Tōma walked through the forest, replaying Kakashi's explanation of Chidori in his head.
Honestly, it wasn't that different from the version he'd figured out on his own. Still, there were subtle distinctions in how Kakashi handled the flow and compression of lightning chakra. Small details, but meaningful ones. After all, Kakashi had been refining that technique for years.
If Tōma merged Kakashi's approach with his own, the power should jump by at least ten, maybe twenty percent.
More importantly, Kakashi's understanding went deeper than just relying on the Sharingan. From Tōma's perspective, even without it, Kakashi could probably develop a Chidori variant that didn't need visual assistance at all. He simply never bothered. He didn't need to.
Tōma was in the same position. With his abnormal perception, there was no reason to reinvent something already optimized for him.
"Hey, Tōma," Kakashi said, glancing toward the clearing. "You taught Naruto to train like that, didn't you?"
In the distance, Naruto and a small army of shadow clones were hammering away at Gale Palm, wind chakra surging over and over.
"Can his body really handle it?"
Sasuke's ears perked up at the question. If this method worked, he didn't mind swallowing his pride and asking Naruto to teach it later. Pride was cheap. Strength wasn't.
"It's fine," Tōma replied. "I tested it before. At this level, Naruto can handle it. No one else could, though."
Kakashi understood immediately.
The Nine-Tails.
He nodded, watching Naruto with a more thoughtful gaze. No wonder Tōma was so confident. Using sheer numbers to brute-force progress… it was crude, but effective. And in its own way, that was talent too.
Kakashi compared it to himself. He could fight with shadow clones, sure, but using them to learn like that? One clone was already pushing it. Any more and the backlash alone would wreck him.
That kind of training efficiency wasn't just about technique. It required a ridiculous body and absurd recovery.
"By the way," Tōma said, "I talked to Sakura earlier. There's something you should know."
Kakashi turned, surprised. "What about her?"
Tōma explained their conversation.
"…Isn't that a bit early?" Kakashi frowned. "Making her think about specialization already?"
"Early?" Tōma sighed. "Not really. If things go the way I expect, the shinobi world won't stay peaceful for long."
Kakashi stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"Have you heard of Mount Myōboku?"
"Of course. One of the legendary places…" Kakashi paused, realization creeping in.
"Yeah. A prophecy," Tōma said casually, as if he weren't dropping a bomb. "That's why my teacher, Jiraiya, has been traveling nonstop."
Kakashi went quiet for a long moment.
"I'll keep this to myself," he said finally. "And I'll think about Sakura's situation more carefully."
Tōma nodded. Then, as if struck by a thought, he smiled.
"Come to think of it… that makes me the junior brother of the Fourth Hokage. Which means I'm technically your—"
"Ah! Naruto's having trouble again!" Kakashi interrupted loudly, already vanishing in a blur.
Tōma watched him go, amused. No way Kakashi was calling someone younger than him "uncle," especially in front of his students.
Shaking his head, Tōma headed deeper into the forest. He had his own training to do.
Chidori needed refinement. And then there was the Rasenshuriken.
To be honest, he felt like he'd already reached something close to Naruto's early version. The shape was there. The sound, the destructive spin, the pressure… all familiar.
And yet, it still felt incomplete.
So Naruto's first Rasenshuriken really was just a half-finished product?
If that was the case, then from here on out, there were no shortcuts. No reference material. Just trial, error, and time.
Still, having a solid foundation was enough. The rest was refinement.
And he was curious.
What would a completed Rasenshuriken really look like?
By the time Tōma returned, Naruto and Sasuke were both sprawled on the ground, dead asleep. Sakura was nearby, tending to them.
She was noticeably gentler with Sasuke. Naruto… less so. But the end result was the same.
"Sakura?" Tōma raised an eyebrow. "You already mastered water walking?"
She looked up, clearly pleased. "Of course. That wasn't hard at all."
"…Very good," Tōma said honestly. Even he hadn't expected her to finish that fast.
Her talent was real.
"Tōma," Sakura said hesitantly, "about what you mentioned earlier… can I try training everything for now, then decide what suits me best later?"
"That's fine," he replied after a moment. "Just know it'll slow your progress. Dividing focus always does."
She smiled. "That's okay. I'm already behind. I'll decide properly soon."
"Alright. Then talk to Kakashi. He can teach you basic genjutsu for now. Once you decide, he'll help find the right instructor."
"Thank you, Tōma."
He turned his attention to the two unconscious boys. Both were filthy, clearly pushed to their limits. Naruto especially looked wrecked, but with the Nine-Tails inside him, it wasn't a real concern.
Kneeling beside Naruto, Tōma placed a hand on his stomach.
The world shifted.
Once again, he stood in that familiar, dim space.
"You again?" the Nine-Tails growled, retreating a step from the gate. "What do you want this time?"
Tōma noticed the movement and almost laughed.
"Easy, Kurama. I just have a question."
"A question?" the beast roared, chakra surging violently. "You dare—"
"Yes, yes, that feeling," Tōma muttered, focusing. Then he voiced his doubt. Why could he sense Kurama's malice so clearly, yet feel nothing similar from ordinary people? If malice came from spiritual energy, not chakra alone, then what was he missing?
Kurama froze.
Then he burst out laughing, clutching his belly with one massive paw.
"What's so funny?" Tōma frowned.
"You really do know a lot, brat," Kurama sneered when he finally stopped. "Yes, I sense malice. But that power isn't something a shinobi can master. Give it up."
Tōma fell silent.
If it wasn't chakra-based, that explained a lot. Still…
He thought about his own perception. Did it even rely on chakra?
"So," Kurama said smugly, "stop dreaming."
"…I see." Tōma sighed.
Kurama nodded, satisfied. Finally, a small victory after being manhandled before.
"Oh, by the way," Tōma added casually, "you've been spending time with Naruto. He's not bad, right?"
"Hmph. Same as all humans. Always trying to use a tailed beast's power," Kurama scoffed, though his anger was noticeably muted.
"That already says enough," Tōma smiled. "Sounds like you're getting along."
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!"
"I am," Tōma said, rubbing his ears. "Just stop shouting. You're big. It's loud."
"Don't call me that name!"
"Got it, Kurama. Won't do it again, Kurama."
"..."
Kurama decided roaring was pointless.
"One more thing," Tōma said. "Don't you think Naruto looks a bit like you? Those whisker marks and all. Makes you wonder if you had a hand in his birth."
"That's nonsense!" Kurama exploded. "Don't slander me!"
"Then explain the whiskers."
Kurama froze.
Tōma chuckled and let himself drift away.
Left alone, Kurama stared at the gate, then thought of Naruto's face.
…Six whiskers.
Impossible.
And yet.
The thought lingered.