I Will Become Hokage!

Time passed quickly.

Finally, the Second Great Ninja War ended when Soragakure was destroyed, and Sarutobi Ryo returned to Konoha with Hatake Sakumo.

The Five Great Nations had won the long war.

In the end, the Five Great Nations took resources from many smaller countries, making themselves much richer.

Konoha didn't suffer any major damage during the war.

However, they lost Land of Whirlpools, their ally.

The war began with the death of Senju Nawaki, who was the grandson of the legendary Ninja God, Senju Hashirama. Then, Tsunade left the village, and finally, Soragakure was destroyed.

To the leaders of Konoha, this loss didn't matter much because they had gained a lot from the war.

But for families who had lost loved ones, the war was the worst thing imaginable.

---

That day, rain fell from the sky like tears.

People dressed in black gathered at the cemetery to remember those who had died.

The sounds of crying filled the air as families said goodbye to their memories of the fallen.

Sarutobi Ryo stared at the tombstone in front of him, which read "Grave of Senju Nawaki."

Yamanaka Hui, also in black, held an umbrella to protect Sarutobi Ryo from the wind and rain.

She was his most helpful assistant and a close childhood friend.

They had grown up together and shared a deep connection.

Yamanaka Hui was also one of the few people Sarutobi Ryo truly trusted.

"Young Master Sarutobi Ryo."

A figure with spiky blond hair appeared.

The handsome young man stood next to Sarutobi Ryo.

"Minato, I heard that your two teammates died. I'm very sorry for your loss."

Sarutobi Ryo turned to face the young man, who was about the same age as him.

This blond-haired youth was none other than Uzumaki Naruto's father, Namikaze Minato, from the future.

Even though Namikaze Minato was young, he had already become famous in the ninja world.

During the Second Great Ninja War, Namikaze Minato's teacher, Jiraiya, went to fight against the Amegakure and stayed there after the battle.

This meant that his three students had to fight on their own.

Namikaze Minato used his incredible talent and intelligence to create his own ninja path during the war.

The previous year, Namikaze Minato had even rescued Uzumaki Kushina after she was kidnapped by ninjas from Kumogakure. Because of this important achievement, he was allowed to read the Book of Sealing, which only the Hokage could access.

He learned the powerful Flying Thunder God Technique from the book, and his legendary rise began.

In just two years, he had earned the nickname "Golden Flash."

He was truly blessed.

However, Namikaze Minato's two teammates weren't as lucky.

In the Great Ninja War, even experienced Jonin and Kage-level ninja could die at any moment, so the survival rate for young ninja was terrifyingly low. They died without surprise.

"Yes." Namikaze Minato nodded, looking serious. "Young Master Ryo, I heard that your and Yamanaka-classmate's Jonin instructor died. I'm sorry for your loss as well."

The recent battle had been intense.

Suddenly, powerful experts appeared, turning the battlefield into chaos.

His Jonin instructor was killed instantly.

Sarutobi Ryo remembered the battle but couldn't figure out who those strange people were.

Since the Naruto series didn't explain the Second War in detail, it was normal for unknown experts to appear.

Sarutobi Ryo didn't worry too much about it and simply reported what happened to his superiors.

"Death is common for ninjas; it's normal."

Sarutobi Ryo nodded and looked into Namikaze Minato's eyes.

"But... Minato, don't you think it's wrong to send children to fight in wars?"

Senju Nawaki, who they were mourning, was their senior and a childhood friend.

Ever since Senju Nawaki died, Sarutobi Ryo had been increasingly unhappy with Konoha's government.

Now, the cemetery was filled with even more tombstones of children, and countless families were broken.

"This..."

Namikaze Minato looked down, seeming unsure.

Finally, he kindly warned, "Young Master Ryo, be careful what you say..."

"When telling the truth becomes a sin, huh..." Yamanaka Hui smiled knowingly.

Namikaze Minato's smile slowly disappeared. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Young Master Ryo, maybe some things are wrong right now... So, what we can do is try to become stronger, become Hokage, and then... change those things."

Power.

Namikaze Minato stressed the importance of power.

Unless a ninja could bring peace to the Land of Fire on their own, like the First Hokage,

they needed to become stronger and gain power.

When they were kids, the three of them often talked about their dreams.

Senju Nawaki, of course, wanted to follow in his grandfather Senju Hashirama's footsteps and become the village's Kage.

Namikaze Minato felt the same way.

Sarutobi Ryo was the only one who didn't want to become Hokage.

However, certain events, especially Senju Nawaki's death, completely changed Sarutobi Ryo.

When... a soul from the 21st century, personally saw children being sent to war to die, what would he think and feel?

Sarutobi Ryo's answer was: I'll become the Hokage. It's time to bring the true Will of Fire back to this village!

"Power is definitely important."

Sarutobi Ryo nodded.

Without power, even if you were as strong as Konoha White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, you would still have to follow the orders of those in charge.

"Young Master Ryo, are you also going to try to become Hokage?" Namikaze Minato blinked, his voice gentle and comforting.

It was no wonder Kushina called him a little sun.

"That's right." Sarutobi Ryo looked at Senju Nawaki's grave again. "Some things need to change... No, it's time to go back to what we originally wanted."

"Then, let's do our best together."

Namikaze Minato smiled even more brightly, without any jealousy.

After a few more pleasant words, Namikaze Minato said goodbye and went to join Kushina, who had also come to pay her respects, on the other side of the cemetery.

"Young Master, that Namikaze Minato seems so sure that he can become Hokage."

Yamanaka Hui smiled with a hint of contempt.

"Should I... teach him a lesson in private?"

"..."

Hearing Yamanaka Hui's words, Sarutobi Ryo looked strange.

His childhood friend was great in every way.

But there was one problem.

It was as if she saw herself as my servant.