I will become Hokage!
(俺が火影になるってばよ!)
"Thank you." When Hayate Gekkou looked up at the face of Naruto Uzumaki, his face remained static. He received many polite acknowledgements from the class so far, even though not with as much enthusiasm, and he secretly became curious as to what the kid was about to say. I see, so that's Tenko. I can never forget that day. Along with his thoughts, Hayate wondered how and why Naruto became such a boisterous child compared to the others.
"Your answers are cool!" remarked Naruto. "So, I have a question in regards to my dream."
"It's good to have a dream. What is it?"
"Heh!" Naruto went from a crouch to a stand. Having his feet on the desk held the same fascination as one standing at a high place, and seeing the whole area like from a podium or a balcony. Now, the majority of the class was in his sights, and everyone's eyes were on him.
"My goal is a big one. Think big to become big!"
Hayate nodded his head. "Yes?"
"My goal is," Naruto paused to make sure he grinned as wide as possible. He pointed at himself with his thumb. "to become Hokage!"
"Oh?"
"That's right! The next Hokage of Konoha! Its greatest guardian and ninja!" After Naruto asserted his goal, a roar of laugh shuddered the classroom.
"You can't be serious," murmured Sasuke, closing his eyes to the deafening laughter.
"All of you shut the hell up! What's so funny?!" Naruto pivoted on his desk to scan over the entire class. "Huh? Huh?! Think big!"
"Give us a break. Everyone here knows good and well that you're unmotivated and inept." Kannosuke, the black-haired boy from behind, sitting behind Naruto, scoffed. The red-haired boy next to him wasn't laughing.
Naruto pointed a finger at Kannosuke, a scowl upon his face. "I'm like everyone else! You work the hardest when you pursue a dream, you stupid mother!" Before Kannosuke could retort, he was met with Naruto's butt turned to him.
"With that said, Mister Gekkou," Naruto spun back to look down at the jounin, "tell me, what does it mean to be a Hokage and how do I become one?"
Hayate cupped his chin and tilted his head in a gesture of thought. It was rare to see an adult not act rashly towards Naruto. He was actually considerate and didn't expect the question to be ridiculous. Besides, the question was most likely shared by others.
"Both a hard-worker and thinker," he answered.
Naruto beamed a wide mouth of teeth. "Sounds great! And easy."
"Never," Hayate said bluntly. Naruto bit down on his lip at the denial, suppressing a swear word against held breath. He was always faced with negation.
"Sometimes bloodline is a factor," Hayate continued, "but that is not, should not, always be a factor. Maybe with the phrase 'become Hokage' as your mantra and code, you can shape yourself in a way that is respectable. The Hokage will be the one reached out by the hands of the entire village."
Naruto felt something light in his chest. He liked those words. Hayate went on. "Strength is in part a factor of rising in the ranks, but so is mentality. Leadership, willing to take burdens, patience, wisdom, and so on."
"Oh, I see. I see!" Naruto nodded his head perhaps five times, agreeing in earnest.
"Naruto Uzumaki, do you have a strong mentality?" When Hayate asked that, Naruto suddenly glowered, his voice rising.
"Are you-are you cheap shooting me?!"
"I'm asking."
"Hell nah! Well, uh, I mean I'm working on it. I'm sure it'll come to me."
"Can you handle a burden?"
"Burden? What do you mean?"
"Hardship." Hayate held the rest of his words to gaze at Naruto and the rest of the class. His silence allowed for contemplation, and he noticed the uneasy looks that they were giving each other. It was either uneasiness or uncertainty; the students were still children after all.