Hyuga Hyakusho

It seemed like a long time had passed from when Minato, Hyakusho, and Nawaki appeared, to Nawaki challenging authority, and then to Nawaki being thoroughly subdued. In reality, not much time had gone by. Zhou Duan looked up at the sun, which had barely moved, and for the first time, he showed a serious and solemn expression in front of his teammates:

"There's still some time before we reach the supply convoy. To improve our teamwork in the future, let's each talk about the skills we've mastered. Nawaki, you go first!"

Understanding teammates' abilities and complementing them effectively was the content of the first lesson in the Ninja Academy. After being called upon by Zhou Duan, Nawaki, who was already trembling under Zhou Duan's might, immediately and honestly began to report his abilities:

"Senju Nawaki, skilled in ninjutsu attacks, with dual affinities in Earth Style and Water Style. I know six A-rank ninjutsu, including one single-target attack, three area-of-effect attacks, one control ninjutsu, and one defensive ninjutsu.

I know four B-rank ninjutsu: one single-target attack, one area-of-effect attack, one control ninjutsu, and one defensive ninjutsu.

I know four C-rank ninjutsu: one single-target attack, one area-of-effect attack, one control ninjutsu, and one defensive ninjutsu.

I know a bunch of D-rank ninjutsu, Earth Style and Water Style. I can do offense, control, and defense. Hehe, Zhou Duan, what do you think, impressive, right? I know the Third Hokage didn't have as much Chakra as me at my age. Even if you just beat me through trickery, you have to admit I'm way more of a genius than you!"

Nawaki had started by honestly narrating his abilities under Zhou Duan's intimidating presence, but as he spoke, he inexplicably gained a sense of superiority, pointing at Zhou Duan and boasting. It had to be said, based solely on the ninjutsu Nawaki had mastered, it was already comparable to what an average Jonin possessed. At the young age of eleven, having just graduated, to possess such talent was indeed fitting for the grandson of the Ninja God. However, faced with this situation, Zhou Duan merely sneered dismissively and said:

"Kid, what's your hand seal speed right now?"

"That would be..."

Nawaki, who had been so high-spirited moments ago, suddenly deflated like a pricked balloon and awkwardly replied:

"Um... one second... per seal!"

"One seal per second? But I recall the slowest hand seal speed for a normal ninja is three seals per second?"

Zhou Duan looked at Nawaki with amusement: M.

"Meaning, you can only unleash one ninjutsu after the enemy has already released three, right?"

"Well..."

Nawaki was so embarrassed he could barely stand it, but fortunately, Zhou Duan didn't press him further. He turned to look at Namikaze Minato:

"Minato, tell us what you're good at!"

"I mainly focus on taijutsu, using Wind Style ninjutsu as support!"

Minato replied cheerfully, with the demeanor of a typical boy next door:

"As for the ninjutsu I know, I know one B-rank ninjutsu, which enhances my agility.

I know six C-rank ninjutsu: one single-target attack, one area-of-effect attack, one control ninjutsu, one defensive ninjutsu, and two support ninjutsu.

I know many D-rank ninjutsu, but they are mostly support-oriented. Additionally, I know some simple trap-setting techniques and basic on-site first aid bandaging!"

Zhou Duan nodded. Minato's clear goal of becoming a close-combat specialist was evident from the abilities he possessed. Furthermore, during the Genin exams, the boy's displayed battle fervor had surprised even Zhou Duan. It was clear that Minato was a natural close-combat ninja. Zhou Duan had also observed Minato closely and concluded that Namikaze Minato possessed an extremely large amount of Chakra, possibly not inferior to Nawaki's. After all, he was the man who would eventually learn the most difficult and Chakra-consuming ninjutsu – the Flying Thunder God!

Moreover, Minato's hand seal speed reached six seals per second. Even more terrifying was his excellent Chakra control, which meant that if Minato wished, he could transform into a ninjutsu turret in a short period!

Such excellent and reliable teammates dispelled the slight melancholy Zhou Duan felt from having Nawaki as a teammate. Zhou Duan then turned to Hyuga Hyakusho and said:

"Hyakusho, it's your turn!"

"My abilities are a bit ordinary."

Hyuga Hyakusho's tone held a hint of inferiority:

"I mainly practice the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist techniques, the most powerful among them being the Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms. I use Water Style ninjutsu.

I know eight C-rank ninjutsu: three area-of-effect ninjutsu, two defensive ninjutsu, and three body-enhancing ninjutsu.

I know some D-rank ninjutsu, but most of them are support-oriented!"

Compared to Namikaze Minato, whose fundamentals were exceptionally solid, and Nawaki, who was shamelessly unbalanced in his skill tree, Hyuga Hyakusho's abilities seemed rather average. However, Zhou Duan did not underestimate Hyakusho. Being average was relative. Compared to the other graduates of this cohort, Hyuga Hyakusho was already considered above average. One was the grandson of the Ninja God and the First Hokage, and the other was the future Fourth Hokage. It would be problematic if Hyuga Hyakusho could truly compare to them!

Zhou Duan glanced at Hyuga Hyakusho but didn't say much. Confidence was earned on the battlefield. Encouragement or stimulation now might have the opposite effect. But before Zhou Duan could say anything, Nawaki, eager to showcase his superiority, couldn't help but jump out again:

"Hyakusho, even though you're a bland guy right now, don't be scared. I'm the future Hokage, an invincible ninja. Trust me, I'll be a big brother who protects you, you noob... Ahhh!"

Before the comedian Nawaki could finish, Zhou Duan had already thrown a vial at Nawaki's feet. Having developed a psychological complex, Nawaki yelped and scrambled up a tree!

Zhou Duan pouted, picked up the vial embedded in the grass, and slowly began:

"Hatake Shudan, Lower-rank ninja, and also a Lower-rank Medical Ninja. Skilled in Wind Style, currently developing Fire Style as a second affinity. I know one B-rank ninjutsu, which is a large-area Wind Style attack ninjutsu.

I know ten C-rank ninjutsu: five control ninjutsu, three defensive ninjutsu, one large-area attack ninjutsu, and one support ninjutsu.

I know many D-rank ninjutsu, but they are mostly support-oriented.

I can summon Ninja Turtles and know some simple sealing jutsu.

And..."

Zhou Duan took out two scrolls:

"Because I'm a Medical Ninja and Nawaki is a dead last, I managed to get three times the amount of medical supplies as the other Genin squads!"

As soon as Zhou Duan finished speaking, Nawaki, Minato, and Hyakusho's eyes lit up simultaneously.

On the battlefield, what was most important to them right now? Undoubtedly, it was medicine to increase their chances of survival. Although none of them explicitly said it, very few Genin who went to the battlefield ever returned. They had seen this with their own eyes through the rows of names on the Konoha Memorial Stone!

Furthermore, as a Medical Ninja, Zhou Duan would surely be more effective in using the medicines. Besides, the three of them had heard of Zhou Duan's reputation; he was a typical shrewd individual who wouldn't suffer a loss. As a Medical Ninja, how could he not have prepared some better medicines from the hospital?

Seeing the expressions on Minato, Nawaki, and Hyakusho's faces, Zhou Duan smiled meaningfully. He knew what the three of them were thinking, and in fact, the shameless guy had acted accordingly. Putting away the scrolls, Zhou Duan suddenly thought of something and asked Hyuga Hyakusho with a devilish grin:

"Hyakusho, there's a question I've been wanting to ask. Your name sounds a bit strange to me, Hyuga Hyakusho. Does it have some profound meaning? Could it be referring to the palms of a hundred different people..."

Hyuga Hyakusho: "..." Namikaze Minato: "..." Senju Nawaki: "..."

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