Didn't Naruto like to smile?
Itachi thought about it. Naruto's smile was brighter than anyone's, even Shisui's.
But Genya hadn't used "liking to smile" as a reason to support Naruto, nor had he canvassed votes for him. He hadn't even publicly endorsed anyone.
He had simply sat there enjoying the show, watching the two camps argue until their faces turned red.
Watching Naruto's vote count and his own overtake each other in turn.
In the end, Naruto had lost. He had lost to him.
Itachi felt this wasn't the outcome Genya had wanted, but Genya didn't seem to mind, either.
He had simply been enjoying the process-the way everyone in Konoha debated and expressed themselves over a shared goal, then finally reached a consensus.
Who became Hokage wasn't important. What mattered was that everyone took their own vote seriously.
That was probably what Genya had wanted him to see.
Itachi shook his head. Genya had just thought it was fun.
He was still the same as ever, twenty years ago and twenty years later.
He didn't need a reason to do things. If one had to be found, it was that he thought doing it that way was more interesting.
Itachi sighed. Next time, the position of Hokage ought to fall to Naruto, right?
He had already become the Seventh, and Shisui had been the Sixth. Two consecutive Hokage had been Uchiha.
After that, it should be someone else's turn.
Naruto had waited for years and worked hard for years. It was time for his turn, too.
After making a game of the Hokage position, Genya had still had to go comfort Naruto.
Itachi didn't know what Genya had said to Naruto.
The boy who had shouted "I'm going to be Hokage!" since childhood had lost the election, but not