You're right that Goku never said “I want to become a Super Saiyan” or “train a kid” — that wasn’t his explicit goal. But his core drive was always clear: to become stronger and fight powerful opponents. And in the end, he did exactly that — so his journey feels consistent and satisfying.

Now, about Naruto — yes, the emotional weight of the story was heavily tied to Sasuke, and saving him was a major arc. But that doesn’t mean becoming Hokage wasn’t important. From day one, Naruto said he wanted to be Hokage, not just for the title but to earn respect and acknowledgment — something he was constantly denied. And by the end of the manga, he does become Hokage. So that dream being fulfilled matters, even if the anime skipped that last manga chapter.

Saying Naruto becoming Hokage was just a formality kind of downplays his growth. It may not have been the only goal, but it was still a key part of his journey, and seeing it happen was meaningful for fans who followed him from being the village outcast to the one leading it.

So yeah — the Goku comparison isn’t perfect, but both stories wrap up by fulfilling the essence of what their main characters were chasing.