Chapter 4: Earning The Torch
A week had passed since the funeral.
Naruto hadn't gone back to school. Tsunade made sure of that—her word carried enough weight to silence any questions. "He needs time," she'd said, and no one dared argue.
Time was exactly what they both needed.
The Senju-Uzumaki household was quieter than ever. The presence of Inko and Izuku was gone, leaving behind a silence that pressed on the heart. But Naruto and Tsunade filled it as best they could. They cooked together, even if Naruto still burned the rice sometimes. They sat at the low table late into the night, cups of tea untouched as they shared stories—some funny, some bitter—about the Midoriyas. And when words failed, they simply sat close, the comfort of each other's presence enough to ease the ache.
Tsunade wept when she thought Naruto wasn't looking. Naruto forced smiles when he thought she couldn't see. Neither fooled the other, but neither called it out. They bore their grief together, quietly, stubbornly, as family.
But mourning wasn't the only thing that filled the week.
Every morning, Tsunade dragged Naruto into the dojo. She pushed him through the old routines she had drilled into him since childhood—stances, strikes, grapples, counters. The wooden floor creaked beneath their movements as they sparred, her strikes still sharp despite her lack of action, his determination refusing to give her an inch.
"Again!" she barked whenever he faltered.
And again, he rose.
The bruises faded quickly under his quirk, but the sweat, the exhaustion, the lessons—they stayed. With every exchange, Naruto's body and spirit hardened a little more. He knew this wasn't just training. It was preparation.
And so the week passed. A blur of grief, of quiet meals, of tearful nights and grueling mornings. By the end of it, Naruto stood taller—not healed, not whole, and ready.
When dawn broke on the seventh day, he found himself standing at the edge of Dagobah Beach.
He had heard of the place before—an abandoned shore left to rot under mountains of rusted appliances, broken cars, and trash as far as the eye could see. The stench of salt, oil, and rust filled the air. Waves lapped weakly against the shore, carrying more garbage onto the sand with every tide.
Naruto stood at the edge of the junk heap, the morning sun rising behind him, and exhaled slowly. His red hair caught the early light, burning like fire in the sea breeze.
"…Guess this is where it starts."
Naruto's words hung in the salty air. Behind him, faint footsteps crunched softly against the sand. Naruto turned, blue eyes narrowing instinctively—then softened in recognition.
The figure approaching was thin, almost frail, dressed in simple dark slacks and a buttoned coat. His golden hair hung loose and untamed, framing a face far sharper and gaunter than the world ever saw.
"All Might." Naruto greeted with a small wave of his hand.
The man gave a small chuckle, his smile tired but genuine. "Young Uzumaki. In this form, please… call me Toshinori. Or Mr. Yagi. Or even Yagi-sensei, if you prefer. But not All Might, not when I look like this."
Naruto tilted his head, a small grin tugging at the corner of his mouth despite the heaviness of the morning. "Toshi-sensei, then. Feels right."
Toshinori blinked, then laughed softly, shaking his head. "Ha! Very well. Toshi-sensei it is."
His laughter trailed into a cough, quickly covered with a fist, but he waved it off. "Now… before we begin, I want to hear it from you. In your own words. Tell me about your quirk—its name, its limits, its strengths. Lay it out in full detail."
Naruto's grin faded, replaced with a seriousness that radiated from him. He straightened his back, fists clenching at his sides.
"My quirk's name is Life Force," he said firmly.
Toshinori's brows rose slightly, but he remained quiet, letting the boy speak.
"It's been in the Uzumaki family since quirks first started showing up. Every generation, it got stronger, sharper. My mom had it, and her mom before her. But me…" Naruto lifted his hand, fingers flexing as if to draw the power out. "I've got it at its peak."
"It heals. Not just cuts or scrapes, but anything. Burns, breaks—even wounds that should kill me. My body just… fixes itself. Almost instantly. It doesn't follow the normal rules. No splitting cells, no shortened lifespan, nothing. The damage is just gone."
Toshinori's eyes widened faintly, mind already racing with possibilities. No cellular decay… no lifespan trade-off… astounding.
"But—" Naruto went on, his tone lowering, "it runs on my stamina. If I don't have the energy to give, I can't heal. I've pushed it too far before. Nearly killed myself from exhaustion. So yeah, I can keep standing through things that would drop anyone else… but if I burn out completely? That's it."
The waves crashed against the shore, filling the silence that followed.
Finally, Toshinori nodded, expression thoughtful. "So you can endure nearly anything… but you're still human. And humans, no matter how strong, can break if they push too far."
Naruto smirked faintly, though it was wry, bitter. "Heh. That's what Oba-san's been yelling at me about my whole life."
Toshinori chuckled under his breath, but his eyes carried something sharper now—an approving glint. Life Force. No wonder he survived that fight with the sludge villain. No wonder he stood back up, again and again.
Toshinori's expression softened into something between awe and approval. "Life Force… truly an incredible quirk. To endure wounds that would cripple most and simply stand again… I've never seen anything quite like it."
Naruto gave a small shrug, though pride flickered in his eyes. "Guess I got lucky in the gene pool."
Toshinori's lips quirked in the faintest smile, but then he grew serious again. "Still, quirk or not, your body is the foundation. From what I saw during the sludge villain incident, you're in good shape. But I need to evaluate just how good. If you don't mind…" He gestured lightly. "…Remove your shirt so I can see the state of your musculature and conditioning."
Naruto arched a brow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Heh. Toshi-sensei, you trying to get me to strip on the first day? Bold move."
Toshinori sputtered, cheeks coloring faintly. "N-not like that! Strictly professional!"
Naruto chuckled under his breath, shaking his head as he tugged his black T-shirt up and over his head. The salt air hit his skin, the faint sheen of sweat from his jog down to the beach catching in the light.
For a boy of eighteen, he was already built like a seasoned athlete. Standing tall at six-foot-two, his frame was lean but powerful—broad shoulders tapering to a strong core, every muscle carved by years of training in Tsunade's dojo. His chest bore faint scars, small reminders of the fire, though his quirk had smoothed most of them into near-invisible lines. His body was a testament to discipline, to sweat and hard work layered atop natural talent.
Toshinori studied him carefully, nodding. "Hm. Excellent posture. Balanced muscle distribution. You've put in a great deal of work already—years, by the look of it. Your aunt trained you well."
Naruto stretched his arms above his head, rolling his shoulders, still grinning faintly. "Told ya. Oba-san doesn't go easy. Never has."
Toshinori's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, noting the confidence in his tone, the ease in his movements. Yes. This boy's body is already primed. He'll take to One For All well.
"Good," he said at last, voice firm with approval. "You're in excellent condition. That means what comes next won't break you—at least, not right away."
Naruto smirked, pulling his shirt back over his head. "Heh. You're really selling this training thing, Toshi-sensei."
Toshinori's gaunt frame straightened ever so slightly, a flicker of his old hero's grin flashing across his face. "Trust me, young Uzumaki. You'll need every ounce of that strength for what lies ahead."
Toshinori's sharp eyes studied Naruto one last time, and then he gave a decisive nod.
"You're already in excellent condition," he said firmly. "In fact, your body is primed enough to receive One For All immediately. We could pass it on to you right here, right now."
Naruto blinked at him, surprised. "…Just like that?"
"Yes," Toshinori replied. "The trial most successors must undergo—the grueling months of turning their bodies into proper vessels—you've already done that work. Years of martial training, discipline, Life Force keeping you honed and ready. You are more than capable of taking it on today."
For a moment, silence hung between them. The waves crashed softly against the junk-strewn shore.
Then Naruto shook his head.
"No."
Toshinori's brows shot up. "No?"
Naruto's blue eyes burned with steady fire as he stepped forward, fists tightening at his sides. "Izzy. Izuku… he would've had to work for it. To claw his way up from nothing. To earn every ounce of strength before you ever gave him that power. If I just take it now… if I skip all that… then what does that say about him? About his dream?"
His voice grew louder, fiercer, every word cutting through the salt air. "I won't do that to him. I won't cheapen his memory. If I'm going to carry this torch, then I'm going to earn it. The same way he would have."
Toshinori stood frozen, stunned into silence. The gaunt lines of his face softened, his lips parting slightly. Then—slowly—his mouth curved into a grin. Not the booming smile of All Might the world knew, but something smaller, warmer, truer.
"Heh. I half-expected you to say that," he admitted.
Naruto smirked faintly, though his eyes stayed hard with determination. "So give me the workout you would've given someone like him. Put me through every step. Make me build my body into the perfect temple for this power. That way… when I finally take it, it'll mean something."
Toshinori chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief, though pride gleamed in his blue eyes. "Very well, young Uzumaki. You'll have it your way. But don't blame me when you curse my name every morning."
Naruto's grin widened. "Heh. Wouldn't be the first time I've cursed my teacher, Toshi-sensei."
The two shared a brief laugh, the sound cutting through the crash of the waves. But beneath it, both of them knew the truth.
The real training had only just begun.
Toshinori crossed his thin arms, gaze sweeping over the endless mountains of rusted appliances, abandoned cars, and trash choking Dagobah Beach. "Very well, then. If you insist on earning One For All properly, we'll do this the long way."
Naruto smirked, hands shoved into his pockets. "Wouldn't have it any other way, Toshi-sensei."
The older man chuckled softly, then gestured to the junk heap before them. "This… will be your training ground. Your temple. We're going to restore this beach to its original state. Every piece of garbage you see, every rusted heap of metal—it all has to go."
Naruto blinked, then let out a short laugh. "You're kidding. You want me to clean?"
Toshinori's grin widened, though it was tired around the edges. "Oh, I'm very serious. Strength comes in many forms, young Uzumaki. Muscles built in a dojo are one thing. Muscles built from moving mountains of junk, from labor that tests your limits, are another. And more importantly…" His voice lowered, growing serious. "It's not just muscle you need. It's stamina. You said so yourself. Life Force may heal you, but it devours your energy. Without stamina, you'll collapse before the fight is truly over."
Naruto's grin faded into a thoughtful frown. "…Tch. You're not wrong. Oba-san's always chewing me out for pushing until I drop."
"Then that is what we'll fix," Toshinori said firmly. "This training will condition you to endure beyond what you thought possible. Your lungs, your heart, your endurance—all of it will be tested. When you're done, your body will not just be strong. It will be tireless."
Naruto's smirk returned, sharper this time. "Heh. Guess that means no slacking, huh?"
"None at all," Toshinori said with a small laugh. "But—" he held up a finger, "I will be tailoring this regimen to you. Less about raw muscle mass, more about sustained effort. You'll still be moving appliances and vehicles, but you'll be doing it with speed, repetition, and consistency. Endurance above all else."
Naruto rolled his shoulders, already bouncing on his heels. "Alright then. Sounds good. So where do we start?"
Toshinori's grin widened, faintly reminiscent of his hero persona. He swept a hand out toward the junk heap.
"Right there, young Uzumaki. Piece by piece. Today, you begin forging the body of the next Symbol of Peace."
Naruto cracked his knuckles, eyes blazing. "Then let's get to work."
And so his first day began. And that first day on Dagobah Beach was hell.
Naruto stood shirtless in the morning sun, sweat already soaking through the waistband of his track pants as he wrestled with the rusted husk of an old washing machine. His arms burned, his back screamed, and every breath was a ragged drag of salt and rust-filled air. But his eyes never wavered. Piece by piece, he hauled and dragged and shoved, clearing the trash-strewn shore under Toshinori's watchful gaze.
By the time the sun dipped low on the horizon, Naruto was drenched in sweat, bruised and sore in places even his quirk couldn't quite erase. His Life Force healed the cuts, the friction burns, even the pulled muscles—but the exhaustion remained.
And that was exactly the point.
"Good work today," Toshinori said as Naruto dropped the bent frame of a bicycle into the growing junk pile. His thin form hunched forward, a cough rattling in his chest, but his smile was approving. "You gave everything. That's all I ask."
Naruto wiped his forehead with the back of his arm, a tired grin spreading across his face. "Heh… what'd you expect? You said to give it my all."
Toshinori chuckled softly, shaking his head. He's reckless. But it's that recklessness, channeled right, that'll make him unstoppable.
By the time Naruto stumbled through the door of the Uzumaki compound, it was well past dusk. Tsunade was in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, preparing dinner. She turned just as Naruto kicked off his shoes and nearly collapsed against the doorframe.
"Don't you dare pass out on my floor," she said dryly, though her eyes softened when she saw how ragged he looked.
Naruto gave her a weak grin, shuffling over to the table. "Relax, Oba-san. Just training. First day."
Tsunade set down her knife, brow furrowing. "…Training?"
Naruto nodded, sinking onto the tatami mat with a groan. "Yeah. Met someone. Name's Toshinori. Old guy, pretty beat up, but… he saw me during the sludge incident. Said he saw potential." He leaned back, letting his head tip against the wall. "Wants to help me get stronger. Train me."
Tsunade's golden-brown eyes narrowed slightly. "…You trust him?"
Naruto's grin widened, tired but genuine. "Yeah. I do. He's… different. Doesn't feel like he's blowing smoke, y'know? He's serious. Thinks I can be something. So I'm gonna take him up on it."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment. She could see it in his eyes—the fire, the determination. The grief was still there, but it no longer drowned him. It fueled him.
Finally, she sighed, shaking her head. "You're just like your mother."
Naruto blinked. "That a compliment?"
A small smile tugged at Tsunade's lips. "Depends on the day. But today… yeah. It is."
Dinner that night was quiet, comfortable. Naruto ate like a starving wolf, every bite refueling his battered body. Tsunade watched him, her expression a mix of worry and pride. She didn't press for more details—didn't ask who Toshinori really was, or why this stranger had taken such an interest. She trusted Naruto's instincts, even if they scared her sometimes.
When the plates were empty and the dishes washed, Naruto lingered by the sliding door, staring out at the moonlit garden. His voice was quiet, but firm.
"I'm gonna do it, Oba-san. I'm gonna be the hero Izzy never got the chance to be. I'll make you proud."
Tsunade walked over, resting a hand on his shoulder. Her voice was soft, but steady. "You already do, brat. Now go get some sleep. You'll need it."
Naruto smirked faintly, exhaustion finally pulling at his eyelids. "Heh. Yes, ma'am."
And so the days began to blur together.
Every morning, Naruto was on Dagobah Beach before the sun had fully risen. The salty air bit at his lungs, the rust and oil stench clinging to his skin, but he didn't falter. Piles of twisted metal and rotting trash became his enemies. He lifted, dragged, hauled, and smashed until sweat poured off him in rivers, his red hair sticking flat to his face.
Toshinori was always there—thin and frail in his small form, standing at a distance with a stopwatch in one hand and a notebook in the other. He barked instructions, adjusted Naruto's pace, and forced him to repeat the same motions again and again.
"Don't just move it—move it faster! Stamina, not just strength!"
"Shorten your rest! Push until you can barely breathe, then push further!"
Every muscle in Naruto's body screamed. His quirk healed the microtears and bruises instantly, but the exhaustion was inescapable. The constant drain left him stumbling, gasping, his legs shaking under him. More than once he collapsed face-first into the sand, chest heaving like a man about to drown.
But each time, he forced himself back up.
And each time, Toshinori's sharp eyes gleamed with more approval. He doesn't stay down. No matter what. That's the kind of will One For All needs.
By the time Naruto returned home at dusk, he was a wreck. Sweat still clung to him even after the shower, and his appetite was bottomless. Tsunade's table became a battlefield where he devoured bowl after bowl of rice, fish, and soup.
"Slow down before you choke," Tsunade muttered, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her pride.
Naruto only grinned through a mouthful of food. "Can't. Toshi-sensei's training me like he's got a vendetta against trash. If I don't eat like this, I won't survive tomorrow."
Tsunade shook her head, sipping her tea. "That old man's lucky you've got that quirk backing you. Anyone else would've collapsed for good by now."
Naruto laughed tiredly. "Guess that makes me special, huh?"
They spent their evenings quietly, grief still lingering like a shadow in the corners of the home, but slowly… it wasn't as heavy. Sometimes they'd talk about Izuku and Inko—fond memories, embarrassing stories, little things that kept them alive in their hearts. Other times, they didn't talk at all, simply sitting side by side, the sound of rain on the shoji screens filling the silence.
One night, Tsunade caught Naruto staring at the shrine they'd set up for Inko and Izuku in the corner of the room—framed photos surrounded by fresh flowers.
"You're too young to carry this much weight," she said softly, almost to herself.
Naruto's jaw clenched, his voice low but steady. "Then I'll get stronger. Strong enough to carry it all."
Tsunade's heart ached, but she didn't argue. Instead, she placed a hand on his head, ruffling his damp red hair. "You really are your mother's son."
Naruto grinned faintly, eyes glistening but burning with resolve. "Damn right."
By the fourth day, the beach was beginning to show small patches of sand. The work was still grueling, the piles still endless, but progress was visible. And for Naruto, that was enough.
Every day followed the same rhythm: lift, drag, sprint, haul, repeat. Sweat poured from his body in rivers. His lungs burned with every breath. Cuts and scrapes vanished as quickly as they came, his quirk erasing them—but exhaustion could not be healed. His stamina was tested again and again, until even standing felt like a war.
Yet each time he collapsed, Toshinori's voice cut through the haze.
"Up again! Don't let your body dictate your will!"
And each time, Naruto pushed himself back to his feet.
But not everything was sweat and silence. As the days stretched on, a rhythm of banter emerged.
"You know, Toshi-sensei," Naruto groaned one afternoon as he heaved the husk of a refrigerator across the sand, "if this was supposed to be training, you should've just hired me a part-time job with the garbage collectors."
Toshinori chuckled, arms crossed. "Then I'd have to pay you. This way, you suffer for free."
Naruto barked out a laugh despite himself, nearly dropping the fridge. "You're evil."
"Evil with a purpose," Toshinori shot back, his grin faint but genuine.
By the end of the week, when the sun sank low and the sky burned orange, Naruto found himself sitting in the sand beside Toshinori, both of them too exhausted to move. The salty breeze ruffled his red hair, still damp with sweat.
For a long time, they sat in silence, listening to the waves. Then Toshinori spoke, his voice low and distant.
"I lost someone too, once."
Naruto turned his head, surprised. Toshinori rarely spoke without his usual careful tone.
"My teacher. The one who gave me this power. She was… everything to me. Mentor, guide, family. When I lost her, I thought the world had ended. That nothing could fill the hole." His thin shoulders hunched, his gaunt face shadowed by the fading light. "I buried myself in the work. Smiled for the world, but inside… I was breaking."
Naruto looked down at his scarred hands, words catching in his throat. "…Sounds familiar."
Toshinori gave a small, sad chuckle. "I thought I'd never feel whole again. But over time, I realized something. Carrying her memory, living in a way she would've been proud of—that kept her alive in me. It didn't erase the pain… but it gave it meaning."
Naruto swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "…Izuku was like that. Always pushing forward, even when he had nothing. If he saw me giving up, he'd probably throw a fit and hype me up."
Toshinori smirked faintly. "Then we'll keep them alive through our actions. Through every step forward."
For the first time since the fire, Naruto's shoulders eased. The grief was still there—raw, sharp—but it wasn't crushing him. Not anymore.
He looked out over the water, fists tightening with resolve. "Yeah… every step forward. For him. For Auntie Inko. I'll make them proud."
Toshinori nodded slowly, his thin frame outlined by the dying sun. "That's the spirit, young Uzumaki."
And in that quiet moment, mentor and student sat together, not as the Symbol of Peace and his successor, but as two men bound by loss, determination, and the unyielding will to keep moving forward.
—
The Next Day
The clang of metal echoed across Dagobah Beach, sharp and grating against the steady crash of the waves. Naruto's grunts followed, rough and determined, as he strained to heave the gutted shell of an old vending machine across the sand. His red hair stuck to his face, his shirt plastered to his back with sweat, every muscle in his body screaming—but still, he pressed forward.
"Faster, young Uzumaki!" Toshinori called from the sidelines, stopwatch in hand. His thin frame hunched against the breeze, but his sharp eyes didn't waver. "Speed and consistency—don't stop now!"
Naruto let out a breathless laugh as he pushed the vending machine into place, his chest heaving. "Heh—you're gonna kill me, Toshi-sensei!"
"Better me than a villain!" Toshinori shot back, though his grin was wide and proud.
Naruto barked out another laugh despite himself, nearly dropping the fridge he grabbed next.
From the edge of the beach, another pair of eyes watched quietly.
Tsunade stood barefoot in the sand, her arms folded under her impressive chest, eyes narrowed in critical observation. She'd come unannounced, curiosity finally getting the better of her after days of watching her nephew return home half-dead from exhaustion.
Now, seeing it for herself, she couldn't deny it—the training was brutal. Naruto's quirk erased his scrapes and bruises before they had time to bloom, but his exhaustion was obvious. His movements grew heavier, slower with every trip across the sand, though his determination never faltered.
Still… he was pushing his limits. Constantly.
Her gaze shifted to the man overseeing him. Yagi Toshinori . Thin as a reed, gaunt, pale. Malnourished was the first word that came to mind. She could see it in the way his shoulders slumped even when he stood straight, the slight tremor in his fingers when he thought no one was looking, the hollowness around his eyes. And yet, for all that frailty, his presence carried weight.
He's not ordinary, she thought, her doctor's instincts and sharp intuition both humming at once. Something about him doesn't add up.
Naruto finally dropped a twisted motorcycle frame onto the growing junk pile and collapsed onto the sand, chest heaving as sweat poured down his face. His laughter rang out, tired but unbroken. "That's it—I'm done for today!"
Toshinori clicked the stopwatch, nodding approvingly. "Good. You giving it your all. That's what counts."
"You always say that," Naruto groaned, flopping onto his back. "Still feels like I'm dying."
"Dying means you're doing it right," Toshinori said with a faint grin.
"My my what a cheerful sight you make." The dry voice carried across the beach, catching both men off guard.
Naruto jerked upright, eyes widening. "Oba-san?!"
Tsunade approached with steady steps, the breeze tugging lightly at her blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail. Her sharp gaze flicked between Naruto—sweaty, exhausted, but alive—and Toshinori, who stiffened ever so slightly under her scrutiny.
"Oba-san, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I got curious," Tsunade replied evenly, her gaze still on Toshinori. "Wanted to see exactly what kind of training has my nephew dragging himself home looking half-dead every night."
Toshinori straightened, forcing a polite smile as he tucked the stopwatch into his coat pocket. "Ah. You must be Senju Tsunade. Naruto has mentioned you often. A pleasure to finally meet you."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Likewise. Yagi Toshinori, correct?"
He gave a small bow, though the motion made him wince faintly. "Correct. I've taken it upon myself to help guide young Uzumaki. He's… remarkable. I saw potential in him, and I believe with the right conditioning, he'll go far."
Tsunade's sharp gaze flicked to the cleared stretch of sand, the neatly stacked piles of trash. Then back to Naruto, who was wiping sweat from his brow but still smiling. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Your methods are… unconventional," she said at last. "But effective. I can see the purpose in it—forcing him to work not just for strength, but for endurance. His stamina has always been his weak point. You've honed in on that."
Toshinori inclined his head. "You have a keen eye, Ms. Senju."
Tsunade smirked faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm a doctor. I know how to evaluate a body. And right now, I'm looking at a boy who's exhausted to the bone… and a teacher who looks like he's in worse shape than his student."
Toshinori stiffened, his smile faltering for just a heartbeat.
Naruto blinked between them, sensing the tension. "…Oba-san…"
But Tsunade didn't press further—not yet. Her sharp eyes stayed fixed on Toshinori, her mind piecing together the inconsistencies. Too thin. Rations his movements. A body that screams injury, yet eyes that burn with experience. And those eyes…
She'd seen them before. On posters. In magazines. On TV. Blue as the summer sky, piercing even in this frail body.
All Might's eyes.
The thought locked into place, undeniable.
Tsunade's gaze sharpened, the weight of it pinning Toshinori in place. "You're All Might."
The words struck like a thunderclap.
Toshinori froze, lips parting soundlessly.
Naruto blinked, jerking upright. "Hold up—Oba-san, you figured that out?!"
Tsunade gave him a flat look. "Of course I did. You really thought I wouldn't notice the most famous set of blue eyes in Japan staring at me?"
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. "Tch… yeah, guess that was dumb of me…"
Toshinori coughed into his fist, trying to gather himself. "Now, Ms. Senju, I—"
"Save it," Tsunade cut him off, her tone sharp as a blade. "Don't insult me with denials. I don't care about the costume, or the name. What I care about is Naruto. And if you're the one training him, you'd better prove you're worth that trust."
Naruto whistled low, glancing between them. "…Well, Toshi-sensei, welcome to the real test."
Tsunade turned toward the path leading off the beach, her steps steady. "Good. Then prove it over dinner. When you're finished here, you're both coming back with me. I want to talk to you properly."
Naruto gawked. "Dinner?! Oba-san, you're inviting—"
"Yes. Dinner. Don't argue." she said her tone leaving little room for argument.
Naruto shut his mouth instantly, grinning sheepishly. "…Yes, ma'am."
Toshinori chuckled under his breath, watching her stride ahead with the commanding ease of someone who'd been running things long before he came along. "She's formidable," he murmured.
Naruto huffed a laugh, tugging the towel tighter around his shoulders. "You have no idea."
Chapter End.
And so begins the cleaning of the Dagobah. I felt Naruto would refuse one for all for now wanting to honor the memory of his friend. And we also got a more in depth explanation of Naruto's quirk which I decided to name Life Force in honor of the Uzumaki clan. Let's just say it's not just simple regeneration. Someone stated in a review that overpowered regen seemed like it wouldn't be a super useful power for a hero. Which would be right but as you can see this is not a simple suped up regen. Now just imagine a healing factor that simply ignores the law of nature that surrounds our cells. It's more than just overpowered healing. If Naruto has the stamina, he could essentially just never die making him a hero/fighter that can keep going and just never be out of the fight, which is why I think it's very good counterbalance for it to be based off the stamina, especially depending on the injury it could take more stamina to heal. So thus it's overpowered but not too overpowered to be broken at least at the beginning stages of the story. Hope you guys like the explanation and I hope that you enjoyed the chapter and just so you know, we're going to have a lot of chapters before we get to UA. We're going to spend some time seeing Naruto work his way there and work through His grief for losing Izuku trying to adjust to life without his friend. And now for the results of the pairing poll. For a bit it was close but in the end it was Momo that came out on top. Now I'm sure some will be disappointed but I'll assure you guys I will write it to the best of my abilities and make it worthwhile to keep reading. Oh and just a heads up chapters may come in eradicts bursts now my wife and I are haveing lur second child on tuesday so I'll be adjusting to that wish me luck. Leave your thoughts in a review and I'll see you guys next time
Chapter 5: Guardians At the Dinner Table
The sun was dipping lower, painting the sky in streaks of amber and violet as the three of them made their way through the quiet streets. Naruto's towel hung loose around his shoulders, his steps dragging slightly from the day's labor. Toshinori walked beside him, tall coat pulled tight, his gaunt frame outlined by the fading light. Tsunade followed at a steady pace, her eyes flicking between the two men.
For a while, none of them spoke. Only the sound of sandals scuffing pavement and the distant hum of evening traffic filled the silence.
Finally, Naruto broke it, his voice low and rough from exhaustion. "This training… it's brutal. Feels like no matter how hard I push, it's never enough."
Toshinori glanced at him, his expression calm but steady. "That's because it isn't about one day of effort. It's about all the days stacked together. You're building more than strength—you're building endurance. Willpower. Those don't come quickly."
Naruto let out a faint chuckle, though it held no real mirth. "Yeah… I guess Izzy would've liked hearing that. He always believed in pushing forward, even when it hurt." His smile flickered, then faded as his gaze dropped to the pavement. "Still feels wrong… doing this without him."
The words hung heavy in the cooling air. Toshinori slowed his stride, his gaunt face softening. "Loss doesn't vanish in a week, young Uzumaki. It never really goes away. But… what you do with it—that's what defines you."
Naruto's fists clenched at his sides, knuckles white. "…Then I'll use it. Every ounce of it. I'll push until there's nothing left to give."
Tsunade finally spoke up, her tone quiet but firm. "Just remember, Naruto—it's not about burning yourself out. Your strength won't mean anything if it kills you."
He glanced at her, then nodded faintly. "…I know, Oba-san."
Silence fell again, but this time it wasn't as heavy. The three walked together, the dim glow of street lamps guiding them. Toshinori, after a moment, gave a small smile. "You remind me of myself, at your age. I thought carrying the weight of the world meant never showing weakness. But… I learned strength also comes from those who stand beside you."
Naruto's gaze flicked toward him, blue eyes burning faintly despite his exhaustion. "…Then I'll learn that too. For Izzy. For Auntie Inko. For everyone who's gone."
Toshinori nodded slowly, respect glinting in his tired eyes. "That's a worthy vow."
Tsunade, watching quietly, said nothing more. She could see it—the bond forming between them. Not forced, not immediate, but a fragile thread beginning to weave itself stronger with every step.
By the time the compound gates came into view at the top of the hill, the silence between them no longer felt hollow. It felt… steady.
The Uzumaki-Senju compound was warm and alive that evening. The faint smell of miso and grilled fish lingered in the air, the sliding doors open to let in the night breeze. The dining room was simple but elegant—polished wood, low table, the kind of traditional setting that radiated a quiet dignity.
Naruto sat cross-legged on one side, his red hair still damp from a quick wash, wolfing down rice and pickled vegetables with the kind of hunger only hard training could earn. Across from him, Toshinori ate more slowly, polite and deliberate, though his frail frame seemed almost out of place in such a home. Tsunade sat at the head, pouring tea with a steady hand, her sharp eyes softer than usual as she watched her nephew eat like he hadn't seen food in days.
For a little while, the conversation was light. Naruto rambled about how he'd nearly collapsed dragging an old car across the beach, and Tsunade snorted at the image. Toshinori added the occasional dry remark, and even though it was simple, even though the grief still lingered in the corners, there was warmth in the air. A sense of family.
Eventually, Tsunade set her tea down, leaning forward slightly. Her golden-brown eyes fixed on Toshinori. "So. You're focusing his training on stamina and endurance."
Naruto glanced up, chopsticks paused halfway to his mouth. "Here we go…"
Toshinori straightened, nodding carefully. "Correct. His quirk… Life Force, was it? It's extraordinary. But it burns through his stamina like a furnace. If he doesn't build his endurance, he'll burn himself out long before the fight's over. I want to ensure he can last."
Tsunade hummed in approval. "Smart. If he's got stamina in surplus, his quirk won't be a crutch—it'll be an advantage." She leaned back, folding her arms. "But there's another effect you're probably overlooking."
Toshinori tilted his head. "Another effect?"
Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "Did you know that every time you tear a muscle, when it heals, it comes back stronger? That's how training really works. Microscopic damage, then repair. And when the repair is constant, the body adapts." She tapped her temple lightly. "Naruto's quirk accelerates the healing. Every tear, every strain, every shred of exhaustion—it's rebuilding him faster. Which means…"
Naruto blinked, mouth half full of rice. "…I'm gonna get stronger, too, huh?"
"Exactly." She gestured with her chopsticks. "Your endurance is being pushed to its limit, but your strength is quietly multiplying too. Day by day."
Toshinori's brows rose, genuine surprise flickering across his face. "…I hadn't considered that." He gave a faint, sheepish laugh. "Truthfully, I've never had a knack for the medical side of things."
Tsunade smirked. "That's obvious."
Naruto coughed into his rice to cover his laugh.
Toshinori, still curious, asked, "If I may… how do you know so much? I understand you're a doctor, but your knowledge goes beyond simply that."
For a moment, Tsunade's gaze grew distant, almost wistful. Then she set her cup down and leaned back. "Back in my younger days, I wasn't ready to just sit in an office. I was a hothead. Thought the world needed my fists as much as it needed my medical charts." She gave a low chuckle. "So I went abroad with two of my closest friends. We worked, we fought, we lived recklessly. And along the way, I learned exactly what my body could take."
Naruto leaned forward, interested despite himself. "Oba-san…"
Tsunade reached over to a small shelf beside the table and plucked up a decorative stone orb, polished and heavy. She weighed it in her hand for a moment, then slowly closed her fist.
With a faint crack, the stone began to splinter. A moment later, it crumbled in her palm, pieces falling to the table like gravel.
Naruto's eyes went wide. "…You've been holding out on me."
Toshinori's brows shot up, stunned. "Incredible. So your quirk grants you—"
"Call it enhanced strength, as a side effect of my medical quirk." Tsunade brushed the dust from her hand and took another sip of tea as though nothing had happened. "I never liked being caged into one role. If I was going to heal, I wanted to be able to fight too. To make sure I could protect the people who needed it."
She set her cup down, her eyes sharp again as they met Toshinori's. "That's why I understand exactly what you're doing with him. And I approve. But you'd better keep him alive in the process."
Toshinori inclined his head, sincerity in his voice. "You have my word."
Naruto looked between them, swallowing down another bite of rice. "…Remind me never to piss you off again."
For the first time in days, Tsunade let out a genuine laugh.
Naruto perked up suddenly, chopsticks frozen halfway to his mouth. "Wait. Two friends? Oba-san, don't tell me—you and Ero-Jiji were heroes together back in your heyday?!"
Tsunade blinked, then gave a dry snort, hiding her smirk behind her tea. "Ero-Jiji… honestly, Naruto."
Toshinori glanced between them, intrigued. "Ero… Jiji?"
Naruto waved his hand. "Jiraiya. He's… let's just say, not the most dignified guy, but he's like family. He pops in once in a while, when he's not out there chasing some wild goose story or writing his stupid novels."
Toshinori's brows furrowed faintly, though recognition stirred in his eyes. "Jiraiya… I've heard the name in passing. Abroad. Europe, I think. Reputation for being… unorthodox. But effective."
Tsunade gave a faint smile. "That would be him."
Naruto leaned forward eagerly. "So it's true then? You and Jiraiya really were heroes? Together?"
Tsunade set her cup down, her expression softening with a trace of nostalgia. "…Yes. We were. Not here in Japan, though. After we graduated from our training days, we left. The system here was too rigid, too suffocating. We wanted to do things differently. So we went abroad."
Naruto's eyes sparkled, though he kept his voice quiet out of respect. "Where?"
"Eastern Europe," she answered after a pause. "It was… a volatile time. Plenty of strife, plenty of work for people like us. We didn't make a name in the newspapers, but we earned a reputation. The locals called us the Sannin—three who would stand against anything no idea on the ninja part."
Toshinori's eyes widened slightly. "The Sannin… I've heard that title. Old reports from hero networks overseas. Never any names, just whispers of three powerful operatives who turned the tide of conflicts no one else dared touch."
Tsunade chuckled dryly. "That's us. Me, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru." Her voice softened on the last name, and for a moment her gaze fell to the table. "We were unstoppable. Until we weren't."
Naruto's smile faltered. "Orochimaru…"
"He's gone," Tsunade said simply. Her tone was steady, but her hand tightened slightly around her cup. "He pushed too far, chasing things none of us could follow him into. When we lost him, the team fell apart. And I…" She took a breath. "…I got word not long after that my younger sister, Kushina, was pregnant. That was enough for me. I came back to Japan. To be near family. To be there for her, for Minato, and for the boy they would bring into the world."
Her eyes softened as they landed on Naruto. "For you."
Naruto swallowed hard, his chest tightening. "Oba-san…"
For a moment, silence fell, broken only by the faint clink of Toshinori's teacup as he set it down. His voice was quiet, respectful. "…I see. Then it was more than just a choice of career. It was a choice of family."
Tsunade gave a faint nod. "Exactly. And I don't regret it. Not one bit. But don't mistake that for me being blind to what this life costs. I've seen it. Lived it. Lost friends to it. And I'll be damned if I let Naruto go in unprepared."
Naruto's fists clenched, but he gave her a determined smile through the weight in his chest. "Then I'll make sure I'm ready. For all of them—for you, for Izzy, for everyone I've lost. I'll carry it."
Tsunade reached across the table, resting her hand gently over his. "…That's all I can ask, brat."
The warmth that had lingered around the dinner table seemed to ebb with every second Tsunade's gaze lingered on Toshinori. The faint smile that had softened her features before was gone now, replaced with the sharp, critical edge that Naruto knew all too well. The kind of look that had frozen more than one cocky instructor in their tracks when she thought they weren't treating her boy right.
She leaned forward, folding her hands on the table, her golden-brown eyes narrowing slightly. "So Yagi Toshinori." She began slowly, her voice even, but there was weight behind it. "What's the real reason you're training my boy?"
Toshinori blinked, his hand tightening slightly around his teacup. "I've already said it—Naruto's potential—"
"Don't." The single word cut him off like a blade.
Naruto glanced between them, shoulders stiffening at the sudden drop in the room's temperature.
Tsunade's voice remained calm, but her tone was merciless. "Don't give me that line. Anyone with eyes can see Naruto's potential. You didn't need to step in for that. The Symbol of Peace doesn't go out of his way to train random kids just because they show promise. So why him?"
Toshinori shifted, clearly uncomfortable, his gaunt face shadowed in the lamplight. "Senju-san, I assure you—"
"You don't need to assure me of anything," Tsunade snapped lightly, though her tone never raised. "You need to answer the question. What are you hiding?"
The silence stretched, thick as smoke. Naruto shifted in his seat, biting his lip as he looked at his aunt's piercing gaze locked squarely onto his teacher.
Toshinori's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's… complicated."
"Life's complicated." Tsunade shot back. "Try again."
The older man's eyes flicked to Naruto, almost pleading. But the redhead didn't look away. Instead, Naruto leaned forward, his expression steady but gentle. "Toshi-sensei… tell her. It's okay."
Tsunade's gaze flicked toward her nephew briefly, then back to Toshinori. Naruto's expression had none of the playful light she was used to—it was steady, serious, and somehow older than his years.
"Oba-san deserves to know," Naruto said firmly. "If you trust me enough to put me through this… you can trust her too."
For a moment, Toshinori said nothing. His frail shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath, his blue eyes shadowed by something heavier than fatigue.
Finally, he set his teacup down with a soft clink. "…Very well. But what I'm about to tell you does not leave this room."
Tsunade didn't blink. "If it concerns my nephew's life, I want every detail."
Naruto sat back slightly, tension coiled in his shoulders but his eyes unwavering. "Go on, Toshi-sensei. Tell her what it's all about."
The room had gone still. The cicadas outside sang faintly in the warm night air, but in the Uzumaki-Senju home, silence pressed heavy against the three at the table. Toshinori sat straighter, his long coat hanging loose around his frail frame. His blue eyes, normally bright and commanding, were shadowed by something heavier.
He exhaled slowly. "…My quirk… isn't mine by birth."
Tsunade's eyes sharpened, her posture leaning forward ever so slightly.
Toshinori continued, his voice quieter now, but steady. "It's called One For All. A power passed down from one person to the next, generation to generation. Each bearer carries not only the strength of their predecessor, but their will. I was chosen as the eighth successor."
Tsunade's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't interrupt.
"The truth is… my time with it is nearly done." He opened his coat slowly, pulling the fabric aside to reveal the deep, jagged scar carved into his left side. Tsunade's sharp eyes immediately traced its edges, taking in the puckered, brutal damage. "I suffered this injury years ago in a battle. Since then, I've been… half a man. I can only maintain my form for a limited time each day. The symbol of peace… is running on borrowed time."
Naruto's chest tightened at the words, but Toshinori pressed on.
"That is why I am training Naruto. Because One For All must be passed on before I can no longer wield it. And I believe—no, I know—he is worthy."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. Her voice was low, but cutting. "…Why my boy?"
Toshinori turned his gaze to her, unflinching. "Because I saw him. Truly saw him. During the sludge villain incident… when all others froze, he moved. Not for glory, not for recognition, but because his friend was in danger. His body reacted before his mind even caught up. That is the essence of heroism. Instinctive, selfless action in the face of fear."
He leaned forward, voice gaining quiet strength. "I've seen many young men and women with power. With potential. But raw power means nothing without that will. Naruto has it. The unyielding drive to act, no matter the cost. That is why I chose him."
Naruto swallowed, his throat tight, but the fire in his chest burned steady at Toshinori's words. Tsunade, however, wasn't so easily swayed.
"You speak like a man who's already made up his mind." she said, her tone unreadable. "But you're asking my nephew to inherit not just your power, but your burden. To carry the weight of the world on his back. That's no small thing, Yagi-san."
"I know." His voice dropped softer. "But I see no one more fit for it. Not here. Not now. Naruto's spirit… it reminds me of myself. Of who I was before the injury. He doesn't just carry potential—he carries the heart of a hero."
The three sat in heavy silence for a long moment. Naruto's fists clenched at his knees, his blue eyes flicking between his aunt and his mentor. He could feel the gravity of the moment pressing down on him, but beneath it all, there was something else.
Hope.
The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Toshinori's gaze was steady, his conviction unshakable. But across from him, Tsunade's eyes darkened, her fingers tightening against the table's edge.
"You think you can just decide that?" Her voice was quiet, but sharp enough to cut. "That my boy should carry your burden because you see something in him? Because he reminds you of you?"
Naruto flinched at the sharpness in her tone, his chest tightening.
Tsunade's eyes burned as she leaned forward, pinning Toshinori with her stare. "You weren't there the nights he cried himself to sleep, calling for parents who couldn't answer. You weren't the one picking him up when he fell apart, when the world tried to break him before he even had a chance to grow. I was. I raised him. I was there for every tear, every scrape, every scar. He is not just my nephew—he is my son. And I will not let anyone treat him like some vessel to be filled with power just because it's convenient."
Her words cracked the air like thunder. Even Toshinori, who had faced villains beyond imagination, found himself silent under the weight of her fury.
Naruto swallowed hard, looking at his aunt, his heart aching at the pain etched into her voice. "…Oba-san…"
For a moment, the silence was suffocating. Then Tsunade's voice softened, though it trembled at the edges. "He's already lost so much. Too much. And now you want him to take on your wounds, your legacy? Do you understand what you're asking of him? What it will do to him?"
Toshinori lowered his head, his gaunt features shadowed. "…I do. And I wouldn't ask if I wasn't certain. I don't see Naruto as a vessel. I see him as a hero. The kind the world needs. The kind I can't be anymore."
Tsunade's fists unclenched slowly, her breath shaking as she leaned back. Her eyes glistened faintly, but she didn't look away.
Naruto finally spoke, his voice steady though his chest was tight. "Oba-san… I want this. Not just for me. For Izzy. For Auntie Inko. For everyone who believed in me. If this is the path… I'll walk it."
Her gaze flicked to him then, and the resolve in his blue eyes made her heart ache all over again.
Tsunade pressed her lips together, then reached across the table, her hand finding Naruto's. "…Then you won't walk it alone. You hear me? No matter what happens, I'll be there every step of the way. I won't let this world take you from me too."
Naruto's throat tightened, his eyes stinging as he nodded. "I know, Oba-san. I know."
At last, Tsunade exhaled, her shoulders easing. Her gaze returned to Toshinori, still sharp but no longer hostile. "…I don't like this. I may never like it. But… I can see what you mean. The world doesn't need another powerhouse—it needs someone who acts when it matters. And that's him."
Toshinori gave a small nod, respect shining in his tired eyes. "Then we understand each other."
The heaviness of their words lingered in the quiet dining room, like smoke that refused to clear. Finally, Tsunade pushed her empty teacup aside and fixed her gaze on Naruto.
"You should probably get to bed, brat," she said softly, but firmly. "You've got a lot of training ahead of you. And now that I'm involved, I'll be overseeing it too—with my medical expertise. You'll need every ounce of rest."
Naruto blinked, then a slow, tired smile spread across his face. "I don't really get all that medical stuff, Oba-san, but… thank you. For trusting me with this."
Before she could respond, he got up and stepped around the table. Tsunade started to protest—Naruto wasn't usually one for sappy gestures—but stopped when he pulled her into a tight hug.
"I know this wasn't easy for you," he murmured, his voice thick. "But I love you for giving me this chance. I won't waste it."
Her throat tightened as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. "You'd better not, brat."
When they parted, Naruto gave her a final nod before heading down the hall toward his room, his footsteps soft against the wood. The shoji door slid shut behind him, leaving Tsunade and Toshinori alone at the low table.
Toshinori shifted slightly, his thin frame seeming smaller without Naruto's presence beside him. "…Perhaps I should be going as well. It's late, and I've had a long night already."
But Tsunade shook her head. "No. Sit tight." She rose gracefully, her long hair shifting across her shoulders as she moved toward the kitchen. "I want to talk more with you."
Toshinori paused, then inclined his head. "…Very well."
She glanced back over her shoulder, one brow arched. "Go out back. Sit on the porch. The night air will do us both good. Do you want sake?"
He raised a hand politely. "No, thank you. Tea would be preferable. Especially with my… condition. I pushed my body just eating dinner."
A faint smirk tugged at Tsunade's lips. "Tea it is."
Toshinori dipped his head in gratitude and moved toward the back porch, sliding open the door that led to the small engawa overlooking the garden. The cicadas still sang in the darkness, and the lanterns in the yard cast a soft golden glow.
As he settled himself down onto the wooden step, he let out a long breath he hadn't realized he was holding. This wasn't the first time he'd been pressed, interrogated, or made to reveal his truth. But something about tonight, about Tsunade's eyes boring into him, had rattled him more than he expected.
A moment later, the door slid open again, and Tsunade stepped out with a tray balanced effortlessly in her hands. On one side sat a teapot with steam curling from its spout, accompanied by a simple ceramic cup. On the other, a tall bottle of sake with a smaller cup already filled to the brim.
She set the tray down between them and lowered herself onto the wooden step beside him. With a practiced motion, she poured his tea, sliding the cup toward him before plucking up her own sake.
"Tea for you," she said, her tone dry but not unkind. Then she raised her own cup and took a long sip without hesitation. "And something stronger for me. Don't look so surprised. This is how I unwind."
Toshinori offered a faint smile as he accepted the tea, bowing his head slightly in thanks. "Hardly surprised. Somehow, it suits you."
Tsunade smirked into her drink. "Damn right it does."
For a brief moment, neither spoke. They simply sat in companionable quiet, listening to the cicadas and the faint rustle of leaves in the garden. The glow from the lanterns painted their faces in warm gold, two veterans of very different struggles sitting side by side, sharing silence at the edge of night.
For a time, the two of them sat in silence, the night air cool and crisp against their skin. Above, the stars peeked faintly through the haze of city light, and the cicadas carried on their endless chorus. Toshinori sipped his tea carefully, savoring the warmth as though it anchored him. Beside him, Tsunade leaned back on one hand, her sake cup glinting in the lantern light as she took another long drink.
Finally, she set the cup down with a faint clink. "Well," she said, her tone calm but cutting, "since you're insisting on being part of my boy's life, and since you're so damn set on handing him this 'oh-so-great power'. I need to know more about you."
Toshinori blinked, turning slightly toward her. "…More about me?"
"That injury," she said bluntly, her eyes narrowing. "I want details. All of them. How much damage are we talking here? Don't hold back. I've seen more than my fair share of ruined bodies, and if you want me to trust you with Naruto, you're going to give me the truth."
For a moment, Toshinori hesitated, his gaunt features shadowed by the porch lanterns. His instinct screamed to deflect, to shrug it off, but the weight of her gaze was immovable. Slowly, he let out a long, weary breath. "…Very well."
He shifted, opening his coat again. The scarred ruin of his left side was illuminated in the glow, and even for a veteran like Tsunade, it was a sobering sight.
"It happened in a battle, years ago," he said quietly. "The blow tore through my stomach and left lung. Even with the best treatment… the damage was permanent. I lost most of my respiratory capacity, and my digestive system barely functions. Maintaining my muscle form strains me. I can only hold it for a few hours at best before the toll becomes unbearable."
Tsunade studied him with sharp, clinical eyes, but there was no judgment in her expression, only a grim understanding. "And treatment? Are you doing anything now?"
He nodded slightly. "I've had Recovery Girl's care, of course. She's done everything possible. But there's only so much even her quirk can do. At this point… it's just surviving. I push as far as I can each day, then wait for whatever comes next."
A silence fell again, heavier now. Tsunade swirled the sake in her cup, her honey brown eyes narrowed in thought. Finally, she let out a low huff, almost a scoff. "That old lady's getting complacent in her old age. Too used to patching up kids and sending them back out. You don't have to worry, Yagi. You've got me looking into this now."
Toshinori blinked, genuinely surprised. "…You'd…?"
"Of course I would," Tsunade cut in, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. She raised her cup, her voice softer but firm. "You're training my boy. That means you're family now, whether you like it or not. And I take care of my family."
Toshinori looked at her for a long moment, then gave a small, genuine smile. One of the few that reached his tired eyes. "…Thank you."
Tsunade smirked faintly, tossing back the last of her sake. "Don't thank me yet. I'm not in the business of miracles, but I'll do what I can. Just don't think I'm letting you off easy."
Toshinori chuckled, the sound low and rough but real.
Tsunade poured herself another cup of sake, the amber liquid catching the lantern light as she swirled it lazily. "I'll get with Recovery Girl," she said matter-of-factly, "compare notes, and dig into whatever records she has. Between the two of us, maybe we can get a clearer picture of what your body needs."
Toshinori's lips pulled into a weary smile, though it lacked much hope. "…I wouldn't get too invested. I've been told enough times — what I lost can't be recovered. I've made my peace with it."
She scoffed, tossing back her drink before slamming the cup down with more force than necessary. "You have no idea how my quirk works, Yagi." Her golden eyes burned into his, her tone firm but not unkind. "I can't bring the dead back, sure. But there are miracles I can work. Things most doctors wouldn't even dream of. If I know what's wrong, if I know it down to the smallest detail… I can fix damn near anything. So don't tell me what can't be done. You'll just make yourself look like an idiot."
Toshinori blinked, taken aback, then chuckled faintly, lifting his tea. "…I see why young Naruto respects you so much."
"Damn right he does." she muttered, refilling her sake.
For a few moments, they sat in silence again, the cicadas filling the gap. Then Tsunade leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "So. If this One For All is going to be part of my boy's life, I need to know exactly how it works. How do you even transfer a quirk like that? What should I be expecting?"
Toshinori hesitated, but her stare brooked no denial. He set his cup down, folding his long fingers together. "…The transfer requires intent. I must be willing to give it up, and the successor must be willing to take it. That connection of will is essential. But… there's also a physical requirement."
Her brow arched. "Physical?"
He nodded, a little sheepish. "They must ingest a fragment of my DNA. Hair, blood… something of that nature. Only then can One For All pass on."
Tsunade frowned, but stayed silent, urging him to continue.
"The power itself… it's unique. Unlike most quirks, it doesn't stay static. Every time it's passed on, it multiplies. It stockpiles the strength of its previous users, compounding itself in each new successor." He glanced at her, his expression grim but honest. "What I wield now is already more than what my master gave me. And I've carried it for thirty-five years, pouring my own strength into it the entire time. By the time it reaches Naruto… it will be far greater than anything I've ever touched."
Tsunade leaned back slightly, her eyes narrowing as she absorbed the information. "So you're telling me what you've been throwing around all these years. The punches that level city blocks, the power that built your reputation as the Symbol of Peace. That's just the baseline. And Naruto will have even more stacked on top of it."
"…Yes," Toshinori admitted. His voice was quiet but firm. "When he accepts it, he'll inherit not just my strength, but the compounded will of all who came before."
Tsunade exhaled through her nose, her gaze flicking toward the hallway where Naruto slept. Her fingers drummed against her sake cup. "…Then I'll say it again. He won't be walking this path alone. He'll have me at his back, and if this quirk of yours threatens to break him, you'll answer to me, Yagi."
Despite himself, Toshinori chuckled, raising his tea in salute. "Understood."
The porch lantern flickered softly in the night breeze. Tsunade poured herself another measure of sake, while Toshinori nursed what remained of his tea. For a while, they simply sat — two veterans of different battles, bound by circumstance, sharing the quiet hum of cicadas and the smell of summer air.
Tsunade finally broke the silence, her tone softer than it had been all night. "You know… you're not what I expected."
Toshinori arched a thin brow. "Oh?"
She smirked faintly, swirling her drink. "The Symbol of Peace. I figured you'd be taller even without that muscle form. Louder, maybe. Some pompous blowhard who never shuts up about justice."
He chuckled, the sound low and rough. "I can be loud when I need to be. But pompous?" He shook his head. "No. I've always believed justice doesn't need speeches, just action."
"Fair enough." Tsunade said, raising her cup in mock salute before downing it in one go. "Guess we've both learned that action speaks louder than words."
For a moment, the two sat in easy quiet again, the earlier tension eased into something approaching camaraderie. Toshinori set his empty cup down carefully, then glanced sideways at her.
"If I'm being honest," he admitted, "I'm glad Naruto has you. I've seen too many young people with power and no guidance. He's… different. Grounded. Fierce, yes, but not reckless in spirit. That comes from you."
Tsunade exhaled through her nose, her expression softening just slightly. "…He's my boy. Has been since the day I took him in. Kushina and Minato… they trusted me to look after him, and I'll keep that promise until the day I die."
Toshinori tilted his head at that, his curiosity piqued. He hesitated for a long moment, as though weighing the appropriateness of the question. At last, he spoke.
"…If you don't mind me asking… what happened to young Uzumaki's parents?"
The night seemed to still around them. Tsunade's golden eyes fixed on her sake cup, the faintest shadow crossing her features.
"…That." she said quietly, "Isn't an easy story. But if you're going to be part of Naruto's future, I suppose you deserve to know."
Tsunade was silent for a long moment, staring into her sake cup as though the swirling liquid might show her a different past. Then, with a steadying breath, she spoke.
"…Their names were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. My little sister and her husband."
Toshinori straightened slightly, listening with full attention.
"Kushina… she was fiery. Stubborn as hell, even for an Uzumaki. But she had a healing quirk, much like Naruto's. Not as powerful, not as refined, but strong enough that people used to call her a miracle-worker. Minato, on the other hand, was… different. Calm. Steady. Brilliant." Her lips quirked faintly, remembering. "He had a quirk that let him move at blinding speeds. Faster than the eye could follow. Almost like teleportation, but not quite. The man could outpace lightning itself. And despite that, he chose to take my sister's family name when they married. Said it felt right."
Her smirk faded, replaced by a softness few ever saw from her. "They were in love. The kind of love that made even a cynic like me shut up about it. When they had Naruto, they were overjoyed. For a time, it was… simple. They lived here on the compound with me. Kushina and Minato made that choice together to not be heroes. They could fight hell, they were damn good at it. Martial arts were our family's way of tempering our fire, and Minato took to it like breathing. But they didn't want the danger, the scrutiny. They just wanted a family."
Tsunade's grip tightened on her cup. "And for a few years, they had it. Peace. Happiness. A son they adored more than life itself."
She fell silent, her throat tightening. Toshinori waited patiently.
"Then… I got called away. An old friend in Kyoto was sick, needed me. I left for a few days." Her voice dropped lower. "While I was gone, there was a villain attack. I never got all the details. But from what the police and survivors told me, Minato and Kushina… they fought like hell. They stood their ground to protect Naruto. But in the end, they didn't make it out."
Toshinori's chest tightened. "…And Naruto?"
Her golden eyes glistened, but her voice was steady. "He survived. Four years old, and his parents died shielding him. When I got the call…" Her voice cracked, just for a second. "…I buried my sister. And I swore I'd raise him like my own."
The cicadas filled the silence, their endless song a cruel contrast to the heaviness in her words.
Toshinori sat very still, his mind racing. Fifteen years ago. A villain attack. The description — two civilians with unusual quirks, powerful but unaffiliated, cut down while defending their child. He remembered those years well. That was when he had been tearing apart All For One's empire, dismantling his networks piece by piece. Not every battle had been his, but the ripples of that war had been everywhere.
His gut clenched. He didn't need Tsunade to say the name. He could all but see the thread connecting it.
All For One. One of his minions. Maybe even one of the countless skirmishes I never knew about… and Naruto paid the price.
Toshinori lowered his gaze, guilt twisting in his chest. He clenched his tea cup tight enough his thin knuckles whitened.
Tsunade let out a shaky breath, forcing herself back under control. "So that's the truth of it. That's why I don't hand out my trust easily. That's why I watch over Naruto like a hawk. Because the world already took too much from him once."
She finally turned her eyes to Toshinori, sharp even through the grief. "So if you're going to put my boy in the crosshairs again… you damn well better make sure he survives it."
Toshinori met her gaze, his own voice quiet but firm. "…I will. I swear it."
For a long moment, they just sat there. Two guardians bound by shared losses, staring into the night sky where the stars burned faint and far away.
They lingered on the porch for a while longer, the lantern's glow dimming as the night deepened around them. Their talk drifted away from tragedy and responsibility into smaller things — fragments of normal life. Tsunade shared a story or two about Naruto as a boy, his boundless energy, the way he used to sneak out of bed to practice kicks in the courtyard until he collapsed. Toshinori chuckled, adding his own small anecdotes about overeager heroes he'd mentored/worked with, and for a short while, the weight pressing down on both of them eased.
Eventually, Toshinori rose, setting his cup gently on the tray. "It's late." he said with a polite bow. "I should let you rest. Thank you… for your honesty tonight. It means more than I can say."
Tsunade stood as well, walking him to the engawa's edge. "Don't thank me yet," she replied dryly. "You've got training to lead, and I'll be watching. Don't think for a second you're running this alone."
He gave her a thin, tired smile, but there was gratitude in his eyes. "Somehow… I don't doubt that."
She smirked faintly and saw him off, watching his gaunt frame vanish into the night before finally sinking back down onto the porch. The garden was quiet, lanterns swaying in the breeze, cicadas humming their endless tune. For a long moment, she simply sat there, sake cup dangling from her fingers.
Her eyes lifted to the stars. The words came softly, a whisper meant only for herself. "…Oh, Kushina. Our boy's getting into trouble."
A long sigh escaped her lips, weary but not defeated. She tossed back the last of her drink and set the cup down with a decisive click. "Guess that means I'll have to step in. Make sure he's not doing anything too reckless. And in the meantime…" Her mind turned toward Toshinori's broken body, his wasted form hidden under muscle and bravado. "…I need to get ahold of Chiyo. If I can get the details, the full medical picture, maybe. Just maybe there's something I can do."
She sat there a little longer, the night air cool against her skin, before finally rising. The house was silent as she slid the door open and made her way back inside.
The last thing she allowed herself before bed was one final look down the hallway where Naruto slept. Her expression softened, her resolve hardening alongside it. "Sleep while you can, brat," she murmured. "Tomorrow, we start turning you into the hero you're meant to be."
And with that, Tsunade turned in for the night.