Naruto raised his head and looked at Teuchi.
"Thank you, Uncle Teuchi."
"You're welcome." Teuchi smiled. "Hurry up and eat before the ramen gets cold."
"Yeah!"
Naruto continued eating his ramen.
This time, he stopped thinking about all the things troubling him and simply focused on enjoying the delicious food in front of him.
By the time he finished his ramen, it was completely dark.
Naruto walked home, feeling much lighter.
Uncle Teuchi was right.
The Hokage's strength didn't come only from Chakra and ninjutsu.
More importantly, he had to make the villagers feel safe.
"I'll do it." He clenched his fist. "I'll become a Hokage who makes everyone feel safe."
When he got home, Naruto took a shower and lay down in bed.
His body was exhausted, but he couldn't sleep.
He stared at the ceiling, thinking back on everything that had happened lately.
His battle with Isshiki.
The Nine-Tails' sacrifice.
The helplessness he felt after losing his power.
And now, his responsibilities as Hokage.
"This is such a hassle," he muttered. "I used to only have to fight."
"Now I have to think about so many things, too."
He rolled over.
"But... this isn't so bad."
"At least I have a goal now."
"Get stronger and protect the village."
"It's that simple."
As he thought about it, he drifted off to sleep.
Five o'clock the next morning.
Training Ground.
Naruto arrived right on time.
Sasuke was already waiting there.
"What are we learning today?" Naruto asked.
"Kenjutsu." Sasuke tossed him a wooden sword.
"Kenjutsu?" Naruto caught it. "I don't know how to use a sword."
"That's why you need to learn." Sasuke picked up a wooden sword, too. "A Hokage can't rely on taijutsu alone."
"You also need to master different ways of fighting."
"Kenjutsu is one of