Naruto: Hidden Hokage

"My name is Yorin. I don't have many hobbies, and as for dreams, I hope to become a ninja like the Hokage."

Yorin's real dream was simply to survive, but that felt too out of place.

So, he chose the stock dream every Ninja Academy student claimed—to become the Hokage.

It was no different from kids in his previous life saying they wanted to be scientists.

But Yorin added a clever twist. He didn't say he wanted to become the Hokage but rather to become a ninja like the Hokage.

Right now, he was under Danzo Shimura's watchful eye and needed to align himself with Sarutobi Hiruzen. A wise man adapts to circumstances—loyalty was his current play.

"The one who'll become Hokage in the end is me, Uchiha Obito!"

Obito shot up from his seat, his face beaming with pride.

Rin Nohara instinctively tugged at his sleeve, but he didn't back down.

"Childish," Kakashi Hatake said flatly.

Unlike these squabbling kids, he was a mature five-year-old.

If he wanted to be Hokage, he'd prove it with actions, not words.

Looking at Obito, Yorin couldn't help but think of a dark joke:

Can't become Hokage? Fine, I'll just control the Hokage.

"What's so great about being Hokage?"

Sarutobi Asuma stood slowly, his voice low. "I'll surpass the Hokage!"

The classroom fell silent.

Everyone knew he was the son of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Yorin's expression became subtle.

As someone familiar with the original story, he knew just how unrealistic Asuma's claim was.

Asuma's talent was average at best. Even among Jōnin, he wasn't particularly remarkable, let alone capable of surpassing his father.

"It's good to have dreams, but achieving them requires hard work and study," Eiichiro said, clapping his hands to regain their attention.

"Yorin, the seat in the back by the window is yours."

The classroom desks were set in groups of three. As a latecomer who joined two months in, Yorin naturally ended up in the last row.

But he didn't mind. The seat by the window was a prime spot.

His seatmate was a short-haired girl who met his gaze as he introduced himself.

"Hello, I'm Yorin."

Spies often had two paths:

They either became invisible or became social butterflies.

Unfortunately, with his cheat system and striking looks, being invisible wasn't an option.

Too bad he wasn't from the Aburame clan—then he'd have natural stealth.

"I'm Shizune. Nice to meet you," she replied with a smile.

Yorin blinked in surprise.

Shizune? She's still in the Ninja Academy?

In the original series, Tsunade developed hemophobia after losing Nawaki and Dan Katō—a devastating condition for a medical ninja.

Afterward, Tsunade took Shizune and left Konoha, wandering the ninja world while gambling.

Yorin stroked his chin.

Does this mean Tsunade is still in Konoha?

He glanced around.

In front of him were Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha.

To his left sat Kurenai Yūhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and an unfamiliar boy.

"Today's lesson is Konoha History. Please turn to page 13," Eiichiro said, snapping Yorin out of his thoughts.

Opening his book, Yorin lingered on the table of contents for a few seconds.

The contents were divided into four major chapters:

Sage of Six PathsHashirama SenjuTobirama SenjuSarutobi Hiruzen

Yorin flipped to the first chapter, and an odd sense of discord struck him.

Something wasn't right—everything felt off.

It claimed that the Sage of Six Paths not only created ninjutsu but also established the rules for ninja teams, including the requirement that each three-person squad have a medical ninja.

Wasn't that Tsunade's idea?

Has history been altered, or is something else going on?

"The First Hokage founded Konoha during times of chaos and wrote the Ninja Code, which prohibits drinking and gambling during missions…"

Eiichiro's voice droned on from the podium.

Yorin snapped out of his thoughts, mentally critiquing,

This sounds like a wild tale.

While not as fanciful as couch literature, it was well-known that Hashirama Senju excelled at drinking and gambling.

Flipping to the end of the book, Yorin saw it was authored by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.

Oh, that explains it. This is propaganda.

He could already imagine what the fourth chapter was like.

The bell signaled the end of class.

Eiichiro left with his textbook, and the classroom quickly filled with chatter.

"Kurenai…"

Asuma began, only to see Kurenai leap off her stool and run over to Yorin.

Asuma clenched his fists instinctively. At this rate, he'd lose completely—his pride and dignity shattered!

"Yorin, how are you settling in?"

Kurenai greeted Shizune before turning her attention to Yorin.

"Fine," Yorin replied with a nod.

For a college student revisiting elementary school content, it was like coming home.

In his previous life, he had tutored kids online and crushed elementary schoolers' quizzes for fun.

"This is for you," Kurenai said, handing him a notebook.

"It's my notes from the past two months. They might help."

"Thanks," Yorin replied sincerely.

"Alright, I won't bother you anymore. See you at lunch!"

Kurenai waved and left.

"You two know each other?" Shizune asked curiously.

"Kurenai's father is my teacher," Yorin explained.

"A Jōnin teacher?"

Shizune's eyes widened in surprise.

Normally, students didn't get assigned a teacher until they graduated. Yorin's situation was clearly unusual.

"Do you know Lady Tsunade?"

Seeing her reaction, Yorin asked on a whim.

Shizune shook her head.

Once again, Yorin felt a sense of discord.

In the original story, Tsunade and Dan Katō connected during a Jōnin meeting about incorporating medical ninjas into teams.

But here, the Sage of Six Paths had supposedly already established that rule.

Has the world shifted subtly? Is this a butterfly effect from my transmigration?

Unable to make sense of it, Yorin decided to let it go for now.

By noon, students were either heading home or looking for places to eat.

Closing his textbook, Yorin looked up to see Kurenai standing in front of him, her ruby eyes gleaming under the sunlight.

Not far away, Asuma stared with a gaze full of resentment.

"I'll see you later," Shizune said, getting up to join Rin.

Kurenai promptly took her seat beside Yorin.

"Are you and Asuma close?" Yorin asked as he opened his lunchbox.

"Not really. We're just seatmates," Kurenai said with some annoyance.

"But he keeps pestering me."

"I see."

Yorin picked up a fried shrimp with his chopsticks.

As a purist, he had no intention of being a "bull-headed demon" (i.e., a love rival).

But since they weren't close, he felt no guilt about spending time with her.

(Future chapters will provide a logical explanation for the Sage of Six Paths' rule change—it's not a bug or a parallel world.)