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After the regular afternoon training, the sunset bathed Tazuna's cottage in warm gold. Naruto wiped the sweat from his brow, casually scanning his teammates as they returned from their respective drills. His gaze suddenly 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 Land of Waves.
It's Haku! The young ninja with the Ice Release Bloodline Limit who served Zabuza!
Naruto's mind flashed through his knowledge of the future, but his face stayed perfectly calm. He stepped up to Kiba, feigning curiosity. "Hey, Kiba, where'd you pick up a companion?"
Kiba, grinning at Akamaru, proudly thumped his chest. "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. Seeing Kiba's innocent trust, Naruto bit his lip to stifle a laugh. Wait until he learns the truth—his expression will be priceless!
Hinata, standing nearby, spotted Haku and immediately 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 the Mind Transfer Jutsu to warn Naruto and Kiba—be careful."
Ino startled, her fingers beginning to form the seals for telepathic link. But the instant she was about to cast—Naruto and Kiba struck together!
Naruto flashed to Haku's side, his hand snapping shut around 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 into the dirt. It happened so fast that Kakashi, who had been leaning against a tree with his novel, only had time to widen a sleepy eye.
"What's going on?" Kakashi asked, though he was already closing his book.
Sasuke and Shikamaru flicked out kunai, flanking the captive, while Shino's insects began to swarm the air.
"Hmph!" Kiba raised his chin proudly. "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 in the forest, so I played along and led him right into our trap. He's the rogue ninja who 'killed' Zabuza!"
Akamaru bared his fangs, growling as his paws pressed like iron clamps on Haku's back.
Pinned to the ground, Haku showed no panic. He lifted his head, a wry smile on his porcelain face. "As expected of Konoha Ninja… I underestimated your vigilance."
Kakashi strolled over and crouched, his eye meeting Haku's calm gaze. "You're Zabuza Momochi's companion?"
"Yes," Haku inclined his head. "You must be the legendary Copy Ninja, Kakashi of the Sharingan. Your subordinates are indeed astute."
Sharingan? The revelation struck Sasuke like lightning. He spun toward Kakashi, shock and turmoil blazing in his dark eyes. Why does this man hold the Uchiha Clan's Bloodline Limit? Kiba, missing the tension between Sasuke and Kakashi, slung an arm around Naruto and laughed. "See that? Me and Naruto's combo is unbeatable! This woman is as sly as they come..."
The moment the word "woman" left his mouth, Naruto stiffened. Haku's calm face twitched almost imperceptibly.
"Actually, Kiba," Naruto said, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed amusement. "I mainly noticed the bone structure and gait looked male. Most people hide their gender the other way—women posing as men—but he dressed as a woman."
"Wh-aaaat?!" Kiba's grin shattered. His eyes bulged. He leaned in, scrutinizing Haku's silky hair and painted features. "No way!" He leaned closer to sniff, but Naruto yanked him back by the collar.
"What? How can someone this pretty be a guy?" Kiba's worldview shook.
Haku gave a resigned smile. "Sorry for the confusion… though I never actually said 'I'm a woman'."
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