Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

The finalists had been decided.

However, the final matches would be held in the main arena before high-ranking officials from across the world, so the matchups needed to be drawn in advance.

As part of the team managing the finals, Guts was joined by Kurenai Yuhi and making a rare appearance, Shiranui Genma.

Standing in the center of the field with a bamboo stick in hand and a lottery bucket beside him, Genma announced,

"Alright, everyone, step forward and draw your final opponents."

One by one, the finalists took their lots.

Match 1: Hyūga Hinata vs. Uzumaki Naruto

Match 2: Uchiha Sasuke vs. Gaara

Match 3: Nara Shikamaru vs. Suigetsu

Match 4: Hyūga Hanabi vs. Tōu (Otonin)

Match 5: Aburame Shino vs. Kankuro

With the matchups finalized, Genma dismissed the group.

"The finals will be held one month from now at the Grand Konoha Coliseum. Dismissed."

Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Guts casually strolled up and patted Genma on the shoulder with a grin.

"Work hard, Shiranui Genma. This might be the peak of your career... don't waste it."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Genma blinked, confused by the cryptic comment.

Guts simply chuckled.

After all, in the original timeline, Shiranui Genma basically disappeared into the background after this arc. Might as well let the man enjoy his spotlight now.

With that, everyone returned to the village via Namikaze Minato's Flying Thunder God teleportation array.

Thanks to improvements Minato made, the transfer was much smoother compared to the original jutsu...less chakra-intensive, more efficient.

And with Guts and Tsunade present in Konoha, the idea of Orochimaru actually daring to attack?

Yeah... that sounded like a terrible idea.

Back in the village, Kurenai approached Guts.

"Guts, can I leave Hinata and Hanabi's final training to you?"

She knew full well that, as a genjutsu specialist, she wasn't suited to coach them further especially with how fast they were growing under Guts's guidance. With the Chūnin exams nearing the end, they'd soon outgrow her.

"I'll make time," Guts replied.

Honestly, ever since awakening his second template—Issei Hyoudou, his training schedule had become a lot more... casual.

The reason? Issei's "training" was laughably light compared to Garp's.

All he ever did was mess around, gain powerups through sheer luck, and fight enemies way above his level without much actual preparation.

Guts couldn't even be mad. The guy's growth path was absurd...just like his own.

So now, Guts spent more time in virtual battles than hardcore training. Meaning he had plenty of time on his hands.

"Thanks for putting up with my selfish request," Kurenai said, wrapping her arm around his.

Guts just gave her a knowing smirk.

Meanwhile, Anko had gotten curious after spotting Suigetsu's massive blade, one of the Seven Ninja Swords from the Mist Village and instantly dashed over.

"Oi! Let me see that sword!"

Suigetsu's face twitched, clearly annoyed. But with Anko's enthusiasm and Guts nearby, all he could do was force a bitter smile and pretend not to care.

At that moment, an Anbu appeared in a flicker of motion and kneeled before Guts.

"Lord Guts, the Hokage requests your presence."

Guts didn't even look up. "Tell him to come to me. I'm not in the mood."

Everyone present...Kurenai, Anko, even the Anbu himself was stunned.

Did he really just say that... about the Hokage?

But then again... this was Guts. And if anyone in the village had that kind of pull, it was him.

Sure enough, about an hour and a half later, Namikaze Minato showed up personally at Guts's place.

Seated respectfully in seiza across from Guts, who was sitting cross-legged like a total chad, Minato got straight to the point.

"Guts, it's confirmed...Orochimaru has infiltrated the village. He and his two subordinates entered as candidates during the second round in the Forest of Death and placed a curse mark on Sasuke."

Guts narrowed his eyes.

"Orochimaru still has the balls to show up? Either he's insane, or... he's counting on outside help."

Guts couldn't help but recall the difficulty of the Nine Tails attack twelve years ago.

Back then, Obito had brought the Six Paths of Pain just to stall him. A full-scale siege, just to buy time.

Was Orochimaru going to try the same trick?

Would he bring someone other than the Sand Shinobi this time?

...Nah. Unlikely.

Orochimaru had already quit the Akatsuki.

"I find it strange too," Minato said, his expression tightening in thought. "Even if Orochimaru's not afraid of me or Lady Tsunade... how could he not be afraid of you?"

"Maybe he's got a death wish," Guts shrugged. "If he shows up, I'll beat the stupid out of him. End of story."

Minato scratched the back of his head, giving a helpless smile.

Yeah, he had expected that kind of answer from Guts.

With a full month before the finals, the Genin had entered an intense period of training.

Even Minato found time in his schedule to personally train Naruto. After all, as Hokage, his son couldn't afford to embarrass himself in front of the elite representatives from other nations.

Meanwhile, Guts didn't expect Hinata to face Naruto in the very first round. Since he had free time, he decided to train her himself.

But unlike in the anime, where Jiraiya taught Naruto the Summoning Technique in the waterfall forest this time, Guts repurposed that very location for his own use.

At the base of the roaring waterfall, Hanabi and Hinata stood barefoot in training clothes, both of them in constant motion, their palms striking toward the rushing current.

Their task?

To reverse the flow of the waterfall using chakra alone.

A concept similar to chakra nature training like Naruto's wind-style, but more advanced.

They weren't using wind chakra. No...what Guts had given them was far beyond that.

During one of his earlier battles in the underground palace on the moon, Guts had uncovered an ancient Ōtsutsuki training scroll left behind by Ōtsutsuki Tosen, a Super-Kage level entity he once fought.

The style was brutal and deadly.

And leagues above anything in the Gentle Fist handbook of the Hyuga clan.

Not just elegant chakra control but combat that shredded nerves and shut down life functions in one strike.

"Ugh... it's so hot today..."

"Lord Guts looks strong... real strong..."

"Should we ask him to join us for a swim?"

"My insides would gladly welcome Lord Guts."

"Hehe... even if my husband found out, I bet he'd thank me for it~"

By the water, a group of women in bikinis whispered and giggled as they watched the scene. Fit bodies, wet skin, and flirty grins—it was practically a Kunoichi calendar shoot.

One of them boldly leaned in. "Lord Guts~ Won't you come play with us?"

Guts turned casually, raising an eyebrow.

"If that's the case," he smirked, gently cupping the brunette's cheek, "shouldn't you be saving that energy for tonight?"

"Ahh~ Mr. Guts is terrible~" she laughed, playfully swatting his arm.

"But it feels good when you say it."

The others giggled and circled closer.

Meanwhile, Hanabi stood up from her training stance and squinted across the mist.

Her Byakugan activated instantly.

Her face twisted into a smirk.

"Oh hell no." She said with a dramatic voice, similar to what Guts does sometimes.

She cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted across the waterfall, loud enough for birds to scatter:

"Guts!! I don't get this part! Come here and teach me already! Hurry up!!"

Guts sighed dramatically, slowly untangling himself from the cluster of swimsuit women.

"Tragic," he muttered, dusting his hands off as he turned. "Ladies... another time."

"Awwww~"

"Boo~"

"Guess we'll just splash each other until then~"

As they pouted and retreated downstream, a few glanced back at Hanabi—those unmistakable Byakugan eyes giving away everything.

Some whispered among themselves.

"I guess that little girl has a crush on him or something..."

"No wonder she gave us that look."

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