"Good."
Fujimoto Tōma smiled, genuinely satisfied. Konoha was overflowing with capable people now. Even without him micromanaging every detail, the village would keep moving forward.
Then a thought struck him.
Sasuke had just returned from seclusion and came straight to the Hokage's office.
"Sasuke," Tōma asked, "do you have anything you need to take care of in the village before we leave?"
Sasuke paused. He'd almost said no outright, but reconsidered.
"Nothing that requires me to stay," he said. "But there are a few things I'd like Shikaku to help pass along."
Nara Shikaku blinked in surprise. Normally, his interactions with Sasuke were strictly professional. ANBU matters. Reports. Handovers.
Now this sounded… personal.
"Go ahead," Shikaku said.
Sasuke continued evenly. "The ANBU assignments were already arranged before I entered seclusion. Tell them to proceed as scheduled. Treat it as if I'm still unavailable."
"Understood," Shikaku nodded.
"That's a good catch," he added to himself. He didn't usually oversee ANBU operations directly.
"And," Sasuke continued after a brief pause, "please inform Jūgo, Karin, and… Sakura that I'll be leaving the village for the Five Kage Summit."
There was a slight hesitation before he said Sakura's name, but he said it anyway.
Jūgo and Karin had followed him to Konoha. Not telling them would've felt wrong.
As for Sakura… Sasuke still didn't quite understand her persistence. It didn't feel shallow, but the reason escaped him. Still, she deserved to know.
"I'll pass it along," Shikaku said with a faint smile.
Then he sighed inwardly.
Naruto had someone. Sasuke had someone orbiting him. Meanwhile, Shikamaru still showed zero initiative.
That wouldn't do.
Shikaku glanced at Tōma thoughtfully. The Hokage had somehow managed to nudge several relationships into place. Maybe there was something to learn there.
Tōma caught the look and quietly offered, "Doesn't have to be someone from the village. Our relationship with Sunagakure is pretty close these days."
Shikaku froze.
"…That's true," he said slowly.
The two exchanged a knowing look and shared a brief smile.
Tōma didn't say more. A hint was enough.
"Everything settled?" Tōma asked Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded.
Tōma was about to prepare when a small blur suddenly appeared in the office.
A tiny moon-colored creature dropped onto his desk, a scroll clenched in its mouth.
Tōma raised an eyebrow. "You managed to grab this without disturbing my main body?"
The creature only blinked innocently before hopping onto his shoulder and handing over the scroll.
Tōma chuckled and didn't question it further. He opened the scroll and retrieved his formal Hokage attire, fastening the cloak and securing the hat at his waist.
Once ready, he stepped forward.
"Let's move."
"Yes!" Naruto and Sasuke answered together.
Shikaku and Kakashi watched them leave, both smiling.
Three figures. Three pillars of this era.
For Kakashi, the image stirred something deeper. He'd once followed his own teacher like that. Watching Tōma now felt strangely familiar.
Not long after leaving Konoha, Naruto tilted his head.
"Tōma, didn't you leave a Flying Thunder God mark in the Land of Iron? Why aren't we teleporting?"
"I did," Tōma replied calmly.
"Then why walk?"
"To give certain people a chance."
Naruto frowned, confused.
Sasuke, however, subtly adjusted his grip on his sword.
Tōma noticed and waved it off. "Relax. Nothing serious. Just leftovers who don't usually dare show their faces."
As expected, the ambush came quietly.
Sasuke vanished.
Moments later, bodies dropped from the trees like falling leaves. Clean. Silent. Burning away before they could hit the ground.
"These guys…" Naruto murmured.
"Remnants," Tōma said. "From small nations destroyed during Root's operations."
Naruto frowned harder. "But you destroyed Root. Why would they target you?"
"Because Root was still part of Konoha," Tōma replied evenly. "And the Hokage represents Konoha."
Naruto didn't like that answer, but he understood it.
They continued on.
By the time they reached the Land of Iron, snow drifted gently from the sky.
Before entering the summit hall, Tōma stopped.
"Naruto," he said, "if the other Kage provoke us verbally, don't react. Just watch."
"I can handle it!" Naruto said, raising a thumb.
Tōma glanced at Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded.
That was reassurance enough.
The Iron Country's castle loomed ahead, white and severe.
A samurai captain bowed deeply. "We've been awaiting you, Hokage-sama."
"Are the others present?" Tōma asked.
"Yes. All have arrived."
They entered the hall.
At the U-shaped table sat:
The Mizukage, Terumī Mei.
The Kazekage, Gaara.
The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.
The Raikage, A.
The central seat awaited the Hokage.
Tōma took it.
Naruto and Sasuke stood behind him.
The Five Kage Summit had begun.
"Your timing is… impressive," Ōnoki said dryly.
The old man's gaze was sharp.
The opening move had been made.