Differing Political Views, Becoming Rivals

"Of course it concerns me," Shin-chan said with a serious expression. "I want to be Hokage in the future too, so I want to know if the person who becomes Hokage is really amazing."

Asuma was silent for two seconds, then said softly, "He is indeed quite amazing. His ninjutsu is very strong, and everyone respects him."

"Then why did you say he wasn't good?"

"Because he doesn't have time to spend with me." Asuma's voice became even smaller. "When I was little, I wanted him to teach me shuriken, he said he was busy; I wanted him to take me to see fireworks, he said he was busy; on my birthday, he also said he was busy."

Asuma lowered his head. "But I also want a normal dad."

The classroom fell silent.

Obito opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't.

Shin-chan leaned towards Asuma. "Your dad doesn't play with you?"

"Mm."

"Does he force you to eat green peppers?"

Asuma was stunned. "What?"

"Green peppers," Shin-chan said with a serious expression. "My mother forces me to eat green peppers every day. If your dad doesn't force you to eat green peppers, then he's a little better than my mother."

Asuma's mouth twitched. "I don't dislike green peppers."

Shin-chan's expression instantly became one of admiration. "Really? Then your dad must be very happy, right?"

"He did say that it was good that I wasn't a picky eater." Asuma's voice softened unconsciously.

Shin-chan nodded, then turned to Obito. "Obito, why are you so angry?"

Obito's face turned red. "Because the Hokage is a hero of the Village, he protected all of us. I won't allow anyone to speak ill of him."

"Have you seen the Hokage?"

"Yes, during the last festival. He stood on the stage and spoke, and everyone was cheering." Obito's eyes sparkled.

"Then do you like him?"

"Of course I like him," Obito said without hesitation. "He's the Hokage, the most amazing person in the Village!"

Asuma muttered beside him, "You've never been stood up by him."

"That's different," Obito glared at him. "The Hokage is so busy, being stood up is unavoidable. He has to protect the entire Village, of course he doesn't have time to spend with just you."

Obito continued, "My grandmother said that capable people have to bear more responsibility. The Hokage is so powerful, he must have a lot of things to manage."

As he spoke, Obito's voice suddenly lowered. "Besides, isn't it good that there are people who can wait? My parents sacrificed themselves when I was very young."

"So my grandma said that what the Hokage does is to prevent people like my mom and dad from having to sacrifice themselves. Even though I haven't met them, I think anyone who can protect others is amazing."

The classroom was silent for a few seconds.

Rin's eyes turned a little red.

Even Kakashi turned his head slightly, looking at Obito.

Asuma stood in place, his expression changing repeatedly.

Obito, however, felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head: "Why did I say that?"

Shin-chan tilted his head and looked at him. After a few seconds, he suddenly spoke: "Obito."

"Yeah?"

"Are your parents ninjas?"

"I guess so."

"What do you want to do in the future?"

Obito answered without hesitation: "I want to become Hokage, someone even stronger than the current Hokage."

Shin-chan blinked his eyes and tilted his head, looking at him: "When you become Hokage, will you eliminate bell peppers?"

Obito froze: "Huh?"

"Bell peppers," Shin-chan said with a serious expression, "When you become Hokage, can you order all the bell peppers in the village to be eliminated?"

Obito's mouth twitched: "That's not what the Hokage does."

"Then what's the point of you being Hokage?" Shin-chan sighed in disappointment, "You can't even eliminate bell peppers."

"The Hokage is to protect the village, not eliminate bell peppers!"

"But bell peppers are in the village," Shin-chan tilted his head, "They're in the vegetable patches, in the kitchens, in my bowl. They hurt me every day. Why don't you protect me?"

Obito's face turned red: "That, that's different. Bell peppers aren't enemies."

"They are enemies to me," Shin-chan put his hands on his hips, "You're not a qualified Hokage. I'm going to compete with you!"

"Compete for what?"

"Compete to be Hokage," Shin-chan said righteously, "When I become Hokage, the first thing I'll do is eliminate bell peppers."

Obito paused for a moment, then got excited: "Compete then, compete! When I become Hokage, I'll make everyone recognize me."

Shin-chan pointed at himself, "Shin Nohara, future Hokage! My slogan is: Goodbye bell peppers, long live Chocolate Sticks!"

The children nearby finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Asuma stood to the side, his mouth twitching, but with a smile in his eyes.

Shin-chan suddenly turned his head and looked at him: "Asuma, do you want to join?"

Asuma was stunned: "Join what?"

"Join our Hokage competition." Shin-chan counted on his fingers, "Obito wants to be the Hokage who is recognized, I want to be the Hokage who eliminates Chinjao, and you can be your own Hokage."

Asuma rolled his eyes: "Why would I want to be Hokage? My dad is annoying enough."

"Then what do you want to be?"

Asuma thought for a moment, then turned his face away: "I don't know, but I'm not being Hokage."

"Then you can be our referee." Shin-chan clapped his hands, "See if I eliminate Chinjao first, or if Obito gets recognized first."

Asuma's mouth twitched: "What's so great about this competition?"

"We'll know if we compete." Shin-chan looked at him, "If you're the referee, you don't have to think about what you want to be. Just watch us two compete first."

Asuma was stunned for a moment.

It seems... okay?

Shin-chan looked at Obito again: "Obito, what do you think?"

Obito thought for a moment and nodded: "Sure, it's better to have someone watching. Then you'll know who's stronger."

"Okay!" Shin-chan raised his hand, "So from now on, we are the 'Hokage Competition Trio', Obito is the Recognized Hokage, I am the Chinjao Eliminating Hokage, and Asuma is the Referee Hokage."

"Referee isn't a Hokage..."

"It's fine as long as it has 'Hokage' in it." Shin-chan put a hand on each of them, "Alright, starting today, we are friends."

Obito was stunned: "We're friends just like that?"

"What else?" Shin-chan tilted his head, "You're competing with me for Hokage, and we're not friends?"

Obito thought about it, and it seemed to make some sense.

Asuma didn't say anything, but he didn't pull away from Shin-chan's hand either.

Might Guy, who was nearby, suddenly rushed over and hugged the three of them: "Count me in, I want to join too."

Shin-chan was squeezed so hard he couldn't breathe: "Might Guy... let go first..."

Might Guy let go, flames rising behind him: "Competing for Hokage is too youthful, I want to compete too."

Shin-chan rubbed his neck: "What kind of Hokage do you want to be?"

Might Guy clenched his fist, as if flames were burning in his eyes: "I want to be the Youth Hokage, burning the entire Village with Taijutsu!"

Shin-chan nodded: "Then from today onwards, we four are the Hokage Competitors."

Teacher Ibuki stood to the side, watching this scene, and let out a long sigh of relief.