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[NSSSG] [ARC-05] Chapter : 195 - Asuma vs Kitazawa
🕑 Added 2025-09-09 18:19:43 +0000 UTCIn the plaza outside the palace, Kitazawa and Asuma stood opposite one another, the tension thick in the air.
“Both of you, hold back. Getting injured now would jeopardize the mission,” Kurenai warned, standing a short distance away.
Beside her, Kabuto, Torune, and Izumi watched intently, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. They were eager to see the outcome.
Asuma was a well-known name in Konoha—not only for his own strength, but also for being the son of the Third Hokage. Yet as Kitazawa’s students, their loyalty was clear.
“Come on!” Asuma said confidently.
Though he lacked a Bloodline Limit, he was an Elite Jonin, renowned for his Fire and Wind Release techniques.
Kitazawa’s eyes flicked to the brass-knuckle-like Chakra Blades glinting on Asuma’s hands. Then, without warning—
Kitazawa blurred into an afterimage, closing the gap with startling speed.
“Good!” Asuma grinned. Close combat was his specialty. He tightened his grip, infusing the Chakra Blades with Wind Release, the metal glowing a dangerous blue. His fists flashed forward, twin arcs of light cutting through the air.
Super Strength!
Kitazawa’s fist met his strike head-on.
Asuma froze, stunned. Flesh and blood against my Chakra Blades?
Before he could process it, his right fist slammed into Kitazawa’s punch—
—and an overwhelming force surged through his arm. His limb went numb, his confidence shattered, and the next instant, his body was sent flying like a ragdoll.
He hit the ground hard, dust exploding around him.
Kitazawa stood still, calm, not pressing the advantage.
Kurenai’s brows knit together. She had expected Kitazawa to win, but for Asuma to be knocked out in one exchange? An Elite Jonin, overwhelmed so easily?
“So strong…” Izumi gasped in awe.
The son of the Hokage, beaten back with a single punch. The problem wasn’t Asuma’s weakness—it was Kitazawa’s monstrous strength.
“That was Lady Tsunade’s Super Strength,” Kabuto observed coolly, pushing up his glasses. “Asuma-senpai underestimated Kitazawa-sensei… and paid the price.”
Asuma quickly scrambled to his feet, face flushed with anger and shame. To lose in front of Kurenai—unacceptable.
“Again!” he barked.
Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!
Thick, searing ash poured from his mouth, billowing across the plaza. The suffocating cloud spread like a living thing, concealing Asuma’s figure within it.
Kitazawa felt the air grow blistering hot. The ash burned like magma—touching it meant agony. Worse, Asuma was hidden, ready to strike from anywhere.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
A torrent spiraled around Kitazawa, forming a defensive barrier.
From the shadows, Asuma’s eyes widened. The Second Hokage’s tjutsu?! Unlike ordinary water walls, this one circled Kitazawa entirely—a complete sphere of protection.
The ash hissed and boiled against it, but the wall replenished itself endlessly.
A shriek split the air. A Chakra Blade tore through the water shield, lunging for Kitazawa.
Wind Release: Hien!
The blades sliced with terrifying precision.
Wind Release: Vacuum Blade!
Kitazawa countered, his kunai clashing against the glowing edge. A sharp crack rang out—the kunai splintered under the superior weapon.
“Of course,” Kitazawa muttered. A Chakra Blade worth millions of ryō couldn’t be matched by a cheap kunai.
Asuma seized the opening, grabbing the hilt of his blade and pressing forward. The kunai shattered completely—
—but Kitazawa’s Ninja Blade sang free of its sheath in the same breath. Metal clashed, sparks flew.
Asuma’s eyes narrowed. What a blade…
But before he could adjust, Kitazawa’s right hand flared—compressed chakra spun violently in his palm.
“Rasengan?!”
Asuma’s heart lurched. He flickered away instantly, the Rasengan’s deadly hum echoing in his ears.
Kitazawa let it fade, casually sheathing his sword.
I’ll need to learn kenjutsu soon, he thought. Otherwise Hinata’s gift will only gather dust.
From a distance, Asuma stared, shaken. The Second Hokage’s Water Release. The Fourth Hokage’s Rasengan. Lady Tsunade’s Super Strength.
How had an ordinary Academy instructor amassed such power?
Compared to him, the Hokage’s son looked like a man coasting on pedigree alone.
“Still fighting?” Kitazawa asked lightly.
“I still have one jutsu left.” Asuma’s voice was tight, his pride hanging by a thread. “If you can withstand it, I’ll admit defeat.”
He dismissed his blades, clapping his hands together. Chakra surged, golden light flooding the plaza.
Raigo: Thousand Hand Strike!
Behind him, a towering golden monk with countless arms loomed, each fist tightening, ready to strike.
“What in the world is that?” Kurenai gasped, eyes wide. Kabuto and the others were equally stunned.
Kitazawa, however, recognized it instantly. The Fire Temple’s secret technique—an echo of Sage Arts.
No need to dodge.
Eight Gates Formation—Gate of Opening, Open!
Kitazawa’s chakra roared, his body boiling with unleashed power.
Asuma’s eyes widened yet again. He can use the Eight Gates too?!
The golden statue unleashed a storm of fists, a thousand strikes crashing down at once.
Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Smoke erupted—twenty Kitazawas charged forward.
Wind Release: Rasengan!
Each clone brandished a spinning sphere of chakra laced with slicing winds.
The plaza lit up as twenty Rasengan met the storm of golden fists. Explosions ripped the air apart, the statue’s arms disintegrating under the relentless assault.
In less than a heartbeat, the Asuma's jutsu shattered, golden light fading into nothingness.
Asuma staggered, pale and trembling, before dropping to one knee.
Twenty clones. Twenty Wind Release: Rasengan. The chakra reserve required… it’s unthinkable.
He clenched his fists. The gap was undeniable. In power, in ability, even in reputation—Kitazawa had eclipsed him entirely.
“Are you injured?” Kitazawa stepped forward, raising his hands. Green chakra flared, soothing and warm.
“Mystic Palm Jutsu?!”
Asuma stared, dumbfounded. Jonin-level medical ninjutsu on top of everything else?
“…Thank you,” he managed, rising shakily. “Your strength is far beyond mine.”
“Then can we help you now?” Kitazawa asked. His mind was already on Hiruzen’s mission—the system’s task waiting to be cleared.
“…Yes.” Asuma took a deep breath. “With your power, we can finally bring down Kazuma and his faction.”
“We’ll follow your lead,” Kitazawa replied with a nod.
They returned to the palace, the tension shifting from rivalry to strategy.
“The Guardian Twelve are completely divided,” Asuma said grimly. “Kazuma and his men moved to a separate palace after repeated clashes.”
“If you kill them outright, will the Daimyō approve?” Kitazawa asked.
“He won’t.” Asuma shook his head. “We’ve been waiting for them to make a mistake.”
Kitazawa’s eyes narrowed. He remembered the original tale—Kazuma’s reckless attempt on the Daimyō’s life.
“Waiting is too slow,” Kitazawa said with a faint smile. “I can create that opportunity.”
“You… have a plan?” Asuma leaned forward.
“I can make the Daimyō despise Kazuma and his group—and never suspect us.”
Asuma’s breath caught. “If you can truly pull that off… you’ll be invaluable.”
“Kitazawa is more than capable,” Kurenai interjected without hesitation.
Asuma’s expression stiffened. Each word of support from her was another needle to his pride.
Pain. Pure pain.
“Besides that, there’s one more thing.”
Asuma steadied himself, then said grimly, “Kazuma has been missing for about a week. I suspect he’s plotting something in secret.”
“Missing?”
Kitazawa raised a brow. “Even you couldn’t track him down?”
Asuma gave a helpless sigh. “Can’t find him.”
Kitazawa fell into thought, recalling Kazuma’s sinister arsenal of Earth Release techniques. Could it be that jutsu?
Earth Release: Resurrection – Corpse Soil.
A forbidden technique that resurrected corpses buried in tainted soil, turning them into puppets. And when paired with Earth Release: Reincarnation Jutsu, those corpses regained all the strength they had in life.
A chill passed through Kitazawa. Corpse soil wasn’t ordinary soil—it carried the residue of death itself. And where else held such energy in abundance?
A graveyard.
“I see,” Kitazawa said at last, his tone sharp. “Then our first step is to locate Kazuma. Once we do, we’ll make sure the Daimyo turns against him and his lackeys.”
“You can actually find him?” Asuma’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I have a method,” Kitazawa admitted, standing. “But whether it works is another matter. I’ll try first.”
“…Alright.” Asuma hesitated, then added, “Do you have a place to stay?”
“We’re at an inn,” Kitazawa answered. “Better not to change it—we don’t want Kazuma growing suspicious.”
“Fair point.” Asuma gave a small nod, then glanced toward Kurenai. “I’ll inform Chiriku and the others, so they can rest easy.”
Kurenai exhaled, a bit of tension leaving her shoulders. “Looks like our mission might go smoothly after all.”
“Asuma isn’t unreasonable,” Kitazawa said with a faint smile. “He’s grown a lot here in the Capital.”
In the original tale, it was here that Asuma matured—finally understanding Hiruzen and putting aside his rebellion.
“Mm,” Kurenai agreed softly. “He has changed.”
Impulsive enough to challenge Kitazawa, yes—but also humble enough to admit defeat.
“Kabuto.” Kitazawa’s voice sharpened as he turned to Kabuto and the others. “New mission. Find every graveyard near the Capital.”
“Graveyards?” Kurenai echoed, puzzled.
“I did some research on Kazuma beforehand,” Kitazawa said smoothly, inventing an excuse. Then he explained Kazuma’s Earth Release.
“Such a vile technique exists?” Kurenai’s face darkened, fury sparking in her eyes. “Defiling the dead is unforgivable!”
Kitazawa thought wryly, Wait until you see the Edo Tensei army one day. Even Hashirama had condemned Tobirama’s jutsu as an abomination.
“Just map the graveyards,” Kitazawa added. “Don’t investigate on your own.”
“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei.”
The three bowed and departed. Torune’s insects, Izumi’s Sharingan, and Kabuto’s cunning made them the perfect reconnaissance unit. Kitazawa felt reassured entrusting the task to them.
Not long after, Asuma returned. “I’ve updated Chiriku and the others. Once you find Kazuma, we’ll move.”
“Good.” Kitazawa inclined his head. “In that case, we’ll take our leave.”
“You’re not staying for dinner?” Asuma asked, surprised.
“No. The sooner we track Kazuma, the sooner this mission ends.”
Kitazawa shook his head.
Then Kurenai spoke up—quiet, but firm. “Asuma, there’s something else. I’m with Kitazawa now. I’m his girlfriend.”
She turned and followed Kitazawa out.
Asuma’s hand twitched, half-reaching out. He had suspected, but hearing it aloud still stabbed deep. What else could he do? He had lost to Kitazawa in every way.
Two days later.
On Friday, Kabuto’s team returned with their findings.
Guided by their intel, Kitazawa and Kurenai searched the graveyards. At last, they located Kazuma in a cemetery north of the city.
“There are four chakra signatures,” Kitazawa reported after scanning with his Byakugan discreetly. “Kazuma, plus his two of his subordinates.”
He turned to his students. “Kazuma is mine. The four of you handle the rest.”
“Shouldn’t we inform Asuma?” Kurenai asked, worry flickering in her voice.
“Delay will only complicate things,” Kitazawa said, calm and certain. “Trust me.”
“…Alright.” She nodded, yielding.
“Then let’s move.” Kitazawa advanced straight toward the graveyard.
“Who’s there?!”
A sharp cry rang out, followed by a storm of fireballs.
Kitazawa held back. Kabuto stepped forward to intercept.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
A blast of air scattered the fireballs.
“Konoha shinobi?”
Kazuma stepped from the shadows, face hardening. “Asuma sent reinforcements?”
“That’s right.” Kitazawa raised a hand, unleashing Wind Release: Shuriken.
The spinning projectile cut through the air, forcing Kazuma to hastily raise an earthen wall.
It shattered instantly—only for a Rasengan to loom in his vision.
Panic flared. Kazuma threw his tin staff and vanished into the ground with Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole.
The Rasengan smashed the staff aside.
Kitazawa leapt high, weaving signs. Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!
Flames erupted, turning the graveyard into a sea of fire. The heat drove Kazuma out.
“Wind Release: Flower Scattering Dance!”
A tornado whipped up, blowing back the flames and revealing his position.
Kazuma scanned for Kitazawa—but the teacher was gone.
Flames to the left surged, birthing three roaring fire dragons.
“There!” Kazuma formed rapid signs. Earth Release: Antlion Trap!
The ground softened, swallowing the fire dragons. But when the flames faded, Kitazawa was still nowhere to be seen.
The rush of wind warned him too late.
He turned—just in time to see Kitazawa’s fist.
Kazuma raised his arms in desperation.
The blow landed.
Monstrous Strength.
Bones shattered with a sickening crack, his arms crumpling under the force. Kazuma was hurled backward, body crashing into the earth like a broken doll.
