Hinata Hyuga

Early morning.

Su Yu arrived at the training ground with a face full of exhaustion.

On this final day, he had finally completed his last achievement.

He had ten ability draw opportunities remaining, yet to be used.

Not long after.

Uzuki Yugao arrived.

"Let's begin," she said directly.

Su Yu did not hesitate and launched his attack.

This time, he was using standard Konoha-Style Taijutsu, and whether it was speed, power, or the techniques of his martial arts, he was far beyond what he had been a week ago.

There was a hint of shock in Uzuki Yugao's eyes.

In just one week, Su Yu's taijutsu had progressed so rapidly; he was simply a genius of physical combat.

Before, she could dodge him with ease.

Now, she already needed to get serious.

However, as time passed, Su Yu showed no signs of fatigue, while Uzuki Yugao had consumed a great deal of her own stamina.

This made her realize a problem.

Su Yu's stamina had surpassed her own.

What on earth has he gone through this past week? Uzuki Yugao thought to herself.

Subsequently, she stepped back, widening the distance between them.

Su Yu sensibly ceased his attack.

"Why has your taijutsu improved so quickly?" Uzuki Yugao asked.

"I had a set of weighted gear custom-made to increase the difficulty of my training," Su Yu answered truthfully.

In reality, because of his Uzumaki Clan bloodline, his stamina recovered rapidly, and his chakra had increased significantly as well.

This was the benefit of awakening his bloodline.

While ordinary ninja could only train for a few hours, he could train for over a dozen; as his physique strengthened and his stamina grew, his strength naturally rose along with it.

"I see." Uzuki Yugao understood, feeling very satisfied with Su Yu's taijutsu.

"Teacher Uzuki Yugao, does this mean I can accept official missions now?" Su Yu asked with a look of anticipation.

"You can. Follow me." Uzuki Yugao said with satisfaction, heading toward the office of the Third Hokage.

Su Yu hurriedly followed her.

To be able to accept official missions in just one week.

This was absolutely the fastest speed in the graduating class.

Once I finish my first mission, I'll have a reason to treat them to a meal. When that time comes, I'll perform my ability draws. If I could draw the Byakugan... Su Yu thought to himself.

The Byakugan was definitely a good thing.

When it came to scouting enemies, it was top-tier.

Inside the Hokage office.

Uzuki Yugao brought Su Yu along and explained their purpose.

The Third Hokage trusted Uzuki Yugao implicitly and brought out the missions available to genin.

Uzuki Yugao looked them over and handed the mission list to Su Yu beside her.

"This is your first mission; you may choose it yourself."

"Yes," Su Yu said, momentarily stunned.

He could see what Uzuki Yugao was thinking.

She was grooming him to become a member of the Anbu.

Seeing both the Third Hokage and Uzuki Yugao watching him, Su Yu lowered his head to look at the mission list.

Most of the missions involved helping people in the vicinity of Konoha, such as catching cats, farming, or digging the earth.

Su Yu flipped through these tasks quickly; he had no intention of honestly doing beginner chores.

As the stack of papers in his hand grew thinner, Su Yu's expression grew somewhat disappointed.

Until he reached the very last mission.

His eyes lit up.

This mission clearly stated that Tazuna, the master bridge builder from the Land of Waves, was requesting that Konoha dispatch ninja to protect them while they built a bridge; the mission was ranked as C-level.

Su Yu knew the difficulty of this mission, but he also knew it was an opportunity.

If he could obtain Ice Release...

Or perhaps Zabuza's ninjutsu...

"Lord Third, I would like to take this mission." Su Yu raised his head and said.

The Third Hokage glanced at the mission scroll, looking somewhat hesitant.

"Lord Third, is there a problem with this mission?" Uzuki Yugao asked, puzzled by the Third Hokage's reaction.

"It is nothing, only that this mission involves a long journey, and I am a bit concerned." The Third Hokage shook his head.

"Lord Third, I wish to see the world outside. Both of my parents were members of the Anbu, and I, too, wish to become an Anbu member to protect Konoha from the shadows." Su Yu's expression was very serious.

Upon hearing these words, the Third Hokage nodded.

"I look forward to your performance."

He handed the mission scroll to Uzuki Yugao.

With this scroll, they could head directly to the Land of Waves and present it to the client to begin the mission.

Outside the Hokage Office Building.

"Rest well today. Meet me at the gates of Konoha tomorrow morning," Uzuki Yugao said to Su Yu.

"Understood," Su Yu replied happily.

Uzuki Yugao vanished.

Watching the spot where she had disappeared, he began walking toward Ichiraku Ramen.

The commission in the Land of Waves was likely a coincidence.

However, since there was an opportunity to encounter Haku and Zabuza, he could not let it pass.

It was dangerous, certainly, but the rewards would be extremely bountiful.

Especially Gato; if he could empty the man's vault, the trip would be well worth it.

Zabuza's ninjutsu and Haku's Kekkei Genkai were his top priorities, with Gato's money coming in second.

Money might not be everything, but one could do nothing without it.

The Chunin Exams are still some time away. I wonder what the advancement mission will be? It couldn't possibly just be to make me a Chunin, could it? Su Yu speculated to himself.

He had already made up his mind to leave after the Konoha Crush incident. The Chunin Exams would gather many excellent Genin; if he could extract their bloodlines and skills, he would definitely be able to promote to Jonin.

In other words, he had to complete one more advancement mission and nine achievements. Since the tenth achievement was essentially a freebie both times, he only needed to focus on the first nine.

Lost in thought, Su Yu arrived in front of Ichiraku Ramen.

He froze the moment he stepped inside.

Because Hinata Hyuga was there, and she wasn't with her teammates.

Su Yu sat in the seat next to her, contemplating whether or not to use an extraction chance.

The Byakugan could counter Zabuza's Hidden Mist Technique. If he could extract that, the mission to the Land of Waves would go much more smoothly.

However, Hinata Hyuga was the only one here.

Could he really pull off a miracle with a single draw?

Suddenly, Su Yu's eyes lit up.

The Hyuga Clan was not like the Uchiha; they were currently the most prominent clan in Konoha. Instead of hoping for a miracle here, he should go to the Hyuga Clan compound. With so many members there, he would definitely be able to extract the Byakugan!

He might even be able to extract Byakugan-related skills.

But how could he get close to the Hyuga compound?

"Su Yu-kun? Su Yu-kun?" A soft, delicate voice rang out.

Su Yu snapped back to reality and looked at Hinata Hyuga.

"Y-y-you are..." Hinata Hyuga blushed, stuttering slightly.

"I suppose you could call me a friend of Naruto's." Su Yu pondered for a few seconds, realizing what she wanted to ask.

Upon hearing this, Hinata Hyuga's face lit up with joy.

"You like Naruto, but you should realize that he likes Haruno Sakura, right?" Su Yu reminded her.

Hinata Hyuga was taken aback and lowered her head.

It was obvious enough; Naruto Uzumaki had made his feelings for Haruno Sakura clear many times at the academy.

In contrast, she and Naruto Uzumaki had barely spoken a few words to each other.