The Actor's Self-Cultivation

Elsewhere.

As she clashed fiercely with Uchiha Izumi, Uzuki Yugao noticed that Izumi wasn't stopping them from taking Sasuke away. She asked, "Aren't you worried they'll kidnap your clan's second young master?"

Without Sasuke—the "burden"—Uchiha Izumi shifted from defense to offense and replied proudly, "No disguise can fool my eyes. Sasuke has a special status. The Hyuga Clan would never lay a hand on him."

"Oh?" Uzuki Yugao raised an eyebrow as she slashed with her sword. "You trust the Hyuga Clan that much?"

"Of course." Uchiha Izumi answered without hesitation. Uzuki Yugao had expected her to say something about trusting the Hyuga Clan, recognizing Hizashi's identity, or even guessing that they were the ones conducting the test.

She hadn't expected Izumi to launch a fierce counterattack and declare, as though it were only natural, "Because the Hyuga Clan couldn't withstand the Uchiha Clan's wrath!"

Well, aren't you cocky? Just what you'd expect from a Uchiha... Uzuki Yugao raised an eyebrow, but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips.

During a brief lull in the clash, she glanced at Hizashi Hyuga and Hyuga Natsu, clearly hoping to see her teacher and teammate get teased.

"..." Nearby, Hyuga Natsu looked a little embarrassed to hear that.

Hizashi Hyuga simply smiled. "She's quite the proud little girl. And she's got a temper, too."

As the head of the Hyuga Branch Family, Hizashi had seen plenty. He wouldn't be angered by a little girl's words, let alone make a big deal out of one sentence. She was a genius, after all. A little pride was normal; it would be strange if she had none.

Besides, she was a Uchiha... Well, that was understandable.

"Huh?" Hyuga Natsu looked confused.

Hizashi explained with a straight face, "She must have guessed who we are, so she resents us for attacking without warning and frightening young Master Sasuke."

As he spoke, he glanced at Sasuke.

What resentment? She'd just accidentally blurted out the truth... Noticing the look, Sasuke quickly put on a worried expression and silently grumbled to himself.

But once Hizashi looked away, Sasuke turned his attention back to the two girls.

Well, he had to admit.

Hyuga Natsu, with a black kimono under her maid outfit, looked gentle, quiet, and dignified. Uzuki Yugao, despite her young age, wore vivid red lipstick; her cool demeanor held a hint of wildness. The two girls had completely different styles, and they made for a very pleasant sight.

Five minutes passed in a flash.

Hizashi called out, "All right, that's enough, Yugao."

Clang! Their weapons met one last time. They used the force of the impact to leap backward, halting their attacks.

It was clear that Hizashi Squad had underestimated Uchiha Izumi at first.

They'd said she only had to last five minutes, but she hadn't even used a single jutsu. Her swordsmanship alone had kept her locked in an even fight with Uzuki Yugao.

A large part of that was because Yugao had held back to guard against the Sharingan, preventing her from showing her full strength. But that wasn't an excuse. A Kekkei Genkai was a form of strength, too.

Yugao stepped forward with a smile. "Congratulations, Uchiha Izumi. You passed our test."

"Also, I apologize for acting so rashly just now." She gave a slight bow. "I'm sorry."

Uchiha Izumi was taken aback. It seemed Uzuki Yugao wasn't the kind of person who was hard to get along with. She put on a surprised expression and asked, "Huh? Wasn't that part of the test?"

"Testing my alertness, protecting the mission target, judging friend from foe, and then the final combat test. Did I misunderstand?"

"Pfft." Seeing her earnestly count them off on her fingers, Uzuki Yugao smiled behind her hand. She couldn't help thinking that Uchiha Izumi wasn't the kind of Uchiha who was so arrogant she looked down on everyone, either.

With a smile, she held out her hand. "We'll be teammates from now on, so let's get to know each other. I'm Uzuki Yugao, two years ahead of you at the Academy. I specialize in Konoha-Style Swordsmanship."

"Mm!" Uchiha Izumi took her hand and introduced herself. "I'm Uchiha Izumi. I specialize in Fire Style and Uchiha Swordsmanship, as well as Sharingan Genjutsu. It's nice to meet you, Yugao-senpai."

"I look forward to learning from you in the days ahead, Yugao-senpai."

So she really was skilled in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu... Uzuki Yugao's thoughts stirred, then she smiled. "All right. We're teammates now. Let's practice swordsmanship together sometime."

"Mm!" Uchiha Izumi nodded firmly with a smile. "I'd love to!"

"Excellent." Seeing the two of them getting along, Hizashi Hyuga smiled. "It looks like you've both gotten to know each other a little. This is a good start."

He held out a hand to Uchiha Izumi. "I'm Hizashi Hyuga, and I'll be your instructor. I specialize in the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. Welcome to our ninja squad."

"Hyuga... Hizashi?!" Uchiha Izumi covered her mouth in feigned surprise, then acted as though she had only just realized. She quickly reached out with both hands. "I never imagined that Lord Hizashi would be my instructor. It's truly an honor."

So she was an actress, too!

As a ninja, she had already mastered "disguise," one of the essential basic skills.

Uzuki Yugao and Hyuga Natsu exchanged smiles. They remembered how overjoyed they'd been when they first learned that Teacher Hizashi would be their instructor. They hadn't expected Uchiha Izumi, a member of one of the great clans, to be just as surprised.

She'd just been boasting about how the Hyuga Clan couldn't withstand the Uchiha Clan's wrath. She probably hadn't realized that one of them was Teacher Hizashi, the head of the Branch Family.

At that moment, Hyuga Natsu stepped forward with a sweet smile that made her instantly likable, and held out her hand. "Hi, Izumi. I'm Hyuga Natsu. Um... I'm sort of good at Gentle Fist."

"Since I'm not very strong, I mainly handle reconnaissance for the squad."

"I saw how strong you are, and I'm glad you're joining us. I'll be counting on you and Yugao for our future assault missions."

She looked a little embarrassed when talking about her own abilities, but her eyes lit up with admiration when she spoke of Uchiha Izumi's strength. At the end, she clasped her hands together as if to say, "Please, I'm counting on you."

Every support ninja had the heart of a damage dealer. This maid-like young lady, Hyuga Natsu, was clearly no exception.

"Mm!" Uchiha Izumi took her hand and nodded firmly. "Don't worry, Natsu-senpai. I'll do my best."

"And please don't sell yourself short, Natsu-senpai!"

"The Byakugan's scouting ability is unmatched in the Ninja World. It lets you anticipate the enemy and improves the odds of success, while also making the whole squad more likely to survive."

"Having you with us makes a rookie like me, who just left the Academy, feel much safer."

"I bet Teacher Hizashi has gone out of his way to fill in the gaps in your scouting work, which has led you to underestimate your abilities and importance."

"Believe me, Natsu-senpai. No matter how average your strength may be, there isn't a ninja squad in Konoha that would turn down a Hyuga. Please, have some confidence in yourself!"

"Huh?!" Hyuga Natsu covered her mouth in surprise, wondering if she really was that important.

Could her presence really make people feel safer?

Was it truly because Teacher Hizashi had gone out of his way to help her that she'd misjudged her abilities and importance?

Could she really have confidence in herself as a member of the Hyuga Clan?

Those few words left her lightheaded, and her fondness for Uchiha Izumi skyrocketed.

Even Hizashi Hyuga and Uzuki Yugao were stunned.

Good heavens, could a Uchiha really say something like that?