Hikaru walked unhurriedly to the swing where Naruto Uzumaki was softly weeping. "Naruto," he said, his voice gentle and comforting, "are you still angry with Teacher Iruka? I don't think he was targeting you. Becoming a great ninja isn't easy, after all. Besides, you can always return to the academy and take the exam again next year."
Unfortunately, Hikaru's words offered no comfort.
Naruto, his head bowed, retorted with bitter resentment, "I know what you mean, Teacher Hikaru, but why was I the only one who failed? Why me? I tried so hard..." His voice was thick with frustration. For a lonely boy who had always been ostracized yet clung desperately to his optimism, yearning for recognition, this failure was a devastating blow.
Nearby, adults watched with cold indifference. Vicious whispers drifted over: "Monster," "Serves him right," "They should have kicked him out long ago." The cruel words struck the once-cheerful boy like physical blows, causing him to shrink even further into himself.
This isn't a good place to talk, Hikaru thought. He gently patted Naruto's slumped shoulders and said in a warm voice, "Naruto, how about we go somewhere else? There's something I want to discuss with you. About the graduation exam... it's not entirely hopeless. If you work hard, there might be a chance for a make-up test."
"Really, Teacher Hikaru? You're not lying to me, are you?" Hearing this unexpected good news, Naruto's eyes lit up with hope as he looked eagerly at Hikaru.
"Of course not," Hikaru reassured him with a smile. "It'll be difficult, but you have real ninja talent. You might just earn Teacher Iruka's approval and become a ninja yet. But let's find a quiet place to talk about it properly."
"Okay, okay! Where should we go, Teacher Hikaru?"
"Let's go to Hokage Rock. The weather's nice today. You go on ahead; I'll be there in a bit."
"Alright! I'll head over now! Don't take too long, Teacher Hikaru!"
"I'll be there soon," Hikaru replied, watching Naruto dash away with his usual whirlwind of energy. He then started toward Hokage Rock himself.
It seems that for a lonely, ostracized child like him, becoming a ninja and gaining recognition is incredibly important, Hikaru mused. That's something I might be able to use later. He couldn't help but mock himself inwardly. Though for now, I'm clearly not someone whose approval Naruto craves. My status as a background character hasn't improved at all. Even if today's plan succeeds, I'll still have a long road ahead.
In the coming years, the power levels in the Shinobi World would skyrocket exponentially. Bosses who seemed overwhelmingly powerful early on would become cannon fodder later. At this point, with his current skills, potential, and status, he wouldn't even get a chance to build a base, grind monsters, or level up. Someone with a weak cheat system might not survive, let alone him, who showed no signs of having one at all. For now, he could only take things one step at a time and worry about the rest later.
As students were picked up by their parents, the Third Hokage also left the academy. After saying goodbye to Iruka, Hikaru left as well and headed for Hokage Rock.
As he walked toward Hokage Rock, Hikaru kept pondering the fundamental question of his own identity.
The original Hikaru had been a Konoha ninja with a bit of cleverness. His overall skills were average, but among Chunin, he was considered exceptional. His Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were unremarkable, while his Taijutsu was excellent, though limited by his less-than-outstanding physique. He also knew a bit of half-baked Puppet Jutsu. Combined with his sharp tactical mind, he was already considered a capable core member among Konoha's Chunin. If he could master one more specialized skill, a promotion to Special Jonin wouldn't have been surprising. Reaching this level at such a young age was an excellent outcome for a war orphan without even a clan name.
However, his character flaws were glaring. He was consumed by jealousy and driven by intense personal ambition, yet lacked the strength and magnanimity to match it. He pinned his hopes for power on Orora's charity without possessing any valuable bargaining chips of his own. In the end, he overestimated himself and tried to steal the Scroll of Seals as a gift to prove his worth, only to be crushed by the Child of Prophecy.
No, that was the world's malice, Hikaru thought. The higher-ups silently watched as I was used as the first stepping stone, my remaining usefulness squeezed out to boost the Child of Prophecy's strength and provide a convenient moral lesson. How convenient for them.
With the original Hikaru's petty nature, how could he ever respect Iruka, who had always been weaker than him? How could he believe that a dead-last failure who couldn't even perform a basic Clone Jutsu could master an advanced technique like the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu in such a short time? Yet, for Naruto Uzumaki, with his astonishingly vast Chakra reserves, it was the perfect ultimate weapon. It was no wonder the original Hikaru was beaten to a pulp while facing the malice of the entire world.
This situation mirrored his own in many ways: mediocre talent paired with a heart that refused to accept mediocrity. He had rashly tried to struggle against his fate, only to realize he lacked the strength. With timing, location, and support all against him, a tragic end was almost inevitable.
However, having transmigrated to this point in time, I might be able to carve out a slim chance using my foreknowledge. Besides, I already have no way back.
So, where should I start? I suppose I should begin by changing my fundamental nature. The original Hikaru was a mediocre person, and so am I. In that sense, our temperaments align perfectly. But Hikaru was also an unsuccessful villain. While he never committed any truly great evils, he was undeniably driven by intense malice.
Xunzi's Xing'e ("Human Nature is Evil") states: "Human nature is evil; its goodness is acquired." The deeper meaning isn't that humanity is inherently vile and all good people are fakes. Rather, it argues that people shouldn't rely solely on their innate nature while neglecting postnatal learning. The purpose of "rites" and "righteousness" is to cultivate gentlemen through education.
But in this war-torn world where life is cheap, aspiring to be a gentleman is a luxury. Spreading love and justice is a privilege reserved for the protagonist, and I'm far from qualified for that role. For now, I can only take the statement at its most literal meaning and act as a "false gentleman."
"Therefore, the sage transforms nature and creates artificiality. From this artificiality arise rites and righteousness, and from rites and righteousness arise laws and regulations."
Such troublesome matters are far beyond my current station. Perhaps only the Hokage would have the authority to even consider them. A sage? A gentleman? I am neither. I'm just a mortal, scrambling to survive, with no time for anything else.
Thinking about it this way, I'm starting to see a path through this mess. Everything hinges on how tonight's operation unfolds and how I handle the details.
Finally, I reached the Hokage Rock. Naruto, who had been waiting impatiently, spotted me from a distance and shouted, "Teacher Hikaru! You're finally here! You're so slow! I've been waiting so long my stomach's growling. Over here, over here~"
"Sorry, Naruto, I'm late," I said. "But it's still early. We have plenty of time."
"Hey, hey, Teacher Hikaru! What's this method for passing the exam you mentioned? Hurry up and tell me!" Naruto asked eagerly, practically bouncing with anticipation.
I smiled faintly. "Don't be in such a rush. Before we get to that, there's something else I want to talk to you about." I looked at Naruto's hopeful face and spoke slowly, "Listen, Naruto... first, I don't want you to resent Teacher Iruka. He's the one who truly cares about you. Teacher Iruka is an orphan too, you know? He understands the loneliness of being alone. As someone who shares that same pain, Iruka would never hold any ill will toward you. You have to believe me. I've known Teacher Iruka for many years, and I know his character very well~"
Naruto listened, his face defiant. He puffed out his cheeks in a pout. "I know that... but I just don't get why they won't let me become a ninja! I've already decided I'm going to be the best ninja, and then I'll definitely become Hokage so everyone will acknowledge me. If I can't even become a ninja, what am I supposed to do?"
"Becoming a qualified ninja isn't that simple, Naruto. It's completely different from playing ninja games. A ninja needs not only outstanding Ninjutsu and strength but also the resolve to make sacrifices~"
"I know!" Naruto declared, clenching his fist with a determined look. "I will become a ninja! That's my Ninja Way—I never go back on my word!"
"Is that so? I see," Hikaru said, his tone suggesting he'd expected this. "You're really something, Naruto. But there's a big mistake in what you just said, and as your teacher, I have to correct it~"
"What mistake?"
"Your desire to become Hokage so everyone will acknowledge you is a good one, but you've got the cause and effect backward," Hikaru explained, looking seriously at Naruto. "It's not that becoming Hokage makes everyone acknowledge you. It's that only those who are acknowledged by everyone can become Hokage!"
"Cause and effect? Backward?" Naruto didn't seem to grasp it at all.
I guess I wasted my breath, Hikaru thought, a wave of disappointment washing over him. I completely overestimated this kid's ability to understand.
"Hey, Teacher Hikaru," Naruto said, "I don't really get what you mean, but there's one thing I do understand: I will become Hokage and get everyone to acknowledge me. So hurry up and teach me how to pass the exam and become a ninja!"
"You're such a good kid, Naruto. I'm sure you'll succeed~" Hikaru sighed inwardly. Just as I thought. "The reason you failed the exam, Naruto, is because you haven't mastered the Clone Jutsu. That's why Teacher Iruka won't let you become a ninja. Powerful Ninjutsu is essential for a ninja, so I think if you learn an advanced, powerful technique, you should be able to become one."
"Really? Where can I learn advanced Ninjutsu?" Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "Wait, are you going to teach me, Teacher Hikaru? That's awesome!"
"Not me, Naruto. Even though I'm a Chunin, I don't know any truly powerful Ninjutsu. But I do know where you can find some—techniques even more powerful than Teacher Iruka's. Once you learn them, I'm sure Teacher Iruka will have no objections and will definitely let you become a ninja."
"Is that true? Where is it? Tell me, Teacher Hikaru, hurry!" Naruto was already bursting with impatience at the good news.
"Konoha has a legendary Scroll of Seals, you know. Learning the advanced Ninjutsu from it should be more than enough, Naruto~"
Everything was going according to plan. Hikaru watched Naruto leave with a satisfied expression.
"Alright, the first step is complete. The Hero has embarked on his journey of leveling up, grinding monsters, completing quests, and unlocking new skills. Now, it's time for me to prepare as well"
In legends, the Hero is the embodiment of love and justice, always surrounded by like-minded companions who become his righteous allies. The other members of the Konoha 12 must be playing that role. So, what's my current position? The sacrificial lamb whose death triggers the Hero's ultimate move and boosts his combat power? That doesn't seem quite enough... though Iruka might just barely qualify.
"Next, I'll proceed according to plan and wait for judgment. Having inherited the will of the original Hikaru and that mediocre white-collar worker, my luck should have improved, right? After all, even if one plus one doesn't equal two, it should at least be greater than one"