Uzumaki Naruto sat alone on the swing, his lonely figure giving off a sense of pitifulness.
But Izanami didn't pity him in the slightest.
Because only Izanami knew that this guy was about to start cheating.
Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, these two rivals, represented the ultimate Yin and Yang within their bodies, their fates destined to be opposites.
For the past six years at Ninja School, Uchiha Sasuke had been one of the most popular figures. If it weren't for Izanami, he would have been the top student. During this time, Sasuke had his most glorious years.
But after graduation, his luck would turn, and setbacks would follow him.
On the other hand, Uzumaki Naruto, the perennial underdog, was about to begin his journey of reverse-engineering his way to success.
In just a few months, he would go from a loser to surpassing the top student.
While Naruto seemed pitiful now, Izanami knew that after dark, he would begin to cheat. He would gain one of the most powerful divine techniques—specially suited for someone with a Sage Body and as the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—this Forbidden Jutsu was something even Izanami envied. The more Chakra someone possessed, the more potent the technique became. Izanami couldn't help but desire it.
In the Fourth Ninja World War, Naruto's shadow clones, each holding a Rasengan, were crucial in resisting Uchiha Madara's Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.
Even the most basic Five Elements Ninjutsu, when wielded by hundreds or thousands of Izanami's shadow clones, could create a disaster-level effect. If Naruto had mastered Wind Release: Great Breakthrough during the Chunin Exams, he wouldn't have needed to rely on a fart to defeat Inuzuka Kiba.
A combination of Multiple Shadow Clones and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough could have wiped out most of the other examinees in an instant.
Though Naruto would face challenges and suppression, Izanami wouldn't.
If Izanami could obtain the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, his strength would undergo a fundamental transformation.
As he played with Hanabi's hair, Izanami paused for a moment. A bold thought crept into his mind.
Perhaps tonight, he could obtain this Forbidden Jutsu.
If his Byakugan hadn't been upgraded to the gold level, Izanami would never have dared to entertain such an idea.
Only he knew that the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique had been specifically prepared by Hiruzen Sarutobi for Uzumaki Naruto. It was the first Forbidden Jutsu listed in the Book of Sealing, which had been placed in such a conspicuous location, making it all the more suspicious.
If Izanami were to dare study the Book of Sealing or show up in that forest at night, he would be targeted by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Worse, he'd be subjected to the Yamanaka Clan's mind-reading techniques.
However, Izanami didn't need to get close to Uzumaki Naruto or venture into that forest.
With his Byakugan's enhanced farsight, which had a range of eighty kilometers, Izanami had complete coverage of all of Konoha. He could copy down the cultivation method of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique the moment Naruto opened the Book of Sealing, as long as he prepared in advance.
A small smile tugged at Izanami's lips as he made his decision.
More than half an hour passed. Hanabi had fallen asleep in Izanami's arms, and after carrying her to bed, he returned to the living room.
He reached out, gently placing his arm around Hinata's slender shoulder. Hinata, leaning against him, asked with a hopeful expression:
"Izanami, do you think we'll be assigned to the same team after the team assignments the day after tomorrow?"
"The chances are small, but not impossible." Izanami spoke slowly, his fingers playing with her hair.
"The assignments are based on strength balance. You and I have been consistently in the top three of the grade, so being assigned to the same team is unlikely."
"But our relationship over the years hasn't gone unnoticed. Our classmates have seen it, and I'm sure the teachers have noticed, too."
"If the teachers are the ones making the decisions, they might consider our tacit understanding and assign us together."
Hinata clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture, her eyes filled with hope. "I hope Izanami and I can be assigned to the same team."
Izanami smiled at her earnest wish. He couldn't resist pinching her chin and then her small face as he replied, "I wouldn't discourage you. But honestly, the chances of us being assigned to the same team are close to zero."
The team assignments were orchestrated by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and as per tradition, only Sakura Haruno, the fortunate one favored by Uzumaki Naruto, was lucky enough to enter the circle of Ninja clan disciples.
The remaining eight strong candidates—Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were placed together in one team, the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho were grouped in another, and the Inuzuka Clan, Hyuga Clan, and Aburame Clan formed yet another team.
In this class, there were no teams that mixed Ninja clan disciples with commoners. Similarly, these teams made up of Ninja clan disciples were sure to earn the approval of the Jonin instructors. On the other hand, teams composed of commoner ninjas had an alarmingly high rate of failure and elimination.
Though Izanami was the top student, and in theory could have easily taken Sakura Haruno's spot, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never break tradition. Besides, Izanami and Uchiha Sasuke were friends—if the two of them were on the same team, would they really isolate Uzumaki Naruto?
It was easy to see the logic behind it. When two boys and a girl form a team, conflicts between the boys are often smoothed over by the presence of the girl, who might mediate or even take sides. But when three boys are on the same team, conflicts could easily escalate, and it would be like walking on a powder keg.
As for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, it was unthinkable to split them up. This meant that Seventh Class—just like in the original timeline—would likely stay intact.
For Izanami, the only possible team he could realistically join was Team 8. But this would present a dilemma for Hiruzen Sarutobi. If Izanami were placed on Team 8, it would upset the balance with either the Aburame Clan or the Inuzuka Clan.
If Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame were simply ordinary clan members, it wouldn't be a problem. After all, Izanami was the top student, and his value was undeniable. But the issue lay in the fact that both Kiba and Shino were heirs to their clans, the successors who would one day lead the Inuzuka and Aburame families.
Assigning these heirs to a standard team led by an ordinary Jonin instructor, and exposing them to potential danger on missions, was a risky move. The Inuzuka Clan was renowned not just for its powerful ninjas, but also for their partnership with ninja dogs, a formidable asset. The Aburame Clan, known for their mastery over insects, was just as terrifying in its own right.
Izanami wasn't certain whether Hiruzen Sarutobi had the courage to make such a decision. The probability of Izanami joining Team 8 was small, but not impossible.
What Izanami didn't know, however, was that Hinata wasn't the only one hoping they'd be placed on the same team. Hyuga Hiashi, his future father-in-law, had also quietly set the wheels in motion.
That evening, Hiruzen Sarutobi placed the special Book of Sealing on his desk in the Hokage Office before heading home for the day. Not long after, a middle-aged man in a white robe with long hair and a pair of Byakugan eyes arrived at his home for a visit.
Meanwhile, Mizuki was quietly making his way toward Uzumaki Naruto.
As night fell, a blonde boy dressed in an orange jacket and dark green goggles snuck into the Hokage Office. With swift movements, he stole the Book of Sealing from the desk.
Before long, a swarm of figures wearing green vests moved swiftly across the rooftops of Central Street, each of them a member of the Anbu.
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