A vein pulsed on Tsunade's forehead.
She had been joking. She really had. She did not expect there to actually be another issue.
"If you've got something else to say, say it now," she snapped. "I'm the Fifth Hokage. I don't have time to sit here chatting all day."
"I want to learn a jutsu," Fujimoto Tōma said.
"…Huh?" Tsunade blinked. "With your clearance, even the Forbidden Scroll is open to you. Why would you need my approv—"
She stopped mid-sentence, then sighed helplessly.
"Alright. What of mine are you after?"
She knew the answer already. Anything recorded could be self-studied. What he wanted was experience. Technique. The things books could not teach.
"Nintaijutsu: Heavenly Kick of Pain," Tōma said. After a pause, he added, "Though honestly, calling it 'monstrous strength' fits better."
Tsunade considered it for a moment, then nodded. "With your chakra control, you qualify."
The technique itself was simple in concept. Condense chakra to a single point. Release it in an instant. Devastation followed.
Everyone knew that.
So why was her version feared?
Because doing it correctly required absurd chakra control. Random compression only wasted energy. Very few people could meet the threshold.
"So," Tsunade continued, "you're planning to combine it with your Lightning Release and Wind Armor?"
"Yes."
"I recommend you don't," she said immediately.
Tōma frowned. "Why?"
"Your Lightning Release stimulates muscles from the inside. Wind Armor reinforces you from the outside. They work together because you're cheating the system," Tsunade explained bluntly. "Monstrous strength is different. It demands total chakra focus. Mixing it with Lightning Release will destabilize your control. And your body might not hold."
That made sense.
"I see," Tōma said quietly.
"And even if your body survives," Tsunade added, "splitting attention between explosive compression and muscle stimulation will ruin both."
Tōma thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I still want to learn it."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Monstrous strength is chakra burst," he said calmly. "Lightning Release amplifies the body's natural output. Wind Armor absorbs backlash as well as impact. The real limit is physical durability."
She nodded… then sighed again. "Even if that's true, instant compression alone is already hard. Adding another layer of control is asking for failure."
"I have a method," Tōma said, smiling faintly.
Tsunade did not ask what it was.
"Fine," she said at last. "I'll teach you."
She stretched, clearly pleased to finally stand up. "Shizune, this doesn't count as skipping work, right?"
"It doesn't," Shizune said hurriedly, then added, "but you still have a mountain of paperwork."
She had been completely lost during the discussion anyway. To her ears, they were talking as if monstrous strength were easy.
She had followed Tsunade for years and still could not use it.
Was talent really that unfair?
"Don't worry," Tōma added helpfully. "This won't take long."
Shizune nearly snapped.
Then Tsunade suddenly slapped her forehead. "Right. I almost forgot."
Both Tōma and Shizune went silent.
"Apparently you suggested Uchiha Sasuke join ANBU?" Tsunade said. "He's already submitted the request."
"That was fast," Tōma admitted. "But it fits. Regular missions waste his potential. His fundamentals are solid. As long as he isn't rushed, he'll grow faster there."
"I agree," Tsunade said slowly. "But… the Uchiha."
"I know," Tōma replied. "Sasuke isn't like the others. And if he ever walks the wrong path, I'll drag him back myself."
She studied him for a second, then nodded. "In that case, I'll assign him to Yamato's unit."
That was expected.
"Alright," Tsunade said, already restless. "Let's head to the training field."
They did not make it.
Ten minutes later, Tsunade sat back at her desk, mechanically signing documents. Shizune stared at her in silence.
One thought echoed in Tsunade's mind.
I really am an idiot.
She had known Tōma was gifted. She had not expected this.
She explained her technique once. Once.
And he was already using it smoothly.
Yes, his chakra control had long met the requirements, but this was absurd. If anyone called her a genius again, she would punch them. Compared to this, she felt like a fraud.
Unaware of the emotional devastation he had caused, Tōma left the building.
Then stopped.
The Forbidden Scroll.
He had ignored it before. Now, it felt… relevant.
Turning back, he headed for the restricted archive. The guards did not stop him.
He flipped through the scroll carefully.
Forbidden techniques filled the pages. Some familiar. Some obscure.
Multi-Shadow Clone. Eight Branches. Eight Gates. Reanimation.
Flying Thunder God was absent. As expected. Difficult, yes. Dangerous, no.
Wind Release: Rasenshuriken would probably belong here someday, he mused. An incomplete version destroyed the user faster than any enemy.
He memorized what he needed.
Eight Gates, limited use. Reanimation, for understanding only. Shiki Fūjin, never.
Then his eyes paused.
Spirit Transformation Technique.
He had dismissed it before. Leaving the body behind was unacceptable.
But now…
Two souls.
If one spirit left, could the other remain in control?
He did not know.
He would find out.
Closing the scroll, Tōma headed home, satisfied.
Then he sensed a familiar Flying Thunder God mark.
Naruto was standing outside his door.
Waiting.