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Tsunade sat in silence, cheeks tinged with the faint flush of alcohol, fingers idly circling the rim of her sake cup. The room held its breath.
Jiraiya leaned forward, breaking the tension.
"Well? What's your answer, Tsunade?"
Everyone waited.
Inside, Tsunade's heart was a tangle of emotion. Memories swirled of a village her grandfather built, a village she once adored.
But then came Nawaki's death… then Dan's.
The people she loved were swallowed by that same village.
Now, when she thought of Konoha, she didn't know what to feel.
Her hand trembled slightly as she looked down. Her voice, when it came, was barely above a whisper.
"…No. I refuse."
Jiraiya wasn't surprised.
In fact, he almost smiled. "You know… that reminds me of the first time I tried to befriend you. You said the exact same thing."
Naruto blinked. "Wait a sec—what happened to collect the information? Wasn't this about healing Neji, and bringing her back to treat Sasuke and Kakashi?"
He threw his hands in the air. "Now she's supposed to be Hokage? And she doesn't even want the job?!"
Neji gave Naruto a sidelong look. You were the one who interrupted earlier, remember?
Besides, Neji thought to himself, what's so great about being Hokage anyway? It's just a glorified mayor's gig. Look how overworked they are.
He mentally added, At least emperors had concubines. Hokage gets stress, paperwork, and zero perks. Might as well be a postal worker.
Jiraiya stayed calm and gave Naruto a proper explanation Tsunade had revolutionized medical ninjutsu, was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, and Konoha's leadership had already agreed.
With each sentence, Naruto's fire dulled. He slowly slouched back into his chair.
Tsunade gave the boy a sly look.
"Jiraiya, he's nothing like your last student. No brains, no charm, not even the looks."
Naruto leaped to his feet. "Say that again!"
Jiraiya quickly stepped in. "C'mon, compared to the Fourth Hokage, everyone comes up short."
That shut Naruto up. He admired the Fourth too much to argue.
Jiraiya smiled. "Minato Namikaze—the most gifted ninja in history. Smart, quick, respected by all… handsome, too. Just like me."
Neji looked away to hide a snort. 'You really had to add that last part, didn't you?'
But Tsunade's next words hit like a cold slap.
"And yet… the Fourth Hokage still died. Gave everything for the village and what did he get in return?"
She looked down at her hands.
"Lives aren't money. You can't spend them like loose change."
Her voice turned bitter.
"My grandfather, the First Hokage, and Tobirama too both died for this village. What good did it do them?"
Jiraiya's expression tightened. "…You've changed, Tsunade."
"I don't know what's going on inside your heart," he added. "But how can you say something like that?"
Tsunade met his eyes. "I'm in my fifties now. Time changes people."
She shook her head.
"Sarutobi-sensei was too old to be fighting. He knew it. What was he trying to prove? He dug his own grave."
That pierced even Jiraiya's defenses.
And then—
Tsunade dropped the hammer.
"Hokage means nothing. Only fools want to be Hokage."
SLAM.
Naruto shot to his feet, fist clenched, ready to strike—
But Neji grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
Eyes closed, voice calm, Neji said:
"…I agree with you."
Naruto froze.
Neji continued, "Yes. Only fools want to be Hokage."
"Neji! What the hell?!"
But Neji didn't turn.
"I just hope," he said quietly, "that the world has more of those fools."
Everyone stilled.
"The peace we have now…" Neji continued, "Only exists because those fools were willing to sacrifice themselves."
"Pointless deaths, maybe. But they believed in a future they wouldn't live to see."
Jiraiya's breath caught.
Is this… because of Hizashi?
For Neji, it wasn't just talk. He thought of heroes who died for others, saints people mocked… Z. Sensei from another world, who died without ever raising a blade.
Good people rarely get good endings, he thought. That's why I don't try to be one. But deep down… I hope they keep existing.
He smiled faintly.
"…Sorry. Got carried away."
He turned to Naruto. "Still want to be one of those fools?"
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"Of course. Because being Hokage is my dream!"
The words felt heavy, even strange now. But he wouldn't back down.
"And I don't care if you're a woman or what—if you insult the Hokage, I'll beat you down all the same!"
There it is. Neji smirked. Classic Naruto.
Tsunade blinked at both boys.
Something in her cracked.
She didn't know why… but her heart felt lighter. Like she'd just taken off a weight she didn't know she was carrying.
A grin tugged at her lips.
"These kids… really are fools."
She looked at Naruto.
"You've got guts, brat. Let's take this outside."
Shizune facepalmed. "Seriously, Tsunade-sama? Picking fights with teenagers?"
Jiraiya just smiled.
He glanced at Neji, eyes full of pride.
For so long, Neji had been an enigma. But tonight, Jiraiya felt like he finally understood him and he wasn't disappointed.
Those words had moved not just Tsunade… but even Jiraiya himself.
So it's true… only fools want to be Hokage.
He looked at Tsunade and Naruto walking toward the door.
And maybe… this mission's already a success.
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Outside…
Night had fallen. The moon hung low, spilling silver across the street like falling dust.
Tsunade cracked her knuckles.
"Alright, brat. Let's see what you've got."
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