What does it truly mean to be Hokage?
Naruto stood atop the Hokage Rock, gazing down at Konoha as the village slowly rebuilt itself.
The first time he came here, it had been for a prank—scribbling graffiti over the stone faces, making sure the whole village noticed. Back then, all he wanted was for people to acknowledge him.
"Maybe I was immature… but I don't regret it."
A bright grin spread across his face as he took in the familiar sight of Konoha.
"After all, if I become Hokage… everyone will finally accept me!"
"No, Naruto."
Naruto turned around to see Jiraiya watching him, an unreadable expression on his face.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Jiraiya sighed and looked down at the village, his voice steady yet thoughtful.
"It's not about becoming Hokage to be recognized. It's because you are recognized… that you become Hokage."
Naruto blinked, stunned by those words. He turned back to Konoha, his gaze shifting from the busy streets to the people within them. And for the first time, he saw something different.
"Being acknowledged…?" he murmured.
Jiraiya nodded, his eyes filled with a quiet understanding.
"It won't be easy, kid. That path is harder than you think."
Naruto thought back to his childhood—the cold stares, the whispered insults, the endless loneliness.
He had fought so hard against it, always loud, always reckless, trying to carve out his place in the village.
But then…
A memory surfaced—one that had always lingered in the back of his mind.
Back when he first entered the Academy, he'd tried to stand out in every way possible. But there had been a girl—someone who naturally captured everyone's attention.
She never had to shout or cause trouble.
She was just… herself.
And unlike the rest of the village, who looked at him with nothing but coldness and disdain—
She had always looked at him differently.
Her eyes were always so pure.
Never once had she looked at him with disgust.
She treated everyone the same—without hatred, without frustration, without resentment. It was as if negativity had no place in her heart. Every day, she smiled. Every day, she radiated warmth.
Naruto had always admired that about her.
Her attitude toward life was so simple, so free of bitterness.
And before he even realized it—he had started to fall for her.
She never changed. Even now, even though she often acted indifferent toward him, Naruto knew the truth.
She didn't dislike him.
And Naruto was sensitive to that. He had spent his whole life recognizing the difference between hatred and acceptance.
Of course, it wasn't just her.
There were others, too.
Sakura. Sasuke.
As their faces crossed his mind, the conviction in his heart grew stronger.
Naruto exhaled slowly, then grinned as he looked ahead.
"No matter how hard this road gets, I'll keep going! I'll never regret it! That's my way!"
He looked up at the sky, his smile widening.
"And besides…"
The thought filled his heart with warmth.
"I'm not alone anymore. With them by my side, I know I can do this."
Jiraiya watched as the last traces of doubt faded from Naruto's expression.
And in that moment, he smiled.
Because looking at Naruto's back, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun—
He could almost see Minato standing there instead.
Jiraiya closed his eyes for a moment, his thoughts drifting.
"Minato… it seems you made the right choice after all. And maybe… so did I. You and Naruto, both carrying the will of fire."
When he opened his eyes again, he saw only Naruto.
"Maybe, just maybe… he's the one who can finally bring this all to an end."
Just as Jiraiya was lost in thought, an elderly toad suddenly hopped toward them, a basket slung over her back.
"Jiraiya! Naruto!"
Jiraiya turned at the familiar voice.
"Old Toad? What brings you here?"
The elder toad looked troubled. "The Great Toad Sage has awakened again! He has a new prophecy!"
Naruto and Jiraiya exchanged stunned looks.
Without wasting another second, they clasped their hands together, channeling chakra.
Poof!
In an instant, they vanished, transported to Mount Myoboku.
—
Upon arriving, they rushed toward the Great Toad Sage's chamber, where they were met by two familiar figures: Fukasaku and Shima.
"The Great Toad Sage has been expecting you," Fukasaku said, nodding.
Without hesitation, they stepped inside.
At the center of the room sat an enormous toad, draped in an "oil" necklace, a traditional hat resting atop his head. His ancient, half-lidded eyes seemed to stare into the distance, as if still caught between dreams and reality.
Jiraiya gave a respectful bow.
"Great Toad Sage?"
The sage slowly opened his eyes, his voice deep and sluggish.
"Ah… you're here… Jiraiya…"
Jiraiya, barely containing his anticipation, leaned forward.
"Great Sage, is this about the Child of Prophecy? Have you seen the future?"
The sage let out a long, heavy sigh before answering.
"No, Jiraiya… The future has changed. I can no longer see its path."
Jiraiya stiffened. "What?"
The Great Toad Sage closed his eyes again, his voice tinged with melancholy.
"Something happened more than ten years ago… A shadow covered the world, obscuring the future. My visions have been blocked ever since."
Jiraiya felt his chest tighten.
"So… what now? Does the prophecy still hold?"
"I don't know, Jiraiya," the sage admitted.
"For years, I have searched for the cause of this change. I slept, hoping to uncover an answer. But I have failed. The future remains hidden from me."
Jiraiya stood there, struggling to process what he had just heard.
His entire life, he had followed the prophecy. It had guided his path, shaped his decisions. And now—
Just like that—
It was gone.
The weight of it left him speechless.
After what felt like an eternity, Jiraiya forced himself to speak again.
"Then… is there anything else, Great Sage? Any guidance at all?"
Silence.
"Great Sage?" Jiraiya tried again.
Still no response.
Jiraiya exhaled, realizing what had happened.
The Great Toad Sage had fallen back asleep.
Which meant—
There was nothing left to say.
—
Jiraiya and Naruto stepped outside, both lost in thought.
Naruto remained quiet, waiting for Jiraiya to speak.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Jiraiya looked up at the sky.
"The future of the shinobi world… What will it look like?"
He let out a small, wry chuckle.
"Maybe the unknown isn't so bad after all."
_____________
Support me on patreon and read
1)Insect princess from Konoha
2)Second girls journey in Naruto
3)Orochimaru's Magic lamp
patreon.com/Silver757