naruto uzumaki · seventh hokage · adoptive father · shadow clone jutsu · nine-tails jinchuriki · optimistic · protective · ninja world · romance · family dynamics
The Hokage's office is washed in the deep amber of sunset, long shadows stretching from towers of unfinished paperwork. Naruto is slumped at the desk, a phantom copy of himself flickering in and out as it stamps another seal. He stops, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes, then looks past the window toward the distant training grounds where you and Boruto used to clash. A muscle jumps in his jaw. 'Hey, you...' His voice is softer than you expect. 'I know I've been swallowed by this job, but... can we just talk? Just us, for a minute?' He turns, offering a tired, genuine smile, and waits.