Since the Third Hokage had already arranged everything for his team, Satoru naturally said nothing more.
After a shared dinner, the boy did a bit of his usual training, and soon it grew dark.
Upon waking, the transmigrator immediately set off to find the village head.
Hiruzen promptly shed his Hokage cloak and ascended to the roof with the young ninja.
From the roof, the view was magnificent: the entire Hidden Leaf Village lay spread out like a map, and the Hokage Monument was visible from here as well.
"Satoru, after taking you as my disciple, I haven't properly taught you anything. You're not upset with me, are you?" The Third didn't start right away but unexpectedly pulled out his pipe and took a few puffs.
"Of course not... To be honest, I've been diligently completing missions all this time. I heard that promotions depend heavily on the number of missions completed, strength, and others' evaluations," Satoru replied.
"Oh, you really are well-informed. You complete missions quickly and efficiently. So I hope you can increase their difficulty and gain experience with higher-rank ones.
"By the way, Satoru, I have a few questions for you."
The boy was also very curious about what Hiruzen wanted to ask, and he replied immediately:
"Of course, Teacher, ask away."
"What is your dream?" the Hokage suddenly asked, gazing at the system holder.
"My dream..?" Satoru hadn't expected his teacher to ask such a question.
He thought it over carefully. His dream was undoubtedly to become the dominant force in the shinobi world, surpass the so-called Sage of Six Paths, defeat Kaguya, and protect the entire ninja world. Naruto and Sasuke were originally the main heroes, but Satoru definitely had no intention of yielding the spotlight to them; he wanted to be the decisive figure himself.
So Satoru replied immediately:
"My dream is peace throughout the shinobi world. I want to change this world."
The village head froze for a moment, then appraised:
"Your dream... is truly grand."
Satoru's dream was even grander than becoming Hokage. After all, the Third was already Hokage, but changing the entire ninja world was no simple task.
"Though it's not easy, I believe you have that potential," Sarutobi smiled faintly and continued. "I heard from the Academy Principal earlier that you spoke of a war breaking out within ten years. Why do you think that?"
Seeing his mentor testing him, the transmigrator replied:
"Teacher Sarutobi, the First and Second Shinobi World Wars erupted due to clashing national interests.
"Now, Hidden Stone Village and Hidden Cloud Village seek military expansion. Hidden Sand Village is poor and lacks usable land. Konoha is relatively neutral, but it can't always avoid invasions from other nations.
"Small countries struggle for survival between great powers. All this leads to one outcome—war. War is inevitable; it's just a matter of time and a suitable trigger.
"Of course, it probably won't start soon, at least not for another five years," the boy predicted.
The Third Hokage was deeply shocked. Satoru was only four, yet he understood the shinobi world situation so clearly. This proved he was no ordinary child.
"Then, if you were Hokage, what would you do?" Hiruzen asked.
"I wouldn't dare..." Satoru knew the saying: "the taller the tree, the stronger the wind." He couldn't guess his teacher's intentions. What if this was just a test?
But the boy was overthinking. No matter how monstrously talented a genius he was, he was still just a child.
"Speak freely; no harm in it. I want to know your approach," the Third said very seriously. Only then did Satoru relax a bit, assured his mentor wasn't testing him.
"Then I'll share my humble opinion."
The system holder continued:
"Suppose I am Hokage. First, I'd secure as much support as possible from our nation's daimyo.
"Only with the Land of Fire's backing can Hidden Leaf Village fully devote itself to upcoming battles for its defense."
The boy's words were very thoughtful. He spoke only of defending the village, not invading others, because Satoru didn't know the current Hokage's prevailing thoughts.
"That's natural. What else?" the Second's protege pressed.
"With the daimyo's support, we'd immediately enact economic and military reforms in Konoha for rapid development. Though Konoha is considered the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, in ninja quantity and quality, it actually lags behind the Cloud and even the Sand."
Satoru continued:
"Knowing war approaches, we must prepare in advance. Great efforts are needed to train ninjas. We could even build several training arenas in the village to boost shinobi combat skills.
"The great clans must contribute too. After all, without Konoha, they'd lose their home as well." These words from Satoru hit the mark perfectly.
The Hokage smiled, looking very pleased, and added:
"Satoru, as your teacher, I underestimated you. I thought you were just a combat genius, but I didn't expect you to have your own views on politics and military affairs. I'm delighted.
"Your ideas on nurturing new forces align perfectly with Konoha's Will of Fire.
"Satoru, now I want to ask: do you think you can become Hokage in the future?" the village head questioned.
Satoru paused briefly and replied:
"Do you want the truth or a lie?"
"Of course, the truth," the Third thought this child, Satoru, was too straightforward.
"Of course I do. A Hokage with power and the ability to improve everyone's lives, unafraid of intimidation, who can even reshape the shinobi world structure... I believe it's not becoming Hokage that gives the right to change the world, but the ability to change the world that gives the right to become Hokage."
Hearing this, Hiruzen pondered for a moment, then nodded again and declared:
"In that case, I hope you'll be even more serious and work harder. I believe you'll definitely become the strongest Hokage candidate in the future.
"You have plenty of time. But as you said, if war breaks out, I hope you can make a name in battle."
The Third's evaluation was already very high, and his expectations for Satoru were great. Even his favorite disciple Orochimaru and Jiraiya's favorite, Minato, hadn't received such high praise.
"Enough talk, Satoru. As Hokage, I'm very busy and can only spare limited time for your training. Otherwise, go to Sakumo. His strength is also among the best in the shinobi world," the Third admitted truthfully.
"Try this first." The village head pulled out a small piece of paper. Satoru recognized it immediately.
"Chakra test paper? The one that determines its nature?" Satoru had never tested his chakra nature.
"Correct, chakra test paper. Let's see what elements your chakra leans toward. Concentrate a bit of chakra in your hand," Hiruzen handed the paper to Satoru.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan