"Cheers!"
"Happy Birthday, Izayoi!"
It was dusk on June 16th, Year 61 of Konoha.
On the open ground of Izayoi's home arena, a cheer erupted.
The new generation of genin were gathered together, a rare sight, celebrating Izayoi's birthday.
On the open ground, barbecue grills were emitting smoke, and the aroma filled the air.
Not far away were several long tables, covered with various fruits and snacks.
On the largest table, there was a cake that was a full thirteen layers high, and the thirteen candles stuck on it had already been extinguished.
Next to the cake were all sorts of delicacies, drinks, and fine wine.
Hinata and Karin's Shadow Clones were busy at the barbecue grills.
The new generation of genin sat at the tables, devouring the delicacies they usually couldn't afford or that would require countless missions to earn enough for a single meal.
"How much would a house like this cost?"
Jiraiya, who had come with Uzumaki Naruto to freeload on food and drinks, was having a drinking contest with Tsunade at another table. He looked at the incredibly luxurious traditional buildings and exquisite villas, then leaned towards Tsunade and whispered, "Did Izayoi break any ninja rules?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you have proof?"
Tsunade, whose cheeks were already flushed from drinking, couldn't help but slap the table and grumbled protectively, "Izayoi is so capable, couldn't he have earned it through gambling, or secretly in the Black Market?"
Jiraiya glanced at Izayoi, who was sitting at the head of the other table, putting food on the plate of Hanabi, who was sitting on his lap, and Hinata, who was on his right. He stared at his red eye shadow and golden pupils, and sighed slightly, "To have Sage Mode as a constant state, and to be able to perfectly control the surging power, his ability is indeed astonishing."
After speaking, Jiraiya couldn't help but ask, "Is Izayoi's Sage Mode the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest?"
"No, he didn't sign a contract with Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade shook her head.
"This kind of eye shadow and pupils isn't the Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku or Ryuchi Cave. Could it be a Sage Mode he comprehended on his own?" Jiraiya recalled his own experience cultivating Sage Art, and then thought about how he still needed the assistance of Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima to enter Sage Mode now. He summed up his bitterness and envy in one sentence, "The world of geniuses is truly despair-inducing!"
The genin all thought that Izayoi's appearance was makeup specially applied by Hinata and Hanabi to celebrate his birthday.
Besides Jiraiya and Tsunade, only Sasuke Uchiha and the girls like Hinata knew the secret of this face paint.
Sasuke Uchiha, sitting to Izayoi's left, asked the same question as Jiraiya: "Is this the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest?"
"Only mediocre people need others to teach them. Geniuses comprehend it on their own," Izayoi said with a smile.
Sasuke Uchiha's forehead immediately popped a red hash mark, and he gritted his teeth, "You're still as annoying as ever when you talk."
"Am I? I'm just telling the truth. Can't you, a genius, activate Sage Mode instantly? No way, right?"
"Hmph!"
Sasuke Uchiha stopped talking to Izayoi and buried his head in his food.
After the birthday party ended, the genin went to experience the entertainment facilities and hot springs at Izayoi's house. They didn't leave until very late, looking completely satisfied.
Jiraiya and Tsunade, who were already drunk, were also taken away by Uzumaki Naruto and Shizune.
After cleaning up, Izayoi looked up at the starry night sky and instructed Hinata and Hanabi, "It's too late now, you should both stay here for the night."
"Okay, okay..."
The Hyuga sisters nodded.
After gaining the approval of the Hyuga Clan, it wasn't the first time they had stayed overnight at Izayoi's house.
Today was also Izayoi's birthday, and Hinata and Hanabi had already reported to Hiashi Hyuga in advance, so they weren't planning on going back anyway.
After taking a bath, it was time to open presents.
The genin hadn't just come to freeload; the thirteen-layer cake was bought with money they pooled together.
At the same time, they had prepared various small gifts for Izayoi.
Choji Akimichi gave Izayoi a large box of pills, with various effects.
Shikamaru Nara's gift was medicinal herbs from his family, and Ino Yamanaka's was various flower seeds.
Kiba Inuzuka didn't know if Izayoi and Hinata liked raising dogs, so he didn't bring a puppy. Instead, he gave Izayoi an adoption certificate, allowing him to go to the Inuzuka Clan and adopt a regular dog to guard the house, or adopt a ninja dog to form a contract and become a partner in battle.
Shino Aburame's gift was... a pair of sunglasses.
Uzumaki Naruto's gift was... a frog wallet.
Sakura Haruno and Minako's gifts were... a photo album and a set of film rolls.
Sasuke Uchiha's gift was a ninjutsu scroll, his self-developed Sage Art: Storm Release White Dragon.
Jiraiya and Tsunade, the two elders, came empty-handed.
Shizune's gift was a cultural relic, but Izayoi didn't know what it was.
However, Izayoi had some understanding of Shizune's hobbies; she usually liked to look at ancient things, so this gift must have been one of her treasures.
Each gift was full of personality and also showed the disparity between rich and poor.
Only Sakura Haruno and Minako had chosen gifts based on Izayoi's preferences.
Izayoi was a little amused and touched, and then put these thoughtful gifts into a cabinet.
Immediately, Izayoi grinned mischievously at Hinata and the other two girls. "Where are your presents?"
"Hehe... I already prepared them for you, Big Brother!" Hanabi said with a giggle, then took out a small storage scroll from the sleeve of her kimono.
Hinata and Karin did the same.
Seeing this, Izayoi was filled with anticipation.
With a few pops, white mist filled the air.
After the smoke cleared, three gift boxes appeared in front of Izayoi, varying in size.
"Izayoi-kun, Happy Birthday."
"Big Brother, Happy Birthday."
The three girls handed their gift boxes to Izayoi.
"Thank you."
Izayoi took the gift boxes with a smile, then quickly opened them.
When he saw the gifts from the three girls, his eyes lit up.
Karin's gift was a new type of camera. Both its appearance and weight were much better than Izayoi's old camera.
Although he hadn't tried it yet, the pixel quality was definitely better than the old one.
"Karin, you're so thoughtful." Izayoi played with the new camera, unable to put it down, and smiled at Karin.
"Hehe... As long as Izayoi-kun likes it." Karin scratched her head and giggled foolishly.
Hanabi's gift was a piece of clothing.
But when he saw the clothing, Izayoi was slightly taken aback. "This is... an Omen Robe?"
"Hehe... Big Brother wears a white robe every day, it's time for a change of style." Hanabi looked at Izayoi in his Sage Mode state and said with a smile, "I think the Omen Robe matches Big Brother's technique better."
"Really?"
Izayoi immediately put on the Omen Robe with the flame pattern on the hem, struck a pose with his back to Hanabi, and tilted his head to ask, "Does it fit?"
"Mm-hmm... Big Brother is so handsome!" Hanabi nodded repeatedly, her pale purple Byakugan seemingly sparkling with golden light at this moment, looking like a little fangirl.
"Izayoi-kun looks handsome no matter what he wears."
Karin's answer was more direct, and Hinata nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Hanabi. Big Brother really likes this gift." Izayoi smiled and stroked Hanabi's head, then opened Hinata's gift box.
Among the three gift boxes, Hinata's was the smallest and was square-shaped.
If it were a man giving a gift to a woman, this kind of box would usually contain a ring or a bracelet.
But Izayoi didn't think Hinata had that kind of courage.
Even if she did, she wouldn't dare to give it in front of Hanabi and Karin. She would only give it secretly, mustering up her courage like when she confessed.
However, when Izayoi opened the gift box, he realized he had underestimated Hinata's current courage.
Because Hinata's gift was actually a... pocket watch.
"Wow..."
Seeing this gift, Hanabi and Karin couldn't help but exclaim, then looked at the blushing Hinata with ambiguous smiles.
Hanabi couldn't help but tease, "Alright, Sister, no wonder you helped me make clothes but didn't let me disturb you. So this was your gift."
Karin clasped her hands together and raised them to her chest, sighing, "How romantic!"
Giving a pocket watch for a birthday also has the romantic meaning of giving 'a feeling close to the heart'.
Hinata's gift was equivalent to declaring her claim.
Izayoi first looked at Hinata in surprise, then took out the pocket watch from the box and examined it carefully.
The pocket watch was entirely silver-white, including the chain, and had no flashy patterns.
When Izayoi opened the cover, the corner of his mouth slightly lifted.
Inside the cover was a photo of two children wearing Snowman Suits, smiling brightly.
These two children were Izayoi and Hinata.
The pocket watch had a separate second hand area, but the second hand was difficult to see, only showing blue and white colors. The axis was even like a solar corona, clearly resembling the Tenseigan.
This showed that this seemingly ordinary pocket watch actually had something special inside and took Hinata a long time to make.
"You worked hard, Hinata."
Izayoi put away the pocket watch, placed it over his heart, and solemnly promised Hinata, "I will definitely cherish this gift and protect it well."
"As long as Izayoi-kun likes it."
Although she was already blushing intensely, Hinata's gaze didn't waver at all. Instead, she looked at Izayoi affectionately, a gentle and shy smile on her face.
Seeing this scene, Karin pulled Hanabi and quietly left.
After the "lightbulbs" left, Izayoi didn't waste the atmosphere. He reached out and pulled Hinata into his arms, lowering his head to get closer.
Gazing at the face that was growing larger in her vision, Hinata's Byakugan seemed to see the future in that moment. The blush that hadn't faded instantly upgraded to Steam Princess mode.
However, the young girl didn't dodge. Instead, she tightly pinched the corner of her kimono with two fingers and slowly closed her beautiful eyes.
Just like Ranmaru secretly assisting with his Red Eye ability, pink powder appeared out of thin air, drawing a large heart in the room.
...
Ding! Your body has undergone a mutation, acquiring the talent perk [Sage Body (White)], cannot be decomposed.
On the last night of June, Izayoi was soaking in his private hot spring pool.
If you looked closely, you would notice that the water, which was emitting white steam, was actually a greenish color.
It was a good thing Jiraiya and Sasuke Uchiha weren't here, otherwise their eyes would definitely widen.
Because the natural energy in this area, or more accurately, in this hot spring pool, was simply astonishing.
Not only was the natural energy astonishing, but so was the life force.
If Sasuke Uchiha were lucky enough to soak in it once, he would definitely feel a significant increase in both his Yang Release Chakra and Wood Release Chakra.
Unfortunately, he didn't have that honor.
Soaking in the pool with only his head exposed and a towel on top, Izayoi suddenly opened his golden eyes, which were in Sage Mode.
The guess was right, thankfully I didn't give up halfway, Izayoi's mouth curved slightly upwards as he looked at the greenish pool water, thinking to himself, Fortunately, I have an inexhaustible supply of Gelel Stones. Otherwise, just absorbing natural energy, I don't know how long it would take to pickle myself before a trace of the 'Sage Body' characteristic would appear.
Next, it's time to cheat.
Izayoi summoned his personal panel and checked his personal information for the first time in a while.
[Host: Izayoi]
[Talent Perks: Kekkei Genkai: Tenseigan (Red), Otsutsuki Bloodline (Red), Sage Eye (Red), Prince of the Byakugan (Red), Six Paths Aptitude (Red), Chakra Control (Gold) [+], Kekkei Genkai: Wood Release (Purple) [+], Uzumaki Bloodline (Purple) [+], All-Attribute Physique (Purple) [+], Kekkei Genkai: Shikotsumyaku (Purple) [+], Master Sealer (Purple) [+], Master Ninjutsu User (Purple) [+]... Sage Body (White) [+]]
[Points: 411087]
Nagato's perks were very luxurious, totaling fourteen.
If he wore the Tobi Armor, he would have four talent perks representing the peak Kage level.
However, compared to Izayoi's perks, Nagato's talent perks were simply not worth mentioning.
If it weren't for the fact that his talent perks had already been converted into strength, he would be no match for Izayoi in a single exchange.
Just the Ninja Aptitude perk alone showed the difference between them.
Nagato had reached his limit. Unless he became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, his strength could not be improved no matter how much he cheated.
On the other hand, Izayoi would only enter his rapid growth period next year.
This was the difference between cheaters.
And now, this cheater was going to continue cheating.
Izayoi raised his hand and clicked the plus sign next to the last perk, which was also the only white perk, Sage Body.
The next second, the Sage Body, which was displayed in white font, immediately turned green.
The six-digit points balance also decreased by nine points.
Izayoi continued to click.
The font color of Sage Body turned blue again.
The points balance decreased by another ninety-nine points.
Clicking again, Sage Body upgraded to purple, deducting nine hundred and ninety-nine points.
Continuing to upgrade, Sage Body evolved into a gold perk, deducting nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine points from the points balance.
Izayoi still didn't stop and clicked the plus sign again.
With a swoosh, the golden font of Sage Body, flashing with red light effects, turned red.
The points balance decreased by another ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine points.
The Sage Body, which was originally at the end of the perk list, suddenly leaped over a large number of perks and ranked behind Sage Eye (Red), taking the fourth position.
The points balance also plummeted to - [Points: 299982]
This was the power of a cheater!
Hagoromo Otsutsuki needed top-tier configuration and had to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki before his son could obtain a red-level Sage Body.
And Izayoi, by simply pickling his body and making it exhibit a trace of the Sage characteristic, could immediately cheat and upgrade this characteristic from the lowest white level to the red level, which would require living for who knows how many years and staying in areas with extremely strong natural energy for who knows how many years to achieve. He went directly from the starting point to the finish line in one step.
Any further step would be crossing into another dimension.
From then on, Izayoi obtained his sixth red perk.
However, the surprise wasn't over yet.
Izayoi, who had upgraded his Sage Body to red, still couldn't be like Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Six Paths Naruto without eye shadow, and he didn't even notice any changes in his body.
But in his mind, another notification sound rang out.
Ding! Your talent perk [Kekkei Genkai: Wood Release] has completed its sublimation.
In the perk column, the Wood Release, which was originally purple grade, had its font change from purple to gold.
At this moment, Izayoi vaguely felt that he had broken through some kind of restriction, but he couldn't quite articulate it.
Before he could study it carefully, a soft voice came from beside his ear.
"I... Izayoi-kun, I'll give you a massage."
Turning his head, Izayoi's nose almost shot out two streams of blood.
In the hazy white mist, Hinata had her hair tied up and was only wearing a bath towel, her figure reflected in Izayoi's eyes.
"Hi... Hinata, you're getting bolder and bolder, I like it!"
Izayoi covered his nose with one hand and gave a thumbs-up with the other, his voice muffled.
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