Hey guys, this is my first fic ever, so please be gentle. Only criticize if its constructive please. Anyway, I'm going to start with the easy route, and write a series of one-shots, but they will sort of follow a story line.

Enjoy.

Age 1: Saru

Gazing across from atop the Hokage monument, young Sarutobi cast his eyes upon the near-virgin village of Konohagakure. It had not yet seen war; for it was the peaceful solution to a war. The mighty founder, the Shodaime Hokage, stood next to his brother, watching as the new inhabitants built their homes.

"So tell us, Saru," began the First, "What do you see?"

"I see the village that will one day look up to me as its mighty leader: The Hokage!" cried out Saru in the excitable way all youngsters do.

"Heh heh," chuckled the future-Nidaime, "You sure are motivated. But that isn't the answer we were looking for."

"It wasn't?" said Saru in a confused manner.

"No." replied the First. " What me and my brother see is the Will of the Flame."

Saru looked even more puzzled at this.

Deciding to explain to the poor boy, the water-master continued in his brother's place, "You see Saru, the Will of the Flame is what will make Konoha the greatest shinobi village ever. Every loyal citizen has it, be they civilian or ninja."

"But what is it?" the boy asked.

"It is the will to fight and protect ones family, friends and home, even against all odds; until your dying breath." the First answered.

"Like when you fought that weird guy with all those hearts to protect sensei!" said Saru, all excited again.

"Yes, just like that," the First said, smiling as he remembered saving his beloved brother. "The Will of the Flame inside me forced me to fight for my family, and look what happened. I beat him and saved one of my loved ones."

"Wow" said Saru, "So as long as I have the Will of the Flame inside me, I can become Hokage?"

"Only If you truly want to become Hokage to protect the village, and everyone in it." answered the future-Nidaime.

"Alright!!!" shouted Saru, "Then watch out, cause as soon as I become Hokage, no-one better dare mess with the Leaf; or my loved ones! That's a promise!!!" With that, the hyper-monkey ran off to tell his friends all about the "Will of the Flame."

The Shodaime and his brother smiled to themselves and thought one thing simultaneously:


The leaf will sprout forever

Alright, I know its really short but it's meant to be sort of a series of one-shots. The next ones are going to be continuing the life of Sarutobi, as he rises to Hokage, and showing the lessons he learns and teaches.

Also, a cookie for anyone who realises who the guy with the hearts is.

Read and Review please. Any comments on my writing style will be much appreciated.

BTW: Saru means monkey. It was the First and Second's nickname for him.