Kenjiro had just hit the jackpot, but he didn't rush to experience the changes brought by the Sage's Eye. Instead, he took a moment to clear his thoughts and focused on healing Sasuke Uchiha.
Looking at Sasuke's slightly darkened eye sockets, it was obvious he hadn't been doing well these past few days. Kenjiro couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy.
The world of Naruto wasn't short of tragic orphans, but those who had once experienced a happy family life before losing everything? Only two came to mind—Nagato and Sasuke Uchiha.
But compared to Nagato, who had Yahiko, Konan, and even Jiraiya, Sasuke's fate was far worse. His entire life had been manipulated—either walking the path of revenge or, after learning the truth, trying to start a revolution, only to be immediately crushed by his only acknowledged comrade.
After that, he wandered the ninja world, collecting intel on the Otsutsuki clan, barely ever returning home.
If Kenjiro didn't change Sasuke's fate, things would turn out even worse than in the original timeline.
Originally, before graduation, Sasuke was the most popular and strongest student in the academy. But now, with Kenjiro as the top student and Hinata in second place, Sasuke could only fight for third.
And after graduating? He'd keep facing setbacks, watching as the so-called dead-last Naruto Uzumaki soared past him.
"Should I help him?" Kenjiro pondered.
As he was lost in thought, Sasuke regained consciousness.
Looking at Sasuke's bloodshot eyes, Kenjiro made his decision and said, "You're in terrible shape. Go back and rest for a while. Once you've fully recovered, come find me again."
Sasuke didn't respond immediately. He sat up, staring at his now-healed chest, where only a faint scar remained.
His mind replayed the battle just moments ago.
In both taijutsu and ninjutsu, he was utterly outclassed.
The fluidity of Kenjiro's attacks, combined with the stability of his stance, was on an entirely different level.
And to top it off, Kenjiro also seemed to possess medical ninjutsu.
Realizing all this, Sasuke felt a deep sense of defeat.
"I lost."
Despite his pride, Sasuke wasn't someone who couldn't accept failure.
Just like Naruto, he didn't dislike Kenjiro.
Even though it was an unrestricted match, he knew launching a sudden ninjutsu attack had been reckless.
So, he admitted his loss without hesitation.
"I only won by luck."
Kenjiro patted Sasuke's shoulder and genuinely praised him. "You're really strong. I thought I was the only one in class who had mastered elemental ninjutsu. You proved me wrong. As expected of the Uchiha prodigy."
Then, he stood up and extended his hand toward Sasuke. "I got the upper hand this time. Let's have a rematch."
Seeing how Kenjiro showed no arrogance and even acknowledged his strength, Sasuke felt a warmth in his chest.
For the first time since waking up, he smiled and grasped Kenjiro's hand. "Next time, I won't lose!"
After pulling Sasuke up, Kenjiro raised two fingers. "Then you'd better train hard. I'm really strong, you know."
"Just you wait!"
Sasuke, full of fighting spirit, clasped hands with Kenjiro in a sign of mutual respect.
This moment was also reflected in a transparent crystal ball.
Watching through his telescope jutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of his pipe and smiled warmly. "New leaves are beginning to sprout."
At this fragile stage, Sasuke was being closely monitored by the Anbu to prevent him from doing anything drastic.
The moment he and Kenjiro had left the academy for the training grounds, the report had reached Hiruzen immediately.
Thankfully, Kenjiro had refrained from acting suspiciously or talking to himself. Otherwise, he might've been subjected to a Yamanaka mind-reading jutsu.
Hiruzen was well aware of Kenjiro.
This particular class of students was unique, featuring the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and heirs from major clans.
And yet, the top student wasn't any of them—it was Kenjiro, a civilian orphan.
Through a year of observation, Hiruzen had noted that Kenjiro had already mastered Shadow Clones and basic Wind Release and often trained with Hinata Hyuga at the abandoned training grounds.
Every generation had its standout geniuses.
Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze, and even the little-known Kabuto Yakushi.
Even Kakashi Hatake, despite lacking a bloodline limit, was considered a genius.
Compared to them, Kenjiro wasn't particularly special, but his talent was still worth cultivating.
If nurtured properly, he could at least become a versatile jōnin. If he mastered a forbidden technique, he might even become an elite jōnin and a key asset.
Thus, Kenjiro had long been on Hiruzen's watchlist.
----------------------
After parting ways with Sasuke, Kenjiro opened the system interface only he could see while heading home.
Now, his top-tier Otsutsuki Bloodline (Red) had been joined by Sage's Eye (Red) instead of his previous Super Kage-level Aptitude (Gold).
Though he hadn't noticed any immediate changes, he was sure his body was undergoing some kind of transformation.
The Sage's Eye wasn't the same as the actual Rinnegan. It was a unique talent belonging to Indra Otsutsuki, inherited from the Sage of Six Paths' Yin Release chakra and spiritual energy, representing the pinnacle of Yin power.
Unlike Indra's chakra, which required recognition or growth to awaken its full potential, this power had been directly extracted from Hagoromo Otsutsuki himself.
Reincarnations like Sasuke had to unlock it step by step.
But Kenjiro? He had received the full package.
Over the next few years, his spiritual energy and Yin chakra would skyrocket.
'At this point, I might as well be the second Indra Otsutsuki.'
He chuckled to himself.
If he could examine Indra's talents, he was certain they wouldn't include Uchiha bloodline but instead a high-level Otsutsuki Bloodline.
This was what gave Indra the ability to use the Sharingan without limits, unlike normal Uchiha.
Given that Kenjiro could also cast elemental jutsu without hand seals, he was sure Indra's Otsutsuki Bloodline was also at the Red level.
As for anything beyond Red? That seemed unlikely.
Otherwise, Indra's reincarnations wouldn't need the fusion of both reincarnations to awaken the Rinnegan—they'd be able to do it just like Hagoromo.
Right now, Kenjiro was effectively the second Indra Otsutsuki.
Only by evolving his Otsutsuki Bloodline further could he become the next Hagoromo or Hamura Otsutsuki or perhaps even surpass them.
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