Naruto: Strongest Shinobi System With a Glitch

Kurenai's house

Kitazawa slid the key into the lock, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.

The first thing he saw upon entering the living room was Kurenai herself, leaning slightly over the coffee table. Her hands pressed against a blank scroll, her beautiful face focused in deep concentration.

Kitazawa arched a brow.

From his angle, the scene was far too tempting.

Kurenai's back was to him, her posture forcing her to lean forward because of the low table. The result—her hips tilted back ever so invitingly. And since she hadn't gone out that day, she was still dressed in a silk nightgown.

The soft fabric clung lightly to her form.

Kitazawa walked closer, his gaze flicking to the scroll covered in black seals. Without hesitation, he reached out and laid his hand on her pale thigh.

Kurenai stiffened, whipping her head around to glare at him.

Yet she didn't push him away—her chakra flow demanded her full attention.

Knowing this, Kitazawa smirked and let his hand wander upward, savoring the warmth of her skin before pulling back.

"Pervert!" Kurenai snapped, finishing the sealing jutsu and retreating half a step. Tugging at her nightgown, she glared at him again, cheeks burning red.

"This was a special training method," Kitazawa replied smoothly, utterly unashamed. "Even with my… interference, you still managed to complete the jutsu perfectly. That means you passed."

"You expect me to believe that nonsense?" she retorted.

"I'm not lying." His gaze lingered on her figure, but his tone was deadly serious. "You're ready to move on to the next stage of the Fire Sealing Method."

Kurenai hesitated, biting back the urge to call him shameless. How could he spout such things with a straight face?

"Then you teach me," she said finally, choosing to ignore the incident altogether. After all, by now she was almost used to it.

Kitazawa nodded and moved closer.

Her heartbeat jumped. "W-What are you doing?"

"What do you think?" His smile was infuriating.

"Aren't you supposed to be teaching me sealing jutsu?" she asked, already backing toward the sofa.

"You already know the answer to that, so why ask?" he teased, dropping onto the sofa with a stretch.

Kurenai froze, flustered. He only sat down? That was all?

"I've been standing at the Academy all day. Sitting feels better," Kitazawa explained casually. Then he glanced at her, his smile sharpening. "Tell me, what were you just imagining?"

"I wasn't thinking anything!" she protested, voice tight.

"Your face is as red as an apple," he said, amused.

"I-I didn't think anything!" She instinctively touched her hot cheeks, making it worse.

"You're adorable when you lie," Kitazawa chuckled.

"Don't laugh!" she huffed, stalking forward and covering his mouth with her hand.

Seizing the chance, Kitazawa slid his arm around her waist. With a startled gasp, she toppled onto his lap.

"Teaching like this gives me more motivation," he said lightly.

Kurenai rolled her eyes, threatening, "If you don't teach properly, I'll kick you twice."

"Questioning the best teacher in the Academy?" he teased, pinching her cheek.

"You haven't earned my approval yet," she shot back.

"Then I'll have to prove myself." Clearing his throat, Kitazawa began explaining the Fire Sealing Method in detail.

Kurenai listened intently, though her body gradually relaxed into his. Without realizing it, she shifted into a comfortable position, leaning against him as the lesson stretched on.

An hour slipped by before Kitazawa asked, "Anything unclear?"

"No," she admitted. "You explained it very well."

"So I have your approval now?"

Kurenai didn't answer. Instead, she stood up, bent down slightly, and—before he could react—covered his mouth again. The nightgown shifted with her movements, dangerously close to slipping. Kitazawa froze, eyes wide, uncertain where to look.

"Bad guy," she muttered, cheeks burning.

"You haven't seen me at my worst yet," he murmured with a mischievous smile.

Flustered, Kurenai spun away. "I'm going to train!"

She darted upstairs, ignoring his voice calling after her: "Ask me if you don't understand anything!"

Kitazawa wasn't bothered. Their relationship was a dance of playful banter, and he knew it was only a matter of time before they stepped closer.

Friday passed, and the weekend began.

For Kitazawa, two free days meant double the pleasure—spending time with three beautiful women.

By day, he practiced Water Release and taught Kurenai sealing techniques. By night, he discussed new Ninjutsu with Tsunade and Shizune.

On Sunday morning, just after breakfast with Tsunade, a knock came at the door.

"Kitazawa, get the door," Tsunade said lazily, stretching.

"Alright." He opened it to find a familiar face—Shibi Aburame.

So he had come already. Most likely about Torune.

"Why did you open the door?" Shibi asked, surprised.

"Why can't it be me?" Kitazawa countered with a smile.

Shibi quickly composed himself. "Is Lady Tsunade home?"

"She is. Please, come in."

As Shibi entered, his eyes flicked to the table—six sets of bowls and chopsticks.

"Tsunade-sama," he greeted, inclining his head.

"Shibi?" Tsunade blinked in mild surprise. "You rarely seek me out. What's wrong?"

Shibi hesitated, glancing around. Sensitive matters couldn't be discussed in front of everyone—Shizune, Kitazawa, Kurenai, and the others.

Reading his concern instantly, Kitazawa stood. "Kurenai and I will step out." He led her away without protest.

Later, at her home, Kurenai excused herself to train, leaving Kitazawa free. Settling onto the sofa, he considered what to practice. With no water nearby, Water Release was out. Instead, he held out his hand, chakra swirling into a Rasengan.

The familiar sphere spun steadily. Kitazawa narrowed his eyes and began infusing Wind Release chakra.

The orb's hue shifted, edges sharp as blades. The chakra sphere now resembled a storm of spinning knives.

If this struck flesh, it would be devastating.

The door creaked open, its sound echoing through the room.

Tsunade stepped in, her expression far from pleasant—only to halt in surprise at the sight before her.

Kitazawa was holding a swirling sphere of chakra.

Her eyes narrowed. 'That's…'

"A Rasengan infused with Wind Release?" she blurted out, genuine astonishment slipping through her usual composure.

Kitazawa glanced up, curiosity flickering in his gaze. "What do you think of this—Wind Release: Rasengan, Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade crossed her arms, analyzing the jutsu with a keen eye. "It's far more lethal than the original Rasengan, but it demands a mastery of Wind Release transformation at an advanced level. Only shinobi already skilled in Wind Release could even attempt it."

What she didn't add was that those who could reach this standard were, more often than not, already Jōnin.

She shook the thought off. "Let's leave that aside for now. Shibi Aburame came to me just now, asking for help to rescue Torune from Root."

Kitazawa tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Why not go directly to the Hokage?"

"He did. But it was useless." Tsunade's tone sharpened, her lips curling into a cold snort. "Hiruzen has grown senile—letting Danzo steal away the talents of Konoha's clans right under his nose."

Her words struck heavy, but Kitazawa said nothing. 'Senile? Hardly. If anything, Hiruzen's been allowing Danzo to act unchecked—using him to pressure the clans.' Foolish, yes, but exactly the kind of gamble Hiruzen and Danzo would make.

"And what was your answer?" Kitazawa asked, watching her closely.

"Danzo's reach has gone too far!" Tsunade snapped. "He even sent people after Rina Uzumaki and Karin before."

Kitazawa blinked, genuinely surprised. "That happened?"

He hadn't heard a word of it. But with Danzo, it wasn't hard to believe. Fortunately, Rina and Karin had Tsunade—and even Hiruzen—backing them, so Root hadn't dared to drag them off by force.

"If he dares to snatch people," Tsunade said coldly, "then I dare to snatch them back."

Her conviction brought Kitazawa a wave of relief.

"Come on. We're going to see Hiruzen." She gestured curtly.

The words had barely left her lips before she realized—this had nothing to do with Kitazawa. Yet for some reason, she called him along without hesitation.

"Of course," Kitazawa replied smoothly. Truth be told, he was hoping Torune's case might spark a new mission—and besides, who would want to miss the chaos of making trouble in Root?

With a resounding bang, Tsunade kicked open the Hokage's office door.

"You—" Hiruzen started, but stopped when he caught the fire in her eyes. 'Danzo again?' he guessed instantly.

"Tsunade," he began carefully, "what is it this time?"

"What's the procedure for Root's recruitment?" she asked bluntly, her tone cool and measured.

Kitazawa glanced at her from the corner of his eye. 'Sharp. If she stormed in demanding Torune back, Hiruzen would have blocked her. But pressing from the angle of Root's system? That's a tactician's move. She really does have the makings of Hokage.'

Hiruzen hesitated. "Why the sudden interest?" But in his heart, he'd already confirmed Danzo was the cause.

"I'm curious, that's all." Tsunade's face betrayed nothing.

"By Konoha's rules," Hiruzen began slowly, "Root must report to Anbu before recruiting anyone. If Anbu approves, recruitment proceeds. If Root shows interest in a ninja, the individual is notified and invited for evaluation. But ultimately, if they refuse, they cannot be forced."

He wasn't lying—these were facts she could confirm with a single check.

Tsunade's eyes hardened. "Then I accuse Root of breaking protocol."

'As expected,' Hiruzen thought grimly.

"Go on." His voice turned grave.

"Root approached Rina Uzumaki and Karin last week. They refused."

"I'll warn him," Hiruzen replied quickly. "He is not to approach them again."

No wonder Tsunade was livid—it was Rina and Karin at stake.

"But in that instance, technically, Root didn't violate procedure."

"Not in that matter," Tsunade cut in. "But with Torune Aburame—they crossed the line."

"Torune?" Hiruzen's brows rose.

"You didn't know?" she shot back.

"I knew he joined Root," Hiruzen admitted, though reluctantly. Root was under Anbu, and Anbu under him—denying it would be absurd. Still, he hadn't expected Tsunade to champion Torune's cause. Was this the Aburame clan pushing her, betting on her future as Hokage?

"This was my oversight," Hiruzen conceded finally. "I failed to look deeper."

"And what will you do about it?" Tsunade pressed.

"I'll notify Danzo immediately to return Torune to his clan."

To Hiruzen, one boy was a small price compared to keeping Tsunade's trust. Danzo would fume—but he was used to that.

"Danzo won't yield so easily," Tsunade warned, her eyes narrowing. "I'll retrieve him myself."

"You may go," Hiruzen allowed, "but no violence. Root is still part of Konoha."

"Then control them properly!" she snapped. "You know as well as I do—Torune isn't the only one."

Hiruzen bit back a retort. She wasn't wrong.

Kitazawa lowered his eyes, feigning detachment. 'In the original tale, Hiruzen's stance toward Danzo was always murky. But when Danzo crossed the line, Hiruzen never hesitated to strike back—like after the Uchiha massacre, when he disbanded Root outright.'

"Take my warrant," Hiruzen said finally, "and an Anbu squad if you wish."

Prudent. He had done the same when reclaiming Yamato from Danzo.

"Fine," Tsunade agreed, her voice softening slightly. At least her old teacher could still distinguish right from wrong.

"But investigate Torune's location first," Hiruzen cautioned. "Root is slippery—even I don't know all of Danzo's hideouts."

"I know." Tsunade nodded, then turned. "Come, Kitazawa."

Only then did Hiruzen realize Kitazawa was even there. The boy had clearly become Tsunade's shadow.

"Alright," Kitazawa replied, bowing politely before following her out.

And then—three lines of glowing text flashed before his eyes.

Current Mission: Retrieve Torune Aburame from Root.

Reward: Cursed Tongue eradication Seal.

Accept?

Kitazawa froze. 'The Tongue Seal? What kind of reward is that? Am I being nudged into becoming the next 'head of Root' here?'

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