Ninja Academy

Although this book contained the most basic swordsmanship techniques, it still brought great help to Hyuga Matsuba. After the initial study, Hyuga Matsuba had already made some achievements in swordsmanship.

After some more time, Hyuga Matsuba fully absorbed all the content in this tome, forming his own style and truly making it his own.

Speed and power were now Hyuga Matsuba's style. Others might have specialties like variety or technique, but when it came to Hyuga Matsuba, his specialty was one word: ferocity. No matter what, he'd slash you first and talk later.

Hyuga Matsuba's greatest traits were speed, precision, and ruthlessness. Looking at it this way, he had fully displayed his advantages. This swordsmanship style suited him quite well.

Time passed quickly. Hyuga Matsuba, who had already paid his tuition, was about to go to the school to formally learn tactics.

He changed into newly bought clothes, wiped his training gear clean and packed it into his bag, then draped a stylish robe over himself.

And so he left home, heading toward the school.

Along the way, Hyuga Matsuba saw many adults leading their precious children to school.

"Hey? Who's that little boy? He's quite good-looking. Is he going to school too?"

"Isn't that Hyuga Matsuba? I didn't expect him to look so nice—I didn't even recognize him. Once you get to school, won't you be the campus heartthrob?"

"Uncle Etsujin is joking." Hyuga Matsuba flashed a big smile. He was dressed very formally now, but he wasn't serious at all.

After arriving at his destination, Hyuga Matsuba found the school was really lively. There were adults and children alike, people everywhere.

Hyuga Matsuba casually found an empty spot and sat down, watching the bustling crowd alone.

"Maybe when I'm old, thinking back on the first day of school, my heart will feel warm too." The corners of Hyuga Matsuba's mouth gradually lifted.

That smile nearly made the hearts of all the little girls present flutter. This little guy was too charming—how could he be so good-looking? Their drool was practically dripping to the ground.

As for the boys present, they wished they could devour Hyuga Matsuba. They had also dressed up carefully, only to have this waste steal the spotlight on the first day of school. It was really irritating.

"Ah, how terrifying. My romantic luck really lives up to its reputation. When men get jealous, it's no joke either. I've learned something today."

Receiving the adoring gazes from the surrounding girls and the deathly glares from the boys, Hyuga Matsuba sighed with emotion.

Suddenly, someone patted Hyuga Matsuba on the back.

As if he had expected it, Hyuga Matsuba turned around and said, "What a coincidence, Sister Tsunade."

"Hey, could you guess it was me? Or did you see me just now?" Tsunade was very curious—she thought her disguise was good enough!

"This is called telepathy!" Hyuga Matsuba was quick-witted.

Tsunade glanced at Hyuga Matsuba and didn't ask further. Everyone had secrets, and Tsunade knew not to pry too much.

"I'm telling the truth! You gave me such great things—thank you so much! I'll give you a treasure!" Hyuga Matsuba took out a notebook, which recorded several ninjutsu he had obtained from the Lottery.

"What's this?" Tsunade took it with a puzzled look.

Tsunade opened the notebook, glanced through it roughly, then quickly closed it and placed it back in Hyuga Matsuba's hand.

"I don't know how you came to have this notebook, but you need to be careful—don't let anyone else see it!" Tsunade, without her usual carefree demeanor, spoke seriously to Hyuga Matsuba.

But Hyuga Matsuba refused to take it back, grinning at Tsunade without a care.

"Oh, I already said this is a gift for you. Are you saying my gift isn't good enough?"

Not owing anyone was Hyuga Matsuba's consistent principle. He understood that what Tsunade gave him were treasures, so he shared his important ninjutsu with her in return. He appreciated Tsunade's kindness.

Give and take—that's how feelings last.

Tsunade wanted to say something more, but hearing Hyuga Matsuba put it that way, she couldn't refuse anymore.

Just those few glances told her this notebook was no ordinary thing.

For example, the Six Powers—each of those techniques had immense power. And the two types of Haki techniques were already S-rank, maybe even higher.

Hyuga Matsuba kindly reminded her, "Sister, the techniques in here require a lot of stamina. If you want to use them, you have to practice a lot. Be careful during your training!"

"If I learn them, bleeding and sweating are minor matters."

Tsunade was seeing the Six Powers for the first time. Each move had its own function, and together they were very versatile.

As for Observation Haki, if she grasped it, her sensory abilities would be greatly enhanced, and her predictions would be much more accurate.

Armament Haki was the most versatile—it could both block external attacks and boost strength, and it multiplied power at that.

"Sister is truly moved." Tsunade didn't press about the source of the ninjutsu. Since she accepted the gift, the two had to trust each other. Asking too much was pointless.

"Sis Tsunade! I'm over here!"

Just as Hyuga Matsuba was about to say something, a voice interrupted them. The two looked toward where the sound came from.

"Is that Tsunade's little brother, Senju Nawaki?" Hyuga Matsuba's mind worked quickly.

What happened next confirmed Hyuga Matsuba's guess.

"What are you yelling about! Aren't you embarrassed!" Tsunade looked at Nawaki with disdain.

"Who's this? What, changing your taste?" Nawaki said with a sly grin.

"Bam!"

Nawaki was instantly kicked flying, his head stuck in the mud, his arms and legs flailing helplessly.

"I'm not your sister anymore!" Tsunade blushed from his words, then acted as if nothing had happened.

Hyuga Matsuba looked at Nawaki, not knowing what to say. That guy was really unlucky...

Nawaki struggled to pull himself out of the mud and said angrily, "Why did you hit me so hard? If you break me, you'll be in trouble!"

"I think you're already broken!" Hyuga Matsuba muttered inwardly. Nawaki seemed to be missing a screw, a bit like Naruto.

One was a core figure, the other a background character. That sounded a bit sad. Their temperaments were similar, but their fates were vastly different.