Altered History

Chapter 6: Altered History

"My name is Hikawa. I don't have many hobbies. As for my dream, I hope to become a ninja like the Hokage-sama."

Hikawa's real dream was simply to survive, but that would have felt too incongruous.

So he gave the standard answer every Ninja Academy student was expected to give: become Hokage.

It wasn't much different from wanting to become a scientist in his past life.

He also used a little trick—he didn't say "become Hokage," but "become a ninja like the Hokage-sama."

Now that Shimura Danzō had his eyes on him, he had no choice but to temporarily align himself with Sarutobi Hiruzen. This was the wisdom of knowing when to bend—his main selling point was loyalty.

"The ninja who becomes Hokage in the end will definitely be me, Obito Uchiha!"

Obito Uchiha shot to his feet, his face full of pride as he declared.

Rin Nohara instinctively tugged at his sleeve, but it didn't work.

"Childish."

Hatake Kakashi said flatly, expressionless.

He wasn't some three-year-old kid anymore—he was already a big five-year-old!

Even if he wanted to become Hokage, he wouldn't argue with words, but with actions.

Hikawa looked at Obito Uchiha and suddenly recalled a dark joke.

If you can't become Hokage, you can always go and become the Hokage.

"What's so great about the Hokage anyway?"

Sarutobi Asuma slowly stood up, his voice low. "I'm going to surpass the Hokage!"

The classroom fell silent for a moment.

Everyone knew he was the son of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hikawa's expression turned subtle.

As someone familiar with the original story, he knew perfectly well how unrealistic Asuma's words were.

His talent was quite limited. Even among jōnin, he wasn't particularly outstanding, let alone capable of surpassing Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Having a dream is a good thing, but if you want to achieve it, you have to study hard."

Eiichirō clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Hikawa, that seat by the window in the back row is for you."

The classroom had three students per desk. Hikawa was a transfer student, two months late, so he could only sit in the last row.

But he didn't mind much. The back row by the window was a good spot.

His deskmate was a girl with short black hair. Meeting her gaze, Hikawa said, "Hello, I'm Hikawa."

As a spy, there were usually two paths.

Either become a wallflower, or become a social butterfly.

But his cheat ability and appearance wouldn't let him be a wallflower.

Too bad he wasn't from the Aburame Clan—otherwise, he'd have a natural chakra-hiding effect.

"I'm Shizune. Nice to meet you."

Shizune's face broke into a smile.

Hikawa was a little surprised.

It was Shizune? Was she still at the Ninja Academy at this time?

In the original story, after Nawaki and Dan Katō died, Tsunade developed hemophobia—a psychological fear of blood.

For a Medical Ninja, developing hemophobia was a devastating blow.

Tsunade then took Shizune and left Konoha, wandering the shinobi world and gambling.

Hikawa rubbed his chin.

Was Tsunade still in Konoha?

Hikawa glanced around.

In the row in front of him were Hatake Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and Obito Uchiha.

To his front-left were Yuhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Asuma, and a little boy he didn't recognize.

"Today's lesson is 'Konoha History.' Please open your books to page thirteen."

Eiichirō's voice pulled Hikawa's thoughts back.

He casually flipped open the book and paused on the table of contents for a few seconds.

The table of contents had four major chapters: The Sage of Six Paths, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hikawa turned to the first chapter, and a wave of dissonance washed over him.

Something was wrong. Nine parts out of ten, something was deeply wrong.

The text said the Sage of Six Paths created all kinds of ninjutsu and also established the rules for ninja squads.

Among them was the rule that one of the three members should ideally be a Medical Ninja.

Wasn't that proposed by Tsunade-sama?

Was history tampered with? Or was something wrong?

"The First Hokage founded Konoha during the era of warring states and wrote the Ninja Rules, which forbid drinking and gambling during missions..."

Eiichirō lectured endlessly from the podium.

Hikawa snapped back to attention, thinking to himself, Isn't this an unofficial history?

It wasn't as wild as the gutter literature, but Hashirama Senju was actually a master of both drinking and gambling.

He flipped to the end and found the book was written by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Well, that settled it. This was the authoritative version.

He could already predict what the fourth major chapter would cover.

The bell for class rang.

Eiichirō left with his textbook, and the classroom immediately grew lively.

"Kurenai..."

Sarutobi Asuma had just opened his mouth when he saw Yuhi Kurenai hop off her stool and run over to Hikawa.

He instinctively clenched his fist. If this kept up, he'd lose everything, even his face!

"Hikawa, are you getting used to things?"

Yuhi Kurenai greeted Shizune briefly, then turned her gaze to Hikawa.

"Yeah."

Hikawa nodded.

As a university student, studying elementary school content felt like coming home.

In his past life, he'd joined the Yuanfudao platform and ruthlessly crushed elementary schoolers.

"This is for you."

Yuhi Kurenai pulled out a notebook and said, "These are the key points I've noted down over the past two months. They should help you."

"Thanks."

Hikawa said seriously.

"Then I won't bother you anymore. See you at noon."

Yuhi Kurenai waved her small hand and turned to leave.

"You know her?"

Shizune seemed to have noticed something and couldn't help asking curiously.

"Kurenai's father is my teacher."

Hikawa explained.

"A Jonin teacher?"

Shizune couldn't help widening her eyes.

Normal students had to wait until graduation before being assigned a squad leader.

Hikawa's situation was clearly beyond her understanding.

"Do you know Tsunade-sama?"

Hikawa looked at her surprised expression and asked on a whim.

Shizune shook her head.

Hikawa felt a sense of dissonance again.

He suddenly realized a problem.

In the original work, Tsunade and Dan Katō's bond began during a Jonin meeting discussing the integration of Medical Ninja into ninja squads.

But now, the Sage of Six Paths had already accomplished that.

It seemed this world had undergone some unknown change.

Was it the butterfly effect from his transmigration?

Hikawa couldn't figure it out, so he stopped thinking.

Time quickly reached noon. Students either went home or looked for places to eat.

Hikawa closed his textbook and saw Yuhi Kurenai standing gracefully before him.

Those ruby-like eyes shimmered in the sunlight, stunningly beautiful.

Not far away was Sarutobi Asuma's gaze, full of resentment.

"You two eat."

Shizune got up and went to find Rin Nohara.

Yuhi Kurenai took the opportunity to sit in her seat.

"Are you and Asuma close?"

Hikawa asked while opening his Bento Box.

"Not really close, just desk mates."

Yuhi Kurenai said with some annoyance, "But he keeps pestering me."

"I see."

Hikawa picked up his chopsticks and grabbed a piece of Fried Shrimp.

As a pure love warrior, he would never be a cuckold (for real).

But since there was no relationship between them, he had no psychological burden.

There will be a reasonable explanation about the Sage of Six Paths later—it's not a bug, nor some parallel world or anything like that.