Fujimoto Tōma walked beside Yamanaka Ino through the crowded festival streets, the lanterns overhead reflecting in her pale-blue eyes.
"So it was you," Ino said, sneaking a glance at him. "I almost didn't recognize you at first. You look… different today."
"Clothes," Tōma sighed. "That's all."
He'd agreed to accompany her only because Sana pushed him into it.He didn't dislike Ino, but romantically?She was six.He would rather die than acknowledge that kind of thought.
"What do you want to eat or do first?" he asked.
"Um… that."She pointed toward a takoyaki stand where the line stretched nearly halfway down the street.
Tōma followed her gaze.Of course. Forbidden food always tasted better to kids with strict parents.
"Wait here. I'll get it."
Ino obediently sat on a bench, chin resting in her palms, eyes quietly following him as he joined the line.
He really looks good today…Her cheeks warmed, her imagination spiraled, and she promptly forgot the entire world.
If Tōma knew what she was imagining, he would've crushed her illusions immediately.The only reason he treated her differently from other girls was because he had met her during a flower shop errand.That was it.No cosmic destiny.No special youthful romance.
Just familiarity.
He returned a few minutes later with steaming takoyaki.
"What were you thinking about? You blanked out completely."He tapped her head lightly.
"Nothing!" she squeaked, face red as the lanterns.
She lifted one takoyaki with her pick—straight into her mouth.
"Careful, it's h—"
Too late.
Ino puffed hot air like a startled squirrel, refusing to spit the food out despite the heat.Tōma couldn't help the exasperated sigh.
"Eat slower. Nobody's going to steal it from you."
Once she recovered, Ino finally offered, "Aren't you going to eat?"
"I don't like takoyaki."
"…Okay. Then how much? I'll pay."
"No need."
"But Mom gave me money—look!"She opened her wallet.
Tōma blinked.
She was loaded.
"No," he repeated. "Just eat. I'll find us a good spot for fireworks."
Ino accepted his answer, nibbling her food in tiny bites this time.
Tōma scanned the area.He remembered a small hill near his usual training grounds—not too far, not crowded, perfect visibility.
"Come on. Follow me."
But weaving through the dense crowd wasn't easy.More than once, other festival-goers blocked her path, and Ino nearly lost sight of him.
Finally, Tōma had enough.He reached back and grabbed her hand.
"This'll be faster."
Ino stared at their joined hands.Her face glowed crimson, but her smile was unmistakable.
Fireworks
They arrived at the overlook—moderately crowded, but open enough.
They sat on the grass.
"After the fireworks, we should head back," Tōma said.
"Okay," Ino whispered, already scanning the sky.
Then the first burst of color erupted above them—brilliant gold spreading across the night.More followed, scattering light across the village.
Ino's eyes sparkled.For a moment, she looked like she was made of the same light.
Tōma watched the sky too, a little nostalgic.In his previous life, fireworks were common—until regulations killed them off.Seeing them again stirred something warm, something faint.
He turned to check on Ino.
Her round cheeks, her absorbed expression, the way she leaned forward slightly—
Cute.Very cute.
He had an urge to poke her cheek.He resisted with all his strength.Way too intimate.
If I ever have a daughter someday… someone like Ino wouldn't be bad, he thought idly.
Ino noticed his gaze."What are you thinking about?"
"Oh. Just that it'd be nice to have a daughter like you someday."
Ino froze.
A daughter?Not… a girlfriend?
Tōma completely missed the confusion blooming behind her blush.
When the fireworks ended, they made their way back.In a small burst of courage, Ino grabbed his hand again—and didn't let go even once they left the crowd.
New Year Ends. Training Begins Again.
A few days later, Tōma was back to his routine at the training field.
But while exercising, he couldn't help remembering the awkward moment when they met back up with their parents.
Sana and Ino's mother had worn the exact same smug, knowing expression.
Yamanaka Haichi, meanwhile, had looked like he was planning Tōma's funeral.
Tōma hadn't even been able to explain.He wasn't about to say, "It was Ino who wouldn't let go."
And Ino had been beet red the whole time.
Tch. This world's kids grow up too fast…
Well, ninja life expectancy probably had something to do with that.
Still.He was six.He had no interest in romance—especially not with someone his physical age.
Cute? Sure.Appealing? No.
What he did care about was strength.
Lightning crawled along his arms as he finished a set of exercises; the arcs had grown thicker lately.His resistance to lightning chakra had drastically improved thanks to constant self-applied Lightning Release massages.
At this point, pure lightning techniques from most genin probably wouldn't even faze him.
He activated his Deep Focus State next, then reached outward with enhanced senses, searching…
There.A faint pulse.
The Flying Thunder God kunai Sana carried with her throughout the day.
He needed someone trustworthy to move with it, and Sana was the only safe choice.Animals were too unpredictable, too likely to lose it—or draw attention.
Once he confirmed the kunai's shifting location, he released the state.
Then—He bit his thumb, flew through hand seals, and slammed his palm to the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
With a small flash, the kunai appeared before him.
Success.
He grinned.
Even without fully deepened resonance, he could still summon it through sensory connection alone.
This was exactly the progress he'd hoped for.
Alright. New goal: before classes resume, I want to summon the kunai without entering Deep Focus State.
Tōma began infusing chakra into the seal again, strengthening the link with each repetition.
After setting aside enough chakra for Sana and Rock Lee's massages, he stopped, satisfied.
Then his thoughts drifted toward his larger path.
He had nearly mastered chakra shape manipulation.He'd even formed a miniature Rasengan—small but functional, and without using shadow clones.
Next step: adding wind-nature chakra.Then maybe lightning.And of course, starting formal training in nature transformation.
His path stretched long ahead of him.
But it was the kind of challenge he lived for.