"Jiraiya-sensei, take the Third Hokage to the medical center," Fujimoto Tōma said after a moment. "The facilities there should still be intact. I'm going to check on Naruto."
"…You're not resting?" Jiraiya froze.
From his perspective, Tōma should've been running on fumes. He hadn't been idle before arriving, then forcefully teleported through a barrier to save the Third Hokage, treated him on the spot, coordinated ANBU, and now he wanted to keep moving.
"There's no time," Tōma replied simply. "I trust them, but I'd rather make sure."
He checked his chakra reserves. The medical jutsu hadn't drained much, but he still placed another soldier pill in his mouth, letting it dissolve slowly.
Jiraiya sighed. "Sorry to keep piling things on you."
He didn't try to stop him. Even if he wanted to help, without Flying Thunder God he'd arrive too late to matter.
Tōma vanished.
Jiraiya stared at the empty space for a second, then shook himself and carried the Third Hokage toward the medical center.
When Tōma reappeared beside Naruto, the damage told the story before anyone spoke. Trees lay shattered, the forest crushed flat as if a beast had rampaged through it.
Naruto lay unconscious, breathing steadily. Sakura was nearby, also passed out, her hands still faintly trembling. She'd clearly pushed herself to the limit.
"Tōma," Sasuke said, noticing him. "You're late."
Tōma glanced at the three Sand ninja tied together a short distance away. All of them were unconscious.
He smiled faintly. Better than canon. They'd been captured alive.
His gaze lingered on Gaara. The boy was completely out cold. No transformation. No violent chakra surges.
That was… unusual.
"You do this?" Tōma asked.
Sasuke shook his head after a pause. "No. I just cleaned up. Most of it was Naruto." He looked at Naruto's unconscious form, expression complicated. "He's… really strong now."
There was something bitter in his voice.
"Feels like he left you behind?" Tōma asked bluntly.
"…Yeah."
"At this stage, he has surpassed you," Tōma said without softening it.
Sasuke went quiet.
"But that doesn't mean you're worse," Tōma continued. "Naruto can use shadow clones to train. That alone gives him a massive head start."
Tōma paused, then added thoughtfully, "Honestly, if I'd stayed in the Academy the normal way, he might've surpassed me too."
Even talent needed time. Tōma himself had advanced because he graduated early and accumulated years of real experience.
"But that advantage has limits," Tōma said. "Naruto's growth is explosive, but his fundamentals are hitting a ceiling. Learning another Chidori-level technique won't change that much. To grow further, he needs to refine his base."
He looked Sasuke straight in the eye.
"That's where your chance is. Your fundamentals are solid. From here on, your growth curve is steady and upward. Catching Naruto won't be hard. Surpassing him depends on you."
"…Fundamentals," Sasuke muttered, staring at his own hands.
He'd always been called a genius. Yet with Tōma standing nearby, that word had started to feel hollow. Still, hearing it said so plainly made something settle in his chest.
"Staying on basic Team Seven missions won't help you much anymore," Tōma added. "Once this is over, I'll talk to Kakashi. I want you to get experience in ANBU."
Sasuke stiffened. "ANBU? The place you were in?"
"Yes."
"…Thanks," Sasuke said after a long silence.
Tōma chuckled and messed up his hair, turning an already messy style into chaos. "Don't thank me like that."
Then Sasuke asked quietly, "Why do you help me so much? We're not related."
Tōma blinked, genuinely caught off guard.
"…Why?" He thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Honestly? You guys feel like younger siblings to me. Helping family seems normal."
It wasn't the whole truth, but it was close enough.
"…A younger brother," Sasuke repeated, eyes brightening for an instant before he quickly looked away.
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "What about Ino?"
Tōma froze. His ears turned red. "…There are exceptions."
Sasuke smirked. First confirmed weakness.
Before Tōma could retaliate, his expression sharpened.
Someone was approaching.
Fast.
"Hide Naruto and Sakura," Tōma said quietly.
Sasuke moved instantly, dragging them into cover and disappearing into the shadows himself.
Tōma stepped toward the bound Sand trio and finally swallowed the soldier pill. He drew his sword and waited.
The presence hesitated.
Definitely hostile.
"I'd come out if I were you," Tōma said calmly, his voice carried by the wind. "Unless you're fine with losing the One-Tail. These three look important too. The Fourth Kazekage's children, right? Losing all of them here would be… awkward to explain."
The hidden figure stiffened.
Moments later, Baki stepped out.
He took one look at Tōma's blade resting against Gaara's neck and felt his blood run cold.
Why hadn't the sand reacted? Why was Gaara unconscious? Why hadn't Shukaku emerged?
Tōma had a guess.
Naruto.
With the Nine-Tails involved, Shukaku had probably been beaten into submission. Exhausted. Humiliated. Maybe even forced back inside.
Convenient.
"Please," Baki said tightly. "We were deceived. This was Orochimaru's plan."
"Moonlight Hayate," Tōma said suddenly.
Baki's breath hitched. He nodded.
"So you want forgiveness after killing one of ours?" Tōma's tone turned cold. "That's optimistic."
"…What do you want?" Baki asked. "As long as you don't harm Gaara and the others, we'll agree."
"That's not my call," Tōma replied. "What you should do is return to the Sand and prepare compensation. Let us see your sincerity."
"…Agreed," Baki said immediately, afraid Tōma would change his mind.
He retreated at once.
If the Sand lost Shukaku and these heirs on top of being manipulated by Orochimaru… the damage would be catastrophic.
And the Kazekage…
Baki clenched his fists as he left, hatred for Orochimaru burning in his chest.
Once Tōma confirmed he was gone, he called out, "You can come out."
Sasuke emerged, unsure what to say.
"Don't overthink it," Tōma said. "This is village-level politics. Not your burden."
Sasuke nodded. He couldn't change any of it anyway.
Tōma gathered them all and transported them back to Konoha.
The battlefield fell silent at last.