"My name is Hanekawa. I don't really have many hobbies, and my dream… I hope to become a ninja like the Hokage-sama."
Hanekawa's real dream was simply to survive, but that sounded far too out of place here.
So he gave the standard ninja academy student answer: he wanted to become a Hokage. Much like in his previous life, when he might have said he wanted to be a scientist—just a socially acceptable ambition.
He even played a small trick: he didn't say he wanted to be the Hokage, but a ninja like the Hokage.
For now, being under the watchful eye of Shimura Danzo, he could only temporarily attach himself to Hiruzen Sarutobi—playing the loyal subject card.
"The ninja who becomes the Hokage will definitely be me—Obito Uchiha!"
Obito Uchiha sprang to his feet, chest puffed out with pride.
Rin Nohara instinctively tugged on his sleeve, but failed.
"Childish," Kakashi Hatake said expressionlessly.
He wasn't some three-year-old; at five, he was already a big kid! Even if he wanted to become Hokage, he wouldn't argue verbally—he'd show it through action.
Hanekawa glanced at Obito and suddenly remembered a cruel joke: If you can't become Hokage, just act like you're going to become Hokage anyway.
"What's so special about being Hokage?"
Asuma Sarutobi slowly rose to his feet, voice serious. "I will surpass the Hokage!"
The classroom fell silent. Everyone knew he was the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hanekawa's expression was subtle. As someone who knew the story well, he understood exactly how unrealistic Asuma's declaration was.
His talent was fairly limited—not especially outstanding even among Jonin, let alone enough to surpass Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Having dreams is good," Yamamoto clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, "but to achieve those dreams, you must study hard."
He turned to Hanekawa. "The window seat at the back is yours."
In this classroom, three students shared a desk. As a transfer student arriving two months late, Hanekawa was relegated to the last row.
He didn't mind; a back-row window seat was actually a prime spot.
His desk partner was a black-haired girl. Meeting her gaze, Hanekawa said, "Hello, I'm Hanekawa."
As a spy, there were usually two paths: become invisible, or become the social butterfly. His abilities and looks wouldn't allow him to be invisible.
Too bad he wasn't from the Aburame clan—he could have had natural stealth.
"I'm Shizune. Nice to meet you."
Shizune smiled. Hanekawa was surprised. Shizune? She's still at the Ninja Academy?
In the original timeline, after Tsunade lost Shizune's mentor, she developed hemophobia—a fear of blood. For a medical ninja, that was catastrophic. Tsunade left Konoha with Shizune, wandering the ninja world and gambling.
Hanekawa stroked his chin. So Tsunade is still in Konoha?
He glanced around. In the row in front of him sat Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha.
To the left-front were Kurenai, Asuma, and a boy he didn't recognize.
"Today's lesson is History of Konoha. Please open your books to page thirteen," Yamamoto's voice pulled Hanekawa back to reality.
He flipped open the textbook, pausing briefly at the table of contents. Four main chapters: the Sage of Six Paths, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hanekawa reached the first chapter and immediately felt something off.
Something was definitely wrong—nine out of ten times, wrong.
It said the Sage of Six Paths created all kinds of ninjutsu and even established the rule that each three-person squad should have at least one medical ninja.
Wasn't that Tsunade's idea? Had history been altered—or was there some other problem?
"The First Hokage established Konoha amidst the chaotic times and wrote the ninja code: no drinking or gambling during missions…"
Yamamoto lectured endlessly from the podium. Hanekawa mentally rolled his eyes. Is this some unofficial history?
Not as wild as "folk literature," but Hashirama Senju was known for drinking and gambling—hardly a stickler for rules.
He flipped to the last chapter and saw the author: Hiruzen Sarutobi. Well, that explained it—it was official, professional. He could already guess what the fourth chapter would detail.
Ding-ding-ding!
Class was over. Yamamoto left with the textbook, and the classroom immediately became lively.
"Red…"
Asuma started to speak, but saw Kurenai jump off her chair and run to Hanekawa's side.
He instinctively clenched his fists. At this rate, he would lose completely—face and pride gone!
"Hanekawa, getting used to it?"
Kurenai greeted Shizune and looked at Hanekawa.
"Yes." Hanekawa nodded. For a college student, learning elementary school material was like going back home. In his previous life, he had used the Sarutobi tutoring platform to overwhelm elementary students with ease.
"This is for you."
Kurenai handed him a notebook. "It's the key points I've noted over the past two months. It should help you."
"Thank you," Hanekawa said seriously.
"Then I won't bother you. See you at lunch."
Kurenai waved and turned away.
"You two know each other?"
Shizune asked curiously, sensing something.
"Red's father is my teacher," Hanekawa explained.
"A Jonin teacher?" Shizune's eyes widened. Normally, students weren't assigned a team leader until after graduation. Hanekawa's situation was clearly beyond her understanding.
"Do you know Tsunade-sama?"
Hanekawa looked at her, surprised, and asked. Shizune shook her head.
Another subtle inconsistency struck him. In the original timeline, Tsunade's connection with Shizune came from a Jonin meeting about assigning medical ninjas to squads. But now, the Sage of Six Paths had completed that task ahead of time.
It seemed the world had changed slightly.
Was this the butterfly effect from his transmigration?
Hanekawa didn't dwell on it.
Soon, it was lunchtime. Students either went home or looked for food. Hanekawa closed his textbook and saw Kurenai standing before him. Her ruby-red eyes sparkled in the sunlight, stunningly beautiful.
Not far away, Asuma glared at him with jealousy.
"Go ahead and eat."
Shizune got up to join Rin. Kurenai casually took her seat.
"You and Asuma get along well?" Hanekawa asked as he opened his lunchbox.
"Not really. Just desk partners," Kurenai said with a hint of annoyance. "But he keeps clinging to me."
"I see."
Hanekawa picked up some fried shrimp. As a pure-hearted warrior, he never got involved in messy love triangles. But since there was no real relationship, he felt no pressure.
(A proper explanation for the Sage of Six Paths' actions will come later; it's not a bug or a parallel world.)