A momentary loss for words doesn't mean acceptance in the heart.
Silence on the surface doesn't signal the collapse of belief.
The air in the office felt heavy; each of the three carried private thoughts, and the earlier discussion had reached a deadlock.
In the end it was Hiruzen who broke the silence, tapping his pipe lightly on the desk to drag the topic back to reality.
"No matter what, our immediate task is the same: guarantee Naruto's safety, uncover the truth of the heavenly screen, and handle the pressure from outside."
He looked at his two students. "We can set aside our differences of principle for now. Jiraiya, proceed as you proposed—take Naruto as your pupil. Tsunade, the Village's medical system and war preparations will still need your attention."
Tsunade gave a cold snort, which counted as consent.
She was annoyed, but she knew what mattered most.
Jiraiya nodded as well, his expression turning grave again. "I understand."
In the back alley behind the Ninja Academy, the setting sun stretched shadows long.
Naruto rubbed a bruised corner of his mouth, grimacing as he leaned against the cold wall.
Watching classmates met by family in the distance, he felt something clog his heart—sour and bitter.
"Damn Sasuke… when I get stronger, I'll beat him right back!" he muttered, trying to drive away the loneliness, with little success.
Just as he hugged his knees and buried his face, trying to shut out the world—
"Hey, kid."
Naruto lifted his head blankly; the glaring sunset made him squint.
Backlit, he saw a tall figure blocking the light, wild white hair like a lion's mane.
Then a big hand reached out, holding a popsicle that shimmered cold and looked incredibly tempting.
"Eat up, kid."
Naruto froze, blue eyes wide, staring at the popsicle and then at the unfamiliar white-haired man.
"F-for me?" he stammered in surprise.
He'd never encountered such a thing.
A stranger?
Giving him something?
Food, no less?
"Problem with that?" Jiraiya deliberately put on a stern face and gruff voice, though a trace of softness lurked in his eyes.
"No! None!" Afraid the man might change his mind, Naruto hastily took the popsicle.
Its chill seeped through the wrapper into his palm, feeling unreal.
Carefully he peeled the wrapper and took a lick.
Cool sweetness flooded his mouth, seeming to carry straight to his heart.
For the first time, he'd received a "gift" from a stranger—free of prejudice, fear, or scorn.
A cheap popsicle weighed a thousand catties to a boy who'd never tasted kindness.
Head lowered, he licked in tiny bites, hiding his reddening eyes and trembling shoulders.
Watching the child treasure the treat, Jiraiya felt the softest part of his heart stirred.
Leaning against the wall, he pulled out another popsicle and bit it, asking casually:
"So, kid, how is it?"
"Mm!" Naruto nodded hard, voice thick yet loud. "Super good!"
"Hahaha!" Jiraiya burst into hearty laughter that made passing students glance over.
When his mirth subsided he teased, "So, busy eating—what's your name?"
Puffing his chest, Naruto shouted like making a grand proclamation: "I'm Uzumaki Naruto—the man who's gonna become Hokage!"
"Hokage, huh…" Jiraiya echoed, gaze drifting to the distant Hokage Rock and the Fourth's statue.
A flicker of complex memory and sorrow crossed his eyes; that had been his perfect student, a perfect Hokage.
He quickly brushed it off and turned playful again.
He ruffled Naruto's messy blond hair and laughed. "Brat, you haven't even graduated the Academy and you're boasting about becoming Hokage? That ego's sky-high!"
"I'm not boasting!" Naruto sprang up like a stepped-on cat, fists waving, face flushed. "I'll do it! I'll become the greatest Hokage ever and make everyone acknowledge me!"
"Oh really?" Jiraiya's face went serious, contempt plain as he sized the boy up. "All talk. Greatest Hokage? You think it's a game? You can't do it."
The blunt denial doused Naruto like cold water, but his stubbornness flared. "I can! I definitely can!"
"Hmph," Jiraiya snorted, arms folded, looking down. "Then tell me—what does it take to become Hokage?"
"Uh…" Naruto was stumped; his momentum halved.
Conditions for becoming Hokage?
He only knew the Hokage was the strongest, most respected; details… he scratched his head, tongue-tied.
Seeing his embarrassment, Jiraiya hid a grin, still scornful. "See? You don't even know the basics, yet you yell about becoming Hokage—who's bragging now?"
"I—I don't care!" Cornered, Naruto resorted to stubbornness, eyes shut, yelling, "I'm gonna be Hokage! It's my dream!"
At this unreasonable yet unwavering display, admiration flashed in Jiraiya's eyes.
That refusal to turn back showed a firm heart.
"Dreams aren't achieved by shouting, brat," he said, tone softer but still needling. "Mere talk won't earn anyone's recognition—let alone let you protect the whole Village as its Hokage."
He stressed "protect the whole Village."
Then, ignoring the brooding, frowning Naruto, he turned as if to leave.
"Hey! Wait!" Naruto shouted. "Tell me—what do I have to do to become Hokage?"
Jiraiya paused, back to him, a triumphant smile curling on his lips.
The fish had taken the bait.