Group Combat Training

"Hanfu, what are you planning to do for this afternoon's training?"

Iruka asked while eating his lunch.

"I'm going to take on ten."

Hanfu popped sushi into his mouth one by one, occasionally snatching some vegetables from the bento boxes of Anko and Inuzuka Sa.

As for the bentos of Iruka, Kotetsu Hagane, and Izumo Kamizuki?

Sorry, Hanfu respectfully declined.

"Hanfu, I think you should just pair up with Ito Ni; you have the advantage over him." Kotetsu Hagane was squatting on his stool, devouring his food. As he spoke, a few grains of rice sprayed out, landing in the fur of the puppy, Shiromaru.

"Kotetsu! Hagane!"

As soon as Inuzuka Sa saw this, she exploded.

She had a very good and gentle temper, but if anyone bullied her dog, she would blow up in a heartbeat.

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

Kotetsu Hagane hurriedly cleaned the rice grains off Shiromaru.

"Woof..."

Shiromaru sat on the table, tail wagging, its two watery eyes looking at its little master, occasionally sweeping over Hanfu and Iruka as well.

Shiromaru was very spirited. Even though it was hungry, it sat there quietly, waiting for its little master to feed it.

So, Inuzuka Sa took a piece of sushi from Hanfu's bento and fed it to Shiromaru.

"Woof~"

The puppy bit down on it, chewing with its eyes narrowed, looking as if it were enjoying it immensely.

Seeing this, Hanfu suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but ask, "Sa, let me ask you a question... do dogs have a sense of taste?"

"Of course they do."

Inuzuka Sa replied without a second thought.

"Then how can dogs eat... poop?" Hanfu asked curiously.

"Hanfu, you bastard, don't ask such disgusting questions while we're eating!" Anko shouted angrily.

Inuzuka Sa, however, replied, "Although dogs have a sense of taste, it's very dull, especially when it comes to sour or foul odors. That's why dogs will..."

"So that's how it is!"

Hanfu understood now. No wonder dogs can endure what humans cannot. Impressive!

"Hanfu, are you really not worried about the practical combat training class this afternoon?"

Seeing Hanfu so 'relaxed', Kotetsu Hagane felt a bit worried for him.

Hanfu stuffed the last piece of sushi into his mouth and laughed, "I'm not targeting anyone in particular, but everyone here... who sent me those little notes, you're all trash."

Hanfu's domineering words spread throughout the entire class in less than half an hour. Ito Ni and the others who had sent the notes were all infuriated, rolling up their sleeves and waiting impatiently for the practical training to begin.

1:00 PM, a corner of the Ninja Academy playground.

The stubborn bronzes of Class 8 had arrived early to warm up, and the pre-battle atmosphere was thick.

Hanfu lazily stretched his fingers and wrists, his face showing no signs of nervousness.

Anko, Inuzuka Sa, Iruka, and the other two had already moved far away from Hanfu at some point. Each of them wore a sorrowful expression as if telling him to take care of himself, which made Hanfu feel quite annoyed.

Half an hour later, their practical training teacher, who was also the homeroom teacher for Class 1, Hiramatsu Daishi, finally arrived.

"Hello, students!"

Hiramatsu Daishi was a middle-aged man with a sturdy build, a buzz cut, and thick eyebrows with large eyes. However, when he spoke, he revealed a mouthful of yellow teeth; he seemed to be a heavy smoker.

"Hello, Teacher Daishi!"

The bronzes greeted him in unison.

Hiramatsu Daishi scanned the crowd, confirming everyone was present in just a few seconds. Without any nonsense, he took out a Sealing Scroll, placed it on the ground, and formed hand seals.

Poof!

Amidst a cloud of white smoke, ninja tool pouches appeared on the scroll—exactly thirty of them.

"One for each of you. Tie them to your legs!" Hiramatsu Daishi shouted.

"Yes!"

Ito Ni was very excited. Relying on his stout physique, he pushed others aside to be the first to grab one, then quickly strapped it to his thigh.

Hanfu stood at the back, unhurried. Suddenly, he sensed something. He turned his head and saw Aburame Yui, dressed in a high-collared trench coat, standing silently behind him.

Hanfu jumped in surprise.

"Yui, you... you're here too."

Hanfu wanted to make a snide remark, but they weren't close. He wanted to greet her, but seeing the cold indifference on her face, he didn't know what to say.

Aburame Yui glanced at Gekko Hayate and nodded, acknowledging him.

Gekko Hayate let out a dry laugh; the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Fortunately, the people ahead were quick to pick up their ninja tool pouches, and it was soon Gekko Hayate's turn.

Gekko Hayate picked up a ninja tool pouch and checked the contents first. There were ten shuriken, ten kunai, and twenty senbon. He touched them and discovered that these ninja tools were made of solid wood, and their edges had already been filed smooth.

At the same time, Hiramatsu Daishi spoke up loudly: "Teacher Kashima told me that he taught you the techniques for ninja tool throwing yesterday, and you each wrote a reflection on throwing. So, while the iron is hot, today's practical training will focus on ninja tool throwing! Divide yourselves into Group A and Group B, fifteen people per group, and conduct throwing training matches!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the students who had passed notes gathered together with great tacit understanding—there were fourteen of them!

One person short!

Gekko Hayate's heart stirred, and he stepped toward them.

"Gekko Hayate, stop right there!"

Ito Ni shouted in a rage, "Don't come over here, you aren't allowed to come over!"

"Gekko Hayate, are you even a man? If you're a man, come and fight me!"

"We are Group A, you are Group B. You are a B! Get lost!"

"Yui, Yui, come join our group!"

This group was getting anxious. The whole point of them gathering together was to teach Gekko Hayate a lesson. If Gekko Hayate were in their group, how could they possibly have any fun?

Of course, Gekko Hayate didn't actually want to join them; he was just doing it to annoy them. Now that his goal was achieved, Gekko Hayate smiled and took two steps back. Then, he realized something was wrong. He looked left and right and discovered that the group consisting of Anko, Iruka, and the others—Group B—had already walked far away to the side.

Gekko Hayate felt the malice from the hearts of his little friends.

At the same time, Aburame Yui also walked over to join Group A.

"Alright, the groups are set!"

Hiramatsu Daishi said, "Begin the practical training!"

Hey, hey, how are the groups set?

Gekko Hayate stood alone on the sidelines, feeling very awkward.

But he didn't have time to complain; Group A on the opposite side had already launched a frantic, insane attack on him!

Ito Ni yelled as he threw two kunai, followed by a spray of five senbon. The other students also poured their ninja tools toward Gekko Hayate. Even Aburame Yui subconsciously followed the crowd and threw two shuriken at Gekko Hayate's calves.

Hiramatsu Daishi, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow: What is going on?

The people in Group A are actually attacking one person at the same time?

Could it be...

Hiramatsu Daishi's eyes lit up: The people in Group A are smart; they're trying to pool everyone's strength to eliminate one person first!

Gekko Hayate watched the various ninja tools flying toward him, and the ambition in his chest was instantly extinguished.

There really are enough ants to bite an elephant to death!

Gekko Hayate already had two Shuriken gripped in his hands, but there were too many Kunai, Shuriken, and Senbon coming his way. Even if he were incredible, there was no way he could deflect them all.

Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing is the best!

Without a second thought, Gekko Hayate performed a series of rolls, ducking behind the rest of the members of Group B.

The next instant, the second wave of ninja tool attacks from Group A poured down like rain.

"Run!"

Anko shrieked and took off running.

Izumo Kamizuki, Kotetsu Hagane, and the others responded with strange cries, though they didn't forget to toss a couple of Kunai toward Group A while they ran.

"Gekko Hayate, don't run toward us!"

"Yeah, go to the side and draw their fire! That way, our Group B will definitely win!"

"Hayate, we'll remember you!"

"Woof woof!"

The bronze-tier players of Group B dodged the attacks from the other side while shouting for Gekko Hayate to act as a human target. Their consciences had all been chewed up by the little puppy, Shiromaru.

Sincere thanks to book friend O Xiaobai Mianbao O and Zhu Tingfeng for the support and rewards!