Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

"Everyone here—you're bounty ninjas, right? Since you found the Crafting Village leader, why didn't you strike immediately and went with surveillance instead?"

At Haruki's question, the surrounding bounty agents exchanged glances. Finally, one sneered, "We do what we want—no need for your commentary."

"But your eyes… they'd fetch a fortune on the black market."

"Brothers, let's move!"

Suddenly, that bounty ninja shouted. On cue, the others surged forward, weapons drawn.

Haruki sighed lightly: "Heh! A path to heaven you won't walk, but rush into hell you surely do."

"Fine," he murmured. "I just got a new sword—let's test it on you."

In that instant, he pulled the longsword from his waist. A murderous aura instantly cloaked the clearing.

Sensing that lethal intent, the bounty ninjas froze. They all—orchestrated by experience from the murky underworld—knew some people you simply don't touch. Haruki's presence, steeped in violence, made them hesitate.

At that moment, Haruki's Transformation Technique faded, revealing his true form.

"A kid?"

"A child?"

Their voices cracked in surprise—and suddenly their bravado faltered.

The lead bounty ninja seized the moment. "Kill him!" he ordered, and all of them raised weapons at Haruki.

But Haruki stood unperturbed, strictly deflecting their blows with his longsword—no reprisal, only precise defense.

Clang! Clang! Metal rang through the forest like rain on metal.

In the fiery glare of their weapons, Haruki moved like a fish in water—fluid, effortless, flowing through his attackers, warding off incoming strikes as if flirting with them.

In contrast, the bounty ninjas exhausted themselves, wearing out without landing a blow.

Annoyance and panic crept in; their swings became sloppy. But under Haruki's Sharingan, every mistake was laid bare—more openings appeared with each flail.

If he'd wanted, Haruki could've ended it long ago—but he'd wanted to test this new blade.

Time trickled by—then suddenly, one of the ninjas stared and cried out in shock:

"Wait… You're Ghost‑Blade Haruki?"

"What?"

"Ghost‑Blade Haruki?"

"Impossible…"

Their voices echoed confusion and disbelief. In an instant, they all ceased fighting and backed away, staring at him wide-eyed.

Haruki sheathed his sword with interest and asked the one who spoke, "Oh? You know me?"

Before any reply, the others backed away a half step as if the confirmation itself were fearsome.

The speaker—grim-faced—stammered, "A one‑hundred‑seventy‑million‑ryō bounty on Ghost‑Blade Haruki—who wouldn't know you?"

He spoke as if everyone recognized him, but onlooking ninjas often missed him—most were petty criminals, unaware of high-level notoriety. This man only realized after fighting him long enough.

Haruki chuckled inwardly at the proud number. After all, Asuma Sarutobi later had a 350‑million bounty despite Haruki's superior strength—and even with Hokage parentage, that difference seemed excessive. "Maybe my reputation hasn't caught up yet," he mused.

He sheathed his smiles and yanked his blade again. "Let's see how fast you run."

This hit a nerve. They already looked like they wanted to run—if he didn't finish them quickly, they'd scatter. To protect his identity and silence witnesses, he needed a swift resolution.

Slash! Flesh parted from weaponize steel. One ninja slashed across his throat before he even realized—Haruki's blade cut through.

"Gasp…!" The bounty agent clutching his neck faltered, staggered two steps, and collapsed.

At this, the others snapped awake. The lead ninja screamed, "Split up—run!"

But Haruki's Sharingan watched the lead closely. At the moment their eyes met, he triggered a hypnotic Genjutsu.

The man froze on the spot. Haruki didn't kill him; instead, he teleported into striking range and knocked him unconscious.

The rest hadn't gotten far—Haruki eliminated each with effortless skill: Body Flicker Technique, matched with Kenjutsu and Sharingan.

Back beside the stunned leader, Haruki slapped him awake.

Before he could beg, Haruki asked, "Talk. Why did you only spy on the Crafting Village leader instead of capturing him?"

The bounty leader stuttered, glancing around—but no coherent answer came.

Annoyed, Haruki rose his arms and cast his Wide‑Awakening Sharingan Genjutsu, intent on reading the man's memories.

Fearing Haruki would strike him, the lead frantically shouted: "No! Stop! I'll tell you!"

Haruki ignored the pleas and cast the Genjutsu.

Within moments, the man's voice halted. His consciousness drifted into Haruki's illusion.

Haruki sensed there were no mental shields, and began guiding memories into clarity—mapping out the entire sequence of events.