Naruto: Hidden Hokage

Yorin didn't linger and left the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore directly.

The rest of the matters weren't his concern; Tsuchibashi would handle them. He just wondered which ghostwriter Tsuchibashi would hire.

He thought of Jiraiya, but it was unlikely. Hiring a ghostwriter wasn't something people liked to talk about.

Yorin arrived at the Fourth Training Ground, picked up a wooden sword, and began practicing Leaf Style Swordsmanship.

An hour later, he finished his training and headed toward the ninja academy.

Soon, Yorin saw Asuma Sarutobi.

Leaning against a tree with both hands in his pockets, Asuma gazed at the sky at a 45-degree angle, exuding an air of "invincible in the world."

"You're here."

Asuma turned his head to look at him and said.

Yorin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

What was he supposed to say? "You shouldn't have come"? Did Asuma think he was acting in a samurai drama?

"I'm here to remind you not to forget about the practical combat class this afternoon."

Asuma's eyes lit up with anticipation.

He couldn't wait to defeat Yorin and reclaim Kurenai's favor.

"I know," Yorin replied with a slight nod.

"Good."

Asuma suddenly turned his back, saying, "I hope you'll make it worthwhile for me."

With a toss of his head, he strode off coolly.

Yorin didn't pay much attention to the brief encounter. He went to the classroom, greeted Shizune, and started studying.

"Class, please take out your copies of The Will of Fire."

Eiichiro stood at the podium, smiling as he asked, "Who can tell me what the Will of Fire means?"

Several students excitedly raised their hands.

"Obito, you answer."

Eiichiro scanned the room and pointed to Obito.

"Where leaves dance, fire burns endlessly. The fire will continue to illuminate the village and make new leaves sprout!"

Uchiha Obito recited in one breath.

"Good."

Eiichiro opened the book and said, "Today we'll be talking about the new leaves—that is, you, the future of the Village Hidden in the Leaves."

Yorin ignored the lecture and continued working on his math problems.

Under his pen, the workbook seemed to hum with satisfaction, and by noon, it was filled with answers.

In the afternoon, it was time for the practical combat class.

For first-year students, the class was akin to chicken fights.

Since they hadn't been taught the Three Basic Techniques yet, they could only spar using taijutsu and ninja tool throwing.

The Three Basic Techniques wouldn't be introduced until the second semester.

Though the Three Basic Techniques were considered elementary ninjutsu, many students took six years to master them.

"Kakashi, I challenge you!"

The moment class started, Uchiha Obito couldn't wait to jump out.

Usually, sparring with Kakashi depended on the latter's mood.

Most of the time, Obito couldn't get a match, leaving him frustrated.

But during practical combat class, Kakashi couldn't refuse.

"…"

Asuma was a step too slow, swallowing his challenge words and feeling stifled.

Especially when he saw Yorin chatting and laughing with Kurenai, it made him feel even worse.

"Kakashi."

Eiichiro smiled and said, "Let's have you demonstrate for the class."

Kakashi calmly walked to the center of the field.

"Obito, be careful," Nohara Rin said with some helplessness.

"Don't worry!"

Obito patted his chest. "I'll go easy on him!"

Rin didn't know what to say.

You've lost every time. Where does your confidence come from?

Uchiha Obito stood opposite Kakashi and formed the seal of confrontation.

The match began as soon as the seal was complete.

Obito charged forward.

Kakashi stood still and punched.

Obito ducked low and slid to attack Kakashi's legs.

But Kakashi moved even faster.

Body Flicker Technique!

He instantly leaped, moving behind Obito, and kicked him hard.

With a bang, Obito spun like a top and collapsed, unable to rise.

"The winner is Kakashi Hatake," Eiichiro announced without surprise.

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Kakashi was popular in class due to his strength and cool demeanor.

Although Yorin was catching up, he was still in second place—a critical step behind.

After all, no one remembers second place. Unless, of course, their name is… well, never mind.

"Obito, are you okay?" Rin quickly approached and asked.

"I'm fine!"

Obito got up and said, "I just wasn't in good form today. I'll fight him again another day!"

"…"

Rin held back her comforting words.

Why don't you just blame the grass?

"Anyone else want to challenge? If not, we'll begin class."

Eiichiro looked around.

"I challenge Yorin," Asuma raised his hand and said.

Everyone's attention shifted from Kakashi to Asuma.

Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Hokage, had lost to Yorin before.

This was a grudge match.

Curiosity burned in their hearts.

"Yorin."

Asuma walked to the center of the field, snorted, and said, "The same genjutsu won't work on me!"

Yorin ignored him and casually formed the seal of confrontation.

The match began as soon as the seal was complete.

Asuma immediately averted his gaze, staring at the ground.

Most genjutsu relied on sight.

The simplest countermeasure was to avoid eye contact.

Using peripheral vision and sound to locate the opponent was slightly less effective but still workable.

Especially after half a month of special training, Asuma felt prepared.

The sound of a projectile cutting through the air reached him.

It was a kunai.

Asuma pivoted, perfectly dodging it.

Two kunai landed on the ground to his left and right.

He glanced at them, feeling smug.

His training hadn't been in vain.

Time to turn the tables!

Asuma quickly formed hand seals.

Focusing on Yorin's feet, he clasped his hands together.

Wind Release: Gale Palm!

A gust of wind surged from his hands.

But in the next moment, the kunai on the ground seemed to come alive and sprang into the air.

What's happening?

The kunai became sentient?

Asuma instinctively turned his head, and his eyes widened in shock.

He saw faint threads attached to the kunai.

Under Yorin's control, the threads crossed and entangled him.

Asuma staggered and fell flat on his face.

No!

If he fell here, his reputation would be ruined!

Asuma reacted quickly, gritting his teeth through the pain as he scrambled to his feet.

But a kunai was already flying toward him.

"I…"

Asuma's face turned red with anger.

Why wasn't Yorin following the script?

A genjutsu user ditching genjutsu to play ninja tools like a Uchiha—absolutely infuriating!

But a loss was a loss.

In front of so many classmates, he couldn't shamelessly make excuses like Uchiha Obito.

"The winner is Yorin," Eiichiro announced in Asuma's stead.

Asuma let out a quiet sigh of relief, but the bitterness of defeat soon followed.

Half a month of training had been for nothing. Who could bear that?

[E-Rank Talent 'Gale Chronicles' has upgraded.]

[Wind Release talent enhanced by 30%.]

Yorin looked at the sudden lines of text that appeared before him and felt a wave of satisfaction.