Uncle Ichiraku

What clan?

Takizawa Dan couldn't help perking up his ears.

At that moment, one of the Konoha High Command members asked Tsunade on Takizawa Dan's behalf, "May I ask, Lady Tsunade, who exactly are the Hasu Clan?"

Judging by the confused looks on everyone's faces, it was clear they had never heard of the name.

"Phew..." Tsunade took a deep breath before slowly explaining, "It's perfectly normal that you haven't heard of the Hasu Clan. In fact, I only learned of them by chance a little over ten years ago."

"The Hasu Clan is a hired-assassin organization that operates across the entire Shinobi World. Its members come from all kinds of backgrounds, from different countries and different villages. Some of them aren't even ninjas! But they all have one thing in common: a ripple-shaped scar on the left side of their faces."

"The organization's movements are hard to track, and the location of its base is unknown. They'll do any job for the right price. As long as they're paid enough, they'll do even the most heinous things!"

"Because they operate with such discretion, and their previous assassination and kidnapping targets were low-ranking civilians and wealthy merchants, no large-scale purge was ever launched against them."

Takizawa Dan suddenly understood. No wonder those two assassins hadn't worn Forehead Protectors. They were basically a low-budget version of Akatsuki!

Still, the Shinobi World really was ironic. Just because the victims were ordinary people, a terrifying organization like this was allowed to operate unchecked!

It was as if civilians weren't even people!

"So... they're hired ninjas, and there's no way to find out who was behind them, is that right?" one of the High Command members asked, his expression grim.

"If they were still alive, there might have been some hope of learning something through interrogation. But now..." Tsunade shook her head.

"All right, Takizawa Dan, Hyuga Hanabi. You two may go back. Thank you for providing the village with such valuable information," Tsunade continued. "For the time being, you shouldn't leave the village, just to be safe."

"Especially you, Hyuga Hanabi. You and your older sister, Hinata, are both members of the Hyuga Main Family. You were the target of this attack. If they were after your Byakugan, we can't guarantee they won't try again, even though they failed once. I'll inform the Hyuga Clan leader and have the entire clan protect you and your sister around the clock. You'll also need to stay alert and take on the responsibility of the Main Family!"

"Yes... Lord Hokage."

Hyuga Hanabi looked a little down. As a child who loved to play, being confined to the clan grounds without knowing how long it would last was undoubtedly a painful ordeal.

Even so, she didn't dare disobey the Hokage.

Takizawa Dan left with Hyuga Hanabi.

After watching Takizawa Dan leave, Tsunade turned to the entire High Command and ordered, "For the time being, double the number of people in the Konoha Military Police Force! Suspend trade with the outside world and thoroughly inspect everyone entering the village! Keep a close watch on everything happening inside the village, too. Report to me immediately if anything seems unusual!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!!!"

Looking out the window, Tsunade seemed worried...

Takizawa Dan escorted Hyuga Hanabi all the way back to the Hyuga Clan.

The Hyuga Clan leader, Hyuga Hiashi, had already received the confidential report sent by Anbu on Tsunade's orders. He immediately ordered all members of the Hyuga Clan to return and do everything they could to protect Hyuga Hanabi, as well as Hyuga Hinata, who might also be a target!

When Takizawa Dan brought his daughter back, Hyuga Hiashi treated him with cool indifference, merely having a servant bring him a cup of tea.

A good-for-nothing with no chakra who couldn't train wasn't worth welcoming warmly.

Knowing he wasn't welcome, Takizawa Dan didn't stay long. He soon rose to take his leave.

"Dan, when I'm allowed to go out again, will you take me to play?"

Before they parted, Hyuga Hanabi pleaded with Takizawa Dan, looking pitiful.

"Of course." Takizawa Dan smiled and patted her head. "You just have to be good and grow up safely into a beautiful young woman!"

In the sequel to Naruto, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Hyuga Hanabi would indeed grow into a stunning beauty, with looks and poise that were every bit as impressive as Hinata's.

At the thought, Takizawa Dan felt a little more eager for the future!

"Pfft! Shameless... Even if I grow up to be beautiful, I won't marry you..." Hyuga Hanabi blushed. She was still young, but girls tended to mature earlier than boys.

Perhaps Hyuga Hanabi herself hadn't even realized it, but from that day on, a boy had taken up permanent residence in her heart...

After leaving the Hyuga Clan, Takizawa Dan wandered around Konoha.

The village was still bustling as ever. News of the Hasu Clan hadn't spread at all, and every villager's face was lit up with a warm, happy smile.

Takizawa Dan could understand. These unarmed civilians were powerless to fight back, even if they knew they were in danger. Telling them would only cause needless panic. Better to leave things as they were and at least maintain some stability.

"Hey! Isn't that Dan? It's been ages since you came to eat my ramen. How about a bowl?"

A hearty voice called out. Takizawa Dan turned around and saw Uncle Ichiraku, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, warmly waving him over.

"Uncle Ichiraku!"

Takizawa Dan smiled and sat down in front of the shop. "I'll have a bowl."

Uncle Ichiraku's real name was Teuchi, but Takizawa Dan preferred calling him by his nickname. It sounded friendlier and was easier to recognize.

"Sure thing! Coming right up!"

Uncle Ichiraku laughed heartily and got to work.

During the thirteen years Takizawa Dan had been called a good-for-nothing, Uncle Ichiraku had never mocked or sneered at him. On the contrary, he was always telling him not to worry. Everyone had their own path in life, and if he couldn't become a ninja, he could always learn to make ramen instead.

That was why Takizawa Dan often stopped by for a bowl of ramen and a chat with Uncle Ichiraku. Most importantly, Ichiraku Ramen was delicious! It was a perfect treat for both body and soul.

As he was eating his ramen, a jarring voice suddenly rang out beside him:

"Well, well, if it isn't Takizawa Dan, Konoha's famous good-for-nothing! Why aren't you staying at home sighing over your misery? What are you doing out here?"

Takizawa Dan frowned and turned around. A thin male ninja with a pale face and a spiteful expression was looking back at him.

The male ninja looked at Takizawa Dan with utter contempt, as if he were a filthy insect!

Takizawa Dan remembered him. The man's name was Miki Ichiro, and he seemed to be the instructor of the squad that Hyuga Niuda belonged to—the one Takizawa Dan had beaten up.

Could he have come to stick up for Hyuga Niuda?

Before Takizawa Dan could say anything, Uncle Ichiraku spoke up in displeasure:

"Sir, Ichiraku Ramen doesn't welcome customers who insult others. Please come back another day."

Takizawa Dan was touched. He hadn't expected Uncle Ichiraku to stand up for him like that!

"Hmph! You're a lowly civilian who isn't even a ninja, and you dare refuse me?! No wonder one good-for-nothing found a nest full of good-for-nothings!" Miki Ichiro glared at Uncle Ichiraku, a furious look flashing across his face. "But ramen's nothing but garbage, tastes like shit anyway. Don't worry, I'd never lower myself to eating it!"