"Did Tōma really say that?"
At the Yamanaka household, Mrs. Yamanaka nearly shouted in surprise as she teased her daughter.
"Mom, of course he did," Ino complained, then immediately broke into a foolish smile.
As for being seen at the front gate earlier, she'd already grown used to it. Her mother had a habit of watching from upstairs like a vigilant scout.
"He's a good boy," Yamanaka Inoichi said with a sigh.
The words came easily, but his heart felt complicated. He'd raised his daughter for over a decade, and now she was about to belong to another family. Worse, she'd been running over to the Fujimoto house for years now. He'd noticed. He'd simply chosen to accept it.
Soon, it wouldn't even be a matter of visits anymore.
She'd be living across the street.
Inoichi felt conflicted. Truly conflicted.
And yet, no matter how he examined it, he couldn't find a single flaw in Tōma as a partner.
Career? Was there a higher position than Hokage?
Strength? The rumors said his power was second only to the First Hokage.
Character? No scandals. No affairs. He'd grown up with Ino, never mistreated her, never once crossed a line.
Inoichi let out a slow breath.
There was nothing to criticize.
If anything… it was Ino who seemed slightly outmatched now. Even with the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance, they were still three separate clans. The Yamanaka weren't exactly a powerhouse in Konoha.
But then again.
Children had their own fortunes.
He was old enough to stop worrying.
"Dad, don't sigh like that," Ino said, holding his hand.
"That's not sighing," Mrs. Yamanaka said flatly. "That's a father who doesn't want to let go of his daughter."
Inoichi flushed but didn't argue.
"It's fine," Ino said brightly. "Tōma's the Hokage. He's not leaving the village. Even after we're married, we'll live nearby. I'll come home all the time."
Inoichi smiled, though a quiet thought lingered.
I hope so.
Ino's eyes suddenly sparkled with mischief.
"Besides," she added sweetly, "you and Mom aren't that old. You could still give me a little brother, you know."
"You little brat!" Mrs. Yamanaka snapped, laughing as she scolded her.
"Hehe."
Ino darted back to her room, then poked her head out just before closing the door.
"Mom, I'm serious!"
The door slammed shut before retaliation could arrive.
Mrs. Yamanaka shook her head helplessly. Completely shameless.
Still… Ino wasn't wrong. They'd already let go of any worries about clan succession. There was no reason for friction with Tōma.
Then she noticed her husband's gaze.
"…Dear?" she said cautiously.
"Should we," Inoichi began, "try a little harder?"
He was still in his prime. Why couldn't they have another child?
With Lady Tsunade around, medical risks weren't much of a concern either.
Mrs. Yamanaka froze.
Then her face reddened.
"Well… I suppose…"
And just like that, the idea began to sound surprisingly appealing.
Time moved quickly.
The day of Fujimoto Tōma's succession arrived.
Every street around the Hokage Tower overflowed with people. The village buzzed with excitement, packed tighter than during a festival.
Everyone believed Tōma's rise would lead Konoha to greater heights.
Nearly every clan head stood before the tower, watching the scene unfold.
"Tch. Becoming Hokage at a time like this," Nara Shikamaru muttered beside his father. "Doesn't he hate trouble?"
"Not necessarily," Nara Shikaku replied calmly. "It just means something big is coming."
"Huh?"
"And Shikamaru," Shikaku added, glancing at him.
"Yeah?"
"Tōma's getting engaged to Ino. You know that?"
"…No?" Shikamaru felt a sudden sense of doom.
"So," Shikaku continued with a gentle smile, "when are you bringing a girlfriend home?"
Shikamaru slapped his forehead. Of course.
"I'm not in a hurry," he said weakly.
"Suit yourself," Shikaku replied. "But if you wait too long, your mother might start arranging meetings for you."
Shikamaru believed him completely. With Tōma as precedent, his mother would definitely panic.
Troublesome…
A blond woman briefly crossed his mind.
Why did I think of her?
Shikamaru shook his head and glanced at Chōji, who was happily eating beside him.
Chōji noticed the stare and offered his chips. "Want some?"
"I'm good," Shikamaru said, forcing a smile as he looked back toward the tower.
The Third and Fifth Hokage were present. That made sense.
But the two senior advisors were there too.
And why was Naruto on the platform?
"Whoa! Tōma's becoming Hokage already? My blood's boiling!" Rock Lee shouted, flames practically blazing in his eyes. "I need to run around the village a few hundred times!"
"Not now!" Tenten snapped, yanking him back. "At least wait until the ceremony's over!"
"Oh. Right," Lee said, calming down slightly.
Nearby, Hyūga Neji stood with his eyes closed.
His feelings were… complicated.
He'd long since let go of his resentment toward Hyūga Hiashi. After the Chūnin Exams, he'd accepted that his father had chosen his own fate.
But accepting that didn't mean he could accept the Caged Bird Seal.
Even as a jōnin now, Neji saw no path forward. His strength was nothing compared to the weight of the clan.
He looked toward the Hokage Tower.
If I had power like Tōma's… could things change?
He didn't know.
He'd trained relentlessly, yet Tōma's growth remained incomprehensible.
In the end, Neji exhaled quietly.
Who became Hokage didn't matter to him.
Nothing would change either way.
On the tower, Naruto stared at the sea of people below, his eyes shining.
This was what he wanted.
This was what being Hokage meant. Recognition. Acceptance.
The cheers filled him with warmth, and he smiled without realizing it.
I'll become Hokage after Tōma.
Seventh Hokage. Uzumaki Naruto.
As for why he was standing here, Naruto wasn't entirely sure. ANBU had brought him up, saying it was Tōma's decision.
Normally, he'd be suspicious.
But this was the Hokage Tower.
There was no way it could be fake.
Naruto scanned the crowd and waved when he spotted Hinata. She waved back shyly, face red.
His heart skipped.
That feeling was new.
Back then, all he'd ever received were punches and rejection. Now, even though she still blushed, Hinata always responded.
Even Naruto was starting to notice.
He glanced toward Sakura next. She was searching the crowd, clearly looking for someone.
Sasuke.
Strangely, Naruto didn't feel jealous this time.
Then he noticed Karin beside her, also scanning the area.
Naruto blinked.
From up here, his view was clear.
Sasuke wasn't here.
That didn't make sense. There was no way Sasuke would miss Tōma's ceremony.
And come to think of it…
Where was Jiraiya?
That was even stranger.
So where exactly were Sasuke and Jiraiya right now?