When he returned home, Fumori Masaki informed Rimi that he would be accompanying Tobirama to the Land of Iron. At that time, Senju Tōka was also present, and both of them were a little surprised by the news.
"Sorry, I have to leave for this mission," Masaki said apologetically.
In the past, Masaki had been busy with his training while staying at home. Although he made time for Rimi, it was limited. Recently, with nothing urgent pressing him, Rimi had been able to spend more time with him, especially after she became pregnant. Hearing that he had to leave now, she felt a little reluctant.
However, Rimi wasn't unreasonable. Understanding the duties of a ninja, she said, "Since it's a mission, there's nothing to be done. Don't worry."
"With me here, you don't need to worry about Rimi's well-being," Tōka added, noticing Masaki's concerns.
"Thank you, Tōka-sama," Masaki nodded gratefully.
"But you know," Tōka smiled slightly, "this mission is also an opportunity for you."
Being chosen as the sole guardian of the Hokage was not a privilege just anyone could receive, and it signified that Masaki had gained the deep trust of Tobirama. This was no ordinary task.
"Does that mean the other guard chosen by the Hokage is Sarutobi Hiruzen?" Rimi asked, recalling the typical protocols for such events.
"Not only that," Tōka responded with a meaningful smile, "from what I've heard, the second leaders of all the other villages also brought with them someone who attended the first Five Kage Summit. This could imply something."
——Although, Masaki thought to himself, it wasn't always the case, as in the instance of the Mizukage, whose assistant back then wasn't chosen as the second Mizukage.
Still, the underlying message wasn't lost on him.
"Does that mean...?" Rimi's eyes widened slightly, her expression a mix of surprise and excitement.
"Hmph," Tōka smiled knowingly and glanced at Masaki. "Masaki, you must seize this opportunity. These chances don't come often."
Masaki nodded. He had assumed that while his merits were high, they weren't enough to place him as a candidate for the Hokage's succession. However, being chosen alongside Sarutobi Hiruzen for such a significant mission made it clear that they were both being considered as future contenders. That gave him some peace of mind.
If it had been like the first Five Kage Summit, where only one person could accompany the Hokage, it would have been much clearer who the "heir" was. But this current situation left things a bit open.
The news that a second Five Kage Summit was about to be held soon spread across Konoha. People were abuzz with speculation, hoping that this summit would result in a more lasting peace treaty. Even in the victorious Konoha, no one wanted to endure the suffering caused by war.
The fact that Masaki and Hiruzen had been chosen as Tobirama's guards was also public knowledge. Those familiar with the customs of the Five Kage Summits knew what this implied. While Hiruzen's selection was expected, Masaki's was more surprising—especially given his originally non-ninja clan origin (mostly samurai ). Many had assumed that the next Hokage would emerge from a prominent clan.
Regardless, Masaki's status had clearly risen again, and the leaders of Konoha's influential families began subtly aligning themselves with him, seeing the potential in forming alliances early.
Masaki was well aware of the meaning behind this, and he didn't plan to hide it. He allowed it to be known in subtle ways, understanding that it was easier for people to accept such news gradually rather than a sudden announcement. This way, when the successor was finally chosen, there would be less shock and resistance.
This strategy was not unique to Konoha. Other villages followed similar patterns—whether through bloodlines, mentorship, or personal loyalty, these connections were the foundation for choosing a successor. While strength and trust among the ninja were critical, those closest to the Kage often had the advantage.
Thus, it was true to an extent that the Hokage was often seen as a product of nepotism. A more accurate way to describe it would be that all village leaders tended to come from "connected" backgrounds.
Ninja Villages, after all, were still part of the feudal system. Though the title of Kage wasn't passed down through pure bloodlines, as with daimyo, the successor needed to inherit the Kage's ideas and values. Therefore, those closest to the former Kage were more likely to be accepted.
Among Tobirama's students, he most admired Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen, and he saw both as strong candidates for Hokage. If he had to choose one, he personally leaned towards Masaki. Both upheld the Will of Fire, but Masaki's innovative thinking made him stand out, as it seemed he would bring about better development for the village.
However,clan Fumori's wasn't as great as Sarutobi's, and if he were to succeed Tobirama, there could be some trouble from other factions. Fortunately, Tobirama believed he had several more years left to serve as Hokage. If all went well, he might have another decade to ensure a smooth transition, weaken the village's more powerful clans, and provide a stable foundation for his chosen successor.
A few days before the Five Kage Summit, Tobirama, Masaki, and Hiruzen departed from Konoha under the protection of Anbu. Once they reached the border of the Land of Iron, the Anbu were no longer permitted to enter. From there, only the three of them would be allowed inside.
With the acceptance of the ninja village system across the continent, the influence of the samurai had begun to wane. Their status had diminished, and many had abandoned their virtues, turning into mere brutes. This was especially evident in countries like the Land of Rain and the Land of Rivers, where samurai had grown increasingly corrupt. Like Fumori clan, civil war within its members. Lead to kill each other, samurai faction and Ninja faction, although the ninja in Fumori clan very small in number.
The true samurai, who still upheld values of loyalty, honor, and benevolence, had fled these corrupted lands and gathered in the Iron Country. Though the climate was harsh, it tempered the remaining samurai, making them stronger and more disciplined. The Land of Iron was now home to the most powerful samurai in the world, some of whom were on par with high-ranking ninja.
Even though the Five Great Nations could defeat the Land of Iron, the cost would be immense, and no one was willing to risk weakening themselves while other nations watched. Thus, the Iron Country remained a neutral territory, trusted by the five major powers to host the Five Kage Summits without fear of assassination or political plots.
Upon entering the Iron Country, the three were briefed on the customs and restrictions. While the samurai would not act out of greed or hostility, there were strict taboos they had to respect. Violating these could result in deadly consequences from the more conservative samurai.
"As long as you don't break any taboos, the samurai won't trouble you," Tobirama explained. "But don't show too much deference either. We don't want to be seen as weak. You'll need to strike a balance."