Hikaru Kinoshita didn't expect that even after the class split, he couldn't escape his older brother's grasp. On the very first day, he was being punished.
But to maintain his image, he widened his eyes, pumped his fists, and looked thrilled.
"Minato, it seems brother really trusts us."
"Yeah."
"Then let's give it everything we've got."
The playground track was 400 meters per lap. A thousand laps would be 400 kilometers.
Running laps alone wouldn't provide much training benefit and would waste too much time. So the two of them changed their approach.
They ran using chakra to its limit.
Chakra Extraction Technique can be used while moving, as long as one maintains balance. They didn't hold back. Four hundred kilometers, finished in less than two hours.
An average speed of 200 kilometers per hour. Truly, chakra was incredible blindingly fast.
They were still young, otherwise they would have been even faster. Naruto, right after graduation, could hit 390 km/h.
Ninjas were basically superhumans. No exaggeration.
Returning to the classroom drenched in sweat, they shot Murakazu Kinoshita a resentful look.
This older brother was impossible.
"Cough, back to your seats. I've been waiting for you two," Murakazu said casually, completely unfazed.
"Blame me, huh?"
"Since everyone's here, let's introduce ourselves and talk about our dreams."
Hikaru sat back down and thought carefully about his dream.
For a ninja, this question was crucial.
Every ninja who had tapped into chakra faced it. It was a tradition in Konoha and among all ninja: before officially becoming a ninja, one must define a goal, a firm belief.
Great ninjas always had unshakable beliefs. Without them, a ninja was like floating weeds, fragile and lost, never reaching the pinnacle.
Ninjas faced endless trials of life and death. Without conviction, it was easy to lose one's way.
Of course, a dream was not to be changed.
Most people in Konoha wanted to become Hokage to protect their comrades, like Minato, Naruto, and Obito.
(Some, like Obito, rediscovered their dream before death, redeeming themselves.)
Others purely wanted to protect comrades, like Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Even Sakura wanted to protect comrades, though in her case, just one.
Some had different goals, like learning all ninja techniques. Examples: Senju Tobirama and Orochimaru.
No one changed their dreams.
Orochimaru wanted to learn all techniques, so he needed to become Hokage but failed. Later, thinking life was too short to learn everything, he pursued immortality instead… and succeeded.
Sometimes, side quests could surpass main goals.
"I'm Senju Nawaki. My dream is to become Hokage and protect the village!" Nawaki shouted, his face flushed with excitement.
"Bang!"
A loud noise startled everyone. Murakazu's vein twitched, and he took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Hikaru Kinoshita, what are you doing?"
Hikaru ignored him, staring at Nawaki. "I've got you memorized."
"?"
What is he thinking?
"Hikaru, you should explain yourself. Otherwise, you know the consequences…"
"You'll see soon enough," Hikaru said coolly.
Explain what? That he wanted to learn Tsunade's super-strength punch? That he deliberately targeted Nawaki? Or that he wanted the Senju heir as his subordinate?
"Then speak," Murakazu pressed.
Hikaru pulled a straw hat from his bag, stood, and walked to the podium, staring directly at Nawaki.
Nawaki glared back, furious that someone had interrupted his dream declaration.
Hikaru inhaled sharply, expanding his stomach into a round shape, and roared loudly.
"I'm Hikaru Kinoshita, and I will become Hokage!"
The sound carried across the ninja academy, forcing the other students to cover their ears.
He placed the straw hat on his head, looking deadly serious. "Are you ready to face me as an opponent?"
Everyone was shocked by his determination. Even Murakazu felt as if he were seeing his younger brother for the first time.
Nawaki glared back, stubbornly asserting that no one could change his dream.
In the corner, Uchiha Shigeru remained expressionless, quietly observing, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner thoughts.
Damn! He was so cool!
"Mikoto, he's so handsome!" she whispered, eyes sparkling. A boy with a dream was the most attractive, just like her mother had said.
Hikaru felt it still wasn't enough. He needed to add fuel to the fire.
He stepped in front of Nawaki, placed the straw hat on his head, and said, "This hat is for you, as a token of our promise. When we become Hokage, put it on each other's heads personally!"
Nawaki shouted, "Damn! I will be Hokage!"
Yet he gripped the straw hat tightly, mentally accepting the promise. From that moment, the hat became his most treasured possession.
Hikaru smirked to himself and returned to his seat. Kids were easy to win over bonds formed so simply.
"Inoichi, this little brat is so cool," Yamanaka Inoichi said.
"Pfft." Nara Shikaku scoffed, but inside, he was envious.
…
Ding ding ding. The school bell rang, and the group headed to Akimichi Barbecue.
"Minato, what's wrong?"
Hikaru noticed Minato hadn't spoken for half a day. A rebellious phase? Troublesome.
But as his personal chef, Hikaru had to ask.
After some effort, Minato finally said, "You didn't give me a gift, but you gave one to someone else."
Seriously? Attention wasn't even on the same channel!
Hikaru explained, "Because we are best friends. We'll never be opponents ever."
"Really?"
"Of course. We'll take on the ninja world together."
"Alright… but my dream is also to become Hokage. That won't change," Minato said.
"Simple," Hikaru shouted. "Nawaki, we've got another opponent. Keep this hat safe it carries our dreams and promises."
"My dream is Hokage too."
"Mine as well."
"Me too."
"Ugh."
Hikaru thought about changing his dream too many people had the same one. But the moment couldn't be missed.
He called everyone together. "Let's make a promise. Whoever becomes Hokage, this hat will belong to them… For now, Nawaki will keep it."
Everyone agreed. Hikaru smiled. "Nawaki, you hear that? This is everyone's dream, entrusted to your hands."
Nawaki, a bit overwhelmed by so many people, nodded firmly. "Don't worry, everyone. I'll protect this hat."
He already planned to show it to his grandmother at home and ask her to seal it, so it wouldn't get damaged.
All of this was quietly observed by Sarutobi Hiruzen. He gently touched the Hokage's straw hat.
"Old friend, it seems your time is coming to an end."
Sarutobi believed that when these children grew up, a new Hokage would emerge among them. And when that time came, they would honor their promise and treasure the straw hat.