Chapter 28: Sudden Change

Author Note:

Here's Another BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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The duel between Guts and Tsunade caused a wave of shock throughout the entire Ninja Academy.

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen had to send someone to clarify the situation, just to calm the buzzing student body.

Outside the training hall, the students of Guts's class — the same class that would later shape the future of Konoha — stared at the damaged building in awe.

Shattered glass littered the ground, and cracks snaked along the walls, silent proof of the battle's intensity.

Despite everything, classes had to continue.

Just as the homeroom teacher raised his hand to start the morning drills, a sharp gasp cut through the noise.

It came from Kato Shizune, a quiet girl who usually went unnoticed.

Everyone turned toward her, confused — until they saw what she was staring at.

Guts had just stepped out of the training building… wearing a Konoha forehead protector.

He did it.

Even the usually unreadable Kakashi raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"…Huh."

Obito clenched his fists, envy bubbling in his chest.

If I had that kind of strength… maybe Rin would stop looking at Kakashi… and start looking at me. Or at least notice I exist. Please?

In the back, Might Guy and Yuhi Kurenai — the loudest pair in the class — waved enthusiastically.

"GUTS! MY RIVAL-IN-SPIRIT!"

Guy bellowed, sparkling with passion.

"LET US DO ONE-HANDED PUSH-UPS USING OUR EYEBROWS NEXT TIME!"

Kurenai just squinted. "Is he always that brooding or did someone step on his feelings this morning?"

But Guts didn't stay long.

With a calm face and unreadable eyes, he walked straight out of the Academy grounds, his new forehead protector catching the sunlight like a battle trophy.

No words. No celebration. Just raw, silent Chad energy.

There was no need for him to be here anymore.

The other students could only watch as his back faded from view, a mixture of awe, envy, and silent admiration flickering in their eyes.

"Damn… he looks cold af," whispered a random student, pulling his hoodie up in secondhand intimidation.

"He cool with it though," another replied, sipping from a juice box like it was fine sake.

One girl clutched her notebook and sighed,

"I don't even know him, but I think I'd betray my clan for him."

Then—

"Tch. Such a show-off," muttered Kenji, arms crossed like he practiced brooding in the mirror.

Taro, lounging nearby with a lollipop in his mouth, smirked.

"Man, I smell jealousy. And I can't even smell sh*t."

Kenji's eye twitched.

"Oh yeah? You want a hearing problem to match your nasal one?"

Taro raised his hands innocently.

"Chill, bro. No need to get all emotionally unstable over someone else's glow-up."

"Tch. Pussy boi,"

Kenji muttered under his breath — but loud enough to count as a war declaration.

That was it.

"ARRRGHHHH!!!"

The shout echoed like a jutsu gone wrong.

Heads turned.

Passersby slowed, expecting an epic duel — maybe a fireball jutsu, maybe even a taijutsu clash in midair.

Instead… they saw Kenji on the ground with a few teeth doing the cha-cha away from his face.

Taro stood over him, fist dripping red and expression blank like it was just another Tuesday.

"…Well," someone whispered, "at least Kenji doesn't have a talking problem anymore."

—

After Tsunade confirmed the test results, she went directly to Hiruzen to discuss Guts's assignment.

Whether he'd join a Genin unit or wait for the official graduation to form a team would be up to the Hokage's decision.

Guts himself didn't have a say — all he could do now was wait.

Still, he wasn't worried. Sarutobi Hiruzen, known for watching everything from the shadows, had definitely observed the duel.

Guts knew the man wouldn't place him in a poor environment. Not if he valued talent.

And from what Tsunade mentioned… it seemed like the Second Ninja War was finally winding down.

The fact that Hiruzen had summoned the Sannin back from the front lines said a lot.

Guess I really did lose that bet…

He didn't think Tsunade would remember, but still — he hated losing.

—

That night, Yuhi Shinku and Might Duy sought Guts out to celebrate his promotion.

They took him to their usual barbecue place, despite the pain it would cause their wallets.

Inside the busy restaurant, heads turned as soon as they noticed the shiny forehead protector on Guts's brow.

So young… maybe five or six? He's already a Genin? Which clan is he from?

The whispers didn't bother Guts. He was too busy stuffing his cheeks with grilled meat.

"Guts, how will you be assigned? Genin platoon or wait for graduation?"

Kurenai asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"Mmgh~ I dunno yet… gotta wait for Tsunade's reply~"

He mumbled around a mouthful of meat, cheeks puffed out like a frog.

"Ugh, gross. No one's going to steal it, you know."

Kurenai scrunched her nose but still leaned over to wipe the corner of his mouth with a napkin.

Across the table, Yuhi Shinku blinked slowly.

He had the sudden, irrational urge to throw hands with a brat.

"Uncle Shinku, is the war really ending?" Guts asked, suddenly serious.

Yuhi's face stiffened for a moment, then he nodded.

"Hanzo has pulled back from the borders of the Fire Country. There's still tension in the Rain, Wind, and Earth nations… but as far as Fire Country is concerned, it's basically over."

"Huh… looks like I'm losing that bet after all," Guts muttered.

Kurenai laughed. "Told you!"

Just then, a Chūnin rushed into the restaurant, his breath ragged.

"Lord Shinku! You're here!"

Shinku's eyes narrowed. "What's going on?"

The Chūnin leaned in, whispering urgently. Guts couldn't catch the words — but he didn't need to.

Yuhi Shinku's expression darkened instantly. He stood up with purpose.

"Sorry, Kurenai, Guts. I need to take care of something."

He tossed his wallet onto the table before leaving with the Chūnin. Guts watched him go, a strange knot forming in his chest.

"That's the first time I've seen Dad look like that…"

Kurenai said, voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't worry."

Guts rested a hand on her shoulder, firm and confident.

"I'll make sure you're happy for the rest of your life."

"Who asked you to take care of my happiness?" she snapped, her cheeks pink.

Still, the tension in her shoulders loosened a little.

Guts wasn't just bluffing. He knew for a fact that Yuhi Shinku wouldn't die here. He wouldn't fall until the night of the Nine Tails' attack.

That alone was enough to put his mind at ease — for now.

"Whatever just happened,"

Might Duy said, serious for once.

"It's related to the war. I need to see what I can do."

Despite being a low-ranked Genin, his determination was unshakable. He got up and left right after.

The mood at the table soured.

Might Guy sat silently, biting his lip.

"Is something bad going to happen?"

"Worrying won't change anything,"

Guts said quietly.

"What you can do is get stronger. Fast."

The words were blunt — but true.

They didn't say much after that. The three who remained didn't have the appetite to continue. Guts quietly paid the bill and got up.

"I'll walk you home," he said to Kurenai.

"...Okay."

—

The walk was short and quiet.

When they arrived at her house, they found a note sitting on the shoe cabinet:

"Kurenai — sorry. Dad has to return to the front lines.Keep working hard at school, and don't fall behind that bastard brat, guts.

—Dad"

Guts frowned as he read it.

Something's definitely happening… and it wasn't part of the original timeline.

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