Chapter 25: Assignments

Uzumaki Naruto sat on the swing, his lonely figure pitiful.

But Izayoi felt no pity for him.

Only Izayoi knew the guy was about to get a massive power-up.

Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, fated rivals, were like their reincarnated Chakra—representing ultimate Yin and Yang—destined for opposite paths.

For six years at the ninja academy, Sasuke was a star.

Without Izayoi, he'd have been the top student.

In the original story, these were Sasuke's glory days.

But after graduation, he'd face constant setbacks.

Meanwhile, Naruto, the perpetual dead-last, would begin his meteoric rise.

In mere months, he'd surpass the top student.

Naruto looked pathetic now, but come nightfall, he'd officially unlock his potential, gaining one of the ultimate techniques suited for a Sage's Body and Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—a forbidden jutsu Izayoi coveted, its value growing with one's Chakra reserves.

In the original Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto's clones used it, each wielding a Rasengan, to counter Uchiha Madara's Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.

Even a basic Five-Element Ninjutsu, cast by hundreds or thousands of clones, could unleash disaster-level effects.

If Naruto had mastered Wind Release: Great Breakthrough during the Chunin Exams, he wouldn't have needed a fart to beat Inuzuka Kiba.

A combo of Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough could've wiped out most examinees.

Naruto might be nerfed or suppressed, but Izayoi wouldn't be.

If he got the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, his strength would transform.

At the thought, Izayoi's fingers, twirling Hanabi's hair, paused.

A bold idea sparked.

Maybe he could get that forbidden jutsu tonight!

Without his Byakugan upgraded to gold-tier, he'd never dare entertain it.

Only he knew the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was deliberately set up by Sarutobi Hiruzen for Naruto.

The Scroll of Seals, with that jutsu as the first entry, placed conspicuously for Naruto to find, was suspicious.

If Izayoi targeted the scroll, or even appeared in that forest tonight, Sarutobi would notice.

Then he'd face the Yamanaka clan's mind-reading.

But Izayoi didn't need to get near Naruto or the forest to obtain the technique.

His Byakugan's farsight reached eighty kilometers.

All of Konoha was within his view.

With preparation, he could copy the technique's training method the moment Naruto opened the scroll.

Decided, Izayoi acted.

"…Izayoi-kun, do you think we'll be on the same team for the assignments the day after tomorrow?"

Half an hour had passed.

Hanabi had fallen asleep in Izayoi's arms.

Carrying her to a bed, Izayoi returned to the sofa.

He slid an arm around Hinata's shoulders.

Hinata leaned into him, asking with hopeful eyes.

"The odds are low, but not zero."

Izayoi toyed with her hair, speaking slowly. "Teams are balanced by strength. You and I are always top three. The chance of us together is slim."

"But our inseparability these years hasn't gone unnoticed by classmates or teachers."

"If teachers decide the teams, they might consider our synergy and put us together."

Hinata clasped her hands in a prayer gesture, wishing, "I hope we're on the same team."

Izayoi couldn't help but chuckle. His fingers, twirling her hair, pinched her chin, then her cheek.

He didn't tell her the odds were near zero.

Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned teams, and in the original, only Sakura Haruno—liked by Naruto—lucked into a clan team.

The other eight prodigies? Naruto and Sasuke were one team, the new Ino-Shika-Cho another, and the Inuzuka, Hyuga, and Aburame clans a third.

This generation had no clan-civilian mixes.

Likewise, those clan teams were guaranteed their Jonin instructor's approval.

Civilian teams? High elimination rates.

Without traditional assignments, Izayoi, as top student, could displace Sakura.

But Sarutobi wouldn't break tradition. Plus, Izayoi and Sasuke were friends—what if they ganged up on Naruto?

Two guys and a girl meant conflicts could be mediated or sided with.

Three guys? A powder keg.

With Ino-Shika-Cho inseparable, and Team 7 fixed by necessity, Izayoi's only shot was Team 8.

If he did squeeze in, Sarutobi would offend either the Aburame or Inuzuka clans.

If Inuzuka Kiba or Aburame Shino were just regular members, it'd be fine—Izayoi's top rank proved his worth.

But they were clan heirs.

Assigning clan heirs to a regular team with a standard Jonin risked disaster on missions.

The Inuzuka clan, with their sensory and combat skills, supplied ninja dogs as summons. The Aburame, famed for their bugs, were terrifying.

Izayoi wasn't sure Sarutobi had the guts to make that call.

So, the odds were tiny.

But Izayoi didn't know that not only did Hinata want to team with him—so did Hyuga Hiashi.

His future father-in-law was already making moves.

At dusk, Sarutobi Hiruzen placed a special Scroll of Seals on his Hokage office desk, then went home.

Soon after, a white-robed, long-haired man with Byakugan eyes visited him.

Meanwhile, Mizuki approached Uzumaki Naruto.

As night fell, a blond boy in an orange tracksuit and green goggles boldly infiltrated the Hokage office, stealing the scroll from the desk.

Not long after, figures in green vests darted across Central Street's rooftops.

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