"Um… Kurenai-sensei… I… I'd like to request leave today," Hinata said softly, her eyes lowered.
Kurenai tilted her head, concerned. "Is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Before Hinata could stammer out a response, Kiba laughed and answered for her. "Come on, Sensei. Don't you get it? Haruto's back!"
Kurenai blinked, then smiled knowingly. "Ah, I see… Our little Hinata is off to meet her beloved, huh?"
Hinata's face turned bright red. She let out a squeak and bolted down the road in embarrassment.
As they watched her flee, a brief flicker of sadness crossed Kiba's face. Shino, silent as always, stared at him with unreadable eyes.
Kiba grinned and clapped his hands. "Alright, time to get back to the mission. Haruto keeps getting stronger—we can't fall behind!"
Elsewhere, Haruto and Hinata strolled hand in hand through the bustling streets of Konoha. Hinata still blushed now and then, but she no longer trembled or fainted in his presence. The quiet bond between them had grown stronger, steadier.
"Listen to this, Hinata," Haruto began, clearly excited. "Our last mission? We ran into that guy—you know, the Demon of the Mist. A ruthless Jonin. Everyone was panicking… and I beat him."
Though Haruto was usually calm and composed, like most guys, he couldn't resist showing off a little in front of the girl he liked. Hinata listened intently, her emotions written plainly across her face—worry at the danger, awe at his strength, admiration shining in her gentle eyes.
Every reaction made Haruto's heart flutter.
Just as the mood reached its peak, loud shouting came from up ahead. Haruto frowned. He intended to avoid the disturbance and not let it ruin their date—until he heard Naruto's voice.
Meanwhile…
Atop a high ledge, Kankuro leaned against the railing, gazing down at the vibrant village below.
"So this is Konoha, huh? Such a lively place… the more I look at it, the more it pisses me off. Why is our village always the one suffering?"
Temari, standing beside him, replied coolly, "Endure it. We just have to follow the plan."
Kankuro groaned. "We're really doing this? Against a kid? Doesn't sit right with me."
Temari sighed, equally conflicted. "We don't have a choice. The Third Hokage's personal security is too tight. But… if his grandson gets badly hurt, he'll definitely visit the hospital. That might be the only chance we have to strike."
"But we can't make it too obvious," she added, glancing sideways. "Gaara… if things go south, you'll step in, right?"
Gaara's expression darkened. His chilling voice cut through the air.
"…Are you giving me orders?"
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Temari's cheek. "N-No… it's a request."
The shadows of conspiracy stretched silently through the streets of Konoha.
The Sand's plan had begun.
And Gaara—the hidden blade—was ready to spill blood.
Gaara glanced coldly at Temari.
"This is such a hassle. If it were up to me, I'd just kill him. Why go through all this trouble?"
Temari and Kankuro exchanged awkward smiles, neither daring to provoke Gaara further.
In the streets of Konoha—
Konohamaru, mid-argument with Naruto, accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ahh, that hurts!" Konohamaru rubbed his head, wincing.
But the next moment, Kankuro grabbed him by the collar and lifted him clean off the ground.
"I should be the one saying that, brat. You hit me real hard just now."
Temari tried to de-escalate. "Let it go. Don't stir up trouble."
But Kankuro grinned sinisterly. "Relax. I just want to have a little fun before that nagging team leader of ours catches up. That way, if something happens, we can say it was just spontaneous."
Naruto exploded. "You bastard, let him go!"
Kankuro sneered, flicking a finger—Naruto collapsed face-first onto the ground, groaning.
"Hah! So weak. This is what passes for a Konoha ninja?"
"Damn you! You bastard! Let me go or I'll beat you senseless, you stupid pig!!"
Kankuro clicked his tongue. "You're getting on my nerves. I hate noisy little dwarfs the most. Maybe I'll kill this brat first… then you."
He raised his fist to strike Konohamaru.
Temari played along: "Well, there's no helping it. I'll leave it to you."
But just as the punch was about to land—
Kankuro's arm froze mid-air.
"Huh? What the—why can't I move my arm?!"
Eyes wide, he glanced at his shoulder—a senbon had silently embedded itself in his pressure point without him noticing.
A chill ran down Kankuro's spine. If that had been aimed at a vital…
He slowly looked up—and saw a young, gentle-looking beauty smiling softly at him.
Haku.
"It's not nice to bully children," Haku said sweetly, but her tone carried unmistakable menace.
"Ha-Haku?! Why are you here?" Naruto shouted in surprise.
Haku smiled politely. "Naruto, don't you know? Ninjas from other villages are gathering in Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams."
Naruto scratched his head, confused. "Chunin Exams? What's that?"
Haruto rushed over just then.
"Each village has its own Chunin selection system," Haruto explained calmly. "But between countries, there's another, more public version. Originally, it was a way to strengthen alliances, but now? It's just a stage for each nation to show off its military power—openly and in secret. Each village sends its best genin to participate, and daimyos from across the nations come to observe. Whoever shines brightest gets more missions, more money, more power."
Still, something about the situation bothered him. Even if Kankuro was stupid, it made no sense to go around provoking others or killing someone openly. Especially during a joint event like this. If someone actually died—even a civilian—Konoha would have to take responsibility. Could it be… were they trying to use the Kazekage's own son to stir the pot?
Haruto couldn't figure out their true motive, but one thing was certain: causing trouble in Konoha wasn't something he could tolerate.
His fingers rested on the hilt of Murasame, and slowly, he drew the blade.
The moment the sword left its sheath, the world fell eerily silent.
Even the wind stilled. The birds stopped. Not a single insect buzzed.
A suffocating, almost tangible killing intent flooded the air like a suffocating fog. It wasn't just Haruto's own bloodlust—Murasame's unique ability to amplify murderous intent made it seem as if a Kage-level assassin stood before them.
Haruto, though only a Genin by rank, had already survived numerous battles. His natural bloodlust, now magnified by Murasame, reached the level of a Kage-class predator. Yet, the sword's enhancement wasn't easily controlled—it simply intensified everything without discrimination.
Even Naruto and Sasuke, who had just arrived, froze in place, wide-eyed and drenched in cold sweat.
The Sand Genin felt it most.
Their muscles refused to move. Their skin prickled, as if invisible blades hovered an inch from slicing their necks. Death—real, imminent death—seemed inevitable.
"Is this guy… even scarier than Gaara…?"Kankuro and Temari both trembled, mentally shaken.
"Tch…" Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "The gap between me and Haruto… it's growing again."
Hidden in the shadows, even the Sound ninja whispered among themselves.
"Note to self—don't provoke that guy."
Haruto hadn't expected such dramatic results.
Guess Murasame's aura is a monster-killer... and a mob-wiper too.
Suddenly, Gaara appeared in front of Temari and Kankuro.
"You're strong," Gaara said, calm and composed. "Tell me your name."
Years of living with Shukaku had hardened Gaara—even Haruto's murderous aura didn't faze him.
Behind him, Kankuro and Temari exhaled in relief, stepping away without a word.
Haruto slowly sheathed Murasame, its blade whispering against the scabbard.
"This was just a warning," he said. His voice was steady but cold. "Konoha is not a place for outsiders to run wild."
He paused, then gave a wry smile.
"As for my name… Haruto Itsuki."
He turned.
But inside, Haruto was crying a little.
Ugh... that was such a badass moment… Why does this name still sound so lame sometimes…