☀️🌴 A Special Sale is Live Now on Patreon! 🛍️🔥
Discount: 15%
Code: CBA84
Ending: 10/08/25
***********************************
After two minutes, Haku gracefully stood up, brushing off his kimono as he looked down at Naruto with a soft smile.
"You'll become strong," He said with quiet confidence.
Naruto smirked, stretching his arms behind his head. "Yeah!"
Haku turned to leave, stepping lightly through the forest, the basket of herbs hanging from his arm. Just as he reached a few meters away, he stopped and glanced back.
"I hope we meet again somewhere…" He said, his voice carrying a faint warmth.
Naruto raised a brow but gave a lazy wave. "Who knows? The world's a small place."
Haku chuckled before continuing forward.
What he didn't realize, however, was the small, barely visible mark behind his right arm.
A subtle application of Sealing Jutsu, done in the moment Naruto had grabbed Haku earlier. It wasn't anything flashy—just a tracer seal, allowing Naruto to keep track of him if necessary.
It was a habit. A precaution.
He had lived too long, and fought too many battles, to let an interesting person walk away without a backup plan.
Then, just before fully disappearing into the woods, Haku suddenly paused again.
"Oh, and by the way…"
Naruto tilted his head, waiting.
"…I'm a boy."
A beat of silence.
Naruto cursed internally/
Then why the hell are you wearing a pink kimono in the first place?!
He kept his face neutral, merely shrugging. "Huh. Good for you."
Haku chuckled, finally vanishing into the forest.
A few moments later, the rustling of leaves signaled another presence approaching.
Sasuke stepped into the clearing, arms crossed, an impatient look on his face.
"Tch. What the hell are you doing out here?" He asked.
Naruto lazily turned toward him, stretching again. "Oh, you know… making friends."
Sasuke scowled. "Whatever. Breakfast is ready."
With that, he turned and started walking back toward the village.
Naruto glanced once more toward the direction Haku had gone, his smirk deepening.
Yeah… I hope we meet again too.
----
Back in Zabuza's hideout
The dimly lit hideout smelled of damp wood and herbs, a faint mist lingering in the air. Zabuza sat on a worn-out mat, rolling his shoulders as he tested his recovery. His muscles were still sore, but he had regained enough mobility to move without too much strain.
Haku knelt beside him, gently checking his bandages. His touch was careful, almost reverent.
"You've recovered considerably," Haku said, his voice laced with quiet relief.
Zabuza let out a rough exhale, rolling his neck.
"Tch… Just a little more," He muttered. His grip tightened slightly. "That brat. He's definitely not normal."
Haku paused, his mind flashing back to their earlier encounter. His expression softened as he recalled Naruto's energy, his conviction, and that sharp, cunning look in his eyes.
It was the look of someone who wasn't just strong—but calculating.
"I met him earlier," Haku admitted. "He was training alone in the forest."
Zabuza's gaze snapped toward him. "Hah? You saw him?"
Haku nodded. "We spoke for a while. He's… different. Not just strong, but sharp. He noticed me immediately. Reacted purely on instinct. That level of awareness… Even experienced shinobi would hesitate, but he didn't."
Zabuza narrowed his eyes, his fingers tapping against the hilt of Kubikiribōchō. "Tch. Damn brat. First, he knocks me out in one hit, now he's got instincts like a wild beast?"
Haku chuckled lightly. "He's interesting, isn't he?"
Zabuza smirked under his bandages. "Heh. Maybe. But interesting or not, if he gets in our way again… I'll have to kill him."
Haku's smile remained, though his eyes carried something unreadable.
I wonder… can we really kill someone like him?
----
Evening time
Back in the forest
The once peaceful clearing now bore the scars of intense training. The ground was riddled with craters, and the trees surrounding the area had shattered bark and deep gashes. The lingering scent of sweat and burned chakra filled the air.
Two figures stood in the middle of the destruction.
Sasuke was hunched over, hands on his knees, panting heavily. His shirt was damp with sweat, and dirt clung to his clothes. Despite his exhaustion, his pride refused to let him collapse.
Across from him, Naruto stood tall, his breathing perfectly steady. His red T-shirt was barely ruffled, and he looked more refreshed than fatigued. A cocky smirk played on his lips as he rolled his shoulders.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, glaring at him. Why the hell does he look so damn relaxed?!
"Shall we go back?" Sasuke finally asked, irritation lacing his voice.
Naruto grinned. "Okay!"
A few minutes later at Tazuna's house
Inside the modest home, Sakura sat at the dinner table, arms crossed, tapping her fingers against the wooden surface impatiently. Her stomach grumbled slightly, but her frustration overshadowed her hunger.
"They're late… And not just Naruto, but even Sasuke too." She huffed, glancing at the door. "What the hell are they doing?"
Clank!
Right on cue, the door creaked open.
Naruto and Sasuke stepped inside, their appearance drawing immediate attention.
Both of them were covered in dirt and dried sweat. Sasuke, in particular, looked exhausted, his normally neat attire in disarray. His legs wobbled slightly, and he leaned against Naruto for balance.
Naruto, on the other hand, looked far too smug for someone who had supposedly been training hard. His red T-shirt was stained with dirt, but his expression was as carefree as ever.
Tazuna raised an eyebrow, setting down his cup of sake. "What the hell happened to you guys?"
"You're both muddy and wiped out," Tsunami added, concern evident in her tone.
Naruto puffed out his chest, striking a pose.
"We both trained our asses off!" He declared proudly.
Sasuke scoffed but said nothing, too tired to argue.
Tazuna chuckled. "Good!"
He turned to Kakashi, amused. "Looks like they're finally earning their keep."
Kakashi nodded, his visible eye crinkling in approval. "You both are to start guarding Tazuna next time."
Sasuke grunted in acknowledgment while Naruto simply smirked and gave a lazy thumbs-up.
With that, the duo sat down, their stomachs growling in unison as they immediately started devouring their food.
Sakura sighed, shaking her head. "Idiots…"
But despite her words, she was secretly relieved to see them both back in one piece.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨