The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the quiet streets of Konoha.
Inside a small, dimly lit apartment, Naruto Uzumaki lay sprawled on his bed, his bright blue eyes staring up at the ceiling.
His stomach growled, but he ignored it. Today had been another day just like the rest—lonely, confusing, and filled with cold glares from the villagers.
A knock on the door snapped him from his thoughts. Naruto blinked in surprise. No one ever visited him. He hopped off his bed, hesitated for a moment, then walked over and pulled the door open.
Standing there, dressed in his traditional red and white robes, was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "Old man?" he blurted out.
The Hokage chuckled, his wrinkled face softening. "May I come in, Naruto?"
Naruto quickly stepped aside, nodding. "Uh, yeah! Sure!" He couldn't believe the Hokage himself was visiting him. The idea of such an important person coming to his tiny, messy home felt unreal.
Hiruzen entered the room, his wise eyes scanning the sparse surroundings.
He noted the cracks in the walls, the half-eaten cup of instant ramen on the table, and the single window that let in a sliver of fading sunlight. Despite it all, Naruto's face was filled with anticipation rather than sadness.
"So, Naruto," Hiruzen said as he took a seat on the only chair in the room. "Have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"
Naruto's face lit up instantly. "Of course! I'm gonna be the Hokage! The greatest one ever! Then everyone will have to respect me!" His small fists clenched with determination, his voice filled with pure conviction.
Hiruzen smiled, taking a slow drag from his pipe. "That's an admirable goal." He exhaled a thin stream of smoke before continuing. "But do you know what it takes to become Hokage?"
Naruto paused, his head tilting slightly. "Uh… You gotta be super strong, right? And do all kinds of cool ninja stuff?"
Hiruzen chuckled again. "That's part of it. But strength alone isn't enough. A Hokage must understand the village, its people, and its values. They must train hard, learn from their comrades, and protect everyone, even those who may not treat them kindly."
Naruto's brows furrowed slightly at the last part, but his resolve didn't waver. "Then I'll do it! I'll train super hard and become the best ninja ever!"
The Hokage nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit." He leaned forward slightly. "That's why I came here today. Naruto, if you truly want to become Hokage, then you must start by learning the way of the ninja. And to do that, you should join the Ninja Academy."
Naruto blinked. "The… Ninja Academy?"
Hiruzen smiled. "Yes. It's a school where young students like yourself learn the fundamentals of being a shinobi—taijutsu, ninjutsu, teamwork, and much more. You'll also meet other children your age and make friends along the way."
Naruto's heart pounded. A school for ninjas? A place where he could train and become strong? He could already imagine himself standing at the top of the class, showing off his awesome skills.
The idea of making friends sounded nice too, though a small part of him doubted whether anyone would really want to be his friend.
But none of that mattered right now. His mind was ablaze with excitement. "Old man, when do I start?" he asked eagerly.
Hiruzen laughed heartily. "Soon, Naruto. Very soon." He stood up, adjusting his robe. "I wanted to tell you personally because I believe in you. The path of a ninja is not easy, but with enough determination, you will find your way."
Naruto beamed, his mind already racing with thoughts of all the amazing things he would learn. He didn't care how hard it would be. He would do whatever it took to prove himself. To become strong. To become Hokage.
Hiruzen walked toward the door but paused before leaving. He turned back and looked at the young boy who was practically glowing with excitement.
"Remember, Naruto. The will of fire burns within all of us. It is the strength that binds our village together, the determination to protect what we hold dear. Never let that fire die out."
Naruto nodded vigorously. "You got it, Old Man! I'll be the best ninja ever!"
Hiruzen gave him one last warm smile before stepping out into the cool evening air, leaving Naruto standing there, fists clenched in excitement.