As Kuro left Ichiraku Ramen, still sav the taste of the legendary broth and the ued camaraderie with Naruto, he wahrough the vilge streets. The warm glow of the setting sun bathed the vilge in hues of amber and pink, casting a tranquil light over the rooftops and pathways. Kuro took in the serey of the Hidden Leaf Vilge, feeling at ease as he strolled along.

  But just as he turned a er, he nearly collided with three people standing in his path. His eyes first caught the figure of a tall, silver-haired man with a mask c most of his face, his single visible eye studying Kuro with a cool, id-back curiosity. Beside him was a girl with bright pink hair and vivid green eyes, who looked at him with polite i. And to her left, a raven-haired boy stood with his arms crossed, giving Kuro a pierg stare that was anything but friendly.

  The silver-haired man—Kakashi Hatake, the infamous Copy Ninja—tilted his head slightly, his gaze unreadable behind the mask. “Lost in thought, are we?” he remarked, his voice calm, with an amused edge.

  Kuro’s eyes widened in reition. *No way… Team 7? Here?* Trying not to seem too star-struck, he gave them a polite nod. “Sorry about that. I’m Kuro, from Tsukigakure. I’m here for the in Exams.”

  The pink-haired girl, Sakura Harunhtened with a friendly smile, her eyes sweeping over him with i. “Wow, you’re from another vilge?” she asked, a note of curiosity in her voice. Her gaze lingered a little lohan Kuro expected, a soft blush rising to her cheeks. *Okay,* he thought, *not what I was expeg, but I’ll take it. Well, I at least say that, this body of mine, somewhat handsome.*

  Meanwhile, the raven-haired boy, Sasuke Uchiha, crossed his arms tighter, his intense, onyx-colored eyes scrutinizing Kuro in silence. His expression was cool, almost disdainful, and Kuro could tell from Sasuke’s gaze alohat he was sizing him up, assessing whether this new arrival from Tsukigakure posed any sort of threat. There was something about his look that said he wasn’t easily impressed.

  Just then, Naruto bounded up behind him, waving with that same iious grin. “Oh, hey, Kuro! I see you met my team!” he excimed, with his usual enthusiasm. “This is Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, and…” he paused for dramatic effect, “…Sasuke, the ‘cool guy.’”

  Kakashi’s single visible eye kled with faint amusement. “Well, Naruto, it seems you’re already making friends.”

  Kuro gave Naruto a grin. “He’s hard to ignore,” he replied, trying to keep his toral as he felt Sasuke’s eyes still b into him. *Sasuke looks like he’s trying to figure out if I’m worth his time or not. Joy.*

  Kakashi extended a hand, and Kuro shook it, trying not to show how in awe he was of the man. Here was one of the most famous shinobi in the vilge, known for his calm, unruffled attitude even in the face of the fiercest battles. “Wele to the Leaf Vilge, Kuro,” Kakashi said, his voice as rexed as his posture. “I take it you’re here to pete in the exams?”

  “Yes,” Kuro replied. “My team and I arrived not too long ago.”

  “So,” Sakura said, trying to seem casual as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, “are you looking forward to the exams?” She g him with a soft, appreciative look, her expression slightly warmer than Kuro was used to. *Is she… cheg me out?* He cleared his throat, feeling a slight heat creep up his neck. Ah no! She is just a kid! I am not pedo. Please god five my sin!

  “Uh, yeah,” he replied, trying not to feel flustered. “It’s going to be a good challenge.” He noticed her still watg him, and it made him self-scious, though he had to admit, he was a little fttered.

  Kuro caught a subtle roll of Sasuke’s eyes as he shifted his weight, his arms still crossed in that distinctly aloof stance. “Hmph,” Sasuke muttered, breaking his silence. “We’ll see if you’re actually a challenge, or if you’re just another outsider who thinks he keep up.” His tone was dismissive, almost bored, as if the whole versation was beh him.

  *Ouch,* Kuro thought, amused. *Someone’s got his superiority plex on full dispy.*

  “Oh, yeah?” he replied, keeping his tone light but with a hint of challenge. “Guess we’ll just have to see.”

  Naruto jumped in, lookiweewo of them with wide, excited eyes. “Alright, Kuro! Let’s make sure to give it everything we’ve got! I’m gonna show everyone what I’m made of, believe it(dattebayo)!” He ched his fist, his expressioermihough his eagerness made him look almost ically intense.

  Kakashi gave a casual shrug. “Narutht—let’s see what everyone’s capable of. But remember, it’s not just about strength. Strategy and teamwork matter as much as raw power.” His tone was cool and easygoing, but something in his eye hi a deeper wisdom, and Kuro could tell why Kakashi was so respected. *Calm and collected, and he reads people like a book. Guy’s a genius.*

  Sasuke looked away, smirking to himself. “Only the ones with real talent will make it through,” he said dismissively, his tone ced with an arrogahat made Naruto scowl.

  “Yeah, well, I’ve got talent!” Naruto shot back, gring at Sasuke, his fists ched. “And Kuro’s got it too, so don’t think you’re the only one around here who’s any good!”

  Sasuke’s expression was unged, his fidenshaken by Naruto’s outburst. “We’ll see.”

  Sakura sighed, clearly used to this bad-forth betweewo, but she threw a quick, admiring look at Kuro. “Ighem,” she said, giving him a kind smile. “You’ll see that not everyone in the vilge is as petitive.” She brushed her hair back again, and Kuro found himself grateful for her attempt to keep the peace. There was a warmth in her gaze that softehe petitive edge in the air.

  “Thanks, Sakura,” Kuro replied with a smile, genuinely appreciating her friendliness. Despite Sasuke’s cold demeanor, Sakura’s warmth and Naruto’s unfiltered enthusiasm were helping him feel more wele in the vilge.

  After a moment, Kakashi g Kuro thoughtfully. “If you’re anything like Naruto describes, I’m sure you’ll bring something uo the in Exams. Remember,” he added, with a knowing look, “true strength lies in knowing who you are, and finding a way to use that.” Kakashi’s words resonated, and Kuro nodded, uanding that this was more than just a test of bat—it was about growth and uanding.

  Naruto gri Kuro, his blue eyes shining with excitement. “I am excited to participate in it now more than anything.”.

  Kuro chuckled, feeling more fident than before. “Well, Naruto, I’m ting on you to keep things iing.”

  Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. “Don’t worry! With me around, nothing’s ever b!”

  Kakashi gave a faint sigh, but the hint of a smile remained on his face as he observed his team. “That’s for sure,” he murmured, clearly aced to Naruto’s boundless energy. The masked sehen looked over at Kuro, his visible eye serious. “Good luck, Kuro. The exams are just the beginning.”

  As Kuro nodded in response, he felt the weight of Kakashi’s words. He was stepping into uncharted territory, not just in the exams but in f es that felt different from the life he’d known ba earth. He gnced around at Team 7, his heart lighter, yet he could sehe fierce determination in each of them. Sasuke’s petitive gaze, Naruto’s bright resolve, Sakura’s kindness, and Kakashi’s calm wisdom—they were a team with a bond he could feel, even from the outside.

  “Thanks, Kakashi-sensei,” Kuro replied, his voice filled with newfound resolve. He looked around at each of them, feeling a sense of camaraderie that was hard to expin. “I’ll see you guys around.”

  As he walked away from Team 7, he couldn’t shake the smile on his face. He was ready for the exams r—and whatever else the Leaf Vilge had in store… though he already know the spoile

  —-------

  As night settled over the Hidden Leaf Vilge, Kuro made his way back to the inn. Lanterns glowed warmly ireets, casting soft light onto cobblestohs and creating a serene, almost magical atmosphere. The night was quiet, filled only with the occasional murmur of passersby and the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. For Kuro, the tranquility gave him a ce to refle his enters earlier in the day—with Naruto, Team 7, and his first real glimpse into the bonds of the Leaf Vilge.

  When he finally reached the inn and slid open the door to his room, he found Xero and Reika already there, seated across from each other at a small wooden table. Xero looked up as Kuro entered, his pierg gaze flickering with both curiosity and something closer to irritation.

  “Where were you?” Xero asked, his toral, though his intense eyes seemed to s Kuro for any sign of trouble.

  Kured, trying to keep his expression casual. “Just expl. Thought I’d get a feel for the pce.” He gnced over at Reika, who was seated by the window, her gaze distant, as if lost in thought. “I met some of the local shinobi. They’re good people, actually.”

  Reika’s gaze shifted to him, softening as she studied him, her usual stern expression easing slightly. “You’re taking a liking to this pce, aren’t you?”

  Kuro nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s… different, but in a good way,” he replied, uo keep the fondness out of his voice. He had felt an ued e with Naruto and Team 7 earlier, something he hadn’t expected to experieh people he’d just met.

  Xero sighed, folding his arms across his chest, his expressioical. “Just don’t fet why we’re here,” he warned, his tone firm. “The Leaf Vilge might be nice, but we’re not here to make friends.”

  Kuro met Xero’s gaze, a mix of defiand uanding in his expression. He knew Xero’s words were meant as a remio stay focused, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that his enters earlier were important in ways he hadn’t fully uood yet. “I knoe’re here,” Kuro replied calmly. “But I also know that eg with others be just as powerful as any teique or on specially in the unknown nd, well you seems like prefer the opposite, attag people here and there. It’s not just about winning—it’s about uanding.”

  Reika, who had been listening quietly, nodded, her expression softening further. “You’re right,” she said softly, her voice carrying a rare warmth. “Strength isn’t just about power. It’s about knowing when to rely on others, and when to let them rely on you.” She paused, a flicker of something almost like nostalgia crossing her face before she looked away, as if surprised by her own openness.

  Kuro’s gaze lingered on her, sensing a depth to her words that hi a history he didn’t know yet. Reika had always been a guiding figure, strong, posed, and reserved. But in this quiet moment, there was a vulnerability ihat was usually hiddeh yers of duty and responsibility. He wondered if there art of her that longed for the same es he was beginning to experience.

  The silehat settled over the room was fortable but charged with unspoken thoughts. Finally, Reika broke the quiet, her voice measured. “We’re here for the in Exams, and that’s no small matter. The stakes are high, and it won’t be an easy journey.” Her gaze shifted between Kuro and Xero, as if to make sure both of them uood the gravity of her words.

  Xero leaned back, exhaling in a resigned manner as he regarded Kuro and Reika, his usual tough exterior softening, if only slightly. “Well, as long as we’re not here to get seal,” he muttered, though his tone cked its usual sharpness. “We have the in Exams to worry about, and we ’t afford any distras.”

  Kuro chuckled, finding some fort in Xero’s blunt attitude. “Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, smirking. “But, just saying, maybe a little se wouldn’t hurt either. I mean, those Leaf shinobi seem pretty strong, and they rely on each other.”

  Xero’s gaze hardened a bit. “They’re strong because they have to be. And so do we. Don’t fet, Kuro—we’re outsiders here. The Leaf Vilge may be friendly now, but we’re still strangers.”