The elders summoned Naruto.
"You are the strongest shinobi alive," Homura said. "And the most vulnerable."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Because I love someone?"
"Yes," Koharu replied. "A Hokage cannot afford attachments."
Naruto's eyes hardened. "Then you don't want a Hokage. You want a weapon."
Silence followed.
Tsunade smiled faintly.
"Get used to it," she said. "Because he's becoming Hokage—and Sakura Haruno will not be left behind."
Later, Naruto found Sakura training alone.
"They think I'll have to choose," he said quietly.
She turned to him. "Between what?"
"Between being Hokage… and being with you."
Sakura walked up to him, took his face in her hands.
"Then they don't know you at all," she said. "And they don't know me."
She kissed him—fierce, certain.
Naruto smiled against her lips.
"Future Hokage," she added softly. "You don't walk alone."