The test

The Water Walking test that followed went much the same way. The other children cautiously tried to concentrate chakra in the soles of their feet, and many sank as though they were stepping into a mud pit. Naruto fell straight into the water with a splash.

Sasuke did well, standing steadily on the water. Toru Kujyo stepped forward and walked back and forth across the surface as though it were solid ground. He could even run and jump on it with ease.

For the basic taijutsu sparring test, he was paired with a slightly chubby boy who seemed nervous. Toru Kujyo used no flashy moves, only the most basic taijutsu techniques. With just the right amount of strength and speed, he easily subdued his opponent, demonstrating his own ability without making the boy's defeat too embarrassing.

During the chakra test, he held nothing back. The moment he revealed his chakra reserves, the Testing Instrument even let out a faint overload warning buzz.

As Iruka-sensei watched the astonishing numbers flicker on the instrument and Toru Kujyo's rock-steady chakra control curve, he could no longer hide his shock.

The final result was beyond doubt: Toru Kujyo took first place in the entrance test by an overwhelming margin. His name was written at the very top of the rankings, alongside a comment handwritten by Iruka-sensei: [Excellent foundational abilities, astonishing chakra reserves, precise control, and overall aptitude far beyond his peers. Recommended for focused training.]

The result naturally stirred discussion among the students, especially those who had originally been expected to excel. Naruto's eyes widened as he muttered, "How's that possible? That guy looks so ordinary!" Sasuke merely shot Toru Kujyo a cold glance, his eyes showing a hint of resentment, but even more curiosity.

After the test, Iruka-sensei announced the class assignments. Toru Kujyo was placed in Class 1-A, together with Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Sakura, Hinata, and the other future members of the "Nine Rookie." This was what Toru Kujyo had expected. With such outstanding talent, being assigned to the top class was only natural.

Back in the classroom, Toru Kujyo did not immediately return to the window seat he had occupied yesterday. He walked straight to Hinata Hyuga's desk. Hinata had her head lowered, her fingers twisting together nervously, making her seem even more withdrawn and shy.

Above her head, five orbs of light were clearly visible: [Byakugan potential (purple)], [Gentle Fist basics (green)], [Chakra Control (blue)], [Frailty (white)], and the most conspicuous, dazzling red orb of all-[Princess of the Byakugan (red)].

A red trait! It really was red! Delight stirred in Toru Kujyo's heart, but he kept his expression calm.

He stopped beside Hinata's desk and said in a flat voice, without the slightest fluctuation in emotion, "Hinata Hyuga."

Hinata abruptly looked up. Seeing Toru Kujyo standing beside her startled her, and her little face instantly flushed. "Y-yes... Kujyo..."

Toru Kujyo looked into her clear eyes, which would one day awaken the Byakugan, and continued, "When you were three, you cried in the street, didn't you?"

Hinata stiffened, her eyes widening slightly.

That distant memory instantly came flooding back-she had gotten lost and could not find her way home, leaving her crying in fear on the street. A thin, small boy with a cold but resolute gaze had driven away the nasty children bullying her, then silently escorted her back to the vicinity of the Hyuga Clan Compound.

It was one of the few warm memories of her childhood. She had always remembered those eyes. Though he had looked even younger than her back then, he had been as dependable as an adult.

"Y-you're..." Hinata trembled, a trace of disbelief in her voice. "I-is it you?"

Toru Kujyo did not answer directly. He merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Hinata's face grew even redder. She had never expected to meet him here, much less for him to approach her and speak to her. The mingled shyness and excitement left her almost unable to speak.

Toru Kujyo paid no attention to her awkwardness. His gaze swept over the empty seat beside her, the one by the window. He recalled that Hinata seemed to have been sitting here yesterday. He knew this seat was usually reserved for the main cast, but now he had a better target.

"No one's sitting here, right?" He pointed to the empty seat beside Hinata, his tone calm.

Hinata looked at the seat, then at Toru Kujyo. As though she had understood something, she hurriedly nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "N-no..."

Without another word, Toru Kujyo pulled out the chair and sat down beside Hinata.

He had become Hinata Hyuga's deskmate.

After sitting down, he discreetly studied Hinata beside him. At six years old, she was frail and timid, a stark contrast to the dazzling red trait above her head: "Princess of the Byakugan."

Toru Kujyo knew this red trait represented more than her status as a direct descendant of the Hyuga Main Family. It also held the ultimate potential of the Byakugan's power, and might even have a deeper connection to the Ōtsutsuki Clan's bloodline-after all, his red trait was the Otsutsuki bloodline, while Hinata's was "Princess of the Byakugan."

This was no coincidence.

He silently considered the possibilities. Otsutsuki Toneri's pursuit of Hinata was not merely because she was the Main Family's princess. More likely, it was because of this special red talent trait she possessed. The trait might be the key to the Ōtsutsuki Clan's fusion with the Byakugan's power, and might even have a direct connection to the Tenseigan.

And Naruto, as Asura's reincarnation, would later unite with Hinata, a union that also seemed to align with some destined merging of bloodlines.

Toru Kujyo's goal was to beat both of those destined men to her. He possessed the red Otsutsuki bloodline, already the finest possible foundation. To him, Hinata's red "Princess of the Byakugan" trait was the key to gaining the power of the Tenseigan-and perhaps going even further, beyond it.

He had a feeling that the pure chakra contained within his Otsutsuki bloodline might help Hinata overcome the restrictions of the Hyuga Branch Family's Cursed Seal, or awaken a deeper power within her bloodline, allowing her to reach the heights a true "Princess of the Byakugan" should attain. In turn, her red trait could provide him with a bridge to even higher levels of ocular power.

He, with his red bloodline, and she, with her red "Princess of the Byakugan" trait, were the true match made in heaven.

He observed Hinata. Judging by her traits and behavior, her current introversion was most likely the result of setbacks in competition within her clan. In particular, being compared with Neji Hyuga, that prodigy from the Branch Family, had left her feeling inferior.

How to help her regain her confidence and awaken the presence and power befitting the "Princess of the Byakugan" was what Toru Kujyo needed to consider next. But even now that he was her deskmate, finding an opportunity to spend time alone with her, learn more about her, and exert his influence did not seem easy.