Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto :(
I just started rambling and this is what came out.
If I had the chance would I go back? Back to where I was hated and scorned? To start over my crappy life?
If I went back what would I change? Would I kill Sasuke? Or make Hinata stronger? Or maybe save Gaara from his demon? If I went back would I ignore those people I knew were weak in the future? Or would I make them stronger? Would I make alliances and renew past friendships? Or would I leave them, to fend for themselves against an unseen enemy?
If I knew about death would I try to change it?
Would I go in Jirayas place and kill Pein? Or stop Kakashis last fight? Would I let Shizunes soul be taken? Or would I let the future play out like the past.
If I could save them all…would I?
What would I do for my friends? What about those who weren't my friends, the ones who laughed at me and said I was trash?
Would I save them? Would I die for them?
I would.
Because that's what HOKAGE means. That you're the strongest and the best, but it also means that if you have a chance, any at all to protect your subordinates you take it. You don't let them die until you have been cut down, and can no longer lift your body. You take the job filled with pride and fear.
Pride, because they choose you. You were the best for the job and they trust you to protect the village. Fear, because all of the villagers and ninjas lives are in your hands. You are responsible for everyone, and if someone dies you know that somehow it was your fault.
You should have trained them harder or given them a different mission. But in the end you can't change the past, you have to keep going.
You live with your choices good or bad, and when the end comes you know that you did the best and that now it's up to someone else to protect what you took care of for so long.
Finished.