Seeing Naruto so fired up, Fujimoto Tōma couldn't help but smile.
He'd expected this reaction. Saying it that way was guaranteed to hook Naruto completely.
"Alright," Tōma said. "Then we're heading to Mount Myōboku. Now."
"Huh? Now?" Naruto scratched his head, momentarily dazed.
Usually, he had to beg and pester Jiraiya for training. Tōma's sudden, decisive style caught him off guard.
"Yes. Right now," Tōma replied. "Do you need to prepare anything?"
"Well… at least let me pack some clothes," Naruto said awkwardly.
"…Fair point." Tōma nodded. He'd forgotten Naruto couldn't seal supplies away like he could.
On the way to Naruto's apartment.
"Tōma, is it really okay to just leave like this?" Naruto asked.
"I already told Lady Tsunade," Tōma said bluntly. "She agreed. Besides, you're more useful training than staying in the village doing nothing."
"Hey! I'm useful!" Naruto protested. "I can take missions!"
"Right now you're a genin," Tōma replied calmly. "And with the Akatsuki active, you're better off not moving around. So tell me, what would you actually contribute by staying?"
Naruto deflated instantly, unable to argue back.
His frustration quickly turned into anger. Damn Akatsuki… one day I'll wipe you out completely.
"What if Jiraiya-sensei comes back and can't find me?" Naruto asked suddenly.
Tōma rolled his eyes. "The first thing he'll do is look for Lady Tsunade. She'll tell him you're training at Mount Myōboku."
He added dryly, "And honestly, he's probably soaking in some hot spring right now. You're not his top priority."
Naruto fell silent. Sadly, that sounded very accurate.
At Naruto's place, Tōma watched in disbelief as Naruto piled together an absurd amount of luggage.
"Why are you bringing so much?" Tōma asked. "You won't need any of this."
"Just in case!" Naruto said proudly, giving him a thumbs-up.
Tōma stared for a moment. He'd always thought this kind of overpacking was something only parents did.
"…Whatever," he muttered. "Ready?"
"All ready! Let's go!" Naruto shouted excitedly.
Mount Myōboku.
"There are… frogs everywhere," Naruto muttered, eyes darting around.
"It's Mount Myōboku," Tōma replied flatly. "What were you expecting?"
While Naruto gawked at everything, Tōma led him straight to Fukasaku.
"Well I'll be," Fukasaku said, smiling when he saw them. "Little Tōma, it's been a while. And this kid is… Jiraiya's new apprentice?"
"Yes," Tōma said. "Uzumaki Naruto. The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
At that, Fukasaku understood immediately. He looked Naruto over carefully. The blond hair, the resemblance.
"I see," he said solemnly.
Naruto blinked, confused. What's there to 'see' from just that?
Fukasaku then turned his gaze to Tōma, studying him closely. "Little Tōma… you've changed."
"I've made some progress," Tōma nodded.
"That's good. Very good." Fukasaku smiled warmly. He didn't know the details, but if the Great Toad Sage said it mattered, then it mattered.
"So," Fukasaku asked, "what brings you here this time?"
"I'm here to learn Sage Mode!" Naruto blurted out, raising his hand eagerly.
"Sage Mode?" Fukasaku hesitated and looked to Tōma.
"Naruto's well-suited for it," Tōma said simply.
"Hmm… if you're Jiraiya's student, then you're qualified," Fukasaku said, stroking his beard. "Whether you're truly compatible, we'll find out during training."
"Then I'll leave Naruto to you," Tōma said. "I have other matters to handle."
"So soon?" Fukasaku said in surprise. "Shima's been asking about you."
"No choice," Tōma shrugged. "The crisis mentioned in the Great Toad Sage's prophecy is getting close. There's no time to rest."
Fukasaku stiffened, then nodded. "Understood. Go handle what you must. If Naruto's compatible, I'll teach him everything."
"Huh? You're leaving already?" Naruto finally realized. "You're not the one teaching me?"
"I haven't mastered Sage Mode myself," Tōma said with a faint smile. "How would I teach you?"
"Oh… yeah, that makes sense," Naruto said, a little disappointed.
"See you next time," Tōma said, placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Hopefully, you'll have mastered Sage Mode by then."
Naruto had half-expected his head to get ruffled again. When it didn't, he froze for a second, then grinned widely.
"Leave it to me! I'll definitely learn it, dattebayo!"
"Good luck," Tōma said with a smile, vanishing from Mount Myōboku.
Naruto stood there for a moment, staring at where he'd disappeared.
"Say, Naruto," Fukasaku said, "did Little Tōma explain what Sage Mode actually is?"
"…Nope," Naruto admitted, scratching his head.
"Figures," Fukasaku sighed. "That boy's good at everything except explaining troublesome things. He always leaves that to others."