After we finished eating, we all sat around the fire, the warm glow flickering in the darkening evening.
Naruto was already starting to feel the food settle in his stomach, his usual energy returning bit by bit, but Hiruzen's calm presence made the atmosphere shift a little.
He sat across from us, his thoughtful eyes flicking between Naruto and me before finally breaking the silence.
"So," Hiruzen began, his voice gentle but carrying a certain weight, "What are your dreams, children?"
Naruto blinked, clearly not expecting the question.
His brow furrowed as he thought for a moment, the firelight reflecting in his wide blue eyes.
"Dream?" he repeated, as if he had never really thought about it.
He scratched his head before speaking again, his voice quieter now.
"I just want to have friends... people who see me for who I really am."
His words hung in the air, simple yet filled with so much honesty.
I watched him closely, sensing the vulnerability in his tone, but I also understood it all too well.
It was a dream that many children might share, but Naruto wore it on his sleeve, unafraid to express it even though it was something that had been denied to him for so long.
I, on the other hand, had never really had a dream like that.
"I don't have a dream like that," I said, turning my gaze away from Naruto to look at Hiruzen. "I just want my brother to be happy."
Naruto's face lit up at that, his mouth curving into a bright grin as he glanced over at me, clearly moved by my words.
Hiruzen smiled warmly, nodding in understanding.
"You're a kind child, Johan," he said, his voice carrying a certain softness.
"And you, Naruto," he continued, turning his gaze to the younger boy, "If you want to be recognized, I have a suggestion."
Naruto's eyes grew wide with excitement.
"Really? Tell me, tell me!" he urged, bouncing in his seat, his energy returning now that he had the attention he craved.
Hiruzen leaned in slightly, his expression serious but encouraging.
"You should try to become Hokage."
"Hokage?" Naruto repeated, looking confused.
"Yes," Hiruzen said with a nod. "The Hokage is the leader of this village. Strong, smart, and kind. They take care of everyone. The Hokage looks after the village and all its people."
Naruto's eyes widened even more as the idea started to sink in.
He looked up at the distant Hokage Mountain, where the stone faces of the previous Hokages were carved into the rock.
"Are those the Hokages?" he asked, pointing toward the mountain, his voice full of awe.
Hiruzen smiled, a proud twinkle in his eye.
"Yes, those are the faces of the Hokages. And the Fourth Hokage," he added with a certain reverence, "was the greatest of them all."
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"Really? But how do you know that?" he asked, clearly in awe.
Hiruzen chuckled softly.
"Because I'm the Third Hokage," he said, his voice light and playful.
Naruto's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"Really? Wow! You're so cool, old man!" he exclaimed, his excitement making his earlier embarrassment fade completely.
Hiruzen chuckled, clearly amused.
"Old man?" he repeated with a laugh, shaking his head.
Naruto, ever the bold one, responded without missing a beat.
"Well, you're a lot older than me!"
I couldn't help but laugh at that, and even Hiruzen seemed genuinely amused.
"Then I'll become Hokage too!" Naruto shouted with enthusiasm, his voice filled with determination.
"And everyone will acknowledge me!"
Hiruzen smiled, a wise and understanding look crossing his features.
"You can do it, Naruto," he said kindly. "But you'll need to study as well."
Naruto froze, his face going from determined to horrified.
"Study?!" he cried, his hands flying up in exaggerated shock. "Nooo!"
I chuckled lightly at his reaction, watching as Hiruzen's eyes softened with fondness for the two of us.
"Well, it's the way to success," Hiruzen said with a smile. "But I believe you'll find a way to make it work."
Hiruzen's eyes softened, his thoughts clearly on something deeper.
Minato, Kushina... your children are kind and good just like you two were. I will make sure they are safe. I swear it.