Uzumaki Naruto sat on the swing, his lonely figure looking pitiful.
But Izayoi didn't feel the slightest bit of pity for him.
Because only Izayoi knew that this guy was about to unlock his cheat codes.
Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, these two destined rivals, were like the reincarnated Chakra within them, representing the extremes of Yin and Yang, and their fates were also opposite.
During their six years at the ninja academy, Uchiha Sasuke was one of the most prominent figures.
If it weren't for Izayoi, he would have been the top student.
In the original story, these were also the years when Uchiha Sasuke was at his most glorious.
But after graduation, he began to suffer continuous setbacks.
On the other hand, Uzumaki Naruto, who had always been the dead last, began his journey of rising against the odds.
In just a few months, he surpassed the top student from being the dead last.
Naruto might look pitiful now, but once night fell, he would officially unlock his cheat codes and obtain one of the most suitable divine techniques for his Sage Body and status as the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique—this was a Forbidden Technique that even Izayoi coveted, and the more Chakra one had, the more one desired it.
In the original story's Fourth Great Ninja War, Uzumaki Naruto's Shadow Clones used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, each wielding a Rasengan, and managed to hold back Uchiha Madara's Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees.
Even the lowest-level Five Elements Release Technique, when used by hundreds or thousands of Shadow Clones, would have a catastrophic effect.
If Naruto had mastered the Wind Release: Great Breakthrough during the Chunin Exams, he wouldn't have needed to resort to farting to defeat Kiba Inuzuka.
A combination of the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough could have instantly defeated most of the participants.
Naruto might be nerfed and suppressed, but Izayoi wouldn't be.
If he obtained the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, his strength would undergo a qualitative transformation.
Thinking of this, Izayoi's fingers, which had been gently stroking Hanabi's hair, paused slightly.
A bold idea formed in his mind.
Perhaps, he could obtain this Forbidden Technique tonight! If his Byakugan hadn't been upgraded to the golden level, Izayoi would never have dared to entertain such a thought.
After all, only he knew that the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was something Hiruzen Sarutobi had specifically prepared for Uzumaki Naruto.
When opening the Book of Sealing, the first Forbidden Technique listed was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique. The fact that the Book of Sealing was placed in the most conspicuous spot to ensure Naruto wouldn't miss it was also highly suspicious.
If Izayoi dared to set his sights on the Book of Sealing, or even appear in that forest at night, he would immediately draw Hiruzen's attention.
And what awaited him would be the Yamanaka Clan's Mind Reading Technique.
However, Izayoi didn't need to get close to Naruto or appear in that forest to obtain the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
His Byakugan's long-range vision could cover a radius of eighty kilometers.
The entire Leaf Village was within his range.
As long as he prepared properly, he could copy the training method for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique the moment Naruto opened the Book of Sealing.
With this in mind, Izayoi quickly made his decision.
"…Izayoi-kun, do you think we'll be assigned to the same team the day after tomorrow?"
More than half an hour had passed.
Hanabi had fallen asleep in Izayoi's arms.
After carrying Hanabi to her bed, Izayoi returned to the sofa.
Then, he reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Hinata's delicate shoulder.
Hinata leaned against Izayoi's chest, her eyes filled with anticipation as she asked.
"The chances are slim, but not impossible," Izayoi replied, twirling a strand of Hinata's hair between his fingers. "Team assignments are based on balancing strength. You and I have consistently been in the top three of our class, so the likelihood of us being placed in the same team is low."
"But over the years, we've been inseparable. Not only have our classmates noticed, but the teachers must have as well."If the teachers have the final say in team assignments, they might consider our tacit understanding and place us in the same squad.""
Hinata clasped her hands together in a prayer-like gesture and wished, "I hope Izayoi-kun and I can be in the same team."
Izayoi couldn't help but chuckle. He pinched Hinata's chin and then gently squeezed her cheek.
He didn't want to discourage her, but the truth was, the chances of them being placed together were almost zero.
The team assignments were decided by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and in the original storyline, only Haruno Sakura, the lucky girl liked by Uzumaki Naruto, managed to enter the circle of ninja clan heirs.
The rest of the "Eight Strong Youths" were divided into teams: Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke in one team, the new generation's Ino-Shika-Cho Formation in another, and the Inuzuka Clan, Hyuga Clan, and Aburame Clan in yet another.
This year, there was no team composed of both ninja clan heirs and commoners.
Similarly, the teams formed by these ninja clan heirs would undoubtedly be recognized by their Jonin instructors.
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The teams formed by commoner ninjas, on the other hand, had an extremely high elimination rate.
If the traditional team assignments were not followed, Izayoi, as the top student, could potentially replace Haruno Sakura.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi was unlikely to break tradition, and Izayoi was friends with Uchiha Sasuke. What if the two of them isolated Uzumaki Naruto?
When two boys and a girl are together, if the two boys have a conflict, the girl can mediate or take sides.
But if three boys have a conflict, it would be like a powder keg.
Considering the new generation's Ino-Shika-Cho Formation, it was impossible to split them up.
Team 7, due to its uniqueness, would inevitably remain the same as in the original storyline.
The only team Izayoi could potentially squeeze into was Team 8.
If Izayoi were to squeeze in, Hiruzen Sarutobi would essentially offend the Aburame Clan or the Inuzuka Clan.
If Kiba Inuzuka and Aburame Shino were just ordinary members, it wouldn't matter much.
After all, Izayoi was the top student and had proven his worth.
But unfortunately, they were both the sons of clan leaders, the heirs of their respective ninja clans.
Placing the heirs of ninja clans in ordinary teams, taught by ordinary guiding Jonin, what if they encountered danger during a mission?
The Inuzuka Clan was not only a sensing and combat ninja clan but also provided many ninjas with ninja dogs as Summoning Beasts; the Aburame Clan was even more renowned in the Shinobi World as the insect user clan, with various insects that struck fear into the hearts of many.
Izayoi wasn't sure if Hiruzen Sarutobi had the courage to make such a decision.
So, the probability was extremely small.
However, Izayoi didn't know that not only did Hinata hope to be in the same team as him, but Hiashi Hyuga also wished for Hinata to be in the same team as Izayoi.
The future Father-in-law had already taken action.
At dusk, Hiruzen Sarutobi placed a specially made Book of Sealing on the Hokage's office desk and then went home after work.
He had just returned home when a middle-aged man dressed in a white robe, with long hair and a pair of Byakugan, personally came to visit him.
At the same time, Mizuki also sought out Uzumaki Naruto.
As soon as it got dark, a blond boy wearing an orange jacket set and a dark green windbreaker goggles boldly infiltrated the Hokage's office and stole the Book of Sealing that was placed on the desk.
Not long after, numerous figures clad in green vests began darting across the rooftops of the central street.
(End of Chapter)