"Oh, right," the Third Hokage said suddenly, smiling as if he'd just remembered something pleasant. "Today is the Academy graduation ceremony."
"…Today?" Fujimoto Tōma paused, surprised. "That's a coincidence. Did everyone from our class graduate?"
"Iruka did an excellent job," the Hokage said, stroking his beard with satisfaction. "Every student in your class qualified."
That alone said a lot. The graduation exam wasn't especially strict, but having an entire class pass still reflected the instructor's ability. Of course, graduation didn't guarantee they would all become genin. Some would still be filtered out later.
"All of them?" Tōma frowned slightly. "Even Naruto?"
"Yes," the Hokage nodded. "Iruka said his Clone Technique was still rough, and he failed the earlier mock tests, but he passed in the end."
"I see…" Tōma nodded slowly.
He'd visited Naruto not long ago, knowing he probably wouldn't have time later. He'd loosened the seal a little more, carefully. Still not too much. The fact that Naruto could endure the Nine-Tails' chakra and successfully perform the technique meant he'd worked hard these past two years.
"By the way," the Hokage added casually, "have you decided on Naruto's graduation gift?"
"…A gift?" Tōma blinked. Since when did graduates get gifts from people like him?
After a moment's thought, he said, "Naruto would be happy with Ichiraku Ramen."
The Hokage chuckled. "He would. But that's a bit light."
He slid a scroll across the desk.
Tōma's fingers stopped just short of it. His heartbeat shifted, just slightly. "This is…?"
"A technique suited for Naruto alone," the Hokage said gently. "You can give it to him."
"…Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?" Tōma asked directly.
The Hokage wasn't surprised. "You've read quite a bit in ANBU archives."
With Tōma's clearance, information about the Nine-Tails and the Uzumaki clan wasn't hard to access. What reassured the Hokage was that even after learning the truth, Tōma hadn't reacted abnormally at all.
Just become stronger than the Nine-Tails.He really had meant that.
"Wouldn't it be better if you gave this to Naruto yourself?" Tōma asked after a pause. "From the village's perspective, that would mean more."
The Hokage smiled faintly. "I don't think I'll have that opportunity."
"…You're still in good health," Tōma said quietly.
The Hokage waved it off. "I know my body better than anyone. I only hope I can hold on a few more years."
His gaze drifted to Tōma. Four more years, and this boy would be sixteen. An adult, by shinobi standards.
Tōma held the scroll, inhaling slowly. He understood the Hokage's intentions. But it still felt unreal.
The Hokage's seat wasn't something Tōma had never thought about. That would be a lie. But not now. Not with his current strength.
At best, he was jōnin-level, carried there by Flying Thunder God. Against a true Kage-class opponent, he'd last a few exchanges before needing to retreat. Escaping was possible. Winning wasn't.
A Hokage who had to keep running wasn't a Hokage.
Still, when he thought about it calmly, the Third's dilemma was obvious.
Tsunade was missing.Jiraiya refused the position.Kakashi had no interest.
Asuma lacked the presence to command universal respect.Danzō was too extreme to ever be chosen.The advisors had no desire to sit in that chair.
And the clan jōnin? Even less suitable.
The middle generation was thin. Truly thin.
And then there was Tōma. Too young. Too fast. Growing too quickly.
If nothing went wrong, in a few years his strength, reputation, and standing would all line up frighteningly well.
But years were still years. Anything could happen.
For example… Orochimaru.
"Don't think too far ahead," the Hokage said lightly, as if reading his thoughts. "This old man can hold on a bit longer."
"Yes," Tōma replied.
"By the way," the Hokage added, "have you considered becoming an instructor? Leading a squad?"
Tōma almost failed to keep his expression steady.
An instructor?
He still remembered his original plan. Replacing Sakura in Team Seven.
Now that plan was long dead. And somehow, reality had twisted itself so that he might end up being her teacher instead.
That felt… wrong.
"I'll pass," Tōma said honestly. "My current state isn't suitable for teaching. And more importantly, they're my peers. Leading them would feel strange."
The Hokage considered it, then nodded. "That's fair."
Truthfully, he'd already reconsidered after seeing Tōma's condition. With that level of killing intent, putting him in charge of students would be irresponsible.
He tapped the desk, thinking.
"These kids will be your generation," he said at last. "Future support. Those ties matter."
After a long pause, he made a decision.
"You'll rotate between squads as a non-combat assistant instructor. No fighting. Observation and guidance only."
"…Understood," Tōma said, momentarily dazed. The Hokage was serious.
"I'll instruct the jōnin leaders," the Hokage added firmly. "You are not to draw your blade. Rest. Teach. Ask questions. Let the killing intent settle."
"…Thank you," Tōma said quietly, sincerity clear in his voice.
"If there's nothing else," the Hokage said, softening, "go home. See your mother. It's been a long time."
Tōma stiffened.
"…Yes."
He left without another word.
Lately, he'd avoided going home. As the killing intent grew heavier, he feared it would affect Fujimoto Sana. He'd watched from afar instead. Left gifts. Proof of life.
But now… it was time.
His steps toward home felt heavier than any battlefield.
After Tōma left, the Hokage rapped his knuckles on the desk.
A white-masked figure appeared instantly. The ANBU commander.
"I told you to watch him," the Hokage said coldly. "Is this how you did it?"
"…My fault, Hokage-sama," the commander said bitterly.
He'd tried. Later missions were deliberately low-risk. But Tōma kept volunteering for rescue operations. Was he supposed to scold someone for saving comrades?
And wasn't this decision made by the upper leadership together?
Being a subordinate really meant having no rights. Not even shinobi rights.
The Hokage sighed and moved on to the main issue. Tōma's withdrawal from ANBU.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The commander felt both relief and regret. Relief, because if Tōma had continued, responsibility would eventually land on him. Regret, because Tōma was absurdly effective.
Not the strongest. But terrifyingly efficient.
With him gone, ANBU performance would drop back to normal.
A shame.
"You may go," the Hokage said.
"Yes."
Tōma hadn't even left the Hokage Tower when he ran into a familiar face.
"Uncle Inoichi?" Tōma said, surprised, seeing Yamanaka Inoichi walking briskly. "On your way to see the Hokage?"
"In a hurry, yes… Tōma?" Inoichi paused.
Then his expression shifted.
As a specialist in mental techniques, he felt it immediately.
The killing intent around the boy was thick. Dense. Almost tangible.
And terrifying.