"Why does it feel like you're even more popular than before?"Nara Shikamaru slumped across his desk, giving Fujimoto Tōma a flat, suspicious glance.
"I don't want to be," Tōma sighed.
That, at least, Shikamaru believed.Tōma wasn't naturally aloof—he only acted that way to avoid getting swarmed by half the class.Some people were just cursed with talent… and with attention.
Shikamaru yawned."So, think Naruto's gonna be late on the first day back?"
"It's not impossible."
Both boys let out the same exhausted exhale.
And sure enough, long after the bell, Uzumaki Naruto burst into the classroom—right as Iruka-sensei's forehead vein started throbbing.
"Yo, Tōma! Long time no see!"Naruto slid into his seat, waving cheerfully.
"Yeah. Long time."
Conversation over.Naruto was used to it by now; for Tōma, this counted as being friendly.
While the lesson continued, Tōma opened a small book of sealing theory.He respected sealing jutsu—when they were useful. They weren't some omnipotent superpower, and anyone strong enough wouldn't sit still waiting to be sealed.But for dealing with weird, dangerous things—like the black flames of Amaterasu—they were lifesaving.
Genjutsu, though?Not worth his time.Only a handful of shinobi in history had ever used illusions to overwhelming effect.Better to learn how to break them, not how to cast them.
His thoughts drifted to winter break and everything he'd gained.
Training Results
Flying Thunder God – Contact Phase:He could now summon the marked kunai without relying on Deep Focus State. A major milestone.
Deep Focus State – Improvement:He could nudge his chakra inside this state, though still unable to perform full shape manipulation.More surprising was what he'd seen: faint, drifting particles that didn't belong to normal chakra.
Nature energy.
He finally sensed it on his own.But absorbing it? Not a chance.He didn't have the reserves to stabilize it, and one mistake would turn him into a statue.Until he reached true jonin-level chakra volume, Sage Mode was off-limits.
Better to keep refining Deep Focus State—so when the day came, he'd already be halfway to mastery.
Hand Seal Reduction:Substitution Technique was down from five seals to three.Two seals was in sight. One seal… that would be the nightmare stage.
Gale Palm Refinement:Since it originally required many seals, reducing them was surprisingly easy. Progress steady.
Rasengan:Wind-infused Rasengan: achieved.More difficult than expected, stronger than expected.The miniaturized version took even more control, so he stuck with that for now.
Wind Nature Transformation:He could already slice leaves, though it took too much chakra.Next goal: make every strand of chakra sharp enough to cut.
He nodded to himself.
Solid progress.A lot more ahead.
Borrowing a Tool
Between classes, Tōma walked straight toward Yamanaka Ino.
"Do you… need something?"Her voice wavered in surprise—this was the first time he'd approached her on his own.
"I wanted to borrow a chakra-conducting kunai," Tōma explained plainly. "For training."
"That's it?" Ino blinked. "We have plenty at home! I can bring one tomorrow."
"Please make sure to ask your father first."Tōma looked almost anxious.The last thing he wanted was the Yamanaka Clan thinking he was trying to pocket their equipment.
"I'll ask," she promised. "But I'm sure he won't mind. He'd probably just give you one. Oh—why do you need it?"
Tōma lifted his palm.Lightning chakra flickered across his skin in thin arcs.
"With the right tool, I can train more efficiently."
Ino's eyes widened.She stared at the sparks with open admiration—maybe a little awe.
"You're amazing…" she murmured, then puffed out her chest. "Leave it to me! I'll bring it for sure!"
"Thank you," Tōma said seriously.
Ino's face flushed.
"N-no need to thank me… it's nothing…"
"What?"
"Nothing!!" she yelped, waving her hands. "Class is starting—go, go!"
Tōma returned to his seat.
Ino stayed rooted in place for a moment, trying to process her own heartbeat.
Around them, other girls glared daggers of jealousy.Shikamaru looked over, clicked his tongue, and collapsed back onto his desk.
What a drag.