Naruto: Talent Entry Perks

"Cheers!"

"Izayoi, happy birthday!"

At dusk on June 16th, Konoha Year 61.

A cheer echoed across the courtyard of the Izayoi residence.

The new generation of Konoha's little strong ones had gathered together to celebrate Izayoi's birthday.

Smoke and aroma wafted up from the grill in the open courtyard.

Not far away, several long tables were filled with fruits and snacks.

At the center, the largest table held a thirteen-layer cake, with all thirteen candles already blown out.

Next to the cake were dishes, drinks, and fine wines.

Hinata and Karin's shadow clones were busy tending the barbecue.

The little strong ones sat at the table, devouring delicacies they normally couldn't afford—meals they'd have to complete who-knows-how-many missions to earn.

"How much does a place like this cost?"

Jiraiya, who had come with Uzumaki Naruto to eat and drink, was having a drink with Tsunade at another table. Looking at the luxurious traditional buildings and ornate villas, he leaned over and whispered to Tsunade, "Did Izayoi violate any shinobi rules?"

"What nonsense. Do you have any proof?"

Tsunade, already flushed from drinking, slapped the table lightly and muttered protectively, "Izayoi's capable. Maybe he won money gambling or sells things on the black market."

Jiraiya glanced at the main table. Izayoi was feeding Hanabi, who sat on his lap. On his right, Hinata watched him closely. His face bore red eye shadow and golden pupils.

Jiraiya sighed. "He treats Sage Mode like it's nothing… and he controls that power perfectly. Impressive."

Then he asked curiously, "Is Izayoi's Sage Mode from the Shikkotsu Forest?"

"No, he didn't sign a contract with Shikkotsu Forest," Tsunade replied, shaking her head.

"These eyes and markings—this isn't Mount Myoboku's or Ryuchi Cave's. Could he have created his own Sage Mode?" Jiraiya recalled the harsh training he'd undergone, how he needed the Two Great Sage Toads to help him enter Sage Mode. He let out a bitter laugh. "The world of geniuses is really unfair."

The little strong ones thought the makeup was something Hinata and Hanabi had applied for Izayoi's birthday.

Besides Jiraiya and Tsunade, only Uchiha Sasuke and Hinata knew the truth behind that makeup.

Sitting to Izayoi's left, Uchiha Sasuke also asked, "Is that the Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode?"

"Only average people need to be taught. Geniuses figure it out on their own," Izayoi replied with a smile.

A vein popped on Sasuke's forehead. He gritted his teeth. "You're still so irritating."

"Really? I'm just telling the truth. Can't you, a genius, enter Sage Mode in seconds? No way?"

"Hmph!"

Uchiha Sasuke stopped talking and focused on eating.

After the birthday feast, the group explored the hot springs and entertainment facilities in Izayoi's home before leaving satisfied late at night.

Jiraiya and Tsunade, drunk, were carried off by Naruto and Shizune.

After cleaning up, Izayoi looked up at the starry night and said to Hinata and Hanabi, "It's late. You two should stay here tonight."

"Mhm."

The Hyuga sisters nodded.

After receiving approval from Hiashi beforehand, it wasn't their first time staying the night at Izayoi's.

It was also his birthday today, and they had no intention of returning.

After bathing, it was time to open presents.

The little strong ones didn't just come for the food—the thirteen-layer cake was something they all pooled their money to buy.

They also brought all kinds of small gifts for Izayoi.

Akimichi Choji gave a box of multi-effect pills.

Nara Shikamaru brought medicinal herbs from his home.

Yamanaka Ino brought various flower seeds.

Inuzuka Kiba didn't know if they liked dogs, so instead of bringing a puppy, he gave an adoption certificate—Izayoi could pick a dog from the Inuzuka clan or even sign a contract with a ninja dog.

Aburame Shino gave… a pair of sunglasses.

Uzumaki Naruto gave… a frog wallet.

Haruno Sakura and Minako gave a photo album and a roll of film.

Uchiha Sasuke gave a ninjutsu scroll—his own developed Storm Release: White Dragon technique.

Jiraiya and Tsunade didn't bring gifts.

Shizune brought a cultural relic, but no one really knew what it was.

But Izayoi, aware of Shizune's tastes, knew it had to be one of her treasures.

Each gift reflected the giver's personality. You could also see the gap between the rich and poor.

Only Sakura and Minako chose their gifts based on Izayoi's personal interests.

Izayoi was a little amused, then carefully stored the gifts in a cabinet.

He then turned to the girls with a playful grin. "What about your gifts?"

"Hehe, I've got one for you, Onii-chan!" Hanabi said, pulling out a small storage scroll from her kimono.

Hinata and Karin did the same.

Izayoi's eyes lit up.

Bang bang bang!—white mist puffed out as three gift boxes appeared, some big, some small.

"Izayoi-kun, happy birthday."

"Onii-chan, happy birthday."

The three girls handed the gifts to him.

"Thank you."

Izayoi opened the boxes one by one.

Karin's gift was a new camera—better looking and lighter than the old one. Though he hadn't tested it yet, it was definitely higher quality.

"Karin's so thoughtful." Izayoi smiled as he handled the camera.

"Hehe… As long as you like it," Karin replied, scratching her head.

Hanabi's gift was a piece of clothing.

When Izayoi opened it, he was stunned. "This is… a divine robe?"

"Hehe, you wear white robes every day. Time to change it up." Hanabi looked at him in Sage Mode and smiled. "I think this robe fits your power better."

"Really?"

Izayoi put on the robe with a flame pattern, turned around dramatically, and asked, "Does it suit me?"

"Yeah! Onii-chan is so handsome!" Hanabi's lavender eyes sparkled like a fangirl.

"Izayoi-kun looks handsome no matter what." Karin agreed, and Hinata nodded as well.

"Thank you, Hanabi. I really like it." Izayoi patted her head and opened the last box—from Hinata.

It was the smallest one, square-shaped.

If a man gave this to a woman, it would probably be jewelry.

But Izayoi didn't think Hinata would do that—at least not in front of the others.

But when he opened it, he realized he'd underestimated her boldness.

Inside was… a pocket watch.

"Wow…"

Hanabi and Karin gasped in unison and looked at Hinata with teasing smiles.

"No wonder you didn't want me bothering you while you worked," Hanabi joked.

Karin clasped her hands together dreamily. "How romantic!"

Giving a pocket watch had a special meaning—a gift close to the heart.

Hinata's gift was her quiet declaration.

Izayoi looked at her in surprise, then took the pocket watch and examined it.

It was silver-white, even the chain. No fancy designs.

Inside the lid was a photo—two kids in snowman costumes smiling.

They were Izayoi and Hinata.

The second hand area had a corona-shaped center, resembling the Samsara Eye.

This simple-looking pocket watch had many hidden meanings. It had clearly taken Hinata a lot of time.

"Thank you, Hinata."

Izayoi placed the watch over his heart and said sincerely, "I'll treasure it and protect it."

"As long as you like it."

Even in her red-faced state, Hinata didn't look away. She smiled gently and shyly.

Seeing the mood, Karin silently pulled Hanabi away.

Once the lights left, Izayoi didn't waste the moment. He gently pulled Hinata into his arms and lowered his head.

Hinata's wide eyes gradually softened as she closed them, holding the corner of her kimono with both fingers.

Just like when Ranmaru used his Red Eye in the dark, pink mist appeared, tracing a big heart in the air...

...

Ding! Your body has mutated. You've gained the talent entry [Sage Body (White)], which cannot be decomposed.

On the last night of June, Izayoi sat in his private hot spring.

The misty water was slightly green.

If Jiraiya or Sasuke saw it, they'd be speechless.

The natural energy here was amazing.

If Sasuke could soak in it, his Yang Release and Wood Release chakra would improve drastically.

Unfortunately, this was a privilege only Izayoi had.

As he soaked, his golden eyes in Sage Mode suddenly opened.

"My guess was right. Good thing I didn't give up halfway," Izayoi said, smiling slightly as he looked at the water. "If it weren't for the Grayl Stone, it would've taken forever to gain just a trace of Sage Body characteristics."

"Now it's time to cheat."

Izayoi opened his personal panel.

[Host: Izayoi]

[Talent Entries]:

Bloodline Limit: Samsara Eye (Red)

Otsutsuki Bloodline (Red)

Sage Eye (Red)

Byakugan Prince (Red)

Six Paths Aptitude (Red)

Chakra Control (Gold) "+"

Bloodline Limit: Wood Release (Purple) "+"

Uzumaki Bloodline (Purple) "+"

All-Attribute Constitution (Purple) "+"

Bloodline Limit: Corpse Vein (Purple) "+"

Master of Seals (Purple) "+"

Master of Ninjutsu (Purple) "+"

Sage Body (White) "+"

[Points: 411,087]

Compared to Nagato's impressive fourteen entries, Izayoi's were far superior.

Nagato had reached his limit—unless he became the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki, he couldn't improve.

But Izayoi was just getting started.

Now it was time to cheat again.

He tapped the "+" on Sage Body.

White → Green (–9 points)

Green → Blue (–99 points)

Blue → Purple (–999 points)

Purple → Gold (–9,999 points)

Gold → Red (–99,999 points)

The Sage Body entry jumped to fourth place behind Sage Eye (Red).

Points dropped to: [Points: 299,982]

This was true cheating.

Otsutsuki Hagoromo needed the Ten-Tails to reach this point. Izayoi just soaked in water.

One more step, and he could ascend dimensions.

Now he had six red entries.

But that wasn't the end.

Suddenly—

Ding! Your talent entry [Bloodline Limit: Wood Release] has been sublimated.

Wood Release changed from purple to gold.

Izayoi felt like he had broken some limit… though he couldn't quite explain it.

Before he could study further, a soft voice spoke:

"Tsu… Izayoi-kun, let me give you a massage…"

Turning around, Izayoi almost had a nosebleed.

In the mist, Hinata appeared—hair up, wrapped only in a bath towel.

"Hina… Hinata, you're getting bolder… I like it!"

Izayoi held his nose with one hand and gave a thumbs up with the other, speaking through the blood.