Chapter 14: Top Graduate

Chapter 14: Top Graduate

Though Izayoi Hyūga felt a twinge of disappointment that he hadn’t awakened Sage Transformation, landing the Uzumaki Clan Bloodline was still a stroke of incredible luck. This lineage, like those of the Senju, Uchiha, and Kaguya clans, traced back to the Ōtsutsuki Clan’s branches.

As descendants of Sage Transformation, both the Uzumaki and Senju clans possessed extraordinary vitality and massive chakra reserves. Beyond their mastery of sealing techniques, the Uzumaki clan had three unique abilities: Heart Eye, Adamantine Chains, and Physical Healing.

Heart Eye was one of the strongest sensory techniques in the ninja world. Adamantine Chains offered unparalleled offense and defense, capable of creating barriers, executing seals, and even restraining tailed beasts. Physical Healing allowed chakra-based regeneration of injuries, both for oneself and others, with remarkable efficacy. These abilities were all top-tier support skills.

However, just as not every Uchiha could awaken the Sharingan, these abilities weren’t automatically inherited by all Uzumaki members. In the original timeline, Naruto Uzumaki hadn’t awakened any of these until gaining the Nine-Tails’ acknowledgment. Even then, he only gained Mito Uzumaki’s Good-Evil Perception, while the other abilities remained dormant—likely due to the overwhelming power of Sage Transformation itself or the author’s restraint in avoiding excessive advantages for him.

Still, Naruto’s Uzumaki lineage was undeniable. As the reincarnation of Asura’s chakra, his bloodline purity was exceptionally high. Now, Izayoi had inherited the Uzumaki Clan Bloodline from Naruto. If fortune favored him, he might awaken one of the three unique abilities. If he were as lucky as Shizune to gain all three, his sensory, sealing, and healing prowess would rival the best in the ninja world. Even without awakening any, the robust vitality from Sage Transformation would still make him formidable.

With a satisfied smile, Izayoi tucked away his Light Screen and turned his attention to the ongoing match.

As round after round of taijutsu duels concluded, the tournament ended swiftly. Next came the final exam: a new survival exercise. Before this, Iruka Umino led the students to the infirmary for medical treatment, then to the supply room where Izayoi and others selected necessary equipment. These tools were essential for mastering invisibility techniques.

Unlike the Genin bell test, the Ninja Academy’s survival exercise focused on hide-and-seek, testing students’ proficiency in invisibility, body flicker, and the Three Seals Technique. High performers earned full marks, while poor results would grant retake opportunities. Those who repeatedly failed might be forcibly removed, akin to the Chūnin Exam’s format.

For Izayoi, who’d long mastered the Three Seals Technique, the exam posed no challenge. He effortlessly passed, securing another perfect score. Though results wouldn’t be announced until April, the Top Graduate title was already his.

“Hinata Hyūga, same place tomorrow,” he said at their parting.

“Mm!” she nodded.

After school, they split at their usual crossroads, reaffirming their training arrangement. Though he no longer brought her to the Abandoned Training Ground following the Uchiha Clan’s demise, their lessons continued—just shifted to the schoolyard or his backyard.

The Nine-Tails’ attack had spared Izayoi’s home, a two-story house with a small yard left by his parents, who were both ordinary ninja. Compared to Naruto’s fate—his inheritance confiscated, Kushina’s scarf discarded in a storage room—Izayoi’s circumstances were enviable. He was lucky his parents were unremarkable, sparing him the village’s greed.

Ninja Academy operated on a three-term year, with only summer vacation stretching long. By April 1st, the new academic year began.

The sixth graders who’d earned Jōnin approval as Genin were already on missions. Others either repeated the year, transferred to other departments, or dropped out entirely, resigning themselves to civilian life. Grades one to five advanced to new classrooms, while the newly admitted first-years filled the vacant spots.

Crowded around the bulletin board, students clustered. Freshmen searched for their classroom assignments, while others checked their annual exam results.

“Hey, Izayoi Hyūga! Did you see the scores yet?”

“Awesome job! You’re our grade’s Top Graduate!”

“Of course! Even Sasuke couldn’t beat him!”

“Izayoi Hyūga’s first, Hinata Hyūga second—they’ve taken the top two spots! Impressive!”

As Izayoi entered his new classroom, classmates swarmed him, boys and girls alike. He stood patiently, chatting warmly with them. From their chatter, he confirmed what he’d expected: he’d topped the class, and surprisingly, Sasuke wasn’t second. Hinata was.

This didn’t surprise Izayoi. Hinata’s academic performance had always ranked high. In the original Chūnin Exam’s written test, she and Sakura Haruno were the only ones among the Twelve Prodigies who didn’t cheat. With his guidance, she’d mastered tree-climbing and water-walking by first grade, shedding her shyness to fight decisively. If she still lost to Sasuke, Izayoi would’ve given up entirely. Sasuke should feel lucky he’d avoided Hinata in the taijutsu duels—Shino Aburame wouldn’t have been so merciful.

As class neared, Izayoi returned to his seat.

“Good morning, Izayoi Hyūga!”

“Morning, Hinata Hyūga.”

Hinata was already there, as always. They exchanged greetings.

“Congratulations on Top Graduate!” she beamed.

“Thanks! And you too for second place. Your dad won’t stop you from going out anymore.”

“Mm-hmm!” she nodded joyfully.

She’d already checked the bulletin board. Reflecting on their secret training, she realized her father had likely known all along. Yet, he hadn’t restricted her—his silent approval spoke volumes. Her recent progress, coupled with Izayoi’s top ranking, would surely earn her father’s recognition. The thought filled her with quiet delight.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end