Naruto: In the name of time, shock the ninja world!.

And just as expected, things unfolded exactly as predicted.

Izawa Ikumi was gasping for breath, beads of sweat glistening on her small face. Her once-relentless attacks had begun to slow down noticeably.

Hoshikawa Haru smirked, seized the moment, and in the blink of an eye, closed the distance between them.

Ikumi sensed danger and hurriedly shifted into a defensive stance—but she was a second too late.

Boom!

A solid punch, aimed directly at a weak spot, sent her sprawling to the ground. The world spun around her as her head throbbed. Dizzy and disoriented, she struggled to get back up, only to freeze when she felt a sudden chill at her neck—a kunai was pointed right at it.

Hoshikawa Haru grinned casually.

"Sorry, you lost," he said, the ease in his tone emphasizing the clear difference in their strength.

Ikumi looked frustrated, clearly unwilling to accept defeat, but there was nothing she could do. Teacher Izawa, who had been observing quietly, now stepped forward and declared,

"Hoshikawa Haru wins!"

The two fighters exchanged the customary reconciliation seal. Ikumi lowered her head, silently reflecting on something.

Just then, Fujido Takatora ran over, his face full of admiration and excitement.

"Wow, Haru, that was incredible! You actually beat the class boss!"

Haru didn't respond to the praise with words. He simply smiled. Then, turning toward Ikumi, he said sincerely,

"Your taijutsu is really impressive—honestly, you're one of a kind right now.

But your stamina is lacking. I'd suggest doing more physical training."

As she heard this, Ikumi looked up with wide, slightly teary eyes. Then, without a word, she glared at him, turned on her heel, and stormed off.

Hoshikawa Haru tilted his head, puzzled. He had only offered helpful advice—why had she run away like that?

Fujido Takatora, having witnessed the whole scene, sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Boss... you really don't know how to hold back sometimes."

"Really?" Haru thought back over the interaction, but still didn't see anything wrong.

Fujido looked exasperated. Haru was perfect in so many ways—except when it came to this kind of thing.

He finally leaned in and whispered,

"Uh... Teacher Izawa? He's her dad."

"Huh?" Haru blinked. Then he remembered—their last names were the same.

So... Haru slowly turned his gaze toward Teacher Izawa.

Sure enough, the teacher's face had darkened considerably. His expression now radiated a stormy intensity, like he was ready to eat someone alive.

Hoshikawa Haru's eye twitched.

"...Looks like school life is going to be rough from now on."

He could already envision Mr. Izawa going out of his way to make things hard for him.

No doubt about it—a doting father would never listen to reason.

Just then, the sunlight dimmed slightly as someone stepped into his shadow. Haru looked up—and raised his eyebrows.

"An Uchiha?"

Uchiha Nozomi stood before him, his eyes intense with fighting spirit, practically blazing.

Without any small talk or pleasantries, he got straight to the point.

"I want to fight you."

Hoshikawa Haru let out a sigh and rubbed his forehead.

He had just finished a fight—and here came another challenger.

"Nope," he replied flatly.

Nozomi frowned. "Why not?"

"I'm tired. I need rest," Haru answered without missing a beat.

Nozomi didn't buy it. His expression twisted slightly, as if something inside him had just broken. The image he'd held of Hoshikawa Haru clearly didn't match reality.

Still, having been firmly turned down, Nozomi didn't push further. He simply muttered,

"I'll be challenging you often in the future,"

and walked away.

Hoshikawa Haru blinked, watching him go.

"...Wait. Did he just confess his feelings or something?"

Fujido Takatora, always ready with an explanation, chimed in,

"Uchiha Nozomi is pretty much a loner in class. No friends. He's obsessed with fighting and getting stronger. Rumor is, he wants to become a ninja as soon as possible so he can earn money."

"Money?" Haru tilted his head. "Doesn't the Uchiha clan already have plenty of that?"

Fujido scratched his cheek, confused.

"I dunno. Maybe he's got personal reasons?"

Hoshikawa Haru's interest was piqued.

"A man with a backstory... intriguing."

He decided he wanted to know more. Naturally, he thought to assign this mission to his right-hand man.

But Takatora looked sheepish.

"Boss... I'm sorry. I can't help you. Uchiha territory is off-limits for outsiders like me."

That left one option—Hoshikawa Haru would have to handle it himself.

To change the topic, Haru suddenly said,

"Hey, as a friend, I'd like to invite you over to my place after school. How about it?"

Fujido Takatora looked shocked.

Haru was inviting him over?

His face lit up with joy, and he nodded eagerly. It was his first time being invited to someone's house—especially someone he respected so much.

But after the excitement faded, nervousness set in again. It reminded him of their first meeting.

Hoshikawa Haru noticed and reassured him,

"Relax. My parents are easygoing. You're the first friend I've ever invited home."

"But you really need to work on your nerves. Chill a bit."

Takatora nodded seriously, determined to improve himself.

The day flew by, and when it was time, Teacher Izawa announced the end of class.

In an instant, the students exploded out the door like a stampede.

Hoshikawa Haru and Fujido Takatora walked calmly along the village street. To their surprise, they ran into Uchiha Nozomi again.

"Wang, heading home?" Haru asked, rolling an idea around in his mind.

Nozomi replied coldly,

"Still got practice to do."

"Really?" Haru gave a small chuckle. "No rush. Wanna come over to my place?"

Nozomi blinked, caught off guard. He frowned.

"No, I'm busy."

Haru wasn't surprised. Still, he didn't give up.

"Okay, how about this? You come to my place now, and in return, I'll spar with you over the next few days."

That made Nozomi hesitate.

Seeing this, Haru pressed his advantage, listing every convincing reason he could think of.

Finally, Nozomi gave in with a reluctant nod. The real reason, of course, was the chance to fight him.

Haru was satisfied with that result—but instead of heading straight home, he stopped and turned toward a hidden corner.

Takatora and Nozomi both looked confused.

Then Haru spoke, calm and steady:

"You two have been tailing me for quite a while. Might as well come out and say hello."

Both boys froze, shocked.

Being followed that long could've been dangerous on a battlefield. Thankfully, this was the village.

The shadows stirred. Two figures emerged reluctantly, their cover blown.

Takatora's jaw dropped when he saw who it was—even Nozomi narrowed his eyes.

Hoshikawa Haru recognized one of them right away.

"Something I can help you with, Ikumi? And you are...?"

The unfamiliar girl replied quietly,

"Hinata Kazumi."

Hoshikawa Haru smiled warmly.

"So it's Kazumi-san. Mind telling me why you were following us?"

Ikumi blushed, clearly flustered.

"I-It's nothing! We were just, uh... passing by! Thought we'd stop in for dinner."

"Is that so?" Haru grinned mischievously, clearly unconvinced.

The two girls looked anywhere but at him.

Sensing they needed a graceful exit, Haru offered it.

"Well, since we're all going to eat, how about we head to my place together?"