After learning that his transformation had taken half a year, Fujimoto Tōma lost any desire to linger. He bade farewell to the Three Sages and departed without hesitation.
Once he was gone, the White Snake Sage finally spoke, his voice unusually restrained.
"Gamamaru… do you think that kid can take the final step?"
"I can't see it," the Great Toad Sage replied honestly. "I don't know. But he's the most likely one. The only one with real hope."
In truth, even after sensing the path Tōma had chosen, they hadn't placed full faith in him. The path promised longevity, yes, but a long lifespan didn't guarantee survival.
The shinobi world was heading toward upheaval. Someone like Tōma couldn't hide from it. And once dragged into that storm, surviving was never easy.
But now, with his accumulation complete, his odds had changed.
Katsuyu, who rarely spoke on such matters, finally said, "I'm not suited for battle. If he's ever in danger, I'll leave it to you two. For healing… you may rely on me."
The White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage paused, then nodded.
It was time.
All their remaining hopes would rest on Fujimoto Tōma.
Tōma returned home late that night. The lights were on. His mother, Fujimoto Sana, had already finished work.
When she saw him, surprise flickered across her face, quickly followed by relief.
Only then did Tōma learn that Tsunade had already informed her of his long absence. She hadn't worried excessively. That alone eased a weight he hadn't realized he was carrying.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Tōma said after doing the math in his head. "I missed your birthday."
Sana smiled gently. "It's fine. You have your own path to walk."
Then she added casually, "Besides, Ino spent the day with me."
"…She did?" Tōma paused, then smiled.
"Of course," Sana said warmly. "So don't ever treat that girl badly. If you do, I won't allow it."
"That won't happen," Tōma replied helplessly.
Satisfied, Sana nodded.
From a distant shadow, a presence lingered briefly, watching the light in Tōma's room… then vanished into the darkness.
The next morning, Hokage Tower.
"You look like you're carrying the world on your shoulders," Tōma said as he entered. "What happened?"
Tsunade looked up, startled, then smiled. "You're back already? Finished your training?"
"Yesterday," Tōma replied. "So what's bothering you?"
"Have you heard of Mōryō?" Tsunade asked.
"Mōryō…" Tōma frowned slightly. "I've heard the name."
"A being from legend," Tsunade explained. "Supposedly powerful enough to threaten the world. Long ago, a cult nearly caused global catastrophe using its power. Only the shrine maiden of the Land of Demons can seal it."
"So the seal's failing," Tōma said flatly.
"Yes. We've already sent Naruto, Sakura, Neji, and Lee to protect the shrine maiden. The rest of our forces are holding back Mōryō's followers. An undead army. Conventional weapons barely work."
Tsunade sighed. "I won't lie. It's troubling."
"You're worried the world might end?" Tōma asked calmly.
"Shouldn't I be?" Tsunade shot back. "That's not a small thing."
"I don't worry about that," Tōma replied. "And with respect, Hokage-sama, the world isn't that fragile. It doesn't collapse every time some ancient monster wakes up."
"But the legends—"
"Legends exaggerate," Tōma cut in. "They're meant to scare people into acting. Yes, the threat needs to be dealt with. But panic helps no one."
Tsunade paused.
"…You're not wrong," she admitted after a moment.
She studied him more closely then, surprise creeping into her expression. It had been a long time since she'd really looked at him.
The boyish sharpness was gone. At fifteen, Tōma already carried himself like an adult. Calm, balanced, and oddly gentle. The kind of presence people naturally trusted.
She glanced at Shizune, who was clearly sneaking looks his way, cheeks faintly red, and sighed.
"You'd better not wander around too much," Tsunade muttered.
"Why?"
"I'm worried you'll fail a test of character and break Ino's heart."
Tōma blinked.
"You might not know this," Tsunade continued, "but she's been pushing herself hard since you left. Medical ninjutsu, mental techniques… she hurts herself training more often than she should."
Tōma fell silent.
"So if you ever hurt my apprentice," Tsunade added, crushing a paperweight with a sharp crack, "I won't go easy on you."
"That won't be necessary," Tōma said dryly. "Even if I were that stupid, my mother would finish me first."
Tsunade laughed. "Fair point."
After a beat, Tōma finally asked what he'd come for.
"Did anything major happen while I was gone?"
"Besides Mōryō?" Tsunade thought. "Orochimaru pulled something similar to the Konoha incident… but this time in Iwagakure. And it worked."
Tōma nodded. "I had a feeling."
"So you're not even hiding it anymore when you teleport back just to slack off?" Tsunade snorted, tossing him a scroll.
He skimmed it, then sucked in a breath.
Orochimaru hadn't targeted the Tsuchikage directly. He'd gone for the village itself. The plan was crude compared to the Konoha invasion, but brutally effective.
Iwagakure's post-war recovery was shattered overnight.
Ōnoki was probably furious beyond words.
"He even sent a letter blaming us," Tsunade said coldly. "When Konoha was attacked, he was probably laughing. Now that it's his turn, suddenly it's a crime."
"Is that everything?" Tōma asked.
"Yes. Why?"
"…Sunagakure's fine?" Tōma asked carefully.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
For some reason, Tōma felt a faint chill crawl up his spine.