The upgrade of the Inkshade Blade was a process Tōma couldn't fully follow. The techniques were too specialized, the steps too meticulous. Still, nothing went wrong.
A few days later, the reforged sword was finally placed in his hands.
The moment Tōma gripped the hilt, a familiar sensation settled in. The weight had changed, but it didn't matter. His balance didn't shift. His movements didn't hesitate. It felt as if the blade had already adjusted itself to him.
In Master Takumi's eyes, this was proof of a bond. A weapon that recognized its wielder.
Still, the old craftsman sighed. This was without question the greatest work of his life, but there were limits. He could guarantee that the new Inkshade Blade matched the Kusanagi in sharpness and durability, but not in its original abilities.
"You're not a shinobi," Tōma replied calmly. "You wouldn't feel it."
Wind chakra flowed into the blade.
The steel itself didn't extend, but a razor-sharp arc of compressed wind shot forward, stretching several meters and holding perfectly stable.
Tōma nodded in satisfaction.
The Kusanagi's original trait was gone, but this suited him better.
If he ever ran into something the size of a partial Susanoo again… at least now, cutting back was an option.
Master Takumi and his grandson stared at the glowing wind edge in silence, faces filled with relief and pride. Whatever this sword became, it wouldn't be wasted. Word of Fujimoto Tōma had already reached the Land of Iron.
After thanking them, Tōma returned to Konoha.
He paused at the village gates.
Naruto's Flying Thunder God mark wasn't inside the village yet.
After extending his perception, Tōma realized the truth. They were close, but still not back. For shinobi moving at full speed, this delay was… impressive in its laziness.
He sighed. Fine. He'd report first.
Two days later, he was waiting at the gates when the group finally arrived.
"You know," Tōma said dryly, "even civilians would've made it back by now if they tried."
Jiraiya scratched his head and laughed. "Can't help it. Teaching Naruto takes time."
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. He'd been training nonstop. Mostly wind nature transformation, but still.
"You could've done that after getting back," Tōma replied, eyes sliding toward Jiraiya.
"Oh." Naruto blinked. "That explains why Pervy Sage kept disappearing…"
"Research," Jiraiya said smoothly. "Very important research."
Tōma sighed. "At this rate, Naruto's going to learn Rasenshuriken before you do."
"That's impossible," Jiraiya snapped. "He hasn't even mastered nature transformation. He still needs shadow clones just to use Rasengan."
Tōma glanced at Naruto's neck.
The First Hokage's necklace.
So Naruto had won that bet.
"Wait!" Naruto shouted, pointing at Jiraiya. "You don't know Rasenshuriken either?!"
"Brat!" Jiraiya barked. "Even if I don't, I'm still qualified to teach you!"
"Then I'll just learn it first!" Naruto declared, grinning.
"Good," Tōma said calmly. "Prove it."
Naruto gave a confident thumbs-up.
Jiraiya scoffed, but inwardly, the pressure crept in. Naruto's raw talent wasn't exceptional, but shadow clone training was unfairly effective. If he didn't take this seriously, he might actually lose.
Tsunade watched with amusement. Tōma was clearly provoking them on purpose. And it was working.
"I'm sorry," Shizune said apologetically to Tōma. "I tried to keep them on schedule, but…"
"It's fine," Tōma replied. "Konoha's been quiet. A little delay won't hurt."
He turned to Tsunade. "The Third is waiting for you at the medical center."
"I'll go see the old man."
Tōma led Tsunade and Shizune there, while Naruto ran off to train and, surprisingly, Jiraiya followed him instead of wandering off.
Inside the hospital room, Tsunade pushed the door open.
"I'm back, old man."
The Third Hokage looked up and smiled. "Welcome home."
Seeing his age up close, Tsunade finally let go of the resentment she'd been carrying. He really was nearing the end of the road.
"I'll examine you," she said quietly.
He nodded.
When she finished, Tsunade fell silent.
"I'm old," the Third said gently. "That's all."
"You should've stepped down sooner," Tsunade muttered. His injuries had healed, but time itself couldn't be treated.
"And who would I hand it to?" he replied with a tired smile.
Tōma quietly ushered Shizune out, leaving teacher and student alone.
Soon after, preparations for the succession ceremony spread through Konoha. The return of Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, was met with overwhelming approval.
The village celebrated.
But just before the ceremony, Tsunade summoned Tōma to the Hokage's office.
She flipped through files, then looked up with a sharp smile.
"Fujimoto Tōma, right?"
"…Yes."
She listed his deeds one by one. Including the movement that once pushed for him to become Fifth Hokage.
"So popular you were almost wearing the hat yourself," she said.
"I agreed to aim for Sixth," Tōma replied evenly.
Tsunade stood, draping her green cloak over her shoulders. "Come with me."
She led him to the training grounds.
"I don't like this," she said. "So let's settle it."
"A fight?"
"One match. No holding back." She glanced at him sharply. "If you do… I won't take the Hokage position. You will."
Shizune went pale.
Neither of them noticed the report being sent elsewhere.
In the shadows, Danzō smiled.
Just as planned.