Naruto: Reborn with the Template System

Chapter 157: Chapter 154: A Power Up



Author Note:

Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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"This... this is the ancestor Guts mentioned? Ōtsutsuki Hamura?"

"I can't believe it. I've read his name in the Hyūga clan's ancient scrolls. He's supposed to be over a thousand years old..."

Standing face to face with the legendary figure, both Hinata and Hanabi looked visibly stunned. Their Byakugan activated unconsciously, trying to confirm the impossible.

Ōtsutsuki Hamura's ancient, weathered eyes lingered on the sisters. After a moment, he nodded slowly. "Indeed. You two carry my blood... and your potential is promising."

Guts took a step forward. "Can you awaken them? Give them the same eyes you once had?"

Hamura shook his head lightly. "If it were that simple, I would've done so long ago. All I can do is unlock the dormant strength buried within them. The rest depends on their own will."

'Tch. You're definitely not as generous as your older brother,' Guts thought. Still, he kept his mouth shut. He wasn't here to insult an ancient ghost.

While they wouldn't receive a divine-level boost like Naruto or Sasuke, even this much would far surpass the anime's canon timeline.

"What are your names?" Hamura's gaze turned to the sisters.

"M-My name is Hyūga Hinata!"

"I'm Hyūga Hanabi, her younger sister."

Despite their strength, facing their ancestor left them flustered and nervous.

But Hamura merely nodded in approval, then floated into a cross-legged position mid-air. He raised both palms. "Hinata. Hanabi. Come."

The girls glanced at each other, then at Guts, who gave them a small nod.

They stepped forward and placed their hands against Hamura's.

Guts, using his Observation Haki and his innate ability to "hear the voice of all things," immediately felt the shift.

A deep, ancient chakra... impossible to describe in words flowed like a key turning within the girls. He watched as their dormant bloodline surged to life, the locked-away power beginning to stir.

But with every moment, Hamura's soul dimmed.

'He's burning all of it... just to unlock their potential.'

In mere moments, Hamura's form began to fade.

"Wait! Grandpa—!" Hanabi reached out instinctively.

Hamura raised a hand to quiet her. "I am fine... This was always meant to be."

He turned his fading gaze to Guts, his voice hoarse now. "For the sake of the world my brother created... do not let that darkness return."

Even without reading his thoughts, Hamura—who had lived and observed for millennia—could see the resolve in Guts's eyes.

"I won't let them succeed," Guts said, his tone firm and unwavering. "Even for my own sake."

Hamura gave a faint smile. He believed him.

And just like that, after a thousand years of silent vigil, the final remnant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura passed on.

"…He's really gone," Hanabi whispered, voice soft.

"I wanted to thank him…" she muttered, biting her lip. "Should we… build a grave or something?"

"There's no body left. Just get the job done like he asked," Guts said flatly, waving them toward the space portal.

Hanabi pouted. "You're really heartless sometimes."

"Stop complaining and move," Hinata scolded gently. She paused, bowed deeply at the place Hamura had vanished, then took her sister's hand.

Hanabi smirked. "Onee-san, you're awfully obedient with him. Don't tell me you have a crush on our sensei?"

"Wha—?! Don't talk nonsense!" Hinata's face exploded with color, grabbing Hanabi and pulling her ahead in a flustered panic.

Weeks Later — Back in Konoha

Their return was calm, unhurried. They'd trained, talked, and even just existed in peace—a rare thing in their chaotic world.

Guts noticed it first. The changes in their chakra were subtle, but real. Enhanced physical strength. Refined control. A cleaner, sharper flow.

No one else noticed it... not yet.

After all, Hamura hadn't granted them flashy powers like the Sage of Six Paths had to Naruto and Sasuke. This was foundational enhancement... hidden but deadly.

Then came the training.

And the results were… monstrous.

Hinata and Hanabi's growth was nothing short of explosive.

Take Hanabi, for example—just a few months ago, she barely mastered the 32 Palms. Now? She was pushing past 64, inching toward 128.

Hyūga Hiashi didn't know whether to be proud or terrified.

Every time he asked about their growth, they just smiled and vaguely credited "Guts-sensei's training."

Neither of them revealed the truth. If the story got out that Ōtsutsuki Hamura himself had awakened their potential... it would shake the clan to its core.

But the results spoke for themselves. Their progress was faster than even Uchiha prodigies like Shisui or Itachi at the same age.

Guts simply sighed to himself. Yeah... this world really is ruled by bloodlines.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office

Namikaze Minato flipped through papers, sighing heavily.

He had planned to teach Naruto some advanced ninjutsu personally, but with the Chūnin Exams around the corner and the incoming genin from both the Sand and Mist Villages, there was barely time to breathe.

After the Third Shinobi War, the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure had created a rotating Chūnin exam schedule.

This year, it was Konoha's turn to host. And ever since Terumi Mei had become Mizukage, Kirigakure had joined the alliance too.

Now, both Sand and Mist were sending genin teams. Even the minor villages—Rain, Grass, and others—were participating.

Konoha would be the stage for one of the biggest Chūnin Exams in decades.

Minato rubbed his temples. I need another clone… or ten.

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