Mitsuki went over without protest and sat between them. He looked at Boruto Uzumaki, then at Sarada Uchiha. A flicker of understanding crossed his golden, snake-like eyes.
"You two are really close."
"Who's close to this idiot?" Color rushed into Sarada's cheeks. She pushed up her glasses without thinking.
To change the subject, she turned to Boruto, her expression growing serious. "Boruto, you want to become Hokage too, don't you?"
"Huh?" Boruto looked as if he'd heard something absurd. "Who told you that? I don't want to be Hokage."
Sarada frowned. "Your grandfather was Hokage, and your dad is Hokage too. You—"
"Stop, stop, stop!" Boruto cut her off. He stood and pointed at the thriving Konoha below. "Hokage isn't a hereditary position! They're them, and I'm me! My dream—"
He paused and looked at Sarada, his smile changing. "Is to become a strong, cool ninja like your father, Uncle Sasuke Uchiha. Someone who can protect what matters to him in his own way!"
"My father?" Sarada froze.
"Yeah!" Boruto sat down again, resting his arms on his knees. He turned toward Sarada, his gaze clear and steady.
"Sarada, you want to be Hokage, right? Then I'll be the one supporting you from behind, just like Uncle Sasuke protects my dad. I'll protect you!"
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Sarada's face turned bright red, all the way to her ears, and she stumbled over her words. "Who needs you to protect her? Stupid Boruto!"
She sprang to her feet and brushed dust from her clothes, trying to hide her flustered state.
Then she remembered something. "During the fight, you said you needed to talk to my dad?"
"Yeah!" Boruto nodded hard, his eyes shining with anticipation. "I want Uncle Sasuke to take me as his student! I want to train