Naruto lay sprawled across a massive scroll, frowning as he painstakingly read it one character at a time, occasionally scratching the back of his head in frustration.
What was this even saying?Every symbol looked familiar, but once they were put together, none of it made sense. Were these really ninjutsu?
And more importantly… if he learned the techniques written here, would he be able to catch up to Tōma?Would they be friends again?
Naruto recalled his conversation with Mizuki. He didn't really like that teacher, but still… a teacher wouldn't lie to him, right?
Gritting his teeth, Naruto kept reading. Anything he didn't understand, he skipped. Eventually, his eyes stopped on a particular entry.
This one… looked simple.
His posture straightened, excitement replacing confusion as he began to read carefully.
Hidden nearby, Fujimoto Tōma watched and nodded slightly.
As expected.The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
The more Tōma used Shadow Clones himself, the clearer one truth became. The difficulty of the technique was directly tied to chakra reserves. The more chakra you had, the easier it became. Raw output could brute-force imperfections in control.
For Tōma, Shadow Clones only took two hand signs now, even without regular practice. That was purely the result of his expanded chakra pool.
For Naruto, whose chakra was absurdly high, mastering Multiple Shadow Clone wasn't difficult at all.
Soon, Tōma sensed someone approaching.
Iruka.
Iruka arrived out of breath, staring at Naruto in disbelief. He genuinely couldn't understand it. Why would Naruto steal the Scroll of Seals?
"Naruto!!"Confusion and anger blended together as Iruka shouted his name.
"Huh? Iruka-sensei?" Naruto scratched his head, then flinched when he noticed the anger on Iruka's face.
"Naruto, why did you steal the Scroll of Seals?"
Seeing Naruto's confused and guilty expression, Iruka's anger faltered. Something felt off.
"I wanted to learn the jutsu in it," Naruto said honestly. "So I could catch up to Tōma."
"…Huh?"Both Iruka and Tōma were momentarily stunned.
"What does this have to do with Tōma?" Iruka asked instinctively. That didn't make sense at all.
Naruto explained what had happened earlier on the street. When he saw Tōma, he felt an overwhelming pressure, like he was being targeted. He hadn't even been able to approach him.
Iruka listened carefully, then shook his head.
"Naruto, Tōma isn't that kind of person. He wouldn't stop being your friend just because you're weaker. If that were the case, you two wouldn't have become friends in the first place."
"…Eh?"Naruto blinked, then slammed his fist into his palm.
"Oh! You're right!"
Iruka chuckled, relief washing over him. If that was all, then apologizing properly to the Hokage should—
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Wait.
Naruto's theoretical knowledge was terrible. He shouldn't even know what the Scroll of Seals was.
"Naruto," Iruka asked sharply, "who told you the Scroll of Seals could make you stronger?"
"Mizuki-sensei," Naruto answered immediately.
Iruka's eyes widened.
Mizuki…
From the shadows, Tōma went silent.
He hadn't expected this whole incident to connect back to him.Nor had he known Naruto saw him earlier that day.
But it made sense.
Tōma didn't keep his sensory range fully active inside the village. Even if he did, he could only tell someone was there, not exactly who. Naruto's chakra was massive, but unless he actively drew it out, it didn't stand out sharply.
Naruto, however, had a different kind of perception. He could feel hostility. And Tōma's current killing intent was far heavier than Zabuza's had ever been.
Being frightened by it was only natural.
At that moment, Tōma sensed Mizuki's arrival.
He hesitated… then decided not to interfere.
Some scenes deserved to play out exactly as they were meant to.
He watched as Mizuki tried to kill Naruto with a Fūma Shuriken.Watched as Mizuki revealed the truth about the Nine-Tails.Watched as Iruka shielded Naruto and spoke from the heart.
Honestly, Tōma almost wanted to record the moment and give it to Naruto later. This was a classic.
He didn't stop Mizuki from exposing the truth. At this point, hiding it was pointless.
Naruto needed to accept who he was before he could move forward.
Once Iruka told Naruto to flee, the bond that truly mattered had already formed.
That was enough.
Thunder cracked.
Blue lightning flashed.
In an instant, Tōma appeared in front of Iruka and Naruto.
"Yo, Naruto. Iruka-sensei. Long time no see."
"Tōma!"Iruka's face lit up, relief plain to see.
"Tōma!"Naruto stared at him, wide-eyed. The fear was still there, but beneath it… something else. Tōma hadn't changed. He didn't look down on him.
Naruto's body still felt stiff.
Then Tōma raised a hand and lightly flicked Naruto on the forehead.
"Ow!" Naruto yelped. "Why'd you hit me?!"
"I heard what you said earlier," Tōma replied flatly. "You really think I'm the kind of guy who chooses friends based on strength? Of course I'm hitting you."
Naruto froze, then broke into a grin.
Yeah.That doubt was gone.
Even if he got hit, it was worth it.
"Tch. Isn't this our class genius, Tōma?" Mizuki sneered, his expression twisting. "That look… like I don't even matter. I hate it."
Tōma glanced at him. "Mizuki-sensei, right? Planning to betray the village?"
"Exactly that look!" Mizuki roared. "Makes me want to kill you! None of you are leaving here alive!"
"You want to kill me?" Tōma raised an eyebrow. "You're not strong enough."
"I admit you're a genius," Mizuki snarled, grabbing his final Fūma Shuriken. "But you're only twelve!"
"Fūma Shuriken: Shadow Windmill!"
The giant weapon spun toward Tōma.
Lightning crackled around his body.
In Iruka and Naruto's stunned gazes, the Fūma Shuriken froze midair, spinning harmlessly above Tōma's palm like a toy.
Mizuki's mind went blank.
"…Impossible."
"Twelve or not," Tōma said calmly, "I received my jōnin appointment from the Hokage today."
"…Liar…" Mizuki whispered, then mentally collapsed.
"And honestly," Tōma continued, gripping the shuriken, "even Naruto could beat you."
Naruto pointed at himself. "Me?"
Mizuki burst into manic laughter. "That monster? Kill me? You're joking!"
More shuriken flew.
Naruto's expression darkened.
"Tōma," Naruto said quietly.
Tōma spoke without looking back. "Naruto, I don't judge friends by strength. But I do want you to grow stronger. What I plan to do in the future is dangerous. If you're too weak, you won't be able to stand beside me."
He nodded toward Iruka's bleeding back."Look at Iruka-sensei. That blood is because of you."
Naruto clenched his fists.
"…I get it."
"Then show me," Tōma said. "You read the Scroll, didn't you? Prove it. Show me your strength. Beat that clown."
Chakra exploded outward.
Tōma's eyes narrowed.
Naruto formed a single hand sign.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
...
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