The killing intent wasn't aimed at him, yet Yamanaka Inoichi still felt his heart tighten.
That was the downside of having sharp perception. You picked up things you really didn't want to feel.
Normally, Inoichi wouldn't be shaken by something like this. He'd seen too much over the years. But the density of that killing intent made his gaze change when it landed on Fujimoto Tōma.
What had this kid been doing since graduating early?
Truthfully, Inoichi had been unhappy with Tōma for a long time.
His daughter, Ino, had been completely focused on the boy. And then, more than a year ago, Tōma had vanished without a trace.
Ino's mood had clearly dropped. She talked less, smiled less. The only thing that increased was how hard she trained.
Inoichi had watched it all. Felt it all. How could he not be dissatisfied? Even if you were constantly on missions, couldn't you at least show your face once in a while?
He still remembered Ino asking him to help find news about Tōma. He'd agreed easily.
And found nothing.
Later, the Third Hokage had indirectly confirmed that Tōma was alive and even sent gifts home regularly. But the man himself was nowhere to be found.
That alone was an answer. Inoichi had guessed the truth. ANBU.
And once that was clear, there was nothing he could do. His clearance wasn't high enough to dig into ANBU movements. All he could remember was the disappointment in his daughter's eyes back then.
The irritation had stayed with him.
Until now.
Because standing here, actually seeing Tōma, and feeling that blood-soaked pressure rolling off him, Inoichi went quiet.
Maybe… staying away from Ino had been the right call.
"Yeah. It's me, Uncle Inoichi. Long time no see," Tōma said, smiling faintly.
"…It has been a while," Inoichi replied, then asked, "Heading home?"
"Yeah. The mission's over. So I'm going back," Tōma answered, his tone heavier than the words suggested.
Inoichi understood immediately.
So he'd left ANBU.
That explained everything. Why he hadn't gone home. Why no one could find him.
After a moment's hesitation, Inoichi sighed. "You're not going to see Ino?"
Tōma fell silent, then let out a small, bitter smile. He gestured to himself. "You can sense it too, right? In this state… do you really think I should be anywhere near her?"
Inoichi didn't answer right away.
But inwardly, he relaxed.
Tōma was still clear-headed. Still aware. That meant the killing intent hadn't swallowed him yet. As long as he stopped piling bodies onto it, breaking free was only a matter of time.
And suddenly, Inoichi understood something else.
This was why Tōma hadn't gone home either.
He was afraid of affecting the people he cared about.
With that realization, the last of Inoichi's anger faded. Being able to think about family and others in this state said more about Tōma's character than any explanation could.
"Go home," Inoichi said gently. "You've been away too long. Being with family will help. And… don't forget to visit Ino sometimes. She's been thinking about you."
Tōma nodded. He understood. He always had.
But understanding didn't mean he could burden them while he was still unstable.
Now that he'd left ANBU and the killing intent would stop accumulating, there was no longer a reason to avoid home.
That was why he was going back.
They parted ways, and Tōma continued down the street.
Inoichi watched his retreating back and smiled faintly. If Ino really ended up with him one day, that might not be so bad.
He muttered softly, almost to himself, "She's a shinobi too, you know."
Walking through the village, Tōma felt something he hadn't felt in a long time.
Relaxation.
His mind didn't need to stay taut. His perception didn't need to be pushed to its limits. Just enough for everyday life was fine.
Simply walking like this brought a quiet satisfaction he hadn't known for a year and a half.
He'd killed a lot in that time. But never for the sake of killing.
It had all been for mastery. For turning everything he had into something refined through real combat.
That was why he'd forced his way into rescue missions despite the Hokage's initial objections. Training without real battles was incomplete.
Now, that gap had been filled.
The cost was his current state.
But Tōma felt it had been worth it.
As long as he stopped killing, the influence was manageable. With his mental discipline and his calm-state technique, it looked far worse than it actually was.
Most people would've been twisted by this amount long ago.
Now that combat experience was sufficient, the question was what came next.
More training? Ninjutsu? Kenjutsu?
…Or something else?
Lost in thought, Tōma didn't notice a familiar blond head spotting him from across the street.
Naruto Uzumaki had been sprinting through the village, overflowing with joy.
He'd passed.
He'd finally passed.
With the forehead protector on his head, he wanted everyone to see it. To know that Uzumaki Naruto had become a ninja.
Then he saw someone.
Black hair. Familiar posture.
His first friend.
The friend he hadn't seen in over a year.
Joy surged up instantly, and Naruto almost shouted before stopping dead.
His eyes widened. Sweat broke out across his forehead.
From Tōma's back, something cold and crushing seeped into the air.
It wasn't hostility. It wasn't malice.
It was worse.
Naruto felt like he couldn't breathe. His legs refused to move. Every instinct screamed at him to run.
This person was dangerous.
Terrifyingly so.
But… why?
That was Tōma. His first friend.
Naruto couldn't understand. All he could do was watch as Tōma walked away and vanished from sight.
The moment the pressure disappeared, Naruto collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.
The joy of graduation was gone.
Only confusion remained.
Nearby, Mizuki noticed the dazed boy while shopping and frowned. Then smiled.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Tōma knew nothing of this.
Soon, he stood before his home.
He hesitated.
Should he knock? Sana should still be at work, right?
After a moment, he took out a key he hadn't used in a long time and slid it into the lock.
The door wasn't locked.
That meant she was home.
His body stiffened.
So much time had passed that he didn't know how to face her anymore.
Would she scold him? He'd promised to come back often.
Tōma inhaled deeply and pushed the door open.
Inside, a familiar figure was grilling meat.
The sound drew her attention. She turned.
And froze.
The tongs slipped from her hands, meat dropping onto the coals with a loud sizzle.
"Mom," Tōma said softly, smiling as something heavy finally loosened in his chest. "I'm home."
Sana didn't speak. She walked up to him, hands moving over his shoulders, arms, checking him carefully.
Tōma stood still, letting her confirm everything.
Only when she was sure he was whole did her eyes blur.
She smiled.
"Welcome home," she said. "That's all that matters."
"…I'm sorry. I worried you."
She shook her head. "You came back safely. That's enough."
Then, a voice came from inside the house.
"Ah, Auntie, the meat is—"
Tōma froze.