Unlike Naruto, who was turned from a prodigy into a dead last due to the Nine-Tails' chakra interference, Kenjiro, having obtained the Otsutsuki bloodline, now possessed not only immense potential but also an exceptionally strong foundation.
The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan allowed them to see chakra pathways, giving them an unparalleled advantage in chakra control training. Upon awakening his Byakugan, Kenjiro unlocked the "Chakra Control" talent.
Even before enrolling in the academy, Kenjiro had already mastered tree climbing and water walking using chakra. Not to mention the Three Basic Jutsu—he had even grasped the B-rank Shadow Clone Jutsu and basic elemental ninjutsu left behind by his parents.
Much like Uchiha Itachi, he had reached graduation-level strength before even entering the academy.
Naturally, Kenjiro took first place in the entrance exam without suspense.
As a result, he was placed in Class 1-A, alongside the Nine Rookie Genin.
Upon entering the classroom, he saw that many students had already arrived. Scanning the room, his gaze stopped on a young girl who had also noticed him, her expression filled with delight.
With the corner of his lips curling into a slight smile, Kenjiro walked toward her with a clear objective in mind.
The desks were long, each seating three people. The girl sat in the middle, with empty spots on both sides.
"Yo, we meet again," Kenjiro greeted as he sat down beside her, teasing, "As expected of the runaway heiress, the entrance exam must've been a piece of cake for you."
"K-Kenjiro-kun…" The girl, Hinata, avoided his gaze, nervously poking her fingers together, though she was brimming with joy and excitement.
She had been right—the name "Kenjiro" on the class roster was indeed the same Kenjiro who had helped her years ago.
"Looks like we'll be desk mates from now on. Looking forward to learning together, Hyuga—no, Hinata," Kenjiro said, smiling as he called her by name, noticing how her face and ears turned red.
Hinata instinctively glanced at Kenjiro, but the moment their eyes met, she quickly looked away and whispered, "P-please take care of me, Kenjiro-kun."
However, she failed to notice the warmth in Kenjiro's gaze as he looked at her.
To Kenjiro, Hinata was surrounded by five floating bubbles of various colors. The most striking and prominent one was red.
[Princess of the Byakugan (Red)]
[Byakugan (Purple)]
[Elite Jounin Potential (Blue)]
[Otsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]
[Chakra Control (Blue)]
The "Princess of the Byakugan" talent was the main reason Kenjiro had approached Hinata and had waited in the snow on the night of Hyuga Hizashi's funeral, knowing she would run away. His efforts had earned her favor.
When Kenjiro first saw this talent, he decided to intercept Naruto Uzumaki, the so-called Child of Destiny, as well as Otsutsuki Toneri, the one fated to suffer.
Just like the reincarnations of Asura and Indra, who could awaken the Rinnegan by merging their powers, Otsutsuki Toneri and Hinata could awaken the Tenseigan by acquiring each other's chakra.
Moreover, their bloodlines and Byakugan purity had regressed to such an extreme level that their awakening of the Tenseigan was inevitable.
In the original timeline, Hinata only needed Toneri's chakra to overturn her fate.
But that condition was nearly impossible to fulfill.
Thus, as just the "Princess of the Byakugan" with only a blue-tier Otsutsuki bloodline, her potential was capped at elite Jounin at best.
However, fate had already begun to change.
Kenjiro, who had obtained the red-tier Otsutsuki bloodline, might be able to provide Hinata with the chakra she needed to alter her destiny.
And Hinata's red-tier talent would allow Kenjiro to gain the power of the Tenseigan.
They were a perfect match.
After greeting Hinata, Kenjiro didn't continue speaking with her. After all, this was only their second meeting.
Six-year-old Hinata had already begun learning the Gentle Fist. She was probably losing to Neji Hyuga at this point, causing Hiashi Hyuga to grow disappointed, leading to her gradually becoming introverted.
Three years ago, Hinata had been just as shy, but at least she hadn't been afraid to meet Kenjiro's gaze.
Fortunately, Hanabi Hyuga had yet to grow up, and Hiashi had not entirely given up on Hinata in favor of training his younger daughter.
A little encouragement and confidence-boosting would be enough to change Hinata's personality.
But that, too, was a challenge.
As the Hyuga heiress, Hinata rarely left her home except for academy hours.
Even when she did go out, she was accompanied and guarded by Hyuga clan members in green vests.
Finding a way to meet her alone would be nearly impossible.
Kenjiro tapped his chin with one hand while lightly drumming his fingers on the desk with the other.
Meanwhile, Hinata secretly glanced at Kenjiro, her hidden admiration for him surfacing once more.
Yes, she admired Kenjiro.
As someone of the same age, she would get lost if she left home, while he could wander alone in the snowy night. His speech and demeanor were so mature—he was like an adult.
He had also taken first place in the entrance exam.
If only she could be as capable as him, maybe her father wouldn't be disappointed in her anymore.
Besides Neji, Kenjiro was the only peer she had ever met.
Even after three years, she hadn't forgotten this black-haired, blue-eyed boy with chubby cheeks named Kenjiro.
She wanted to talk to him, to make a friend.
But… she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
She was too shy.
Kenjiro, unaware of her thoughts, snapped back to reality.
Because he had spotted his next targets—Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
Around them, just like Hinata, floated several bubbles, including red-tier talents.
Naruto's talents were as follows:
[Sage Body (Red)]
[Super Kage Potential (Gold)]
[Uzumaki Bloodline (Purple)]
[Otsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]
Kenjiro didn't see any mention of Asura's chakra or the Nine-Tails within Naruto's talents. However, the ranking of his Sage Body and Uzumaki bloodline suggested that Naruto's Sage Body was not the same as the Senju or Uzumaki clans' version—it was on the same level as pure Otsutsuki blood.
Such a Sage Body had only been possessed by Otsutsuki Hagoromo and his son, Otsutsuki Asura.
In addition to these four talents, Naruto also had the advantage of hosting half of Kurama, the Nine-Tails.
Compared to him, Sasuke Uchiha's talents were slightly inferior:
[Sage Eyes (Red)]
[Kage-Level Potential (Purple)]
[Uchiha Bloodline (Purple)]
[Otsutsuki Bloodline (Blue)]
An unawakened Sage Eye was meaningless.
Without Itachi's eyes or the activation of Indra's chakra, Sasuke's limit would be a blind Kage-level ninja.
Only by obtaining the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan or awakening Indra's chakra to gain near-limitless ocular power could his potential reach the Super Kage level.
Just like how Uchiha Madara had always been overshadowed by Senju Hashirama, Naruto might seem weak now, but once he started progressing, he would instantly surpass Sasuke, who had trained for years.
This pattern repeated itself both during their academy years and throughout the events of Shippuden.
Such was the difference between talent—and the power of an external cheat.
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