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[NSSSG] [ARC-05] Chapter : 193 - Birthday Gifts reveal
🕑 Added 2025-09-09 17:05:38 +0000 UTCKitazawa returned home.
Well, to be precise, Kurenai’s home.
He hadn’t set foot in his own place for a while.
But to his surprise, the house was empty.
That was unusual. Kurenai hadn’t been on missions lately—she’d been buried in studying Sealing Jutsus.
“Did she go out for dinner?” he muttered.
Shrugging it off, Kitazawa placed the gift boxes from Naruto and the others on the coffee table. He settled onto the sofa and casually picked up a cube-shaped one.
The name read: Ino Yamanaka.
Inside was a black kimono. The fabric felt smooth beneath his fingers, high-quality, and when he held it against himself—perfect fit.
“Huh.” Kitazawa raised a brow. “How did Ino know my size?”
Then it struck him: the Byakugan.
If Hinata had quietly measured him during training, she could’ve passed that information along. Sparring gave her plenty of chances to get the data without him ever noticing.
“The Byakugan really is convenient,” he mused, shaking his head as he reached for the next box.
This one, from Sasuke, was featherlight.
He opened it—inside lay a scroll. His eyes gleamed with interest.
Fire Release?
But he already had plenty of Fire-style Jutsus from Sasuke, including several B-rank ones. Even Uchiha Madara had relied on B-rank Fire Jutsu like Great Fire Annihilation and Dragon Flame Release Song Jutsu, proving rank didn’t always equal raw power. Rank was more about learning difficulty. Still, harder often meant stronger.
Unfurling the scroll, he froze.
It wasn’t Fire Release—it was Wind Release. An A-Rank Wind Jutsu: Wind Blade.
A razor-sharp current of air fired from the fingertips, faster than most shinobi could react. He remembered how, in the original work, Sunagakure’s Baki had used it to cut down Gekkō Hayate in an instant.
No question—this was an extraordinary gift. A-rank jutsu were rare and precious. And for him, it was his very first Wind Release on that level.
The door creaked open.
Barefoot, Kurenai stepped inside.
“Huh?” Her eyes widened. “Why are you home already?”
Kitazawa raised the scroll with a grin. “Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing. I’ve just been opening my birthday gifts.”
Kurenai leaned in, her gaze flicking to the scroll. “An A-Rank Wind Release? Who’s the generous one?”
“Sasuke.”
“As expected of the Uchiha,” she sighed. “Only they would hand out something worth a fortune as a casual gift.”
“Don’t look at me like that.” Kitazawa chuckled. “I didn’t do anything special. Just fulfilled my duty as a teacher.”
“Mm-hm.” Kurenai rolled her eyes. “You expect me to buy that?”
“Well… the Uchiha do want to cozy up to Tsunade-sama,” Kitazawa admitted, “but it’s also true I’ve taught him well.”
She sat beside him, curiosity sparking. “Mind if I help you open the rest?”
“Be my guest.” He pulled her into his arms.
“You’re holding me, I can’t reach.”
“Is that distance really going to stop you?” he teased.
“You’re impossible.” Kurenai pouted, then simply flexed her toes, gripped a gift box, and flipped it onto the sofa.
Kitazawa blinked, impressed. “Now that’s talent.”
“This one’s from Yakumo.” Kurenai opened the scroll inside—and gasped.
It was a painting. The two of them, bathed in sunlight, nestled close, looking… happy.
“She has a kind heart,” Kurenai said softly, smiling.
“Relax, it’s just a normal painting.” Kitazawa ran his fingers across it. “No chakra tricks hidden inside.”
Kurenai’s smile lingered, reluctant to roll the scroll back up.
“If you like it that much, it’s yours,” Kitazawa offered.
“This is your birthday gift,” Kurenai protested gently. “Is it really okay to give it away?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? What’s mine is yours.”
His breath brushed her neck, sending a shiver through her. Amused and touched, she finally murmured, “Then I’ll hold onto it for you.”
Time slipped by as they went through the gifts together. Naruto’s limited-edition instant ramen earned a laugh—it was priceless in its own way, exactly what Naruto would choose.
Half an hour later, the pile was sorted. Aside from Hinata’s chakra metal forged blade, most gifts carried more sentiment than value, which was only natural—they were kids, after all.
“Speaking of which…” Kitazawa leaned back, eyeing Kurenai. “Where’s yours?”
Her cheeks flushed. She tugged her collar slightly. “Tonight. And you’ve already collected half an hour’s worth of interest.”
“Interest?” He tilted his head, then cupped her face and kissed her.
Pulling back with a grin, he whispered, “That’s the interest.”
Kurenai rolled her eyes again, though her face was warm. “Since it’s your birthday, I’ll allow it. But enough playing around—I need to pack for tomorrow. I’ll get your things ready too.”
“You’ll make an amazing wife and mother,” Kitazawa said sincerely.
“Obviously.” She smiled as she headed for his room. “You’re lucky to have me.”
Left with a rare stretch of free time, Kitazawa considered his next move.
He decided on Sealing Jutsus.
He had two pressing missions: learn four Water Release Jutsu before the semester ended and master three Sealing Jutsu before winter break. The second was on a tighter deadline—only three weeks remained.
Water Release? He’d nearly finished that quota. Seals, though, still needed work.
Unrolling Tsunade’s scroll, he scanned the basics. The Finger Engraving Seal caught his eye first—simple, direct.
With it, he could inscribe words on any surface, even living skin. Jiraiya himself had once used it to carve a message into Fukasaku’s back during his final battle. A perfect tool for passing information when no other method was possible.
Kitazawa fetched a blank scroll, steadied his breath.
Step one in sealing arts: learn to draw the symbols.
Time slipped by.
The steady click of high-heeled sandals echoed in the hall. Kitazawa looked up to see Lady Tsunade striding in with a sour expression, Shizune trailing behind with the look of someone long-suffering.
He didn’t need to ask—clearly Tsunade had lost money at the casino again.
Behind them stood Rina Uzumaki and her daughter, Karin.
“No money for a real gift, so here—take this.”
Tsunade tossed a scroll straight into his lap.
“Lady Tsunade you're… refreshingly direct.” Kitazawa chuckled.
“You got a problem with that?” Tsunade crossed her legs and glared, her voice carrying a subtle threat.
“Of course not.” Kitazawa quickly unrolled the scroll, eyes scanning the title: Body Pathway Derangement.
It wasn’t just Taijutsu—it fused hand-to-hand combat with Lightning chakra control. By disrupting a target’s brain signals, it threw their motor nerves into chaos: try to raise a hand, and your foot shoots up instead; try to punch, and your leg kicks.
Practical. Dangerous. And naturally, only a medic with precise chakra control could master it.
“Thank you, Lady Tsunade.” Kitazawa bowed his head as he tucked it away.
“Don’t mention it.” Tsunade yawned. “I was going to teach you sooner or later anyway.”
“Kitazawa.”
Shizune placed Tonton gently aside, then held out a small gift box. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Shizune-senpai.”
Inside lay one of Shizune’s trademark weapons: a discreet arm-mounted device for firing poisoned needles or senbon. Deadly in the right hands. Kitazawa knew exactly who to give it to—Kurenai would appreciate it far more than he would.
Just then, Kurenai leaned out of the kitchen doorway. “Kitazawa, come give me a hand.”
“I’ll help,” Shizune offered with a smile. “It’s your birthday—you shouldn’t be working.”
“It’s poor manners to let guests do the chores.” Kitazawa shook his head and went to the kitchen.
Shizune hesitated, then let him go. Living next door, she and Tsunade had already noticed how close he and Kurenai had become. No point intruding now.
Half an hour later, everyone gathered around the table. The meal was lively, but by halfway through, Tsunade was swaying drunk, forcing Shizune to drag her home. Soon after, Rina and Karin excused themselves as well.
“I’ll handle the dishes,” Kurenai said matter-of-factly. “Go run the bath—we’ll bathe together later.”
Kitazawa simply nodded. He’d gotten used to that arrangement, though curiosity tugged at him. What exactly had Kurenai prepared as her gift? Surely not their usual “nightly routine.”
He filled the tub with steaming water, leaning back as mist clouded the room. Something felt missing… ah, glass walls. Steam and glass left certain possibilities.
He sank into the hot water to wait.
The door opened.
Kurenai stepped in.
Kitazawa blinked, eyes immediately drawn to her. She was wearing a swimsuit—sleek, black, and scandalously minimal. Long jade-like legs, delicate feet on the tiles, slender waist bound with straps, and above… a pair of “straps” doing heroic work.
“Why the swimsuit?” he asked, puzzled.
“Obviously, so you can see me in it.” Kurenai’s lips curved faintly. “I bought a lot of outfits today—I’ll try them all for you later.”
“So this is your gift?” Kitazawa’s grin widened. A private fashion show from Kurenai was hardly something to complain about.
“Yes,” she admitted, then added with a teasing gleam, “But this is only the first gift.”
“There’s more?”
“You’ll find out soon.” Kurenai slipped closer. “For now, let me bathe you.”
Kitazawa turned as she lathered her hands with soap and smoothed the foam across his back, fingers tracing with quiet tenderness. Then, with one tug, the swimsuit straps slid loose, vanishing beneath the water.
Kitazawa’s body stiffened as he felt her press against him. The “loofah” Jutsu was… unconventional, to say the least.
“Turn around,” she whispered.
He obeyed. Foam clung to her pale skin in delicate swirls. She flushed but didn’t back away. Instead, she leaned in again, black hair floating in the water. Kitazawa caught glimpses through the rippling steam—puffed cheeks, a determination he hadn’t expected.
He hadn’t thought Kurenai would go this far.
Bubbles rose steadily between them.
When she finally straightened, her hair plastered to her skin, she was radiant—every bit a vision out of a painting.
Kitazawa’s eyes lingered on her trembling throat. “Kurenai, you don’t have to—”
Her finger pressed softly against his lips. “This is my gift to you.” She smiled, licking her lips in a way that left no room for argument.
Kitazawa drew her close, murmuring, “Thank you.”
“Rest two minutes,” she teased, still flushed. “You’ll need it.”
“Do I look like I need rest?” he quirked an eyebrow.
Kurenai’s face deepened to crimson. She knew very well what he was capable of.
She slipped away briefly, returning after brushing her teeth. Perching on his lap, arms circling his neck, she whispered, “Let’s go back to the room.”
He carried her there, and on the bed lay the promised “fashion show”—maid uniforms, cheongsams, kimonos, each more revealing than the last.
Kitazawa took a deep breath, glanced at the woman in his arms, and thought, Another night of madness awaits.
The next morning, the second week of winter break began.
Kitazawa woke with a yawn. The clock already read past eight.
Beside him, Kurenai slept soundly, exhaustion etched across her beautiful face.
He shook his head with a wry smile. She’d pushed herself too hard, paying the price for her own stubborn determination.
Still… last night’s “gift” was unforgettable.
