The time is now!

[abileunaspada]

Who: Adela Milani (abileunaspada) & OPEN
When: August 1st
Where: Konohagakure
What: Adela has reached the end date of her leave, and an important decision has come during the time off. Whether it is with a curious friend or with the Hokage himself, Adela is going to announce her plans and take the first true step towards her goals.

It was... Strange. She felt so calm then, more sure of herself than she suspected she ever had in her life. There wasn't anything special about that day, apart from it being ridiculously hot out (though that was normal for Konoha's summers). The exams were done, and although she had heard whispers about tensions rising between the ninja nations, there was something she knew she could do about it. The question was how the Hokage himself would take it.

At some point she stopped to get some iced coffee, sighing at the slightly bitter beverage as she shaded herself from the sun. The meeting with the Hokage wouldn't happen for a little while yet, so she could afford the stop, but... What would everyone think of her new goal? Of the ambition she had given herself to keep going, when she had failed so much before?

No. It was because she had failed so much before that she felt she could do this now. She could at least start, and find her strength her own way. Even so, there were probably a few people she'd have to talk to first - about everything.

Comments

[thebestuchiha]

When she finally came to him, Obito was surprised, but pleased, to see her. He'd thought she might be a bit longer, if he was honest with himself, but it really looked like the break might have done her good. "Adela-san. You're looking better."

[abileunaspada]

"I'm feeling better... Mostly."

It wasn't a lie in the least -- she'd been talking to one of the Yamanaka clan as instructed, and with her messages to her cousin and seeing what life was like around the village from a citizen's point of view more recently, she'd been given a lot of time to think. Through it, it felt like she could finally start... She could start again.

"... Hokage-Sama. I dunno how you're going to take what answers I've come to, but it's only right that you know."

[thebestuchiha]

He waved for her to continue, settling back in his chair and looking at her with interest. So far, this wasn't seeming all that ominous, so he could afford to relax. Even if he was prepared for some bad news.

[abileunaspada]

"... I've decided to try to become Hokage -- your successor."

She swallowed thickly after speaking, clenching her pant legs in her hands as she looked him straight in the eye. She'd watch carefully for Obito's reaction, nervous about what his reaction would be. Would he take it poorly, like she was trying to steal his position or power? Who knew with Obito, but she had to make her feelings know.

[thebestuchiha]

He blinked a few times, then leaned forward, planting his elbows on his desk as he met her gaze and evaluated her. "You mean that? Like, from the bottom of your heart, no hesitation mean that?"

[abileunaspada]

"I mean it. It feels like that's the path I need to take, for my own sake and for the sake of the village and its people - its ninja."

Adela steeled her gaze then, calmly looking him over as she waited for him to answer her further.

[thebestuchiha]

"And what about the civilians?" He tilted his head and held her gaze, not looking away. It seemed that she had his attention, though there wasn't any tell on his opinion about it yet.

[abileunaspada]

The question startled her and she blinked, speaking entirely without thought as an answer, "Of course they're important too. They're a vital part of the economy and deserve our protection as much as anyone else in the village, if not more because they can't fight at the same level of combat as ninja can."

[thebestuchiha]

"And exactly what is a Hokage in your opinion?"

[abileunaspada]

"The chosen leader of Konohagakure. Someone who delegates missions to ninja of appropriate skill levels and is the strongest shinobi in the village, charged with its protection from a political and militaristic standpoint. Someone who protects this place and its people with everything they have, even if it means laying down their life for the sake of the village."

[thebestuchiha]

"No, no that's what a Hokage does. What is it?" He shook his head slightly, but didn't seem upset. "Don't confuse the two, even if it seems like an easy spin."

[abileunaspada]

Adela blinked, confused at the wording, before she spoke again, "The strongest shinobi in the village. The Hokage's someone everyone can count on no matter the situation, aren't they?"

[thebestuchiha]

"Not exactly. The Hokage is the ideal of Konoha. A Hokage shapes and changes the course of everything the village does. Militant, peaceful, idealistic, sharp, whatever the Hokage is will ripple over the village and affect everything those in the village do. I'm not the most powerful person in this village, but I'm strong, and I can lead, and that's the important part, you get me?"

[abileunaspada]

It took her a few seconds, but she nodded and tried to relax herself a little more, "I think I get it. The Hokage's ideals effect everyone else's."

[thebestuchiha]

"Yeah, they do. A Hokage has to be aware of everything, and above all, they have to be able to make the hard choices and take the burdens on themselves." He studied her intently. "Do you think you could weather that kind of burden?"

[abileunaspada]

She didn't answer right away. She had to close her eyes, taking a breath and thinking over just what Obito was telling her then. Taking on all of the burdens of difficult choices... It was something she subconsciously knew about, but to be told like that was different. Something she needed.

Finally, Adela opened her eyes again, her gaze steeled with determination, "I will. It won't be a choice if I become Hokage, not with everyone depending on me. The village deserves nothing less."

[thebestuchiha]

He examined her for a moment more then nodded in satisfaction. "Then you better put together a good case in a few years Adela. I'll be disappointed if you don't."

[abileunaspada]

It seemed like Obito was throwing her for a loop several times during the conversation, and that he had done so once again. She just stared for a few seconds, openly stunned at the change in expression given to her, "It doesn't bother you, Hokage-Sama?"

[thebestuchiha]

"Is there some reason it should?" He blinked, then gave a soft laugh. "I'm not going to live forever."

[abileunaspada]

"I... I guess I just didn't know how you were gonna react, that's all," Adela felt a little sheepish then, rubbing the back of her head as she bowed her head a little, "I mean, I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past month, and this... It just feels like the right path to try. To push myself harder than ever with a concrete goal in mind. One that helps everyone here."

[thebestuchiha]

"If you're serious about it, I have no reason to tell you not to try. It'll be good for you. But keep in mind it's never a guarantee, okay? Things could happen and you have to fight through it. And you have got to remember you're not alone. A Hokage can never think they're alone. But... You can do it, if you really want to, so I'll keep my eye on you."

[abileunaspada]

"I know I have to fight through it. The only way I'll be able to become Hokage is if I prove that I'm the best one for the job, whether it's through prowess on the field or how well they can lead the people working together with them for the betterment of the village. That's exactly what I intend to do."

[thebestuchiha]

"Good. And next time you have a crisis, what'll you do?" He leaned forward, clearly expecting a real answer for that. She had his full focus, if nothing else.

[abileunaspada]

... Uh, was this a trick question? Really, Adela didn't know how to answer. She took a moment, frowning thoughtfully before speaking, "I guess I should come to you if it happens, shouldn't I. Come ready to talk about it."

[thebestuchiha]

"If you don't feel like you can talk to anyone else? Yeah. Come to me. I'm Hokage, but I'm not too busy to listen to my shinobi. Any of them."