Unlike Naruto, who went from being a prodigy to a dead last due to the interference of the Nine-Tails' Chakra, Izayoi, who had obtained the Otsutsuki Bloodline, now possessed not only astonishing potential but also an incredibly strong foundation.
The Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan allowed them to see Chakra within the meridians, giving them a unique advantage in training Chakra Control. After awakening the Byakugan, Izayoi also unlocked the talent of Chakra Control.
Even before entering the academy, Izayoi had already learned to climb trees and walk on water using his feet. Not only had he mastered the Three Body Technique, but he had also grasped the B-rank Ninja Technique, the Shadow Clone Technique, and some basic Element Release Techniques left behind by his parents.
Just like Uchiha Itachi, Izayoi already possessed the strength to graduate even before entering the ninja academy. Naturally, he effortlessly secured first place in the entrance exam and was placed in Class 1 of the first grade, alongside the Nine Rookie Ninja.
Upon entering the classroom, Izayoi scanned the room and his gaze settled on a little girl who had also noticed him, her face lighting up with surprise and joy. With a slight upward curve of his lips, Izayoi walked straight toward her with a clear purpose.
The desks in the classroom were long, designed for three people. The girl was sitting in the middle, with no one on either side of her.
"Yo, we meet again," Izayoi said as he sat down beside her, teasingly adding, "As expected of the young lady who dared to run away from home. The entrance exam was no challenge for you, huh?"
"Izayoi-kun," the girl stammered, unable to meet his gaze. She lowered her head and fidgeted with her fingers, though her heart was filled with joy and excitement. She had been right—the 'Izayoi' on the list was indeed the same Izayoi who had helped her all those years ago.
"From now on, we'll be desk mates. Let's get along well, Hyuga—no, Hinata," Izayoi said, smiling as he looked at the girl, whose cheeks and ears were now flushed red.
Hinata instinctively glanced at Izayoi, but as soon as their eyes met, she quickly averted her gaze and softly replied, "P-Please take care of me, Izayoi-kun."
However, she didn't notice the intense look in Izayoi's eyes as he gazed at her. In Izayoi's vision, five bubbles of varying colors floated around Hinata. The largest and most prominent one was a red bubble.
[Princess of the Byakugan (Red)]
[Kekkei Genkai: Byakugan (Purple)]
[Jonin Aptitude (Blue)]
[Otsutsuki Lineage (Blue)]
[Chakra Control (Blue)]
The talent "Princess of the Byakugan" was the main reason Izayoi had approached Hinata and waited outside on that snowy night during Hizashi Hyuga's funeral, specifically to gain her favor. When Izayoi first saw this talent, he decided to intercept Uzumaki Naruto, the child of destiny, and Toneri Otsutsuki, the tragic figure.
Just like how the reincarnations of Asura and Indra could awaken the Rinnegan by obtaining each other's power and achieving the unity of opposites, Toneri Otsutsuki and Hinata only needed to obtain each other's power to awaken the Tenseigan. Moreover, their bloodlines and the purity of their Byakugan had regressed to an extremely high level, making it certain that they would awaken the Tenseigan.
In the original story, Hinata only needed to obtain Toneri Otsutsuki's Chakra to achieve a miraculous reversal of fate. Unfortunately, this condition was as difficult as reaching the heavens.
Therefore, as a princess with the Byakugan but only possessing the Otsutsuki Lineage (Blue), her highest potential was merely that of an Elite Jonin.
However, now, Hinata's destiny was beginning to change.
Izayoi, who had obtained the Otsutsuki Bloodline (Red), might be able to help Hinata defy fate with his Chakra.
And Hinata's red Talent could grant Izayoi the power of the Tenseigan.
The two of them were simply a match made in heaven! Izayoi had only greeted Hinata and didn't speak further with her.
After all, this was only their second meeting.
At six years old, Hinata had already started learning the Gentle Fist, but she was likely no match for Hyuga Neji, gradually disappointing Hiashi Hyuga and becoming more introverted.
Three years ago, Hinata, though equally shy, hadn't been afraid to look directly at Izayoi.
Fortunately, Hanabi hadn't yet grown up, and Hiashi Hyuga hadn't completely given up on Hinata, choosing to abandon the eldest daughter in favor of the younger one.
Just a little encouragement to boost her confidence could change her introverted nature. But that was also a challenge.
As the young lady of the Hyuga Clan, Hinata rarely left the house except for classes.
Even when she did, she was accompanied and guarded by clan members in green vests.
It was almost impossible to be alone with her.
He needed to think of a way.
Izayoi rested his chin on one hand while lightly tapping the table with the index finger of the other.
Meanwhile, Hinata was secretly observing the pensive Izayoi, and the admiration hidden in her heart resurfaced.
Yes, Hinata admired Izayoi.
As peers, she would get lost if she ventured out alone.
Yet, he dared to wander alone on a snowy night, speaking and acting so maturely, like an adult.
He had also ranked first in the entrance exam.
If she could be as outstanding as him, Father wouldn't be disappointed in her.
Moreover, Izayoi was the only peer Hinata knew besides Hyuga Neji.
Even after three years, she hadn't forgotten this boy with black hair, blue eyes, and a chubby face named Izayoi.
Longing for a friend, Hinata wanted to take the initiative to speak to Izayoi.
But... she couldn't.
She was too timid!
Izayoi didn't know Hinata's thoughts.
At this moment, he also snapped back to reality.
Because he saw his targets again.
Uzumaki Naruto, and... Uchiha Sasuke.
Around them floated several bubbles, each with a red bubble like Hinata's.
Uzumaki Naruto's Talent entries were:
[Sage Body (Red)]
[Super Kage Aptitude (Gold)]
[Whirlpool Bloodline (Purple)]
[Otsutsuki Lineage (Blue)]
Izayoi didn't see any mention of Asura or the Nine-Tails in Uzumaki Naruto's Talent entries.
However, the level of the Sage Body and the Whirlpool Bloodline Talent indicated that Uzumaki Naruto's Sage Body was different from that of the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan, being on par with a pure Otsutsuki Bloodline.
Such a Sage Body was only possessed by Otsutsuki Hagoromo and his son Asura Otsutsuki.
In addition to these four Talents, Uzumaki Naruto also had the external power of half the Nine-Tails.
In comparison, Uchiha Sasuke's Talents were slightly inferior.
[Sage Eye (Red)]
[Kage-Level Talent (Purple)]
[Uchiha Bloodline (Purple)]
[Otsutsuki Lineage (Blue)]
The Byakugan Princess, without evolution, has negligible potential.
Similarly, the Sage Eye, without evolution, is also negligible.
Without Uchiha Itachi's eyes or the activation of Indra's Chakra, Uchiha Sasuke's limit would be a blind Kage-level ninja.
Only by obtaining the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan or unlocking the true power of the Sage Eye, which is Indra's Chakra, can one possess nearly infinite Eye Power without the need for eye transplants. Only then can his talent reach the level of a Super Kage.
Just like Uchiha Madara, who was always beaten down by Senju Hashirama, Uzumaki Naruto might seem weak now, but when he starts to exert his strength, he can instantly surpass Uchiha Sasuke, who has been working hard for years.
This was true during the six years at the ninja academy and the three years in the Shippuden arc.
This is the difference in talent, and the gap in external advantages.
(End of Chapter)