SWNOVELXO Chapter 39: Kitazawa, you’ve really set me up this time.
Kitazawa returned home. He sat down on the sofa and took out the ninjutsu scroll awarded by Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere, a B-rank jutsu in terms of learning difficulty.
How should he put it? Although it was the same Wind Style Ninjutsu, the content recorded on this scroll wasn't as detailed as the version of Vacuum Sphere he had received from the system.
In short, there was nothing particularly noteworthy about it.
The sun set. A new day began.
Kitazawa opened his eyes and stretched lazily. It was Saturday. While he didn't need to report to the Ninja School, his tasks hadn't lessened.
Besides helping Uzumaki Naruto find a transformation jutsu mentor, he also needed to discuss Yakumo's next genjutsu training with Yuhi Kurenai.
Just then, a knock came from the door.
Kitazawa blinked, got up, changed clothes, and walked to the entrance. As he opened the door, a splash of bright red filled his vision.
Kurenai stood before him in a red off-shoulder dress with a wide neckline. Her snow-white skin gently rose and fell with her breathing.
Kitazawa's eyes involuntarily glanced down. Not small at all, he thought.
"What are you staring at? Not going to invite me in?" Kurenai asked with a playful smile.
"How could I not?" Kitazawa took the bag from her hand and grinned. "I must be very lucky today—such a beautiful lady graces my doorstep."
"You still talk so smoothly," Kurenai said, stepping past him toward the shoe cabinet and bending down to remove her shoes.
Beneath the hem of her dress, her shapely calf wrapped in black stockings came into view, smooth, without a hint of excess fat.
"I'm just speaking the truth," Kitazawa replied, glancing at the bag. "But… why wine?"
"Why not wine?" Kurenai's black-stockinged feet landed softly on the floor with a muted thud.
"You drink in the morning?" Kitazawa followed behind and said, "Too much alcohol isn't good for your health."
"This isn't for the morning—it's for the evening." Kurenai walked over to the sofa.
She reached behind, smoothed her dress from her round hips down, then slowly sat down.
"The evening?" Kitazawa chuckled. "So you're planning to have two meals here today?"
"It's called reciprocity," Kurenai said, crossing her legs and smiling. "Do you remember how many meals you've had at my place?"
"So what are we having—Ichiraku Ramen or home cooking?"
"You're cooking," Kurenai said, tapping her chin. "I haven't tasted your cooking much."
"Don't expect too much," Kitazawa said, raising his hands. "It's… average, at best."
"I'm not a picky eater." Kurenai took out two scrolls. "Shall we start reviewing genjutsu now?"
"Give me half an hour," Kitazawa said as he stood. "I need to head out for a bit."
"Sure," Kurenai replied easily, taking out a pen. "I'll study the scrolls in the meantime."
"Alright." Kitazawa changed shoes and left the house. On the way, he grabbed two slices of bread for breakfast.
He hadn't visited Naruto's home before, but the address was listed in the student records. Soon, he arrived at a slightly worn two-story building.
Kitazawa raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Teacher Kitazawa?" The door opened to reveal Naruto in green training tights, blinking in surprise.
"Heading out?" Kitazawa raised an eyebrow at the outfit.
"I've been jogging with Uncle Guy and Rock Lee lately," Naruto replied earnestly.
Rock Lee, huh? Kitazawa arched an eyebrow.
Looks like his earlier reminder had worked—Might Guy had accepted Rock Lee as a disciple and begun training him.
"Well, your morning run is canceled today," Kitazawa said. "I'm taking you to meet a ninja skilled in transformation."
"Is he strong?" Naruto asked, eyes sparkling.
"It's not about strong or not—he's one of a kind," Kitazawa smiled. "He's mastered over a thousand ninjutsu and can help tailor a transformation technique just for you."
"Really?" Naruto's eyes lit up like fireworks.
Ever since Kitazawa told him the wild tales of Uchiha Madara, his mind had been overflowing with creative ideas for transformation jutsu.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"No," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
"Then let's go." Kitazawa patted him on the shoulder and turned.
"Wait for me!" Naruto shut the door and quickly caught up.
"If you've got ideas for the technique, just speak up. Don't hold back," Kitazawa reminded.
"Okay, Mr. Kitazawa." Naruto suddenly hesitated, then asked, "Will he… hate me?"
Though he'd been enjoying school life recently, outside of it, people still treated him coldly.
"No." Kitazawa paused, then added, "His name is Hatake Kakashi. He's a good friend of Might Guy."
Hearing that, Naruto relaxed. In his eyes, anyone who could be friends with Might Guy must be a good person. After training with Guy for a while, Naruto developed a strange sense of kinship with him.
Because of his eccentric behavior, Guy wasn't well-liked. Just like him.
---
There was a knock on the door. Hatake Kakashi stood and looked toward it.
He had a pretty good idea who it was—but oddly, he felt a rare nervousness. He hadn't seen Uzumaki Naruto since Minato Namikaze passed away.
Kakashi exhaled and opened the door. His eyes immediately landed on Naruto, especially that unmistakable golden hair.
"Kakashi," Kitazawa introduced, "this is Uzumaki Naruto."
"Hello, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto greeted excitedly. He was naturally outgoing and never shy around strangers.
Kakashi-sensei…? Kakashi froze for a moment.
That familiar title stirred something in his heart. He was dazed for a few seconds before regaining composure.
"…Yeah." He nodded calmly.
"I'll leave you two to it," Kitazawa said. "I've got some errands to run."
Once Kitazawa left, Kakashi turned and walked into the living room. "I heard from Kitazawa that you want to develop a new transformation jutsu?"
"Yes!" Naruto nodded eagerly. "Kakashi-sensei, can you help me?"
"That's easy," Kakashi said confidently. "What's your idea?"
"I want to use the transformation technique to turn into a beautiful woman and confuse the enemy!" Naruto said, eyes shining with excitement.
"…?" Kakashi froze. A large question mark might as well have popped above his head.
Is this idea even sane? Who taught you this? Jiraiya? Or… the Hokage-sama?
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto suddenly leaned closer, recalling Kitazawa's words, "Do you know what a beautiful and sexy woman looks like?"
Kakashi hesitated. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. A thousand thoughts raced through his head. In the end, they all condensed into a single sentence:
Kitazawa, you've really set me up this time.