings like a blazing sun.
Sasuke was stunned.
--
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