Chapter 401

Naruto Uzumaki said with a serious tone, "He just gave me a birthday present last month, so I have to give him an even bigger one in return!"

"What kind of birthday present?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with some curiosity.

"It's a kunai."

Naruto Uzumaki replied.

"A kunai?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but be taken aback.

He had assumed Kitazawa would give a more special birthday gift; he hadn't expected it to be just a kunai.

"Teacher Kitazawa said that this kunai is the exact same model as the Fourth Hokage's!"

Naruto Uzumaki said proudly.

"Let me see it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart stirred, and he said.

"I'll go get it right now!"

Naruto Uzumaki ran back to his room and quickly returned with a kunai.

The kunai was an ordinary one, but engraved on its handle were four characters: Sword of Shinobi Love.

This was precisely Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God kunai.

Of course, this kunai was just a replica and did not possess the true Flying Thunder God mark.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped the kunai, and a flood of memories surfaced in his mind.

He sighed inwardly and said, "Kitazawa truly put his heart into this. Itachi should keep it safe."

As for why Kitazawa gave this gift.

He had likely learned from Tsunade that Naruto Uzumaki was Minato Namikaze's son.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised by this.

After all, Tsunade and Kitazawa were very close; it was only a matter of time before the two became master and student.

"Have Itachi decided what birthday present Itachi're going to give?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, watching him swing the kunai around.

"I don't know."

Naruto Uzumaki thought for a moment and said, "I'll discuss it with Sasuke and the others tomorrow."

"If Itachi're short on money then, come find me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said very generously.

"Thank Itachi, Third Hokage Grandpa!"

Naruto Uzumaki clenched his fist and said, "Then I'm definitely going to buy the most expensive gift! More expensive than what Sasuke and the others get!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

He really was just a child; even when it came to giving gifts, he had to make comparisons.

A new day, Wednesday.

After entering November, there was a noticeable drop in temperature in Konoha.

By December, there would be heavy snow.

Once it snowed, the New Year wouldn't be far off.

The ninja world used the New Calendar, and January 1st was the first day of the New Year.

Kitazawa hadn't cared much about the New Year before.

Because he was all alone, the date of the New Year had no meaning.

But this year was different; he had Kurenai Yuhi and Tsunade and the others.

This New Year would certainly be very lively.

As Kitazawa walked, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He thought of a problem.

Because Asuma Sarutobi served as a Guardian Ninja in the Land of Fire's capital, he rarely returned to the Hidden Leaf Village except for urgent matters.

But for a special day like the New Year, he would have to come back.

"That is a troublesome matter."

Kitazawa shook his head and said.

Asuma Sarutobi was actually a decent person.

But unfortunately, he had snatched Kurenai Yuhi.

No, that wasn't right; one couldn't say snatched.

After all, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi weren't boyfriend and girlfriend.

"Forget it, I'll deal with it when the time comes."

Kitazawa stopped thinking about it and went straight to the ninja academy's training ground.

But to his surprise, the training ground was empty.

Puzzled, he went to the nearby artificial lake, but there was still no one there.

"Strange."

Kitazawa rubbed his chin.

Could it be that everyone was trying to get a free meal today?

Generally, only Hinata Hyuga would have breakfast with him, occasionally joined by Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno.

But Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Kiba Inuzuka all ate breakfast at home.

Kitazawa's office.

"Naruto, what exactly are Itachi up to? Being all mysterious."

Sakura Haruno couldn't help but ask.

Early in the morning, Naruto Uzumaki had called them all to gather at Kitazawa's office.

"Yeah."

Tenten asked, confused, "Why did Itachi call us too?"

Although Neji Hyuga didn't speak, he was also very puzzled.

"Naruto!"

Rock Lee suddenly asked excitedly, "Could it be that Itachi want to lead us in establishing a Youth Club?"

"Youth Club?"

Ino Yamanaka quickly shook her head and said loudly, "I won't join Itachi!"

"Me neither."

Shikamaru Nara agreed.

"It's not a Youth Club, it's a much more important big event!"

Naruto Uzumaki waved his arm and said, "I now announce that our first grand operation meeting has officially begun!"

"Don't waste time."

Sasuke Uchiha stood at the door, frowning slightly as he spoke.

After he went home last night, neither his mother nor his brother had blamed him.

But the more they were like that, the more he felt he had let down the Uchiha clan.

Therefore, he was in a hurry now, eager to go participate in today's special training.

"It's Teacher Kitazawa's birthday!"

Naruto Uzumaki said directly.

"When is it?"

The usually quiet Hinata Hyuga asked subconsciously.

"December 21st."

Naruto Uzumaki replied.

"Isn't that more than a month away?"

Kiba Inuzuka glared at him and asked, "Do we need to discuss it this early?"

"Teacher Kitazawa is so good to us, the gift we give him must be carefully selected!"

Naruto Uzumaki said righteously.

"Naruto isn't wrong."

Ino Yamanaka said thoughtfully, "What kind of gift should we give?"

"What does Teacher Kitazawa usually like?"

Shikamaru Nara rubbed his chin and asked.

"I know!"

Naruto Uzumaki raised his hand and said, "Teacher Kitazawa likes teaching!"

"...?"

Everyone else looked at him speechlessly.

"Are Itachi going to make Teacher Kitazawa teach us on his birthday?"

Shikamaru Nara asked, mocking him.

Naruto Uzumaki scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Hinata, Itachi know Teacher Kitazawa best, do Itachi know what he likes?"

Ino Yamanaka suddenly thought of something and looked at Hinata Hyuga.

"Eh?"

Being stared at by so many people, Hinata Hyuga's face turned crimson instantly, "I... I don't know either..."

"Teacher Kitazawa might like ninjutsu."

Sasuke Uchiha's heart stirred, and he said, "I can give him ninjutsu."

"If Itachi give ninjutsu, it won't be appropriate for us to give it too."

Shikamaru Nara was slightly taken aback and said.

"Let's leave it at that, I'm going to the training ground first."

Sasuke Uchiha said impatiently, "Teacher Kitazawa has probably already arrived; I can just help Itachi buy some time."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left.

Just as he exited the teaching building, he ran straight into Kitazawa.

"Teacher Kitazawa."

Sasuke Uchiha went up to him and asked, "Are we starting the new training now?"

"Let's go to the training ground."

Kitazawa paused and asked, "How come it's just Itachi? Where are Naruto and the others?"

"I don't know."