Naruto: Talent Entry Perks

After becoming a Chunin, Izayoi could finally come and go from Konoha openly.

After a simple dinner with Hanabi and Team 8 to celebrate both his and Hinata's promotion, Izayoi took Hinata the next morning to pick up Karin.

Along the way, it was like a trip with Izayoi and his little sister — the two took pictures, enjoyed the scenery, and leisurely made their way to Sakura Street.

It was Hinata's first time traveling alone with Izayoi outside the village, and she was as happy as a little child, being very proactive.

Not only did she grab the camera and never put it down, but she also flipped her usual passive role and actively asked Izayoi to pose or use transformation jutsu so she could take solo shots and group photos.

There were photos of Izayoi at the waterfall, floating with hands behind his back, holding a Ranton (Storm Release) light ball in one hand, exuding an imposing, lord-of-the-world aura.

There were pictures of Izayoi transformed into his childhood self, awkward and forcing a smile while being held by Hinata's clone, who took the photo.

There was the jealous princess herself, also transformed into her younger self, fulfilling the dream of being carried on someone's shoulders — sitting astride Izayoi's shoulders, their fingers intertwined, with bright smiles all around.

When alone together, Hinata's immunity seemed to skyrocket. She would proactively link arms with Izayoi, leaning happily on his shoulder — only to be suddenly kissed on the cheek by him, causing her surprised exclamation.

There was also Izayoi's playful "throwing a tantrum" request, which made Hinata blush but agree, wearing a school swimsuit to swim in the spring pool under the waterfall, with breathtaking scenes when coming ashore.

It had been months since they bought the camera. Naturally talented, Izayoi and Hinata had both become excellent photographers.

Whether it was lighting, angles, or overall composition, their photos were nearly perfect.

Every photo they developed was cover-worthy.

All these photos were privately stored in their respective albums.

Their last mission had left no time for play.

To make up for that, Izayoi took Hinata on a week-long trip through all the villages, towns, and bustling cities along the route, sampling local delicacies.

If they found something Hinata really liked, Izayoi would sneak back afterward with a shadow clone, using money or other means to get the recipe from the shopkeeper, planning little surprises for Hinata from time to time.

After all, love is reciprocal — only effort can warm the heart.

After a week, they finally arrived at Sakura Street.

Of course, staying together at inns, massages, hair washing, and acupuncture sessions were part of the perks.

Although it wasn't the first time Hinata had washed Izayoi's back and hair, back then Izayoi's Sharingan was still in its awakening phase and he couldn't see; her concern exceeded her shyness.

Now that Izayoi could see, the experience of washing his back and hair was overwhelming for Hinata.

Even wrapped in a bathrobe, her face flushed bright red, breathing became difficult, and she nearly fainted.

But she didn't, which meant her immunity had grown stronger.

…

"Izayoi-kun, Lady Hinata, you're here!"

As soon as Izayoi and Hinata arrived at the villa on Sakura Street, Karin seemed to have expected them and greeted them at the door.

"Karin, long time no see." Hinata raised her hand to greet her with a gentle smile. "You can just call me Hinata."

"In that case, I won't be formal. Hinata, long time no see." Karin nodded and smiled warmly.

Izayoi looked Karin over with satisfaction, nodding. "Not bad. Your vitality has improved — now you really look like a member of the Uzumaki clan."

"Hehe… All thanks to you, Izayoi-kun. Eating so well every day, I feel like I'm about to get fat." Karin playfully pinched her slim waist.

"Have you been keeping up with training? Learned that jutsu yet?" Izayoi asked.

"Yes, yes… I've mastered the Rasengan."

Karin nodded repeatedly and then formed a blue-white chakra sphere in her hand.

"Good. That means your chakra control and shape transformation have reached a pretty solid level." Izayoi smiled and stated the purpose of their visit. "Pack your things and come back to Konoha with us. We'll start the next phase of your training."

Karin's eyes lit up immediately, and she saluted instinctively. "Yes!"

Although her life now felt like paradise — eating and drinking without worry, and advanced ninjutsu training every day — Karin wanted nothing more than to follow Izayoi.

Just being near Izayoi made even breathing feel sweet.

Even if she was only helping a shadow clone, those days had been fulfilling.

Now she could officially join Konoha and see Izayoi anytime, even receive guidance from his main body — the thought made her tremble and smile foolishly.

Seeing Karin lost in such a beautiful daydream, Hinata tilted her head with a hint of pity.

Is she really this happy just by joining Konoha?

It seemed Karin's previous life must have been like hell.

At the same time, Hinata silently resolved to treat Izayoi's clan members better from now on.

Entering the villa, Izayoi had Karin show Hinata around and help her unpack, while he returned to the basement.

Downstairs, dozens of puppets stood waiting.

None were made from pure materials — all were made from corpses, retaining their abilities from life, bodies modified to produce weapons at will, and even shoot light bullets.

The puppets' materials were dead ninja from the Root organization and the Konoha collapse plan battles.

Leading them was Danzo Shimura, whose arm had been reattached, and whose right eye Sharingan had evolved into a Mangekyo Sharingan.

Although Danzo's forbidden technique, Izanami, was unusable now, his Mangekyo Sharingan's power remained, supported by a single arm infused with Hashirama cells, drastically reducing chakra consumption and almost eliminating blindness risk compared to Uchiha Itachi.

Combined with his abilities, Danzo remained an Anbu-level powerhouse.

He had become Izayoi's strongest puppet.

Once Izayoi mastered Yin-Yang Release, Danzo could use Izanami again, and his power would become even greater.

Danzo was unquestionably the commander of this puppet army.

The dark shadows of the ninja world, even in death, continued to work in secret to benefit the ninja world — truly moving.

After sealing all these puppets into a large sealing scroll, Izayoi went to two safes.

He put the safe containing the Kado family assets into another sealing scroll, then opened the other safe, which held numerous scrolls of varying sizes.

One oversized scroll was the lost sealing scroll of Konoha.

From it, Izayoi took out a red scroll sealed with the Uzumaki clan's symbol, then took out a yellow scroll from his own belongings.

Sitting at his desk, he unrolled both scrolls.

The red scroll was covered in sealing techniques.

The yellow scroll was blank.

Using hurried, almost illegible handwriting, Izayoi painstakingly copied all the sealing techniques from the red scroll onto the yellow one.

Currently, Izayoi was a hybrid of the Senju and Uzumaki clans.

His physical strength was actually a chakra burst that could be explained as a natural talent.

But the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques could not be explained by inheritance alone.

After all, Konoha had only been founded sixty years ago, and Izayoi's family history was well documented.

If his family truly had the sealing technique scrolls, his parents wouldn't be in their current positions.

His Uzumaki bloodline could only be explained as a latent awakening across generations.

Therefore, if he wanted Hinata and Uchiha Sasuke to openly learn Yin Seal and Uzumaki sealing arts, Izayoi needed Karin as a shield.

Once Karin joined Konoha with that scroll, it would be basically guaranteed.

After copying all the sealing techniques, Izayoi sealed the second safe and carried the two large scrolls out of the basement.

He found Hinata and Karin, then solemnly handed the yellow scroll to Karin, warning, "Karin, this is the Uzumaki clan's sealing technique scroll. When you practice the sealing techniques from this scroll, if anyone asks about its history, you must say it was left by your mother. She hid it in a very secret place, and you only brought me to find it after leaving the Grass Hidden Village."

"Yes!" Karin nodded seriously.

Having worked for shadow clones in the Land of Waves and witnessed the legendary bloodline limits, Karin knew Izayoi kept many secrets.

But she didn't care.

Even if Izayoi was a villain, she was willing to be one too.

Hinata felt the same.

During the third official exam, Hinata had discovered that Izayoi's participation in the Konoha collapse plan was hidden behind a shadow clone.

His "Mystic Fist" and Yin Seal were the best explanations.

After packing up, the three of them started their return journey.

By the time they arrived back in Konoha, it was September 10th.

After helping Karin register for the village, Izayoi sent out a shadow clone to guard the scroll, then personally took Karin to see Tsunade.

"You must be Karin?"

"Y-yes, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade appraised Karin, who looked a bit reserved and didn't dare to meet her gaze directly.

Tsunade's eyes softened from scrutiny to warmth as she smiled:

"Those years must have been hard on you. Welcome to Konoha."

"Tha… thank you, Hokage-sama," Karin said, bowing repeatedly with a pleasantly surprised expression. She hadn't expected joining Konoha to be so easy.

"Do you need me to arrange a place for you to live? Or would you like to stay by my side as my secretary and disciple?" Tsunade offered eagerly, cherishing talent.

Tsunade herself carries both Senju and Uzumaki bloodlines, making her one of the people in this world who understands the Uzumaki clan best.

The Uzumaki clan are all sealing and medical geniuses, and those who awaken unique abilities are prodigies among prodigies.

If someone awakens the "Kongō Fūsoku" (Adamantine Sealing Chains), they become the best candidates for jinchūriki (tailed beast hosts).

Every Uzumaki jinchūriki who awakens Kongō Fūsoku inevitably becomes a perfect jinchūriki.

Uzumaki Mito was like this; Uzumaki Kushina was the same.

Even if Karin hadn't awakened Kongō Fūsoku, her talent made her the perfect heir to Tsunade's legacy.

With a few years of training under her, Konoha would soon gain another ace—one who's versatile in combat, sealing, sensory abilities, and medical ninjutsu.

"Eh!! This this…"

Karin was flustered by Tsunade's high regard and instinctively looked at Izayoi beside her, her eyes full of a silent plea for help.

Izayoi smiled and said, "Hokage-sama, Karin is my family and my subordinate."

"Does that matter?" Tsunade folded her arms and snorted. "We share the same bloodline; you're my family too. And I'm the Hokage—you're my subordinate, so naturally your subordinate is mine. What's wrong with putting her to use?"

Then she scoffed, "Besides, at your age, can you really train someone? Don't you need to go on missions? Let Karin stay by my side—that's how her talent will fully bloom and unlock the Uzumaki clan's potential."

Izayoi furrowed his brow slightly, feeling Tsunade's words made sense.

Before he could respond, Tsunade looked at Karin and said, "I know you want to repay this guy, but that's all the more reason to stay with me. I will train you to become an outstanding ninja so you'll have the strength and status to help him."

Upon hearing this, Karin's eyes lit up.

Her gaze towards Izayoi changed from pleading to hopeful.

Clearly, the girl's heart was moved.

But Izayoi did not nod; he dared not make the decision alone.

Compared to becoming the Hokage's disciple, Karin cared more about Izayoi's opinion.

In the original story, Karin, who could compete with Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Obito for the ultimate "clingy" title, had a deeply humble personality that even Izayoi couldn't change.

Her upbringing and environment twisted her psyche into an extreme people-pleaser.

If not for Izayoi's intervention, Hinata would be no better off.

After a short while, Izayoi made his decision and nodded.

Seeing Izayoi's consent, Karin immediately told Tsunade, "Hokage-sama, I'm willing to become your disciple."

"Then don't call me Hokage-sama," Tsunade feigned displeasure.

"Te… teacher," Karin quickly corrected herself, scratching her head with a silly smile reminiscent of Naruto Uzumaki.

At that moment, Tsunade's expression softened as if she saw a reflection of Uzumaki Kushina, and her fondness for Karin grew.

She continued, "From now on, live with me."

"No," Karin refused without hesitation, looking at Izayoi. "I want to live with Izayoi-kun."

"Fine, but starting tomorrow, you must come to me every morning at nine," Tsunade didn't force it.

"All right."

"That's enough. You can leave now. If you need anything, just come to me."

Tsunade waved them off and returned to her work.

"Did Karin become the Hokage's disciple?"

When Izayoi and Karin walked out of the Hokage building, Hinata, waiting outside, first looked surprised, then genuinely smiled.

"Congratulations, Karin."

"Hehe… as long as I can help Izayoi-kun, that's enough," Karin scratched her head, grinning foolishly.

Izayoi smiled but said nothing.

He agreed to Karin becoming Tsunade's disciple precisely because Tsunade was better suited to train her.

Though Izayoi possessed the "Super Strength Fist" and Uzumaki sealing techniques, and many ninjutsu and forbidden techniques, he lacked two things.

One was the "Hyakugō no Jutsu" (Creation Rebirth technique) developed by Tsunade in the original story.

The second was the summoning scroll of the Shikkotsu Forest.

Myōboku Mountain and Ryūchi Cave each have their own exclusive senjutsu (sage techniques). As one of the three great sacred sites, Shikkotsu Forest must have its own sage arts.

As a descendant of a sage's body, Karin is also suitable to train in senjutsu.

Once she masters sealing techniques, super strength fist, medical ninjutsu, yin sealing, Hyakugō no Jutsu, and senjutsu, plus the three major unique abilities, her power will surely reach the peak of the Five Kage, even surpassing Haruno Sakura as the ultimate new "Three Legendary Ninja" for the final battle.

Furthermore, Karin becoming Tsunade's disciple and the Shikkotsu Forest's contractor could convince Tsunade or the slug sage to sign a contract with Hinata as well.

It's truly killing two birds with one stone.

Thinking of this, Izayoi's lips curled into a slight smile.

He quickly changed the subject, "Let's go buy Karin some daily necessities. Tonight, we'll invite Hanabi and hold a welcome party for Karin."

"Yeah, yeah…"

The three started shopping enthusiastically.

At night, Izayoi and the four of them held a party at Uchiha Sasuke's house.

Sasuke was still out on a mission, gone for over half a month.

Having experienced the Land of Rivers, both Izayoi and Hinata were not surprised.

Moreover, the Seventh Squad carries the protagonist aura—of ten missions, at least eight or nine end in trouble. Sasuke was probably battling fiercely somewhere right now.

After the party, Izayoi personally escorted the Hyuga sisters back to the outskirts of their clan's territory.

Thus, Karin officially joined Konoha, becoming Tsunade's second disciple ahead of Haruno Sakura, ready to… change fate drastically!

...

"I thought you guys forgot about me…"

Several days later, after a rest of over a month, Izayoi and Hinata finally began their first mission as Chunin.

Shino Aburame, already at their usual meeting spot, looked at Izayoi and Hinata, who were wearing green vests for the first time as mission leaders, and said flatly.

Perhaps it was just a feeling, but both Izayoi and Hinata sensed a trace of grievance and resentment in Shino's tone.

Hinata instinctively glanced sideways.

Izayoi laughed awkwardly, "The Hokage asked me to bring Karin back first, so it took some time. Now that I'm done, I've gathered you."

Shino put his hands in his pockets and said nothing.

But Izayoi and Hinata could clearly see the disdain in Shino's eyes behind his glasses.

"Ahem… let's go get our mission."

Even Izayoi felt a little guilty and quickly cleared his throat to change the subject.

Shino's mouth curled slightly, then he let them go.

But the next second, Shino's smile froze.

He realized something terrifying:

Since the Red Teacher (Kurenai) wasn't here and Izayoi was leading, on this trip...

Wouldn't that mean Aburame and Inuzuka teams would be overwhelmed by love stories and dog food?!