Influence

Meanwhile, Hinata sat beside Toru Kujyo, so nervous that she even softened her breathing. She stole glances at him out of the corner of her eye. He still looked just as thin, but his gaze was deeper and more mature than it had been back then.

The strength he had displayed during the entrance test only deepened her admiration.

Unlike the other students, he was never noisy. He was always quiet, yet seemed to possess wisdom beyond his years. She longed to talk to him, to chat like ordinary friends, but whenever she thought about speaking, her cheeks grew hot and her voice caught in her throat. All she could do was sit silently beside him, taking comfort in the faint, reassuring air about him.

Toru Kujyo did not notice Hinata's complicated feelings. He sat there, outwardly calm, while his thoughts raced.

Becoming Hinata's deskmate was only the first step. Helping her overcome her insecurity, truly live up to the red trait "Princess of the Byakugan," and ultimately turn that trait into his own power would require a long-term plan.

Offering to help outright might arouse suspicion. He needed to find the right opportunity and approach.

His gaze casually swept over Naruto in the front row and Sasuke on the other side of the classroom. These two future central figures of the shinobi world were also important targets in his plans.

Naruto was still sitting there, occasionally bursting into loud laughter or roughhousing with the classmates around him. Toru Kujyo could clearly see the cluster of light above his head. Besides the [Chunin aptitude (green)] he already knew about, there were even more dazzling lights hidden within.

[Sage body (red)], [Super Kage aptitude (gold)], [Nine-Tails Jinchuriki (red)], [Uzumaki bloodline (purple)], [Wind affinity (purple)]...

Toru Kujyo felt a slight jolt. Just as he had expected, Naruto's talent traits were astonishingly high-level. In particular, [Sage body (red)] was a pure Otsutsuki-level physical talent, signifying tremendous vitality, recovery, and vast chakra reserves. It was the foundation of his status as Asura's reincarnation.

The value of this red trait might even rival his own [Otsutsuki bloodline (red)]. Combined with the cheat-like [Nine-Tails Jinchuriki (red)] and the gold-level [Super Kage aptitude], Naruto's potential in terms of power was unquestionably among the very highest in the entire shinobi world.

Next, he turned his gaze toward Sasuke. Sasuke sat there wearing his usual cool expression, radiating an air that warned strangers to keep their distance. The cluster of light above his head was equally striking.

[Sage eye (red)], [Sharingan potential (purple)], [Kage-level aptitude (purple)], [Fire affinity (blue)], [Lightning affinity (blue)], [Uchiha bloodline (purple)]...

Toru Kujyo confirmed Sasuke's traits once again. Sasuke also possessed a red trait, [Sage eye (red)]. This was the mark of Indra's reincarnation, representing an ultimate pursuit of ocular techniques and power, along with the potential to master them.

Although his [Sharingan potential] was only purple for now, its future evolution into the Mangekyō, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and even the Rinnegan all stemmed from this red trait. Compared with Naruto, however, Sasuke's basic aptitude seemed slightly inferior: purple [Kage-level aptitude] rather than gold [Super Kage aptitude].

Moreover, before obtaining a red trait, Sasuke's potential depended more on the evolution of his Sharingan, rather than a powerful physical foundation like Naruto's.

Toru Kujyo compared their talents in his mind.

Naruto possessed a red physical talent and gold aptitude, plus a red cheat; Sasuke possessed a red ocular talent and purple aptitude, with a purple bloodline limit as his foundation.

In terms of their starting points and sheer physical foundations, Naruto's [Sage body (red)] seemed superior-a strength etched deep into his genes. Sasuke's [Sage eye (red)], on the other hand, manifested more in his eyes and his understanding of power.

He knew full well that, without any other unexpected factors, the power Naruto unleashed later on-whether through Sage Mode or Nine-Tails mode-would be capable of devastating the world. His chakra reserves and recovery would also far exceed those of ordinary people.

Although Sasuke would also become extremely powerful once his Sharingan evolved, even capable of matching Naruto, the makeup of their talent traits suggested that Naruto's foundation was more solid and his potential limitless. Surpassing Sasuke later on was not merely possible; it could even be called inevitable. Of course, this was only an analysis based on their talent traits. Countless variables still lay along the course of fate.

Both Naruto and Sasuke were targets he would need to approach in the future, and perhaps even "defeat," to obtain their traits. In particular, he wanted Naruto's [Sage body (red)] and [Nine-Tails Jinchuriki (red)], as well as Sasuke's [Sage eye (red)].

Each of these red traits represented the pinnacle of power in the shinobi world. If he could acquire them, his strength would reach unimaginable heights.

For now, however, they were all merely students at the Ninja Academy. "Defeating" them and obtaining their traits would not be easy. The system's definition of "defeat" meant more than simply winning a fight. He also needed to make the other person, to some extent, "submit to" or "acknowledge" his strength. That required both timing and strategy.

His most pressing task was still to handle his relationship with Hinata properly and thoroughly investigate her mysterious [Princess of the Byakugan (red)] trait. It might be the key to reaching a higher level of power, or even surpassing the Tenseigan.

Iruka-sensei formally began class, explaining the Ninja Academy's rules and the most basic knowledge a ninja needed. Toru Kujyo listened while building a blueprint for the future in his mind.

Iruka stood at the front of the classroom with a gentle smile, his gaze sweeping over the young faces. "Students, starting today, I'll be your homeroom teacher, Umino Iruka.

"Over the next few years, I'll be responsible for teaching you basic ninja knowledge and skills. I look forward to working with you!" The "Teaching enthusiasm (blue)" and "Sense of responsibility (green)" traits above his head gave off a soft glow that made him feel naturally approachable.

"Now, for our first lesson together, let's get to know one another. Starting with the first row, take turns introducing yourselves. Tell us your names and dreams," Iruka instructed.

The classroom immediately came alive.

"My name is Ino Yamanaka! What I like is... flowers! My dream is... hehe, that's a secret!" Ino stood up confidently with her hands on her hips, sneaking a glance at Sasuke and drawing a ripple of laughter. The [Mind Body Switch Technique (green)] and [Sensory ability (green)] traits above her head swayed slightly.

Kiba Inuzuka went next. Holding the tiny Akamaru in his arms, he declared loudly, "I'm Kiba Inuzuka! This guy is Akamaru! Our dream is to become the strongest team!" Akamaru chimed in with a bark.