After Gaara left, Haruto and Haku began catching up on old times.
Haruto asked, "How are things in Kirigakure?"
Haku smiled softly. "Much better than before. I don't have to hide from the Bloodline Purge anymore. And with Zabuza-sensei by my side, life feels… peaceful."
Haruto nodded. "That's good to hear."
"I've been studying medical ninjutsu lately," Haku continued. "I realized I'm not suited for the frontlines. Supporting from behind fits me better."
Haruto asked, "And Raiga? I heard he was badly injured."
Haku's expression dimmed slightly. "Yeah… his injuries couldn't be healed. The Kiba Blades were handed over to the village. These days, he and Ranmaru run a curry shop. Business is actually really good."
Haruto smiled faintly. "That's one way to find peace."
Suddenly, Sasuke stepped forward.
"I want to fight you," he said firmly, eyes locked on Haku. "I need to know how far I've come."
Haku didn't hesitate.
"I'm staying in the foreign guest quarters Konoha arranged. You're welcome to come by anytime."
------->>>>>>
"Sakura, what's wrong?" Akuni noticed Sakura seemed distracted.
Sakura forced a smile. "It's nothing."
"You… want to take the Chunin Exam, don't you?"
After a moment of silence, Sakura smiled again—bitterly. "No way… the Chunin Exam is dangerous. Why would I want to take it?"
Akuni stared at her quietly.
Sakura's smile slowly faded. "I just… feel like I'm getting further and further away from him. I'm not like Hinata, who's loved by Haruto… or like Ino, his sister, who's always by his side. Ever since graduation, I've barely even seen him. If things keep going like this, I might really lose any chance I had…"
"Then enter the Chunin Exam," Yuriko said suddenly, standing nearby.
Akuni nodded. "Yeah. We're medics, but that doesn't mean we're weak."
Sakura looked at her teammates, moved. "Everyone… I— But… it's dangerous…"
"Let's go," Yuriko said firmly. "Let's talk to the teacher and sign up."
Sakura bit her lip. "Okay."
Meanwhile…
"There's something very important you two need to do before the Chunin Exam," Haruto said seriously.
"What is it, boss?" Naruto asked.
Even Sasuke looked slightly curious.
Haruto grinned. "You both need… a makeover."
"???"
Naruto and Sasuke stared, confused.
Haruto continued, "Don't you think your current looks are too outdated? Sasuke, fine, you're low-maintenance. But Naruto, I've had enough of that orange eyesore you always wear."
Naruto protested, "Orange isn't an eyesore! It's vibrant! Energetic!"
Haruto deadpanned. "In that outfit, you look exactly like—"Just then, Lee jogged by, upside-down on his hands, in full green spandex.
Haruto pointed. "—him."
Naruto turned pale. "...Okay, maybe it's time for a change."
Seeing Haruto pointing at him, Lee raised a hand and gave a sparkling thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming like a light source.
Naruto was instantly covered in black lines. "So that's the impression I've been giving people…"
Haruto added coldly, "That's also why no girl has ever liked you, Naruto."
"Boss! Then tell me—how should I change?!"
Sasuke snorted. "Pointless." He turned to leave.
Haruto grabbed his collar. "We're a team, and a team needs a uniform. This is critical for unity."
Sasuke struggled, growling, but ultimately couldn't break free… and gave up.
Moments later, all three emerged wearing coordinated white Hokage-style robes, modeled after Haruto's. The only differences were the emblems on their backs:
Sasuke: Uchiha clan fan
Naruto: Uzumaki spiral
Haruto: A sun emblem, hand-drawn by himself
Naruto's transformation was the most dramatic. His unruly hair was now cut in neat, flowing layers. Combined with the regal robe, he almost looked refined—as long as he didn't talk.
The three walked together, forming a dazzling scene that turned heads everywhere. Beauties from all directions sneaked glances their way. Haruto, naturally, was quite pleased.
Sasuke looked deeply uncomfortable, feeling utterly out of place.
Haruto laughed. "Don't be shy, Sasuke. If you're weak and dress weird, it's pathetic. But if you're strong, even with a blade of grass on your head, people call it fashion. Consider the stares… training for mental fortitude."
A few days later…
As they arrived at the Chunin Exam site, they happened to witness Lee being pounded by a genin.
"Hey—Haruto!" Sakura waved.
"Oh! Sakura. Long time no see."
"Yes… it has been." Sakura forced a smile, but her expression betrayed her unease.
"Haruto! So you remember Sakura, but forget us?!" Akuni shouted, visibly annoyed.
Yuriko joined in, "Yeah! What about us?"
Haruto quickly apologized and greeted them both with an embarrassed grin.
Still, he couldn't help but notice—something had changed in Sakura. He couldn't quite say what it was, but… she felt different.
"You? You're Naruto?" Sakura looked surprised. Naruto, wearing a Hoakge robe and sporting a short hairstyle, looked completely different from the old Naruto.
Naruto leaned forward smugly, "Of course it's me, Sakura. Don't you think I've become handsome? Want to be with me?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.
"I'm sorry, Naruto, you know..." Sakura replied, then turned and looked straight at Haruto.
Haruto felt awkward under her gaze. What's going on? He couldn't shake the feeling of guilt.
Naruto cried out in shock, "Are you really Sakura?! If I'd said something like that before, you would've already knocked me out!"
Sakura smiled gently. "People grow, don't they?"
Haruto... is this the real Sakura? he wondered.
Meanwhile, Sakura was silently thinking: Haruto probably likes quieter girls...
To escape the awkward moment, Haruto walked toward the examination room door.
Tenten cheerfully said, "Let us go in!"—only to be punched in the face and knocked to the ground.
Haruto was speechless. You're really going all-out for this exam. Did you have to get hit in the face? With your strength, you could crush most of the teams…
"With your level? You're definitely not passing. Driving you away is the right thing," said one of the imposters at the door.
Haruto stepped forward. "Drop the genjutsu. This is getting old."
"You little brat! You can see through our illusion? Not bad—but just seeing through it isn't enough!" The imposter charged forward.
But before Haruto could even move, Lee had already taken the guy down in a flash.
Neji asked, puzzled, "Why'd you step in? Weren't you going to act weak to fool them?"
Lee didn't answer right away. Instead, he strode toward Sakura.
"My name is Rock Lee. Please go out with me! I swear to protect you with my life!" he declared, flashing his trademark gleaming smile.
Sakura cringed. "Absolutely not. Your eyebrows are way too thick."
Lee solemnly nodded. "I understand."
Sakura: "?? What do you understand?!"
Then, Lee turned to Haruto.
"Haruto, I've heard that you're the one Sakura likes. I challenge you to a duel! I will prove who is stronger. Even if we're friends, I can't allow this to go untested!"
Haruto: "Lee, I think it's better to let this go."
Lee: "The Konoha Whirlwind!"
Haruto blocked Lee's sudden kick with a sigh—he had to take it seriously. Without drawing Murasame, defeating Lee was genuinely difficult.
Both of them went all out, their speed dazzling. Most of the ninja present couldn't even see their figures—only two black streaks weaving rapidly through the air, accompanied by the deep bang-bang of impacts.
Sasuke activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, barely able to keep up with their movements. Damn it... Haruto is already this strong? And that unknown guy—what have I been doing all this time?
Naruto clenched his fists. "The gap's getting bigger... I promised I'd protect him..."
After a while, the two separated, both breathing heavily.
Haruto: "That's enough, Lee. You're not my opponent—you know my strongest technique is swordsmanship."
Lee: "It's not over yet! I still have one more move!"
Haruto placed a hand on Lee's arm. "Stop. I can open the Eight Gates too—and I can open up to the Sixth Gate. I'll die if I go further, but... Lee, I think you're the same as me."
Lee looked down, visibly shaken. "I've always wanted to prove that hard work could surpass genius... I didn't expect I wouldn't even be your match..."
Haruto was about to comfort him when Lee's chakra suddenly flared up violently.
Lee: "Haruto! I'll redouble my training! From now on, you are my eternal rival!"
Haruto's face filled with black lines. Just great... another Guy in my life. I can already see the future—hellish daily challenges, yelling about youth, never-ending spars... my peaceful days are numbered.
With a sweatdrop forming, Haruto tried to summarize calmly:
"Lee... you don't have to choose me as your rival. In fact, you and I—we're the same kind. No matter how talented I may be in ninjutsu or genjutsu, at my core... I'm a taijutsu-type ninja too."
Haruto became more and more passionate as he spoke. Looking at the radiant, full-of-youth Lee, he said earnestly:"Lee, you should understand—there are no shortcuts in taijutsu. Only relentless, soul-crushing training, far beyond what ordinary people can bear, brings results.I have no kekkei genkai. No special bloodline. No genius talent. I just spend the time others use to eat, sleep, use the toilet, or drink coffee on training.And I believe... you are the same type of person."
"Haruto!" Lee said passionately, then grabbed Haruto's hand, tears gushing down his face. He had found a soulmate, a kindred spirit. Haruto barely suppressed the urge to gag, a forced smile twitching at his lips.
Sasuke stared silently. So this is the secret behind your strength, Haruto...?He suddenly recalled all the hours he wasted—In the end... I simply wasn't working hard enough.
Naruto clenched his fists.So the boss trains that much... I thought I was already giving it my all... From today on, my training doubles!
Neji narrowed his eyes. To think there was someone else like Lee... Truly worthy of respect.
Sakura, Tenten, and several other girls watched Haruto with starry eyes.A man who's talented, hardworking, and looks good? What kind of cheat code is this?Even among geniuses, Haruto shined like a legend.
Seeing the effect of his words, Haruto quickly struck while the iron was hot:"So, Lee, you and I... shouldn't be rivals for life. No—we should be friends who push and encourage each other."
Haruto looked around, eyes darting—and pointed dramatically at Sasuke and Neji:"Your rivals... should be geniuses like them! Only by surpassing them can your effort truly shine!"
Lee, overwhelmed, nodded fiercely through his tears: "Haruto... you're absolutely right!"
He turned and pointed at Sasuke and Neji, eyes blazing: "From this day forth, you two are my eternal rivals!"
Neji: 😑He wasn't this intense before... I've got a bad feeling about this.
Sasuke, oblivious, smirked confidently: "I'll be waiting for your challenge."
He had no idea how much chaos this one sentence would bring into his life... nor how much resentment toward Haruto it would spawn.
Meanwhile, Haruto, with a stiff smile, quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.That was close... Good thing I think fast.