The Heavens: From Naruto to sign in

Jingle bell!

The school bell rang.

Iruka-sensei stepped into the classroom with energy and enthusiasm, smiling as he introduced himself to the new students.

Then he launched into his opening speech about the mission, responsibility, and bonds of a ninja.

It all sounded very well-rehearsed—like someone who had been professionally trained in motivational speaking.

A few passionate words in, and the whole class was already buzzing with excitement.

As for Yoruha?

He couldn't care less about this kind of textbook brainwashing.

He simply lowered his head and began flipping through the school-issued textbooks, minding his own business.

But then, something interesting caught his eye.

On the very first page of nearly every book was the same phrase:

"As long as there are leaves flying, the fire will continue to burn. The shadow of the flame will shine upon the village, and new leaves will sprout!"

It was a nice sentiment.

But the part that truly made Yoruha raise an eyebrow…

Each book had a different signature under the quote.

One version signed it as Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Strongest Hokage in Konoha.

Another one said Konoha's Ninjutsu Master, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Yet another wrote Sarutobi Hiruzen, Leader of the Esteemed Sarutobi Clan.

Wow, Yoruha thought. What a marketing genius.

He kept flipping through the pages, only to find something even more ridiculous.

One of the textbooks actually began its first chapter with:

"Interesting Tales from the Life of the Third Hokage—Konoha's Greatest."

Yoruha skimmed it with a blank expression.

It was the usual fluff: how the Second Hokage entrusted his legacy to Sarutobi in a moment of crisis, how the Third handled wartime command with composure, how the village flourished under his rule…

It all sounded grand and glorious.

But Yoruha could only sigh internally.

No wonder everyone keeps calling the Third the strongest Hokage in Konoha's history.

Even if he didn't do much else—this level of propaganda alone is next level.

In fact, Yoruha almost wanted to stand up and applaud.

From this angle, I, Yoruha of the Yamanaka clan, humbly acknowledge the Third as the strongest. Not in battle, but in narrative control.

But putting the jokes aside…

Did Sarutobi Hiruzen ever actually accomplish anything groundbreaking?

Let's break it down:

The First Hokage was a living god of the ninja world. He ended the Warring States period, founded Konoha, and united clans across nations. His feats were literal legends.

The Second Hokage was a sharp strategist. He created the ninja school, developed countless jutsu, and laid down the infrastructure for Konoha's ninja system. A true builder and innovator.

The Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze—sacrificed his life sealing the Nine-Tails to protect the village. A hero who didn't hesitate to give it all for Konoha.

And then there was the Third Hokage…

Yoruha rested his chin in his hand and thought hard.

Before the Konoha Crush Plan, Sarutobi Hiruzen had only one notable achievement on paper:

During the First Ninja War, when the Second Hokage and his team were ambushed by the Golden and Silver Brothers of the Hidden Cloud, the Second supposedly selected Sarutobi to inherit his will and become Hokage.

It sounded poetic—almost mythical.

But when you really looked at it…

What did Sarutobi actually do to earn that title?

The answer: nothing tangible.

From then on, two major Ninja Wars broke out.

Yes, Konoha technically emerged victorious each time—but what role did the Third Hokage actually play?

In the Second Ninja War, the heavy lifting was all done by the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.

The Third?

He mostly sat in the Hokage office, smoking his pipe and reading war reports.

In the Third Ninja War, things got so bad that he had to hand over the Hokage title to the Fourth.

So again—what was his real contribution?

Some say he "trained the Sannin."

Sure.

Let's talk about the state of the Sannin today:

Tsunade is a gambling addict who drinks too much and owes money all over the continent.

Jiraiya is an eccentric novelist whose hobby is peeping on women and writing adult literature.

Orochimaru—well, he's now a full-blown rogue scientist who's responsible for countless experiments on innocent children… and still out there, doing the same in the Land of Rice Fields.

So, what exactly does that say about their "teacher"?

Yoruha sighed as he flipped another page.

If anything, the Third's track record is neutral at best—definitely not worth all this praise.

A master who trained three disasters. Balance of merit and demerit at most.

No matter how he looked at it, this level of glorification was just… too much.

And these were textbooks.

Used to shape the minds of the next generation.

Yoruha rubbed his temples, overwhelmed.

I can't take this seriously anymore.