"Transformation Jutsu!"
As Naruto finished forming the hand signs, a puff of white smoke burst outward.When it cleared, Fujimoto Tōma found himself staring at… himself.
Tōma examined the transformation carefully, then nodded. "Not bad. The outline is solid. You'll need to refine the details, though."
Naruto scratched his head and looked down at his hands. It really did feel easier. Just like that.As expected of Tōma. He never lied to him.
Encouraged, Naruto quickly formed seals again.
"Clone Jutsu!"
This time, a clone appeared, but it was clearly distorted. Anyone could tell which one was real at a glance.
And yet, Naruto looked like he was about to cry from happiness.
He'd finally done it.
No more pale, half-dead things collapsed on the floor. This one stood upright. Crooked, sure, but alive. If he kept practicing, it felt like he might really get it.
Tōma nodded again. The improvement was obvious. As Naruto's body continued to grow stronger, a few more adjustments like this would help him immensely.And at the same time, Tōma could deepen his understanding of the Eight Trigrams Seal and the Four Symbols Seal.
A win-win.
As for whether this would stop Naruto from learning the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu someday? Not a chance.Naruto was practically the only one in the village who could use it properly. The Third Hokage would find a reason to hand it to him eventually.
Besides, Tōma had no intention of stepping on that path himself. Teaching advanced techniques without a clear relationship crossed lines. Family or teacher-student ties were one thing. Otherwise, things would spiral fast.
"Tōma!" Naruto suddenly looked up, eyes watery, clearly about to launch himself forward.
"Don't you dare," Tōma said flatly. "I'm not getting covered in tears and snot."
Naruto stopped short, sniffling. "…Then I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen!"
That was the best he could come up with.
"Eat as much as you want," Naruto added hurriedly. "I can afford it!"
Tōma smiled. "You said it."
Then he reached out and ruffled Naruto's spiky blond hair. "Work hard. Try to beat Sasuke."
"I will!" Naruto replied with renewed energy.
"Oh, and Naruto," Tōma added. "Don't tell anyone about this trick."
Naruto laughed and nodded. "Yeah, yeah. If I did, everyone would come bothering you. That'd be annoying!"
As they left the apartment, Tōma felt several gazes lingering on him.
ANBU were fine. They were watching, but without malice.
Root was different.
Their attention was sharp, invasive. Even inside Naruto's place, they'd been observing. If Tōma hadn't drawn the curtains, they would have kept staring.
For now, there was nothing he could do. He pretended not to notice and walked on.
That evening, after parting with Naruto, Tōma returned home.
A full table of dishes greeted him.
His mother's smile, however, was strained.
"Tōma…" Fujimoto Sana said softly, eyes shimmering. "I won't say much. Just… please come back safely. Every time."
Tōma paused. He'd already eaten ramen, but he sat down anyway and picked up his chopsticks, answering only with a quiet nod.
Sana watched him, memories tightening around her chest.
When Tōma told her he'd graduated, fear had surged back. Her husband's death replayed again and again in her mind. She was terrified of receiving another message like that.
Tōma was all she had left.
But she knew better than to stop him.
He was a student of the Sannin, the Third Hokage's grandson-disciple. His future was meant to be larger than this house. She wouldn't chain him down with her fear.
So she smiled. She waited. She believed.
Her son would always come home.
The next day, an ANBU summons brought Tōma to the Hokage's office.
"Tōma," the Third Hokage said warmly, "your team has been arranged."
"Thank you, Third Grandfather."Tōma's eyes flicked to the desk. A mask. And a sword.
"These are yours," the Hokage said. "Mask and weapon. Try them."
The mask was completely plain. No markings. No color. Once worn, it would make the user look like a faceless shadow.
Tōma fitted it over his face and fixed it in place with chakra. His vision remained perfectly clear. Specially made.
The sword caught his attention next. Straight-bladed, no curve, cold light running along its edge. Sharp. Very sharp.
He felt genuine satisfaction.
"You like it?" the Hokage asked, pleased.
"I do. Thank you."
"Good." The Hokage nodded. "Have you decided on a codename? Animal names are common, but not required."
"'Inkshadow,'" Tōma replied casually.
"Approved."
The Hokage tapped his desk.
A moment later, the door opened.
"Tenzo," the Hokage said, "this is your new teammate. Codename: Inkshadow. Inkshadow, this is your captain. Tenzo."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," both replied.
Their eyes met.
Tenzo's heart sank slightly.
A kid?Was he being told to babysit? His unit ran clean, efficient operations. If this was some clan heir here for experience and something went wrong, the entire squad would be finished.
He didn't like it. But orders were orders.
He decided then to keep the boy in the back if necessary.
Tōma, meanwhile, studied Tenzo with mild curiosity. The name rang a bell. If he remembered it at all, that meant the man survived far into the future.
Which meant strength.
Looks like a decent captain, Tōma thought.