Chapter 25: chapter 25
Uzumaki Naruto sat alone on the swing, his figure pitiful under the fading light.
Izanami felt no sympathy—he knew Naruto was on the verge of a massive power‑up.
Destined rivals, Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke embodied Yin and Yang, their chakra intrinsically linked to their fates. Throughout six years at the Ninja Academy, Sasuke was consistently among the elite. Were it not for Izanami's influence, he'd likely have been the top student.
These years represented Sasuke's golden era.
In contrast, Naruto persistently ranked last—until everything changed. Within mere months of his graduation, he leapt from the bottom to surpass the academy elite.
Now, he appeared forlorn and powerless—but after nightfall, his fate would shift. He was about to acquire a divine jutsu perfectly suited to his status as both a Sage‑Body and the Nine‑Tails Jinchūriki.
That jutsu? Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—a forbidden power coveted even by Izanami. The greater one's chakra, the more potent this ability became.
In the original Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto unleashed Hundreds of Shadow Clones wielding Rasengan to oppose Madara's "Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees." Even basic Five‑Element Ninjutsu, launched simultaneously by hundreds of clones, could shape events on a colossal scale.
Had Naruto mastered Wind Release: Great Breakthrough during the Chūnin Exams, he wouldn't have needed even his infamous gas-based exhaustion tactic against Kiba. Combining Multiple Shadow Clone with Wind Release would have eliminated nearly all opponents instantly.
Naruto might be temporarily suppressed now, but not Izanami.
If Naruto learned the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique tonight, his strength would transform qualitatively.
Thinking this, Izanami paused, his fingers gently caressing Hanabi's hair.
Perhaps tonight he could steal that power.
Because his Byakugan had been upgraded to its golden level, long-range vision stretched up to eighty kilometers. All of Konoha lay within his sight. When Naruto opened the Book of Sealing—revealing the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—Iz anami could simply copy it from afar.
A bold idea formed.
..."Izayoi‑kun," Hinata whispered, "do you think we'll be assigned to the same squad in two days?"
Half an hour passed. Hanabi fell asleep in Izanami's arms. He placed her in her bed and returned to the sofa. Wrapping his arm around Hinata, he played with a strand of her hair.
"The probability is slim… but not zero," he said. "Team assignments are balanced. You and I have both ranked in the top three all these years. Teachers see that."
"Our closeness hasn't gone unnoticed," he continued, teasingly pinching her chin. "We might get paired."
Hinata clasped her hands together and prayed for their squad to come together.
Izanami chuckled, though privately he knew the chances were near zero.
In the original lineup, only Sakura Haruno had joined the clan‑member teams. Naruto and Sasuke had ended up in one team; the Ino‑Shika‑Chō trio in another; and the three clan lines—Inuzuka, Hyūga, Aburame—together on a squad. No clan‑members-and-commoners mixed.
Even for non‑clan ninja teams, the likelihood of success varied wildly.
If assignment deviated from tradition, perhaps Izanami could substitute for Sakura. But Hiruzen Sarutobi would never risk tradition, and besides, Sasuke and he were close. What if they joined forces against Naruto?
Three boys on a team without a girl could erupt in conflict.
After all, Hiruzen stuck to tradition: one boy, one girl, one supporter per team.
Only Team 8 felt out of reach for Izanami—because Kiba and Shino were heirs of the Inuzuka and Aburame clans. Clan leaders had to approve any assignment. Izanami's talent alone couldn't override clan politics.
So the odds of him being paired with Hinata were infinitesimal.
Except for one wildcard: Hinata's father, Hyūga Hiashi.
That evening, Hiruzen placed a custom‑made Book of Sealing on his desk and returned home. Soon, a man in white robes, long hair flowing, Byakugan activated, appeared at the Hokage's gate. Simultaneously, Mizuki made his own moves—seeking out Naruto.
When night fell, a blonde teenager in an orange coat and dark green goggles stealthily slipped into the Hokage's office and absconded with the Book of Sealing. Shortly after, multiple green‑vested figures ghosted across Central Street rooftops.
Notes on Adjustments & Polish:Smoothed transitions (e.g., from Naruto's swing to Izanami's plan).Clarified relationships and team assignment rules, especially clan dynamics.Reduced repetition while preserving key details (Byakugan range, forbidden jutsu).Enhanced readability in dialogue and introspection segments.Retained story pace, tension, and suspense: hints of espionage, political nuance, emotional stakes.
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