The Third Question and Answer: Is Haku a Male or a Female?
Just as everyone was about to move on, a sudden warning sound rang through the air. Familiar subtitles flashed before Kakashi and the others once again.
[The third prize quiz begins. Question: Is Haku a man or a woman?]
[Reward: Mangekyō Sharingan (This reward is bound to the recipient and cannot be transferred!)]
[Mangekyō Sharingan: The Mangekyō Sharingan is an advanced evolution of the Sharingan. It enhances the user's original ocular abilities while granting new, powerful techniques unique to the wielder's expertise. It is known as the "Heavenly Eye," capable of seeing through illusions, manipulating reality, and even summoning devastating abilities like Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo.]
After a brief introduction to the Mangekyō Sharingan, the system played a video. The screen displayed Uchiha Madara activating his Mangekyō Sharingan and summoning his colossal Susanoo, cutting down his enemies with terrifying precision.
As soon as the video ended, an uproar erupted among the assembled shinobi.
[Uchiha Madara]: Tch! This reward is one of my clan's greatest treasures?!
[Senju Tobirama]: The real question here is… Who is Haku?
[Senju Hashirama]: Uh… never heard of this person!
[Third Raikage]: Heh, Mangekyō Sharingan… So this level of dojutsu truly exists?
[Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki]: Uchiha Madara's eyes, huh?
[Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi]: Terrifying. Is this the power of the legendary Shura of the ninja world?
[Fourth Kazekage, Rasa]: Wait, Ōnoki, you've actually faced Madara?
[Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki]: …
[Uchiha Izuna]: Hahaha! You think you can stand against my big brother?
[Uchiha Izuna]: Don't lie, Ōnoki! Back then, you nearly fainted with just a glance from my brother!
[Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi]: Pfft! I never expected such a story about Ōnoki!
[Fourth Kazekage, Rasa]: So this is what you meant by "experiencing his power"? What an enlightening revelation!
[Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki]: You little brats! I only took a few steps back!
[Uchiha Madara]: Heh… I'll just stay silent and let the truth speak for itself.
[Fourth Raikage, A]: How disgraceful!
[Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki]: Hmph! Disgraceful? You wouldn't be saying that if you ever faced Uchiha Madara in battle!
[Uchiha Madara]: I love hearing this!
[Senju Tobirama]: I said… You're all talking about the Mangekyō Sharingan, but aren't you curious—who is Haku?
[Third Raikage]: Who is Haku, and why should I care?
[Senju Tobirama]: Nonsense. We don't even know whether Haku is male or female.
[Everyone]: …That actually makes sense!
[Senju Tobirama]: So… Admin, can you tell us who Haku really is?
[Konoha Salted Fish]: Alright, I'll ask the system!
[Konoha Salted Fish]: System, can you show us Haku's photo?
[Ding! Dear system administrator, your request has been received. The system detects that it does not violate any rules. Request approved.]
[Ding! The system has uploaded the photo of the wandering ninja, "Haku." Please observe carefully!]
Upon seeing the uploaded photo, the great shinobi couldn't help but twitch their mouths.
[Uchiha Madara]: Why is this even a debate? This clearly looks like a woman!
[Senju Tobirama]: Not necessarily. The system wouldn't pose such an easy question.
[Uchiha Izuna]: Even so, there's no way this is a man! Unless my eyes are failing me!
[Senju Tobirama]: Heh… But what if Haku is actually male?
[Uchiha Izuna]: If Haku is a man, I'll gouge out my own eyes and stomp on them!
[Senju Tobirama]: You said it, Izuna!
[Uchiha Izuna]: That's right, I said it!
[Senju Hashirama]: Uh… But Haku really does look like a woman.
[Senju Tobirama]: Big brother… you…
[Third Raikage]: I have to admit, the Second Hokage has a point.
[Uchiha Madara]: Huh? Are you questioning my eyesight?
[Third Raikage]: ...No! The old man was just saying! Just talking… Haha!
[Fourth Raikage]: Dad… you…
[Third Raikage]: Shut up!
[Fourth Kazekage – Rasa]: Although they do appear to be a woman, I agree with the Second Hokage. The system wouldn't make such a simple mistake.
[Uchiha Madara]: Hmph!
[Fifth Mizukage – Mei Terumi]: What kind of eyes do you all have? Such a beautiful little sister, and you're saying she's a man?
[Third Tsuchikage – Ōnoki]: The old man also thinks they look like a woman!
[Senju Tobirama]: What do you think, administrator?
[Konoha Salted Fish]: Me? I'll just sit back and watch.
[Senju Tobirama]: ???
[Konoha Salted Fish]: Fine, then I'll lie down and watch. But I have to admit, Haku really is beautiful!
[Everyone]: @#￥&＊％#
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room elsewhere, Momochi Zabuza and Haku stared at each other.
Zabuza coughed. "Haku, you really are a boy… right?"
Zabuza studied Haku's face once more, feeling uncertain. No matter how many times Haku insisted, with a face like that…
Haku sighed. "Zabuza-san, I've told you from the very beginning—I'm a man!"
"Tsk."
Zabuza clicked his tongue. Seriously… That voice, that face—if the lights were off at night… cough!
"Alright, then… This question is yours to answer," Zabuza finally said, giving up on the debate.