Momentary speechlessness did not mean agreement.
Surface-level silence did not signify the collapse of conviction.
The atmosphere in the office grew stagnant. The three of them each harbored their own thoughts, and the earlier discussion had clearly reached an impasse.
In the end, it was Sarutobi Hiruzen who broke the silence. He tapped his pipe lightly against the desk, pulling the conversation back to reality.
"No matter what, our immediate priorities are clear," he said calmly.
"Ensure Naruto's safety. Investigate the truth behind the Heavenly Screen. And deal with the pressure coming from outside the village."
He glanced at his two disciples.
"As for ideological disputes, those can be set aside for now. Jiraiya—taking Naruto as your student will proceed as you suggested. Tsunade, the village's medical system and combat readiness will need your attention."
Tsunade snorted, tacitly agreeing.
She might be displeased, but she knew how to distinguish priorities.
Jiraiya nodded as well, his expression turning serious. "Understood."
Behind the Ninja Academy, the narrow alley lay bathed in the glow of the setting sun, shadows stretched long across the ground.
Naruto rubbed his bruised mouth, wincing as he leaned against the cold wall.
Watching classmates leave with their families, a heavy, sour feeling clogged his chest.
"Damn it, Sasuke…" Naruto muttered under his breath.
"When I get stronger someday, I'll beat him up good…"
The words did little to chase away the loneliness.
As he hugged his knees and buried his face, trying to shut the world out—
"Hey, kid."
Naruto lifted his head in confusion. The blazing sunset made him squint.
A tall figure blocked the light. Wild white hair, like a lion's mane.
Then a large hand extended toward him, holding a popsicle that still gave off wisps of cold air—irresistibly tempting.
"Eat up, kid."
Naruto froze. His blue eyes went wide as he stared at the popsicle… then at the unfamiliar white-haired man.
"F-For me?" His voice stuttered in disbelief.
This had never happened before.
A stranger.
Giving him something.
And it was food?
"Got a problem with that?" Jiraiya deliberately put on a stern face, his voice rough—though a faint warmth hid in his eyes.
"N-No! No problem!"
Afraid the man might change his mind, Naruto hurriedly took the popsicle.
The cold seeped through the wrapper into his palm, feeling unreal.
He carefully peeled it open and took a lick.
Cold. Sweet.
The flavor spread instantly through his mouth—straight into his heart.
This was the first time he had ever received a gift from a stranger that carried no prejudice, no fear, no disgust.
Even if it was just a cheap popsicle, to Naruto—who had never known kindness—it weighed more than gold.
He lowered his head, taking small bites, trying to hide his reddening eyes and trembling shoulders.
Jiraiya watched the boy treat the popsicle like a treasure, something soft stirring deep in his chest.
Leaning against the wall, he pulled out another popsicle for himself and took a bite, asking casually,
"So, kid—good?"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded hard, his voice slightly nasal but loud and clear.
"It's super good!"
"Hahahahaha!" Jiraiya burst out laughing, the sound booming down the alley and drawing glances from passing students.
When he finally stopped laughing, he asked teasingly,
"Hey, kid. Been talking all this time—what's your name?"
Naruto immediately puffed out his chest, shouting like he was making a grand proclamation:
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki! The man who's gonna become Hokage someday!"
"Hokage, huh…" Jiraiya murmured.
His gaze drifted toward the Hokage Rock in the distance—toward the stone face of the Fourth Hokage.
A flicker of complicated remembrance and sorrow crossed his eyes.
Minato—his perfect student. His perfect Hokage.
But the emotion vanished quickly, replaced once more by his usual irreverence.
He ruffled Naruto's messy blond hair roughly and laughed.
"You little brat! You haven't even graduated from the Academy and you're already bragging about becoming Hokage? That's some sky-high nonsense!"
"I'm not bragging!" Naruto jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, fists clenched, face flushed red.
"I mean it! I'm gonna be Hokage—and not just any Hokage! I'll be the strongest Hokage ever! I'll make everyone acknowledge me!"
"Oh? Really?"
Jiraiya's expression suddenly turned serious. He dropped the smile, eyes filled with undisguised disdain as he sized Naruto up.
"You're all talk, kid. Strongest Hokage? What do you think the Hokage is—some game of house? You can't do it."
The blunt dismissal hit Naruto like a bucket of cold water—but his stubborn streak ignited instantly.
"I can! I will!"
"Hmph."
Jiraiya scoffed, folding his arms and looking down at him.
"Then tell me—do you even know what it takes to become Hokage?"
"Uh…"
Naruto froze. His momentum evaporated.
What does it take… to be Hokage?
He knew the Hokage was the strongest, the most respected—but what exactly did they do?
Naruto scratched his head, unable to answer.
Seeing his flustered expression, Jiraiya chuckled inwardly, though his face remained scornful.
"See? You don't even know the basics, yet you're yelling about becoming Hokage. If that's not bragging, what is?"
"I—I don't care!" Naruto panicked and started arguing stubbornly, eyes squeezed shut as he shouted.
"I'm gonna be Hokage no matter what! That's my dream!"
Watching the boy's unreasonable yet unwavering persistence, a trace of approval flashed through Jiraiya's eyes.
That refusal to back down—even when hitting a wall—was real resolve.
"Dreams aren't achieved by shouting them, kid," Jiraiya said, his tone softening slightly, though still deliberately discouraging.
"Just talking won't make anyone acknowledge you. Let alone…"
He emphasized the words carefully.
"…becoming the Hokage who protects the entire village."
Then, without waiting for Naruto—now deep in thought, face scrunched tight—Jiraiya turned as if to leave.
"Hey! Wait!" Naruto hurriedly shouted.
"Then tell me—what do I have to do to become Hokage?!"
Jiraiya stopped.
With his back to Naruto, the corners of his mouth curled into a satisfied grin.
Hook, line, and sinker.
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