After calming down the irritable little lioness, Haruto turned to Hinata with a smile.
“You’re up next. Good luck.”
Hinata’s face instantly turned tomato-red.
She nodded vigorously.
“Mm!”
Her voice was as soft and sweet as cotton candy.
With the Hyūga Clan’s inherited techniques, this kind of test was basically a dimensionality-reduction strike for her.
But the moment Ino saw how gently Haruto treated Hinata, the vinegar jar in her heart overturned.
“Hey! When I went up there, why didn’t you cheer for me?”
“You’re way too biased!”
The jealousy of young girls could appear without warning.
Haruto felt a headache coming on.
“Didn’t you say you were going to show me how amazing you are?”
“If you’re that amazing, why would you need encouragement?”
“Hinata’s shy. If I didn’t encourage her, what if she got nervous and messed up?”
The explanation was somewhat forced, but Ino reluctantly accepted it.
“Hmph. Fine. I’ll forgive you this time.”
Watching her tsundere behavior, Haruto suddenly regretted not sitting farther away from her from the very beginning.
As expected, Hinata scored a perfect mark.
With the Byakugan assisting her, missing the target would have been a disgrace to the Hyūga name.
After stepping down, Haruto smiled and praised her.
“Not bad. Looks like that was your normal performance.”
Blushing furiously, Hinata gathered enough courage to look directly into his eyes for the first time.
“Mm… it’s because Haruto cheered for me.”
“That’s why I could do it.”
Before Haruto could respond, Ino cut in.
“Hinata, wasn’t your score perfect last time too?”
“What does that have to do with this guy?”
The comment immediately left Hinata speechless with embarrassment.
She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and disappear.
Haruto reached out and patted her shoulder.
“Ignore her.”
“You did great.”
The instant he touched her, Hinata felt her entire body go weak.
If they hadn’t been surrounded by people, she felt like she might have collapsed straight into his arms.
Ever since Haruto had held her hand that day, she’d never forgotten the warmth.
Now that he was touching her again, her brain nearly shut down from embarrassment.
Watching the scene, Ino felt as if she’d swallowed an entire lemon.
The sourness nearly overwhelmed her.
In the distance, Shikamaru and Choji exchanged glances.
Both saw the same emotion in each other’s eyes:
Respect.
Anyone who could keep a girl like Ino completely under control was a terrifying man.
After the examination ended, Haruto patiently waited through the rest of the school day.
The instant the dismissal bell rang, he shot out of the classroom like an arrow released from its bow.
Ino and Hinata were still packing their bags.
Both stared blankly.
Ino recovered first.
She grabbed Hinata’s hand.
“Quick! Let’s go!”
“If he’s running this fast, he’s definitely up to no good again!”
Her logic was simple:
Running fast = guilty conscience = doing something suspicious.
Unfortunately, by the time they reached the school gate, Haruto was already long gone.
Not even a trace remained.
“Damn it! He got away!”
Ino stomped her foot angrily.
Although Hinata was curious as well, she was much more considerate.
“Ino…”
“If Haruto ran away that quickly, he probably doesn’t want us to know what he’s doing.”
“We should give him some privacy.”
Ino looked at her as though she were an alien.
“Hinata, do you have a fever?”
“What if he’s hanging out with delinquents?”
“What if he gets expelled one day?”
“You’ll be crying then.”
Hinata’s face reddened.
But she still quietly muttered,
“As if you wouldn’t cry too.”
She might be shy, but she wasn’t stupid.
Anyone with eyes could see how Ino felt about Haruto.
Meanwhile, after using the Body Flicker Technique to shake off his two little tails, Haruto arrived at the grassy clearing on the mountain behind the village.
Kakashi was lazily leaning against a tree beside a pond.
Walking over, Haruto smiled.
“Kakashi-sensei, that must’ve been a tough mission.”
“You disappeared for over a month.”
Closing Icha Icha Paradise, Kakashi narrowed his sleepy eyes.
“Well, it had a few challenges.”
“You didn’t neglect your studies while I was gone, did you?”
“I did alright.”
“Didn’t slack off.”
Kakashi nodded.
He knew this kid’s discipline was frightening.
Supervision was unnecessary.
“This time, I happened to copy a pretty good Water Release technique.”
“It has excellent defensive power.”
“It’s called Water Release: Water Formation Wall.”
Haruto blinked.
“Water Formation Wall?”
He knew this technique well.
In the original story, Kakashi had used it to block Kakuzu’s combined attacks.
The visual effects were incredible.
Kakashi explained,
“I borrowed it from a jōnin of Kirigakure.”
“It’s a B-rank ninjutsu.”
“Among Water Release techniques, its defensive capabilities are first-rate.”
Haruto’s eyes lit up.
“A defensive Water Release…”
“That perfectly covers one of my weaknesses.”
“Then let me explain the chakra flow first.”
Three minutes later, the theory lesson ended.
Of course, that only worked because it was Haruto.
Most people would still be memorizing hand seals.
Standing beside the pond, Kakashi formed seals.
“Watch carefully.”
“I’ll demonstrate it once.”
Chakra surged.
“Water Release: Water Formation Wall!”
RUMBLE!
A towering curtain of water erupted from the ground like an inverted waterfall.
Over ten meters high, it completely surrounded Kakashi.
Haruto grinned.
Suddenly feeling playful, he leaped to the opposite side of the wall.
His hands blurred through seals.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”
A massive fireball over five meters in diameter blasted forward amid waves of scorching heat.
It slammed directly into the towering wall.
SSSSSSSS!
Water and fire collided.
The air filled with shrill hissing sounds.
The seemingly impregnable water wall rapidly evaporated under the intense heat.
Thick white steam engulfed the entire training ground.
When the steam finally cleared, both techniques had destroyed each other.
Kakashi waved away the mist in front of him.
A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
“Your Great Fireball…”
“It can actually contend with a B-rank Water Formation Wall?”
Normally, a C-rank Fire Release should have been at a disadvantage against a B-rank Water Release.
Haruto smiled.
“Kakashi-sensei, why don’t you use a Fire Release technique?”
“Let’s see if the Water Formation Wall I just learned can withstand it.”
Kakashi immediately became interested.
“Then be careful.”
“I won’t go easy on you.”
His hands flew through seals.
Standing more than ten meters away, Haruto mirrored the movements.
“Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!”
“Water Release: Water Formation Wall!”
Both techniques completed almost simultaneously.
Fire Dragon Flame Bullet was a high-level B-rank Fire Release.
This time, it was a direct clash between techniques of equal rank.
BOOM!
A ferocious dragon of fire roared forward.
In the blink of an eye, it reached Haruto.
At the same time, a colossal wall of water rose before him like a fortress.
Its height exceeded Kakashi’s demonstration by several meters.
SSSSS—!
The fire dragon crashed into the water wall.
The extreme heat instantly boiled the water.
Explosions thundered across the field.
The rain of water droplets became scalding hot.
When the smoke cleared—
Neither side had gained the upper hand.
A perfect tie.
Kakashi stared at the devastated field and smiled bitterly.
“I used Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, one of my strongest techniques.”
“And all I managed was a draw?”
Haruto looked equally impressed.
“Kakashi-sensei, that Fire Dragon technique is incredible!”
“The impact and temperature are on a completely different level from the Great Fireball.”
Kakashi nodded.
“Naturally.”
“It’s one of the Third Hokage’s signature techniques.”
“A genuine high-level ninjutsu.”
Haruto thought to himself:
Of course it is.
These two techniques were practically destined rivals.
Back during the battle between the Third Hokage and the reanimated Second Hokage, they had clashed using these exact jutsu.
“Kakashi-sensei!”
“I want to learn that Fire Dragon technique too!”
Kakashi blinked.
“Do you still have enough chakra?”
“You’ve already used some big techniques.”
Haruto simply smiled mysteriously and walked toward the pond.
Standing at the shoreline, he formed the exact seals Kakashi had used moments ago.
The instant the sequence finished, his eyes sharpened.
“Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!”
BOOOOOOM—!
A terrifying pillar of fire erupted from his mouth.
Even larger than Kakashi’s.
The flames transformed into three enormous fire dragons.
They roared across the sky and slammed into a natural waterfall dozens of meters away.
SSSSSSSS!
Even the waterfall’s endless torrent was instantly vaporized upon contact.
The flames continued burning for nearly thirty seconds.
By the time they faded, everything within several hundred meters had turned into a giant sauna.
The mist was so dense that visibility dropped to almost nothing.
Kakashi froze.
“…He learned a B-rank Fire Release after seeing it once?”
“And it’s even stronger than mine?”
What terrified him even more was something else.
That’s three B-rank techniques in a row.
Why isn’t he even breathing hard?
How has his chakra doubled in just one month?
Kakashi felt his scalp tingle.
This physique was monstrous.
If Danzō ever learned about a talent like this, Haruto would probably already be locked away in Root for brainwashing.
Or dissected for research.
After releasing the technique, Haruto looked deeply satisfied.
“This one has some real power.”
“The destructive force isn’t far from Great Fire Annihilation.”
Of course, he meant a normal user’s Great Fire Annihilation.
Madara’s version was an entirely different disaster.
But as long as my chakra keeps growing…
One day this Fire Dragon Flame Bullet will reach that same natural-disaster level.
Clenching his fist, he felt the abundant chakra still flowing through his body.
Chakra reserves really are king.
At this rate, aside from Naruto and his tailed-beast cheat code, my chakra pool is definitely number one among people my age.
He wasn’t in a hurry.
His physique had no upper limit.
As long as he stayed alive and kept growing, he’d eventually reach an absurd level naturally.
There was no need to risk self-destructive forbidden techniques like the Eight Gates.
“For a long time to come, Fire Dragon Flame Bullet will probably be my trump card.”
Kakashi walked over and heavily patted his shoulder.
“Every time, you redefine the limits of what I think is possible.”
“But Haruto…”
“The faster you advance, the more important it becomes to cultivate your heart.”
“History is filled with fallen geniuses.”
“Many gained power faster than they matured mentally.”
“I don’t want you following the same path.”
Haruto’s smile faded.
He looked at Kakashi seriously.
“I know.”
“Might Guy-sensei told me about your past.”
“Don’t worry, Kakashi-sensei.”
“I won’t go astray.”
“And honestly, I don’t think you should keep living in guilt.”
“If Obito and Rin were still here, they’d want you to live happily.”
“When Obito entrusted that eye to you…”
“He wanted you to carry his dream forward and see the future of this world for both of you.”
Kakashi stiffened.
Then he smiled.
A genuine smile.
“You little brat.”
“You sure know a lot.”
“Which one of us is the teacher again?”
Haruto curled his lips.
“When it comes to emotional health, you’re definitely a negative example.”
This time, Kakashi didn’t argue.
His gaze softened.
“Maybe.”
“But I hope you’ll become a ninja like the Fourth Hokage.”
“He was the closest thing to perfection.”
“Both his strength and character earned everyone’s respect.”
“I believe you can do it.”
Haruto smiled.
“The Fourth Hokage was your teacher, wasn’t he?”
“Honestly, if those tragedies hadn’t happened…”
“I don’t think your achievements would have been any lower than his.”
“And that Sharingan…”
“I think you’ve already completely mastered it.”
Kakashi fell silent.
Looking at his unusually mature student, he suddenly felt lighter than he had in years.
“Alright, enough lecturing me.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Let’s head down the mountain.”
“My treat.”
“Ichiraku Ramen.”
Haruto blinked.
“Sensei, can we go somewhere else?”
“I’m not Naruto.”
“I don’t love ramen that much.”
“Objection denied.”
“I want ramen.”
Ignoring his protest, Kakashi shoved him toward the village.
Haruto sighed.
“Has everyone in Konoha been cursed by the Ramen God or something?”
At Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi ordered confidently.
“Two extra-large tonkotsu chashu ramen.”
Teuchi looked surprised.
“Oh?”
“Kakashi, did you take on a student?”
Kakashi smiled.
“Yep.”
“My prized disciple.”
Haruto glanced at him.
Although they hadn’t formally established a master-disciple relationship, hearing those words felt surprisingly good.
“Uncle Teuchi, your cooking is famous throughout the village.”
Teuchi instantly beamed.
“Now that’s a kid with good taste!”
“Here, let me give you something special.”
He piled an extra mountain of chashu and braised eggs into Haruto’s bowl.
Haruto stared at the overflowing serving and laughed helplessly.
Kakashi immediately sabotaged him.
“Don’t believe him, Uncle.”
“On the way here he said he didn’t even like ramen.”
Haruto quickly corrected himself.
“That was because I was young and ignorant.”
“Now that I’ve smelled this aroma, I feel like it’s a tragedy that you haven’t opened branches across the Land of Fire.”
Then he slurped up a huge mouthful of noodles.
Teuchi burst out laughing.
“Kid, you know how to talk.”
“Have some bamboo shoots too.”
After eating their fill, the two parted ways.
Humming happily, Haruto returned home.
But as he reached his front gate, he stopped.
Two small figures were leaning against each other on the steps.
Both were dozing off.
“…These two girls.”
“Why are they sleeping here?”
Ino was one thing.
But Hinata was the Hyūga Clan’s eldest daughter.
Had Hiashi really not sent anyone looking for her?
Haruto sighed and walked over.
Looking at their defenseless sleeping faces, he couldn’t bring himself to wake them.
Carefully, he picked up Ino and laid her on a reclining chair in his yard.
Then he covered her with a blanket.
After that, he lifted the sleeping Hinata onto his back and headed toward the Hyūga compound.
About fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the grand entrance.
He gently shook her.
“Hinata.”
“Wake up.”
“We’re here.”
Hinata rubbed her eyes sleepily.
Several seconds passed before she realized she was riding on Haruto’s back.
BOOM.
Her face exploded red.
She buried her head into his back.
“Y-Haruto?”
“Why are you… carrying me?”
Haruto laughed.
“When I got home, both of you were sleeping outside my house like little piglets.”
“What happened?”
“Why weren’t you home so late?”
Hinata’s voice was barely audible.
“We… wanted to play with you.”
“But you never came back.”
“We were worried…”
“So we waited…”
A warmth spread through Haruto’s chest.
His tone softened.
“Don’t do that next time.”
“I’m not going to disappear.”
“If you really want to wait, come inside.”
“What if you catch a cold sleeping outside?”
“Sorry… Haruto.”
Even while apologizing, Hinata felt as sweet as honey.
Being carried on his warm back was almost dreamlike.
A gentle smile curved across Haruto’s lips.
“Enough with the apologies.”
He reached up and brushed aside a strand of hair that the night wind had disturbed.
“Remember this.”
“Don’t wait outside after dark.”
“If I’m late getting home, it just means something came up.”
“If you really want to wait, stay inside.”
“The night wind is cold.”
“If you get sick, I’ll worry.”
Hinata lowered her head.
“Mm…”
“I understand, Haruto.”
Her pale eyes shimmered with obedience and shy happiness.
Haruto chuckled.
“Good.”
“Now go inside.”
“I still have to play escort and take Ino home too.”
After safely delivering both girls, Haruto finally returned to his own house.
He had barely touched the pillow when—
Crack.
A faint sound came from the roof.
The sound of a roof tile breaking beneath someone’s foot.
In the stillness of midnight, it was as loud as thunder.
Haruto instantly sprang out of bed.
Sleep vanished completely.
After a brief moment of thought, chakra surged beneath his feet.
Body Flicker Technique.
In the next instant, he appeared in his courtyard like a ghost.
Moonlight spilled across the ground, painting everything in pale silver.
Two dark figures flashed overhead.
One was chasing.
One was fleeing.
The pursuer wore a painted mask.
Standard Konoha ANBU equipment.
“ANBU on a mission?”
Haruto frowned.
“If they’ve deployed ANBU…”
“The person being chased definitely isn’t ordinary.”
Curiosity clawed at him.
Should he follow them?
The two figures were already nearing the edge of his vision.
Finally, Haruto couldn’t resist.
His body blurred.
Then he melted into the night.
The chase carried all three of them deep into the primeval forest behind Konoha.