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

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Since it was still early, Team 8 didn't disband after the large meal that Kurenai Yuhi treated them to. Instead, they headed straight to the Hokage Building to officially begin their mission.

As expected, Team 8's first mission was a standard D-rank assignment.

Initially, Hinata and Shino Aburame showed some enthusiasm about it. However, their interest quickly faded when Kurenai led them to a foul-smelling ditch and instructed them to clean up the floating garbage.

This mission posed no challenge at all for Hinata and Izanami, both of whom had already mastered the Water Walking technique. Shino was no exception. He had learned both Tree Climbing and Water Walking back in his third year at the academy.

These two techniques—though not formally taught at the Ninja Academy—were considered basic skills in prominent ninja clans, and were often learned at a young age.

Even if Izanami hadn't taught Hinata Tree Climbing or Water Walking earlier, Hyuga Hiashi would have done so once her Pressure Point Fist reached a sufficient level. After all, these techniques are crucial for chakra control and multitasking.

Mastering chakra control at this stage not only boosts the effectiveness of the Pressure Point Fist, but also lays a solid foundation for learning Gentle Fist techniques later on.

Kurenai Yuhi was slightly surprised to see that all three of them—Hinata, Izanami, and Shino—had already mastered chakra control techniques that were typically not covered at the academy. However, after thinking about their backgrounds, she quickly came to terms with it. Hinata was from the Hyuga clan, Shino from the Aburame clan, and Izanami had demonstrated formidable strength and had a close relationship with Hinata. It made sense that these techniques were trivial to them.

Yet, this realization presented a new problem for Kurenai.

She had originally planned to use this mission as an opportunity to teach her team some basic chakra control techniques. Now that her students already had that knowledge, what could she teach them next?

Izanami was completely unaware of Kurenai's internal struggle. Had he known, he would have felt genuinely appreciative of her efforts. Although the term "teacher" was used, the relationship between a Jonin instructor and Genin was more nuanced. A Jonin sensei wasn't just a teacher—they were also a squad leader and a superior officer.

Their primary role was to guide fresh Genin in the ways of teamwork and mission handling, helping them transition into competent ninjas. If a Jonin liked their subordinates, they might go beyond this role and actually impart their personal techniques. If not, once someone in the squad was promoted to Chunin and became a squad leader, the Jonin would often become a "hands-off" supervisor, only appearing when the village assigned them high-level missions.

So, while Jonin weren't obligated to teach ninjutsu to their Genin, they could if they wished.

Genin could also earn the opportunity to learn new ninjutsu by completing missions and accumulating merits. These merits could then be used to exchange for jutsu from the village's catalog.

Of course, most jutsu available through this system were basic elemental techniques—low-level and widely known throughout the ninja world. Only those who had mastered both Shape Transformation and Nature Transformation could qualify to exchange for more advanced jutsu.

Kurenai Yuhi was already contemplating what advanced skills she could teach Izanami and the others after just their second day together. A Jonin this devoted was rare. If members of Team 7 witnessed this, they might very well weep tears of envy. After all, they were still picking up garbage by hand, and their Jonin, Kakashi Hatake, spent more time reading his little orange book in a tree than actually teaching them anything. He hadn't even bothered to teach them Tree Climbing or Water Walking.

After completing their first mission and collecting their rewards, Team 8 disbanded outside the Hokage Building.

"Hinata, let's make something good to eat today."

"Yes!" Hinata responded cheerfully.

With their first wages in hand, Izanami and Hinata headed to the market to buy ingredients, planning to enjoy a cozy dinner together. They even planned to invite Hanabi to join them.

However, upon returning to Izanami's house with grocery bags in hand, ready to prepare the meal...

"Hiss…"

As soon as Izanami stepped into the hallway and took off his shoes, he suddenly frowned and let out a quiet gasp. The bag he was holding fell to the floor.

"Juuyabiru, what's wrong?" Hinata asked, her tone filled with concern.

"Hinata... my Bloodline Limit... it's about to awaken."

Izanami clutched his eyes and leaned against the wall, his expression pained, yet the corners of his mouth were raised in excitement.

Hinata, now holding onto him for support, gasped in surprise. Her eyes widened as joy surged through her.

"Really? Juuyabiru, do you... do you really have a Bloodline Limit?"

"Yes. And this is a secret that only you know."

Izanami placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Hinata, help me upstairs. There's something I need your help with."

"Of course!"

Hinata nodded seriously, momentarily forgetting all about the ingredients, and helped him up to his room.

Once there, Izanami lay on the bed with his eyes closed.

"Hinata, please get a roll of bandages."

"Okay!"

Hinata quickly fetched a medicine box, pulled out a roll of bandages, and handed them to Izanami.

He began wrapping the bandages around his eyes.

"Open the drawer in my nightstand and take out a black eye mask," he instructed.

Hinata followed his directions, found the eye mask, and gave it to him.

After putting on the mask, Izanami formed a hand seal. A moment later, a powerful sensory wave spread out from him, enveloping the entirety of Konoha's Central Street.

A few seconds passed. Izanami lowered his hands, his expression now serious.

"Hinata, listen carefully. You must not tell anyone that my Bloodline Limit has awakened—not even Hanabi, at least for now."

"I understand, Juuyabiru," Hinata replied with a solemn nod.

Even without his warning, she would never disclose it. Juuyabiru was, after all, just a commoner with no clan name. If the news of his Bloodline Limit awakening got out, it would undoubtedly draw attention—possibly dangerous attention.

If his Bloodline Limit originated from the Land of Fire and a relevant clan still existed, he might be able to reunite with his ancestral roots.

But if it stemmed from a foreign lineage—especially one no longer recognized—it could lead to suspicion and mistrust. Even if his family had lived in the Land of Fire long before Konoha's founding, the village might never fully trust him. In such a case, his future—and hers—would be bleak.

So, this secret had to remain between them.

"I have a feeling it'll take a few days for my Bloodline Limit to fully awaken," Izanami said. "During this time, if Team 8 has missions, you can use Izayoi's shadow clone transformation technique to pose as me. Just make sure you put on my clothes before you leave—otherwise, Shino will notice the discrepancy. And have the clone explain that I'm working on perfecting a new jutsu."

"Understood," Hinata nodded.

"Also, please find a way to keep Hanabi from visiting during this time."

"Leave it to me."

"I won't be able to see for the next few days, so I'll need you to bring me food. I might be hiding with the Invisibility Technique, though. If I'm not around, just call out. But please—don't activate your Byakugan."

"I know."

Hinata listened intently, committing each instruction to memory.

"Thank you in advance for the next few days, Hinata." Izanami gave her a soft smile.

"Yeah, yeah…" she replied, her cheeks turning rosy from excitement.

From childhood until now, Izanami had always looked after her. Now, she finally had the chance to return the favor.

Hinata's heart was full of anticipation. She even began imagining writing up a daily care routine for Izanami.

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