"That's good." Naruto breathed a sigh of relief, "By the way, where is Momoshiki?"
"Run away." Sasuke said, "After Isshiki died, he disappeared."
"I don't know where to hide."
"That guy..." Naruto frowned, "Will he come back?"
"I don't know." Sasuke said, "But I will keep an eye on it."
"If he dares to show up again, I will kill him."
"I want to come too." Naruto said.
"You need to take good care of yourself first."
"I know, I know."
At this moment, the door was pushed open.
Tsunade walked in.
"Naruto, are you awake?"
"Tsunade Mother-in-law." Naruto greeted.
"Don't call me mother-in-law!" Tsunade punched him on the head.
"It hurts, it hurts!" Naruto held his head, "I'm still a patient!"
"The patient should lie still." Tsunade said, "Don't always think about running around."
"I didn't run around..."
"You think I don't know?" Tsunade said, "Yesterday you sneaked out and wanted to help move rocks."
"As a result, I fell down and bit the dog in the mud."
Naruto smiled awkwardly.
"Well... I just want to help."
"Help depends on the situation." Tsunade said, "In your current state, let alone help, it's fine if you don't cause trouble."
"Get some rest, that's an order."
"Yes..." Naruto looked downcast.
Tsunade looked at him, his eyes softened a little.
"Naruto."
"Huh?"
"You did a good job." Tsunade said, "I heard about Nine-Tails."
"It's a hero."
"You too."
Naruto's eyes turned red.
"Tsunade Mother-in-law..."
"Don't cry." Tsunade said, "You are the future Hokage."
"Hokage can't cry casually."
"I know." Naruto wiped his eyes, "I just... miss Kurama a little bit."
"I think so too." Tsunade said, "Although that guy has a bad temper, he is indeed a good partner."
"Leaf will remember it."
"Everyone will remember it."
Naruto nodded.
"That's right." Tsunade said, "I'm here to tell you something."
"What's the matter?"
"About Hokage's inheritance." Tsunade said, "I plan to retire."
"What?" Naruto stared, "You want to retire?"
"Yes." Tsunade said, "I have been Hokage for too long."
"It's time for young people to take over."
"But..."
"No, no," Tsuna Teuchi told him, "I have already decided."
"The next Hokage is you."
Naruto was stunned.
"Me?"
"Yes." Tsunade said, "You have strength, prestige, and determination to protect the village."
"You are the most suitable candidate."
"But I'm not ready yet..."
"No one is ready at the beginning." Tsunade said, "Hokage grows through practice."
"You'll do great."
Naruto was silent.
He looked at his hands.
Those hands once held the power of Nine-Tails.
Although I have lost Nine-Tails now, my will is still there.
"I understand." Naruto raised his head with firm eyes, "I will become Hokage."
"For Kurama, and for everyone."
Tsunade smiled.
"That's good."
"But before that, you have to take good care of yourself first."
"Got it!"
One month later.
Naruto's body has finally recovered almost.
Although he is still unable to engage in high-intensity combat, his daily activities are no longer a problem.
He walked out of the hospital.
Outside is a brand new Konoha.
The ruins have been cleared and new buildings are neatly arranged.
The streets are full of life with people coming and going.
"It's great." Naruto smiled, "It feels like peace."
"Yes." Sasuke's voice came from the side.
Naruto turns his head.
Sasuke leaned against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.
"Why are you here?"
"Waiting for you." Sasuke said, "Tsunade asked me to take you to Hokage's Office."
"The Hokage inheritance ceremony will be held today."
"So fast?" Naruto was surprised, "I thought it would take longer."
"There's no point in dragging it on." Sasuke said, "The village needs new leaders."
"Let's go."
The two walked side by side on the street.
Villagers passing by saluted them one after another.
"Naruto-sama!"
"Sasuke-sama!"
"Thank you for protecting the village!"
Naruto scratched his head.
"I'm really not used to being called that."
"Just get used to it." Sasuke said, "You will hear this often in the future."
"Say it as if you're used to it."
"I'm really used to it."
"Cut."
The two came to Hokage's Office.
Many people have gathered inside.
Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, Sakura, Kakashi, Tsunade...
Leaf's main combat power is almost all here.
"Naruto, you're here." Shikamaru said, "Are you ready?"
"Ready." Naruto took a deep breath, "Come on."
Tsunade stood in front of the window.
She turned around and looked at Naruto.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Here!"
"From today on, you are Seventh Hokage of Konoha." Tsunade said, "Are you willing to take on this responsibility?"
"I do." Naruto said, "I will protect this village with my life."
"Very good." Tsunade took off Hokage's bamboo hat and put it on Naruto's head.
"Then, I declare."
"Uzumaki Naruto, officially becomes Konoha and Seventh Hokage."
There was applause in the office.
Everyone is applauding Naruto.
Naruto looked at the people in front of him.
These are his companions.
He is a partner who fights and grows together with him.
"Thank you everyone." Naruto said, "I will work hard."
"You won't be disappointed."
"We believe in you." Kakashi said, "You will become the best Hokage."
"That's right." Choji said, "You are the man who defeated Otsutsuki."
"Isn't it a piece of cake to be a Hokage?"
"Don't make it sound so easy." Shikamaru said, "Hokage's job is not easy."
"The documents we need to process every day can fill up the entire office."
Naruto's face turned pale.
"Documents?"
"That's right." Shikamaru smiled, "Do you think Hokage only needs to fight?"
"There's still a lot of administrative work to be done."
"Budget, personnel, diplomacy..."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Naruto raised his hands in surrender, "I understand!"
"I will deal with it seriously!"
Everyone laughed.
The atmosphere is very relaxed.
At this moment, Ino suddenly spoke.
"By the way, Naruto."
"Huh?"
"How much has your Chakra recovered?" Ino asked.
Naruto was stunned for a moment.
"About...30%."
"Thirty percent?" Sasuke frowned, "So little?"
"There is no way." Naruto said, "After losing Nine-Tails, my Chakra volume dropped significantly."
"Now it's only about one-tenth of what it was before."
"And the recovery speed is also slower."
"In this case..." Shikamaru pondered, "Your combat effectiveness will be greatly affected."
"I know." Naruto said, "But I will find a way."