The brief self-introduction session had come to an end.
The name Hakken Yoru was destined to be remembered by everyone in the room.
The man who had overshadowed the so-called "strongest freshman" handpicked by the Hokage-sama himself.
In other words, he had already been tacitly acknowledged as the true number one.
Of course, there were plenty who refused to accept that.
Within the elite class, however, Hakken spotted several familiar faces.
Inuzuka Kiba's older sister—the future beauty and skilled veterinarian, Hana Inuzuka.
The purple-haired swordswoman, Yūgao Uzuki.
The frail-looking Hayate Gekkō.
And Izumi Uchiha, the little girl he'd met long ago at Mikoto Uchiha's birthday celebration.
Those were the few classmates Hakken actually recognized.
He pulled back his gaze and slumped forward, resting his chin on the desk.
The teacher's words went in one ear and out the other. Especially when his eyes landed on the first page of the textbook, and the bold title made him burst out laughing.
"Chronicles of the Great Hokage"
Volume One: The Strongest Hokage – Hiruzen Sarutobi
Yeah, right.
What kind of nonsense is this?
Closing the book with a dull thud, Hakken rubbed his face hard.
Hiruzen, you really outdid yourself—actually putting this kind of thing in a school textbook.
No wonder, in the early days of the shinobi world, rumors spread that the Third was the strongest Hokage.
Shaking his head, Hakken completely lost any desire to keep reading.
For him, becoming a student at the Academy was just a formality anyway.
Once he earned his forehead protector, this charade would be over.
As for Hiruzen, there was no doubt the textbook was filled entirely with flattering praise.
Like how he led the village after the death of the Second Hokage and "won" the Second Shinobi World War.
Or how his "brilliant command" during the Third Shinobi World War supposedly brought Konoha victory despite being surrounded by the other great villages.
And of course, under his leadership, Konoha reached the peak of its prosperity!
Sure.
All things the villagers could see—none worth looking deeper into.
In truth, Konoha's "victory" in the Second Shinobi World War was little more than a façade. They paid the price of an entire clan—the Senju—and still failed to bring down Hanzō of the Salamander, unable to subdue even Amegakure.
And the Third War? Don't even get started.
If not for the rise of the Yellow Flash and Orochimaru's desperate stand at the Kikyō Pass, Konoha would've been finished.
What did any of that have to do with Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Whether it was the Second or Third War, he spent them both sitting comfortably at his desk in Konoha, puffing on his pipe.
Maybe he should've taken a page from Iwagakure's Ōnoki—an old man still fighting on the front lines.
But the Hokage? He hid behind others and enjoyed the peace.
Konoha's ninja forces were growing fewer with each battle.
Of course, Hakken wouldn't simply belittle someone for the sake of it.
Hiruzen's existence had indeed stabilized Konoha—that much was true.
But it was far from enough to lead the village to true greatness.
Still, in the end, he did give his life to protect Konoha.
That alone was enough to justify the title of "Kage."
A contradictory politician—
That was Hiruzen Sarutobi: a man who both protected Konoha and restrained any power that grew beyond his control, stunting its potential.
If content like that ever made it into a textbook, Hakken might actually enjoy reading it.
Unfortunately, that would never happen.
Having lost all interest in studying, he rested his head on his desk and began a different kind of training—refining chakra.
The first day's classes for new students were simple. After a brief orientation, the afternoon sun was already pouring in through the windows.
That warm light always seemed to make people drowsy, but instead of resting, Hakken and Itachi made their way to the training grounds.
"How's it feel, being a student?"
Taking a gulp from his sake gourd, Hakken exhaled a thick breath of alcohol right into Itachi's face, grinning as he asked.
"Boring. I feel like I learn more training with you than sitting in class."
Itachi shook his head, giving the answer Hakken had expected.
"Mm. Then tomorrow, let's use that technique. Staying at the Academy really is a waste of time."
Hakken nodded.
"Got it."
To anyone else, their exchange would've sounded confusing.
After all—
That technique was a secret only the two of them shared.
The Shadow Clone Technique.
Their chakra reserves weren't particularly large yet, so using shadow clones didn't grant much fighting power. But it was more than enough to deal with a mere chūnin instructor.
As long as they didn't draw attention to themselves, no one would suspect a thing.
Itachi was a genius, after all. He had already mastered the technique.
Just like in the original story—only a few days after enrollment, he would start sending shadow clones to class while he trained on his own.
Hakken brushed his hand over the hilt of his Zanpakutō, but then frowned, glancing toward a nearby tree.
A pair of delicate purple shoes peeked out from behind it.
So, he'd been found.
The girl behind the tree bit her lip before stepping into view—long purple hair cascading down her back, eyes sharp with determination.
Yūgao Uzuki.
A strikingly beautiful girl.
"Something you need?"
Hakken lowered his Zanpakutō and asked evenly.
"That sword of yours… it's not just for decoration, is it?"
Taking a steady breath, the girl voiced her question.
In the world of shinobi, blades and swords were often treated as one and the same.
Just like White Fang—some called him a master of Kenjutsu, others called it swordsmanship. It was all the same principle, just different words.
"Is there a problem with that?"
Hakken chuckled lightly, adjusting the sword at his waist. He had assumed that, after Itachi's earlier words, no one would bother him so soon—at least, not before getting to know him.
Clearly, he'd been wrong.
"My name is Yūgao Uzuki," she declared, drawing her blade in one smooth motion. "Please… fight me!"
Swish!
The sharp sound of steel echoed through the training ground as the girl raised her sword.
She was determined to prove herself.