Naruto: Hidden Hokage

The small forest behind the house.

"As ninjas, the most commonly used tools are shuriken and kunai…"

Yūhi Kurenai mimicked her teacher's lecturing tone as she began to explain.

Shuriken, commonly known as throwing stars, are projectile weapons.

Kunai, resembling daggers or knives, can be used for close combat or as throwable weapons.

These two tools are essential items in every ninja's waist pouch. Advanced techniques, like the Manipulated Shuriken Technique or Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, build upon their basic use.

"Today, we'll learn to throw kunai," Kurenai said, pulling out a kunai.

The truth was that she had only recently started school and had learned nothing beyond basic kunai throwing. She wasn't entirely confident in her skills yet.

Especially in front of Yorin, she felt a bit nervous, worried she might fail.

With a determined face, Kurenai threw the kunai with all her might.

Thunk!

The kunai hit the wooden post but missed the target.

Kurenai's face turned slightly red.

Meeting Yorin's gaze, she quickly defended herself.

"I… I was aiming for outside the target!"

Oh, sure. Say that a few more times, and I might believe you.

Yorin stifled his laughter and nodded seriously.

His past life had trained him well—not even the funniest joke could break his composure.

"Now I'll show you real kunai throwing!"

Kurenai turned back to the post, her face serious as she threw another kunai.

To her silent prayers, the kunai hit the bullseye.

Wow, I'm actually pretty good at this.

Kurenai's lips curled into a triumphant smile. "So, how was that?"

Adorable.

Yorin smiled and praised her. "Very impressive."

"Your turn!"

Satisfied with his response, Kurenai handed him a kunai.

Yorin steadied his breath and threw the kunai with a flick of his wrist.

Predictably, it missed the post entirely.

Kurenai, seeing this, felt a bit relieved.

Looks like his talents are focused on chakra extraction.

Yorin, however, wasn't discouraged. It seemed perfectly normal.

In his previous life, he couldn't even skip a stone more than three or four times.

No matter—he had his perks to rely on.

As long as he kept practicing, the system would eventually reward him.

"It's normal to lack accuracy on the first try. Just keep at it," Kurenai said, handing him another kunai to encourage him.

Yorin continued throwing kunai.

Time passed, and after less than an hour, he collapsed onto the grass, completely exhausted.

Despite his fatigue, his spirits were high—his system had given him a new notification.

[E-Rank Talent Perk: Ninja Tool Throwing (Not Acquired)]

Trigger Condition: Achieve basic proficiency with shuriken and kunai throwing.

Current Progress: 1%.

Good progress. My emperor engine is roaring.

So I just need to master shuriken and kunai? No wonder it's only an E-Rank perk.

Panting, Yorin fell into thought.

"You're a bit weak physically," Kurenai remarked with brutal honesty.

"I can train all morning without getting tired."

"I never exercised before," Yorin explained, feeling the need to clarify.

Kurenai wasn't wrong, though—his current body was too frail.

In his previous life, he had been a fragile college student; running 1,000 meters felt like getting punched by Saitama.

In the ninja world, physical conditioning was just as important as chakra and ninjutsu.

Yorin also suspected that exercising his body might trigger relevant perks.

At that moment, footsteps approached.

"Dad!"

Kurenai's face lit up with excitement as she ran to Yūhi Mahiru and took the three-color dango from his hand.

"For you."

Kurenai didn't eat it right away. Instead, she handed one skewer to Yorin.

"Thanks."

Yorin took a bite and found it overwhelmingly sweet.

No wonder Anko Mitarashi turned into a sweet potato shape.

"You're both too young to train for long," Mahiru said, glancing at the wooden post and the scattered kunai.

"That's enough for today. Rest well; you have school tomorrow."

School, huh.

Yorin watched Kurenai lick her dango with her little pink tongue, momentarily lost in thought.

I wonder which classmates I'll meet.

As a fan of the original series, seeing living, breathing side characters was something he greatly anticipated.

As for the main characters? They weren't born yet.

The next morning arrived quickly.

Kurenai was awakened by a familiar sound.

She opened her window and saw Yorin practicing kunai throwing.

So dedicated?

Kurenai's small mouth opened slightly in surprise.

Even though kids in the ninja world matured early, this level of diligence was rare.

In her mind, paying attention in class was already enough.

After school, it was time to relax and play!

Kurenai bit her lip, feeling a growing sense of crisis.

If Yorin surpassed her, her dream of being the boss would crumble.

No way!

Her eyes burned with determination.

"Good morning, Kurenai," Yorin greeted her, wiping sweat from his forehead.

She was wearing white pajamas, her slightly curly black hair tousled and messy.

Too bad she's still a kid. Flat as a board.

In the original story, she became a top-tier beauty.

"From now on, wake me up to train with you!" Kurenai declared, hands on her hips.

"I won't let you work hard in secret!"

"No problem," Yorin replied with a smile.

Training alone was nowhere near as enjoyable as training with a cute girl.

After breakfast, Yūhi Mahiru handed them two lunchboxes and reminded them,

"Don't forget to take Yorin to meet the teacher."

"Ugh, you said that yesterday!" Kurenai pouted.

"I know already!"

"See you later, Uncle Mahiru," Yorin said, following the bouncing Kurenai.

As they walked, Yorin glanced around.

In his previous life, he had seen Konoha in anime, but seeing it in person was an entirely different experience.

"Hmm?"

Yorin suddenly noticed a boy standing on a wall ahead of them.

The boy wore a white sleeveless vest, arms crossed as he stared coolly at the sky.

It wasn't until Kurenai walked past without looking that the boy coughed conspicuously.

"Asuma? What are you doing up there?"

Kurenai turned toward the sound, noticing him.

Sarutobi Asuma, the second son of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

In the original story, he married Kurenai but ultimately died at the hands of Hidan from the Akatsuki.

Yorin raised an eyebrow.

Without his signature scruffy beard, it was hard to connect this boy to Asuma.

Interested in Kurenai already? Makes sense.

Even Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka had started fighting over Sasuke Uchiha during their Academy days.

Asuma leapt down gracefully, hands in his pockets.

He glanced at Yorin and asked Kurenai,

"Kurenai, who's this? I've never seen him before."

He had noticed Yorin while on the wall, sensing a strong threat.

I can't let someone more handsome hang around her.

"This is Yorin," Kurenai explained without suspicion.

"He's transferring into our class today."

"Oh?" Asuma paused and asked,

"How do you know him?"

"Because Yorin lives at my house," Kurenai said, tilting her head innocently.

"...?"

Asuma froze on the spot.

Bro, I haven't even held her hand, and you're already living with her?

This sucks!

Asuma silently donned the mask of pain.