Guy went forward and grabbed Hizashi's legs, pulling him out of the ground like a radish, and laid him flat on the ground.
Hizashi's eyes seemed to have lost their luster, staring blankly at the sky, still immersed in the shock, unable to imagine that the Hyuga Clan's legendary strongest defense could be broken like this.
Seeing Hizashi in this defeated state, Guy thought seriously for a moment, then gave a thumbs-up and smiled: "Sensei, you were already very impressive, able to last so long against Setsuna-san."
Hearing Guy's 'praise', Hizashi then remembered the test rule was to hold out under his attack for three minutes.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, 'Had I lasted three minutes under Setsuna's attack?'
As if sensing Hizashi's confusion, Guy "'onsiderately' provided the answer: "Sensei, you lasted a full two and a half minutes under Setsuna-san! Plus the half minute from before with us, the time just adds up to three minutes!"
Hizashi felt even more withdrawn. At the same time, he couldn't help but think: 'Was the exactly three minutes Setsuna saving my dignity? Judging by the power he showed at the end, if he had gone all out from the beginning, I might not have lasted even half a minute.'
Thinking this, Hizashi couldn't help but smile wryly, 'Not only was he incredibly strong, but he also considered his feelings. For whom is the Third Hokage-sama actually arranging a team leader? Might as well let Setsuna lead the team himself.'
Of course, this self-deprecating thought only lasted a moment. A Ninja's success isn't solely determined by strength, and one must also consider various enemy tactics like ambushes and poison.
As the team leader, his experience as a Ninja was something a rookie Ninja like Setsuna couldn't match. Presumably, this was the significance of Hiruzen assigning him as the team leader.
Hizashi let out a breath of turbid air, pulled himself together, stood up, and said in as calm a tone as possible: "You have successfully passed the test. You don't need to return to the academy."
Hearing they passed the test, Shizune let out a small cheer. After all, compared to Setsuna's strength, she felt rather ordinary.
Hizashi commented on their combat: "Guy, your Taijutsu is too straightforward, lacking adaptability and defensive techniques. I suggest you seek out a senior in the village known as Master Chen. The Konoha Dragon God he created can be said to be Konoha's strongest Taijutsu. It's somewhat similar to Revolving Heaven, a powerful secret technique that combines defense and offense. If you can learn this Taijutsu, it will make up for your lack of defense. Of course, the prerequisite is that your sincerity can move him."
Guy's eyes blazed with passion upon hearing this. He clenched his fists and asked: "Hizashi-sensei, where does this Master Chen live? I can't wait to move him with my burning springtime of Youth!"
Hizashi said: "Master Chen lives in the west of the village. You can find out by asking around. As for Shizune, if you've decided to become a Medical-Nin, the first thing is to improve your mastery of chakra control. I suggest you try condensing your Chakra into threads to manipulate shuriken. On one hand, it will enhance your Chakra Control, and on the other hand, it's also an offensive method."
Shizune nodded repeatedly: "I will definitely work hard!"
"As for Setsuna, I have nothing to teach you in Taijutsu. I just want to remind you of one thing: without teammates to support you, do not engage in solo combat against Genjutsu specialists." Hizashi advised earnestly.
Setsuna nodded heavily. This was indeed his weakness.
Hizashi managed to regain some confidence as a teacher, then said: "Go back and rest well today. We'll start accepting missions officially tomorrow. From now on, if there aren't too many unexpected situations, we'll accept missions in the morning and train in the afternoon."
Shizune raised her hand and asked: "Hizashi-sensei, I heard teachers at the Academy say that Ninja missions require energy and patience and might take over ten days to complete. Can we really do them in just one morning?"
Hizashi said: "You're talking about high-rank missions. For newly graduated Ninjas like you, you can generally only take D-Rank missions for experience. These include finding pets, babysitting children, cleaning garbage, and simple item transport. They don't involve confidential information."
Guy's face fell as if he was about to cry: "Not this again! I've been picking up trash for a year already! Do I have to start picking up trash again now?"
Shizune also looked frustrated. This was completely different from the Ninja Career she had imagined.
Hizashi chuckled helplessly. All Ninjas started step by step like this, so he could understand their feelings. But when he looked at Setsuna, he found him very calm, without any of the resistance shown by Guy and Shizune.
'With his strength, he's easily qualified for A-rank missions, yet he can endure the monotony. This temperament is truly remarkable.' Hizashi couldn't help but praise inwardly.
The most important thing for a Ninja was naturally [Endurance]. If one couldn't even endure this bit of boredom, mere strength wouldn't make them a qualified Ninja.
'Of course, it might also be that he doesn't have a clear enough understanding of D-rank missions yet.' Hizashi didn't rush to judgment. After brushing the dust off his clothes, he said solemnly, "Dismissed. Everyone, head back."
After Hizashi limped away, Guy suggested: "Setsuna-san, it's still early. How about we go train first, then go for a meal? Food tastes the most delicious after hard training!"
Setsuna nodded: "Yeah, I was thinking the same. After dinner, we can continue training until at least 10 p.m."
Guy looked at Shizune with shining eyes: "Shizune, do you want to join us?"
Shizune felt overwhelmed by their intensity, 'Are both my teammates training maniacs?'
Although keeping up with their training intensity would be difficult, she was the weakest in the team. After thinking for a moment, Shizune said with a determined expression: "Yes, I need to train hard too!"
While they were planning to start the day's training, Hizashi went to the Hokage's office.
"How does it feel being a team leader for the first time?" The Third asked amiably, but suddenly noticed Hizashi's body seemed somewhat uncoordinated and asked, "You are..."
Hizashi smiled wryly: "I've disappointed you. I was defeated by my own student on the first day, and it was a crushing defeat."
"Was it Setsuna? Don't worry about it. Even Jiraiya took a big fall at his hands." The Third comforted him.
"Ah? Jiraiya-sama was defeated too?" Hizashi was startled, then realized something and looked at the Third resentfully, "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
The Third laughed somewhat guiltily, his eyes shifting: "Haha, wasn't it so you could get to know him better?"
Hizashi thought thoughtfully and nodded: "That's true. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I really couldn't imagine someone learning the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist just by watching it once."
This time, it was the Third's turn to be stunned: "What did you say?"
Hizashi said with emotion: "He is a genius in Taijutsu. He just watched me use the Eight Trigrams once and learned the highest secret of the Gentle Fist, the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. His skill in striking Tenketsu is even above mine."
The Third was inwardly shocked and also felt some self-reproach.
In the corners he hadn't paid attention to, he hadn't expect Setsuna to actually grow to such an extent on his own.
'If I had discovered Setsuna's talent earlier, perhaps Setsuna could already rival the Third Raikage now. What Konoha lacked was precisely a war machine like the Third Raikage, capable of taking on a thousand alone.'
Thinking of this, the Third said solemnly: "Hizashi, the task of guiding those three children is entrusted to you. Make them grow up as quickly as possible."