"So he learned it just like that…?"The ANBU captain hidden in the shadows sucked in a quiet breath. As expected of the Third Hokage's grand-disciple. That level of talent was honestly terrifying.
"Good. Very good."The Third Hokage stroked his beard, clearly pleased.
"It's all thanks to Grandpa's teaching," Fujimoto Tōma said calmly. "Your chakra control is on another level. If you taught regularly, you'd raise countless outstanding shinobi."
He said it without embarrassment, because it wasn't flattery. The Third Hokage genuinely had that level of mastery.
The old man chuckled, shaking his head. "That won't do. I don't have the energy for that anymore. Otherwise, why would I have dumped you on that unreliable disciple of mine?"
He sounded amused, but there was also honest self-awareness in his tone. His time had limits now.
"Hokage-sama! A new mission scroll has arrived!"An ANBU appeared at the edge of the training ground and reported.
"Mm. Set it aside. I'll handle it shortly," the Third Hokage replied.
"Grandpa, work comes first," Tōma said. "I've already learned the technique. There's no need to stay here."
The Hokage took a drag from his pipe. Hearing Tōma switch back to formal address, he shot the reporting ANBU an annoyed glance.
"Tōma," the boy said softly as he stepped closer, lowering his voice, "let's go back."
The Hokage understood immediately. His irritation faded, replaced by a smile.This child wasn't just talented. He knew how to read people, and he had a considerate heart.
If only he were born a few years earlier…The old man sighed inwardly. If he could hold on a little longer, everything might line up perfectly.
Back in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage buried himself in paperwork.Tōma sat nearby, entering his Deep Focus State and quietly reading medical scrolls.
As he worked, the Hokage occasionally glanced over. The satisfaction on his face only grew.He had seen many geniuses in his life. But a genius who worked this hard? That was rare.
After a long while, the Hokage finally set the documents aside.
"Finished already, Grandpa?" Tōma asked, rolling up his scroll.
"Yes. Come. Walk with me through the village."
"Of course."
As they walked side by side through Konoha, the feeling became unmistakable to Tōma.The Third Hokage was… truly old now.
He dismissed extra escorts, though the ANBU captain naturally remained nearby. Along the way, villagers greeted the Hokage warmly. What surprised Tōma most wasn't the respect. It was that the Hokage remembered names. So many names.
This is the Will of Fire, Tōma thought.He almost scoffed at the idea, yet couldn't quite bring himself to.
Whether he wanted it or not, he was already caught in the current.Jiraiya's student. The Hokage's grand-disciple. Unless he abandoned Konoha like Jiraiya once did, there was no avoiding this path.
And this was the price of power.
At the base of the Hokage Rock, the old man stopped and stared up in silence.
"Tōma," he finally said, "do you know this phrase?"
"Hm?"
"Where the leaves dance, the fire lives on."
He smiled, said nothing more, and turned back.
Tōma nodded politely. He wasn't moved. As a reincarnator, his worldview was already set.This wasn't the time to challenge ideals or show off insight. That would only invite suspicion.
Back in the office, the Hokage spoke again.
"With your strength, there's no reason for you to stay in the Academy. You should graduate."
"That's actually why I came," Tōma replied. "I'd like to apply for early graduation."
"Heh. Very well." The Hokage thought briefly, then nodded. "Go take your photo. I'll have ANBU deliver your chūnin vest to your home."
"…Chūnin?"Tōma blinked. He'd expected to start as a genin.
But thinking it through, instantly mastering Shadow Shuriken Clone was already proof enough.
"Now then," the Hokage continued, handing over several scrolls, "which team would you like to join? These are newly formed squads and some existing ones. Pick one for now. I'll assign a suitable jōnin later."
Tōma didn't take the scrolls.
"Oh?" The Hokage raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Grandpa," Tōma said directly, "I want to join ANBU. The external operations division."
The room went quiet.
The ANBU captain hidden nearby stiffened.The Hokage's grand-disciple… joining ANBU?
Tōma's reasoning was simple. His past three years of combat were mostly against toads. Useful, but not human. He lacked real shinobi combat experience, and the fastest way to fix that was ANBU. Not village patrol. External missions. Rogue ninja. Real blood.
The Third Hokage fell into thought.