Tsunade was buried in paperwork when Fujimoto Tōma finished combing through the archives. He had not been idle. The Land of Snow was a minor country, but it was still a country, and that meant records. Compared to scattered mission notes about Hatake Kakashi, this part was easy.
By the time they returned to the Hokage's office, Tōma placed a neat stack of documents on Tsunade's desk.
She skimmed them, then frowned. "So tell me. What does any of this have to do with the escort mission?"
She already had a guess. The fact that it sounded ridiculous did not stop it from forming.
Tōma nodded once. "You figured it out. Fuji Kaze Yukie, the actress playing the Snow Princess… is the same girl Kakashi saved years ago. The real princess of the Land of Snow."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead. "Of course she is. A simple escort mission, and it turns out to be wrapped around a civil war."
"And filming a movie in the middle of it," Tōma added calmly.
"…This is going to be trouble," Tsunade muttered.
"It definitely will be."
She exhaled. "Team Seven hasn't gone far yet. Should I recall them?"
"No need," Tōma said. "Right now, the Land of Snow is ruled by Kazahana Dōtō. Ambitious, paranoid, and very attached to power. If Konoha wants access to their chakra-enhanced equipment, negotiating with him will be… expensive."
Tsunade looked up. "Chakra equipment?"
There was a brief pause.
"You don't know?" Tōma asked, almost surprised. "The Land of Snow specializes in combat armor that amplifies chakra output. It won't help elite jōnin much, but it can push a chūnin close to standard jōnin-level combat power."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "That kind of boost?"
"Low production, mostly used internally. They don't export it," Tōma continued. "If we want any, we'll be overcharged. And it won't be just Konoha trying."
He tapped the file lightly.
"If Princess Kazahana Koyuki takes power, Konoha gains goodwill. That means a purchase channel, likely better terms, and priority over other villages."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "You're suggesting removing another country's ruler for equipment."
Tōma met her eyes without flinching. "Hokage-sama, leading a village means thinking past comfort. Emotional restraint is important, but so is realism."
"So realism means benefiting ourselves at another country's expense?" she shot back.
"Then let's say it differently," Tōma replied evenly. "Do you really believe Kazahana Dōtō took power cleanly?"
Tsunade's expression hardened. "That's still not our affair."
"Then consider this," Tōma said. "This mission already carries meaning. Princess Koyuki is being pushed forward whether she wants it or not. Once she steps onto that road, her uncle will move. That's inevitable."
He paused, then added quietly, "All we're doing is protecting a girl whose father was murdered and whose throne was stolen. And practically speaking, the movie needs a living Snow Princess. Keeping her alive is part of the job."
Silence settled in the room.
Tsunade leaned back, weighing the words. She disliked admitting it, but the outcome did not change either way.
"So the moment we accepted the mission," she said slowly, "we made the choice."
Tōma nodded. "Exactly. And if Kazahana Dōtō doesn't act, nothing happens. But let's be honest. He will."
They both knew it.
Tsunade pressed her fingers to her temples. Somehow, this exhausted her more than stacks of reports and council arguments.
Tōma watched her, thoughtful. She was idealistic. Not foolish, but clean-minded. That was part of why people trusted her. It was also why conversations like this cut deep.
Finally, she sighed. "Fine. We'll proceed as you suggest. But if Dōtō doesn't move, we do nothing. We don't start chaos."
"No need," Tōma replied. "Team Seven is enough. I won't interfere."
If anything, he wanted her to see the outcome without his hand on it.
Tsunade nodded. "You're dismissed. Rest."
Tōma bowed slightly and left. Outside, Shizune stood stiffly by the door, clearly having heard more than she wanted to.
After he was gone, Tsunade slumped back in her chair. "Shizune… do you think I'm wrong for this job?"
"Of course not," Shizune said quickly. "You're just still adjusting."
"…Is Tōma adjusted?" Tsunade asked.
Shizune hesitated, then smiled weakly. "He's not wrong. But I still like your way more."
That earned a small laugh from Tsunade.
Later that day, Tsunade stormed off to find the retired Third Hokage, who was peacefully fishing.
After hearing her out, he puffed his pipe. "Does what Tōma said benefit Konoha?"
"Yes, but—"
"Is protecting the mission target correct?"
"Yes."
"And if Dōtō doesn't act, does anything happen?"
"…No."
He shrugged. "Then what's the problem?"
The answer settled quietly.
"He's sharp," the Third added. "Always has been. He understands gain, but he doesn't cross lines lightly."
By the time Tsunade returned, her doubts had dulled.
Days later, Team Seven returned. Hatake Kakashi delivered his report.
Tsunade listened, glanced at Tōma, and asked, "Did Tōma interfere at any point?"
Kakashi blinked. "No?"
Everything unfolded exactly as predicted. Dōtō attacked. Team Seven fought back. Princess Koyuki became the new ruler of the Land of Snow.
Tsunade stared at the report, then sighed. "So… now it's fine."
She turned to Kakashi. "You'll handle diplomatic coordination with the Land of Snow."
Kakashi's posture sagged. "Understood…"
"And keep things discreet," Tōma added. "Other villages don't need details."
Kakashi gave him a long, flat stare. He knew who planted this idea.
Then Tōma smiled slightly. "By the way, Kakashi. You're still single, right?"
Kakashi froze. "I just remembered something urgent," he said, vanishing immediately.
Tsunade glared. "That was cruel."
"I was curious," Tōma said innocently.
"Fine," she said, smirking. "Then the task he ran from is yours."
Tōma accepted the scroll, smiling. Missions were easy. Understanding people was harder.
And far more dangerous.