Enviable

After gaining Laiyun as a mount, Ye Fan naturally became the center of attention in many children's eyes when he arrived at the Ninja Academy.

"What a mighty Ninja Hound."

"I wish I could have a Ninja Hound like that too."

"I bet that Ninja Hound is incredibly strong. Look at its eyes—they're so sharp!"

"I heard that powerful Ninja Hounds can have strength close to that of a Jonin."

"Whoa, is that true? Strength close to a Jonin? If someone had more than a dozen Ninja Hounds like that, wouldn't they be unbeatable?"

"What do you know? The Inuzuka Clan's Ninja Hounds aren't that easy to train..."

The children, all wearing envious expressions, were discussing it in the open area. If ninja instructors had not been keeping watch over them, they probably would have already surrounded Ye Fan.

Ye Fan ignored the children. He had not come here to show off, but to find Iruka and ask about the exact location of the ninja retest.

Of course, he could also give Hanabi Hyuga some guidance while he was at it.

At another training ground, Ye Fan found Iruka leading the children through evasion drills.

"Look, it's that big brother! Why is he riding a Ninja Hound today? It's so huge!"

"Could that be another one of big brother's Ninja Hounds? It looks really powerful."

"..."

Inevitably, the children began discussing Laiyun beneath Ye Fan as well.

Among them, Hanabi Hyuga watched the approaching Ye Fan with a puzzled expression. This was also her first time seeing Laiyun.

"Ye Fan, do you always show up right on time?" Iruka asked helplessly. He had noticed that Ye Fan always came to the academy just before class ended.

Ye Fan smiled faintly. "Iruka-sensei, I didn't interrupt you, did I?"

Iruka's mouth twitched. Wasn't that obvious? Every time you appeared, didn't you distract these children?

Though that was what he thought, Iruka said nothing. He knew that in just a few days, Ye Fan would be taking his retest. With almost no suspense, Ye Fan would be unable to become a ninja.

He probably would not have an excuse to come to the academy again after that!

"Senior Ye Fan!" Unlike the others, Hanabi Hyuga smiled and gave Ye Fan a respectful bow.

Ye Fan turned his gaze toward Hanabi Hyuga and asked, "Hanabi, did you find today's lessons boring?"

Iruka's brow twitched. He had not expected Ye Fan to ask that. Just as he was about to say something, Hanabi Hyuga spoke first.

"Senior Ye Fan, is this your new Ninja Hound?" Hanabi Hyuga curiously examined Laiyun before her.

At her question, even Iruka became curious.

"Yes. Its name is Laiyun," Ye Fan said with a smile.

At that moment, Iruka could not help cutting in. "Ye Fan, when did this happen? Is this really your new Ninja Hound?"

"Just within the last couple of days."

"Ye Fan, you can't cheat just to pass the retest." Iruka's expression suddenly turned serious.

In his view, this Ninja Hound was very likely borrowed by Ye Fan solely to pass the upcoming ninja retest.

"Cheating?" Ye Fan was briefly stunned before laughing. "Iruka-sensei, you don't think my new Ninja Hound is some kind of cheating tool, do you?"

"Ye Fan, although I know you desperately want to become a ninja, borrowing a Ninja Hound from an elder in your clan is absolutely not allowed." Iruka frowned.

He was an upright man. Since he knew about this, he could not simply ignore it.

If Ye Fan had truly borrowed the Ninja Hound, he might even lose his qualification to take the retest.

"Iruka-sensei, didn't you hear what I just said? This is my Ninja Hound. Besides, who would lend out their own Ninja Hound over something as trivial as my retest? Wouldn't that ruin their reputation?" Ye Fan dismounted and explained with a smile.

He understood Iruka's character. That was precisely why he did not get angry at Iruka's stern lecture.

"Ye Fan, this... is really your Ninja Hound?" Iruka still could not believe it.

Unlike these children, he knew that raising a Ninja Hound like this in the Inuzuka Clan was not something that could be done in a day or two. For a young Ninja Hound to grow as large as Laiyun would not take merely a few days either. It was no wonder he found it hard to believe.

"His name is Laiyun. He originally belonged to Sister Aoi. After something happened to her, he became my Ninja Hound. Lord Hokage knows about this as well." Ye Fan explained once more, then changed the subject. "Iruka-sensei, having Laiyun take the retest with me shouldn't count as cheating, right?"

"If that's really the case, then it certainly doesn't count!" Iruka's expression eased, though he looked at Ye Fan strangely.

With this new Ninja Hound, Ye Fan might truly pass this retest.

"By the way, Iruka-sensei, has the retest location been decided?" Ye Fan finally asked why he had come.

"It has." Iruka nodded and quickly told him the exact time and location of the retest.

Beside them, Hanabi Hyuga silently committed the information to memory. She absolutely had to attend that day's retest.

One was Neji Hyuga, whom she had always wanted to surpass. The other was Inuzuka Ye Fan, whom she admired more and more. No matter what, she did not want to miss their clash.

"Senior Ye Fan," Hanabi Hyuga suddenly said, "can I have a ride too?"

Hanabi Hyuga stared eagerly at Laiyun. Unlike the other children, she was straightforward. Whatever she wanted, she said directly. She wanted to experience what it felt like to sit atop the tall and mighty Laiyun.

Of course, there was something else that even Hanabi Hyuga herself had not noticed: she wanted to get closer to Ye Fan. Even if it was only Ye Fan's Ninja Hound, she still wanted to get to know him better.

"Of course!" Ye Fan readily agreed.

He had a good impression of Hanabi Hyuga. He had always believed that this little girl would achieve great things in the future. With proper training, she would be a rare talent.

He lifted Hanabi Hyuga onto Laiyun's back, then climbed up behind her as well.

Hanabi Hyuga did not resist at all, allowing Ye Fan's arms to protect her. Especially when she saw the envious looks on the faces of her classmates below, a smile could not help appearing on her lips.

"This training ground is pretty decent. Laiyun, stretch your legs a little!" Ye Fan said, protecting Hanabi as he spoke.

Upon receiving the command, Laiyun immediately gathered chakra beneath his paws, then turned into a massive blur and vanished directly from everyone's sight.

Iruka and the children beside him were instantly stunned.

Especially those children who had just been looking on with envy—they now stared wide-eyed in shock!