Perhaps because it evolved from his own eyes, Izayoi's Tenseigan, awakened at its first stirring, differed from Otsutsuki Toneri's—not only in abilities but in remarkable stability.
Even if his body took heavy damage, the Tenseigan's power wouldn't fade.
Only when his Chakra and ocular power were fully drained would it revert to Byakugan.
Post-evolution, his eyes continued absorbing Chakra secreted by his brain, like charging a battery.
When fully charged, the second stirring would come.
Just as his Byakugan took two years to become Tenseigan, Izayoi sensed the second stirring might take time.
But awakening the Tenseigan now, he was already thrilled.
At twelve, still in childhood's tail end.
Fifteen marked the growth phase.
By then, girls lagged behind boys.
Even doing nothing, hitting fifteen would unleash his potential, like Toneri on the moon.
At nineteen, no combat experience needed—just transplant a high-purity Byakugan, and he'd wield interdimensional power.
If Toneri, with one Red trait, could do that, Izayoi—with multiple Red traits—was a given.
Awakening the Tenseigan at twelve proved he was cheating the system.
…
"Izayoi, is that really you?"
Safely past his first stirring, Izayoi rejoined Team 8.
The moment he returned, Aburame Shino sensed his insects' shift, staring at Izayoi in shock.
The insects… were afraid!
Half a month gone, and Izayoi had grown this much stronger?
What Ninjutsu was he developing?
"Yup. My technique's perfected, so I'm back," Izayoi nodded with a smile.
"What technique?" Kurenai Yuhi asked, curious what he'd been working on. Shino's sunglasses and high collar hid his reaction from her.
"Secrets make a man more charming."
Izayoi pressed a finger to his lips, teasing, "You'll see it someday, Kurenai-sensei. It'll blow your minds."
"Izayoi, has anyone said you're asking for a punch?" Kurenai's forehead pulsed with a tic mark.
Izayoi turned to Hinata. "Hinata, am I asking for it?"
"Not at all," Hinata shook her head earnestly.
"Are you two sure you're not a couple?" Kurenai echoed their academy classmates' jab.
Izayoi grinned silently; Hinata's cheeks flushed.
After the banter, Team 8 resumed D-rank missions.
Some days one, others two or three, with occasional breaks.
From trash cleanup to babysitting or tending crops, they excelled, earning clients' praise.
During this time, Kurenai offered to teach them her Genjutsu.
Hinata and Shino declined, focused on clan techniques.
Izayoi refused too.
Before his first stirring, he'd have accepted her kindness.
His panel was dazzling, with Red traits galore.
But pre-Tenseigan, his growth was in sensory and healing skills. Those Red traits hadn't boosted his combat much.
Without his Ultra Hurricane Combo or the ultimate technique he was refining, his attacks were limited to his father's low-level Wind Release and a few Uchiha Fire Release Ninjutsu.
With Multiple Shadow Clone Technique and those, he feared no Jonin.
Once his ultimate was complete, he'd rival Hatake Kakashi—an elite Jonin threatening Kage.
His prior strength matched Jonin.
Now, with Tenseigan's gravity and repulsion, he was like Pain's Deva Path sans Planetary Devastation, on par with Kage-level powerhouses.
He lacked for nothing—attack, defense, support.
No need to owe Kurenai further.
So, like in the original story, she stayed a guide, teaching Team 8 to be proper ninjas.
Time rolled to May 1st.
That morning, Team 8 gathered at their usual spot.
"Last month, you did great. Not a single bad review," Kurenai announced, smiling. "As a reward, today we're picking up a higher-rank mission."
Hinata's face lit up.
Without sunglasses, you'd see Shino's eyes gleam, his hidden lips twitching upward.
"A C-rank mission?" Izayoi asked, playing dumb.
"Yup," Kurenai nodded. "Genin usually stick to D-ranks. Only veteran Genin or those led by a Jonin instructor can take C-ranks."
"Unlike D-ranks' chores, C-ranks often leave the village, with potential for unknown enemies and life-threatening danger."
"You've only been graduated a month, technically not ready. But your performance earned you this."
"Let's go to the Hokage Tower."
Kurenai led the eager Team 8 to the Hokage's office.
"A C-rank mission?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffing his pipe, eyed Izayoi and Hinata, towering over peers, a touch nostalgic.
Those chubby-cheeked kids had grown so much?
Recalling Izayoi overpowering a Sharingan-wielding Sasuke, he nodded. "Fine. Team 8's only a month old, but every mission got glowing reviews. If your Jonin instructor says you're ready, you'll get a C-rank."
He pulled a large scroll from under his desk.
Unfurling it, his fingers slid across, soon stopping.
"Your sensory skills are top-notch. This mission suits you," Sarutobi said, exhaling smoke. "A mining team's in Konoha for trade. They fear bandits or rogue ninjas robbing them on their way back to the Land of Rivers, so they've hired us to escort them."
"It's yours. Any issues?" He looked at Kurenai.
"None," Kurenai replied respectfully.
Izayoi, Hinata, and Shino stayed silent.
Sarutobi's fingers, wreathed in Chakra flames, pressed the scroll.
Poof! A small puff of smoke cleared.
A palm-sized scroll appeared in his hand.
Tossing it to Kurenai, he said, "Client details are inside. Handle the negotiations."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kurenai said, bowing.
She led Team 8 out.
From start to finish, Sarutobi didn't address them, and none were as brash as Naruto to speak up.
Outside the tower, Kurenai opened the scroll and took them to an inn.
"Wait here. I'll meet the client."
Leaving those words, she approached a carriage parked outside, speaking with its guard.
Soon, he led her inside.
A closer look revealed a flag on the carriage, bearing the character for "iron."
Their destination was the Land of Rivers—not tied to the Land of Iron.
A mining team, likely iron ore.
Books mentioned the Land of Rivers' rugged terrain, dense forests, and mountain villages.
Izayoi, Hinata, and Shino mulled it over silently.
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