"Naruto Talent Entry: Awakened Legacy – Born of the Ōtsutsuki Bloodlin

Just as Izanami once told Hinata, the graduation exam didn't take much time.

After chatting for a while, the other students who had passed the exam began arriving at the playground one after another. Before long, Iruka Umino appeared, clipboard in hand, his familiar smile marking the start of something new.

The faces missing from the crowd were easily identified—those who had failed the graduation exam and had been eliminated. Upon closer inspection, the only noticeably absent familiar face was Uzumaki Naruto.

"Classmates, sorry to keep you waiting," Iruka said warmly. "Everyone, put on your headbands. We'll now head out to take your profile pictures."

"Iruka-sensei, where should we wear the headband?" a student asked, raising their hand.

"Anywhere on your upper body is fine," Iruka replied with a patient smile.

And so, the newly minted Genin proudly put on their headbands—some on their foreheads, others on their arms, around their necks, or even tied like a scarf. Hinata hung hers gently around her neck, while Juuyabiru secured his on his left arm.

After everyone was ready, Iruka led the group to the rooftop of the comprehensive building, where a photographer was already waiting with a standing camera. One by one, the students lined up to take their official profile pictures. Once finished, they began to pour out of the building, some walking calmly, others sprinting eagerly toward the school gate.

The school gate was already bustling with activity. Parents crowded around, some embracing their disappointed children who had failed, others looking expectantly for the successful ones. It was clear to everyone that those still inside were the ones who had passed—the new Genin.

As the crowd of students emerged, the school gate erupted into excitement and cheer.

But amid the joyous scene, not everyone shared the happiness. Orphans without parents stood quietly on the sidelines, some watching with silent envy, others slipping away without so much as a glance.

Uchiha Sasuke was among the former—he took one longing look at the happy families and vanished like a shadow.

Juuyabiru, however, didn't fit into either group. Because...

"Oni-chan! Big Sister! Over here!"

A cheerful, high-pitched voice rose above the crowd. It was Hanabi, waving excitedly at Juuyabiru and Hinata. She wore a yellow-brown kimono adorned with flame patterns at the hem, her small hand stretched out toward the pair.

Seeing her, Juuyabiru smiled and crouched down, catching Hanabi in a warm embrace as she ran into his arms.

"Oni-chan, Big Sister, I'm here to pick you up!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. She immediately noticed the headband tied to his arm. "Is this the Genin headband?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, and it's yours now," Juuyabiru replied, smiling as he took off the headband and handed it to her. Then he picked her up and looked over at Hinata.

Together, the three of them began walking home.

A few years had passed, and now seven-year-old Hanabi had changed quite a bit. In the original story, she still wore her hair short at this age. But now, influenced by her sister, she deliberately grew her hair out. Her long, dark hair now matched the length seen in the movie version, with two front strands braided neatly.

In training, her hair was either left straight or tied into a high ponytail, and with her serious expression and determined eyes, she already exhibited traces of the heroic bearing she would have in Boruto.

Perhaps due to early maturity, Hanabi was developing more quickly than Hinata had. Expected to reach 1.7 meters in height in the future, she already stood at 1.32 meters—only slightly shorter than Juuyabiru. Unlike Hinata, who still had a soft baby face at this age, Hanabi's cheeks had already slimmed down, her face taking on a refined, oval shape.

Imitating Hinata, Hanabi hung the headband around her neck and smiled brightly. "Oni-chan, to celebrate you and Big Sister becoming Genin, let's have hot pot tonight!"

"It's because you want to eat it, Hanabi," Hinata replied, lightly tapping Hanabi's forehead with a slender finger.

"Hee hee..." Hanabi giggled, sticking out her tongue playfully. "It's Father who never lets us eat that kind of thing. But Hanabi really wants hot pot today!"

Juuyabiru, touched by her cuteness, readily agreed. "Alright, let's have hot pot."

"Yay!" Hanabi cheered and then added slyly, "Oni-chan, can I ride high-high?"

"No," Hinata said immediately, puffing her cheeks. "You're too tall now for that."

"I'm only seven!" Hanabi protested, making a face at Hinata before turning back to Juuyabiru with big eyes. "Please, Oni-chan?"

"Of course," Juuyabiru grinned, flexing his arms. "Even if you're as tall as me one day, I'll still carry you high-high."

"As expected of Oni-chan!" Hanabi declared with admiration. She quickly slid down from his arms and climbed onto his shoulders.

"Honestly..." Hinata muttered, watching Juuyabiru carry Hanabi as she directed him toward the market. She sighed, but a doting smile formed on her lips as she followed.

Whoosh—

Not long after the three had left, a figure silently appeared in the spot they'd vacated. It was a Hyuga clansman in a green vest, with eyes identical to those of Hinata and Hanabi. He was Hanabi's bodyguard.

Though Hinata also had bodyguards when going out, for some reason this one stayed hidden, guarding Hanabi from the shadows. Hanabi didn't know about him, but Juuyabiru and Hinata were well aware of his presence.

In the past six years, although Juuyabiru had never formally met Hyuga Hiashi, a silent understanding had formed between them. Juuyabiru took on the role of nurturing and emotionally supporting Hinata and Hanabi—giving them the love and warmth they lacked after their mother's death. Hiashi, meanwhile, focused on instilling discipline, upholding the weight of the clan's legacy.

Hinata and Hanabi, pressured by the Hyuga family's strict expectations, naturally grew to depend on Juuyabiru. Around him, they could be their true selves. Only in his presence did Hanabi act her age, playing and laughing like a normal child. In front of her father, she was the perfect, precocious daughter—just like in the original story.

The same was true for Hinata.

At the market, Juuyabiru bought ingredients for the hot pot, along with Hanabi's favorite treats: glutinous rice dumplings, bananas, and milk. For Hinata, he picked up her beloved cinnamon rolls.

After returning home, the three enjoyed their hot pot feast, eating until they were full and happy. Then they settled down together on the long sofa, chatting as they digested their meal.

Hinata, sitting next to Juuyabiru, finally dropped her usual shyness. Resting her head on his shoulder, she suddenly said, "Juuyabiru, it looks like Naruto was the only one in our class who didn't graduate."

"Yeah," Juuyabiru replied, his hand gently playing with Hanabi's braided bangs.

Earlier that day, as they had walked past the school gate, they had spotted Naruto alone on the swing set.

"Naruto's chakra is incredibly strong, so why can't he even use a basic Clone Technique?" Hinata asked, puzzled.

"Maybe his chakra control is just really poor," Juuyabiru answered, his tone dismissive. "His academic scores are terrible, his shuriken throwing hasn't improved much, and he's always the first eliminated in survival training. His only strength is hand-to-hand combat. Maybe failing the exam was actually for the best."

"Maybe," Hinata murmured, recalling Naruto's six years of poor performance.

Neither she nor Hanabi—now nestled in Juuyabiru's arms and nearly asleep—noticed the slight smirk that formed on Juuyabiru's lips as he casually dismissed Naruto's failure.

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