When Habara seized the Nine-Tails' chakra, he also paid a considerable portion of his own chakra as the price. So, strictly speaking, it wasn't robbery, but an exchange.
The stronger Habara became, the stronger the unique bloodline chakra he left behind became. The stronger this chakra grew, the stronger the Nine-Tails that received this portion became. The stronger this part of the Nine-Tails became, given the Nine-Tails' overall power remained constant, the weaker the other, larger separated portion of the Nine-Tails became. And the weaker that portion of the Nine-Tails became, the weaker Habara, who received the vast majority of the Nine-Tails' original chakra, effectively became.
So... in a way, the stronger Habara got, the weaker Habara got.
After losing most of its chakra, the Nine-Tails gained a trait it didn't originally possess. Generally speaking, Tailed Beasts are creatures with immense chakra reserves, meaning they tend to use their chakra rather crudely. But now, this Nine-Tails could use chakra with the efficiency and calculation of a skilled ninja. It had no choice; it was like a master chef forced to cook with meager ingredients. Especially in smaller skirmishes, this Nine-Tails, capable of using Habara's unique bloodline traits, performed far better than before. It no longer resorted to firing off Tailed Beast Bombs at the slightest provocation.
Which meant the weaker the Nine-Tails got, the stronger the Nine-Tails got.
Compared to Shukaku, who wielded Magnet Release, this Nine-Tails was now vastly inferior in total chakra volume, yet far superior in the flexible application of "Magnet Release"-like abilities derived from Habara's chakra.
In short, this Nine-Tails was both weaker and stronger than Shukaku.
Naruto's father, the Fourth Hokage, tragically passed away when Naruto was born, making the concept of a "father" vague for him. His impression of his father came entirely through the influence of his mother, Kushina Uzumaki. Strictly speaking, who Naruto's birth mother was mattered greatly, and who his nominal father was also mattered greatly. Who his biological father actually was... became slightly less critical in the immediate context...
Alright, that's stretching it a bit. The biological father is still pretty important.
Appearance-wise, Naruto inherited his mother's oval face shape and his father's blond hair. Although the combination sometimes felt like a case of 1 + 1 < 2, his parentage was undeniable. Habara, in contrast, had gray hair and gray eyes. Mixing gray and red wasn't likely to produce yellow – though the "mixing" itself carried certain colorful connotations.
Besides, the ages didn't line up, did they...?
In the span of a few seconds, Kakashi's mind went through seventeen levels of mental gymnastics. Finally, he managed to convince himself, forcibly ejecting the pile of absurd theories cluttering every brain cell.
But had he truly cleared them out? That remained questionable. Taboos are taboos precisely because they constantly tempt rational minds into irrational speculation and exploration.
Once he snapped out of it, Kakashi roughly understood Naruto's situation. Habara had previously explained in detail that the Nine-Tails within Naruto had received a portion of his chakra and would likely exhibit traits of that chakra in the future... That explanation was accurate, but when the "future" arrived so suddenly, Kakashi still hadn't processed it immediately.
"Naruto, is that... Sensei Habara's technique?" Neji asked Naruto.
"I-I don't know! It just came out all of a sudden!" Naruto himself looked baffled.
This demonstrated that part of growing up is accumulating questionable mental baggage. Look at young Neji – he immediately assumed Naruto had learned Habara's technique, rather than questioning if his friend's family tree included a certain 'neighbor Habara.'
Kakashi, on the other hand, needed serious mental recalibration just to arrive at the correct conclusion.
However, people react differently. Daigo, who reported the incident to Habara the moment it happened, didn't entertain any wild theories. She knew perfectly well this was the Nine-Tails' doing and reported it as Naruto utilizing the Nine-Tails' chakra—Daigo, as a ninja, had only been thirteen when she died, not yet at an age to grasp... certain complexities.
Meanwhile, a certain Uchiha of a similar age was already at the stage of shouting, "Rise, my beloved!"
The ambushed quartet of young ninja had no time to figure out what exactly had happened to Naruto; they were busy dealing with the enemy.
While Neji and Naruto were talking, Sasuke had already charged towards the attackers' location. He quickly formed hand seals and unleashed his jutsu:
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
An orange fireball engulfed the patch of bushes, forcing the hidden enemy out into the open.
Sasuke's attack seemed effective, but Shino, standing beside Naruto, had to lower his arm slightly. His Kikaichū insects had already crept up behind the enemy, poised to quietly drain their chakra. Unfortunately, Sasuke's fire had just thwarted that plan... We really can't coordinate, Shino thought silently.
Teamwork was impossible. They were just four individuals thrown together, not a finely tuned squad capable of intricate tactical cooperation. Therefore, Neji immediately made the most logical call, "One enemy each! Don't make this chaotic."
As he spoke, he dashed straight towards Mari, the one who had used the blowgun earlier. With the insight of his Byakugan, he could easily determine which enemy possessed the strongest chakra.
Neji's speed allowed him to intercept the target Sasuke had likely intended to engage, making Sasuke suspect Neji had only shouted the instruction because he was worried someone else would snatch his preferred opponent.
Mari considered himself Chunin-level and certainly wasn't afraid of a bunch of kids who weren't even Genin yet. The failure of his sneak attack was surprising, and it was regrettable he couldn't witness the children's panicked expressions facing a potential headshot. But now, it had simply shifted from an ambush to an encounter battle. He would still show these Konoha brats what true cruelty meant.
His thinking was standard, but the sensor ninja on the Sand team took one careful look at Naruto, and cold sweat instantly drenched his back. He instinctively took a step back, then turned and fled... A sensor ninja of his level might not see the Nine-Tails itself, but that ominous, violent chakra was more than enough to terrify him.
Sasuke moved to engage another opponent. Naruto was still standing there. Shino assessed the situation; the fleeing sensor ninja would have to be his target... No helping it, some are just fated for grunt work.
Naruto raised his right hand, now covered in pitch-black Iron Sand. The cool touch confirmed it wasn't an illusion. He flexed his fingers, finding his dexterity completely unimpeded.
Under his control, the Iron Sand, which had initially covered only half his body, began to flow, spreading like a second skin over his entire body except for his head. Feeling that he could command this power as naturally as breathing, Naruto couldn't help but grin.
Having confirmed he had a new toy, his next thought was naturally to test it out.
However, his choice of opponent was limited. The remaining Sand ninja was already charging straight at him.
This enemy held a short sword in his right hand, his left hand looped behind his back. With a flick of his little finger, he hooked out a kunai. His wrist snapped, spinning the kunai in a flashy arc before catching it in a reverse grip. Judging by his movements and intent, he was likely a ninja specializing in taijutsu.
Yet, as he charged, his hands crossed in front of him, seemingly just switching weapons. But when he was only two meters from Naruto, he abruptly stopped and inhaled sharply:
"Fire Release: Crimson Flame Bullet!"
Bullseye. A fireball struck Naruto head-on. Before the attacker could celebrate, however, a humanoid figure staggered out of the flames... A fire attack of this level couldn't possibly breach Naruto's defense.
Because it wasn't Naruto's defense at all. It was Habara's.
Seeing this, the enemy thrust forward with the kunai in his right hand. Faced with the gleaming sharp point, Naruto simply slapped his palm forward.
Clang!
With a crisp metallic ring, the kunai snapped in two. The enemy quickly withdrew his right hand as the short sword in his left swung upwards, seemingly aiming to pierce Naruto's jaw and scramble his brains from below.
However, a fierce gust of wind rushed towards his face. In an instant, the short sword snapped clean in half. Unseen until now, Naruto held a longsword forged from the same black material. The dark blade, held horizontally, had severed the enemy's short sword. Its cold tip now rested against the enemy's throat...
On a camouflaged watchtower some distance away, Habara and Kushina Uzumaki, who had arrived earlier, watched the scene unfold.
Habara felt somewhat conflicted. If someone learned his techniques through diligent training, he would only be pleased. But this method of direct "inheritance"? It looked effortless, perhaps too easy.
It was like the older generation needing near-death experiences, a trip to a distant planet, the sacrifice of a bald friend, and a three-hundred-round battle with an alien overlord just to achieve Super Saiyan transformation, while the younger generation merely needed to be born and reach the age of eight to automatically unlock the transformation sequence.
But Habara's feelings were merely complex, not regretful. Compared to the price he had paid, what he had gained was clearly far greater.
He glanced briefly at the low-level skirmish below, then commented, "They won. Everyone performed well... It seems the Curse Mark of Man's effects exceed its intended design specifications, especially when used on children still in their developmental stages."
By Genin standards, the Sand team had performed admirably, yet they still lost to kindergarteners. Although these particular children had special backgrounds, the effectiveness of the Curse Mark of Man was undeniable.
Kushina nodded, though she was worried about something else. "Indeed, that's worth celebrating, but... the Nine-Tails acting so compliant doesn't feel right."
Strictly speaking, Naruto wasn't using Habara's chakra directly, but rather the chakra of that Nine-Tails. So why would the Nine-Tails contribute its power so readily? Was it because it found Naruto particularly agreeable?
Habara pondered for a moment, then offered, "Desperate times, perhaps? A fox backed into a corner grows thicker fur? Having lost most of its chakra, this Nine-Tails no longer has the strength to resist or struggle free from its Jinchuriki's control. Therefore, it has to find other means—perhaps pretending to cooperate while looking for an opportunity?"
It was just Habara's guess, but a reasonably logical one.
Kushina nodded. "It seems we need to be proactive. Perhaps it's time to consider giving Naruto the Curse Mark of Man."
When the Nine-Tails was defiant, Kushina hadn't considered using the Curse Mark on Naruto. Now that it was actively contributing its power, she was considering it... The reasoning was simple: regardless of the Nine-Tails' true intentions in feigning cooperation, enhancing Naruto's chakra control beforehand was undoubtedly the right move.
While the Uzumaki clan's genetics were potent, a ninja's growth still followed natural laws. The Curse Mark of Man, however, could potentially bypass those limitations.
Thinking of genetics, Kushina immediately declared, "From now on, Naruto is your disciple."
Habara didn't quite follow the abrupt shift. "Why is—"
But before he could finish the question, understanding dawned. He decisively shut his mouth.
Everything was understood without words. To avoid gossip, claiming Naruto was his disciple was the correct course of action. "Kekkei Genkai" were typically passed down through blood relations, but in special circumstances, a master could teach their bloodline abilities to a student, depending on the student's talent and the master's effort.
This approach might not completely eliminate rumors, but it was certainly better than having Uzumaki Naruto somehow become Habara Naruto.
As they spoke, the battle below concluded. Naruto and his friends were victorious. Shortly after, Kakashi appeared. He slung the four unconscious Sand ninja over his shoulder like sacks of sand and herded Naruto's group away... They never did figure out the conditions for passing the exam.
Since they weren't official participants, the four Sand ninja weren't disqualified. It was deemed an accident. After receiving treatment, they could return to the exam... or choose to withdraw, of course.
After dropping the Sand ninja at the temporary medical station, Kakashi brought the four troublemakers before Kushina and Habara.
Kakashi glanced at Kushina, then at Habara, quickly lowering his head before speaking, "Ahem, Lady Kushina, how should we handle these four?"
Kushina understood why Kakashi averted his gaze. "Naruto was the ringleader. I'll punish him separately. Confine the accomplices."
The four kids hung their heads, having nothing to say. But then, Habara suddenly spoke up, "Wait. Neji, come with me."
And so, Kushina and Kakashi led three culprits away, while Neji Hyuga followed Habara, walking step by step towards the exit of the exam grounds.
Habara remained silent for a long while. Only as they were about to leave the forest did he finally speak:
"By now, you should understand what the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird Seal truly is."
Neji cautiously glanced up at Habara, then quickly lowered his head again. "Yes, Sensei Habara. I understand."
"The traditions and power of the ninja sects run deep. If it only concerns internal clan affairs, even the Hokage's authority might not hold sway. The last time they tried to place the Caged Bird Seal on you, I managed to obstruct them through sheer stubbornness. But the Hyuga Main Family won't simply give up. In their eyes, the Branch House is the Branch House. Certain lines cannot be crossed.
"So, how should I stop them next time? More stubborn interference? No. This was never something I should have intervened in directly. Your fate, the fate of the Hyuga Branch House, rests solely in your own hands.
"If the Main Family demands you receive the Caged Bird Seal again, you can only rely on yourself. The method is simple: you must defeat them... If you can prove your own worth surpasses that of the entire Hyuga clan, then the Hokage will have grounds to support you, even to the point of intervening in Hyuga internal affairs. But conversely, if your value doesn't outweigh the clan's, why would the Hokage support one individual and offend an entire clan?"
Even the Hokage needs justification for their actions. Perhaps precisely because of their position, acting with legitimacy and proper cause is paramount.
Habara stopped walking here. He stared intently at Neji until the boy was practically trembling, then continued, "So, if you have time to fool around with Naruto, you'd be better off honing your own skills. Naruto is different from you. Previously, you were much stronger than him, but after today? Can you still defeat Naruto?"
Neji froze, stunned.
Habara, noticing Neji had become somewhat complacent recently, delivered his first real criticism, and it was utterly serious. To Neji, it felt as cold as frost.
Fortunately, Neji was sharp; a light tap was enough. He naturally understood the implications. With Kushina Uzumaki around, Naruto's growth environment was incredibly favorable. Naruto himself possessed inherent advantages, practically cheat codes. Besides pouring out ten times the effort, what else could Neji Hyuga possibly do?