The Third Hokage couldn't help but smile when he read the report.
"So Sasuke went looking for Fujimoto Tōma on his own… and got beaten."
That outcome didn't surprise him in the slightest. If anything, putting Tōma among sixth-year academy students would probably still leave him without a real opponent. His physical conditioning, reinforced by Lightning Release, already surpassed his peers. His taijutsu and ninjutsu were well beyond what a normal academy student should possess. The only thing he lacked was chakra reserves—and at his age, that simply took time.
Looking at Tōma's overall profile always gave the Third a strange sense of déjà vu. Among children of this generation, only the Fourth Hokage and Kakashi came to mind as comparable talents.
When he read why Tōma had beaten Sasuke, the Third nodded in approval.
A first-year sparring match, no instructor present, and Sasuke had pulled out shuriken? A beating was deserved.
More importantly, Sasuke didn't seem to resent Tōma afterward.
That detail mattered.
He really is different from the other Uchiha, the Third thought. Letting the two interact might not be a bad thing. It could even lead somewhere unexpected.
His gaze shifted to another scroll.
Ah, right. The Yamanaka girl.
As someone under special observation, Tōma's actions were naturally well-monitored—especially since he'd been given a special kunai. That couldn't be lost. But the more the Third watched, the more at ease he felt. Tōma's character was solid, and the people he cared about were firmly rooted in Konoha.
Fujimoto Sana's background had long since been checked. Because of her connection to the Akimichi, she'd been quietly looked after for years and harbored no resentment toward the village.
That alone was enough.
With his mother here, Tōma wouldn't betray Konoha.
And now, he even had ties to the Yamanaka.
"Yamanaka… not bad at all," the Third murmured, setting the scroll aside.
The Ino–Shika–Chō families were pillars of the village. There was nothing to doubt.
He moved to the window and looked toward the Uchiha district, his expression growing complicated.
Even now, it felt unreal.
The Uchiha Clan… gone. Reduced to a single child.
And yet, so many of his preparations had gone unused.
Did Itachi and Root really handle everything on their own?What am I still missing?
He took a slow drag from his pipe, smoke obscuring his face.
The door slammed open.
"Hi—"
"Enough, Danzō," the Third said without turning around. "I've said it before. Sasuke will never be handed over to you. I gave my word to Itachi."
"He was a traitor," Danzō snapped. "The last Uchiha should be placed under Root's protection. That's what's best for Konoha."
"No."
The Third's refusal was absolute. Whatever had truly happened that night, the power behind it made him wary. If he broke his promise, would Itachi turn that power against the village?
Better to care for Sasuke properly. If nothing else, that would keep the blade sheathed.
"And that boy, Fujimoto Tōma—"
"That's enough!" the Third cut him off sharply.
Danzō clenched his fists. Another failure. Every visit ended the same way.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
The Third finally turned, his aged eyes sharp beneath the Hokage hat.
"I am the Hokage."
Danzō stormed out, slamming the door.
"Oh," the Third added calmly, "withdraw Root's surveillance on Sasuke. Don't make me do it myself."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Tōma, meanwhile, was reading quietly.
He was well aware that ANBU often watched him during the day. His heightened perception in Deep Focus State made it obvious. Still, he didn't mind. Talent came with attention, and attention came with inconvenience.
The surveillance had started after he received the special kunai—likely to make sure it wasn't lost. He didn't love being watched, but it wasn't a problem either. If anything, it was a form of protection.
That was when Sasuke approached him again.
"What now?" Tōma asked flatly.
"I want to continue," Sasuke said. "I need to get stronger. Fighting you is the fastest way."
"I'm not interested in sparring with someone who breaks rules," Tōma replied calmly. "And honestly, calling it a spar is generous."
Sasuke clenched his fists. "I won't use shuriken again. Yesterday was my fault."
The apology was quiet—but from an Uchiha, it mattered.
Tōma glanced at the still-visible lump on Sasuke's head and almost laughed. His knuckle had hurt afterward too.
"Once a week," Tōma said after a moment. "That's it. I don't have time to waste."
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Deal. Same place, next week."
As Sasuke left, Shikamaru leaned over.
"So… you really beat him up?"
"Eavesdropping isn't polite."
"You weren't exactly whispering."
"…Yeah. See the bump on his head? That was me."
Shikamaru stared, then looked back at Sasuke.
"You're brutal."
"He used shuriken first."
Shikamaru shrugged. The gap was obvious. And yet Sasuke still came back for more. That resolve was real.
Later, during break, Tōma explained everything to Ino.
She froze.
"…So I lost time with you to another guy?"
"That's one way to put it."
"…Can I watch?"
Tōma hesitated. The village had mostly stabilized. He'd already considered stopping the escort.
But Ino clearly didn't want that.
"…Alright."
Ino grabbed his arm, beaming.
Tōma sighed internally. I really need to grow up faster…
"By the way," Ino asked, "you won yesterday, right?"
"Obviously. That bump on his head? Mine."
"Good."
Then Tōma handed her the chakra-conductive kunai.
"I'm done with it."
"Oh, right. Want it? I can ask my dad."
"No thanks."
He didn't want to take something valuable before anything was even defined.
His Lightning Release training had already progressed past the first stage. Ordinary kunai were enough now. Coal was next—poor conductivity meant better control if he succeeded.
Wind Release was even smoother. He could now coat a standard kunai with cutting chakra. If not for chakra limits, he'd already be experimenting with advanced techniques.
One day.
That evening, Ino approached her father.
"I want to train. Properly."
Hiashi Yamanaka blinked. "…Since when?"
"I don't want to fall too far behind Tōma."
Silence. Then a slow nod.
"Alright. We'll start now."
Though as he watched her train, worry crept in. Tōma's talent was exceptional. Could Ino keep up?
Only time would tell.
The first year ended quietly.
Tōma's days blurred into training, studying, spending time with Ino, and occasionally beating Naruto and Sasuke.
He stayed first in every category.
The rewards finally gave him a basic ninja tool set.
Poor families had to rely on grades.
But none of it mattered much.
Because today—
Today, he would meet the Third Hokage.
And possibly, finally, take a step toward the Flying Thunder God.