Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Before anyone realized it, another month had passed.

Now, with less than a month left until the Chūnin Exams, the atmosphere in Konoha had shifted. The village buzzed with anticipation, tension, and preparation.

Kurenai had informed her Team 8 students of the upcoming exam, reminding them that participation was entirely voluntary. But all three still expressed their willingness to compete... each for their own reasons.

Hinata didn't just follow her teammates' decisions this time. She made the choice on her own. With her newfound strength came a subtle but steady confidence.

Still, in front of Guts… she remained her usual soft-spoken, bashful self.

Meanwhile, Hanabi had made history as the second ever "special candidate" permitted to take the Chūnin Exams solo at her age after Uchiha Itachi.

—

In Konoha's indoor ninja training grounds, Guts watched Hanabi polish her form on the open field. Her movements were sharper, more refined... her steps light, yet firm.

He crossed his arms and muttered, "Damn... I forgot to ask Hamura if those two can awaken the Tenseigan."

He clicked his tongue, thinking back. That detail had completely slipped his mind.

While his original plan had always been to face Madara and the others alone, he wasn't arrogant enough to ignore how helpful powerful allies could be, especially if they were sisters with the purest Byakugan.

'Well, it's not a bad thing if they keep evolving.'

As if summoned by his thoughts, Hanabi jogged over, still flushed from training.

"Hey, Guts! Has anyone ever taken the Chūnin Exam solo before me?"

She wiped sweat from her brow and grinned, hands on her hips.

This girl was more like Anko than she'd admit—rarely calling him "Sensei," except in front of others. Ironically, Anko preferred using "Sensei" only in private.

"That'd be Uchiha Itachi," Guts replied, smirking. "But if you don't want to go solo, you could still request to team up with another Genin. And... stay back, you stink of sweat."

Hanabi froze.

"W-What?! I don't stink!"

She lowered her head and sniffed herself, panic rising.

She didn't actually smell bad but still, like any self-conscious teenage girl, the very thought sent her sprinting home to shower.

Guts chuckled to himself and headed back to his own place after finishing his virtual space training.

—

As he passed the village's central plaza, an Anbu operative suddenly appeared before him, her movements swift and precise.

"Lord Guts."

Cat-mask. Long, dark purple hair. A calm presence.

"…Yugao?"

Only one kunoichi Guts knew matched that appearance.

"It's been a while, senior."

Yugao removed her mask. Her face was composed and elegant no longer the naive girl she once was.

She was 22 now. A seasoned kunoichi.

"You've grown," Guts remarked. "Last time we met, you hadn't even joined the Anbu yet."

She lowered her gaze for a moment, then hesitantly added, "I still remember your advice back then…"

Guts raised an eyebrow. "You find a stronger boyfriend yet?"

Yugao's face flushed. She looked away quickly. "N-No… not yet, Lord Guts."

He grinned but said nothing more.

Trying to change the subject, Yugao straightened up. "Lord Hokage requests your presence. It's about an important matter."

"Got it. I'll head over soon."

He didn't bother rushing. Since the Hokage wasn't Tsunade, there was no real incentive to hurry.

Yugao nodded, used the Body Flicker, and disappeared.

...But not too far.

Perched quietly atop a utility pole, mask back on, she watched his retreating figure. Her heart thumped in her chest.

Was this admiration? Worship? Or something else…?

—

On his way to the Hokage's office, Guts stumbled into an odd sight:

A mini-confrontation unfolding in the street.

There was Team 7: Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

Konohamaru and his two sidekicks were nearby, seemingly caught in the middle.

Facing them was a trio of foreign shinobi. Two wore the Kirigakure headbands, and one of them... white hair, twin blades strapped to his back looked oddly familiar to Guts.

He blinked, recognizing the swords as a variant of Samehada.

"Isn't this...?"

Before he could finish the thought, the situation escalated.

Kankuro and Temari had shown up clearly repping the Sand Village. Naruto and Kankuro were posturing, tension rising.

Both were sons of Kages. Neither wanted to back down.

Meanwhile, the Mist trio lingered at the edge of the scene, watching with amusement.

"Tch. If this turns into a fight between two Kage's brats, it'll be annoying to clean up," Guts muttered.

His voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Everyone turned toward him.

The Mist Genin trio froze.

The white-haired boy's eyes went wide.

"L-Lord Guts...! The one who took down six of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?!"

Guts tilted his head. "Hmm? You know me?"

He studied the boy more carefully.

White hair. Shark-like grin. Twin blades.

"You look... strangely familiar."

The boy stood straight and saluted nervously. "My name is Suigetsu. I'm here representing Kirigakure in the Chūnin Exams!"

Then, swallowing his fear, he added, "Y-You're not going to kill me, are you…?"

Guts finally recalled.

Suigetsu Hōzuki. A future member of Sasuke's rogue team.

"Relax, kid. I only kill when I'm bored."

Suigetsu laughed nervously. "Heh... right."

Guts pointed to the massive sword on his back. "That's Hiramekarei, isn't it?"

Suigetsu nodded. "Yes, sir. It belonged to my older brother before he passed. I inherited it after."

At this point, Kankuro and Naruto's argument had been cut short by the spectacle of Guts showing up.

Even Temari looked pale.

"Kan-Kankuro... t-that's him! That's Guts! The one they call the Strongest Ninja in the World!"

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