Aizawa often tested the students from time to time as a way to track their progress, much like the grueling orientation exercises they endured when they first joined UA. These assessments weren't just for show; they revealed who was slacking, who was improving, and who needed extra attention. But Naruto and Sasuke saw through his ploy immediately.
Sneaky bastard… Naruto thought bitterly, smiling despite himself. "There's no escaping this guy, is there?"
"I don't think so," Sasuke replied, leaning his head against his one hand propped up on the table. "He's using his position as our teacher to impose his rules on us." Sasuke's brows furrowed into a frown. "And most importantly…"
Aizawa's gaze landed squarely on Naruto and Sasuke as his sinister smile widened. "You know, this also includes you two."
Naruto groaned internally while Sasuke scoffed, already anticipating what was coming.
Aizawa had been quietly observing them ever since their arrival, curiosity driving his actions. He'd caught glimpses of Naruto's extraordinary energy, strength, and his ability to create clones. Meanwhile, Sasuke's mention of an eye-based power during his brief with the heroes had piqued Aizawa's interest even further. The Hero League had a whole orientation of the boys, witnessing the demonstrations of their powers, abilities and getting to know them more but Aizawa could not be present as he had more demanding matters to attend to. Raising the sports uniforms high for all to see, Aizawa spoke with a deceptive cheer.
"This would be a great opportunity to get along with your new classmates."
The rest of Class 1-A groaned in unison, rising to go change, while Sasuke muttered under his breath, irritated. Naruto sighed, resigned to the challenge ahead.
As they gathered at the practice grounds, Naruto's eyes landed on the green-haired boy with freckles hunched over a notebook. He recognized him immediately; All Might's apprentice.
Without hesitation, Naruto approached.
Izuku was so engrossed in his notes, that he didn't notice the tall blonde looming over him. When he finally did, the sudden presence startled him. Izuku squeaked, jerking back in surprise and almost losing his footing.
"Whoa, hey, sorry about that!" Naruto exclaimed, holding his hands up apologetically. "Didn't mean to scare you."
Izuku steadied himself, blinking up at Naruto, who was now grinning warmly. The unexpected approach left him at a loss for words.
"Oh no, no, no, it's cool, really—uh..." Izuku stammered, his hands flailing like they were trying to fight off an invisible fly. His eyes darted everywhere but at Naruto, like the blonde was some kind of social landmine.
Naruto tilted his head, biting back a laugh. This guy was twitchier than a cat in a thunderstorm. "Okay then, you're Izuku Midoriya, right?"
Izuku blinked. Wait, how does he know my name? "Uh… yeah? But, uh, how do you know that?"
"Someone told me," Naruto replied with a shrug and a smug smile. "Anyway, it's gonna be fun working with ya, Deku!"
Izuku raised a brow, he was still a bit uneasy around the blonde but his energy felt really sincere. He couldn't help but smile back. "O-okay, Uzumaki-san!"
"Hey, just call me Naruto."
"O—oh, right. Sorry, Naruto."
Before either could say more, Iida materialized out of thin air like some overly punctual ghost. "Uzumaki-kun! I trust you're settling into UA's rigorous structure well!"
Naruto flinched so hard he almost fell over. "Jeez! You scared the crap outta me!"
Izuku sighed, already numb to Iida's ninja-like entrances. "You'll get used to it."
Iida, oblivious to the panic he'd caused, adjusted his glasses. "Uzumaki-kun," he began in a tone so serious it could've silenced an argument, "your abilities are quite unlike any quirk I've ever seen. In fact, they reminded me of Midoriya-kun's power or even the legendary All Might's!"
Naruto froze under Iida's laser-focused gaze. This guy was all business.
"And so," Iida continued, "I must ask, just how powerful are you? You said you lost control, yes? Is that… common?"
Naruto gulped, the intensity of the question catching him off guard. "W-well—"
"Iida-kun…" Izuku intervened, trying to soften the tension.
Naruto blinked. What the hell kinda question is that? His mind raced. If I say too much, they'll think I'm dangerous. Say too little, and they'll think I'm hiding something… Damn it, Sasuke's way better at bullshitting these kinds of things.
"Uh… well…" Naruto scratched the back of his head, glancing around like he might find an escape route.
"You'll find out as time passes."
Sasuke appeared at Naruto's side with his signature deadpan aura, and Naruto mentally fist-bumped him for the save. This guy had timing, if nothing else.
Sasuke gave him a sharp look. "He's been through a lot. Maybe back off a little, yeah? You're gonna give him a complex."
Iida's face shifted from intense to mortified in seconds. "Oh, Uzumaki-kun, I apologize. I got a little overzealous."
Naruto waved him off with a small laugh. "It's fine, really. You're good."
Meanwhile, Bakugo lurked in the background, staring at the duo like he was plotting their downfall. What's with these damn show-offs?
"Alright, everyone!" Aizawa's voice cut through the chatter like a whip. "Assemble."
The class fell into formation, though their nerves spiked when they noticed Aizawa's rare almost-smirk. He held up the distance reader. "Time to check your progress. Let's see who's slacking and who's actually putting in the work."
His eyes landed on Naruto and Sasuke, and his smirk widened just a hair. "And, as per tradition, the newbies will go first."
Jirou raised a skeptical brow. "Since when?"
"Since now."
Before anyone could protest, Aizawa casually tossed the ball to Sasuke, who caught it like it weighed nothing.
That's when the class collectively noticed something they really should've caught earlier. Naruto's bandaged arm. Sasuke's single arm.
Are we blind, or…?
Sasuke ignored the awkward glances, walking to the line with the air of someone way too cool to care. He held up the ball, giving it a once-over.
"So I just throw it?"
"Yes," Aizawa replied. "With your quirk."
"..."
Sasuke scoffed, wound up chakra in his arm, and launched the ball. It rocketed into the sky, vanishing in an instant.
Everyone stood there, dumbfounded.
"Uh, is it coming back?" Kaminari squinted, shielding his eyes from the sun.
"No," Sasuke deadpanned, sticking his hand in his pocket casually.
Sasuke's chakra-infused toss sent the ball soaring into the blue, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. Aizawa's smirk grew as he read the results aloud, "1680.349 meters."
The class collectively lost it.
"That's over a mile!" Tenya stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto grinned, catching on. "This bastard didn't even go all out." He muttered.
"That wasn't full power?!" Kirishima who overheard Naruto gawked, his hair nearly standing on end.
Bakugo growled, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles popped.
Naruto grabbed his ball, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, it's my turn! Get ready to see a real throw!"
"I really don't care, this isn't a competition," Sasuke said dryly.
"I'm still gonna beat you!"
"Throw the ball, Uzumaki," Aizawa interjected, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Naruto grinned, positioning himself. "Let's do this!"
The wind pressure whipped through the area as Naruto hurled the ball sky-high, kicking up a storm of dust that forced everyone to shield their eyes.
When the dust settled, Naruto stood beaming like he'd just won a championship.
Aizawa glanced at the device. "2003.499 meters."
Naruto's grin stretched even wider as the class erupted in disbelief. "Heh!"
"Hey! I'll go next!" Came Bakugo's aggressive tone, making the crowd of dazed students part instantly. Marching up with unshakable confidence, he shoved Naruto aside like he was clearing a path to glory.
"Move it, loser!"
Naruto stumbled slightly, blinking in surprise. "Oi, what's your problem?"
Bakugo didn't answer. He stood on the marking, gripping the ball tightly. His fiery determination was practically radiating off him. "I'm gonna kill every one of you!" he snarled in a low and menacing voice.
Naruto raised a brow, confused and at the same time slightly amused. "Kill? Seriously, what is this guy's deal?"
Sasuke, stoic as ever, glanced at Bakugo with his trademark neutral expression. "This'll be interesting."
"Watch closely, losers!" Bakugo barked, getting into position. The crackling sound of his quirk ignited, and with an explosive thrust, he roared, "DIE!" as the ball shot into the sky, propelled by the sheer force of his explosions.
Naruto's jaw dropped slightly. "Die? Man, this guy's intense..." he muttered, feeling an odd sense of excitement bubble up.
When the result popped up, it read 909.750 meters, solid but nowhere near Naruto or Sasuke's throws. Bakugo scowled but stayed defiant, his arms crossed like a challenge to anyone who dared question his effort.
Motivated by the spectacle, the rest of the class eagerly lined up for their turns. The excitement in the air was palpable as they gave it their all.
Standing on the sidelines, Aizawa allowed himself a rare, small smile. Toshinori, I hate to admit it... but you were right.
Later, after an eventful day, the students returned to the dorms to relax. Naruto and Sasuke had been assigned rooms directly across from each other.
Naruto, had insisted on picking out his dorm attire and he had preferences. However, Sasuke had quietly intervened during the process, subtly steering Naruto away from his more... questionable color choices.
Now, Naruto was strolling through the hallway in his fresh black joggers and a bright orange hoodie, casually licking a popsicle. He had barely settled in when All Might had dropped by for a private chat.
...
"Thanks for accepting my request," All Might had said, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder with a sincerity that hit Naruto harder than he expected.
"Don't mention it," Naruto had replied, trying to play it cool but feeling oddly warm inside. All Might had one final request, to keep the details of their meeting and the task at hand a secret from Izuku.
...
Naruto had been curious, but since it was All Might who instructed him, he gave it a rest. Man, I've only known the guy for what, a week? and he's already got me wrapped around his finger, Naruto thought with a small chuckle as he took another bite of his popsicle.
All Might reminded Naruto so much of Jiraiya, though thankfully without the perverted tendencies. When Toshinori called his arrival a "blessing in disguise," Naruto wasn't sure what to make of it. He still felt the weight of guilt from earlier.
Hurting the heroes reminded him too much of his own past, especially the fear and distrust he faced when people saw him as nothing more than the Kyubi's vessel.
It gnawed at him, but even more pressing was the unusual silence from Kurama. Deciding to investigate, Naruto entered his subconscious. He found the great fox sitting in somber silence, a shadow of his usual prideful self.
"Kurama…" Naruto's voice was soft, almost tender. He approached and gently stroked the fox's whiskers before leaning their foreheads together. "What's wrong?"
Kurama sighed, his massive body rising and falling as if the weight of the world was pressing on him. "I feel guilt, Naruto. Ever since we got here."
Naruto blinked in confusion, but understanding dawned on him as Kurama's silence stretched on. "Is it because...?"
The fox's lack of a response was answer enough. Naruto's heart clenched. He hadn't realized Kurama still regretted everything, everything he'd done while under someone else's control, how it led to the destruction of the village, and ultimately, Naruto's lonely childhood.
"If I'd been more alert, I could've broken free from that wretched technique," Kurama muttered, his voice low and bitter. "But I didn't. I'm a monster… aren't I?"
"Don't say that, Kurama," Naruto snapped, his voice firm yet warm. "You're Kurama, the legendary Nine-Tailed Fox, the strongest of all the tailed beasts." He smiled, trying to lift the fox's spirits. "And most importantly, you care about your siblings, you protect them... and you're my partner, a ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village."
Kurama's sharp gaze softened as Naruto continued. "You're not at fault for what happened. Don't carry that burden alone," Naruto said, locking eyes with Kurama. His grin broke through like sunlight. "Even if the world turns its back on us, we'll always have each other. That's what friends do, right?"
That last part caused Kurama's eyes to widen just a fraction—subtle, but Naruto caught it. He hadn't outright called Kurama a friend before. The great fox was so used to being labeled a monster, a tool, or a burden that the word seemed to hang in the air like an unexpected gift. Slowly, Kurama's gaze softened, his enormous head tilting downward as Naruto raised his hand for a fist bump.
The fox let out a low, rumbling chuckle, shaking his head with a small, rare smile. "You're never going to change, are you, Naruto?" he muttered, pressing his enormous paw to the blonde's fist.
Naruto grinned back. "Nope. You're stuck with me."
Moments later, Naruto blinked back into reality, standing awkwardly in the common room of UA's Class 1-A. His popsicle had nearly melted to nothing, the sticky liquid dripping between his fingers, though he barely noticed. He was too busy taking in the scene: the banter, chatter, the normalcy. It felt strange, almost distant, like he was staring through glass at a world he wasn't sure he belonged to.
These kids… they're so lucky he thought, his grip tightening slightly around the wooden stick. They don't have to worry about being hated or feared the second they walk into a room. They get to just… be.
He stood there for what felt like ages, watching as the students laughed and argued over something trivial. They didn't even notice him at first, and for a moment, Naruto hesitated. Should he say something? Would they even want him here? But then he remembered Kurama's words and straightened his shoulders.
"Yo," he called out, raising his free hand in a casual wave. His voice cut through the hum of conversation, drawing all eyes to him.
For a second, the room went still. Iida practically marched over to him with robotic precision, grabbing his hand in a firm shake. "Uzumaki-kun, welcome! As a fellow student of UA, you must join us in the common room. It is tradition!"
Naruto blinked at the sheer force of his enthusiasm, nearly stumbling as he was pulled inside. "Yeah, yeah, I get it!" he huffed, trying to keep up. But as they reached the center of the room, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of gratitude. At least someone was willing to accept him right away.
"Uzumaki-kun!" A pink-haired girl with horns—Mina if he remembered correctly—bounced over, a grin lighting up her face. "I'm so glad you're in our class! I'm Ashido!"
"And I'm Kirishima!" a red-haired boy added, jerking a thumb toward his chest. His sharp teeth glinted as he flashed Naruto a wide grin. "Dude, your quirk during the test was so manly!"
Naruto chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, uh, thanks, it was nothing y'know."
Naruto found himself overwhelmed by the sudden attention from his new classmates, feeling a shy awkwardness he hadn't experienced in years. It was almost nostalgic, reminding him of the way villagers in Konoha started treating him after recognizing his heroics.
A small boy with purple orbs for hair suddenly jumped in front of him, startling Naruto. "I'm Mineta! You're jumpy—are you a pervert too? You were distracting yourself with lewd images, right? I like your type!"
Naruto's face turned crimson as he stammered, "I stopped when I was sixteen!"
The girls' expressions soured, prompting Naruto to wave his hands defensively. "I don't do it anymore, I swear!"
Denki stepped in with a sly grin, hoisting Mineta off the ground with ease. "I believe him. He's matured out of that phase. Right, Naruto?"
Naruto nodded vigorously, relieved. Ochaco chimed in with a warm smile. "If he was a pervert, he'd have joined Mineta in trying to peek at us during sports. But he didn't, so we can trust him!"
The group collectively relaxed, and Denki clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder and gave him a wink and a firm thumbs up after Naruto thanked him. "No problem, man. Us blondes gotta stick together, right?"
Naruto blinked, feeling a warm swell of belonging. For the first time in a long while, it felt like someone had his back just like Iruka-sensei had all those years ago. He rested his head in his palms with a soft smile.
"I'm Ochaco Uraraka," the brunette said, extending her hand warmly. Naruto clasped it firmly. "Nice to meet you, Naruto."
Naruto shifted on the couch, observing as a composed young woman stepped forward. "I'm Yaoyorozu Momo," she said. Here tone was both serious and friendly at the same time, Naruto didn't even know how that was possible but he liked it. He nodded, offering a slight grin. "Looking forward to working with you, too."
Next was Jiro. With her earphone jacks swinging lazily and a faint smirk, she introduced herself. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle. Her hairstyle brought back memories of a younger Hinata—so innocent and unassuming. "I like your hair!" he said, grinning.
Jiro's cheeks flushed, and she looked away. "T-thank you," she muttered, trying to sound indifferent.
Then came Toru. Naruto blinked, struggling to process this. Here clothes were floating mid air. He kept in mind that her quirk could be dangerous. He'd have to keep his senses sharp, sage mode always on standby. When he voiced this observation, Toru giggled, clearly flattered this.
The other students followed, each introduction punctuated by distinct quirks and energy. Finally, the frog-like girl stepped forward. "I'm Tsuyu Asui, but you can call me Tsu."
"Ah, nice to meet you," Naruto said, feeling oddly grounded by her calmness.
"Likewise," Tsu replied, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Say, Naruto, you've never been to Musutafu, have you?"
Naruto stiffened, his instincts tingling at the casual question. "Yeah... I live pretty far away," he answered carefully, forcing his tone to stay light.
He and Sasuke had been clear with the hero league and government about the basics, which was, two shinobi from another dimension tasked with protecting their home village. Details of their origins were left deliberately vague which was necessary given the destruction their arrival had caused. Yet here, among these students, Naruto could feel the unspoken truth pressing on his chest. His power would be impossible to hide, but he'd have to tread carefully.
Naruto's gaze locked on Tsuyu with a neutral expression.
"Okay," Tsuyu said. Her voice was very calm and casual but Naruto felt like it was stabbing him in the sides one by one and making him feel so tense. "I do have to ask, how come you weren't arrested for what you and your friend did back then?"
Naruto's chest tightened, the room fell into a suffocating silence, but Naruto didn't let it show that any of this affected him. The other students, however, shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between Tsuyu and Naruto. Ochaco's voice broke the stillness.
"Tsu-chan! That's not fair—"
Tsuyu raised her hand, silencing her friend as she pressed on. "Even if you lost control of your quirk, the damage you caused to those heroes… It was horrible. Shouldn't you feel guilty for that?"
Naruto's knuckles whitened as his fists clenched and he sighed. "She's right," he murmured, his voice low but resonant. "I rarely lose control, but when I do… bad things happen. People I care about get hurt." He said bitterly. "When it's over, I wake up to destruction and fear. And the worst part? No one wants to stick around after seeing what I'm capable of. No one wants to be near a monster."
The word monster hung heavy, his voice cracking slightly. He looked directly at Tsuyu, his resolve hardening and then he bowed. "So, yeah. I deserve punishment for what I've done. But I want to make it right. At least give me that chance, please."
The room was still, save for the sound of the coffee machine doing it's job in the kitchen. Then, to everyone's shock, Tsuyu shrugged, her tone as even as ever. "Sure," she said simply. "I wasn't trying to antagonize you, Naruto. Don't get me wrong, I just wanted to see how you'd respond. And it seems like All Might made the right call sending you here."
"All Might?" the group chorused in surprise.
Wait...how did she...?
Naruto blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. He opened his mouth to question her, but Tsuyu was already moving toward the exit. "Anyway," she said over her shoulder, "it'll be interesting working with you."
Naruto sat frozen for a moment, watching her leave. "A-ah…" he stammered, the confusion and relief tangling in his chest. He leaned back, exhaling deeply. The test was over, for now.
Tenya adjusted his glasses, his tone firm yet encouraging. "By the way, we'll be working toward our provisional licenses soon. I suggest you and Uchiha-kun join us for the preparations."
Naruto gave him a thumbs-up, his grin radiant. "I'll do my best!" But then his smile faltered slightly, and a thought struck him. Where's Izuku?
He had come to the common room expecting to find him, but then he remembered something that brought him to a conclusion, Izuku was probably training.
FLASHBACK
Naruto sat with All Might under the cool night sky, the breeze carrying whispers of serenity. A candy popsicle rested in his hand, its sweetness bittersweet as it evoked memories of Jiraiya. He smiled faintly. Ero-Sennin… I won't ever forget you.
"Say, Toshinori-ojichan," Naruto began, his voice tinged with curiosity, "you told me to look out for your student, but isn't that your job? You're his master, after all."
All Might chuckled softly, his gaze lifting to the star-strewn heavens. "Yes, but I have another responsibility—to ensure All For One never leaves that prison." His voice carried a weight that Naruto couldn't ignore. "I can't be by both Young Midoriya's side and keep watch over All For One. That's why I need you to help me."
Naruto frowned, gripping the stick of his popsicle. "But I don't want to take your place."
All Might laughed, his tone warm with reassurance. "You won't. Young Midoriya admires me deeply, so much so that he's working tirelessly to surpass me one day." A rare fondness softened his expression.
"He's incredibly hardworking. My successor will go far."
END OF FLASHBACK
Naruto blinked back to the present, his resolve sharpening. "Deku's probably training right now, huh?"
Tenya nodded. "He should be outside, near the garden."
"Thanks," Naruto said, pushing himself up from his seat.
"Wait, you're leaving?!" Ashido's voice broke in, her tone tinged with disappointment.
"Yeah, we've got a big day tomorrow," Naruto said, waving lazily as he walked away, not bothering to turn back.
He stepped into the garden, the moonlight casting soft shadows on the neatly trimmed hedges. His eyes landed on Izuku, who stood in the clearing, his body crackling with green electricity.
"Okay," Izuku murmured to himself, "let it spread through my whole body."
The energy surged, spiraling around him as he leapt, swinging his left leg with incredible force. A gust of wind exploded outward, rustling the nearby trees so violently it seemed they might be uprooted. Izuku exhaled deeply, releasing the energy as he steadied himself.
"Impressive."
Izuku whirled around, startled by the voice. At the garden's entrance stood Naruto, casually holding a bottle of water.
"Yo," Naruto greeted with a wide grin, tossing the bottle to Izuku.
"Ah, Naruto!" Izuku caught the bottle, smiling as he gulped down its contents.
"Thanks."
"You're good. Ever sparred with anyone before?"
"Uh, only Kacchan," Izuku admitted. A flash of memory hit him. Bakugo slamming him into the ground during one of their rougher "training sessions." He cringed slightly.
Naruto took a step back, stretching his arms. "Perfect. Then this shouldn't be new to you."
Izuku blinked, confused, as Naruto formed a hand sign. Suddenly, a second Naruto appeared behind him.
Izuku gasped, whipping his head back and forth between the two identical blondes. "Wha—there's two of you?"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," Naruto explained casually. Both versions of him grinned in unison.
"I-I don't know anything about your fighting style!" Izuku stammered, waving his arms nervously.
Naruto frowned, crossing his arms. "If you won't fight because you don't know your opponent's style, then you'll never be a hero."
The words hit Izuku hard, his breath catching.
Naruto continued, his tone more reflective. "Back in my village, people that fought me… they had guts. They didn't back down, even when they knew nothing about me. Same thing goes for here. Isn't that what your master taught you?"
All Might's lessons echoed in Izuku's mind.
Naruto dispelled his clone with a pop, leaning forward with a mischievous smirk. "Tell you what, if you can beat me in a spar, I'll treat you to any snack you want at lunch. But if I win…" His grin turned downright devious. "You're buying me the best ramen Musutafu has to offer!"
Izuku blinked, caught off guard by the sudden challenge. Then, imagining a steaming bowl of katsudon, he blushed slightly before steeling himself.
"You're on!" Izuku mirrored Naruto's stance, his grin matching the blonde's.
"That's the spirit!" Naruto exclaimed, his chakra flaring. "Now, let's do this, y'know!"
Electric green and fiery orange clashed as the two charged at each other, their movements creating gusts of wind that swept across the garden. Their grins were wide, but Izuku suddenly skidded to a halt, glancing around nervously.
"Wait! The garden! We'll destroy it if we keep going!"
Naruto stopped mid-strike, his face falling into a deadpan. "You're kidding me…"
Izuku gave him a sheepish shrug, scratching the back of his head. Then, as if the absurdity of the situation hit them both at the same time, they burst into laughter.
"You're such a weird kid," Naruto said, collapsing onto the grass. "Why'd you agree to spar if you were gonna stop halfway through?"
"You kinda scared me into it," Izuku admitted with a grin. "Plus, you're strong. I wanted to see how I measured up."
Naruto smirked, lying back on the grass. "You're strong too, y'know. You remind me of a friend back home."
Izuku tilted his head curiously. "Oh? What's his quirk?"
Naruto flexed his bandaged arm dramatically. "He's super strong!"
"Really?"
"Yeah," Naruto said with a grin. "He split a meteorite in half once."
Izuku's jaw dropped. "A-a meteorite?!"
"Yup," Naruto said proudly. "He wasn't much to talk about back in our academy days, though. People looked down on him for being different. But he never gave up on his dream. He worked harder than anyone and became a legend."
Izuku felt a deep resonance with Naruto's words. He could almost see himself in the story—a kid fighting against the odds, determined to prove everyone wrong.
Naruto glanced at him. "Say, Deku. What's your dream?"
Izuku's gaze turned skyward, his face lighting up with determination. "I want to be a great hero who saves people with a smile. I want to be even greater than All Might!"
Naruto laughed, sitting up. "You've got a great dream! Mine is to become Hokage and protect my village!"
"Hokage? What's that?"
"It's the title for the strongest person in my village," Naruto explained, his eyes alight. "They're called 'Kage' because they act like a shadow, covering the village and protecting it."
Izuku's interest was piqued. "What's your reason for wanting to become Hokage?"
Naruto's smile wavered before he gave a sheepish grin. "When I was a kid, I was alone most of the time. Everyone hated me and avoided me like I was a plague. My name was taboo, and parents even kept their kids away from me. I caused trouble and played pranks, just to make them notice me. Even if I got scolded, at least they looked at me."
Izuku saw the sad smile on Naruto's face and it made him wonder, just how much the blonde had endured.
Naruto's tone softened. "At first, I wanted to become Hokage to gain their respect and acknowledgment. But over time, I met people who changed how I saw things. One really wise guy told me, You don't become Hokage to be acknowledged by everyone. The one acknowledged by everyone becomes Hokage."
Izuku listened intently as Naruto continued. "Those words hit me hard. I realized what truly pushed me forward: the people who believed in me and my own will to protect them. Now, my drive to be Hokage is about protecting the ones I care about, my village."
There was silence between them, the night air cool and still, before Izuku hesitantly asked, "Even after all they did to you?"
Naruto glanced at him, surprised. Izuku pressed on, "Even after how badly they treated you, you still want to protect them?"
Naruto stayed quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful before softening into a sad smile. He sighed. "It wasn't their fault. They didn't know better."
Izuku tilted his head, looking up at the stars. "You're really forgiving," he murmured. "I don't know the full context, so I won't say anything more about it." He then turned to Naruto, beaming brightly. "But consider me one of the people who acknowledge you on your road to being Hokage."
Naruto blinked, then grinned back, the warmth in his expression as bright as the stars above. "Tell you what, Deku. When you become the Number One Hero, I'll be there to cheer you on during one of your big saves!"
Izuku's face lit up, his chest swelling with joy. With a determined look, he grinned back. "And I'll visit your village to congratulate you when you become Hokage!"
They both bumped their fists, grinning at one another.