Genya walked over and patted Naruto on the shoulder.
"If you really want to become Hokage, you shouldn't come to me. You should go to Shizune."
"Learn how to review documents, handle government affairs, and deal with those old foxes at the Five Kage Summit. You can't become Hokage through fists alone."
Naruto froze. He had never thought about any of that. To him, the Hokage was the strongest ninja, the person everyone respected most.
It had never occurred to him that the Hokage also had to review documents and deal with people.
Genya sighed at the blank look on Naruto's face.
"Go on. Find Shizune first and study under her for three months. Come back when you're done, and I'll think about it."
Naruto nodded, turned, and left.
After two steps, he looked back.
"Isn't three months too long?"
Genya had already lain back down, his book covering his face. His voice came from behind it.
"Too long? Then make it six months."
Naruto hurriedly said,
"Three months is fine," and dragged Sasuke away.
Sasuke hadn't said a word the entire time. At the doorway, he glanced back at Genya.
Naruto walked down the street, his mind in a mess.
He had thought that when he came to see Genya today, Genya would say,
"Sure, you're promoted," and then he would be a Jonin.
Instead, Genya had given him a whole lecture and told him to learn how to review documents from Shizune. The more he thought about it, the less right it seemed.
"Sasuke, do you think Genya's stringing me along?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment.
"Yes."
Naruto stopped walking, and Sasuke stopped too.
"Then why are you letting me go?"
Sasuke looked at him.
"But he's right. Being Hokage isn't just about fighting."
Naruto fell silent.