Apparently, the Tenseigan awakened through Izayoi's own eyes was different from Toneri Otsutsuki's version, and its powers were incredibly stable from the start.
Even if his body suffered serious injuries, the Tenseigan's power wouldn't vanish. Only when both his chakra and ocular energy were fully spent would his Tenseigan regress to the Byakugan.
After the Byakugan evolved into the Tenseigan, his eyes continued absorbing chakra secreted by his brain, almost like stored energy. Once that energy topped off again, he'd reach the second "fetal stirring" (the next breakthrough). Just like it took two years of building up power for his Byakugan to become Tenseigan, Izayoi had a hunch that the second awakening would also take a while.
For now, though, he was more than satisfied simply to have awakened the Tenseigan already.
After all, he was only twelve—still just a kid, with his childhood only just ending. Real growth begins around age fifteen. By then, girls can't keep up with boys in power. Even if Izayoi did nothing else, as soon as he hit that prime growth spurt—like Toneri up on the moon—his potential would explode.
By nineteen, even with zero combat experience, so long as he transplanted a pair of super-pure Byakugan, he'd command extradimensional powers. Toneri managed it with only one Red-tier talent, so Izayoi—with several—could do even more. Awakening the Tenseigan at twelve was proof positive of his "cheat mode."
…
"Hey, Izayoi—you're the real you this time?"
After safely riding out his first "stirring," Izayoi finally rejoined the squad. As soon as he returned, Shino Aburame noticed how his insects were reacting and stared at Izayoi in shock. The bugs…were afraid. In just half a month, Izayoi's presence had grown that much stronger? What on earth had he been working on?
"Yup," Izayoi answered with a grin. "The jutsu I was perfecting is basically done, so I'm back."
"What jutsu were you working on?"
Because Shino wore sunglasses and kept his collar high, Kurenai—who was also standing there—hadn't caught Shino's expression. She only knew she was curious what Izayoi had been so busy refining.
"Men are more appealing when they have secrets." Izayoi flashed a playful smile, putting a finger to his lips. "You'll see soon enough, Kurenai-sensei. I guarantee you'll be blown away."
"…You know, Izayoi, has anyone told you how punchable you can be?" A pulsating vein appeared on Kurenai's forehead.
Izayoi turned to Hinata. "Hinata, do I deserve a beating?"
"No, not at all." Hinata shook her head earnestly.
"You two really aren't dating?" Kurenai teased, echoing a question their Academy classmates had asked countless times.
Izayoi just smiled silently. Hinata flushed pink.
That diversion settled, Team 8 went back to completing D-rank missions. Some days they only had one; other days they did two or three.
Sometimes they got a few days off before picking up another. Whether it was cleaning trash, babysitting village kids, tending crops—Team 8 handled it all neatly, winning praise from every client.
Meanwhile, Kurenai had wanted to teach them her genjutsu but was turned down by Hinata and Shino, who preferred focusing on clan techniques. Izayoi also refused. If he hadn't awakened his Tenseigan yet, he might have welcomed it.
Sure, his status panel looked crazy—with multiple Red-tier talents—but until he gained the Tenseigan, all those "red-tier" abilities hadn't actually translated into much combat power.
Aside from the "Super Typhoon Serial Spheres" he was still refining, his only offensive ninjutsu were the simple Wind Release left by his father and a few Fire Release jutsu from the Uchiha scrolls.
With Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu and those ninjutsu, Izayoi didn't fear any Jonin. As soon as he perfected his secret technique, he'd be on par with an elite Jonin capable of threatening Kage-level foes—just like Kakashi once did.
Formerly, he matched a standard Jonin. Now that he had the Tenseigan's gravity and repulsion powers—though not quite to the point of casting Chibaku Tensei—he was basically at Kage-level.
He already had enough offense, defense, and support abilities, so he didn't need Kurenai's genjutsu. Thus Kurenai, much like in the original series, merely guided them on how to be decent ninja rather than forcibly teaching them her jutsu.
Time slipped by until May 1st. That morning, Team 8 gathered as usual at the same spot.
"You've all done well this past month. Not a single complaint from clients," Kurenai said upon arriving, bringing good news. "As a reward, I'll be taking you to pick up a higher-level mission today."
Hinata instantly brightened, and if Shino hadn't been wearing sunglasses, they might have seen his eyes light up a little, too.
"A C-rank mission?" Izayoi asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Mm-hmm." Kurenai nodded. "Genin typically only do D-rank assignments. Only more experienced Genin—or Genin under a Jonin—get to do C-rank. Unlike D-rank busywork, C-rank missions often take you outside the village, maybe facing unknown enemies and real danger. Strictly speaking, you haven't been out of the Academy more than a month, so you shouldn't be eligible. But given your record so far, we'll make an exception."
"Let's go, then—to the Hokage's office." Kurenai led the eager Team 8 to the Hokage's chamber in the Hokage Residence.
"You're here for a C-rank mission?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, puffing on a pipe as he studied Izayoi and Hinata, both of whom stood taller than most kids their age. He felt a twinge of nostalgia.
Those two used to be little kids with round, chubby cheeks. And recalling Izayoi's fights with Sasuke—even though Sasuke had awakened the Sharingan, Izayoi still completely suppressed him—Sarutobi nodded. "All right. Though your team's only been around a month, every single assignment so far got top marks from the clients. If Kurenai believes you're ready, I'll give you a C-rank job."
He rummaged under the desk, retrieving a large scroll. Unrolling it, he ran his finger along the parchment until he stopped. "You three have solid sensing skills, so this quest might be a good match." Exhaling a plume of smoke, he explained, "A mining caravan has been in Konoha on business, but they're afraid of bandits and rogue ninja on the way back. They want us to escort them to the Land of Rivers. This assignment goes to you. Any objections?" He looked to Kurenai.
"No, Lord Hokage," Kurenai said politely. The other three kept quiet.
Sarutobi's finger glowed faintly with chakra. Pressing it to the mission scroll, there was a small poof of smoke. A hand-sized scroll materialized in his palm. He tossed it to Kurenai. "All the client's info is here. Go negotiate with them."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Kurenai bowed once more, then ushered Team 8 out of the office. From beginning to end, Sarutobi hadn't spoken directly to Team 8, nor had any of them acted like Naruto might, blurting out something reckless.
Exiting the Hokage building, Kurenai unrolled the document and led Team 8 to an inn. "Wait here while I talk to the client." She walked up to a wagon parked outside, striking up a conversation with the person watching over it, who soon took her inside the inn.
A closer look showed a banner on the wagon with a single character: "Iron." Since they were heading to the Land of Rivers, that symbol clearly had nothing to do with the Land of Iron.
It probably indicated the wagon was carrying iron ore. In one of the books they'd read, the Land of Rivers was described as having mountainous terrain, dense forests, and many villages located on or at the foot of mountains—thus often called "mountain villages." Izayoi, Hinata, and Shino pondered that in silence.
~~~
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