Two Monsters

The life-or-death ordeal at the Uchiha Clan Compound had acted like a powerful catalyst, truly changing how Shikano Nara, Chiba Akimichi, and the others who had been there viewed the Hatake brothers.

Fear and distance remained, but now they were mixed with more gratitude, respect, and a strange bond born of keeping a secret together. On the training grounds, when their eyes happened to meet Shuoyue's or Lian's, they no longer simply looked away. Instead, they gave a slight nod or exchanged a knowing glance. At lunch, Shuoyue and Lian still sat in their usual spot beneath the cherry tree, but every now and then Luye would drag his lazy steps over, toss out a "Thanks for last time," and leave before they could respond. Chiba sometimes shared snacks with the more approachable-looking Lian, while Kazamatsuri would give them a friendly smile that still held a hint of nervousness.

However, this change in attitude was limited to their little circle. To most of the other students in class, Hatake Shuoyue and Hatake Lian, along with Nadeshiko Haku, who later displayed the same inhuman strength, remained synonymous with "monsters."

That impression was reinforced—and even cemented—during a practical sparring class.

It was a free-form sparring exercise. Whether by chance or by the teacher's design, Shuoyue and Haku were paired together.

The moment the two took their places in the arena, the air around them changed. There was no chatter, no cheering—only a near-stifling silence. Every student, teachers included, unconsciously held their breath.

"Please go easy on me." Haku's cool voice rang out, carrying the manners unique to Nadeshiko shinobi, but a fierce fighting spirit burned in her ice-blue eyes.

Shuoyue said nothing. He merely gave a slight nod, his deep purple eyes as inscrutable as a still pool.

"Begin!"

The instant the command rang out—

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

There was no testing the waters! Haku shot forward like an arrow loosed from its bow, hurling more than a dozen senbon wrapped in pale blue chakra with a blur of her hands. They rained down on Shuoyue's vital points like ice! Her speed was incredible!

At almost the same instant, Shuoyue moved! His movements were utterly economical. He sidestepped and glided away, a kunai appearing in his hand as if from nowhere, and precisely deflected the attacks from either side!

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

A rapid string of sharp metallic clashes rang out! Sparks flew all around him! Every single senbon was knocked aside with perfect precision!

Haku's attack didn't let up! Using the senbon as cover, she had already closed in! She launched into the Gentle Fist-style taijutsu unique to Nadeshiko Style. Palm, fingers, elbows, legs—every strike was viciously precise, aimed at joints and chakra points. Her movements were graceful, yet deadly!

Shuoyue's response was even more astonishing! He seemed able to predict the path of every one of Haku's attacks. Though his Sharingan remained inactive, his dynamic vision and reflexes were pushed to their limits! He dodged and blocked with the smallest possible movements, his kunai seeming almost alive in his hand. Sometimes he reversed his grip to block a knife-hand strike; other times he drove the blade forward to counter a kick! Both moved so quickly that only afterimages remained, and the sound of their taijutsu clash came in a suffocating rush!

Bang! After one heavy collision, they sprang backward, using the force to put distance between them, and formed Hand Seals at the same time! "Water Release: Wild Water Wave!" Haku shot a rapid stream of water from her mouth, like a high-pressure hose aimed at Shuoyue! "Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Shuoyue slapped his palm against the ground, and a sturdy earthen wall rose instantly, perfectly blocking the torrent!

Their ninjutsu clash left every onlooker dumbfounded once more! This wasn't a fight at Genin level at all!

The examiner eventually called a halt, and the match ended in a draw. Neither of them seemed ready to call it quits.

A deathly silence fell over the training ground.

Every student, including Luye and the others, looked utterly stunned—and deeply powerless. The gap between them wasn't a chasm that could be crossed through "hard work." It was a complete crushing gulf of talent, bloodline, and the training they'd received.

"Monsters..." someone murmured unconsciously.

The word once again echoed clearly in everyone's mind. The little closeness they'd felt after surviving a crisis together was shattered by this inhuman duel. Their respect turned into an even deeper divide. Aside from the few who had been there with them, no one dared approach the brothers, as though an invisible force field around them kept the "ordinary" at bay.

And yet, amid that invisible divide, someone stepped forward of her own accord, entering that "forbidden zone."

After training ended, the students dispersed, still shaken as they discussed the incredible match they'd just witnessed. Shuoyue picked up a towel to wipe off his sweat, preparing to leave as usual.

But a cool figure stepped in front of him.

It was Nadeshiko Haku.

Her short silver hair glinted faintly in the sunlight. Her ice-blue eyes met Shuoyue's directly. The desire to fight that had filled them earlier was gone, replaced by a pure, searching curiosity.

"Hatake Shuoyue." Her voice was as even as ever, but remarkably clear. "Your taijutsu and reaction speed are impressive. That's not something ordinary training can give you."

She paused, as if gathering her thoughts, then asked very directly, "Would you spar with me again on our next day off? Just taijutsu and shurikenjutsu."

The request was so abrupt, yet so perfectly suited to her—direct, straightforward, and focused only on becoming stronger.

A few students nearby unconsciously slowed their steps and sneaked a glance over, their faces full of surprise. A monster... had gone to seek out another monster?

Shuoyue paused in the middle of wiping his sweat. He looked at Haku and met her undisguised interest in strong opponents. He knew that look well. He had seen something similar during Obito's training: it was the recognition of an opponent worth fighting.

He was silent for several seconds. The air around them seemed to freeze.

Just as everyone expected him to coldly refuse her, as he had refused the others, he spoke. His voice was as calm as ever:

"Sure. When and where?"

The corners of Haku's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly. It barely counted as a smile, but for an instant, it softened her icy demeanor.

"Tomorrow at eight in the morning, Training Ground 3." She spoke crisply, gave a nod, then turned and walked away without the slightest hesitation.

Shuoyue watched her go, draped the towel over his shoulder, and turned without a change in expression to walk in the opposite direction.

A group of wide-eyed classmates remained behind, trying to process the astonishing scene they'd just witnessed.

"D-do monsters... attract each other?" someone whispered in disbelief.

From that day on, two figures could often be seen clashing fiercely at Konoha's Training Ground 3. Sometimes they traded taijutsu blows; other times, they traded precise shuriken throws. They rarely spoke, communicating instead through fists, kicks, and ninja tools. A strange, icy understanding quietly took root between the two "monsters." After the companions who had shared life and death with him, Nadeshiko Haku became the first person who could truly "get close" to Hatake Shuoyue.

They never said it aloud. But everyone knew. They could now be called partners who stood shoulder to shoulder.