Haruka woke to the faint sound of Sora humming in the kitchen, the smell of miso soup drifting through the house. His head was still spinning from last night—the kiss, the way her eyes held his like she saw every piece of him, Earth and Konoha alike. He scrubbed a hand over his face, silver hair falling into his eyes. Things were complicated now, but he wasn't backing down. Sora was his world, and he'd protect her, no matter what anyone thought.
He rolled out of bed, catching his reflection in the mirror. Sharp features, gray eyes, silver hair. He smirked, then shook his head. Focus. Today was a big day—practical exams at the Academy, and he had a chance to test his powers in a real setting.
Downstairs, Sora was setting out breakfast, her silver hair tied back in a loose braid. She glanced up, her cheeks pink but her smile steady. "Morning, sleepyhead. You ready to show off again?"
Haruka grinned, sliding into a chair. "Born ready. You gonna come watch?"
She rolled her eyes, pushing a bowl of rice toward him. "Maybe. Someone's gotta make sure you don't get too cocky."
They ate in comfortable silence, the weight of last night lingering but not suffocating. Haruka's mind drifted to the chest in their parents' study—ANBU jutsu scrolls, wind and lightning techniques he hadn't touched yet. If he could blend those with his System, he'd be a nightmare on the battlefield. But first, he had to nail the basics.
At the Academy, the training grounds were buzzing. Kids were warming up, throwing kunai or practicing taijutsu. Minato was already there, juggling three shuriken like it was nothing. He spotted Haruka and jogged over, his grin as bright as ever.
"Yo, you look like you're plotting something," Minato said, tossing a shuriken in the air and catching it. "What's the plan? More glowing clones?"
Haruka chuckled, stretching his arms. "Gotta keep you guessing, man." His eyes scanned the crowd, landing on Sora in the stands. She'd shown up after all, sketching in her notebook but stealing glances at him. His chest warmed, but he pushed it down. Time to focus.
The exam was simple: a sparring match to show off chakra control and combat skills. Haruka's opponent was a burly kid named Kenta, all brute force and zero finesse. Perfect.
When their names were called, Haruka stepped into the ring, feeling the System hum in his veins. The screen flickered in his vision: **Hirenkyaku ready. Blut on standby.** He cracked his knuckles, smirking as Kenta charged like a bull.
Haruka sidestepped, his body blurring with Hirenkyaku's speed. To the crowd, it looked like a high-level ninja flicker, but it was smoother, more precise. He wove chakra into a Quincy bow, invisible to most but glowing faintly in his hands. Instead of arrows, he fired condensed chakra bolts—small, fast, and stupidly accurate. One hit Kenta's shoulder, another his knee, dropping him without breaking a sweat.
The crowd roared, and Minato whistled from the sidelines. "Okay, that was slick!" he called.
The teacher, a grizzled chunin, squinted at Haruka. "Unorthodox, but effective. Care to explain that technique?"
"Just something I've been tinkering with," Haruka said, winking at Sora in the stands. She shook her head, but her smile was proud.
After the match, Minato dragged him to the side, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Alright, spill. That wasn't just chakra control. You're holding out on me."
Haruka hesitated. Minato was a friend, maybe the best he'd have in this world, but the Quincy System was his trump card. "Let's just say my parents left me some… unique tricks," he said, keeping it vague. "You'll see more when we're on a team."
Minato raised an eyebrow but let it slide. "Fine, keep your secrets. But I'm stealing that speed move someday."
"Good luck with that," Haruka shot back, laughing.
As the exams wrapped up, Haruka found Sora waiting by the Academy gates, her sketchbook tucked under her arm. The setting sun lit her hair like a halo, and his heart did that annoying flip again.
"You were amazing out there," she said, falling into step beside him as they headed home. "Kenta didn't stand a chance."
"He's got heart, but no brain," Haruka said, shrugging. "Gotta work smarter, not harder."
Sora nudged him, her voice softer. "You're gonna be a legend, you know. Like Mom and Dad."
The mention of their parents stung, but it also sparked something. Haruka stopped walking, turning to face her. "I'm not just doing this for them, Sora. I'm doing it for us. So you never have to worry about anything."
Her eyes softened, and she stepped closer, her hand brushing his. "I know. But you don't have to carry it all alone."
For a moment, they just stood there, the world fading to a hum. Haruka's Quincy System pinged—**New synergy detected: Combine wind jutsu with Hirenkyaku for enhanced mobility**—but he ignored it. Right now, Sora was all that mattered.
He cupped her face, his thumb tracing her cheek. "We're in this together," he said, voice low. "Always."
She leaned in, and their lips met, soft and certain, like a promise sealed in the fading light. It wasn't rushed or desperate this time—just them, finding their place in a world that wasn't always kind. When they pulled back, Sora's smile was brighter than the sunset.
"Let's go home," she said, lacing her fingers with his.
Haruka nodded, the weight of his powers and their parents' legacy feeling a little lighter. Whatever came next—exams, wars, or gods—he'd face it with her by his side.