“What of the cost of that peace? Another war? Countless casualities? More sacrifices, more blood on your hands than you can imagine -”

He’s seen war, violence, death; taken lives as freely as the next shinobi.

“Are you prepared to pay the price for such a world of peace?”

“There will not be another war.” Nor casualties, nor blood, or death– That was the whole point of his journey.

“I refuse to pay the price of our predecessors that failed. I will find another way.”

goldenyondaime:

“Why do you fight? Why are you a shinobi?” To have an ambition was one thing, but to have a drive for that ambition was what made a person into what they were.

“What pushes you to want this so badly?”

“I am a shinobi as it is they who have the power to change the world for the better.” He couldn’t do anything if he wasn’t strong enough. It was required.

“I’ve seen what war and violence can do. I told myself I would put a halt to it. I will create peace.”

goldenyondaime:

“Our system is far from perfect. There are cracks that go beneath the surface. What will you do as Hokage? Do you intend to fix the damage done by three wars?”

It wasn’t logical. One person couldn’t fix everything on their own, not if they didn’t want to break apart themselves.

“After knowing everything, do you still believe you can do this? You just may lose yourself in the process.”

“I didn’t choose this to give up so easy. I said I would fix it all.” No matter how daunting, no matter how grand the task. It was a dream chosen when he was four years old, and he’ll be damned to give up so easy.

He’ll find a way to make sure the countries get along.

goldenyondaime:

“..To put it bluntly. It’s not an ideal scenario. It’s one that needs to change. After all, if our correspondence doesn’t improve, we could easily have a repeat of Uzushio.” It wasn’t regarded as one of Konoha’s greatest losses, after all.

“Every village sends spies, but yes. Iwa is one to look out for.”

Every village sends spies doesn’t sound ideal, either. And then there’s what he heard regarding the Hyuuga heiress and Kumo. Things like that needed to be eradicated. They couldn’t get along if they were constantly trying to steal secrets and people from each other.

He sighs, softly.

“There’s so much to fix.”

goldenyondaime:

“For the chuunin exams, although that’s a given. However, during negotiation as well – and what we negotiate varies. Trade between the villages is essential. Take our relationship with Sunagakure. It’s getting about time for me to have a meeting with the Kazekage once more, to speak with him about a variety of things.”

There’s a pause as he considers the other villages as well, and their current relations after the war.

“Clearly we’re strained with Iwagakure and Kumogakure. Our relations may never be the best, but working on a proper treaty, on a way to reach out and establish some semblance of order needs to happen at some point.”

“So we more or less ignore each other unless something involves both countries.” That…didn’t sound ideal. Maybe more interaction could keep relations better in the future.

“Iwa is known for sending spies.” This he’s acutely aware of.

goldenyondaime:

The pencil is set down, paperwork shoved to the side for now, and he gestures for Itachi to take a seat.

“Do you have any questions? I will do my best to answer them.” The previous topic would be thankfully forgotten.

Honestly, some of his questions are things his Father constantly repeats to him. Things he wants Itachi to ask.

“How often do you meet with the other village’s leaders.” That he is curious about.

goldenyondaime:

“You forget that I’m a sensor.”

He may be sleeping, but his reflexes were sharp as ever. Never mind that he trusted Itachi to have not done anything to him. That was a moot point.

“Should we study for your inauguration instead then?”

Even a sensor can be caught unawares, he thinks. Especially during the overload periods.

“I suppose.” If they’re both going to be stuck here.

goldenyondaime:

uchihasavior replied to your post:
“You mumble in your sleep.”

“This isn’t a proper place to sleep.” Thus he would continue to stay over his shifts, until he could get Minato home.

“Yet I’ve no other place to go.” There was his office, and then there was his apartment. Waving the other off now, he tugs a paper – a request from the Yamanaka clan – to read it over.

“I’m rested well enough. You, however, need to go home and sleep.”