The Hardest-Working Ninja

While Ye Fan and Hana Inuzuka were talking, Kiba Inuzuka stumbled sleepily out of his room.

"Big sis, you're back! What did ANBU have you do yesterday? Brother Ye Fan said you went to treat Sister Aoi's Ninja Hound. How is it? Is there any news about Sister Aoi?"

The moment Kiba Inuzuka saw his sister, he perked up and fired off a string of questions.

"Laiyun is fine now. The injuries were serious, but he'll make a full recovery after some rest and treatment. There's still no news about Sister Aoi. Lord Hokage has already sent ANBU to search for her, and Mother was called over to help as well. I just hope Sister Aoi is okay!" Hana Inuzuka looked deeply worried.

"Do we know who did it?" Ye Fan asked from the side.

"Lord Hokage may have some leads, but nothing has been announced. We'll have to wait until Sister Aoi is found before we know anything," Hana Inuzuka said.

"Hua, don't worry too much. You should get some rest," Ye Fan said quickly when he saw the exhaustion on her face.

Hana Inuzuka nodded and returned to her room in low spirits.

Watching Hana Inuzuka's retreating figure disappear into the room, Ye Fan felt it was necessary to give Kiba Inuzuka, who often left the village for missions, some special training. At the very least, he needed to teach him how to save his own life.

After a simple breakfast, Ye Fan headed toward the Ninja Academy with the little Ninja Hound, Dark Shadow.

Inside the Ninja Academy.

Iruka was teaching a group of children about the use and throwing of kunai.

Kunai were small weapons commonly used by ninjas. Shaped like short swords or Emei piercers, they were usually made of iron, compact enough to carry and conceal easily.

There was also a smaller type of kunai, used much like a flying shuriken, called a "flying kunai."

Because of its long, pointed shape, it could not be thrown with the same spinning force as a shuriken, making it harder to hit a target. Ninjas who used flying kunai were generally highly skilled at accurate throwing.

"Some of you may already be familiar with kunai, but I still need to explain them. This is basic knowledge, so listen carefully. It may appear in your ninja assessment."

Holding a kunai in his hand, Iruka shouted at the children standing below him.

"A kunai consists of two parts: the blade and the grip. There is a ring at the back of the grip for tying rope to it. Some ninjas also use it to attach Explosive Tags."

Iruka explained as he demonstrated.

"Kunai have five basic uses: horizontal slashing, vertical chopping, diagonal cutting, straight thrusting, and throwing. Be careful when you practice later. Don't accidentally hurt your classmates." While Iruka was explaining, he spotted Ye Fan walking over with the little Ninja Hound.

"Ye Fan, are you here for class?" Iruka asked him.

"No, I'm just looking around. Please continue," Ye Fan said with a smile.

A dark line appeared across Iruka's face. What does this brat think the academy is?

"Ye Fan, do you know that your assessment opponent has already been decided? It's Neji Hyuga, the genius from last year's class. Aren't you nervous at all? You still have the mood to wander around?" Iruka said.

"It's only an assessment. There's nothing to be nervous about."

"Do you know this will be your last chance to take the assessment? If you fail, you won't be able to become a Genin," Iruka said again.

"Don't worry. As long as I pass, it'll be fine."

As Ye Fan spoke, he noticed Hanabi Hyuga among the children. She was smiling at him.

Iruka did not want to say anything more. In his view, even if Ye Fan took this assessment seriously, he still could not pass. Neji Hyuga was a genius of the Hyuga Clan. At his current level, he was probably stronger than Iruka himself.

Iruka resumed teaching the children. He had them form groups of three, then throw the kunai they had been given at targets five meters away.

"Senior Ye Fan!" Hanabi Hyuga ran over after finishing her practice, her face full of anticipation.

"Today, I'll teach you the second standing-posture stance," Ye Fan said.

And so—

For the next hour or so, Ye Fan personally guided Hanabi Hyuga through the new standing-posture stance.

Today's stance was even harder than yesterday's!

"All right, that's enough for today," Ye Fan said to Hanabi Hyuga, who was drenched in sweat.

"Senior Ye Fan... I-I can keep going!"

Hanabi Hyuga remained in her stance, but her body was trembling violently, as though she might collapse at any moment.

"Standing for too long will damage your body. You're still growing, so you shouldn't train for too long. That's enough for today. I still need to go teach my younger brother later," Ye Fan said softly.

Hanabi Hyuga relaxed her body and immediately collapsed onto the ground.

"Time really flies." Ye Fan looked up at the sun, now high in the sky, then left with the little Ninja Hound.

"Thank you for teaching me!" Hanabi Hyuga forced herself to stand and bowed toward Ye Fan's retreating back.

Without turning around, Ye Fan waved his hand and soon vanished from Hanabi Hyuga's sight.

Walking through the streets of Konoha Village, Ye Fan thought about where Kiba Inuzuka usually went to train.

At the same time, he considered what he should teach Kiba Inuzuka. Any slightly more advanced technique would be too difficult for his younger brother.

"Brother Ye Fan!"

As Ye Fan walked along, a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

Ye Fan turned and saw a somewhat familiar figure.

"Rock Lee!" Ye Fan recognized him.

Rock Lee's real name was Rock Lee. He had graduated from the Ninja Academy more than a year ago and was about a year younger than Ye Fan.

Rock Lee had not met Ye Fan at the Ninja Academy. Back then, Ye Fan often skipped class and hardly ever went to school.

Rock Lee had encountered Ye Fan while training in taijutsu, when Ye Fan had been quietly converting chakra. They had only exchanged a few words then.

Later, the two often ran into each other and gradually became familiar.

After getting to know him for a while, Ye Fan had come to like Rock Lee very much.

Rock Lee was simple-minded and full of burning passion. He wanted nothing more than to prove that hard work could surpass talent.

Of all the ninjas Ye Fan had met, Rock Lee was the hardest-working.

He could not use ninjutsu or Genjutsu, nor did he possess any innate special abilities, but he had an unyielding spirit and never feared hardship.

He rose early and slept late, putting in dozens of times more effort than others. Though he failed again and again, he always believed that with enough hard work, he could still become an outstanding ninja.

Seeing how hard he worked, Ye Fan had given him a little guidance.

He had never expected that from then on, Rock Lee would start calling him big brother and treat him with great respect.