Even so, seeing Konoha thrive under his leadership still left Fujimoto Tōma quietly satisfied.
A village, no matter how exceptional, was still just that. Governing it wasn't particularly difficult. Expanding that scale to the entire world, though, would be another story entirely.
Then again, maybe it wouldn't be as nightmarish as it sounded.
Most of the world simply wasn't suited for large populations. The Wind Country was an endless sea of sand. The Earth Country was dominated by harsh, rocky wastelands where survival itself was a challenge. The Water Country was little more than scattered islands. The Lightning Country was all jagged mountains and narrow valleys.
Only the Fire Country truly had land meant for people to live on. Fertile soil. Mild climate. Space to breathe.
So even if the world were unified one day, administration might not be impossible after all.
"Let's call it a day," Tōma said calmly. "Handle Naruto's arrangements, then you can head home. I'm going to check on Sasuke."
"Understood," Nara Shikaku replied with a nod before leaving.
Tōma stood atop the Hokage Monument, gazing down at Konoha. Even as dusk settled in, the village remained alive with motion. People worked. Children laughed. Lights flickered on, one by one.
He smiled faintly.
The next moment, his figure vanished.
Ryūchi Cave was the least visited of the Three Great Sage Regions, at least as far as Tōma was concerned.
The moment he stepped inside, several massive presences stirred. Snakes sensed him immediately.
One of them, Manda, barely lifted its head before turning away and curling up tighter.
It had learned the hard way.
Manda hadn't tasted fresh blood in a long time. Neither Tōma nor Sasuke had any intention of indulging its absurd demands. Sasuke rarely summoned it at all, and while Tōma still did on occasion, the White Snake Sage had forbidden Manda from refusing him outright.
Which meant enduring visits it very much did not enjoy.
Manda let out a low, irritated sigh. Orochimaru was still alive somewhere, yet he barely used summoning techniques anymore. No offerings. No blood.
Strangely enough, Manda found itself missing him.
At least Orochimaru had been a proper Ryūchi Cave contractor.
Tōma, oblivious to the snake's bitter thoughts, followed Sasuke's chakra and soon arrived before a towering stone palace.
"Since you're here, come in."
The White Snake Sage's lazy voice echoed in his ears.
Tōma stepped inside without hesitation. Once, he might have been cautious. Now, his strength spoke for itself.
At the heart of the hall, the White Snake Sage coiled around its throne. Nearby, Sasuke knelt, his body already showing signs of partial transformation.
"How's his training?" Tōma asked directly.
"Who knows," the sage replied indifferently. "He might already be dead."
That wasn't exaggeration. Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode was the most dangerous of the three. The White Snake Sage had no patience for gentle guidance. Natural energy was forced into candidates directly. Those who endured were taught. Those who didn't became food.
Even survival didn't guarantee safety. Many lost themselves during training and never returned.
Sasuke had already passed the first stage, but even for an Uchiha, the odds remained grim.
The White Snake Sage didn't care either way. If someone died chasing power, that was simply the natural outcome.
Tōma wasn't concerned. Sasuke wouldn't fall here.
Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode suited him better than the others. Mount Myōboku demanded spiritual harmony Sasuke simply didn't have. Shikkotsu Forest lacked a clear method altogether.
This was the only path that didn't require surrendering oneself to the world.
"How long has he been like this?" Tōma asked.
"A few days," the sage answered after a pause.
Tōma nodded, studying Sasuke's condition.
"When he wakes up, tell him to return to the village. I need to speak with him."
The White Snake Sage didn't respond, but didn't object either. Its slit pupils shifted to Tōma, studying him closely.
Ryūchi Cave's sensory techniques were exceptional. And yet, the more it tried to grasp Tōma's strength, the more unsettling the result became.
It couldn't see the ceiling.
That, in itself, was an answer.
As Tōma vanished from the cave, the White Snake Sage glanced back at Sasuke. The natural energy around him was stabilizing. His transformation neared completion.
He could have gone further. Permanent Sage Mode, perhaps. But Sasuke resisted excessive physical change.
That limitation would cost him longevity.
Still, the White Snake Sage found itself intrigued.
"Perhaps," it murmured, "this era no longer belongs to Asura and Indra."
Several days passed.
Tōma remained in Konoha, showing no signs of preparing for the upcoming Five Kage Summit.
"Hokage-sama," Shikaku said carefully, "it may be time to depart for the Land of Iron. Even if Sasuke hasn't returned, Kakashi could accompany you."
"Two more days," Tōma replied. "No rush."
Shikaku could only sigh.
Something else was clearly occupying Tōma's attention. His work efficiency was unusually high, as if he were clearing space in his schedule.
That afternoon, an ANBU appeared through the window.
Before Shikaku could react, Tōma's eyes lit up.
"So it's time," he muttered.
He vanished instantly.
Shikaku turned to the ANBU, puzzled.
After a brief explanation, he could only smile wryly.
Konoha Hospital.
Tōma arrived in a corridor where two figures paced anxiously: Yamanaka Inoichi and Yamanaka Ino.
"Hokage-sama?" Inoichi greeted instinctively.
"Not working hours," Tōma said with a tired smile. "Just call me Tōma, Father-in-law."
Inoichi blinked. "Isn't it still working hours?"
"I clocked out early," Tōma said, taking Ino's hand. "Left the rest to Shikaku."
Ino leaned against him, visibly tense.
"It'll be fine," Inoichi said, though his own pacing betrayed him.
Moments later, the delivery room doors opened. Tsunade stepped out, wiping her brow.
"Mother and child are safe," she said. "Everything went smoothly."
Inoichi froze, then exhaled shakily. Joy broke through his composure.
A son.
At last.
Inside the room, laughter followed. Tsunade glanced at Tōma.
"Going in?"
"Probably not appropriate," he said honestly.
She laughed. "Fair enough."
Ino peeked out moments later and waved him in.
Tōma entered the room at last.
He looked down at the newborn, small and red-faced, crying with surprising force.
"…So," he said quietly, a rare warmth in his eyes, "this is my little brother-in-law."