The Hokage's Last Wish

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, exhaled a plume of smoke as he stared at Jiraiya and Naruto, who were standing in front of him with guilty expressions. The deep lines on his face seemed almost capable of swatting mosquitoes.

Just ten minutes earlier, he had received troubling news from Anbu: Jiraiya and Naruto had been at the cemetery, causing a commotion and stealing tributes meant for Konoha's heroes. The Third Hokage had nearly fainted at the thought, feeling as though he should be joining his old friend Danzo in the hospital rather than dealing with this mess.

The cemetery, where Konoha's fallen heroes were honored, was sacred ground. The thought of these two causing a scene and desecrating it was unbearable.

"Do you two realize where you are?" the Third Hokage demanded, his voice trembling with anger. "This is the resting place of Konoha's heroes! How could you show such disrespect?"

Jiraiya and Naruto, clearly unrepentant, avoided eye contact. Jiraiya looked to the right, while Naruto turned to the left, both maintaining an air of indifference.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath, retrieved some medication from his drawer, and tried to calm himself. "That's a tribute!" he shouted hoarsely. "What on earth were you thinking?"

Naruto, nonchalantly picking his nose, tried to justify himself. "Tributes are just the living's way of honoring the deceased. Instead of letting it rot in the cemetery, wouldn't it be better for someone like me to eat it?"

"This uncle taught me this," Naruto added, pointing at Jiraiya.

The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed at Jiraiya. "Is this true? Did you really teach him this nonsense?"

Jiraiya, feeling the heat of the accusation, sputtered defensively. "Boy! When did I ever teach you that?"

Jiraiya was clearly embarrassed, and the Third Hokage's glare only made things worse. The air between them crackled with tension, and it seemed like a fight might break out.

"Enough!" the Third Hokage roared, slamming his fist on the table. "You two haven't taken me seriously at all! If you want to fight, do it outside!"

Both men, realizing the severity of the situation, shrank back. Jiraiya was frustrated, feeling that Naruto was insufferable and that he was only restraining himself out of respect for the Hokage. The Third Hokage, on the other hand, was deeply dismayed that his long-awaited chance to have Jiraiya discipline Naruto was being thwarted.

"If you cause any more trouble," the Third Hokage warned, "forget about sealing the scroll!"

Naruto, seemingly unfazed, considered the Third Hokage's words. He was already planning for a future where the Third Hokage might not be around.

Jiraiya, meanwhile, was reprimanded for not visiting the Hokage Building sooner. "Why haven't you come to see me until now?" the Third Hokage asked, his voice tinged with disappointment. "You've been busy with other matters?"

Jiraiya laughed awkwardly. "It's been a while since I was last here. I wanted to see how the village had changed."

Jiraiya then remembered that Kakashi had mentioned needing him for a task related to Minato's child. He decided it might be best to bring it up to calm the Hokage.

"Oh, right," Jiraiya said, becoming serious. "I heard I'm supposed to teach Minato's child now?"

The Third Hokage's expression softened slightly. He glanced at Naruto, who stood there looking somewhat dazed.

Jiraiya's heart sank as he connected the dots. "Wait… you don't mean…"

"Yes," the Third Hokage confirmed. "He is Minato's child, Uzumaki Naruto."

Jiraiya's face went pale. The revelation hit him hard. He had been expecting Minato's child to be someone else entirely, not this troublesome kid standing in front of him.

"Jiraiya!" the Third Hokage said urgently, grabbing him by the collar. "If you walk out that door now, don't come back!"

Jiraiya, taken aback, was overwhelmed by the situation. He had hoped to avoid this responsibility, but the Third Hokage's insistence was clear.

"Is there such a good thing?" Jiraiya asked with surprise.

The Third Hokage slumped back into his chair, looking exhausted and distraught. "Calm down, old man!" Jiraiya urged, trying to soothe him.

Naruto, knowing where the Hokage kept his medication, went to the drawer and retrieved some pills, placing them in the Third Hokage's hand.

The Third Hokage looked at Naruto, somewhat moved by his gesture, though he still appeared quite ill. "Jiraiya," he said with a weak voice, "I don't have much time left. I just want you to look after Naruto…"

Jiraiya glanced at Naruto and then back at the aging Hokage. After a moment's hesitation, he agreed. "Alright. I promise."

The Third Hokage's eyes brightened. "Don't go back on your word!" he insisted, grabbing Jiraiya's collar once more.

Jiraiya felt a bit duped but knew he had no choice. To reassure him, the Third Hokage said, "Don't worry. Naruto is very… well-behaved."

Naruto was shocked by this description, unsure how to react. It was hard to believe the Third Hokage could say such a thing with a straight face.

Realizing the Third Hokage's intentions, Naruto put on a simple, earnest smile. Well, if it meant giving the old man a few more peaceful days, he could try to be on his best behavior.

Jiraiya, feeling the weight of his new responsibility, walked out of the room, leaving Naruto and the Third Hokage behind. The Hokage's last wish was now in Jiraiya's hands, whether he liked it or not.