The morning sun shone brightly over Training Ground Three when Naruto arrived for his morning practice session. There was something in the air, a particular energy that made his ninja instincts tingle with anticipation.
He was not alone.
In the center of the field, a figure dressed entirely in green was throwing kicks and punches with a speed and precision that made Naruto stop in his tracks. The boy had a rather peculiar haircut, thick eyebrows, and moved with an intensity that was almost palpable.
"FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT! FOUR HUNDRED NINETY-NINE! FIVE HUNDRED!"
The boy in green completed his final punch and dropped into a resting stance, breathing deeply but in a controlled manner.
"Excuse me!" called Naruto as he walked forward. "Are you one of the competitors for the Chūnin Exams?"
The boy turned around, and his eyes shone with an intense fire that took Naruto by surprise.
"That is right! My name is Rock Lee! And you must be Naruto Uzumaki!"
"You know me?" Naruto blinked, surprised.
"Of course! Your reputation precedes you! The ninja who completed an A-rank mission in the Land of Waves! The student of the Legendary Sannin Tsunade!" Lee approached with energetic steps. "I have been waiting to meet you!"
"Wow, when you put it like that it sounds way more impressive..." Naruto laughed, scratching his head. "Wait, are you the Lee that Tenten talks about so much?"
Lee's eyes lit up even more. "You know Tenten?!"
"Yeah! She is amazing. I met that girl at the Higurashi weapons shop a few days ago, and she taught me all about the different types of kunai and shuriken. She is super smart about weapons!" Naruto grinned widely. "She said she was on a team with you and Neji Hyūga."
"Tenten-san is a wonderful teammate!" declared Lee with enthusiasm. "Her dedication to ninja weapons is truly inspiring! She burns with the flames of youth!"
"The flames of... what?" Naruto tilted his head, confused.
"THE FLAMES OF YOUTH!" resonated a deep and powerful voice from the nearby trees.
A figure jumped dramatically into the clearing, landing in a pose that mirrored Lee's exactly: the same green suit, the same haircut, the same eyebrows, and the same intense gleam in his eyes.
"Guy-sensei!" Lee straightened up immediately.
"Lee! I see you have met another young man burning with potential!" Might Guy pointed dramatically at Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki! I can feel your youthful spirit from here! It is magnificent!"
"Uh... thanks?" Naruto was not sure how to respond to such concentrated energy.
"Guy!" another voice called out, this one much calmer. Kakashi appeared from the opposite direction, his visible eye forming its characteristic smiling arc. "Try not to scare my student before the exams even begin."
"Kakashi, my eternal rival!" Guy turned around. "I am not scaring anyone! I am simply appreciating the flames of youth!"
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto greeted with relief at seeing a familiar face. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to watch your morning training," Kakashi leaned against a tree, "but it seems you ran into something more interesting."
"Naruto Uzumaki!" Lee planted himself in front of him, his eyes burning with determination. "I have a request!"
"A request?"
"I challenge you to a friendly taijutsu match!" Lee dropped into a combat stance. "I have heard that you are strong, and I want to prove it with my own eyes! Besides, I need to see the level of my competitors before the exams!"
"A taijutsu match?" Naruto considered this. His training with Tsunade had significantly improved his hand-to-hand combat skills. "Only taijutsu? No ninjutsu?"
"Correct! Only the pure strength of our fists and kicks! The art of physical combat!" Lee was practically vibrating with excitement.
"YES! THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO HEAR!" shouted Guy with approval. "An honorable match between young warriors! This is what youth means!"
"This is going to be interesting," murmured Kakashi, pulling out his orange book but keeping it closed for once.
"I accept!" Naruto grinned widely, feeling the excitement bubbling in his chest. "But I warn you, Tsunade-baachan has been training me hard! I am not going to be easy to beat!"
"THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HOPED TO HEAR!" Lee almost wept with joy. "A worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!"
They stood facing each other in the center of the field. Guy moved to act as referee, his expression serious now despite his earlier enthusiasm.
"The rules are simple," announced Guy. "Taijutsu only. No weapons. No ninjutsu. No genjutsu. Clean combat until one yields or is incapacitated. Understood?"
"Understood!" both boys responded in unison.
"NARUTO-KUN!"
The four of them turned to see Iruka running toward the training ground, clearly out of breath.
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto greeted with a smile. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to look for you for breakfast, but one of your neighbors said you had gone to train early," Iruka bent over, catching his breath. "What is going on here?"
"A taijutsu match between young warriors!" declared Guy. "You are welcome to observe, Iruka-san!"
Iruka looked between Naruto and Lee, noting their combat stances, and sighed. "Of course. Why not?"
He stood next to Kakashi, who gave him a casual wave.
"Are you sure about this?" Kakashi asked Naruto. "Lee is a taijutsu specialist. That is literally his entire specialty."
"I know," Naruto smiled with confidence. "That is why I want to fight him. To see how far I have come."
"That is the spirit," Guy approved. "Very well! Begin... NOW!"
Lee launched himself forward instantly with surprising speed. His fist shot toward Naruto's face with perfect precision.
Naruto moved, tilting his head just in time. Lee's fist grazed his cheek, close enough to feel the displacement of air.
Fast, Naruto thought, pivoting to counterattack with his own punch.
Lee blocked it with his forearm, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through both their arms.
They separated, circling each other, evaluating.
"Your speed is impressive!" said Lee, his eyes shining with excitement. "But we are barely getting started!"
He launched himself forward again, this time with a combination of punches: left, right, left, a spinning kick.
Naruto blocked the first two blows but had to step back to avoid the kick. He used the momentum of his retreat to launch himself into a counterattack, sweeping low with his leg.
Lee jumped over the sweep, spinning in the air to deliver a downward kick.
Naruto rolled to the side, Lee's heel striking the ground where he had been a second before, creating a small crater.
"Incredible!" whispered Iruka, his eyes wide. "Naruto is moving..."
"Like a real ninja," completed Kakashi, his visible eye focused intensely on the fight. "His footwork improved dramatically. Tsunade-sama really has been training him well."
"YES! THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO SEE!" Guy was practically bouncing with excitement. "Two young spirits clashing with all their power!"
Naruto and Lee were completely absorbed in their match now. Every blow was countered, every kick blocked or evaded. They moved across the training ground like a whirlwind, their movements becoming faster, more intense.
Lee unleashed a series of kicks that would have incapacitated most genin. Naruto deflected them with his forearms, feeling the impact vibrate through his bones, but standing firm.
"Tsunade-baachan's training is really paying off!" Naruto grinned, feeling his blood pump with adrenaline.
He lunged forward, feinting a high punch but spinning at the last second for a low kick.
Lee saw it coming and jumped, but Naruto had anticipated that. He used the momentum of his spin to launch himself upward, meeting Lee in the air.
They exchanged blows mid-jump, a dance of punches and blocks that defied gravity.
They landed simultaneously, both sliding backward several meters.
"YOSH!" shouted Lee, his smile even wider now. "You are amazing, Naruto! But now I am going to increase the speed!"
"Bring it on!" Naruto dropped into a more defensive stance. "Show me what you got!"
Lee took off the weights on his legs.
The sound of heavy metal hitting the ground echoed through the training field. Dust rose from the craters created by the weight.
"Wait," said Iruka slowly, "were those...?"
"Training weights," confirmed Kakashi. "Very heavy ones, judging by the impact."
Guy smiled with pride. "Lee has been training with those weights for months! To see his true speed without them is to witness the flames of youth in their maximum splendor!"
Lee disappeared.
Naruto barely had time to raise his arms in guard before feeling the impact of Lee's punch against his block. The force sent him sliding backward several meters.
Fast! Naruto's thoughts raced. Much faster than before!
Lee appeared to his left, launching another combination. Naruto blocked, deflected, retreated, trying to keep up with the increased speed.
"Come on, Naruto!" shouted Iruka, his worries about the exams temporarily forgotten. "You can do it!"
Naruto felt something inside him shift. The [Leader Link] pulsed gently, reminding him of his training, his growth, all the hours he had put in to improve.
His movements became more fluid. Instead of simply reacting to Lee's attacks, he began to anticipate them.
He blocked a punch and counterattacked in the same motion. Lee had to retreat for the first time since taking off the weights.
"YES!" shouted Guy. "Naruto is adapting! That is the spirit of a true ninja!"
Now they were evenly matched again. Lee threw combinations at blinding speed, but Naruto was keeping pace, his own taijutsu refined by the brutal training with Tsunade.
Punch, block, kick, deflect, sweep, jump, everything merged into a dance of pure combat.
"Incredible," whispered Kakashi, genuinely impressed. "Naruto really has grown."
"He has," agreed Iruka, his eyes shining with tears of pride. "He has become so strong."
The fight continued, neither of the two boys willing to yield. Sweat dripped from both foreheads, their breathing becoming heavier, but neither slowed down.
Lee launched a particularly powerful spinning kick. Naruto caught it with both arms, feeling the impact vibrate through his body, but holding firm.
"You are right!" Naruto panted, a huge smile on his face. "This is incredible! I have never fought anyone like this before!"
"Same here!" Lee responded, equally breathless but just as excited. "You are as strong as I heard! Maybe stronger!"
They pushed against each other, separating and restarting immediately with renewed intensity.
Naruto launched a combination he had practiced a thousand times with Tsunade: low jab, high hook, middle roundhouse kick.
Lee blocked the first two, but the kick hit him in the side, sending him sliding.
But Lee used the momentum, spinning into a fluid counterattack that almost caught Naruto off guard.
Almost.
Naruto ducked under Lee's punch and swept his legs.
Lee jumped over the sweep, but Naruto had anticipated that too. He launched himself upward, striking with his shoulder into Lee's torso while he was still in the air.
Both fell to the ground, rolling and separating.
They stood up simultaneously, both panting heavily now, both covered in dust and sweat.
"MAGNIFICENT!" shouted Guy, with tears literally running down his face. "This is what it means to be young! This passion! This determination! This flame that burns so brightly!"
"They have to stop soon," observed Kakashi. "Both are reaching their limits."
As if responding to his words, Naruto and Lee clashed once more, exchanging blows so fast they were almost a blur.
Finally, both launched simultaneous kicks that met halfway.
The clash of force created a small shockwave that sent them both flying backward.
They landed heavily, both completely exhausted.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then, slowly, both boys began to laugh.
"That was amazing!" Naruto sat up, still laughing despite the exhaustion. "You are so strong, Lee!"
"You too!" Lee sat up as well, his smile bright as the sun. "I have never had a match like this with someone my age!"
Guy ran over, tears still falling. "LEE! NARUTO! You were both magnificent! The flames of your youth burned so brightly they almost blinded me!"
"Guy-sensei, please..." Lee tried to stand, but his legs gave way.
Kakashi and Iruka approached, both looking impressed.
"Well done, Naruto," said Kakashi, extending a hand to help him up. "Your taijutsu has improved dramatically."
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto accepted the hand, standing up with effort. "Lee is incredible. I have never fought anyone that good at pure taijutsu."
Iruka put a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his expression full of pride. "Naruto, you were... incredible. I was worried about the Chūnin Exams, about whether you would be ready. But watching you fight like that..."
"Are you less worried now?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"Much less," Iruka smiled warmly. "You have grown so much, Naruto. Not just in strength, but in skill, in technique, in everything."
"That is because I have had good teachers!" Naruto grinned brightly. "You, Kakashi-sensei, Tsunade-baachan, all of you have helped me!"
Guy helped Lee stand up as well. "Lee, I am so proud! You showed your true power!"
"Thank you, Guy-sensei!" Lee turned to Naruto, extending his hand. "Naruto Uzumaki! I officially acknowledge you as a worthy rival! I hope to fight you again in the exams!"
Naruto shook his hand enthusiastically. "Definitely! And next time, we will use everything! Ninjutsu included!"
"Yes! That would be even more exciting!"
The five of them stood chatting for a while longer, with Guy giving a long speech about the power of youth that made everyone except Lee roll their eyes. Eventually, Guy and Lee left for their own training, leaving Naruto with Kakashi and Iruka.
"You should clean up those scrapes," advised Kakashi, pointing to several minor cuts on Naruto's arms. "And probably rest a bit. That was an intense match."
"I am fine," insisted Naruto, although he was clearly exhausted. "I just need water and maybe some food..."
"Then it is perfect," Iruka smiled. "Because I came to treat you to breakfast."
"Seriously? Awesome!" Naruto's tiredness seemed to vanish instantly at the mention of food.
"I will go check on Sasuke," said Kakashi, waving lazily as he walked away. "Good job today, Naruto. Keep it up."
As Kakashi disappeared, Iruka and Naruto began walking toward the village.
"Naruto," said Iruka after a few moments of comfortable silence, "I need to tell you something."
"What is it, Iruka-sensei?"
"I have been worried," admitted Iruka. "About the Chūnin Exams. About you. The exams are dangerous, and there are so many things that could go wrong..."
"I know," said Naruto softly. "Everyone has been telling me that."
"But watching you fight today," Iruka continued, "seeing you match Rock Lee, who is famous as a taijutsu prodigy... I realized something."
"What?"
"You have become a real ninja, Naruto. A strong, capable one. And even though I will still worry, because that is what big brothers do, I trust that you can handle whatever comes."
Naruto felt his throat tighten with emotion. "Big brother?"
"Of course," Iruka ruffled his hair. "That is what I am to you, right? Your annoying big brother who worries too much."
"You are not annoying," said Naruto with a thick voice. "You are... you are important to me, Iruka-sensei. Like family."
"And you are family to me," Iruka responded warmly. "That is why I know you will be fine in these exams. Because you are strong, you have amazing teammates, and you have worked hard to get here."
They walked in comfortable silence for a few more moments before reaching Ichiraku Ramen.
"Naruto! Iruka-san!" Teuchi greeted cheerfully. "Welcome! The usual?"
"Yeah! Two miso specials!" Naruto slid into a seat, his energy returning at the prospect of ramen.
While they waited for their food, Naruto noticed a small figure standing nearby, watching them. He turned, and his eyes widened with surprise.
"Hanabi?" he said, recognizing Hinata's younger sister.
Hanabi Hyūga stood there, her expression serious but somewhat awkward. She was younger than Hinata, but had the same delicate facial structure and lavender eyes.
"Uzumaki," she said formally.
"Uh, hi," Naruto replied, confused. "What... what are you doing here?"
Hanabi looked at Iruka, then back at Naruto, clearly struggling with something internally. Finally, to Naruto's complete surprise, she bowed slightly.
"I came to apologize," she said, her voice quiet but clear.
"Apologize?" Naruto blinked. "What for?"
"For underestimating you," Hanabi straightened up, looking him directly in the eyes. "For treating you with disdain when you visited our estate. For... for being so blind."
Naruto exchanged a glance with Iruka, who looked just as surprised.
"Look," said Naruto slowly, "do not worry about it. It is in the past."
"No," Hanabi shook her head. "It is not right. I..." she hesitated, then continued with more determination. "Many people might be foolish or choose to be, but I have noticed something. Since you appeared in my sister's life, she changed."
"Changed?" Naruto leaned forward with interest.
"She became more confident," Hanabi listed. "Stronger. More... beautiful. She walks differently now, speaks differently. She used to hide behind her hair, doubt every word. Now she stands tall, speaks clearly."
Hanabi's eyes softened. "And she is happier. I had not seen her this happy in years."
"Hinata-chan is amazing," said Naruto sincerely. "She always has been. She just needed to believe in herself."
"Maybe," Hanabi agreed. "But you helped her see that. I do not know what you are doing, I do not know what is happening, but..." she paused, then continued firmly, "I am grateful. My sister is happy, and that is the most important thing to me."
She bowed again, deeper this time. "So thank you, Uzumaki Naruto. And I apologize for making you feel bad when you came to our estate. I was wrong about you."
Naruto felt warmth spread in his chest. "Call me Naruto. And really, you do not have to apologize. I am just happy that Hinata-chan has a sister who cares so much about her."
Hanabi looked up, genuine surprise on her face. "You are not angry?"
"Why would I be angry?" Naruto smiled. "Admitting you were wrong takes courage. And you did it. That is cool."
Iruka smiled at the exchange, clearly proud of Naruto's maturity.
"Hey," said Naruto suddenly, "have you eaten? Do you want to join us for ramen?"
Hanabi blinked. "I... should not intrude."
"It is no imposition," Iruka added kindly. "Please, join us."
Hanabi hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Then... thank you."
She slid into the seat on the other side of Naruto, her posture still formal but beginning to relax.
"Have you ever eaten Ichiraku ramen?" asked Naruto.
"No," admitted Hanabi. "Father says it is not appropriate for..."
"For the clan heiress?" Naruto finished with a mischievous smile. "Well, technically Hinata-chan is the heiress, right? And she comes here with me all the time."
"She does?" Hanabi seemed surprised.
"Sure. Ichiraku has the best ramen in all of Konoha. Maybe in the entire Land of Fire." Naruto turned to Teuchi. "Old man! One more special miso!"
"Coming right up!" called Teuchi from the kitchen.
"So," said Naruto, turning to Hanabi, "how is your training going? Hinata-chan mentioned that you are really good with the Byakugan."
"Adequate," Hanabi replied modestly, though there was a glint of pride in her eyes. "I have been mastering the Gentle Fist since I was five."
"Five? That is incredible!" Naruto whistled, impressed. "I was still trying to wake up from bed at that age."
"But now you can do the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu," Hanabi pointed out. "That is a jōnin level jutsu."
"How do you know that?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Rumors travel fast in the Hyūga clan," Hanabi said. "Especially rumors about the boy who makes my sister blush when his name is mentioned."
Naruto blushed. "She doesn't...! I mean... seriously?"
Hanabi almost smiled. "Quite often."
Iruka coughed to hide a laugh.
The ramen arrived, and the trio ate in comfortable silence for a few moments. Naruto noticed that Hanabi ate with perfect manners, very different from his own enthusiastic way of devouring food.
"Wow," said Hanabi after her first real bite, "this is really good."
"Right?" Naruto grinned widely. "I told you! Ichiraku is the best."
"My sister has good taste," Hanabi admitted. "Both in ramen and in..."
She stopped, her cheeks coloring slightly.
"In what?" Naruto tilted his head, completely oblivious.
"In nothing," Hanabi said quickly, correcting her slip of the tongue and focusing on her ramen.
Iruka smiled into his bowl, clearly understanding what Hanabi had been about to say.
"So," said Naruto after swallowing a mouthful, "are you going to take the Chūnin Exams next year?"
"Probably," replied Hanabi. "Father wants me to graduate from the Academy first, obviously, but after that, he expects me to take the exams as soon as possible."
"Family pressure?" Naruto asked sympathetically.
"Something like that," Hanabi looked at her bowl. "Being a Hyūga comes with... expectations."
"That must be hard," said Naruto with genuine understanding. "But you know, you do not have to let those expectations define you. You define who you are, not your last name."
Hanabi looked at him with surprise. "That is... similar to what Hinata-nee-san has been saying lately."
"Because it is true," Naruto smiled. "Hinata-chan figured it out. She used to be so shy, always worried about disappointing your father. But now she is kicking butt and taking names because she finally realized she can be strong in her own way."
"In her own way," Hanabi repeated thoughtfully. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Naruto gestured with his chopsticks, "your father probably wants you to be like... I do not know, the perfect Hyūga ninja, right? All serious and formal and following all the clan rules."
"Sort of," admitted Hanabi.
"But what do you want to be?" Naruto looked directly at her. "Not what your father wants. Not what the clan expects. What does Hanabi Hyūga want?"
Hanabi opened her mouth, then closed it. The question had clearly caught her off guard.
"I... am not sure," she finally admitted. "No one has ever asked me that before."
"Then maybe you should think about it," Naruto smiled encouragingly. "Because being a ninja is not just about meeting expectations. It is about finding your own ninja way."
"Your own ninja way," Hanabi murmured, testing the words.
"Exactly," Naruto nodded emphatically. "Look, I used to be the worst student in the Academy. Everyone thought I was a failure. But I found my own way to be strong, and now..." he scratched his head with an embarrassed smile, "well, I am still not perfect, but I am going to be Hokage someday!"
"Do you really believe you can be Hokage?" asked Hanabi with genuine curiosity, not with mockery.
"Of course," Naruto declared with absolute confidence. "It is my dream, my goal, my ninja way. And I am not going to let anything stop me."
Hanabi studied his face, seeing the burning determination in his blue eyes. "I understand why my sister admires you so much."
"Admires me?" Naruto blinked in surprise.
"A lot," Hanabi confirmed. "She talks about you constantly. About your determination, your kindness, your strength. She says you are... inspiring."
Naruto's face turned red. "That is... wow. Hinata-chan is amazing. She does not need to admire me, I should be admiring her."
"I think you admire each other," observed Iruka with a knowing smile. "And that is a good thing."
"I guess so," Hanabi said, a small smile finally appearing on her usually serious face. "It is nice to see my sister so happy."
They continued eating, the conversation flowing more naturally now. Naruto told exaggerated stories about his missions, making Hanabi laugh despite herself with his dramatic reenactments. Iruka added his own stories about Naruto's pranks at the Academy, making even Naruto laugh.
"Did you really paint the entire Hokage monument?" asked Hanabi, her eyes shining with poorly hidden amusement.
"It was art!" protested Naruto. "Misunderstood art!"
"It was vandalism," corrected Iruka, but he was smiling. "And I spent three hours cleaning it with you."
"Good times," Naruto sighed nostalgically.
"Troublesome times," Iruka corrected him.
Hanabi laughed genuinely, the sound light and surprisingly cheerful. "Sounds like you were quite troublesome."
"He still is," muttered Iruka.
"Hey!"
They finished their ramen, and Naruto insisted on paying even though Iruka had said it was his treat. Eventually, they reached a compromise where they split the bill.
As they walked out of Ichiraku, Hanabi turned to Naruto. "Thank you for the ramen. And for... the conversation. It was... nice."
"We should do it again sometime!" Naruto suggested enthusiastically. "Maybe we could invite Hinata-chan too! It could be like a sibling outing, but I would be the honorary brother."
Hanabi considered this. "I would like that."
"Great," Naruto smiled. Then he looked at the sky. "Hey, it is getting late. Do you want me to walk you to the Hyūga compound?"
"You do not have to..."
"I insist," Naruto said firmly. "It is what friends do, right?"
"Friends?" Hanabi blinked.
"Sure. I mean, we ate ramen together, had a good conversation, laughed. That is what friends do," Naruto tilted his head. "Unless you do not want to be friends, which is fine too..."
"No," Hanabi said quickly. "No, I would like... I would like to be friends."
"Awesome!" Naruto gave her a thumbs up.
Iruka smiled at the exchange. "I will head to the Academy then. Naruto, see you later. And Hanabi-san, it was a pleasure to meet you properly."
"Likewise, Iruka-san," Hanabi bowed slightly.
As Iruka walked away, Naruto and Hanabi began walking toward the Hyūga district. It was Hanabi who broke the silence.
"Naruto," she said, using his name for the first time, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"What exactly do you do? With my sister, I mean." Seeing his confused expression, she quickly clarified. "It is nothing bad. It is just that... the change in her is so dramatic. It has to be more than just friendship."
Naruto hesitated. He could not talk about the Falna, but he did not want to lie completely either.
"I train with her," he finally said. "Me and some other people. We have a sort of... special training group. We push each other to be stronger."
"A training group?" Hanabi looked skeptical. "That is all?"
"Well, it is more than that," Naruto admitted. "It is like a family, I guess. We look out for each other, train together, get stronger together. Hinata-chan is part of that family."
"A family," Hanabi repeated softly. The word clearly meant something to her.
"Yeah," Naruto smiled warmly. "And now you are part of it too. Because any sister of Hinata-chan is like family to me."
Hanabi felt something warm in her chest at those words. "Thank you, Naruto. That... means a lot."
They continued walking, conversation flowing naturally between light topics. Naruto told her about his training with Tsunade, careful not to mention anything about the Falna. Hanabi shared stories about her own training sessions, about the pressure of being the younger but potentially more talented daughter.
"Hey, Naruto," said Hanabi as they approached the Hyūga compound, "the Chūnin Exams... look after my sister, okay?"
"Of course," Naruto replied immediately. "I promise I will keep Hinata-chan safe."
"And yourself too," Hanabi added, looking at him seriously. "Now that we are friends, you have to promise me you will look after yourself too."
"I promise," Naruto smiled. "I am going to pass those exams and I am going to become a Chūnin. And then I will keep climbing until I am Hokage!"
"I think you will," Hanabi said, and there was genuine conviction in her voice. "I do not know how, but I think you really will."
They arrived at the gates of the Hyūga compound. The guards looked at them curiously but said nothing.
"Well," said Hanabi, "I guess this is my stop."
"I guess so," Naruto replied. "It was fun hanging out with you, Hanabi. You are way cooler than I thought you would be."
"Cooler?" Hanabi raised an eyebrow, but she was smiling. "I do not think anyone has called me cool before."
"Well, you are," Naruto insisted. "And you are going to be an amazing ninja someday. Just remember to find your own ninja way, okay?"
"I will," promised Hanabi. "And Naruto... thank you. For everything. For being kind to my sister, for giving me a chance despite how I treated you."
"No problem," Naruto grinned brightly. "That is what friends are for!"
Hanabi hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and, to Naruto's surprise, bowed slightly.
"Good luck in the exams," she murmured before walking away quickly and disappearing through the compound gates.
Naruto stood there for a moment, a little stunned but smiling. He had gained another friend today. And better yet, he had helped a sister worry a little less about the other.
He started walking back toward his apartment when he heard familiar voices.
"I tell you it is too troublesome!"
"Shikamaru, you have to take this seriously!"
Naruto followed the voices until he found Team 10 sitting under a tree. Ino looked frustrated, Shikamaru was lying down watching the clouds, and Chōji was eating from a bag of chips.
"Hey, guys!" Naruto greeted as he approached.
"Naruto," Ino brightened immediately. "Perfect timing! Maybe you can talk some sense into this lazybones."
"Troublesome?" Naruto guessed, looking at Shikamaru.
"Everything is troublesome," Shikamaru sighed without moving from his lying position. "The exams, the training, Ino complaining..."
"I am not complaining!" Ino protested. "I am trying to get you to care about something!"
"I care," he murmured. "I just do not see the point in stressing out."
"The point," said Naruto, sitting down next to them, "is that your teammates are counting on you."
"They will be fine," Shikamaru waved a hand vaguely. "Ino is strong, Chōji is strong. They do not need me."
"Are you kidding?" Naruto leaned forward. "Do you know what I would give to have your brain on my team? You are a genius, Shikamaru. Your intelligence could save lives during these exams."
"Naruto-kun's words are correct," Chōji added between bites. "Your strategy has saved us before, Shikamaru."
"Exactly," Ino jumped on this. "Remember that mission last month? When we got ambushed? Your plan got us out of that without a scratch."
"That was luck," Shikamaru insisted.
"It was not," Naruto said firmly. "Listen, Shikamaru. I know you think everything is troublesome. But do you know what is more troublesome? Seeing your friends hurt because you didn't use your brain to protect them."
That made Shikamaru finally sit up and look at Naruto.
"Think about it this way," Naruto continued. "If you are so smart, then protecting your team should be easy, right? You just have to use that genius brain of yours to keep them safe."
Shikamaru frowned, clearly considering this. "That is... manipulative logic."
"But it is true," Chōji said quietly. "Your intelligence keeps us safe, Shikamaru. We need you."
"The guys are right," Ino added, her tone softening. "We are not asking you to become a training nut like Guy-sensei. Just... take the exams seriously. For us."
Shikamaru looked at his two teammates, then at Naruto, then sighed deeply.
"Fine," he said finally. "Fine. I will take the exams seriously. But," he raised a finger, "when all this is over, I am going to take the longest nap in history."
"Deal!" Ino grinned brightly, punching him on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you!"
"Troublesome," Shikamaru murmured, but there was a slight smile on his face.
"Thanks, Naruto-kun," Chōji smiled at him. "You really helped."
"No problem," Naruto stood up. "We are all going to pass these exams together, right? The Konoha rookies are going to show what we are made of."
"The spirit is appreciated," Shikamaru said, lying back down, "but you can lower the volume a bit."
"Never!" Naruto declared dramatically, making even Shikamaru laugh.
Naruto spent a few more minutes with Team 10, sharing stories about his match with Lee that morning. Ino was particularly interested, asking many questions about technique and strategy.
"Sounds like you have improved a lot," observed Ino. "All of us, sure."
"It is because we are pushing each other," said Naruto. "That is the thing about having good teammates and friends. They make you want to be better."
"Philosophical," Shikamaru commented. "Troublesomely philosophical."
"Shut up," Ino threw a sunflower seed at him.
Eventually, Naruto said goodbye to Team 10 and started his way back home. The sun was beginning to set now, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
It had been an amazing day. He had fought against Lee and proved how much he had grown. He had spent time with Iruka, soothing his fears. He had made friends with Hanabi, Hinata's sister. And he had helped motivate Shikamaru to take the exams seriously.
"Just three more days," he murmured to himself. "Three days until the exams begin."
He was not afraid. He had determination.
He had his team. He had his family. He had his dreams.
And nothing was going to stop him from reaching them.
In his training field, Lee was doing pushups, still energized by his morning match.
"Guy-sensei!" he called between pushups. "Naruto Uzumaki is incredible! I want to be stronger so that our next battle is even better!"
"THAT IS THE SPIRIT, LEE!" Guy wept with pride. "Then you will do a thousand more pushups! And I will do two thousand with you!"
"YES, GUY-SENSEI!"
******
Reference added by our esteemed colleague Aaron Schwartz:
"THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HOPED TO HEAR!" Lee almost wept with joy. "A worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!"
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