Chapter 7: Crossroads
The week slipped by in a blur of sweat, grit, and the crash of ocean waves.
Every morning at dawn, Naruto reported to Dagobah Beach with a determined fire in his eyes. The routine was simple, yet brutal. Four to five hours of heavy cleaning, moving mountains of junk one piece at a time. The rusted appliances and twisted metal were backbreaking, but each lift, drag, and throw strengthened his body, pushing his healing quirk into constant overdrive as torn muscle knit itself stronger with every repetition.
By midday, Toshinori shifted the training. "Strength alone won't carry you." He'd remind him. "You need to last. Heroes don't get to tap out when they're tired."
So Naruto ran. Long laps across the shoreline, sometimes sprinting, sometimes holding a steady pace, the ocean breeze biting at his lungs. He swam against the tide, arms burning as he cut through the waves. And three days into the regimen, Toshinori introduced something new. An elevation mask designed to restrict his breathing, simulating the thin air of high mountains.
The first time nearly flattened him. His chest heaved, the world tilted, and only sheer stubbornness kept him from ripping the mask off. But each day, he went further. His stamina stretched bit by bit, his endurance climbing higher than either of them expected.
Evenings were for cooldowns, stretches, and quiet meals with Tsunade back at the compound. She watched him carefully, making notes of the way his body adapted. Where others would have collapsed from overtraining, Naruto only grew stronger, his Life Force Quirk repairing the damage almost as quickly as it came. Still, she warned him daily. "Your body might heal, but your stamina doesn't. Don't burn yourself out before the real work begins."
By the week's end, Dagobah Beach was already beginning to show the difference. Whole sections of sand were visible now, the junk piles thinning. Naruto stood tall at the water's edge one evening, sweat-soaked and exhausted, but a grin on his face as he realized. The impossible task was slowly becoming possible.
Sunday evening carried with it a quiet weight. The Uzumaki-Senju compound smelled rich and savory, steam curling from the kitchen as Tsunade prepared a meal she hadn't made in years.
Naruto's nose twitched the moment he stepped inside. His stomach rumbled as he blinked in surprise. "...Ramen?"
Tsunade turned from the counter with a small smirk, ladling steaming broth into bowls. "Of course. Thought you deserved your favorite before tomorrow. Consider it a morale boost."
Naruto chuckled as he slid into his seat, though there was a nervous edge to it. "Heh, you're spoiling me, Oba-san."
"You've earned it." She said simply, setting the bowls down.
The meal was warm, comforting, and nostalgic. For a little while, the weight of training, grief, and the looming return to school faded away as they ate. Tsunade kept sneaking glances up from the medical files she had on the table at her nephew, noting the way his eyes seemed to drift now and then, his chopsticks slowing as thoughts clearly weighed on him.
When the bowls were mostly empty, she leaned back and folded her arms. Her tone softened. "Naruto… if you don't think you're ready, you don't have to go tomorrow. I've already spoken with the principal. One more week, two more weeks. Hell, however long you need. You've been through enough."
Naruto lowered his chopsticks, staring into the last swirls of broth at the bottom of his bowl. For a long moment he said nothing. Then he gave a slow shake of his head, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
"No. I can't avoid it anymore. It's time."
His voice was steady, even if his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "If I run now, I'll just keep running. And that's not who I want to be. That's not who they believed I could be."
Tsunade's eyes softened. She reached across the table, resting her hand over his. "...You've grown up more than you realize, Naruto."
He smiled faintly, though his blue eyes still burned with quiet resolve. "Guess tomorrow we'll find out just how much."
Naruto stretched, letting out a long yawn as he stood from the table. "That was great, Oba-san. Thanks… I think I'm gonna turn in early. Big day tomorrow."
Tsunade didn't look up immediately, her eyes narrowed at the spread of papers on the low table beside her. Toshinori's file was nearly in pieces from how many times she'd flipped through it over the past week, notes scrawled in her own handwriting along the margins. At last, she hummed thoughtfully, tapping her finger against one page.
"I've nearly got it all memorized. Once I run my own scans, I'll know exactly what I'm working with." Her tone carried the kind of certainty that only she could muster. "No stone left unturned."
Naruto gave a small grin, though his eyes lingered on the dark rings under hers. "Don't stay up too late with that, okay? You'll make yourself sick."
"Hmph. You worry about yourself, brat." She finally looked up at him, her expression softening again. "Starting tomorrow, you'll only get two hours at the beach before school. That's it. No more. After school, you can hit your endurance training, but only if you've finished your homework. I don't care how much progress you're making at the beach, you're not letting your grades slip."
Naruto groaned but nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah, I got it. Schoolwork first, then training. You're not gonna let me off easy, huh?"
"Damn right," Tsunade said firmly, crossing her arms. "Heroes need more than muscle. They need brains. And balance. You slack on either, and you'll regret it."
He gave a small bow of his head. "...Thanks, Oba-san. For all of it."
She waved him off, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Go on, get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be long enough without you half-asleep through class."
Naruto smirked faintly before heading for his room. "Night."
"Goodnight, brat." Tsunade turned back to the file, her eyes hardening again as she muttered under her breath. "Alright, Toshinori… let's see what kind of miracle it'll take to fix you."
—
The next day the alarm on Naruto's nightstand hadn't even finished buzzing before his hand smacked it silent. 4:00 a.m. came early, but he was already used to it. He dragged himself out of bed, tied his hair back, and slipped into his training clothes.
Two hours later, the sky was still gray as he hauled the last rusted frame into the junk pile. Sweat soaked through his shirt, his chest heaving as he leaned on his knees. "That's… two hours." He muttered, forcing himself to stop even as every part of him wanted to keep going.
Back at the compound, the steam of a hot shower washed away the grime of the beach, leaving him sharp and alert. He pulled on his Aldera Junior High uniform, stiff slacks, white shirt, green jacket, and began packing his bag. Books, pens, notebooks, everything he needed to make it through the day.
Then, as he slid the last book into place, something caught his eye.
On the shelf above his desk, tucked between stacks of old papers, was a battered notebook. Its corners were frayed, the cover faded from years of handling. Slowly, almost reverently, Naruto reached for it.
When he flipped it open, his breath caught.
The childish scrawl inside was unmistakable, Izuku's handwriting, back when he was just a wide-eye six-year-old obsessed with quirks. The first entry was simple, almost laughably so, but it hit Naruto like a fist to the chest.
"Naruto Uzumaki – Quirk: Life Force. He gets hurt but then gets better right away. Like magic. He smiles even when it hurts. I think he's really strong. Stronger than he knows. My hero."
The words were crooked, letters oversized and misshapen, but to Naruto, they might as well have been written in gold.
His throat tightened, his vision blurring as he held the notebook close, fingers trembling against the fragile pages. For a long moment, he just stared, letting the weight of Izuku's childish admiration press into him.
"…Izzy." His voice cracked, but he smiled through it, wiping at his eyes with the back of his sleeve. "Guess you're still watching out for me, huh?"
Carefully, he tucked the notebook into his bag, setting it neatly on top of his school supplies as if it were a sacred object. Straightening his uniform jacket, Naruto squared his shoulders, grabbed the strap of his bag, and whispered to the empty room:
"I'll carry you with me. Every step."
Then he walked out, ready to face the day.
The morning sun had barely cleared the rooftops when Naruto slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped into the entryway. Tsunade was already waiting by the door, arms folded, watching him with that mix of stern authority and motherly concern he knew all too well.
"You've got this." She said firmly, brushing a wrinkle from his jacket as though he were still a little boy. "But if anything happens anything you call me. Don't try to carry it all yourself, brat."
Naruto chuckled softly, though there was a nervous edge to it. "Heh. You really don't trust me to keep my head, do you?"
"Not even a little." She replied, lips quirking into a faint smirk before her expression softened. She reached up, cupping his cheek with a gentleness that always caught him off guard. "Good luck, Naruto. Make me proud. And remember… you're not alone."
He leaned into her hand for just a moment, then straightened, resolve hardening in his eyes. "Thanks, Oba-san. I'll see you tonight."
With that, he stepped out into the streets.
The city was already alive with its usual morning rush. Vendors setting up shop, students hurrying to their own schools, workers crowding the sidewalks. Naruto wove through them all, his tall frame and red hair standing out as he carried himself with quiet determination. Every so often, he caught sight of a mother holding her child's hand, or a group of friends laughing together, and each time it twisted something inside him. But he pressed forward, step after step, like he was marching into battle.
Eventually, Aldera High came into view. The building was as ordinary as ever, its gray facade and crowded gates hardly deserving of the dread churning in his chest. Students clustered in small groups out front, chatting, joking, alive in ways Izuku never got to be.
Naruto paused at the edge of the courtyard, his hand tightening around the strap of his bag. He drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes, and let it out slowly.
"…Alright."
Opening his eyes, blue and unflinching, he stepped through the gates.
The second Naruto stepped past Aldera High's gates, conversations faltered. Heads turned. His red hair gleamed under the morning sun, impossible to miss, and at six-foot-two he stood above most of the crowd. A ripple of whispers moved through the students like a breeze through tall grass.
"That's him."
"Uzumaki's back."
"I heard he was there… when it happened."
"No way—really?"
Naruto's jaw tightened, but he kept his gaze forward. None of it was cruel. There were no taunts, no jeers, just curiosity, pity, and hushed speculation. But not a single whisper mentioned Izuku.
He shoved down the sting in his chest and kept walking, shoulders squared, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing him falter.
The hallways smelled the same, old wood polish and faint chalk dust. His footsteps echoed as he made his way toward the lockers, each step heavier than the last. When he reached his own, he paused.
Right beside it, Izuku's locker stood untouched. Dust had begun to gather along the hinges. No new nameplate covered it, no new student had claimed the space. It was as if time itself had frozen there, waiting for an owner who would never return.
Naruto's throat tightened. For a moment, he rested his palm against the cool metal, shutting his eyes. Izzy…
Drawing in a deep breath, he forced his hand back, grabbed the strap of his bag, and turned away.
The whispers followed him all the way to homeroom, but he never once looked back.
The familiar squeak of the classroom door drew every eye as Naruto stepped inside. Conversations hushed, the air turning heavy for just a moment before the teacher broke the silence.
"Uzumaki. Welcome back. It's good to see you've returned."
Naruto gave a single nod, his face unreadable, and moved forward. He didn't acknowledge the stares from his classmates. The curious looks, the murmured whispers. His gaze stayed locked straight ahead… until it caught on one person.
Bakugo Katsuki.
For the briefest moment, the two stared at one another. Naruto's blue eyes hardened, a simmering storm behind them as memories of Izuku's tears and Bakugo's cruel words and actions surfaced unbidden. But something was different with the boy sitting in front of him and the one from his memories.
Bakugo wasn't smirking. There was no arrogant tilt to his chin, no sneering superiority. His crimson eyes met Naruto's with something muted, unreadable. None of his usual fire either.
Naruto held the stare for a little longer, jaw set, before turning away and heading to an empty seat. He set his bag down with deliberate care, slid into the chair, and faced forward without another word.
The tension lingered in the room, unspoken but palpable, before the teacher cleared his throat and continued on with the lesson.
Naruto settled into his seat, keeping his posture straight, eyes on the blackboard. But the whispers didn't stop.
"He looks different somehow…"
"Taller, sharper… more intense."
"Even more handsome than before." Giggles followed from a pair of girls near the back.
Naruto rolled his eyes at that, resting his chin in one hand. Seriously? They think I care about looks right now? He forced the distraction away, fixing his gaze on the teacher as chalk scraped across the board.
The lesson began to drone on, equations, formulas, neat diagrams that seemed to blur together the longer he stared at them. He tried to focus, tried to commit every word to memory, but it was like sand slipping through his fingers.
I have to try harder. His hand tightened around his pencil. Izzy would've had this all down by now. He always kept notes, always asked questions. He fought for every answer.
Naruto pressed his lips together, jaw tight. He'd never been bad at school, but books had never been his strong suit either. Martial arts, physical training, fighting, those things came easy. But sitting still, memorizing, analyzing numbers and words on a page? That was Izuku's domain.
Guess I've got to carry that now too.
Forcing himself to start scribbling in his notebook, Naruto ignored the scattered whispers still buzzing behind him. Each stroke of his pencil was heavy, deliberate, as if he could engrave his determination into the paper.
He might struggle, but he would not falter.
The shrill ring of the lunch bell cut through the monotony of the morning lessons, sending the classroom into motion. Chairs scraped, conversations sparked, and the once mostly quiet room quickly turned into a storm of activity as students scrambled for their lunches.
Naruto leaned back in his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh. God, I don't know how Izzy did this every day. He made it look so easy. He glanced down at his notebook, pages packed with hurried scrawl, half-legible from how fiercely he'd pressed into the paper.
Another sigh slipped past his lips as he began gathering his things. He slung his bag over his shoulder and rose to his feet. His eyes caught movement across the room.
Bakugo was watching him.
Crimson eyes, sharp as ever, but there was something readable there now… hesitation. For a moment, it looked like he wanted to speak, to break the hostile tension that had stretched between them for years. His jaw worked, lips parted, but he shook his head, muttered something under his breath, and turned away, storming out of the classroom with his usual sharp movements.
Naruto paused, brow furrowing. The hell was that about? But he quickly dismissed it, shoving the thought aside. Whatever was going on in Bakugo's head, it wasn't his problem.
Adjusting his bag, Naruto made his way through the bustling halls. The cafeteria would be packed, noisy and simply just too much. He needed air, space to think, a place away from all the stares and whispers.
The roof. That was where he'd eat today.
The clamor of the cafeteria faded behind him as Naruto pushed open the heavy door to the roof. A gust of fresh air washed over him, carrying with it the faint tang of the city and the distant call of gulls near the coast.
He exhaled slowly, shoulders relaxing for the first time all morning.
Crossing the open space, he found a spot near the chain-link fence and lowered himself down, back resting against the warm concrete. Setting his bag aside, he pulled out his lunch: a container of leftover ramen from the night before. Tsunade had packed it tight, still smelling rich with broth and spices even after sitting all morning.
Naruto twirled the noodles lazily with his chopsticks before taking a bite. The familiar flavor settled something in his chest.
So far, so good, he thought, chewing slowly. The whispers, the stares were manageable for now.
He leaned his head back against the fence, eyes half-lidded as he stared at the clear sky above.
Izzy, I made it through the morning. No breakdowns. No fights. Just… quiet. If it keeps up like this, maybe I can handle it. Maybe…
The thought trailed off into silence as he slurped another bite of noodles. The warmth in his stomach was grounding, almost comforting. He closed his eyes, just listening to the hum of the city below, the muffled laughter of students carried faintly from the courtyard.
"Please," he whispered under his breath, so soft it was almost lost to the wind. "Let it stay this way."
For once, the world seemed to grant him that wish. The rooftop remained calm, the sun high and warm, and Naruto ate his ramen in peace. Alone with his thoughts, his memories, and his quiet prayer for the rest of the day.
The last of his ramen was halfway gone when the heavy door to the rooftop creaked open. Naruto's chopsticks paused midair, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced toward the sound.
A boy stepped through.
He was fairly tall, maybe an inch or two shorter than Naruto, and he carried himself with an easy confidence. His spiky hair was a vivid shade of red, clearly dyed, and styled up into jagged points that almost mimicked horns. His sharp features were open and expressive, his grin wide even as he stepped into the sunlit rooftop. Crimson eyes gleamed with easy energy, like a fire that refused to burn out.
He wore the same Aldera uniform as the rest of them, though the looseness of his tie and the slightly rumpled jacket gave him a laid-back air.
Their eyes met.
Naruto blinked. …Who the hell? I don't remember this guy.
The redhead froze for a beat, then his grin widened into something almost starstruck. "Whoa." His voice was loud, unrestrained. "It's you!"
Naruto's brows furrowed. "...Me?"
Kirishima Eijiro, Naruto would learn the name soon enough, nodded vigorously, stepping further onto the roof and letting the door swing shut behind him. "Yeah, you! Uzumaki, right? Man, I've heard about you but seeing you in person's something else!"
Naruto set his chopsticks down, exhaling slowly through his nose. He could already feel the questions building, the whispers from earlier echoing back. His stomach tightened, his mind preparing for it. Here it comes. He's gonna ask about the fire. About Izzy. About everything.
His blue eyes sharpened, his jaw tense as he braced himself.
Naruto braced himself for the questions he'd been dreading, his chopsticks still in hand, his ramen cooling in the container. But instead of the expected questions something else came.
"You were awesome!"
Naruto blinked. "…Huh?"
Kirishima pumped a fist in the air, his grin stretching ear to ear. "That whole thing with the sludge villain! I watched it! You just charged in without hesitation, risked your life to save your friends! That's the kind of manly stuff heroes are supposed to do!"
Naruto just stared, caught completely off guard. "Wait… that's what you're talking about?"
"Of course!" Kirishima said, striding over to plop himself down on the rooftop a few feet away, his enthusiasm spilling out in every word. "Everyone else just stood around, frozen, but not you! You didn't care about the danger, didn't care about the odds. You fought back! Man, that's seriously manly!"
Naruto blinked again, his brain trying to process the redhead's flood of energy. He'd been ready for pity, for whispered questions about Izuku, about the fire. Hell, even a comment about his Quirk. But fanboying? That, he hadn't seen coming.
Kirishima kept going, his hands animated as if he were replaying the scene himself. "I mean, yeah, you got messed up a bit, but the way you stood back up, like nothing could keep you down! Man, if that's not manly, I don't know what is!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, lips tugging into a small, bewildered smile despite himself. "Uh… thanks, I guess."
It took another beat before Kirishima suddenly froze, eyes widening. "Oh crap. I didn't even introduce myself, did I?" He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Name's Kirishima Eijiro! Nice to finally meet you."
Naruto, still staring like he'd been hit by a sucker punch of enthusiasm, blinked once more. "…Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto."
"Yeah, I know." Kirishima grinned. "Hard not to."
Naruto huffed out a laugh under his breath, shaking his head. This guy's something else.
Kirishima leaned back on his hands, grin never faltering as the sun caught the sharp angles of his red hair. "So yeah, I just transferred here. Figured it was time for a fresh start, y'know? My old school… well, let's just say things didn't work out. Needed a place where I could really push myself, and Aldera had an opening."
Naruto slurped a strand of ramen, chewing slowly before replying with a neutral. "That so?"
"Yeah!" Kirishima nodded, unbothered by the flat tone. "Sometimes you gotta admit when you're not living up to your own standards, y'know? Take the hit, reset, and try again. Can't just keep standing still. That's not manly at all."
Naruto glanced at him sidelong, raising a brow. "You say 'manly' a lot."
Kirishima laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I do, huh? Can't help it. It's the best way I know how to describe it. Doing the right thing even when it's hard, standing tall when you'd rather stay down… stuff like that."
Naruto hummed, staring down at his container as he poked at the last of the noodles. The words landed heavier than Kirishima probably intended. Doing the right thing even when it's hard.
Kirishima didn't seem to notice the shift. He kept talking, his energy filling the quiet rooftop. "Anyway, it's good to finally be here. I heard this class of seniors have some real potential, and honestly? I'm glad I showed up when I did. Means I get to meet guys like you."
Naruto blinked, caught off guard again. "Guys like me?"
"Yeah!" Kirishima leaned forward, elbows on his knees, crimson eyes shining with conviction. "Someone who's already out there proving he's got what it takes to be a hero. You're setting the bar, man."
Naruto felt his chest tighten, unsure whether to laugh or scoff. Instead, he just gave a faint shrug. "…If you say so."
For the rest of the lunch break, Kirishima kept up the chatter. Talking about his old school, about little training routines he began to try, even about his favorite foods. Naruto offered short replies here and there, never dismissive, but always measured.
And yet… when the bell finally rang, Naruto realized he hadn't hated the company.
Kirishima hopped to his feet with his usual energy. "See you later, man! Maybe we can hit the roof again tomorrow, or hang out sometime!"
Naruto gave an absent nod, still processing the whirlwind that was Kirishima. "Yeah… maybe."
With that, they parted ways, Kirishima heading toward his next class, Naruto back down the stairs to his. Feeling lighter than he expected.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur. Math, literature, history. It all felt heavier than it should, each subject dragging at his concentration. He forced himself to take notes, scribbling as quickly as possible, as if keeping his hand moving could stop his thoughts from drifting.
Then came P.E.
The teacher blew the whistle, calling for laps, pushups, sit-ups, standard drills. Naruto went through the motions, but the brutal training with Toshinori made the school regimen almost laughable. His muscles barely warmed up by the time the others were already sweating and slowing down. He finished each set with ease, breath steady, not even breaking a sweat.
It didn't go unnoticed.
Bakugo's sharp eyes lingered on him more than once, narrowing at the sight of Naruto powering through the drills like it was nothing. There was no taunting, no shouting, but the way his jaw clenched and his hands twitched told Naruto everything. Bakugo saw the difference.
Naruto didn't acknowledge him. He kept his head down, his strides steady, his focus on finishing.
By the time the final bell rang, the day felt longer than any week of training. Students began gathering their things, the chatter of ordinary school life filling the classroom. Naruto packed his bag in silence, eyes flicking once toward Izuku's untouched locker as he left the building.
The first day back was done. And tomorrow, it will start all over again.
Naruto took no time at all to get home; he dropped his school bag off at the door, and tugged on his workout clothes. He soon set off from the compound at a brisk run. By the time he arrived at the beach, the air was already cooler, the tide rolling in steady waves. Standing near the piles of junk waiting to be cleared, Toshinori was there in his lean, frail form, arms crossed as he looked out over the water.
"You're late." Toshinori said lightly, though his smile carried no judgment.
Naruto jogged up, brushing sweat from his brow. "Had to change and drop my stuff off. School rules and all that."
Toshinori gave a small nod. "Fair enough. So… how was it? Your first day back."
Naruto sighed, stretching his arms over his head before lowering them with a smirk. "Easier than I thought it'd be. No one gave me grief. Guess my hair makes it hard to miss me though. Felt like half the school was staring. But…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Actually paying attention in class? Killer. I swear I could take on ten sludge villains before I'd sit through another two hours of math."
Toshinori chuckled, the sound raspy but genuine. "Academics may not be as thrilling as battle, but they are equally important, young man. Heroes must be sharp in mind as well as body."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Naruto grinned faintly. "Just saying, fighting villains is easier to follow."
Toshinori raised an eyebrow, amused. "And yet you persevered. That's what matters. Now shall we put that stamina to better use than note-taking?"
Naruto cracked his knuckles, eyes gleaming. "You bet."
Naruto and Toshinori lingered a moment longer on the sand as the younger male finished his stretches. The ocean breeze tugging gently at Naruto's hair. After a bit more banter about how draining his classes had been, Toshinori's smile faded into something firmer.
"Well then." He said, clapping his thin hands together, "Enough talk. Time to get back to business."
Naruto stretched his arms one final time with a grin. "That's what I like to hear."
"Good. Because today." Toshinori added, straightening with a glint in his eye. "I thought a change of scenery might be in order."
Naruto tilted his head. "Change of scenery?"
Toshinori turned and motioned toward the small walkway leading out of the beach parking lot. There, leaning casually against the rail, was a Segway.
"You've got to be kidding me." Naruto deadpanned, tugging at the elevation mask strapped snug across his mouth and nose.
Toshinori gave a raspy chuckle. "Hey, don't knock it. This old man doesn't have the lungs he used to. Besides—" he hopped onto it with surprising grace, the machine humming to life beneath him, "—it keeps me mobile while you run. Think of me as your pace car."
Naruto groaned, adjusting the straps of his mask. "Great. So I'm chasing a segway around town. This is my life now."
"Precisely!" Toshinori pointed dramatically forward, his frail form making the gesture almost comical. "I'll lead you through the route today. Memorize it, because soon enough, you'll be running it on your own. I won't be here every morning like before. There are… preparations I must make."
Naruto's sharp blue eyes flicked toward him. "Preparations?"
Toshinori gave a small nod, his smile tinged with weariness. "Medical scans. Appointments with your aunt. Other matters that can't be ignored. I'll still be checking in frequently, in fact, but not always at the start. Which means…" His voice grew firm. "You must not overdo it when I'm not around. Push yourself, yes, but remember. Even with your remarkable gift, stamina has limits. Promise me that, Uzumaki."
Naruto let out a low sigh, but his grin returned, sharp and unyielding. "Fine, fine. I promise. But don't think I'm gonna hold back, either. If I've got to memorize this circuit, I'll run it until I can do it blindfolded."
"That's the spirit!" Toshinori laughed, revving the Segway forward a few feet before looking back at him. "Now then, ready?"
Naruto crouched slightly, muscles coiled, mask tightening with each breath. His eyes burned like blue fire. "Let's do this."
With a hum, the Segway glided forward, and Naruto bolted after it, the pounding of his footsteps echoing through the streets as their new circuit training began.
The two set off from the beach leaving behind the garbage tainted sands. As soon as they got on the concrete Naruto couldn't help but ask. "So how long will this circuit be?"
Toshinori looked back over his shoulder a mischievous glint in his own blue eyes as he answered. "Oh an easy two miles."
Naruto scoffed, shaking his head as he relaxed into his pace. "Two miles? Please, I've gone harder than that already."
"Mm," Toshinori hummed with a knowing smile. "We'll see if you still say that at the finish line."
They continued onToshinori leading the way at an easy pace. For the first few blocks Naruto felt fine mask or not, he could keep his rhythm steady. But as they cut into the residential district, the road slanted upward into a long incline that seemed to stretch forever. Before long, his calves ached and every breath burned like fire. Toshinori's voice carried back over his shoulder, maddeningly calm.
"Don't let the hill dictate your pace! Run light, Uzumaki. Make it your own."
Naruto muttered something unkind about "damn Segways" as he pushed on, refusing to stop.
By the time they reached the top, Toshinori veered sharply toward a concrete stairwell cutting between two aging apartment blocks. The flight of steps dropped steeply down before climbing back up another rise. Toshinori smirked as he gestured grandly.
"Two at a time. Let's see how explosive that stamina of yours really is."
Naruto groaned but launched himself forward, bounding step after step. His thighs screamed, his lungs clawed for air through the restrictive mask, but he didn't slow. By the time he clawed his way back up the far side, sweat dripped freely down his face, his heart hammering like a drum. Toshinori nodded approvingly, eyes gleaming with pride.
The course spilled them out toward the riverside, where the pavement gave way to loose gravel. Naruto nearly tripped as the ground shifted beneath him. Toshinori's voice carried back: "Control your footing. Don't sprint adapt!"
Naruto gritted his teeth, adjusting his stride, every stone threatening to trip him. By the time they left the riverside behind, his lungs were searing, his shirt clinging with sweat.
Then came the alleys. Toshinori guided him through a twisting run between narrow brick walls, sharp turns left and right that forced Naruto to lunge, pivot, and sprint in quick bursts. A trash bin nearly toppled as he clipped it with his hip, but he kept going, and despite the exhaustion a laugh slipped from his lips.
"Okay… fine! This part's actually fun!"
Finally, they burst out of the alleys and back onto the open streets. Toshinori pushed his Segway a little faster, calling back over the rush of wind. "Final stretch, Uzumaki! Don't let your body quit on you now. Show me that unyielding will!"
Every part of Naruto's body screamed. Legs heavy, lungs starved for air, but his blue eyes flared with that stubborn fire that refused to die. "Dammit… you're not leaving me in the dust, old man!"
He pumped his arms harder, dragging every ounce of strength from his frame. Sand crunched under his shoes as the beach came back into view, and the moment he reached it, he collapsed onto his back with a groan, tearing the mask off to gasp like a drowning man.
"Two miles…" He wheezed. "You call that… easy?"
Toshinori stepped off the Segway, crouching beside him with a wide grin. "No. But I call it progress."
Naruto let out a breathless laugh, sweat dripping into his eyes as he stared up at the sky. Despite the fire in his lungs and the ache in his legs, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Fine." He panted. "But one day… I'm beating that stupid segway."
Toshinori's grin widened. "That's the spirit."
Naruto sat hunched forward on the sand, arms draped over his knees, his chest still heaving as he fought to catch his breath. Every muscle in his legs sang with fire, sweat dripping into the sand beneath him. Toshinori stood a few feet away, arms crossed, regarding him with a teacher's sternness softened by the faintest glimmer of pride.
"You did well." Toshinori said finally, his voice steady but firm. "But this is just the beginning. By the end of the week, I expect you to be able to run that circuit twice without collapsing."
Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his sweat-slicked face. "Twice? You're trying to kill me."
Toshinori smirked, crouching down so they were eye-to-eye. "Far from it. I'm trying to forge you. Your strength is already formidable thanks to your quirk and your training with Senju-san. But stamina… stamina will decide if you can hold the line for seconds longer, minutes longer long enough to save lives when everyone else falls."
Naruto leaned back, falling flat onto the sand with a huff. The words resonated, even if his legs were still screaming. "Fine. Twice by the end of the week." He jabbed a thumb upward without sitting up. "And when I manage that, what then?"
Toshinori's smile turned sharp, the kind of smile that hinted at the fire beneath the weakened frame. "When you can run that course ten times without slowing, without faltering, without so much as breaking your stride… then I'll design you a new circuit. Longer. Harder. More punishing."
Naruto let out a low laugh, staring at the sky with defiance in his eyes despite the exhaustion. "Ten times, huh? Guess I better get used to hating that mask."
Toshinori chuckled, straightening back up. "Hate it all you want. But one day, Uzumaki, you'll be grateful for what it taught you. Mark my words."
The young redhead clenched a fist against the sand, that unyielding spark flaring once more. "Alright then. Challenge accepted, Toshi-sensei. Let's see what breaks first. Me or your stupid circuit."
Toshinori's grin widened. "That's the spirit."
Naruto hauled himself up and fell into step beside Toshinori as they made their way away from the beach. His shirt clung to him, damp with sweat, but his stride was steady now that the worst of the burn in his legs had passed. The older man kept his hands tucked into his pockets, his posture a little stooped, but there was an easy rhythm to the way they walked together down the quiet street.
"So, Oba-san was already scheduling your medical scans, huh?" Naruto asked, breaking the silence.
Toshinori gave a small chuckle, though it carried a tired edge. "Yes. Senju-san was very insistent. She told me she wants to take a look for herself and see what she can find with her own eyes. While she trusts Recovery Girl, she believes it's too easy to miss something when there's so much trauma done to one body."
Naruto hummed, nodding slowly. "She's right about that. She doesn't let things slip." His gaze flicked toward his mentor. "So… are you getting hopeful yet?"
Toshinori's shoulders rose and fell in a quiet shrug. "Hope is a luxury I stopped affording myself a long time ago. I've lived with this too long, Naruto. By this point, I'm just humoring her. If something comes of it, then… great. But if not, well at least I won't be disappointed. At least I can say I didn't get my hopes up."
The words sat heavy between them, and Naruto's jaw tightened. He hated the resignation in Toshinori's voice, but he didn't push. He understood. Losing Izuku and Inko had taught him how dangerous hope could be when it was crushed.
Before long, the familiar sloped roofs of the Uzumaki/Senju compound came into view, the lanterns at the gate flickering gently in the evening air. Naruto exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well, we're here. You might as well come in. Oba-san probably still has tea on hand."
Toshinori gave him a small smile, the kind that softened the gaunt features of his face. "Tea sounds nice. After today, I'd say we've earned it."
Together, they stepped through the gates, the faint scent of pine and woodsmoke welcoming them home.
The compound gates creaked shut behind them, the familiar stone courtyard bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun. The faint scent of cedar and simmering broth drifted through the air, reminding Naruto of just how long it had been since lunch.
As they stepped into the main hall, Tsunade's voice rang out from the kitchen. "Naruto, you're late again."
She appeared a moment later, drying her hands on a towel, her sharp honey-brown eyes narrowing slightly when she spotted Toshinori beside him. There was the briefest flicker of surprise, but she covered it with ease, her expression smoothing into something composed. "Well, this is unexpected. You didn't tell me we'd have company, brat."
Naruto scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Kinda last-minute, Oba-san. Thought some tea might do him good."
Tsunade arched a brow but said nothing at first. Instead, she stepped closer, her eyes scanning over Naruto with the precision of a surgeon. She tugged his arm out slightly, pressed her fingers against his wrist, then gave a firm look into his eyes as if gauging his stamina. Naruto stood still under the scrutiny, lips pressed in a thin line.
After a tense moment, she gave a small nod. "No strain. No distress. You held up better than I expected for your first day back." Her lips twitched faintly, almost a smile. "Guess you're not completely hopeless."
Naruto rolled his eyes, though the corners of his mouth pulled up.
Satisfied, Tsunade turned toward the kitchen again. "Dinner's ready. Sit yourselves down. I'll get the tea started for our guest."
Naruto and Toshinori exchanged a look before moving into the dining area, the tatami mats creaking softly beneath their feet. Naruto dropped onto a cushion with a relieved sigh, while Toshinori sat more carefully, as though mindful of his fragile frame.
From the kitchen came the sound of cupboards opening and the faint clink of porcelain. The home felt alive in that quiet, steady way, warm, lived-in, and whole in spite of everything they'd lost.
Naruto leaned back slightly, glancing toward the kitchen. "Don't take it personally, Toshi-sensei. Oba-san always has to size me up after training. Habit of hers."
Toshinori gave a low chuckle, folding his hands in his lap. "It's the mark of someone who cares. I don't mind in the slightest."
Moments later, Tsunade's voice called out again, brisk but not unkind. "Tea will be ready in a minute. And try not to eat the table before dinner, Naruto."
Naruto groaned, muttering under his breath, "One time. One time when I was seven and she won't let it go…"
Toshinori chuckled again, shaking his head. "I see home life here is… spirited."
Naruto shot him a crooked grin. "You have no idea."
The smell of miso broth and grilled chicken filled the air as Tsunade set the dishes out, her movements practiced and efficient. Naruto dug in quickly, chopsticks clacking against the bowl, while Toshinori carefully lifted his tea, steam curling around his gaunt features.
"So," Tsunade said, watching her nephew between bites, "how was your first day back? No trouble?"
Naruto paused mid-bite, the corner of his mouth tightening. He swallowed, setting his chopsticks down for a moment. "Good. Better than I expected, actually."
A contemplative look flickered across his face, and he leaned back slightly, eyes distant. "Met someone new today, though. Kirishima Eijiro. He just transferred in."
Tsunade raised a brow, tilting her head. "And?"
Naruto huffed softly, a small, almost amused grin tugging at his lips. "Caught me off guard. I was up on the roof, just trying to have a quiet lunch, and he barged in like a whirlwind. Thought he was going to ask about… y'know, the fire. Instead, he starts fanboying about me standing up to the sludge villain."
He shook his head, chuckling under his breath. "Didn't expect that. Guy just kept going—'manly this, manly that.' Barely even introduced himself before launching into it."
Tsunade smirked faintly, sipping her sake. "Sounds like he made an impression."
"Yeah." Naruto admitted, his grin softening. "I dunno, it was… nice. Someone seeing me for what I did, not just staring like I'm some fragile exhibit for people to gawk at. He didn't treat me like I was broken. Just… Naruto."
Toshinori set his teacup down, his voice calm but approving. "That's good, young man. Sometimes the unexpected friendships are the strongest ones. If he admires you, don't brush it off. You may need people like that in your corner."
Naruto gave a thoughtful hum, then picked up his chopsticks again, muttering around his next bite, "Yeah. We'll see."
The conversation eased into a quiet lull, only the sounds of clinking dishes filling the space. For the first time in days, dinner felt almost normal.
Tsunade leaned back slightly after another sip of sake, her sharp eyes flicking toward Naruto. "I trust your training is still going well?"
Naruto wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, nodding. "Yeah. Old man Toshi decided to run me on a circuit through town today instead of just sticking me on the beach path. Whole two miles of ever changing terrain and paths. Thought my lungs were gonna give out with the mask on." He gave a crooked grin. "But I'm keeping pace."
Toshinori chuckled softly, lifting his teacup. "And doing better than I expected, truth be told."
Naruto jabbed his chopsticks toward him playfully. "Don't think you're off the hook, sensei. I'm still planning to keep up swimming laps out in the ocean every other day. Running's fine, but salt water gives a different kind of burn."
That earned him a low chuckle from Tsunade. "Smart thinking. Swimming builds endurance in ways running can't touch. Keep it up, brat."
Naruto gave her a lopsided grin before shoving another bite into his mouth.
"So," Tsunade pressed after a moment, "what's it like being back in class?"
Naruto groaned, his forehead thunking against the table for a second before he lifted it again. "Forgot how much I hate book work. Teachers don't let up, either. Feels like I'm drowning in notes already." He let out a breath, softer this time. "But I'm not gonna give up. Not this time. I'll stick with it."
Tsunade's expression softened, a faint smile curving her lips. "That's all I needed to hear."
Naruto's chopsticks began slow after that.
The dinner chatter kept rolling, training, school, the dumb stuff that almost felt normal. Until it started to sound like it was happening through a wall.
He stared at the table a second too long. Then he looked up at Toshinori.
"…Did you ever find anything?" he asked, voice low.
Tsunade's eyes sharpened immediately. She didn't speak, just watched. Already knowing what he was asking about.
Toshinori's expression softened, but there was an old heaviness there too. He too already knew what the red head was asking about. "Naruto…"
"No," Naruto cut in, not loud—just firm. "Don't. Please don't 'Naruto' me." His jaw tightened. "About the fire. About who did it. Who killed Inko… and Izuku."
Silence settled hard over the room. Toshinori set his cup down carefully. "We tried."
Naruto's fingers curled against his knee under the table. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Toshinori said slowly, "the scene was… nearly impossible." He glanced down for a moment, like he could still see it. "That fire burned hotter than it should have. Long enough that by the time it was controlled, the structure had eaten itself from the inside out. Support beams warped. Concrete cracked. Everything that could have held fingerprints, fibers, trace accelerants, burned or melted or washed away in suppression."
Naruto's throat tightened. "So you found nothing."
Toshinori shook his head. "Not nothing."
Naruto leaned forward a fraction, eyes locked in on the older man.
Toshinori continued, voice steady. "Forensics did pull a residual signature. Not a clean one. More like an echo. But it was there."
Naruto blinked. "A quirk signature."
"Yes." Toshinori's gaze hardened slightly. "Something consistent with heat output, but not a normal fire quirk. It left a pattern in the material—like the fire didn't just burn things. It… consumed them."
The words made Naruto's stomach twist.
Tsunade's hand tightened around her cup. "So you have a signature. Why isn't that being chased?"
Naruto's head snapped toward her and then back to Toshinori. Because that was the real question.
Toshinori's mouth tightened. "Because the police… decided it was 'inconclusive.'"
Naruto's eyes widened, and then went cold. "What."
Toshinori didn't look away. "Mustafa Police or someone who's above them did what they do when there is no shiny happy conclusion. They filed it as an accident at first. Then, when that didn't hold, it became a 'tragic incident' with 'no actionable leads.' They gave it time, they gave it headlines, and then… they let it drift."
Naruto pushed his chair back just enough for it to scrape. "They lost interest?"
Tsunade stood halfway, already braced to stop him if he exploded.
Naruto's hands were shaking now, but his voice stayed controlled in a way that made it worse. "That was my family. That was Izuku. And they're just. What? Moving on because it's easier?"
Toshinori's tone turned firm, the teacher coming out. "Naruto."
Naruto's eyes flashed. "No, don't tell me to calm down! How the hell am I supposed to calm down when the people who are supposed to—"
"I'm not telling you to calm down," Toshinori cut in, calm but unrelenting. "I'm telling you I understand."
That stopped Naruto for half a second. Toshinori leaned forward slightly. "And I'm telling you this. The police may have slowed down, but I haven't."
Naruto's breath hitched. "Then what's happening? Right now."
Toshinori's eyes narrowed not in anger, but in resolve. "Right now, I have someone looking into it."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "Someone."
Toshinori nodded once. "A man I trust. A professional. He has… a talent for seeing patterns others miss." His mouth quirked, faint and tired. "And he doesn't drop a case just because it stops being convenient."
Naruto stared at him. "A detective?"
Toshinori nodded and continued on. "Someone who can keep pulling threads quietly. Without stirring up the wrong kind of attention."
Naruto swallowed hard, anger still there, but now aimed. "So that's it? We just… wait for him to find something?"
"We train." Toshinori corrected gently. "We prepare. We keep living long enough to make sure their deaths don't go unsolved. And when the thread finally breaks loose. When we finally get a lead. Then we act."
Naruto's fists clenched on the table. Tsunade stepped around the table and put a firm hand on his shoulder. "He's right," she said, voice low. "You want justice? You stay alive. You get strong. You get smart. And you don't throw yourself at shadows and call it 'closure.'"
Naruto's breath came slow and controlled. He stared at his bowl like it had suddenly become too small for all the rage in him.
"…I'm not letting this go," he said quietly.
Toshinori nodded. "Good."
Naruto lifted his gaze, eyes bright and hard. "Then promise me. The second your guy finds anything, anything at all, you tell me."
Toshinori held his stare and nodded. "I promise."
The rest of dinner passed quietly after that. Naruto finished his meal, but the earlier warmth had cooled into something heavier focused. He didn't argue. Didn't press further. The anger in him hadn't vanished, but it had been tempered, folded inward like a blade returned to its sheath. If Toshinori was still pulling threads, then Naruto would do his part too.
He would get stronger.
When the dishes were cleared and the conversation finally lulled, Naruto rose from the table with a polite nod. "I'm gonna turn in." He said, voice steady. "Early morning tomorrow."
Tsunade studied him for a long moment, searching for cracks she didn't find. "Don't push yourself too hard." She said quietly.
Naruto paused at the hallway entrance, fingers curling once at his side before he looked back. "I won't." He replied. Then, softer meant only for them. "But I won't stop either."
With that, he disappeared down the hall, his footsteps retreating until only the quiet of the compound remained.
The house had gone still. Naruto's footsteps had long since retreated to his room, the faint creak of his door closing echoing through the compound. Outside, the night air carried the scent of pine and salt from the distant sea.
Tsunade watched the hallway where Naruto had disappeared for a moment longer than necessary before sitting.
"He's holding it together," she said quietly.
Toshinori nodded. "For now."
Tsunade turned towards Toshinori. Looking for any clues on if the man had lied at all during his conversation with her nephew. Finding none she let out a sigh and stood.
"Shall we take this outside? It's a little stuffy in here now." She said as she gathered some more beverages and began to make her way to the porch they had sat at for their last conversation. Toshinori only nodded and began to follow her.
On the porch, Tsunade set down two cups and a steaming pot of tea between herself and Toshinori. Her own sake cup rested comfortably in her hand, the faint clink of ceramic punctuating the otherwise quiet night.
"Brewed it fresh." She said as she poured his cup. "Figured you'd appreciate something gentler than what I usually drink."
Toshinori accepted it with a small nod, curling his bony fingers around the warmth. "Much obliged," he said with a dry chuckle, his voice rough around the edges.
He sat there contemplating his next words. "I just want to say I'm sorry for how the Midoriya's case is being handled."
Tsunade glanced up from her sake. "It's not your fault that the ones in charge don't like to linger on their blemishes." She said with some anger of her own before she took in a deep breath and let out. "But still I appreciate it nonetheless. I also appreciate that you aren't letting go either." She added with a look of interest and quistion in her eyes.
Toshinori took a sip of his tea as he caught the look.
"Even if I didn't know the two of you. I would still be looking for the culprit who did this. I don't like letting a killer roam free. If there's a lead I'm going to follow it. Everyone deserves justice." Toshinori answered her unasked question.
For a time, they drank in silence after that, the night alive only with the chirp of insects. Then Tsunade broke it, her tone even but firm. "I've scheduled the medical scan for Wednesday."
Toshinori hummed, unsurprised. "I figured you would want it done sooner rather than later. What do you expect me to be prepared for?"
"You'll undergo a full diagnostic." She replied, eyes narrowing slightly. "Not just a surface scan. I'm talking internal imaging, cellular readings, everything. I want to see exactly what's left of your organs, not just what's been written down."
He gave a faint laugh, shaking his head. "I know how to prepare for a medical scan, Senju-san. It's not my first time." His chuckle carried a dry edge, the kind that came from familiarity with pain.
Tsunade only hummed, eyes glinting with quiet understanding. She took another sip of sake, then let her gaze rest fully on him. "So tell me." she said, her voice softening but no less direct. "What do you have planned for when Naruto goes off to a hero college? How are you going to keep up his training then?"
Toshinori stilled, staring into his tea for a long moment. The steam curled upward, vanishing into the cool night air. Finally, he exhaled through his nose, the smallest of wry smiles tugging at his lips.
"I've got a plan for that." He said at last.
Toshinori let the steam from his tea swirl past his gaunt features before speaking again, voice slow and deliberate. "Truth is, I'd be a fool to try and hide anything from you, Senju-san. You'd drag it out of me eventually."
That earned him a small, knowing smirk from Tsunade as she swirled her sake cup lazily. "You're not wrong there."
He inclined his head, acknowledging the point. "My original plan, long before meeting young Uzumaki, was to take up a teaching position at U.A University. Nezu and I had discussed it at length. The idea was simple. I would guide the next generation, and scout the current students. Find someone worthy of inheriting my power. Someone who could carry the legacy forward."
Toshinori's eyes softened, the weariness in his frame almost melting away as memory overtook him. "I thought I'd have to wait months to make that choice. To find someone worthy. But then…" He paused, chuckling faintly as though even now he couldn't quite believe it himself. "Then that boy of yours came charging at the sludge villain. No thought for his own safety, just raw instinct to protect. In that moment, I didn't see an ounce of hesitation. I didn't see a single doubt. I saw a hero."
He sipped his tea some more. "So the plan has shifted. I'll still take the teaching position—only now, it won't just be about training a faceless successor. It'll be about guiding him. I'll be there at U.A every step of the way, hands on with his growth, making sure he's prepared for the weight that will eventually rest on his shoulders."
A sheepish grin crept across his worn face, and he rubbed the back of his neck with one bony hand. "Well… that's assuming he decides to apply and attend the university in the first place."
For a long heartbeat, Tsunade just stared at him. Then, to his surprise, a low, rich laugh spilled from her lips. "That's… surprisingly well thought out, Yagi." She shook her head with amusement, her eyes glinting. "For someone who looks like a stiff breeze might knock him flat, you've got a decent head for planning."
Her laughter softened into something gentler, warmer. "Go ahead and get that teaching position. Because if things continue the way they are, there's no doubt in my mind. Naruto's aiming for U.A. He's too stubborn, too determined, not to."
Toshinori's smile lingered as he bowed his head slightly. "Then it seems the future is already taking shape."
The two sat there in companionable silence for a moment, the clink of her sake cup and the faint rustle of the night breeze their only company. For the first time in a long while, both felt the fragile spark of something rare: hope.
The night had stretched long, the stars faint but clear against the black. The faint sound of cicadas mixed with the distant hum of the city, a strangely peaceful chorus that filled the quiet between Tsunade and Toshinori as they sat on the porch.
For a time, they were content just to drink in silence. Her with her sake, him with his steaming tea. But eventually, Toshinori broke the stillness, setting his cup gently on the table.
"You know," he said, his voice low and almost hesitant, "for years I've lived as an image. A smiling giant. The indomitable Symbol of Peace. People saw the muscles, the grin, the power… but they never saw me. Not really." He chuckled softly, though there was no humor in it. "Sometimes I wonder if I even remember who I am."
Tsunade regarded him for a long moment, her golden eyes sharp even as she cradled her sake. "You're not the only one who knows what it's like to be reduced to a title, Yagi."
He raised an eyebrow, curious.
She smirked, though it was laced with weariness. "The great Senju Tsunade. Heir to an old clan. Doctor with hands that can perform miracles. Hotheaded bruiser who once tore through more bar fights than I care to count. You'd be amazed at how many people think they know me. What they really know are fragments. The parts they like to define me by. Very few bother to look past them."
"Then we're not so different." Toshinori murmured, leaning back, thin frame silhouetted in the moonlight. "Living under masks we didn't quite choose."
That earned him a quiet laugh. "Maybe not. But here's the difference. You built your mask to hold up an entire country. I wore mine to keep people at arm's length."
Toshinori's lips curved in something bittersweet. "And yet both leave scars."
The silence that followed wasn't heavy this time, it was one of understanding. Tsunade refilled her cup, sliding the sake bottle across the table in his direction almost absentmindedly, though she knew he'd stick with tea. He smiled faintly at the gesture anyway.
"You ever regret it?" he asked finally. "Not becoming a pro hero here? With your skillset, your name… you could've been extraordinary."
Her gaze flicked skyward, eyes softening with memories. "Regret? No. I made my choice after… losing too much. Too many friends. Too many people I cared about. Eventually, it stopped being about whether I could fight villains and became about what I could save instead. And I found my place in medicine." She set her cup down with a gentle clink. "Besides, someone had to raise that knucklehead in there."
At that, both shared a small smile, their thoughts briefly drifting to Naruto.
"You've done well with him." Toshinori said sincerely. "Better than most would've managed. He's strong because of you."
Tsunade gave a small shrug, but her lips curved in a proud smirk. "He's stubborn because of me, too. Don't let him fool you. Half his drive comes from wanting to prove me wrong whenever I tell him to slow down."
That drew a genuine laugh from Toshinori, light and warm. "Sounds familiar. My own mentor used to tell me the same. I imagine she's laughing at me from wherever she is now."
Their laughter faded into a comfortable quiet. For the first time in years, Toshinori felt like he wasn't performing. And for the first time in a long while, Tsunade felt like someone was listening without trying to box her into a healer, a fighter, or some other category.
As the night deepened, their cups emptied. Their conversation began to shift to less serious topics. They spoke of little things such as their favorite foods, old training stories, the way Naruto could drive them both to exasperation and pride in equal measure. Nothing earth-shattering, just more human.
Eventually, Toshinori glanced at the sky, then down at his watch, sighing softly. "I should be going. It's late, and I've already overstayed my welcome."
"You managed not to collapse." Tsunade said wryly, finishing off the last of her sake. "That's more than I can say for some of my other guests."
He chuckled, rising slowly to his feet, frail frame creaking with the effort. "Thank you, Senju-san. For the tea. And the company."
Tsunade waved him off casually, but there was a softness in her eyes. "Go on, Yagi. Get some rest. You'll need it if you want to keep up with my nephew. Oh and one last thing." She paused for a second before she continued. "Call me Tsunade from here on out. If you're going to continue being a part of Naruto's life I don't want to keep hearing such formal talk. It's annoying." She finishes with a smirk.
Toshinori stared at her for a second before letting out a laugh. Not his booming All Might laugh but one that was more genuine in its tone.
"Fair enough, but then I must insist that you call me Toshinori in return." He said as he left the sitting porch. He gave her a small wave as he rounded the corner of the main building of the compound and made his way to the gate. Not missing Tsunade's smirk and nod of appreciation.
As he walked off into the night, his thin silhouette fading into the glow of streetlights, Tsunade lingered on the porch, sake cup dangling loosely in her hand. For the first time in a long while, she found herself thinking about a man not as a patient, but as a person.
The porch was quiet again, save for the soft clink of glass as Tsunade swirled the last of her sake in its cup. The tea set Toshinori had used still sat across from her, steam long since faded, as though a ghost of the man himself lingered even after he walked away.
She leaned back in her seating pillow, eyes turning towards the night sky a contemplative look rested across her face. A breeze stirred her hair, carrying the faint salt of the ocean and the distant murmur of the city. For a long while, she simply sat there, letting silence stretch, her thoughts tumbling in heavy waves.
"Damn that rat." She muttered under her breath, lips twisting into a rueful smirk. She could almost hear Nezu's chipper, calculating voice in her ears. Wouldn't it be best for you to take Recovery Girl's place? Think of how close you'd be to Naruto, how easily you could protect him, support him.
It infuriated her how right he was.
Tsunade took a long sip of her sake, huffing through her nose as she set the cup back down. "Always playing the long game, aren't you?" she whispered to no one, but her voice carried the weight of reluctant admiration.
She thought of Naruto, sweat-streaked and stubborn, dragging trash across the sand at dawn. She thought of his grief, still raw and unhealed, and the way he still managed to smile at her through it all. She thought of how he had changed in just a few short weeks, shoulders already beginning to bear the weight of something greater.
And she thought of Toshinori, the frail man behind the impossible smile. How he had opened up, piece by piece, not as a hero or a symbol, but as a human being scarred by his own burdens. His honesty tonight had caught her off guard. For the first time in years, she felt the faint stirrings of connection.
Her fingers tightened around the sake cup. She hated the idea of stepping into another cage, of being tied down again by responsibility and expectations. She'd walked away from that life once. But now?
Now, she looked at the boy she had raised, and she saw a path she couldn't turn away from.
"Damn it." She exhaled, eyes lowering to the wood of the porch beneath her. "Maybe Nezu's right. Maybe… this is the only way I can keep him safe."
The thought of standing by, powerless, while Naruto faced what lay ahead. It wasn't an option. Not for her. Not as his aunt. Not as the woman who promised his mother she would protect him.
Tsunade rose slowly, stretching out her back, and poured herself one final drink. She raised it toward the sky, eyes glinting with a mix of sorrow and determination.
"Oh, Kushina." She murmured, her voice softer than the wind. "Our boy's already in deeper than either of us ever wanted. He's walking a road that'll test him harder than anything. If I can't stop him… then I'll damn well make sure he survives it."
She downed the sake in one go, the burn steadying her. Setting the cup aside, she let out a weary sigh.
"First thing tomorrow," she muttered, resigned. "I'll go to U.A. I'll tell that damn rat I'm taking the job."
With that, she finally turned in for the night, sliding the porch door closed behind her. The compound fell silent, bathed in moonlight, but the decision had already been made.