"I'll take the assignment," Shimura Danzō said flatly. "My strength is sufficient. Consider it compensation for not participating earlier."
"Oh, your strength is fine," Fujimoto Tōma replied with a thin smile. "But your age isn't exactly on your side. Even if you intimidate the Sand, how long do you think that fear would last?"
Danzō glared at him, fury barely contained. "Then who do you suggest, if not me?"
"Me."
The word landed cleanly.
"You?" Danzō scoffed. "Are you strong enough?"
The moment the words left his mouth, his expression tightened. He'd spoken in anger and forgotten something important.
Tōma didn't answer right away. Instead, he casually produced a distinctive kunai and spun it between his fingers.
Minato's Flying Thunder God kunai.
The room went silent.
Everyone recognized what it meant. They remembered the yellow flash that once ruled battlefields through sheer speed and inevitability.
"With this," Tōma said calmly, "even if my raw power isn't overwhelming, the deterrence is real. And I'm young. Fear lasts longer when the blade isn't about to rust."
He smiled faintly. "So let's not trouble you with such a small matter. Someone as vital as you should stay busy protecting Konoha's 'foundations.'"
It was a direct hit.
Danzō fell silent, fists clenched. He didn't look at Tōma again, turning instead to the Third Hokage.
"Hiruzen," he said coldly, "you'll regret this."
Then he stood and left. Staying any longer would only make him look worse.
Once the door closed, Tōma continued as if nothing had happened.
"That's everything I had to present. Some details still need refinement, but if there are no objections, we can move on to implementation."
"I agree," Yamanaka Inoichi said first, stepping forward with a satisfied expression.
With that, Nara Shikaku nodded as well, pulling Akimichi Chōza along with him. As representatives of the Hokage's authority, their stance was clear.
Besides, Inoichi was already thinking ahead.
Hyūga Hiashi followed after a moment's contemplation, recalling the advice Tōma had once given about Hinata's future. He voiced his approval as well.
With the major figures aligned, the advisors raised no objections. One by one, the rest of the jōnin agreed.
What followed was a detailed discussion of logistics. Tōma listened more than he spoke. These systems weren't his specialty, and he didn't pretend otherwise.
By the window, Jiraiya watched him quietly.
Sharp when confronting Danzō. Flexible when working with allies. Able to lead without forcing control.
…Maybe the old man wasn't wrong.
Still, Jiraiya frowned slightly. Thirteen years old. No matter how capable, that was young.
Eventually, the discussion wrapped up.
Inoichi would handle team assignments. Hiashi would lead negotiations with the Sand, assisted by Shikaku. Mission distribution would be managed by the advisors, pending final approval from the Third Hokage.
"All right," the Third Hokage said at last. "Proceed as discussed. Tōma and Jiraiya, stay. Everyone else may go."
"Yes."
The jōnin filed out in order.
Once they were alone, the Third Hokage looked at Tōma with a weary smile. "You didn't need to push Danzō that hard. He still—"
"Works for the village?" Tōma interrupted calmly. "I don't believe that. His actions haven't benefited Konoha."
He met the old man's eyes. "You've indulged him too much. Refusing the Hokage's request without consequence shouldn't happen."
The Third Hokage went still.
Jiraiya scratched his head, then nodded. "He's right. You let Danzō run wild. If you hadn't, a lot of things might never have happened."
The old man sighed, shoulders slumping. He said nothing more about Danzō.
After a pause, he asked quietly, "Jiraiya… you know my condition."
Jiraiya stiffened. "…Yeah."
"Then become Hokage."
"What?" Jiraiya froze. "Wait, what about—"
"I know about the prophecy," the Third Hokage continued calmly. "But it's been years. Nothing's come of it."
"No, no, I never planned on becoming Hokage!" Jiraiya protested.
"Then who?" the Third snapped, irritation leaking through. "Tōma is too young. He needs time. Three years, Jiraiya. That's all. After that, you can chase whatever destiny you want."
"But—"
"But what?" the Third shot back. "Should I call Danzō back and hand it to him? I'm sure he'd be thrilled."
Jiraiya visibly shrank.
Then his eyes lit up. "What about Tsunade?"
The Third Hokage paused.
Tsunade wasn't a bad choice. Strong. Experienced. And unlike Jiraiya, she wouldn't resist forever.
"She's not in the village," the Third said slowly. "And she may refuse."
"I'll find her," Jiraiya said firmly. "If I can't convince her, I'll take the seat myself."
Tōma nodded in agreement. Tsunade was a better fit. As the First Hokage's granddaughter, her bond to Konoha ran deep, no matter what she claimed.
And honestly, Tōma had no desire to take the seat yet. The restrictions were suffocating.
"If you can bring Tsunade back, we'll do it that way," the Third Hokage decided.
"By the way," Jiraiya added, "I'll need to take Naruto with me."
"…Why?"
"Don't you think he resembles Nawaki?" Jiraiya asked.
The Third Hokage blinked, then slowly nodded.
After a moment, he sighed again. "Fine."
Jiraiya grinned. He could teach Naruto the Rasengan on the way.
Three days for him. Half a day for Tōma.
Naruto would probably need longer.
But it should be enough.
...
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