Sasuke walked over and gave Haruto a quick high-five. "Finally did good," he said with a rare smirk.
Naruto grinned and stepped beside them. "Of course he did! He's my younger brother, what'd ya expect, dattebayo!"
Sasuke shrugged. "Honestly? I expected him to be dead last—even behind you."
"Why you—!" Naruto growled, lunging forward.
Kakashi watched the three with interest, his one visible eye narrowing thoughtfully. His mind drifted back to the spar.
He was adapting fast.
For a simple genin, it should've been almost impossible to read his movements, improve mid-battle, and keep up. But Haruto wasn't just keeping up—he was evolving in real-time.
This kid's potential… I'll need to keep an eye on him.
"Still want to do tree climbing?" Kakashi asked, cutting through their banter.
"Yeah!" Naruto shouted eagerly.
…
That Night
The boys returned, covered in dirt and scratches—except Haruto. He had already developed a habit of washing up immediately after training.
Now, clean and composed, he sat at the table, sniffing the delicious aroma wafting from the pot.
Tazuna chuckled. "She's a good cook, isn't she?"
The lid lifted, revealing a neatly arranged dish—steamed rice topped with glistening, caramelized slices of beef, served with white rice, curry, and a few savory side dishes.
"Itadakimasu," Haruto said softly, beginning to eat. As he glanced around, a warm feeling settled in his chest.
Everyone was chatting, laughing. They looked… human.
Haruto blinked. I was so focused on the plot that I forgot how different they are from the anime.
Kakashi's calm aura, even with only his eyes visible, still made him intimidating. Sasuke didn't seem like an edgy lone wolf, but more like a boy silently craving connection. And Naruto—still the same lovable idiot.
They looked and felt real now.
…
The Next Morning
Naruto slept soundly as the others left quietly with Tazuna. By the time he woke up, the house was empty.
Rubbing his eyes, he made his way downstairs—only to freeze.
Two thugs stood menacingly in front of Inari and his mother, Tsunami.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. "What the hell do you think you're doing, dattebayo?!"
The thugs turned, sneering. "What… a kid? You've gotta be kidding—"
Before he could finish, Naruto blurred forward and slammed a kick into his chest, sending him flying. The second thug bolted.
Naruto turned to Tsunami. "Where are my friends and sensei?!"
"They… they went to the bridge with Inari's grandfather," she said.
"Got it!" Without hesitation, Naruto dashed out, leaping from tree to tree.
…
At the Bridge
Naruto arrived to chaos—mist swirling, metal clashing, and Zabuza standing tall.
He landed beside Haruto, eyes wide. "Zabuza's still alive?!"
"Apparently," Haruto muttered, eyes narrowed. "That Mist ANBU from earlier? A lie."
Haruto pointed toward the growing dome of ice mirrors. "Help Sasuke first."
Naruto nodded. "Don't worry, Sasuke! I'm coming to save you!"
Inside the mirror prison, Sasuke's eyes widened. If we attack from both inside and outside—
Then—pat. A hand landed on his shoulder.
"Hiya, Sasuke," Naruto grinned.
"…You… idiot," Sasuke said flatly, lips twitching.
Outside, Haruto facepalmed. "If it weren't for needing to protect Tazuna…"
Wait… this might be it.
The moment Sasuke awakens the Sharingan… and Naruto, the Bijuu chakra.
From behind, Zabuza lunged forward—"Surprise, surprise!"
Haruto blocked the blow with a kunai in both hands. "Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi flashed in behind him, landing a spinning kick across Zabuza's jaw.
But then—
"Sasuke!!!" Naruto's scream tore through the mist.
Haruto turned just in time to see the ice dome cracking.
Inside, Sasuke knelt over Naruto's body, blood dripping from dozens of senbon needles lodged in his arms and chest.
His voice trembled. "Ha-Haruto!!"
"What?"
"Naruto… Naruto's not breathing!!"
A wave of dread washed over Haruto.
No. Not now. Not him.
He took a step forward.
"Stay with Tazuna!" Kakashi shouted from behind.
Haruto froze.
He was torn—between duty and blood. Between protecting the mission and saving his brother.
From inside the shattered mirrors came ragged breathing, struggling and broken. Then—silence.
"NOOOOO!!!"
Sasuke's cry echoed through the mist.
...
You'll know Pain....Pain is what everyone deserves
~Haruto Probably