Naruto: Hidden Hokage

Physical training was scheduled for the afternoon, but the morning class focused on The History of Konoha.

"Today's lecture will cover the Third Hokage," Eijiro announced from the podium. "Please pay close attention. This chapter is a crucial part of the final exam and is guaranteed to be tested."

Yorin casually propped his History of Konoha textbook upright on his desk, using it to block the teacher's view.

Having already mastered most of the material to fulfill the requirements for the Academic Prodigy trait, he didn't need to follow the lecture step by step.

Given Yorin's recent stellar performance, Eijiro, even if he noticed anything unusual, would likely turn a blind eye.

"The Third Hokage hails from the Sarutobi clan and currently leads the village. Under his guidance, Konoha has thrived," Eijiro continued, his gaze drifting toward Asuma Sarutobi as he mentioned the clan.

The majority of the class followed suit, their attention also drawn to Asuma.

Asuma clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Although his relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi had improved since learning how to dispel genjutsu, he still found the scrutiny from others irritating.

He wished people would think of him as "Asuma Sarutobi" rather than "the Hokage's son."

"The Third Hokage was the personal student of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. He is proficient in all the jutsu of Konoha," Eijiro continued. "The outside world refers to him by many titles, including the Strongest Hokage, Professor of Ninjutsu, and Hero of the Shinobi."

Many students gazed at Eijiro with admiration and awe.

You're right, Yorin thought, but you've also glossed over the beginning, the middle, and the end. In short, he's the Strongest Hokage.

Yorin pulled out a math workbook and began solving problems.

Whether he could secure first place in the theoretical portion of the final exams depended on his ability to handle these math questions.

By the time morning classes ended, it was lunch break.

Asuma let out a long sigh.

This old man is so full of it. The lecture was nothing but praise—utterly nauseating!

When I become Hokage someday, I'll... double down on it.

Asuma closed his textbook and glanced to the side, only to see Kurenai running over to Yorin's desk with her lunchbox.

His face immediately darkened.

Damn that Yorin kid!

I can't stand it! Let's settle this now!

"Yorin," Asuma said as he approached their table. "I challenge you to a duel!"

Kurenai blinked in surprise.

In her eyes, Asuma wasn't even close to being Yorin's match after how badly he'd lost last time.

Trying again now would yield the same outcome.

"I'm not the same person I was before!" Asuma declared, noticing Kurenai's reaction.

Why are you shouting so loudly? Yorin thought.

After some consideration, Yorin said, "There's a practical class in a couple of days."

They could fight then, saving time and effort.

"Fine!" Asuma agreed enthusiastically. "This time, I'll definitely win!"

In the past two weeks, he hadn't just learned how to dispel genjutsu—he'd also sparred with genjutsu users.

There's no way I'll lose! You can't take me down in one hit—it's impossible!

This time, the schoolyard will be my stage, and everyone will cheer for me!

"Good luck," Yorin said with a smile.

"..." Asuma faltered.

Why does Yorin's attitude make me seem like the arrogant one?

Glancing at Kurenai's reaction only made it worse.

Am I falling behind in her eyes because of him?

Is this deliberate, or is he just oblivious?

Gritting his teeth, Asuma turned and returned to his desk.

At this point, no amount of explanation would help him save face. His only option was to defeat Yorin.

"Let's eat," Yorin said casually, handing Kurenai a pair of chopsticks.

"Do you think you can win?" Kurenai asked, biting into a fried shrimp. "After all, he's the Hokage's son and likely has countermeasures against genjutsu now."

"I'm aware," Yorin replied with a nod.

This time, he planned to win through a different approach.

"That's good," Kurenai said, visibly relieved.

At a nearby desk, Rin Nohara opened three lunchboxes.

She picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Obito Uchiha.

"Thanks, Rin!" Obito said, casting a smug glance at Kakashi Hatake.

However, Kakashi wasn't even looking at him.

Following Kakashi's gaze, Obito saw he was staring at Yorin.

"He only beat Asuma by sheer luck," Obito muttered disdainfully.

As a member of the Uchiha clan, Obito inherently looked down on genjutsu users.

"Could you have beaten Asuma by sheer luck?" Kakashi asked, his tone indifferent as he took the chopsticks Rin offered him.

"Why not?" Obito huffed. "Last time, I couldn't even get my jutsu off! If I had, Asuma would've been toast!"

"There's no 'what if' in ninja battles," Kakashi said bluntly. "You either win, or you lose."

"You!" Obito fumed, his whole body shaking with anger.

"Obito," Rin said softly, tugging at his sleeve. "Try my tempura. Tell me how it tastes."

"It's amazing, Rin! The best!" Obito exclaimed, his mood instantly improving.

Once lunch ended, it was time for the dreaded physical training session.

"One hundred laps around the field—begin!" Eijiro shouted from the starting line.

The entire class dashed forward.

Leading the pack was Obito, who started at full speed, glancing back occasionally to see if Rin was watching.

"Idiot," Kakashi muttered under his breath.

Rin sighed, exasperated.

Who starts a long-distance run with a sprint?

Yorin maintained a steady pace, running alongside Kurenai.

As time passed, the gaps between students began to show.

Obito was the first to run out of stamina, falling to the back of the pack.

At the front were Kakashi and Might Guy.

Yorin, Kurenai, and Asuma followed in the second group.

By the ninetieth lap, the dynamics shifted again.

Asuma watched helplessly as Yorin pulled ahead of him.

He wanted to catch up, but his legs were too unsteady.

Kakashi glanced at Yorin, who had kept pace with him the entire time, and frowned slightly.

He clearly remembered Yorin struggling to crack the top ten during the last training session.

Now, they were running neck and neck.

Kakashi could hear Yorin's breathing—slightly labored but still steady.

With a grim expression, Kakashi pushed himself to maintain his lead.

By the final lap, most students had collapsed onto the ground, completely spent.

Only three remained running: Kakashi, Guy, and Yorin.

"What's with this guy?" Kakashi panted, his breathing uneven.

Every time he thought Yorin had reached his limit, Yorin managed to recover.

Am I going to lose?

While Kakashi hadn't specifically trained for endurance, his swordsmanship practice demanded a high level of physical fitness.

Gritting his teeth, Kakashi summoned his last reserves of energy and began to accelerate.

"This is youth!" Guy exclaimed, his whole body trembling with excitement as he watched the two competitors.

Yorin's lips twitched.

But this is my chance!

With the finish line in sight, Yorin decided to stop holding back.