Those who were scolded grumbled in dissatisfaction, but no one was willing to stand up to him.
Tayuya glanced around with a gloomy face, and when no one met his gaze, he snorted coldly.
"Humph! I think you're all as useless as that pretty boy!"
Feng An, who was some distance away, frowned slightly upon hearing this.
He simply didn't want to bother with him, but that didn't mean he wouldn't retaliate.
He mentally noted this down, determined to deal with him during the Chunin Exams.
Feng An approached Yukime and the others.
Fubuki said unhappily, "Why are you still here?"
Feng An glanced back at her. "You two look so much alike, so why is your personality so much worse?"
"You!"
Fubuki seemed ready to lash out but was stopped by her sister Yukime.
Yukime bowed slightly in apology. "This is our first time participating. We don't know anything. Teaming up with us would only hold you back."
Exactly—he wanted teammates who knew nothing. The ones who knew too much and loved to backstab were the most troublesome.
Hearing Yukime's polite words, Feng An couldn't help but glance at Fubuki and shake his head slightly.
Why were two sisters so different?
"This is actually my first time taking the Chunin Exams too. I'm just here to gain experience, same as you."
Yukime looked hesitant. After the earlier incident with Tayuya, who knew if this person was just toying with them for fun?
She asked again softly, "Really? You'll really be eliminated if you team up with us."
Feng An nodded. "Really."
"Well then, Fubuki, are you okay with him joining?"
Fubuki, who was sulking to the side, pouted and said, "I have no objection, as long as you agree."
The truth was, they'd been looking for teammates here for a few days, but others had suggested the sisters split up.
Fubuki disagreed. She was afraid her kind-hearted sister would be bullied, so she had to play the "bad cop." As a result, three days passed and they still hadn't formed a team.
Yukime smiled at Feng An and stretched her hand out into the air.
Then Fubuki also put her hand out.
Feng An, momentarily confused by their sudden gesture, quickly understood what they meant.
He placed his hand on top of theirs, and the three of them pressed down together.
"We're a team now."
When Yukime spoke, there was always a gentle kindness in her expression that was easily moving.
Fortunately, Feng An was very level-headed, so it probably—maybe—had no effect on him.
Feng An suggested, "Should we come up with a team name?"
"Okay."
Just as the three were brainstorming names, no one noticed Tayuya's increasingly gloomy expression not far away.
Why should he get to team up with Yukime?
Since she refused to be on my team, I'll make sure she regrets it.
Tayuya chuckled sinisterly and addressed the people still present.
"Look, everyone! That pretty boy actually hooked up with them. Three losers teaming up for the Chunin Exams? Who knows what they'll get up to tonight?"
They all knew Tayuya had taken the Chunin Exams multiple times and were well aware of his strength, so naturally, no one dared to speak against him.
Though he was addressing the crowd, even a child would know he was making veiled accusations.
Fubuki clenched her fists, her face reddening as she prepared to retort, but Yukime beside her covered her mouth.
Yukime shook her head at her.
She knew they couldn't defeat Tayuya. Since they couldn't beat a vicious dog, the best option was to stay away.
Yukime said calmly, "Let's go talk somewhere else."
But Feng An didn't see it that way.
A good man doesn't let insults slide.
Without even turning his head, he said, "Why is there a dog barking non-stop? Yukime, Fubuki, did you hear that?"
Hearing Feng An's words, the two sisters' eyes widened.
They hadn't expected this slender-looking boy to dare mock Tayuya so directly.
Where's the dog?
Tayuya, standing nearby, heard Feng An's comment and frowned, looking around.
At that moment, Yukime grabbed Feng An's left hand and Fubuki's right hand, hurrying toward the exit.
She wanted to leave before Tayuya fully processed the insult.
Just then, a man in the crowd suddenly looked up as if he'd had an epiphany.
"He's calling you a dog!"
What?
Tayuya's face flushed with anger, turning an ugly shade of red and blue.
He rushed forward at incredible speed and punched the man who had spoken square in the abdomen.
Thud. A dull sound echoed.
The man immediately clutched his stomach and curled up on the ground.
The staff member registering and organizing information in the distance sensed trouble and quickly hid, using a special method to contact the Konoha Military Police Force.
Most of the registration staff were just ordinary villagers doing manual labor.
After all, those with connections and ability were led by their sensei to register directly at the Hokage's office.
The man on the ground, in pain, explained weakly, "I didn't say you were a dog; it was—"
"Are you calling me a liar?!" Tayuya roared, kicking the man on the ground again.
The man skidded several meters across the floor, shot Tayuya a resentful look, and then passed out.
Seeing this, everyone backed away, keeping their distance from Tayuya.
This guy's insane, attacking people right in the village.
Truth was, Tayuya had understood the moment the man "reminded" him; he was just looking for an excuse to vent his anger.
He hated nothing more than people acting clever in front of him.
Then he looked at Feng An, who was being dragged away by Yukime, and sneered disdainfully.
"You're pathetic! Hiding behind women."
Feng An simply shook his head and sighed.
Some people are determined to seek death; nothing can be done for them.
You think beating up a weakling intimidates me?
He broke free from Yukime's grip and gave her a reassuring look.
Then he quickly formed hand signs.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Instantly, two identical Feng Ans appeared, and all three—the original and the clones—charged at Tayuya together.
Seeing this, Tayuya sneered.
"How ridiculous! Do you think this is the Ninja Academy graduation exam? Using such basic ninjutsu in a real fight."
All I need is a little focus, and I'll instantly find your real body.
But the next second, his disdainful expression turned to panic.
No matter how he observed, he couldn't tell which one was the real body.
How is this possible?!
Are they all real? Could this be something beyond clone jutsu?!
In the blink of an eye, the three Feng Ans were upon him.
Tayuya tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Two of the Feng Ans pinned him tightly, while the one in the middle gathered strength and aimed a fierce kick right between his legs.
Tayuya felt a chilling dread, his pupils constricted, and he shouted, "You wouldn't dare!"
Thwack.
A sound reminiscent of scattering chickens and breaking eggs echoed.
Hiss! Agh!!
The excruciating pain contorted his face grotesquely. He couldn't even make a sound; his whole body went limp.
He collapsed to the ground, clutching his now-crooked family jewels.
All the men present gasped, looking at Tayuya with pity.
They'd never experienced that kind of pain themselves, but they could imagine it.
Fubuki felt a surge of relief that she hadn't said anything too vicious earlier. Otherwise, that kick...
At the thought, she couldn't help but squeeze her legs together.
Then she remembered she didn't have those particular... assets.
"Phew, good thing I don't..."
Poof. Several puffs of smoke dissipated.
The three Feng Ans became one again.
He stepped forward, crouched in front of Tayuya, and patted his head.
"Brother Yong, I gave you a chance, but you didn't take it."
*****
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