Seeing the four of them turn toward him, Naruto nodded and offered his opinion.
"Calling your wishes goals is a bit of a stretch..."
All four blushed at that. He had indeed asked about their goals at the start.
But since Lord Orochimaru had already acknowledged them, they had unconsciously blurted out their deepest wishes.
"But that's fine..." Naruto smiled at them. "Having wishes or dreams is a good thing. Otherwise, wouldn't you just be drifting aimlessly through life?"
"Yes."
"You're right, sir."
"Very wise, sir."
Their attempts at flattery were pretty lousy.
Still, Naruto could tell from this that these four were not the extremists obsessed with power that they had been in the original story.
Or rather, everyone had something they wanted from life. They simply would not share it until they trusted someone enough.
At that moment, Tayuya looked at Naruto and asked softly, "Sir, you said everyone should have a dream of their own. What's yours, then?"
Sakon, Kidomaru, and Jirobo turned toward Tayuya in shock, anger flashing in their eyes.
Naruto chuckled and waved a hand to tell them not to worry.
"Sorry, sir. That's just how Tayuya is. She has no sense of propriety. Please don't hold it against her."
"She's always tempting fate, but even Lord Orochimaru has acknowledged her loyalty. Please don't take offense."
Seeing Sakon, Kidomaru, and Jirobo all speak up for Tayuya, Naruto nodded.
"Questions are a good thing. Otherwise, wouldn't everything we leaders say amount to empty promises?"
The four were stunned. They had never expected him to be so approachable.
"Tayuya asked a good question. What's my dream?"
Naruto smiled at them. "Actually, in theory, someone like me doesn't have dreams. Only goals."
"Goals?"
"Do you mean your dreams are too difficult to achieve, sir? Is that