"Now that looks right," Naruto said with a satisfied nod.
Watching the aftermath, he finally felt at ease. Earlier, Fujimoto Tōma hadn't felt like the Tōma he knew. In Naruto's mind, Tōma was someone who never stalled, never hesitated, never let things drag on once he got serious.
Kakashi, meanwhile, stared at the fading remnants of Kirin. The lightning beast was gone, but faint sparks still crawled across the scorched ground.
He had seen this technique once before.
Back during the succession ceremony, Tōma had used Kirin against Danzō. But that version had been enhanced by senjutsu, infused with natural energy. Kakashi hadn't fully understood it back then.
This time was different.
This was a "pure" Kirin. No senjutsu. Just Lightning Release, guided by precise control and environmental manipulation. The method wasn't all that different from how Chidori resonated with atmospheric electricity.
For the first time, Kakashi realized something important.
I might actually be able to learn this.
Of course, even if he mastered it, his chakra reserves wouldn't allow him to use it freely. Without the right weather conditions, Kirin would remain impractical. He couldn't just rewrite the sky on demand. Fire Release could help force a setup, but the preparation time would be brutal.
As Kakashi mulled it over, Tōma walked up and flicked Naruto on the forehead.
"Ow! What was that for?" Naruto grabbed his head, confused.
"Next time, don't shout in the middle of a fight," Tōma said flatly. "If I didn't finish him right away, there was a reason."
"Oh." Naruto blinked. "So that's why. But what was the reason?"
"You wouldn't get it even if I explained," Tōma replied, then paused briefly. He recalled that in another timeline, Naruto had eventually wielded multiple kekkei genkai-like abilities. But those came from the tailed beasts. Once they were gone, so was that power.
"Okay then," Naruto said, scratching his head and letting it go.
Tōma glanced over and noticed Kakashi deep in thought. He smiled faintly. Kirin had originally been Sasuke's creation, after all. Its principles were close enough to Chidori that Kakashi gaining insight from it was only natural.
Soon after, the three of them returned to Konoha.
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi said on the way back, "earlier you mentioned something about me?"
"Oh. That?" Tōma looked at him with an innocent smile.
Kakashi immediately felt uneasy.
"It's about your… personal life," Tōma said calmly. "Shizune is still single. Same age as you. I mentioned your situation to Tsunade."
Kakashi froze, eyes turning dull. "Lord Hokage…"
"And I already told Tsunade earlier," Tōma added cheerfully. "Shizune should be at the meeting spot by now. If you stand her up, considering her relationship with Tsunade… well, I wouldn't recommend it."
Kakashi pictured Tsunade's fist and broke out in a cold sweat. He shot Tōma a look filled with silent accusation.
Tōma ignored him and turned to Naruto, who was watching with growing curiosity.
"Kakashi-sensei and Shizune-oneesan?" Naruto asked.
"Yep," Tōma said. "You don't want Kakashi dying alone, do you?"
Naruto shook his head instantly.
"Then help him out. He's already thirty. At this rate, it'll be too late."
Tōma privately sighed. This world wasn't overpopulated. Every village needed the next generation. Most shinobi married early. Kakashi being single this long was an anomaly.
"I get it!" Naruto said seriously, locking his eyes on Kakashi.
"Please stop encouraging him," Kakashi said weakly. "He'll take this seriously."
"I am serious," Tōma replied. "If you keep this up, the Hatake line ends with you."
Kakashi nearly said, That's none of your business, but swallowed the words when he met Tōma's gaze.
"As Hokage, and as your superior," Tōma continued, "I feel obligated to care about my employees' work-life balance."
Kakashi rolled his eyes.
"I'm not forcing anything," Tōma added. "Just try. If it works, great. If not, no harm done. Besides, you and Shizune are actually well-matched. Two veteran singles."
He wasn't wrong.
Shizune lacked Kakashi's combat reputation, but she was a tokubetsu jōnin, Tsunade's direct disciple, and one of Konoha's best medical ninja. In terms of background and ability, she stood on solid ground.
Kakashi, for his part, was his own background now.
"…I'll go," Kakashi finally said, resigned.
"Good," Tōma nodded. "Naruto, keep an eye on him. Whether he ends up alone depends on today."
"Leave it to me!" Naruto said solemnly.
Tōma then told them the meeting location.
Kakashi's eyes dulled again.
So it really wasn't a joke. Tōma hadn't left his side once. When had he even contacted Tsunade? Had everything been planned down to their return time?
Kakashi didn't ask. He checked the time and prepared to leave with Naruto.
"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto suddenly said.
"Yes?" Kakashi looked at him.
"…Shouldn't you change clothes?" Naruto asked, eyeing his outfit.
Kakashi paused. "Ah… you're right."
Even if this went nowhere, he didn't want to embarrass Shizune. She was a good person. If nothing else, he could at least show respect.
"No time to go home," Naruto said, scanning the street. "There's a clothing shop right there!"
Before Kakashi could object, Naruto dragged him inside.
Tōma watched them go and nodded to himself.
He hoped it worked out.
Some people deserved a proper ending. Kakashi was one of them. And Shizune, from everything Tōma knew, was more than worthy.
With that thought, Tōma activated Flying Thunder God and vanished, returning to Shikkotsu Forest.
He had new plans to work on.