Chapter 3: Clear Objective, Three Red Traits

Chapter 3: Clear Objective, Three Red Traits

Unlike Naruto, whose Nine-Tails Chakra interference turned him from a powerhouse to the dead last, Izayoi—blessed with the Ōtsutsuki Bloodline—boasted not just astounding potential but foundational strength that defied reason.

The Byakugan of the Hyūga Clan allowed its wielder to perceive chakra within the tenketsu, granting innate advantages in mastering Chakra Control. After awakening his Byakugan, Izayoi unlocked this very trait.

Before even enrolling at the Academy, he’d mastered tree-climbing and water-walking exercises. Forget basic techniques—he’d already grasped the B-ranked Shadow Clone Technique and basic elemental jutsu left behind by his parents.

Like Itachi Uchiha, Izayoi possessed full graduation-tier strength before even setting foot at the Academy. His entrance exam results left no doubt—he topped the class.

This earned him placement in Class 1-A, the same as the Nine-Tailed Prodigies.

Stepping into the classroom, Izayoi’s gaze swept the room before settling on a girl who’d noticed him simultaneously, her eyes lighting up.

Smirking faintly, he walked directly toward her.

The desks seated three students each. The girl sat in the middle, empty seats flanking her.

“Hey, we meet again,” Izayoi teased, sliding into the seat beside her. “Not surprising for a runaway heiress. The entrance exam must’ve been a breeze.”

“T-Ten… Izayoi-kun.”

She couldn’t meet his eyes, fidgeting with her fingers, her heart racing with joy.

She’d been right—the ‘Izayoi’ on the roster was the same boy who’d helped her years ago.

“We’ll be desk partners from now on,” Izayoi said, smiling at her blushing face. “Please treat me well… Hinata.”

Hinata instinctively turned toward him, their eyes locking for a heartbeat before she looked away. “P-Please treat me well too, Izayoi-kun.”

Unnoticed by her, Izayoi’s gaze lingered with quiet intensity.

From his perspective, five glowing orbs floated around her—each a different color. The largest, brightest one was unmistakably red:

[Byakugan Princess (Red)]
[Kekkei Genkai (Purple)]
[Jonin-Level Potential (Blue)]
[Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]
[Chakra Control (Blue)]

The Byakugan Princess trait was why Izayoi sought her out—why he’d waited in the snow the night of Hiashi’s brother’s funeral, earning her favor. Seeing this trait cemented his decision to outmaneuver both Naruto, the divine heir, and Daishiki Shurato, the cursed one.

Like the reincarnations of Asura and Indra—whose combined strength awakened the Rinnegan—Daishiki and Hinata needed only each other’s power to merge and awaken the Tenseigan. Their bloodlines and Byakugan purity had regressed to ancient levels, guaranteeing Tenseigan activation.

In the original timeline, Hinata merely needed Daishiki’s chakra to defy fate itself. Unfortunately, fulfilling that condition was like scaling the heavens.

Thus, Hinata—who bore only a blue-rank Ōtsutsuki Bloodline—could only reach elite jonin potential.

But now? Izayoi’s Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Red) might just hold the key to reshaping her destiny. And her red-tier trait could grant him the Tenseigan’s power.

A perfect match.

After greeting her, Izayoi fell silent. This was only their second meeting, after all.

Six-year-old Hinata had already begun training in the Gentle Fist, but she’d likely lose to Neji, disappointing Hiashi and growing introverted. Three years ago, she’d been shy but hadn’t flinched from meeting his eyes.

Thankfully, Hanabi hadn’t risen yet, and Hiashi hadn’t abandoned Hinata for her younger sister. A little encouragement could rebuild her confidence.

But opportunities were scarce. As the Hyūga heir, Hinata rarely left home unaccompanied—always flanked by green-clad clansmen. Solitude with her would be near impossible.

Izayoi rested his cheek on one hand, tapping the desk thoughtfully.

Hinata, meanwhile, stole glances at his contemplative expression, her hidden admiration resurfacing.

Yes—she idolized him. At their age, she couldn’t leave home without getting lost, yet he’d wandered snow-covered streets alone, speaking and acting with uncanny maturity.

If she matched his brilliance, her father wouldn’t look at her with disappointment.

Beyond Neji, Izayoi was the only peer she’d known. Even now, three years later, she remembered the black-haired, blue-eyed boy with cherubic cheeks who’d helped her.

Desperate for friendship, she longed to speak first. But… she couldn’t.

She hated how weak she was.

Unaware of her thoughts, Izayoi refocused on his true goals—Naruto and Sasuke.

Their profiles bore red-tier traits identical to Hinata’s.

Naruto’s Talent Traits:

[Sage Body (Red)]
[Kage-Level Potential (Gold)]
[Uzumaki Lineage (Purple)]
[Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]

Izayoi found no mention of Asura or Nine-Tails, but the Sage Body’s red rank and Uzumaki Lineage’s purple trait confirmed this wasn’t the Senjutsu-imbued body of the Senju or Uzumaki clans. This was the divine form of the Ōtsutsuki—reserved for Hagoromo and his son, Asura.

Beyond these, Naruto wielded half the Nine-Tails’ chakra—a monstrous advantage.

Sasuke’s Talent Traits paled in comparison:

[Sage Eyes (Red)]
[Kage-Level Aptitude (Purple)]
[Uchiha Lineage (Purple)]
[Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]

Unawakened Byakugan Princess? Worthless. Unrefined Sage Eyes? Equally useless. Without Itachi’s Mangekyō or Indra’s chakra, Sasuke’s best would remain a Kage-tier blind swordsman. Only with Eternal Mangekyō or the true Sage Eyes—Indra’s chakra—could he bypass eye degradation and reach transcendent Kage status.

Like Madara, who’d been crushed under Hashirama’s might, Naruto’s current weakness meant nothing. When he surged forward, he’d eclipse Sasuke’s hard-earned progress in an instant.

Six years at the Academy. Three years in the Part II timeline. Such was the gap between talent and effort.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end