"My name is Hanekawa. I don't really have many hobbies. As for my dream, I hope to become a ninja like Lord Hokage."
Hanekawa's real dream was just to survive, but that didn't sound quite right for the setting.
So, he said what every student in the Ninja Academy was expected to say—becoming Hokage.
It wasn't much different from saying "I want to be a scientist" back in his previous life.
Still, he added a little twist—he didn't say he wanted to become Hokage, but rather a ninja like Lord Hokage.
Right now, he was under Danzo Shimura's watchful eye, so he had no choice but to rely on Hiruzen Sarutobi for the time being. This was called adapting to survive. His main strategy? Loyalty.
"The one who's gonna be Hokage is me, Uchiha Obito!"
Uchiha Obito leaped to his feet, full of pride.
Rin Nohara instinctively tugged on his sleeve, but failed to stop him.
"Childish."
Kakashi Hatake said with a blank expression.
He wasn't a little kid anymore—he was five years old now, a big kid! Even if he wanted to become Hokage, he wouldn't argue about it. He'd prove it through action.
Hanekawa looked at Obito and suddenly recalled a cruel joke from hell.
Couldn't become Hokage, so he made himself one instead.
"What's so great about being Hokage?"
Asuma Sarutobi slowly stood up and said seriously, "I'm going to surpass the Hokage!"
The classroom instantly fell silent.
Everyone knew he was the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hanekawa's expression grew a little strange.
As someone who knew the original plot, he understood just how unrealistic Asuma's claim was.
His talent was quite limited—even among jonin, he was barely average. Surpassing Hiruzen? That was a bit much.
"Having dreams is a good thing. But if you want to make them come true, you'll have to study hard."
Eijiro clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention.
"Hanekawa, the seat in the back row by the window is yours."
Each table in the classroom sat three students. Since Hanekawa was a transfer student who arrived two months late, he was placed in the last row.
But he didn't really mind. The back corner by the window was actually a great spot.
His tablemate was a little girl with short black hair. Meeting her gaze, Hanekawa said, "Hello, I'm Hanekawa."
As a spy, there were usually two paths to take.
Either be a complete nobody, or be a social butterfly.
But with his looks and system cheats, being invisible was not an option.
It was a shame he wasn't from the Aburame clan. Then he'd come with a built-in stealth aura.
"I'm Shizune. Nice to meet you."
Shizune smiled brightly.
Hanekawa was genuinely surprised.
It was Shizune? She was still in the Academy at this point?
In the original story, after Nawaki and Dan died, Tsunade developed hemophobia—a psychological condition where she became terrified of blood.
As a medical ninja, that was a devastating blow.
Tsunade ended up leaving the Leaf Village with Shizune, wandering the ninja world and gambling everywhere they went.
Hanekawa rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Was Tsunade still in the village?
He glanced around the room.
In front of him sat Kakashi Hatake, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha.
To the front-left were Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and a boy he didn't recognize.
"Today's lesson is 'History of the Hidden Leaf.' Please turn to page thirteen."
Eijiro's voice pulled Hanekawa out of his thoughts.
He flipped open the book, pausing for a moment on the table of contents.
There were four main chapters: The Sage of Six Paths, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hanekawa turned to the first chapter and was hit by a wave of dissonance.
Something was off. Seriously off.
The book claimed the Sage of Six Paths had created all sorts of ninja techniques—and even set the rule that a three-person team should always include one medical ninja.
Wait. Wasn't that Tsunade's idea?
Had the history been altered? Or was something else going on?
"The First Hokage founded the Hidden Leaf during the Warring States period and wrote the Shinobi Code. Drinking and gambling during missions was strictly prohibited..."
Eijiro was passionately lecturing from the podium.
Hanekawa snapped out of his thoughts and muttered inwardly—was this historical fiction?
It wasn't that far-fetched, but everyone knew Hashirama Senju was practically a gambling and drinking champion.
He flipped to the back of the book and found that it was authored by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Well, that explains everything. This was top-tier propaganda.
He could already imagine what the fourth chapter would look like.
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Eijiro took his textbook and left, and the classroom instantly burst into chatter.
"Red..."
Asuma had just opened his mouth when Kurenai Yuhi hopped off her seat and ran over to Hanekawa's desk.
He clenched his fists subconsciously. At this rate, he'd lose everything—including his dignity!
"Hanekawa, how's everything going?"
Kurenai greeted Shizune, then looked at Hanekawa.
"Good," Hanekawa nodded.
As a university student relearning elementary content, this felt like being back home.
In his previous life, he had joined an online education platform and absolutely dominated elementary students.
"This is for you."
Kurenai took out a notebook.
"It's all the key points I've written down over the past two months. It should help."
"Thanks," Hanekawa said with genuine sincerity.
"Then I won't bother you. Let's meet up at lunch."
Kurenai waved and walked away.
"You two know each other?" Shizune asked curiously.
"Her father is my teacher," Hanekawa replied.
"A jonin instructor?" Shizune's eyes widened.
Normally, students didn't get assigned instructors until after graduation.
Hanekawa's situation clearly defied the norm.
"Do you know Lady Tsunade?" Hanekawa asked, sensing an opportunity.
Shizune shook her head.
Again, that weird feeling crept up on him.
He suddenly realized something.
In the original story, Tsunade and Dan bonded during a high-level meeting about including medical ninja in combat squads.
But now, the Sage of Six Paths had apparently proposed that idea long ago.
So something in this world had already shifted behind the scenes.
Was it the butterfly effect of his transmigration?
Hanekawa couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking about it.
Soon, it was noon.
Some students went home, while others looked for a place to eat.
Hanekawa closed his textbook and found Kurenai Yuhi standing beside him again.
Her ruby eyes shimmered in the sunlight—absolutely beautiful.
Not far behind, Asuma was glaring at him with pure resentment.
"You two go ahead," Shizune said, getting up to join Rin.
Kurenai immediately took her seat.
"Are you and Asuma close?" Hanekawa asked as he opened his bento box.
"Not really. We just sit next to each other." Kurenai looked annoyed. "But he keeps bothering me."
"I see."
Hanekawa picked up a fried shrimp with his chopsticks.
As a devoted man of pure love, he had no intention of playing the third wheel—seriously.
But if there was no relationship there, then he had nothing to worry about.