Perhaps it was due to the evolution of his own eyes—the Reincarnation Eye—but Izanami's power, awakened during its first fetal movement, was not only different from Ōtsutsuki Toneri's… it was remarkably stable.
Even if his body suffered heavy damage, the power of the Reincarnation Eye would persist.Only when his Chakra and dōjutsu reserves were fully depleted would it regress to the Byakugan.
After evolving, the Reincarnation Eye began to continuously absorb Chakra secreted by his brain, like it was slowly charging.Once that energy reached capacity, the second fetal movement would occur.
Just as it had taken two full years for his Byakugan to evolve into the Reincarnation Eye, Izanami had a strong sense that this next evolution wouldn't come quickly either.But he wasn't disappointed.
To awaken the Reincarnation Eye at twelve years old—still the tail end of childhood—was already proof of a cheat-level existence.
Fifteen marked the beginning of adolescence, the true awakening of one's potential.At that age, girls would begin to fall behind boys in strength.Even if Izanami did nothing in the meantime, once he reached adolescence, his potential would naturally explode, much like Toneri's did on the Moon.
By nineteen, with a pure Byakugan transplant, even someone with minimal combat experience could master dimensional powers.
If Toneri, who had only a single red-tier talent, could achieve that—then Izanami, with multiple red entries, would far surpass him.
Awakening the Reincarnation Eye at twelve was the ultimate proof of his destined supremacy.
"…Izanami, is this your original body now?"
After safely overcoming the first fetal movement, Izanami returned to his squad.
The moment he arrived, Shino Aburame sensed it. His insects, typically calm and collected, were… frightened.Shino stared at Izanami in shock behind his sunglasses.
In just half a month… had his power grown this much?
"What Ninjutsu were you developing?" he asked cautiously.
"Yes, my technique is complete," Izanami replied with a gentle smile.
Kurenai Yuhi, unaware of Shino's inner alarm, spoke up with curiosity. "What kind of Ninjutsu?"
Izanami raised his index finger to his lips and whispered playfully, "Secrets make a man more charming."Then added with a wink, "You'll see it eventually, Sensei. I guarantee it'll leave you speechless."
A vein popped on Kurenai's forehead. "Has no one ever told you you're begging for a beating?"
Izanami turned to Hinata. "Am I asking for a beating?"
"No," Hinata replied honestly, her voice soft.
"You two—are you sure you're not a couple?" Kurenai groaned, sounding more like a classmate than a teacher.
Izanami simply smiled. Hinata blushed furiously.
After the brief interlude, Team 8 resumed their D-rank missions.
Sometimes one a day, sometimes two or three. Occasionally, they had a break before diving into another.Whether it was cleaning trash, helping with children, or harvesting crops, they completed each mission with precision, earning consistent praise from the villagers.
During this time, Kurenai tried to pass down her Genjutsu techniques to her team.
But both Hinata and Shino respectfully declined, preferring to focus on their clans' secret arts.
So did Izanami.
Had he not already awakened his Reincarnation Eye, he might have gladly accepted Kurenai's tutelage.
After all, his panel of talents looked luxurious—a collection of red-tier entries—but before awakening the Reincarnation Eye, those talents had little impact on his actual combat strength.
He had spent the past few years improving sensing and healing techniques, while his offensive abilities were limited to:A few low-level Wind Release jutsu inherited from his fatherSome Uchiha-style Fire Release techniquesAnd the Multiple Shadow Clone TechniqueWith these alone, Izanami could already contend with a standard Jonin.
But once his ultimate technique was complete, he would reach the level of an Elite Jonin, capable of threatening a Kage, just like Hatake Kakashi in his prime.
Now, with the Reincarnation Eye awakened, and abilities like Attraction and Amenotejikara at his command, Izanami was akin to Tendo Pain—lacking only the Chibaku Tensei, the Earth Gravitational Star.
He now possessed the attack, defense, and support capabilities of a Kage-level shinobi.
He no longer needed Kurenai's Genjutsu.As in the original story, she remained their guide and mentor, helping Team 8 become reliable, competent shinobi.
And so, time flowed forward… until May 1st.
That morning, Team 8 gathered as usual.
When Kurenai arrived, she greeted them with a rare smile."Your performance last month was excellent. Not a single negative review on any of your missions."
The team perked up.
"As a reward… today, I'll be taking you to receive a higher-level mission."
Hinata's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Though his sunglasses masked it, even Shino's demeanor shifted subtly—his mouth twitching into a smile beneath his collar.
Izanami, playing along, asked knowingly, "A C-rank mission?"
"Exactly," Kurenai confirmed.
Kurenai Yuhi nodded and began to explain, "Normally, Genin are only assigned D-rank missions—basic errands and chores. Only experienced Genin, or teams led by a guiding Jonin, are permitted to undertake C-rank missions."
She paused, her tone becoming more serious."Unlike D-rank tasks, C-rank missions often involve leaving the village and can expose you to unknown enemies and real danger. There's a risk to your lives."
"Strictly speaking, you've only been Genin for a little over a month, and under normal circumstances, wouldn't qualify. But given your outstanding performance so far, I've decided to make an exception."
She smiled lightly. "Let's go. We're heading to the Hokage Building."
With that, Kurenai led the eager Team 8 toward the Hokage's office.
Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, pipe in hand, smoke curling through the air. His gaze fell on Izanami and Hinata, now tall and composed, their posture exuding quiet confidence. He couldn't help but be momentarily lost in thought.
Were these really the same children who once had round cheeks and clumsy steps?How time flies.
He remembered the scene where Izanami, still a student, had thoroughly outclassed Uchiha Sasuke—even after the latter had activated his Sharingan.
Nodding to himself, the Third Hokage said, "I see. Although Team 8 was only formed a short while ago, every mission has been completed admirably and praised by clients. Since your guiding Jonin believes you're ready, I'll approve a C-rank mission."
Reaching beneath the desk, Hiruzen retrieved a large scroll. He unrolled it with practiced ease, fingers gliding across the surface until they paused at a specific entry.
"This one should suit you well. Your team has strong sensory capabilities."
He exhaled a puff of smoke and continued, "A mining team has recently visited Konoha for business. They're concerned about being ambushed by bandits or rogue shinobi on their return to the Land of Rivers, and have requested an escort."
"This will be your assignment. Any objections?" He looked up at Kurenai.
"None, Hokage-sama," Kurenai replied respectfully.
Izanami, Hinata, and Shino remained silent, composed and attentive.
Hiruzen wrapped his fingers in a faint glow of Chakra and pressed them against the scroll. With a soft poof, a smaller mission scroll appeared in his hand.
He handed it to Kurenai. "The client's details are inside. Go and coordinate with them directly."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Kurenai said with another bow, then turned and led Team 8 out of the office.
Throughout the meeting, Hiruzen hadn't spoken a single word directly to the Genin.And unlike Uzumaki Naruto, none of them acted out or spoke out of turn.
Outside the Hokage Building, Kurenai unrolled the mission scroll for a quick glance, then guided the team to the front of a hotel.
"Wait here. I'll speak with the client."
She approached a carriage parked outside the hotel, where a man stood watch. After exchanging a few words, he led her inside.
A keen eye would have noticed the banner hanging on the side of the carriage—bearing the character for "Iron".
The destination was the Land of Rivers, so it was clear that this "Iron" had no connection to the Land of Iron. More likely, it referred to iron ore.
A mining team.Destination: Land of Rivers.
The three Genin began piecing things together in silence.
The Land of Rivers...A land of rugged terrain and deep forests, where settlements cling to mountainsides.Villages aren't even called villages—they're called "mountain hamlets."
This wasn't just a step up in mission rank. It was their first true brush with danger.
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