Asuma let out a long sigh.
He had a girlfriend too, but somehow he still felt like he'd just been force-fed a mouthful of sweetness.
"Hey, you two, that's enough," Shikamaru said as he strolled over with his hands in his pockets. "There are other people here, you know."
"If you're jealous, you can find someone yourself," Tōma replied calmly. "Or… you and Chōji could always—"
"I absolutely will not!"
Chōji's eyes flew open in horror before Shikamaru could even respond.
Shikamaru stared at him, deadpan. "Can't you tell he's joking? Don't be weird."
"O-Oh… a joke." Chōji wiped his forehead, visibly relieved. "That was cruel, Tōma."
"Alright," Asuma cut in, rubbing his temple. "Rest a bit more, then dismiss. We'll talk strategy tomorrow. Make sure you recover properly."
"Yeah…" Shikamaru replied half-heartedly.
Chōji had already produced snacks from somewhere unknown, while Ino had gone off to rest with Tōma beside her.
Asuma sighed again.
Being a teacher really was exhausting.
Tōma, meanwhile, was properly helping Ino loosen up her muscles. She leaned back comfortably, occasionally lifting an arm or leg to point out where she felt sore.
Fine arcs of Lightning Release flickered across Tōma's fingers as he worked.
Asuma's eye twitched.
So that's why her physical conditioning had been improving so quickly.
He glanced at Shikamaru and Chōji, who were clearly left to recover on their own, and couldn't help feeling a little envious. Having someone take care of you like that really was nice.
Back then, he'd built his body through sheer effort alone. If someone like Tōma had been around… well, the village didn't exactly have many shinobi with Lightning Release control at that level.
Kakashi?
No, thanks. Asuma suspected Kakashi would electrocute him out of sheer laziness.
Soon enough, Ino was mostly recovered. She and Tōma said goodbye to Asuma and headed off together.
"Tōma, what brought you over today?"
Her voice echoed directly in his mind.
He didn't even flinch anymore. If anything, it highlighted how much she'd grown. She could already use the Mind Body Transmission Technique reliably, which demanded excellent chakra control.
He'd also started teaching her basic medical ninjutsu, though her main focus remained the Yamanaka clan techniques.
"I knew you were training here," Tōma replied internally. "So I came by."
"…Mm."
She didn't say much, but the warmth in her emotions was unmistakable.
They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Ino reached out again, deliberately using the technique to practice.
"Tōma, Asuma-sensei said we're going to participate in the Chūnin Exams."
"…The Chūnin Exams?"
That caught him off guard.
It made sense, though. He wasn't a team leader or an academy instructor, so there was no reason for him to be officially notified.
"Do you think it's too early?" Ino asked hesitantly. "We only just graduated."
"It's a bit fast," Tōma admitted after thinking it over. "But skill-wise, you're already qualified. Becoming an outstanding chūnin is another matter, though."
"Oh… that's a relief." She relaxed.
Tōma, however, felt a ripple of unease.
So it had already reached this point.
That meant Orochimaru was likely moving, and the Kazekage might already be dead. The Konoha Crush wasn't far off.
His gaze drifted toward the Hokage Rock, lingering on the Third Hokage's face.
In the original timeline, he hadn't existed.
This time?
Things could be different.
He pulled out a strange black rod with a button and handed it to Ino.
"Keep this with you. If you're ever in danger, press it."
"What is it?"
"A signal," Tōma said simply. "If you use it, I'll know. And I'll come protect you."
"Okay."
She smiled and carefully put it away, squeezing his hand before letting go.
There was no point refusing. If she did, he'd just worry more. Better to get stronger herself.
Tōma leaned down and tapped his cheek with a finger.
Ino blushed hard, but leaned in anyway.
They continued walking arm in arm toward her home.
The device he'd given her was something he'd made recently. A disposable trigger linked to a Flying Thunder God marker. Once activated, the marker would be erased, and he'd immediately teleport to the remaining marker on her.
It was only usable because his perception could remain active at all times. Even Minato couldn't have used it this way.
Its usefulness was limited, but during the Chūnin Exams in Konoha… it was enough.
"Is that Naruto?" Ino asked suddenly, pointing ahead. "It looks like he's arguing with someone."
"I noticed," Tōma said. "Let's check it out."
They found Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura facing three unfamiliar shinobi from Sunagakure.
"What's going on?" Tōma asked.
"S-some unknown ninja showed up," Sakura said quickly.
"Unknown?" the one with face paint scoffed. "Didn't they teach you anything? The Chūnin Exams are about to start. We're guests."
He turned to Tōma. "You a chūnin? Your kid bumped into me."
"I already apologized," Konohamaru said stiffly.
"If that's the case," Tōma said evenly, "there's no reason to keep pushing a child."
"Enough, Kankurō," said the red-haired boy in the middle.
Gaara's eyes shifted from Naruto and Sasuke to Tōma.
"You're strong."
Kankurō and Temari stiffened.
High praise from Gaara wasn't given lightly.
"You're not bad yourself," Tōma replied, meeting his gaze. The raw killing intent leaking from Gaara was familiar. Uncomfortably so.
Gaara glanced at Tōma's vest. "It's a shame you can't participate. That would've been interesting."
"Trust me," Tōma yawned, "you're lucky I can't."
Gaara studied Naruto next, frowning slightly at the strange sensation he felt from him.
Then he turned and walked away.
Temari glanced back once, eyeing both Sasuke and Tōma.
…Konoha really had a lot of good-looking guys.
Once they were gone, Naruto finally spoke up.
"What's the Chūnin Exams?"
"Kakashi probably already signed you up," Tōma said. "He just hasn't told you yet."
That explained a lot.
Naruto's eyes lit up. "So if we pass, we get closer to you, right?!"
"Pass first," Ino shot back. "It's not that easy."
"I'll do it, believe it!" Naruto shouted, earning a few looks.
Tōma smiled. "Do your best. I'm looking forward to seeing how far you all get."
This time, Sasuke clenched his fist too.
Ino quietly resolved to whip Shikamaru into shape and make sure Chōji was well-fed.
After sending Ino home, Tōma walked back alone, watching the sunset.
The Konoha Crush loomed ahead.
But this time—
He smiled.
He was here.