Naruto drew back his hand and leaned against his chair. He gazed out at the lush greenery of Konoha, as though he had reached a decision.
He spoke again, his voice calm but carrying weight.
"So I have a mission for you. But it'll have to wait until your injuries heal."
Konohamaru immediately focused. "What mission? Big Brother Naruto, I'll get it done!"
Naruto turned to meet his eyes, a faint smile lifting his lips. "When Boruto, Sarada, and the rest of their class graduate from the Ninja Academy, I want you to lead their Team 7."
"What?!" Konohamaru's eyes flew wide. He could hardly believe what he had heard.
Leading a team of newly graduated Genin—especially Team 7, a symbol of legacy—was more than an enormous show of trust. It was a milestone.
It meant he had become someone capable of guiding the next generation. And the students he would guide included Big Brother Naruto's son and Sasuke's daughter!
"R-really? Big Brother Naruto! Can I do it?" Konohamaru's voice trembled with excitement.
"Yeah." Naruto nodded firmly. "Boruto has talent, but he's a little like I was back then. Impatient. Always looking for shortcuts. He needs someone to knock some sense into him and set him on the right path."
"Sarada knows what she wants and has a clear goal, but sometimes she might get too fixated on one thing. I can't think of anyone better to guide them than you."
A mischievous glint entered his smile. "But you have to keep this secret. Especially from Boruto. If that kid finds out early, his head will swell so much he won't fit through the door."
"That'll also save people from saying I abused my position as Hokage to favor my own." He winked at Konohamaru.
Konohamaru understood at once. In