Asking About Someone

Dark Shadow, the little Ninja Hound, suddenly changed its attack pattern. Following Ye Fan's telepathic command, it broke through Hanabi Hyuga's defenses with just a few feints and bursts of acceleration.

Bang!

With a dull thud, Hanabi Hyuga's petite body was knocked straight to the ground by Dark Shadow.

"N-No way?" Iruka's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

It had already surprised him enough that Ye Fan's little Ninja Hound possessed the strength of a Genin. Now, it had actually defeated Hanabi Hyuga. This... this was unbelievable!

Dark Shadow wagged its tail and trotted over, rubbing its fluffy head against Ye Fan's leg like it was asking for praise.

"Not bad. Today's Single Heaven Charge was much better than yesterday's!" Ye Fan transmitted telepathically to Dark Shadow.

Iruka was about to run over to check on Hanabi Hyuga when she had already risen from the ground.

Ignoring the dust on her clothes, she glared at Ye Fan and said stubbornly, "It isn't over yet. I can still fight."

Ye Fan looked at her and sighed. "I've already seen through your moves. You have no chance of winning. Go back and train properly. You have far too many openings!"

Hanabi Hyuga said nothing more and charged at Ye Fan.

"Is it because she's a child that she can't listen to reason?" Ye Fan sighed. The moment his thoughts shifted, Dark Shadow, having received the command, rushed forward again.

Bang!

In barely a single exchange, Hanabi Hyuga was knocked to the ground once more.

"Again!" Hanabi Hyuga got back up, her face still full of defiance.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Hanabi Hyuga was knocked down again and again. Clearly, with her moves completely seen through, she no longer had any room to fight back.

Yet she refused to admit defeat, like an iron figure that could not be knocked down.

"Hanabi, that's enough. The outcome is already obvious, and this is only a practice match." Iruka tried to stop her. He did not want Hanabi Hyuga going home covered in injuries on her first day at the Ninja Academy.

"I won't give up so easily!" Hanabi Hyuga assumed a fighting stance once again.

"Have I gone too easy on you and made you think you still have a chance?" Ye Fan's expression suddenly turned serious, his gaze sharpening. "Or is it that your Hyuga Clan can't afford to lose?"

Hanabi Hyuga bit her lip tightly, her hands trembling slightly. At last, she lowered her stance, deactivated her Byakugan, bowed to Ye Fan, and said, "Thank you for your guidance!"

Her voice was filled with reluctance as she fought to keep herself from crying.

Ye Fan smiled faintly, walked up to Hanabi Hyuga, and said softly, "Only those who can admit defeat understand how to succeed! Here's some advice: anger can bring courage and strength, but if your mind isn't clear, every action you take is foolish! Next time, don't be so impulsive. Your impulsiveness is exactly what your opponent wants."

Hanabi Hyuga raised her head and stared blankly at Ye Fan. Only now did she realize that he had deliberately provoked her from the very beginning!

"Thank you, Senior!"

Hanabi Hyuga bowed again, this time thanking him from the bottom of her heart.

At that moment, the dismissal bell rang over the Ninja Academy.

"Time really flies. I originally wanted to point out a few more of your weaknesses, but it looks like that'll have to wait until next time." As Ye Fan spoke, he looked up at the clear blue sky.

As Iruka and Ye Fan left, Hanabi Hyuga's gaze remained fixed on Ye Fan. She was looking forward to the next lesson.

Iruka's office was very simple, containing only a few desks and chairs.

"Ye Fan, you're the only student taking the make-up exam this time. It's scheduled for the end of this month." Iruka flipped through the documents in his hand as he spoke to Ye Fan beside him.

"The end of the month? That means I still have twenty-five days to prepare." Ye Fan muttered.

Iruka continued, "Given your special circumstances, the content of this make-up exam will be unlike any previous one."

"Oh? How will it be different?" Ye Fan became interested.

"You will be randomly matched against a Genin in an actual combat match. It will take place in a sealed training room. As long as you can remain undefeated for five minutes, you will pass the assessment," Iruka said.

"Oh, that sounds pretty easy. If I win the match, does that count as passing too?" Ye Fan asked.

Iruka nodded and kindly reminded him, "Don't get happy too soon. Your Ninja Hound is indeed powerful, but if your opponent is a Genin as strong as Sasuke Uchiha, you won't stand a chance."

"Sasuke Uchiha? Is he that strong?"

Ye Fan asked casually, but he could not help thinking of that night five years ago.

Because of his unexpected appearance back then, the Uchiha girl who had been strangled by chains had escaped disaster. Yet after that, Ye Fan never saw her again and did not even know her name.

What had happened that night had been designated an absolute secret by Konoha's upper ranks. No one was permitted to mention it casually.

"Sasuke Uchiha is one of my students. I know his talent best. He's a genius highly skilled in both ninjutsu and taijutsu, and he may even surpass Neji Hyuga, the genius who graduated last year!" Iruka said with some emotion.

"Now that you say that, Teacher, I want to meet him myself!" Ye Fan laughed.

"I advise you to pray that you don't encounter him during the make-up exam. Otherwise, you won't be able to pass the assessment again. If this continues, your eligibility for the make-up exam may be revoked," Iruka cautioned again.

Iruka did not yet know who Ye Fan's exam opponent would be, because the match would be issued in the form of a mission. In the end, the strongest Genin among those who accepted it would be selected!

Outside the gates of the Hyuga Clan, Hinata Hyuga, who had just returned from an outing mission, walked into the estate with a weary step.

She was a cute twelve-year-old girl, easily embarrassed and soft-spoken, with short blue hair. She was the eldest daughter of the Hyuga Clan head and Hanabi Hyuga's older sister.

"Father, I'm back!" When Hinata Hyuga entered the courtyard and saw her father preparing to leave, she called out softly.

Her father ignored her. He did not even spare her a proper glance, merely walking past her coldly.

Hinata Hyuga felt deeply saddened. She knew she was too weak and had failed to earn her father's approval. She had always worked hard, trying to change herself.

Even her own younger sister, Hanabi Hyuga, did not like talking to her, making her feel so inferior that she thought even her sister looked down on her!

Just as she was preparing to return to her room for some rest, Hanabi Hyuga's voice came from behind her.

"Sis, I want to ask you about someone!" Hanabi Hyuga said bluntly.

"Hanabi!"

Hinata Hyuga was very surprised. If she remembered correctly, this was the first time in months that her younger sister had taken the initiative to speak to her.