The Road Home Extended Toward the Chunin Exam Grounds

"You're called Haku, and someone else I know is called Bai Ye. What am I supposed to call you two from now on?"

Naruto walked backward along the mountain path, his gaze shifting between Haku and Chiba.

"Use our names."

"When I call Haku, won't both of you turn around?"

Chiba walked past him.

"Bai Ye won't."

"Why not?"

"He can't be bothered with you."

Naruto turned around and nearly stepped into the ditch beside the road.

"I've never even met him. Why wouldn't he bother with me?"

Sasuke shoved him from behind.

"Watch where you're going."

"I am watching."

"Then what did you just step in?"

Naruto lowered his head. The soles of his shoes had already sunk into wet mud.

"This road deliberately curved over here."

Haku took a strip of cloth from his ninja tool pouch and held it out to him.

"Tie your shoe openings tight. That way, mud won't get inside."

"You even carry that?"

"It can also be used to treat wounds."

Naruto took the cloth and crouched by the roadside to wrap his shoes.

"You know medical ninjutsu. Can you teach me someday?"

Sakura, walking ahead, turned back at that.

"You can't even identify all the medicinal herbs yet. Don't start thinking about healing."

"Recognizing herbs isn't hard."

Haku pointed at a cluster of leaves by the roadside.

"What is that?"

Naruto stared at it for a long while.

"Edible grass."

"That's sophora root."

"What happens if you eat it?"

"Your mouth will taste bitter for half a day."

Naruto immediately pulled back the hand he had reached out.

"Medical ninjutsu really isn't for me."

The tension at Haku's lips eased as he lowered his head and retied the cloth around Naruto's shoes.

Sasuke glanced at the two of them.

"He nearly pierced