Night at the Namikaze Residence
Haruto glanced at Tsunade, now resting peacefully, her breathing slow and calm. A warm smile touched his lips.
"You really are like a grandma," he whispered with a chuckle, then headed into the next room.
The bedroom was neat and freshly made. He flopped onto the bed—and was out within seconds.
---
Morning
Sunlight filtered through the window. Haruto yawned and stretched, heading straight to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and splashed cold water on his face.
The house was quiet.
"She's already gone?"
Haruto tied on an apron and headed to the kitchen. He heated some oil, cracked two eggs onto the pan, and let them sizzle. While they cooked, he rummaged through the fridge and found some sausages—three of them. He tossed them into the pan and plated everything neatly.
After eating, he cleaned up, then got to work on chores—dusting, mopping, fixing up corners of the house.
A long soak in the bathtub followed.
Warm water surrounded him as he leaned back, lost in thought.
"Okay… planning time."
Visions of training, rogue missions, or just lounging like Shikamaru passed through his mind.
"How about… infiltrating Akatsuki?"
The very idea made him shudder.
"I'll do it. Today."
---
Hokage's Office
Knock knock.
"Come in," Tsunade called.
Haruto stepped in and saw the towering stack of paperwork.
"Oh… looks like you've got company."
Tsunade didn't look up. "What do you want?" she asked, pinching her temples as she signed another document.
"I'm leaving. For training."
That made her pause.
He shrugged. "You know, gotta build some awareness, get stronger outside the village. A little solo training trip."
She stared at him for a moment. "Duration?"
"Two years."
"Too long."
"Okay, how about… one and a half?"
She grumbled. "Fine."
Haruto smiled. Before leaving, he placed a packed lunch on her desk. "For you."
---
Yamanaka Flower Shop
"Ino!" Haruto waved.
The blonde turned around, blinking before smiling wide. "Oh, hey Haruto!"
"I'm heading out of the village for training."
"What? Already?"
"Yeah. But I told Tsunade-sama to mentor you in medical ninjutsu. Expect a summons soon, alright?"
Ino blushed. "You did that for me?"
"Of course." Haruto leaned down and kissed her cheek.
Blushing furiously, Ino returned the gesture—and Haruto vanished before she could say another word.
---
Training Grounds
Shikamaru lay in the grass, chewing a blade of grass lazily.
"Yo, Shika!"
Shikamaru groaned. "Man… you again."
Haruto flopped down beside him. "I'm leaving for training."
"Mm." Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—off to awaken the soul of a thousand shadow clones?"
Haruto laughed. "Nah. Something more dangerous."
Shikamaru muttered, "Tch… What a drag."
---
As he passed the village gates, Haruto spotted dark blue hair fluttering in the wind.
Hinata.
She looked up, her cheeks immediately flushing red.
"I-I... uhm..."
"Don't be nervous. I'm not going to eat you."
Spiral-eyed faint.
"Not again…"
Sighing, he picked her up in a princess carry.
"Every time I get remotely close…"
He leapt through the village, reaching the Hyuga estate—where Kiba and Shino were just arriving.
"Yo! Take Hinata for me?"
Kiba blinked. "S-sure, b—"
Before he could finish, Haruto vanished.
---
Outskirts of Konoha
Standing before the great gates of the Hidden Leaf, Haruto looked back one last time.
"Thanks for everything, Konoha."
With a salute and a grin, he turned his back to the village—and walked into the unknown.
---