"…"
Even Fujimoto Tōma needed a moment to process what Mitarashi Anko had just said. When it finally sank in, he looked at her with undisguised disbelief.
"I'm already engaged," he reminded her flatly.
"Come on," Anko laughed. "Isn't there a saying about wildflowers being more exciting than the ones at home?"
"Even if that were true," Tōma replied without missing a beat, "I still wouldn't pick you."
"…What did you just say?" Anko's eyes widened.
She'd been joking. But now this felt personal.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Tōma said casually.
He gave her a brief, assessing glance. The fishnet outfit, the bold attitude, the complete lack of restraint. Anko certainly had her appeal, but she simply wasn't his type.
If anything, he preferred someone calmer. Someone colder on the outside.
Anko stared at him, visibly offended. Even if he was the Hokage, that was crossing a line.
Then again, being called into a private room, with Sasuke guarding the door, did make the situation feel strange. Anyone would overthink it.
"Enough," Tōma said, cutting the tension. "The mark Orochimaru left on you. It's still there, right?"
Anko froze. "…Yeah. It is."
"I can remove it," Tōma said. "Do you agree?"
Her breath caught.
"You can really get rid of it?"
"Of course," Tōma replied calmly.
In truth, he could have done it years ago. He had already undone something far more complex for Sasuke. Removing Anko's curse mark was trivial by comparison.
The only reason he hadn't acted sooner was simple.
He needed the fragment Orochimaru had left behind.
Anko touched the mark at her neck, her expression complicated. That curse seal had haunted her for years. Back when the Third Hokage was alive, they'd tried everything. In the end, they could only suppress it, never remove it.
And now Tōma was saying it could be erased completely.
"…You're not doing this because you like me, are you?" she asked suspiciously.
Tōma sighed. "Your thought process is truly impressive."
"It's just sudden," Anko muttered. "That's all."
"This is what a Hokage does," Tōma replied. "Solve problems for his subordinates."
He paused, then added dryly, "If you're feeling grateful, take on more missions. Help boost the village economy."
"I don't know what that last word means," Anko said seriously, "but I'll work harder!"
Tōma had no idea that this offhand comment would one day save Konoha from a much rounder version of Anko.
She agreed immediately.
Tōma gestured for her to sit.
"That's it? No preparations?" she asked.
"No need."
His fingers touched the seal at her neck. Chakra flowed, precise and controlled. The layered suppression seals came into focus, crude and barely holding together.
No wonder this kept flaring up, he thought.
Moments later, the curse mark dissolved. Along with it, the lingering fragment of Orochimaru's consciousness was extracted and sealed away.
"Done."
"…Already?" Anko stared at him. "That's it?"
"What were you expecting?" Tōma replied.
Her shock turned into genuine awe. "You really are incredible, Hokage-sama."
This time, she meant it.
"Go," Tōma said. "Prepare for the Fourth Great Ninja War."
"Yes, sir!"
She left briskly, though not before sneaking one last glance back at him. For a fleeting moment, she considered saying more… then decided against it.
Some distances were simply too vast.
After she left, Sasuke entered.
"You're going after Orochimaru," he said quietly.
"Yes."
"I trust your judgment," Sasuke replied. "I'll focus on the war."
Tōma nodded.
The air inside the underground complex was damp and cold.
Rows of coffins lined the vast chamber.
Tōma exhaled slowly. Even knowing Orochimaru's habits, the sight was unsettling.
"Oho? What a rare guest," a familiar voice drawled.
Orochimaru stood at a lab table, removing his gloves with pale fingers and adjusting his glasses. For a moment, the resemblance to Kabuto was uncanny.
"Are you Orochimaru," Tōma asked, "or Kabuto pretending to be you?"
Orochimaru laughed softly. "Does it matter?"
"Still a lunatic," Tōma muttered.
"I'm very much Orochimaru," the Sannin said. "These glasses help during experiments."
"Good. Then let's talk."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "As the commander of the Allied Shinobi Forces, you didn't come here to chat… or to kill me, did you?"
"I considered killing you once," Tōma said. "After Konoha. After Tsunade. Not anymore."
"How generous."
"You already know about the Eye of the Moon Plan," Tōma continued.
"I've heard rumors," Orochimaru said. "Explain it properly."
Tōma did.
When he finished, Orochimaru's expression turned openly disdainful.
"Meaningless," he said. "Anything perfected inside an illusion is still false. I seek truth. Reality."
"That's what I thought," Tōma replied.
"Do you believe that man is Uchiha Madara?" Orochimaru asked suddenly.
"No."
Orochimaru smiled.
He formed a seal. A coffin rose from the floor and opened.
Inside lay a corpse.
"Madara's body," Orochimaru said lightly.
Tōma glanced at it. "If he hears you calling him a 'thing,' he won't be pleased."
Orochimaru chuckled and sealed it away again.
"So," he said, turning back, eyes gleaming. "Why are you here?"
Tōma met his gaze.
"When the Fourth Great Ninja War ends," he said plainly,
"come work for me, Orochimaru."
The underground chamber fell silent.