Naruto looked into his son's sparkling eyes and unjaded yet immensely determined face, as if he were seeing his past self.
Waves of emotion washed over him, ultimately turning into an encouraging smile as he reached out and ruffled Boruto's blonde hair.
"Alright! That's the spirit! Then work hard for it! Just talking big won't cut it, you know. You've got to keep your feet on the ground and take it step by step!"
"Got it!" Boruto nimbly dodged his father's hand, his eyes rolling mischievously as he suddenly broke into a cunning grin.
Instead of backing away, he hopped right onto the edge of the wide Hokage desk, swung his legs, leaned in close to Naruto, lowered his voice, and spoke with an "I know all about it" expression.
"Besides, Dad, you don't have to keep it from me. I already know!"
Naruto was momentarily stunned by his actions and tone. "Keep what from you? Keep what?"
"Of course it's..." Boruto drew out the sound, his smile growing even more radiant. "...the fact that Mom's family is super rich! The Hyuga House is Konoha's oldest and wealthiest aristocratic clan, right!"
"No wonder!" He put on an expression of sudden realization, tapped the desk beneath him—which symbolized the authority of the Hokage—with his finger, and then pointed at Naruto. "Dad, your position as Hokage was bought for you with Mom's money, wasn't it?"
"Geez, seriously, you should've told me something like this sooner!"
"You little brat!" Naruto was taken aback at first, but then reacted, his face instantly turning red as he leaped up from his chair and made a grab for Boruto.
"Haha! I guessed right, didn't I?" Boruto laughed loudly, agile as a cat as he jumped down from the desk and darted toward the door in a