As the saying goes…
Until one's stats reach the otherworldly Super Kage level, battles—whether for Genin or Kage-tier fighters—are wars of information.
For the Sound Four, their intel on Sasuke Uchiha was outdated: Two-Tomoe Sharingan, basic Uchiha Fire Release, Lightning Release chakra for cell stimulation, fast but not impossibly so.
Since the third round of the Chunin Exams lacked Sasuke's presence, they didn't even know he'd mastered Chidori.
With that strength, any one of the Sound Four, using their curse seal, could easily crush him.
Together, they'd wipe him out instantly.
But they never imagined that in just two months, Sasuke's power would transform radically.
As for Karin, they knew nothing at all.
When the fight began, the Sound Four were quickly overwhelmed.
Facing Sasuke, now with Three-Tomoe Sharingan, wielding Sharingan genjutsu, mastering Lightning Release nature and shape transformation, and unleashing Chidori Current, they were like facing a healthy Kimimaro—utterly outclassed.
Even in Curse Seal Stage Two, their speed was pitifully slow in Sasuke's eyes.
With Karin handling Jirobo and Tayuya, Sasuke swiftly used Sharingan genjutsu, Lightning chakra cell stimulation, and Chidori to instakill Kidomaru before he could use his spider secrets.
But Izayoi ended his fight even faster.
Before Sasuke could sneer, mock Sakon and Ukon, and flex, he, Karin, and the Sound Four were swallowed by an advancing sea of trees.
"This is… Wood Release?!"
Sasuke leaped through the forest, dodging indiscriminate branches, eyes wide with shock. "That guy Izayoi—he's a Senju descendant and awakened the legendary kekkei genkai?!"
His mind reeled, struck hard.
He'd never dreamed Izayoi hid this much.
No wonder his chakra was so massive!
No surprise he stayed calm facing the Legendary Sannin.
Even against that gourd-carrying guy, he sent a Shadow Clone to compete while his real self exploited the Konoha Crush to steal scrolls.
Sasuke thought it was chakra reserves and multiple ultimates giving him confidence. But Izayoi had never used his true power!
The thought of Izayoi's ultimates plus Wood Release made Sasuke's mouth twitch.
Oddly, he felt no resentment or jealousy.
Years ago, losing to Izayoi sparked frustration, driving him to train harder.
He'd envied Izayoi's talent, surpassing even an awakened Uchiha.
But at some point, Sasuke grew to respect him fully, even idolizing him like he once did Itachi.
Only with Izayoi did Sasuke regain his childhood spark.
When the tree sea halted, under Izayoi's control, Sasuke and Karin emerged unscathed.
The Sound Four, including Kidomaru's corpse, were bound like dumplings, dangling from treetops.
Sasuke and Karin finished them off, wiping out foes who could trade blows with Konoha's elite Special Jonin and retreat intact.
It happened so fast, Izayoi couldn't stop them.
But their decisiveness pleased him more than any regret.
Floating down, Izayoi grinned. "Nice work."
"Hehe… Sasuke-kun could've handled them alone. I barely helped," Karin scratched her head, laughing.
Sasuke stared at Izayoi, muttering, "Wood Release. You hid it deep."
"Not that I hid it," Izayoi's lips curved, voice commanding. "No one's forced me to use it."
"Tch…"
Sasuke feigned disdain, scoffing.
Karin glanced into the dark forest. "Someone's coming."
As she spoke, figures darted in.
Leading was Shizune, rushing from Central Street after the alert.
Seeing them safe, she relaxed, smiling. "Izayoi, Karin, Sasuke—Lord Hokage wants you."
"Yes, ma'am."
The trio nodded.
"Take those bodies down and deliver them to T&I," Shizune ordered the Special Jonin behind her.
"Yes, ma'am!"
She led the trio to the Hokage Tower.
Konoha wouldn't sleep tonight.
Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees and Roaring Light Cannon caused too much noise.
At the city's edge, anyone could see the towering forest.
The massive mushroom cloud was visible to half the village.
In the forest, a huge crater gaped.
And Konoha ninja had witnessed the forest's birth, knowing the cloud and crater's cause.
Before the trio finished reporting to Tsunade, word spread like wildfire.
Izayoi—Chunin Exam standout, master of five chakra natures and Storm Release ultimates, flyer, promoted from Genin to Chunin in under six months—was a Senju descendant who awakened Wood Release.
Konoha erupted.
Someone seemed to fan the flames, as even civilians learned the forest and cloud were friendly, created by a youth named Izayoi, bearer of the First Hokage's lost kekkei genkai.
Instantly, from civilians to clans and Konoha's elite, all buzzed about Izayoi.
None were more thrilled than Konoha's premier clan… the Hyuga!
Even Neji knew of Izayoi and Hinata's bond, mocking Izayoi's hopes with the heiress as impossible.
The main branch elders, naturally, knew of him too.
Unlike the original story, Hinata's talent shone blindingly.
Her Byakugan's purity was unmatched, her chakra vast. At twelve, she'd mastered Kaiten and the advanced Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, surpassing Hiashi Hyuga.
Thus, elders pressed and scolded Hiashi to brand Hanabi with the Caged Bird Seal, securing Hinata's heir status.
Initially, they dismissed Izayoi's pursuit, planning to split them when they reached a risky age.
The main branch's Byakugan couldn't leak.
Hinata's pure Byakugan couldn't be diluted by an outsider's blood.
Even Izayoi marrying in was unthinkable.
But his Chunin Exam brilliance—stunning ninjutsu talent—shifted their stance slightly.
Marrying in… might work.
If Hinata liked him, fine.
Her strength owed partly to him.
And now…
Hiashi, future father-in-law, was still dazed when a servant summoned him to a clan meeting.
Entering, he heard an elder's relieved voice.
"Clan Head, you raised a fine daughter."
"Indeed, Hiashi's foresight shines. Good thing we didn't rush to seal Hanabi."
"Your eye for talent is sharp. You must've seen Izayoi's unique chakra with Byakugan, guessing his bloodline. I'm humbled."
"Lucky I didn't act rashly to warn Izayoi off, or I'd be the clan's sinner."
"…"
Facing the chattering, awestruck elders, Hiashi was baffled.
What the heck?
I'm just a doting dad who's bad at words.
If Hinata liked him, fine. Even if you banned Izayoi from marrying in, I'd use my authority to unite them.
Best if you opposed fiercely—I'd name Hanabi heir, expel Hinata, freeing both daughters from the Caged Bird.
By then, Izayoi would be Konoha's ace, untouchable.
As for him being a Senju with Wood Release? I had no clue!
Hiashi's mouth twitched.
But inside, he was ecstatic.
Jackpot son-in-law!
Good thing he didn't split them after noticing Hinata's growth, learning Izayoi secretly trained her.
He'd thought Izayoi—mastering Shadow Clone and basic Wind Release at six, self-teaching tree-climbing and water-walking, entering with graduate-level skill—was a civilian prodigy.
In the Chunin Exams, he outshone Kakashi, rivaling Minato.
From then, he and Hinata faced little resistance.
Even when he took Hanabi away without permission, Hiashi brushed it off.
Who'd guess this civilian prodigy would awaken Wood Release, becoming a true Senju noble?
His strength, talent, kekkei genkai, and status meant what?
No one knew better than Hiashi and the elders.
Sixth Hokage!
Barring an early death, Izayoi was the top pick once grown.
No—only he could be Sixth.
Anyone else, clans and Jonin would object.
Konoha was Senju-built.
Clans followed the Senju.
They bowed to Hashirama's chaos-taming Wood Release.
Locked in!
Hiashi's lips curved.
Neither daughter would bear the Caged Bird.
No one—not even the Hyuga—would demand a future Hokage marry in.
To ally with a Hokage or hope for Wood Release descendants, Hinata would marry out.
Compared to Wood Release, a leaked Byakugan was nothing.
Thus, Hanabi would inherit the clan.
When Izayoi became Hokage, Hiashi could push reforms—or leave it to Hanabi.
His mood soared, a life's winner.
An elder proposed, "Hinata-sama and Lord Izayoi are a perfect match. Clan Head, you should announce their bond soon."
"Agreed. Hinata-sama's devoted, and Izayoi's escorts show mutual love. We should let them formalize it," another echoed.
"I hear Izayoi's home was damaged in the Chunin Exams, and he stays with the Uchiha. Why not invite him to live with us?"
"Absolutely…"
Watching the elders chatter, eager to marry off his daughter with endless ideas, Hiashi's mouth twitched again.
If he weren't young and low-ranked, he'd speak.
Elders, have some dignity!
But his youth kept him from grasping their Wood Release obsession.
"Clan Head, what do you think?"
The elders, done, turned to Hiashi, silent since arriving.
He pondered, then said slowly, "Young love should be their choice. But you're right—if Hinata's found her match and they're in sync, we shouldn't block them."
"Then, for Hinata's birthday, have her invite Izayoi to the party."
The elders' eyes lit up.
"Great idea!"
"Perfect. Host a grand birthday for Hinata-sama, invite Lord Izayoi alone—he'll feel our goodwill."
"Let the clan meet our future son-in-law. Two birds, one stone."
"Clan Head's mind is sharp as ever."
"It's settled—Hinata-sama's birthday will be lavish."
Watching the chattering elders, Hiashi sank into speechlessness.
These revered elders had lost all gravitas in his eyes.
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