Lady Hanabi

The little girl was actually the young lady of the Hyuga Main Family—Hyuga Hanabi!

She was also Hyuga Hinata's younger sister.

Neji stepped forward, smiling as he took her hand.

"Lady Hanabi, starting today, you'll be attending the Ninja Academy. Be sure to do your best and bring honor to the Hyuga Clan."

"I know, I know! Neji, you're even more annoying than Dad!" Hyuga Hanabi said impatiently.

Takizawa Dan finally understood. No wonder Neji had shown up at the Ninja Academy. He'd come to take Hyuga Hanabi to school!

Saito Ryuichi left with a face ashen with despair, and a new teacher soon took his place.

The new teacher was named Danda Hiroshi. He was a chubby male ninja with a pleasant personality, and the children liked him very much.

Neji exchanged a few words with Danda Hiroshi, then came over to Takizawa Dan before leaving.

"Takizawa Dan, I was surprised to see you defeat Niuer and Niuda one after the other. It seems you're not as useless as the rumors make you out to be."

"I'm starting to get curious about you, and I'm looking forward to seeing how you grow. I hope one day we'll get to fight each other!"

A burning spark shone in Neji's normally calm eyes!

Takizawa Dan nodded and smiled. "If that day comes, it'll be an honor!"

The two clasped hands tightly, then let go at the same time.

Afterward, Neji ran off to train.

Hyuga Niuda also left in a daze. As he went, a green fragment fell from him!

Takizawa Dan's heart stirred. Judging by its color, it seemed to be a level above the white fragments!

He hurried over and picked up the green fragment.

[Congratulations, host. You have obtained an ability: Wind Style: Dance of the Kamaitachi! (Effect: Creates countless blades of wind across a large area in front of you to attack your opponents. A large-scale destructive ninjutsu!)]

[Cooldown: 30 minutes (The host does not need to spend chakra to use any ninjutsu or genjutsu; only the cooldown time applies!)]

[Host's current abilities: Basic Taijutsu, Basic Gentle Fist, Wind Style: Dance of the Kamaitachi!]

He'd got it! Hyuga Niuda's ninjutsu!

Even better, Takizawa Dan's biggest worry had finally been put to rest. Even without a drop of chakra in his body, he could still use ninjutsu and genjutsu. He could still become the strongest ninja!

Takizawa Dan went over to Danda Hiroshi and said quietly, "Teacher Danda, I just defeated Hyuga Niuda, who's as strong as a Chunin. Could you use that as proof and grant me Genin status?"

Only ninja instructors could grant Genin status in Konoha.

Danda Hiroshi had naturally heard what happened on his way over. He nodded. "That's enough. But you'll have to spend the whole day in my class. After all, every ninja in Konoha graduated from the Ninja Academy. You have to go through the process... You understand what I mean, right?"

"Sure. Thank you, Teacher Danda."

Takizawa Dan felt much more at ease. He nodded and stayed.

At Danda Hiroshi's request, the children paired up and began kunai sparring practice.

The children already knew one another, so they paired off quickly. Only Hyuga Hanabi was new, so naturally she was left without a partner.

Danda Hiroshi didn't dare neglect the young lady of the Hyuga Clan, so he immediately ordered Takizawa Dan to be her sparring partner!

"Takizawa Dan, you may not have any chakra, and you're pretty weak, but I won't go easy on you when we fight!" Hyuga Hanabi struck an attack pose. "If you don't want to get beaten up, you'd better surrender now!"

Takizawa Dan was speechless. What a difficult young lady.

"I'm not fighting you." He shrugged.

"Why? Are you scared?" Hyuga Hanabi narrowed her eyes.

"Think about it. You're only seven or eight, and I'm already thirteen! If I beat you, I'll look bad. If I lose, I'll look even worse! Either way, I'll be embarrassed. Why would I do it?" Takizawa Dan shook his head.

"You... You're a spineless coward! You've lost without even fighting!" Hyuga Hanabi froze, then shouted through gritted teeth.

"That's right. I'm spineless. I don't pick on little kids." As Takizawa Dan spoke, he put away his kunai and turned to leave. "Go play by yourself."

Hyuga Hanabi's big, bright eyes filled with tears. She looked ready to cry!

In the Hyuga Clan, she was the revered young lady of the Main Family. Every clan member treated her with the utmost respect.

Yet Takizawa Dan looked at her like she was just a little kid!

"Damn it! I'll kill you!"

Furious and humiliated, Hyuga Hanabi swung her kunai and stabbed at Takizawa Dan!

Takizawa Dan didn't even turn around. He simply moved one step to the right.

Whoosh!

The kunai stabbed empty air!

"Bastard! Fight me! Are you even a man?!"

Her first attack had missed, and Hanabi was even angrier. She grabbed the front of Takizawa Dan's shirt and thrust her kunai at him!

Smack!

Takizawa Dan raised a hand and clamped it around Hyuga Hanabi's wrist!

Before Hyuga Hanabi could react, Takizawa Dan gave a slight twist of his waist, lifted her high into the air, and swung her over his shoulder!

"Waaah! You big bully! Put me down right now!!!"

Hyuga Hanabi's adorable little face turned deathly pale with fear. Her kunai slipped from her grasp and hit the ground, and she pounded Takizawa Dan's back with her tiny fists.

The scene immediately drew every child's attention.

"That's enough, Takizawa Dan! You're a Genin now! Hurry up and take Lady Hanabi away!"

Danda Hiroshi looked terribly embarrassed. He pulled a Forehead Protector from his pocket and tossed it to Takizawa Dan.

If the two of them kept carrying on, there'd be no class today. Besides, Hyuga Hanabi had probably been learning advanced techniques from the Hyuga Clan her whole life. What could an ordinary ninja instructor teach her?

He might as well send them both on their way while he had the chance!

"Haha, thanks, Teacher Danda!"

Takizawa Dan caught the Forehead Protector and dashed off with Hyuga Hanabi.

It wasn't until they reached the mountain behind the village that Takizawa Dan put Hyuga Hanabi down.

"Lady Hanabi, thank you so much for that. I couldn't have gotten my Forehead Protector so quickly without you!" Takizawa Dan said, winking teasingly.

He thought Hyuga Hanabi would fly into a rage, but instead, she stepped forward, rose onto her toes, and patted him on the shoulder like a little adult. "You're welcome, Takizawa Dan."

"You... You got angry on purpose?" Takizawa Dan was stunned.

"Yeah. We both got what we wanted. You got your Forehead Protector, and I get to play outside all day. It worked out great, didn't it?" Hyuga Hanabi planted her hands on her hips. "Don't tell Neji, okay? Call me Big Sis and follow me from now on. I'll make sure you eat well and live it up wherever you go!"

Takizawa Dan was taken aback, then shook his head with a bitter smile.

This girl was so young, yet so crafty. She'd actually played him!

Whoosh—whoosh—

Suddenly, the wind picked up around them.

Without warning, two streaks of light shot toward them!

"Watch out!"

Takizawa Dan shouted, scooped up Hyuga Hanabi, and rolled to the side.

Thud! Thud!

Two kunai stuck into the ground where he'd been standing.

"Ahhh!!!"

Hyuga Hanabi screamed in terror.