A Letter from the Third
After finally grasping the basics of Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode, Tōma had no intention of leaving.
His main body had nothing urgent to return to. After the recent proposal had stabilized Konoha's internal affairs, most Hokage duties were already being handled by his Sage-enhanced spirit clones. They could manage the workload independently and still find time to train.
There was no need for him to go back.
Instead, Tōma decided to remain in Shikkotsu Forest and polish this Sage Mode until it reached true completion.
And even after that, there was more to test.
For example, could Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode and Mount Myōboku Sage Mode be used at the same time?
If not, could they be fused into a new form? Could the strengths of both be retained?
That alone would require an enormous amount of time and focus.
After that came Ryūchi Cave.
Compared to Shikkotsu Forest, Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode was simpler. Unlike the slug path, which had no living practitioners left, Ryūchi Cave still had traces to follow. Sasuke could already access a crude version through his curse mark.
And Tōma had personally helped condense that power before. He understood its structure well enough that recreating it wouldn't take long.
Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode excelled at sensory perception.
If the strengths of all three great Sage regions could be combined, the result would be terrifyingly complete.
At that point, even facing beings on the Six Paths tier wouldn't feel hopeless.
That was the plan.
Step by step.
Tōma closed his eyes and sank back into training.
Konoha
Hokage Office
After Hyūga Hiashi left, Nara Shikaku returned to the office.
"I didn't expect you to get involved with the Hyūga clan personally," Shikaku said, sounding thoughtful.
"It just rubbed me the wrong way," Tōma replied calmly. "I don't need to force anything. Planting a seed is enough."
Shikaku nodded.
He understood exactly what kind of seed this was. If Hyūga Neji truly lived up to his potential, the outcome would benefit both the clan and the village.
Shikaku wasn't particularly fond of the Hyūga either. In the past, their pride had rivaled even the Uchiha's. Only after witnessing the Uchiha's downfall had they slowly tempered themselves and integrated into village life.
Now, most Hyūga members worked well with their peers.
Things were improving.
What Tōma was doing now felt like the final adjustment.
Shikaku glanced at him, a faint smile forming. This kind of move could only be made by someone like Tōma.
The more Shikaku worked alongside him, the more he understood how true one simple rule was.
This world ultimately respected strength.
Since Tōma took office, authority had increased, but abuse of power had decreased. People restrained themselves instead of overreaching.
They were afraid.
After all, this was a Hokage who had executed Danzō without hesitation. If he wanted someone gone, no status would save them.
Honestly, Shikaku didn't mind the atmosphere. His workload had lightened significantly. He even had time to drink with old friends again.
While Tōma worked through routine paperwork, an unexpected visitor arrived.
"Hiruzen-sama?" Shikaku exclaimed. "What brings you here?"
Tōma looked up, equally surprised.
The Third Hokage smiled warmly. "I was just taking a look around. And I'm here to deliver a letter."
These days, Hiruzen was unusually relaxed.
Since Danzō's death, the weight on his shoulders had eased. For years, he had worried constantly, knowing Tōma's stance and fearing the day things would come to a head.
When it finally happened, the shock was immense.
But afterward came relief.
Now, he could focus on teaching his grandson and watching Konoha grow.
And grow it had.
Even in this short time, the changes were obvious. What mattered most to Hiruzen wasn't policy, but walking through the village and seeing hope on people's faces again.
That alone dissolved much of the resentment he had carried.
If sacrificing himself could buy Konoha this kind of future, he would've accepted it without hesitation.
Looking back, his entire life had been one long act of endurance.
When his teacher passed him the Hokage mantle, Konoha was already on the brink. Later, just as things improved, Minato died and Hiruzen was forced back into the role amid internal and external crises.
And so, he endured again.
A lifetime of endurance.
The title "Professor" was accurate, but "the one who endured" fit him just as well.
Now, even with the Akatsuki looming, he could see Konoha rising again.
He wanted to live a little longer.
Not to cling to life, but to witness that rise.
And to see his grandson grow.
After handing the letter to Tōma, Hiruzen didn't linger. He left quietly.
Tōma opened the envelope.
His expression shifted.
"Something wrong?" Shikaku asked.
Tōma handed him the letter.
Shikaku's face changed as well.
It was from the Akatsuki.
More precisely, from Uchiha Itachi.
The reason was obvious.
Sasuke.
Itachi's body was failing. Time had run out. And with Konoha now stronger than ever, his old methods no longer worked.
In the end, he had used his final hidden channel to contact the Third Hokage, asking for one last favor.
The letter couldn't be given to Sasuke directly.
So it had been written for Tōma.
"Should I bring Sasuke in?" Shikaku asked.
Tōma shook his head, sealing the letter again.
"I'll go myself," he said. "You finish up here. Nothing urgent. Once you're done, you can head home."
Shikaku smiled. That kind of efficiency was still something he wasn't used to.
Tōma nodded once.
Then vanished from the Hokage's office.
...
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