Two Days Later…
The early morning mist lay thick across the landscape, softening the edges of everything in the gentle warmth of dawn. A golden light painted the sky as Team Seven began stirring from sleep. Gojo sat outside the tent, brushing his teeth with a nonchalant air, casting a lazy eye over the quiet scenery.
"Two days and not a peep from the enemy." he muttered, smirking as he imagined Zabuza trembling in fear somewhere far off. "Maybe my reputation alone has scared them away." With a chuckle, he adjusted a stray hair in his reflection, flashing himself a satisfied grin. "Still looking as handsome as ever."
"Good morning, Sensei!" called Sakura, approaching him with a polite smile.
Gojo raised an eyebrow. "You look cheerful—didn't sleep well?"
Sakura's polite smile tightened. "Sensei, could you not start the day by being annoying? I'm a girl, you know!"
"Guess I'll let it slide this time." Gojo teased, his grin widening.
With a huff, Sakura pulled out a balloon. She focused, and a soft blue glow of chakra surrounded her hand, twisting the balloon until it popped with a satisfying snap. Gojo's gaze sharpened, mildly impressed.
"Nice! Keep that up, and you could change the world!" he said, ruffling her hair.
Sakura rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "And how about we change the subject to my training? I want to move on to the next stage."
"Impatient as always." Gojo laughed, feigning reluctance. "But you've gotta earn it first. Say I'm the most handsome."
Sakura's face flushed as she glared, muttering, "Gojo-sensei… is the most handsome."
"See? That wasn't so hard." Gojo winked, tossing her a water balloon. "Now, try popping this one with your chakra."
Sakura sighed but took the challenge seriously. She focused, trying to compress and spin the chakra inside the water balloon. It trembled, refusing to burst.
"It's harder than it looks!" she grumbled.
"That's why it's an A-level jutsu, kid." Gojo replied. "No seals, just pure chakra control. Keep at it."
Nearby, Naruto and Sasuke were grumbling as they tackled their own exercises. Gojo leaned back, letting his eyelids droop as the river's gentle flow began to lull him to sleep.
Just then, a slender figure approached. Wearing a soft pink kimono and a delicate bell around his neck, Haku moved gracefully, almost gliding. He crouched beside Gojo, gazing at him with a mix of curiosity and resentment, memories of their last fight—and that humiliating "Thousand Years of Death" technique—still fresh.
Haku's hand hovered near Gojo's neck. Should he take his chance? But a pang of guilt held him back. Instead, he sighed and draped his haori over Gojo's shoulders.
"That was a smart choice. You almost died." Gojo said, not even opening his eyes as he adjusted his sunglasses.
Haku flinched. "Oh? I was just gathering herbs." he replied smoothly, holding up his basket. "You should be careful not to catch a cold."
"Ice Release, huh?" Gojo observed, watching him as he unwrapped a lollipop.
Haku's eyes widened. "How did you…?"
"Your backside gave it away." Gojo replied with a smirk, pointing.
Blushing, Haku covered his rear, muttering, "How rude!"
"Relax. I'm not into guys," Gojo shrugged. "But listen, if we end up fighting, feel free to go for my students first. They could use the experience."
Haku's brow furrowed, though he managed a polite smile. "Alright then."
"Just don't hold back too much." Gojo said with a wink. "They're tougher than they look."
Naruto suddenly ran over, waving a scroll. "Gojo-sensei! I finished the first part!" He skidded to a halt, noticing Haku. His face went red as he stammered, "She's… she's so cute… even cuter than Sakura."
Sakura's face darkened. Rolling up her sleeves, she stormed over and delivered a solid punch to his head.
Bang!
Naruto hit the ground, rubbing his head. He glared at Gojo. "Sensei! You're just hanging out with a cute girl while we're busting our butts training?"
Gojo gave a light chuckle, Naruto's cluelessness as endearing as ever.
Haku smiled softly, hands folded gracefully. "Actually… I'm a boy."
Naruto's jaw dropped as Sakura's eyes widened in shock. Even she second-guessed herself, wondering how someone so cute could be a boy.
Gojo smirked, pointing his lollipop at Haku. "Hey, Naruto, don't get too cocky. He's got something you don't."
Haku blushed, crossing his legs in embarrassment. "Gojo!" he mumbled.
Sakura shook her head in disbelief. How was it possible? Was Haku… actually cuter than her?
Gojo sighed, giving Haku a dismissive wave. "Don't be so shy—it's getting awkward."
Haku smiled politely, hands behind his back. "We'll meet tomorrow at seven on the bridge." he said, then turned to leave.
Naruto was still kneeling, dazed. "Wait… a boy?"
"Set meeting times for enemies, huh?" Gojo mused, amused. "Back in my day, we didn't have the luxury. I just took life easy and slept in."
Naruto, recovering, turned to Sakura with an awkward grin. "Uh, Sakura-chan… I actually think you're way cuter."
"Hmph!" Sakura flushed, rolling her eyes as she stormed off to continue her training.
"Nice going, Naruto. Tell the girl you like that a boy's cuter, and now she's mad." Gojo said, barely holding back a laugh.
"Gojo-sensei!" Naruto whined, clinging to his teacher's leg. "Will Sakura hate me forever now? What do I do?"
Gojo looked at him thoughtfully. "Hate you? No, not really."
Naruto's eyes lit up, but then Gojo added, "She already finds you annoying."
Naruto's face fell as Gojo chuckled. "Get used to it, kid. Bachelorhood might be your best bet."
"Sensei!" Naruto wailed. "At least show me the Rasengan already!"
Gojo sighed, looking at him coolly. "Fine. Use Shadow Clones."
Naruto blinked in surprise as Gojo pushed him toward Sasuke and Sakura. "Now, figure out the rest yourself. Use that brain of yours if you don't want to end up a total idiot."
With the promise of learning the Rasengan spurring him on, Naruto dived back into training with renewed focus.
"Tomorrow at seven on the bridge—don't be late, you lazy brats!" Gojo called after them.
From across the field, Sakura shot back, "You'd better not be the one who's late, sensei!"
She hadn't forgotten his infamous tardiness during their final assessment, and clearly, neither had Naruto, who chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Yeah, Sensei! You're the King of Lateness!"
Gojo groaned under their jeers. "Fine, fine! I'll be on time—don't make such a fuss. Let's head back to the village for some barbecue." he muttered, stretching his arms as if the idea was entirely his own.
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Barbecue? Really?" But as he charged after Gojo, he stumbled, landing face-first in the grass as Gojo vanished with a smug little wave.
"Gojo-sensei!" Naruto called out, scrambling to his feet. "At least save me some beef!"
Meanwhile, Sakura watched the scene, shaking her head in mock exasperation as Naruto brushed himself off. But a faint smile tugged at her lips. As chaotic as things got with Gojo around, he was their teacher—and in his own strange way, he'd taught them a lot.
Tomorrow would be a test, not just of their abilities but of everything they'd been through together. The bridge at dawn would be their battleground, and Team Seven was determined to face whatever awaited them head-on.
The mist began to lift as they headed back, their laughter echoing over the water.