The worst-case plan had always been simple.
If the Third Hokage and the two senior advisors had all opposed the decision, Fujimoto Tōma would still move forward and announce the succession anyway. No matter what happened, Danzō had to die. That outcome was never negotiable.
This meeting existed for one reason only: to test the advisors' stance and give them time to brace themselves.
If Tōma truly wanted to be ruthless, he could have skipped the meeting entirely. He could have announced his succession publicly and revealed Danzō's crimes during the inauguration ceremony itself. At that point, even if the advisors tried to defend him, they would have had to think twice about the villagers' reaction.
That would have forced acceptance through sheer momentum. The end result would have been the same. If anything, it would have burned bridges even harder.
Compared to that, today's outcome was… reasonable.
The advisors had accepted how Danzō would be dealt with. As long as that line wasn't crossed, their relationship wouldn't completely fracture.
And truthfully, they were still useful.
Old-fashioned, yes. Stubborn, definitely. But when it came to matters that simply required following procedures, they had experience the younger generation lacked. There were things worth learning from them, as long as the rot was stripped away.
Once the discussion ended, Tōma dismantled the barrier and opened the doors. The Third Hokage and the two advisors left one after another. Tsunade excused herself as well. Stepping down as Hokage still meant paperwork, negotiations, and endless loose ends.
Only then did Kakashi turn toward Tōma.
Tōma gave him a small nod.
It's done.
Kakashi's visible eye curved into a smile. At last, that man was going to fall. And this time, Kakashi himself had been part of it.
After Danzō is gone… I'll go visit Dad's grave.
The thought passed quietly through his mind.
Then Kakashi frowned slightly, remembering something.
"Tōma, there's one thing I found while investigating. Something felt off."
"You didn't mention it to Lady Tsunade?" Tōma asked.
"I did. But even she couldn't figure it out."
Kakashi explained.
Danzō had removed items from sealed storage without a Hokage's authorization. The guards had let him through anyway. Afterward, they had no memory of anything being taken.
More disturbingly, when inventory checks were done, they unconsciously skipped over the swapped items entirely. With that volume of resources, it should have been discovered immediately.
Tōma's gaze drifted to Kakashi's left eye.
"…What?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.
"Kakashi," Tōma said calmly, "you're not the only non-Uchiha who's ever had a Sharingan."
Kakashi froze.
Then his eye widened.
"…So that's it."
A Sharingan genjutsu. And not a crude one. This was the kind that altered subconscious behavior. Even Kakashi hadn't noticed the guards were under illusion.
It was chilling.
But if it was the Sharingan… it also made perfect sense.
Kakashi thought of his own Mangekyō ability. Not genjutsu-based, yet just as terrifying.
"So yes," Tōma continued, voice steady, "it wasn't just you. Sasuke and I have both been thinking about how to kill Danzō for a long time."
Kakashi didn't deny it. The fact that he had gone this far to gather evidence already said enough.
"Next," Tōma said, smiling faintly, "keep an eye on Danzō. Don't let anyone tip him off. You can tell him about my succession, though. That part's fine."
A sharp glint crossed Kakashi's eye.
"…I like that."
He was curious how Danzō would react. Rage was guaranteed. Slamming tables? Storming out?
Whatever it was, it would be entertaining.
Of course, Kakashi wouldn't be alone. Tōma's own spirit-based shadow clone would be watching as well.
He wanted to see whether the two advisors would secretly warn Danzō or try to help him escape.
The odds were low. But not zero.
And when it came to Danzō, Tōma refused to be careless.
Danzō had to die. Otherwise, Tōma would never sleep peacefully.
As expected, the moment Fujimoto Tōma's succession as the Sixth Hokage was announced, Konoha erupted.
Plenty of people supported Tsunade and had no complaints about her rule. But when even Tsunade herself openly endorsed Tōma, there was nothing left to argue.
Tōma's reputation had dimmed somewhat over the past few years due to his long periods of seclusion, but most villagers still remembered what happened back when Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage.
Compared to that, Tōma's rise met almost no resistance.
Within hours, the news spread across the village.
Celebrations broke out everywhere. People cheered, shouting the names of the Fifth and Sixth Hokage together.
But where there was joy, there was also bitterness.
Hidden away, Danzō received the report from his subordinates. Two days. The succession would happen in two days.
His mind went blank.
Why so soon?
Tsunade was still young. She could have ruled for decades. He had assumed her words back then were nothing more than idle talk. Who willingly stepped down from the Hokage's seat?
But if this was real…
Then his chance was truly gone.
Assassination was no longer an option. Tōma's strength had surpassed that stage long ago.
Danzō clenched his teeth, cold light flickering in his eyes.
After calming himself, he began to plan.
Once this storm passed, he would still find a way to deal with Tōma. Did becoming Hokage mean he would give up? Impossible.
Tōma was far too young. Even if Danzō waited until his own deathbed, Tōma would still be in his prime.
That thought was unbearable.
If force wouldn't work, then he would try something softer.
What Danzō didn't know was that this "storm" would never pass for him.
"Tōma… you're really becoming Hokage?"
Yamanaka Ino stared at him in disbelief.
"Of course," Tōma replied, smiling as he gently pinched her cheek while she was distracted.
"Hey—! It's just… so sudden."
"It got moved up," Tōma said casually.
Originally, he had planned to wait longer.
Around the time of Pain's eventual attack.
Pain would come. The Nine-Tails was in Konoha. That battle was inevitable.
But Tōma had no intention of letting the village be reduced to rubble again.
That was when he planned to reveal his full strength, let his reputation reach a new peak, and then step into the Hokage's role naturally.
Danzō ruined that timeline.
Still, Tōma believed his strength was already enough.
"Dinner's ready."
Fujimoto Sana entered with steaming dishes, smiling when she saw Tōma and Ino together. She felt no surprise at the news. Only pride.
"I'll help," Tōma said, heading into the kitchen as if he weren't about to become Hokage at all.
Just as the dishes were set, another voice rang out.
"Smells amazing. What are we having today?"
Tsunade strode in with Shizune, completely uninvited. Again.
"Lady Tsunade, please sit. Everything's ready," Sana said warmly.
She admired Tsunade deeply, but after countless unannounced dinners, the starstruck excitement had long faded.
"Hah, this spread is impressive," Tsunade said, eyes lighting up. "Brat, after everything I've done for you, you didn't even invite me?"
"Didn't need to," Tōma replied. "You'd come anyway."
"Hmph."
Tsunade waved it off and changed the subject. "The clans didn't object."
Tōma nodded. That was expected.
Between Ino–Shika–Chō, the Hyūga, the Inuzuka, the Aburame, and everyone else watching the political wind shift, opposition made no sense.
And right now, the wind was clearly blowing in Fujimoto Tōma's direction.