A/N: This is based off of the new Naruto Gaiden: The Seventh Hokage manga being fan translated from japanese right now. Knowing Shonen Jump, it'll be properly picked up in official channels soon. However, I just was so moved that I had to write something. I hope this manga can revitalize the Naruto fanfic fandom with some fresh ideas.

Chapter 1

x-Naruto POV-x

As the Kage of the Land of Fire I, Uzumaki Naruto, have tons of responsibilities.

Why did I accept these responsibilities, and what did I get out of it?

When I was little, I used to think that becoming the best ninja ever would change my life. Everyone would love me and I would gain all the respect I deserved.

When I grew up, I realized that this idea was pointless.

Respect didn't work that way, and love sure as hell didn't work that way.

Hinata loved me, for no damn reason I could think of. I didn't do anything to deserve that. To me, it came out of nowhere.

Sakura didn't love me, despite every reason in the world. I did everything I could for her. I helped her, and tried to make her dreams come true. I supported her kindly and worked hard for her. But, she loved Sasuke, and I couldn't wrap my head around that to this day. Because although I saw Sasuke as my brother, he was a really shitty brother. He was that brother that you're disgusted to even talk about, and you really wish he'd grow up or something. Yet, what can you do, he's family and you're stuck with him.

That kind of asshole, was the one called Uchiha Sasuke.

So let me revisit this idea. What do I get out of being the hokage, and why do I accept these responsibilities that keep me so busy that my own son is acting out all the time?

Very simple, it's because I couldn't back out of it. Deceived by my wrong ideas, I had already been chasing the title of Hokage. I had already promised important people that I would do many things once I had become Hokage. I already swore on the grave of my teacher that I would bring the world to peace.

I couldn't do anything about it. A promise is a promise. I am not a man that shirks his responsibility.

I might be too stupid to understand my responsibility, but that's different.

The point is, I had no choice. My whole life was tied together by the oaths I made in my youth.

Like that, I thought my life involved me juggling too many problems, was tough, and also exhausting. Of course, my life had always been tough and exhausting. Hell, I was up for it. Dattebayo!

Like that. And I thought I was doing fine. I thought that if I took care of every responsibility, I would become a responsible person.

Then I went to address the students at the ninja academy, and everything changed.

"I said this yesterday but... it's finally the week of the academy's graduation exam."

There was muttering everywhere amongst the class, and to be honest, I was really nostalgic about it.

Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I was a loser, and I was so excited and tense.

Now, this level of tension couldn't even effect me. It was, like so many things, just a leaf flowing down the river beside me.

But that didn't make it any less important. It was a monumental event.

"That's why class, I invited a very special guest to talk to you today. I hope that everyone can appreciate this, and join me in welcoming him. Ok?"

The teacher said this and opened the door to reveal… nothing.

There was a pause, as everyone including the teacher waited in growing confusion.

But you see, you have to make them wait a little you know?

I learned this as Hokage.

"Ah!" Boruto, that brat, exclaimed. I had to time around this now. "This dramatic pause! Is it-"

"Students!" I declared grandly, appearing in a flash.

Fufufu. Everyone is surprised of course. The beloved Hokage appeared with his signature move, or so they think.

"Seventh… when did you place the seal?" The teacher asked me with a bemused smile on his face.

I'm not too close to my subordinates, but I'm not too far either. That's how you know I'm doing a good job as Hokage.

"It's a secret." I smiled.

Little Sarada-chan makes a posed look and fixes the positioning of her glasses. Oh my god, she's so cute. "No. That was… just speed, I think."`

"No way. I didn't see anything. Is that the Uchiha vision?"

"No one's that fast. "

"Dummy, the Hokage's that fast."

"Dad's the fastest."

Now, I had to stop that. I held up my hand to quiet the room.

"The world's fastest is actually Rock-Lee, our fellow ninja of the leaf, ok? He can circle the five nations in less than an hour, as seen in his 'Tour de Punch' special technique. A lot of people are tied for the second fastest, as all those that can turn their body into lightning. I'm third." I declared without shame.

"But you're fastest in Kyuubi-mode, right?" Boruto asked.

"That's not me being fast. That's the Kyuubi being fast." I corrected. "And alright, alright, that's enough you guys. I didn't come here to chat about this kind of thing. Pay attention ok? "

"Everyone, the Hokage's a busy man." The teacher says.

A lot of people have been saying that lately.

Well it's true.

And I'm happy that my ninjas are backing me up but…

It's stifling too.

"It is an honour for me," I said slowly, "to be invited here today by your sensei, to talk to you about your upcoming ninja exam. And I mean that. I'm not being political, I'm not humoring anybody, and I'm not being cute. I seriously consider this a heavy honor."

At once, the kids beome a little more hyped up and a little more solemn.

"When I was your age, let's see… I had already failed the graduation exam three times."

I can see people becoming nervous, and others become incredulous.

"How can the Hokage fail the graduation exam, right? You might not know about this, but in my generation everyone knew the story of the legendary dead-last. Now, how did this happen? It's because I challenged it early every year and failed. I didn't calm down and prepare myself carefully. I was just straight-up desperate to get out of school."

"School sucks!" Someone cried.

Oh man, that's priceless. I even laugh along with everyone for a while.

Still, I shook my head. "No, school was ok even though it was boring, because my sensei was very kind. But to me of that time, the future was glistening brightly and … and none of you understand. I thought so."

I could already tell that there was no comprehension.

"It's because of family. You see, I had no family at all." I explained. "In this room are thirty-one students. By the way, I know every one of your names, and I know the names of your family members. Here, we have some people living with their grandparents, some with single parents, some with one parent lost to the Shinobi war. I know about all of it, because I take care of all of it. I'm responsible for it."

There is a little more muttering, as people consider this.

"I can say with confidence that I had less family than anyone else in this room." I explained. "At the time, I didn't know the name of my father or mother, and had never seen them. I also had no uncles or aunts. I didn't have a godfather or godmother. At least, not one that would reveal themselves to me. I wasn't in too much pain at the time. I ate three meals even if they were cheap, and I had a place to sleep even though the roof leaked. There were a lot of people worse off than me, and I didn't have too many responsibilities or worries. But I had no one to greet me home, or say 'see you later' in the morning. Basically, I was lonely, and that loneliness was bad enough that I thought I would go crazy every day." I said darkly. "That's why I chased down graduation like a rabid dog. Because no matter where you come from, everyone gets a second family that's the same size. You could be born as a genius that shows up once in ten generations, or you could be the dead last that failed three times. You still get allies that will worry about you, and who will share every pain beside you."

I paused and crossed my arms, and thought about what I would say next.

"Inojin, Boruto, Sarada, I'm going to embarrass you a little."

"Oh man, don't do this dad I'm begging you.."

"Uncle Naruto… Please..."

"What?"

Sarada seemed to be the only one of the three that didn't get it.

"I'm the Godfather to both Inojin and Sarada, my teammate's kids. Boruto is also Sai's and Sakura' Godson."

"What? I never heard about that!" Boruto exclaimed.

"It didn't need saying." I pointed out. "They just are. I've changed Inojin 's diapers, which were disgusting by the way. Of course daipers are disgusting, but those were so bad that Ino actually cried."

"Jesus, Uncle!" Inojin cried, while slamming his head into the table.

"And I, the seventh Hokage who can travel through space, fuse with nature, and high five demons, am fixing shelves and mowing the lawn over at Sakura-chan's place all the time."

"I-I didn't notice that!" Sarada cried out.

Well, I can mow the lawn with futon jutsu, whenever I get line of sight from the Hokage Office.

Although I do go mow it manually sometimes.

"They're also staying at my place since Sakura-chan accidently punched theirs to bits."

An 'EHHHHH?' collectively arose.

Kids got surprised by this kind of thing, but for anyone that grew up with Sakura-chan, it was 'ah, that finally happened.'

Her insurance premium has been sky-high for years.

"And since Sasuke-teme isn't here, I'm probably going to oversee Sakura-chan's Uchiha coming of age ceremony, in his place."

I could see Boruto and Sarada's eyes widen in surprise at this.

"And these things, which are a pain in the ass, and troublesome," I eyed Shikamaru's kid, "are also an honour. And… although you'll be official warriors that may end up dying for your country, we don't let you die alone, and we definitely don't let you live alone either. And although we ask you to fight…" I muttered in a melancholic mood, "… we give you something worth fighting for. And I know that I probably sound like I'm talking nonsense, but I really hope that one day everyone in this room can understand what I'm talking about."

I didn't get much response from the class.

Well, it wasn't a happy speech, nor a very motivational one, but the teacher had asked me to say a few words from my heart. Well this was the entirety of my heart. This was everything that Uzumaki Naruto would ever be.

"And for anyone that fails the exam, it's ok. I won't leave anyone behind. And for anyone that disagrees with the opinions I've stated today then you, in time, you will be the 'king's that dictate the Will of Fire. And that's fine too. I look forwards to the kids of the future, trying to kick my ass. I'll defend my ideals. I'll take you brats all on anytime."

There was still no response from the class. They were, largely, just looking at me with incomprehension.

Oh well.

"That's all I have to say." I concluded. "See you later."

I tipped my Hokage hat as 'goodbye' and I left the same way I came in, just like that.

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