Chapter 63 – The Pretty Boy, Haku
After the regular afternoon training, the sunset bathed Tazuna's cottage in warm gold.
Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow, casually scanning the returning teammates.
His gaze froze on Inuzuka Kiba.
Behind Kiba followed a 'girl' in a pink kimono, slender and graceful.
She kept her eyes lowered, poised like a carefully pruned willow.
Long black hair spilled over her shoulders, making the exposed nape look even paler and more delicate.
This was clearly no villager of the current Land of Waves.
It was Haku!
The young Ninja with Ice Release Kekkei Genkai who served Zabuza!
Naruto's mind flashed to Haku, but his face stayed calm.
He stepped up to Kiba, feigning curiosity, voice bright: "Hey, Kiba, where'd you pick up a companion?"
Kiba, grinning at Akamaru, proudly thumped his chest; Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Heh! Akamaru and I ran into her while drilling Fang Passing Fang in the woods!"
He waved broadly behind him.
"The lady said she was lost—looked pitiful—so I brought her back to ask Kakashi-sensei what to do."
He wore a 'praise me' face, utterly oblivious to the beauty's true identity and danger.
Seeing Kiba's innocent trust, Naruto bit his lip to stifle a laugh.
Can't break now!
Wait till Kiba learns the truth—his expression will be priceless!
Shoulders trembling, Naruto forced his gaze elsewhere.
Hinata spotted Haku and slipped over to Ino.
Her Byakugan had already read the stranger's Chakra flow.
"Ino, I've seen him before—he's with Zabuza."
Hinata lowered her voice.
"Use Mind Transfer Jutsu to warn Naruto and Kiba—be careful."
Ninja Art: Mind Transfer Jutsu is the Yamanaka Clan's secret telepathy, needing no medium to slip thoughts straight into a target's mind.
During the Fourth Ninja World War Inoichi Yamanaka and others used it as the Allied Shinobi Forces' communicator.
Ino startled, then began forming seals.
But the instant she was about to cast—
Naruto and Kiba struck together!
Naruto flashed to Haku's side, left hand snapping shut round the delicate yet powerful right wrist.
Almost simultaneously Kiba erupted from the other side, pinning Haku's left arm.
Akamaru, already poised, rammed Haku's knee from behind.
Thud!
The graceful 'kimono girl' lost balance under the triple assault, knees slamming the dirt in a small dust cloud.
So fast that Kakashi Hatake, leaning on a tree with the romantic ninjutsu tales of shimura, only had time to lower the book and widen a sleepy eye.
"What's going on?"
Sasuke and Shikamaru flicked out Kunai, flanking the captive.
Choji planted himself before Ino and Hinata; Shino's insects swarmed the air.
"Hmph!"
Kiba raised his chin proudly—'told you so'—yet kept his grip tight.
"My nose never lies! In the woods he wore a mask, but the scent couldn't fool Akamaru and me!
I wasn't sure I could take him alone, so I played along and led him here.
After all, he's a dangerous rogue Ninja!"
Akamaru bared tiny fangs, growling, forepaws pressing like iron clamps on Haku's back.
Pinned, Haku showed no panic.
He lifted his head, a wry smile on his delicate face, voice still soft: "As expected of Konoha Ninja… I underestimated your vigilance."
Kakashi strolled over, crouched, eye meeting Haku's calm gaze: "You're Zabuza Momochi's companion?"
His tone brooked no denial.
"Yes."
Haku inclined his head, kimono collar parting slightly.
That gentle voice felt oddly out of place.
"You must be the legendary Copy Ninja, Kakashi of the Sharingan. Your subordinates are indeed astute."
His gaze flicked—seemingly casual yet deeply—toward the wary Naruto.
"Sharingan?"
Kakashi possesses the Sharingan?!
The off-hand revelation struck Sasuke like lightning.
He spun toward Kakashi, shock and turmoil blazing in dark eyes, knuckles white on his Kunai.
Why does this man hold the Uchiha Clan's Kekkei Genkai?
What secrets lie behind those eyes?
Kiba, missing the glances entirely, slung an arm round Naruto and laughed: "See that? Me and Naruto's combo is unbeatable!
This woman's sly as they come…"
The moment the word left his mouth Naruto stiffened; Haku's calm face twitched almost imperceptibly.
"I mainly noticed his build and gait looked male, so I got suspicious,"
Naruto explained.
"Most people hide gender the other way—women posing as men—but he dressed as a woman."
Women have Adam's apples too, though usually less prominent than men's.
"Wh-aaaat?!"
Kiba's grin shattered; eyes bulged, jaw dropping.
He leaned in, scrutinizing Haku's porcelain skin, painted features, silky hair… "No way!"
he muttered, nose twitching for confirmation.
Naruto yanked him back before he could sniff.
Too weird.
"What? How can someone this pretty be a guy?"
Can men be this beautiful?"
Kiba's worldview shook; even Akamaru tilted his head, sniffing in confusion.
Haku gave a resigned smile, letting the stunned stare wash over him, and sighed softly: "Sorry for the confusion… though I never actually said 'I'm a woman'."
His tone carried familiar resignation—such misunderstandings were old companions.
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