Naruto: Hidden Hokage

Beep, beep, beep.

The brain-piercing sound of an alarm jolted Yorin awake.

He reached out from under the covers, silencing the alarm clock.

Technology in the ninja world was strange—computers, refrigerators, air conditioners, and even alarm clocks existed.

He glanced at the time. Six o'clock sharp.

Though curious to experience Konoha at four in the morning, Yorin knew he was still a kid and needed sufficient rest.

After getting dressed, he stepped outside.

His plan was to jog for 30 minutes to an hour, taking it easy.

Jumping straight into intense exercise after a long break was like tempting death.

He wanted a strong start but not one that ended in just three days.

Jogging along the streets, Yorin noticed how empty and obstacle-free they were at this hour.

As time passed, his breathing grew heavier, sweat poured down like rain, and his vision began to blur.

Suddenly, a green glow flashed in front of his face.

Yorin glanced over instinctively.

Am I seeing things?

Nope. It was Might Guy running upside-down.

"Are you jogging too?" Guy asked excitedly, thrilled to meet a kindred spirit.

In today's ninja world, taijutsu specialists were at the bottom of the social ladder, often met with ridicule.

Guy's eccentric training methods earned him plenty of mockery. His father, Might Duy, was proof of this stigma—a man who singlehandedly defeated the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist yet remained a Genin.

Yorin nodded but was too out of breath to reply.

"You look familiar," Guy said, blinking. Then, recognition dawned on him.

"You're the new transfer student, Yorin something!"

"Yorin…" Yorin managed to gasp.

"Yorin what?"

Guy leaned closer, unsure if he heard correctly.

"Yorin!" Yorin raised his voice, feeling like Kisame Hoshigaki, trapped in a comedy routine.

"Nice to meet you, Yorin! I'm Might Guy. Just call me Guy," he said, flashing his shiny white teeth.

"Okay," Yorin replied, catching his breath.

"You go ahead. I need to rest for a bit."

Guy nodded and waved before resuming his upside-down sprint.

Thankfully, I'm not his eternal rival. If I were Kakashi, he'd run me into the ground.

What kind of alien physiology is this?

Yorin watched Guy perform one-handed sprints and couldn't help but mutter.

Sitting down on some nearby steps, he opened his system menu.

[E-Rank Talent Perk: Sturdy Physique (Not Acquired)]

Trigger Condition: Achieve the minimum physical standards of a Genin.

Current Progress: 1%.

If it's just the minimum level, it shouldn't be too difficult—just requires consistency.

Wiping sweat from his forehead, Yorin closed his eyes for a moment.

"Yorin! I'm back!"

Guy's energetic voice startled him.

Opening his eyes, Yorin saw Guy hopping like a frog.

Smiling, he waved back before continuing his jog toward Kurenai's house.

By seven o'clock, the streets were bustling.

Yorin passed the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore, the meeting point for his Hidden Cloud contact, but didn't go in to avoid suspicion.

He stopped by a takoyaki shop, thinking of Kurenai, and bought a box of octopus balls.

When Yorin returned home, he ran into Yūhi Mahiru opening the door.

"You've been jogging?" Mahiru asked, surprised by Yorin's sweat-drenched appearance.

Such dedication at a young age? With his Yin Release talent, this boy will achieve greatness.

"Good morning, Uncle Mahiru," Yorin said.

"My body's weak, so I decided to start exercising."

At that moment, a door creaked open nearby.

Barefoot, her hair messy, Kurenai shuffled out, yawning.

"Why are you guys up so early?" she asked.

"Kurenai, you should learn from Yorin," Mahiru said sternly.

"Stop sleeping in every day."

"Huh?" Kurenai blinked in confusion, still groggy.

She looked like a sleepy kitten, just waking up.

"I bought takoyaki for you," Yorin said, handing her the box.

Never thought I'd become one of those "neighbor's kids."

"Not bad. You're already acting like a good little brother," Kurenai said, her ruby eyes sparkling at the sight of the treat.

"…?"

Mahiru's expression turned subtle.

Is this kid stealing my cabbage?

He shook his head. They're just kids. What am I even thinking?

"This is just to thank you for lending me your notes," Yorin explained earnestly.

"Nom nom," Kurenai mumbled through a mouthful of takoyaki.

Her unintelligible response, paired with her puffed cheeks, was more endearing than rude.

After breakfast, Yorin and Kurenai headed to the Ninja Academy.

"Yorin, did you finish yesterday's homework?" Kurenai asked, turning to him.

"You want to copy it?" Yorin raised an eyebrow.

"Of course not!" Kurenai huffed, hands on her hips.

"I meant if you had any questions, I could help."

"Actually, I do," Yorin admitted, knowing how to play along with her personality.

"Well, since you're asking so sincerely, I'll help," Kurenai said smugly, her eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

As they walked, Yorin asked her about the homework.

Having joined the class two months late, some of the questions were guesswork for him—relying on strategies like "pick the shortest answer for three longs, or the longest for three shorts."

Fortunately, Eiichiro understood Yorin's situation and wouldn't penalize him.

"Got it?" Kurenai asked, licking her lips.

"Mostly, but not completely," Yorin replied with a smile.

"That's normal for a beginner," Kurenai said, sounding like an experienced mentor.

"Come to my room after school, and I'll tutor you properly."

No, Kurenai… Yorin thought but kept his composure.

Returning to his seat, Yorin greeted Shizune before checking his system again.

[E-Rank Talent Perk: Academic Prodigy (Not Acquired)]

Trigger Condition: Place first in theory classes for the first semester.

Current Progress: 1%.

This perk must've triggered from my earlier discussion with Kurenai.

I wonder how being an academic prodigy matters in the ninja world. In the original series, Sakura Haruno was a top student but became a liability until she trained under Tsunade.