Naruto: Hidden Hokage

"Is this really your first time extracting chakra?"

Once Yorin finished his training, Yūhi Kurenai couldn't help but move closer, curiosity etched on her face.

"It is," Yorin replied with a blink of his eyes.

"Ugh! So annoying!" Kurenai clenched her tiny fists in frustration.

"But don't think it'll be easy to surpass me!"

"I'll do my best," Yorin said with a smile.

"You… don't have to be that serious," Kurenai mumbled, momentarily dazed by his charming smile.

It was proof that appearance could shape perception, especially for someone like Yorin. His boyish good looks were irresistible—whether to older women or little girls.

"Yorin," Yūhi Mahiru called out as he stepped out of the house, handing him an admission letter.

Yorin opened the letter and skimmed its contents.

It was straightforward—he had passed the evaluation and was now officially enrolled in the Ninja Academy as a student of Class 1-A.

He didn't recall undergoing any evaluation, so it was likely Sarutobi Hiruzen had pulled some strings.

"Kurenai, take him to meet your homeroom teacher tomorrow," Mahiru instructed.

"No problem!" Kurenai perked up immediately, her energy revitalized.

"I'll get the job done!"

"I'm heading out to buy Yorin's necessities," Mahiru said, pausing briefly.

"Anything you two want me to bring back?"

"Three-color dango!" Kurenai said without hesitation.

"And you?" Mahiru asked Yorin, smiling warmly.

"We're family now, so no need to hold back."

"I'll have the same," Yorin replied, unsure what to request.

Three-color dango was a specialty of Konoha, loved by many, including Itachi Uchiha and Anko Mitarashi. This was his chance to try it.

"If you have questions about training, ask Kurenai," Mahiru said, waving as he left.

"Hmph!" Kurenai crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and looked at Yorin with a smug expression.

She seemed to say, Ask me something already!

Yorin couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

"What are you laughing at?" Kurenai pouted.

"I just thought of something funny," Yorin replied, coughing lightly.

"What's so funny?" Kurenai asked, her face growing serious as if she'd been offended.

"When's your birthday?" Yorin suddenly changed the topic.

"June 11th," Kurenai answered, tilting her head.

"Why?"

"Then I'm older," Yorin said with a faint smile.

"You should call me 'big brother.'"

"Wait a second!" Kurenai snapped back, rejecting the idea outright.

"No way! I'm the older one!"

"But I'm older than you," Yorin said with mock seriousness.

In truth, Yorin had no idea of his exact age or birthday, being a war orphan.

"No means no!" Kurenai retorted, quickly adding,

"It's not just about age—it's about strength!"

"So if I beat you, you'll be my little sister?" Yorin raised an eyebrow, smiling mischievously.

Kurenai almost agreed but hesitated when she remembered his astonishing speed in extracting chakra.

She bit her lip, lacking confidence. "Let's see you beat me first."

Yorin's grin widened.

Teasing this adorable little girl was unexpectedly fun.

To be clear, he wasn't a lolicon. His preferences leaned more toward mature women.

At that moment, footsteps echoed nearby.

"Back so soon?" Yorin turned instinctively, but his expression froze.

It wasn't Yūhi Mahiru—it was Nonō Yakushi, someone both unfamiliar and familiar to him.

In his memories, she had always been gentle, but now her face was heavy with worry.

Yorin immediately knew what this was about.

Danzo Shimura was undoubtedly involved—his persistent obsession with making Yorin join Root.

"Director," Yorin said to Kurenai before stepping forward.

Nonō Yakushi, in the original story, was a tragic character. Her kindness had led her to leave Root, but Danzo forced her to continue serving him by threatening the orphanage.

In the end, she died because she knew too much, caught in one of Danzo's schemes that made her and her adoptive son, Kabuto Yakushi, fight to the death.

"Yorin, I'm glad you're okay," Nonō said softly, patting his head.

"Thank you for your concern, Director," Yorin replied, noticing the hesitation in her expression.

"Is something wrong?"

"…"

Nonō hesitated.

Not long ago, Danzo had come to the orphanage and informed her about Yorin's situation.

Danzo hoped Yorin would willingly join Root, leaving Hiruzen with no reason to object.

"What are the Hokage's plans for you?" Nonō asked after a moment.

"He's sending me to the Ninja Academy," Yorin answered.

Nonō's eyes brightened.

Her talent had earned her the nickname Walking Shrine Maiden, making her a valuable asset to Danzo. Hearing that Yorin was going to the Academy gave her an idea to buy time.

"Yorin, no matter what happens, you must graduate normally," she said firmly.

"Understood," Yorin replied, catching the underlying message.

As long as he remained in the Academy, Danzo wouldn't act against him—for now.

But Danzo was always a looming threat.

Join Root to avoid trouble?

No chance.

Danzo didn't just take your loyalty; he took your mind. Joining Root would mean becoming one of his pawns—little more than a tool.

If Danzo were replaced with Tsunade, Yorin might consider it.

Even if she was drowning in debt, her assets made a compelling case.

Yorin recalled that Kabuto wasn't in the orphanage yet, meaning he had about ten years.

The Evil—no, the Righteous Gardenia Plan begins!

Three years in the east, three in the west—ten years would be enough to save Nonō Yakushi.

Despite being placed in the orphanage as part of the Hidden Cloud Village's plan, Nonō had been genuinely kind to him.

"Visit the orphanage when you have time," Nonō said with a gentle smile.

"I will," Yorin replied with a determined nod.

Nonō patted his head again before leaving.

Watching her retreating figure, Yorin's lips twitched.

Why is everyone patting my head on my first day here?

"Kurenai," Yorin said, turning to her.

"Can you teach me how to throw ninja tools?"

Danzo's threat had lit a fire in him—he needed to improve quickly.

'Ninja Tool Throwing' was a required condition for synthesizing the 'Genius Genin' perk.

Although the system didn't specify how to unlock it, based on his previous experience, it would involve relevant actions.

"Of course!" Kurenai huffed proudly.

"I'm pretty confident in my throwing skills."