Speedrunning Naruto to the Top

"Cheers!"

"Izayoi, happy birthday!"

On June 16th of Konoha's 61st year, at dusk.

Cheers rang out from the open area near Izayoi's veranda.

All the rookie genin of this new generation had gathered for a rare occasion—to celebrate Izayoi's birthday.

On that open ground, a barbecue grill gave off delicious smoke. The smell wafted through the air.

Not far away were a few long tables loaded with fruit, snacks, and sweets.

One especially large table held a towering birthday cake, fully thirteen layers high. The thirteen candles on top had already been blown out.

Next to it, one could see an array of sumptuous dishes—seafood and other delicacies—along with drinks and fine liquor.

Hinata and Karin's shadow clones were busy working the grill, while the rookie genin crowded around the tables, wolfing down gourmet food they normally couldn't afford—or for which they'd need to do countless missions to pay.

"How much does a place like this cost, anyway?"

Jiraiya, who'd tagged along with Uzumaki Naruto for the free food and drink, was now at another table, drinking with Tsunade. Casting an inquisitive look at the exquisitely decorated traditional building and villa, he leaned over and asked Tsunade softly, "Is Izayoi breaking any shinobi rules here? Where'd he get all this money?"

"What are you talking about? Do you have proof?" demanded Tsunade, whose cheeks were already reddened by alcohol. Protective as ever, she slapped the table and retorted, "Izayoi's that good. He might earn money legitimately—or off the black market on the side—either way, it's perfectly possible!"

Jiraiya glanced over to the main seat at another table. Izayoi, whose eyes now had red markings and golden pupils, was helping himself and the girls seated beside him—Hanabi on his lap, Hinata on his right—to various dishes. The white-haired Sannin sighed. "Keeping Sage Mode active as one's default state, yet perfectly controlling that immense power—it's really astounding."

Unable to hold back, Jiraiya asked, "Is Izayoi's Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest?"

"No. He's never signed a contract with Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade replied, shaking her head.

"This look, though—the red markings and golden pupils—doesn't match Myōboku Mountain or Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode, either. So you're telling me he figured it out on his own?" Jiraiya recalled the difficulty of his own Sage training—how even now he needed Fukasaku and Shima to help him—so he couldn't help lamenting with a mix of sorrow and envy. "The world of geniuses can be a truly despair-inducing place!"

Most of the rookie genin assumed Izayoi's look was simply a costume for his birthday, with Hinata and Hanabi helping do the makeup. Apart from Jiraiya and Tsunade, only Tsunade's confidante knew the truth behind those red markings.

Sitting on Izayoi's left was Uchiha Sasuke. He asked the same question Jiraiya had: "Is that Sage Mode from Shikkotsu Forest?"

"It's only 'mediocre talents' who require someone else to guide them," Izayoi answered with a grin. "Geniuses figure it out by themselves."

A vein throbbed on Sasuke's forehead. Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "You little…you still know how to get under my skin with those words."

"Eh? Was it something I said? I'm just stating the facts. Surely you, a genius, can also snap right into Sage Mode anytime, no problem…unless you're telling me you can't?" Izayoi teased.

"Tch!"

Sasuke refused to respond and focused on stuffing his face instead.

After the birthday banquet, the rookie genin went off to enjoy Izayoi's home amenities—entertainment areas and a hot spring. They didn't leave until late, wearing very satisfied expressions.

Even a totally inebriated Jiraiya and Tsunade were taken away by Naruto and Shizune.

Once the cleanup was done, Izayoi tilted his head back to gaze at the star-filled sky. He glanced over to Hinata and Hanabi. "It's late," he said. "You two might as well spend the night here."

"Mhm…"

The Hyūga sisters nodded.

They'd stayed the night at Izayoi's place before, now that the Hyūga clan accepted him. And given that it was Izayoi's birthday, Hinata and Hanabi had already informed Hiashi they weren't planning to go home.

After taking a bath, it was time for the "opening presents" part of the evening.

It turned out the rookie genin hadn't come just to eat and drink for free—the thirteen-layer cake was something they'd pooled money together to buy. They also brought a variety of gifts for Izayoi.

Chōji Akimichi gave a large box of medicinal pills, each with different effects.

Shikamaru Nara offered herbs from the family store, while Ino Yamanaka contributed various flower seeds.

Kiba Inuzuka, unsure if Izayoi and Hinata liked dogs, didn't bring a puppy but instead presented an adoption certificate from the Inuzuka clan, letting Izayoi pick a normal dog for home defense or adopt a ninja hound to be a combat partner.

Shino Aburame's gift was…a pair of sunglasses.

Naruto's was…a frog wallet.

Sakura Haruno and Minako gave Izayoi an album and a roll of film.

Sasuke Uchiha's gift was a ninja scroll containing a technique he'd created himself: Sage Style: Storm Release – White Dragon.

As for Jiraiya and Tsunade, they'd shown up empty-handed.

Shizune's gift was a cultural artifact of some sort. Nobody was sure what it was exactly, but knowing her passion for old relics, it was definitely one of her treasured items.

Each gift had its own personal touch, revealing everyone's unique style…and their different financial means. Interestingly, the only people who chose gifts matching Izayoi's personal hobby were Haruno Sakura and Minako. Izayoi shook his head with an exasperated smile, placing these tokens of goodwill in a cabinet.

Then, with a mischievous grin, he turned to Hinata and the other two girls. "Where are your gifts for me?"

"Heh heh… We've had them ready for a while now, Onii-chan!" Hanabi said, giggling. She pulled a small storage scroll from her kimono sleeve.

Hinata and Karin did the same.

Seeing that, Izayoi's eyes lit up with anticipation.

With a poof and some swirling smoke, three gift boxes appeared on the floor in front of Izayoi—some big, some small.

"Izayoi-kun, happy birthday."

"Onii-chan, happy birthday."

All three handed him their boxes.

"Thanks."

Izayoi smiled, accepting the gifts and quickly unwrapping them.

When he saw what they contained, his eyes shone.

Karin's gift was a brand-new camera. Just by its form and weight, it was clearly a big improvement on Izayoi's old camera. Without even testing it, one could tell it was superior to his previous model.

"Karin, you've really put some thought into this." Izayoi was delighted, fiddling with the new camera, then looking back at her with a grateful smile.

"Heh, as long as you like it," Karin said, scratching her head with a sheepish grin.

Hanabi's gift was a piece of clothing. Izayoi blinked for a moment. "This is…a Ceremonial Cloak (Hokage Cloak)?"

"Heh heh…I've noticed Onii-chan always wears that white robe, so it's time for something new," Hanabi teased, eyeing Izayoi's Sage Mode. "I think a Ceremonial Cloak suits your technique better."

"Oh?"

Right there, Izayoi donned the flame-patterned robe. He posed, his back turned to her, glancing over his shoulder. "How does it look?"

"Perfect! You're so handsome, Onii-chan!" Hanabi nodded enthusiastically. Her Byakugan, tinted faintly lavender, seemed to sparkle like gold stars. She looked every bit the starry-eyed fangirl.

"Izayoi-kun looks amazing in anything he wears," Karin said plainly. Hinata, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.

"Thanks, Hanabi. I really love this gift," Izayoi said, patting her on the head. Finally, he opened Hinata's box.

Of the three, Hinata's box was the smallest—a perfect square. Usually, if a man gave a woman such a box, it might contain a ring or bracelet. But Izayoi didn't think Hinata would have the guts for that—at least not in front of Hanabi and Karin. She would more likely do it privately, just like when she confessed to him.

But after unwrapping the gift, Izayoi realized he'd underestimated Hinata's courage. Because her present was…a pocket watch.

"Wow…"

Hanabi and Karin gasped, flashing playful smiles at Hinata, whose cheeks flushed red. Hanabi couldn't help teasing, "Nicely done, Sis! No wonder you told me not to bother you when you were working on clothes. I had no idea you were making this."

Karin clasped her fingers to her chest and sighed. "So romantic!"

A birthday pocket watch has the romantic connotation of a gift that's worn close to the heart, a kind of declaration of devotion. Hinata's choice was essentially staking her claim.

Izayoi was startled for a second, then picked up the watch to study it carefully.

The watch was all silver—case and chain included—without any fancy engraved designs. Yet when he flipped open the lid, his lips curled in a smile.

Tucked inside the cover was a photo of two little kids in snowman costumes, wearing bright smiles. They were Izayoi and Hinata, back when they were children.

The watch's dial included a separate sub-dial for seconds, but the second hand was quite hard to see. It had a faintly blue-and-white design, with the axis resembling a pure-white glow, fashioned after the Tenseigan. Clearly, there was far more nuance to this watch than its plain exterior suggested. Hinata must have spent a great deal of time on it.

"You really went all out, Hinata," Izayoi said, carefully putting the watch away and pressing it against his heart. "I promise I'll treasure and protect this gift."

"As long as you like it, Izayoi-kun," Hinata replied, still blushing but without any sign of backing down. Her white eyes held a tender gaze, her face full of gentle, bashful warmth.

Seeing this, Karin took Hanabi by the hand and quietly exited the room.

With the "extra lights" gone, Izayoi didn't waste any time. Reaching over, he pulled Hinata into his arms and leaned in.

Watching his face suddenly magnify before her, Hinata's Byakugan almost seemed to glimpse the future itself. Her cheeks grew hotter and steamier. But she didn't shrink away. Instead, she clutched the edge of her kimono with both hands and slowly closed her eyes.

As if guided by genjutsu, a pink haze swirled through the room, tracing a huge heart in the air…

…

"Ding! Your body has undergone a mutation. You have unlocked the innate talent [Sage Physique (White)]. It cannot be dismantled."

On the evening of the last day of June, Izayoi was soaking in his private hot spring.

If you looked closely, you'd see that the steaming water appeared greenish. If Jiraiya or Sasuke were present, they'd stare wide-eyed because the natural energy concentrated in this hot spring was astonishing—not only abundant in nature energy but also life force.

If Sasuke were to bathe here even once, he'd immediately notice significant growth in his Yin Release chakra and his Storm Release.

Unfortunately, that privilege belonged to no one else.

Izayoi lounged in the pool with just his head above the water. A small towel rested on his head. Suddenly, his golden Sage Mode eyes opened.

"So my hunch was correct," he murmured. "Good thing I didn't give up halfway." Staring at the greenish water, he thought, "Thank goodness for the Gelel Stones. If I only absorbed the energy of nature itself, who knows how long I'd need to 'marinate' before developing even a sliver of Sage Physique."

"Time to cheat with the system."

Izayoi summoned his status panel for a closer look at his info:

[Host: Izayoi]

[Talent Entries: Kekkei Genkai – Tenseigan (Red), Ōtsutsuki Bloodline (Red), Sage Eye (Red), Prince of the Byakugan (Red), Six Paths Aptitude (Red), Chakra Control (Gold) "+", Kekkei Genkai – Technique Release (Purple) "+", Uzumaki Bloodline (Purple) "+", Full Attribute Physique (Purple) "+", Kekkei Genkai – Shikotsumyaku (Purple) "+", Sealing Master (Purple) "+", Ninjutsu Master (Purple) "+" … Sage Physique (White) "+"]

[Points: 411087]

Nagato possessed extremely impressive entries—fourteen in total. If he donned Tobi's "armor," four of those reached super-Kage-tier potential. But none of that compared to Izayoi's own massive array of top-ranked talents. If Nagato's entries weren't already translated into real power, he wouldn't stand a chance against Izayoi.

Even their "Ninja Aptitude" entries highlighted the gap. Nagato had pretty much reached his limit—unless he became the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, his strength wouldn't rise much further no matter how he boosted it. Izayoi, on the other hand, would only enter his prime development phase next year. That's the difference made by these "cheats."

And now this "cheater" was ready to cheat yet again.

Izayoi tapped the little "+" sign next to Sage Physique (the only White entry).

In the next instant, the text for Sage Physique (White) turned Green. The six-digit point total dropped by 9 points.

Izayoi clicked again. Sage Physique turned Blue; 99 more points vanished.

He clicked once more. Now it has been upgraded to Purple, costing 999 points.

A further click evolved Sage Physique to Gold, using up 9,999 more points.

Still not done, Izayoi tapped the plus sign again.

Poof! The Gold text shimmered red, transforming into [Sage Physique (Red)] with special effects. 99,999 more points drained away.

From last in line, Sage Physique shot past many entries in the list, stopping right behind Sage Eye (Red), now ranked fourth. His new point total was [299982]. This was the power of the system.

Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo had needed the highest-grade bloodline and the Ten-Tails' chakra to develop a red-grade Sage Physique—and pass it on to his descendants.

Izayoi just needed a hint of "sage traits" and then could instantly upgrade it from the lowest White rank to the supreme Red rank in one go, effectively going straight from start to finish.

One more step would take him beyond even that dimension.

Thus Izayoi had obtained his sixth Red-grade entry.

But the surprises weren't over yet. Even with the Sage Physique at Red, Izayoi couldn't match Hagoromo or Six Paths Naruto by having no visible eye markings. He didn't sense any obvious external transformation. But at that moment, a system chime echoed again in his mind:

"Ding! Your talent entry [Kekkei Genkai – Wood Release] has completed its evolution."

In his entries list, the Wood Release (previously Purple) changed to Gold.

He felt he'd broken through some kind of boundary, yet couldn't quite put it into words. Before he had time to explore further, a soft voice drifted over.

"I—I—I…Izayoi-kun, I'm here to give you a massage…"

He turned, and nearly had a nosebleed at the sight. Amid the swirling white steam stood Hinata, hair pinned up, wearing nothing but a bath towel.

"Wei…Hinata, you're getting bolder by the day…and I like it!"

Izayoi raised a thumb in approval, pressing his other hand over his nose, his voice muffled.

~~~

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