Taking a Disciple (2)

"Of course, you can discuss this with your father. You don't need to answer right now."

"I accept."

Third Hokage: "???"

For a moment, the Third Hokage failed to react.

"This... you'd better discuss it with your father..."

"There's no need. I can make my own decisions now. Father won't oppose any decision I make."

Within the Hyuga Clan, barring any unforeseen circumstances—and there would be none—Hinata would become the next head of the Hyuga Main Family.

Hinata agreed because being the Hokage's disciple would make many things much more convenient in Hidden Leaf Village.

Although she was the little princess of the Hyuga Clan and could command considerable respect in Hidden Leaf Village, the status of the Hokage's disciple was far greater than that of a clan heir.

Most importantly, when the Third Hokage said he wanted to take her as his disciple,

an idea suddenly flashed through Hinata's mind. The research team she could establish by relying on the Hyuga Clan might not become the foremost in the Shinobi World, even with her help, due to the Hyuga Clan's limited power.

But the Hokage was different. All of Hidden Leaf Village belonged to her.

With the resources of the entire Hidden Leaf Village gathered together, the research team she established would be the best in the entire Shinobi World, with far more resources at its disposal!

Coincidentally, the Third Hokage's reason for taking Hinata as his disciple was that he wanted to cultivate her into the next Hokage!

Although Tsunade was the most suitable candidate for the Hokage position, no one knew where in the Shinobi World she was now.

The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and exhaled the smoke.

He had not expected that, even within the Hyuga Clan, Hinata's father would respect her decisions. But that was even better.

"Since that's the case, starting tomorrow, stay by my side. I'll personally teach you."

"Yes, Teacher."

A smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face.

"Oh, right. This is for you."

The Third Hokage took out a forehead protector bearing a whirlpool pattern.

Hinata accepted the forehead protector. "Teacher, this is...?"

"You don't know your test results yet, do you?"

Before Iruka even entered the classroom, he could hear the commotion inside.

Nearly all of it was about Hinata.

"All right, everyone, settle down."

Iruka entered the classroom.

"Teacher, where's Hinata?"

Seeing that Hinata had not returned with Iruka, Naruto asked.

"Student Hyuga was summoned by Hokage-sama. As for what she was called away for..."

Iruka swept his gaze across the class and slowly said, "It's because Hinata has already become a Genin!"

"A Genin?"

Hinata looked at the forehead protector in her hand. She was a Genin already?

Third Hokage: "That's right. Your score on this test was S. The academy rules state that as long as you score B or above in the monthly test, you can graduate and become a Genin."

"In other words, there'll be a test like yesterday's every month from now on?" Shino Aburame adjusted his glasses.

Iruka glanced at Shino Aburame. "That's right."

"Teacher, I want to become a ninja too!" Naruto raised his hand.

"Student Naruto, I just said that if you want to graduate and become a Genin, you must score B or above in the monthly tests." Iruka sounded somewhat helpless.

"Student Naruto scored C this time. Keep working hard, and maybe you'll be able to graduate as a ninja next month. There's no need to rush."

That was what he said, but as one of the ninja responsible for grading, he knew just how difficult it was to rise from C to B.

Hinata was an exception.

Even though Hinata had smashed nearly seventy percent of the Puppet Corpses in this test, she had only received a B.

The reason she had ultimately received an S rating was because she went to the rooftop to rescue those unconscious students.

Over the past few years, the number of ninjas lost had been greater than during any previous period of peace.

So, during ordinary missions, if a companion was in danger, they were to be rescued if possible. If the situation seemed too dangerous, they could also be abandoned.

There were no strict rules about it, but Hidden Leaf Village tacitly accepted it. After all, ninjas were being lost too quickly.

"All right, let's continue the lesson!"

Under the desk, Sasuke clenched his fist tightly.

He had lost again.

Then his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

I won't lose to you. It won't be long before I catch up to you!

On her way home, Hinata looked at the forehead protector in her hand.

There were two small holes at its upper left and right edges.

"This should be specially made..."

Hinata touched her horns and found that they might fit perfectly through those two holes.

But Hinata did not intend to wear it on her head. She treasured her horns dearly, and having the forehead protector on her forehead would make them feel a little stuffy.

Hinata tied the forehead protector around her left arm, but no matter how she fastened it, it would not stay secure. The slightest carelessness would make it come loose.

"I'd better modify it when I get back." Hinata could only hold the forehead protector in her hand for now.

When she returned home, Hyuga Hiashi immediately noticed the forehead protector in her hand.

"Excellent. As expected of my daughter." Hyuga Hiashi was overjoyed.

"Father, Hokage-sama wants to take me as his disciple. I accepted."

Hyuga Hiashi: "???"

Wait, that was a lot to take in.

"Hokage-sama took you as his disciple!?"

"Yes, I accepted."

"This is wonderful!" Hyuga Hiashi's face was full of excitement. This time, the Hyuga Clan had truly risen to prominence.

"Hinata, while you're at Hokage-sama's side, study hard. You must not slack off."

"I know."

Hinata looked at her father speechlessly. Was there really any need to be this excited?

What Hinata did not know was that her father remained excited until the sun had set and the moon hung high in the sky.

He did not sleep a wink that night.

Fortunately, he was a powerful ninja. Even after staying awake all night, he showed no signs of fatigue, though the excitement on his face had faded somewhat.

"Hinata, take this with you. It's a gift for your apprenticeship."

"All right."

Hinata looked at the lavishly wrapped gift box. This was the apprenticeship gift she was to bring to the Third Hokage.

She did not know what was inside. Although she was curious, Hinata did not use her clairvoyance to peek.

She did not like prying into other people's privacy.

When Hinata arrived at the Hokage Building and entered the Hokage's office, she drew quite a few looks.

This time, it was because everyone had learned that Hinata had been accepted as the Hokage's disciple.

The Third Hokage had taken three disciples in total, who had earned the title of the Three Legendary Ninjas in the Shinobi World. Countless ninjas had dreamed of becoming the Third Hokage's disciple.

Now that the Third Hokage had taken another disciple, they were naturally curious about what this disciple was like.

What surprised them was that the Third Hokage's new disciple was actually from the Hyuga Clan.

As residents of Hidden Leaf Village, they easily recognized her as the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan: Hyuga Hinata.

Although Hinata was known within the Hyuga Clan as the most outstanding genius in its history, she had kept a low profile over the years. They did not know exactly how formidable she was; they had only heard the rumors.