The next day, after the weekend ended, Fujimoto Tōma's shadow clone arrived at the academy as usual.
It walked into the classroom, took its seat, and blended quietly into the background. Tōma was one of those students no one really noticed. Sitting next to Uzumaki Naruto didn't help either. People rarely went out of their way to talk to either of them.
Tōma didn't mind. He preferred it that way.
Every day, he quietly absorbed knowledge. He still hadn't finished all the academy textbooks, and once he did, he planned to ask Iruka-sensei for additional reading. A shinobi instructor had to know plenty of books that weren't part of the official curriculum but were still useful.
"Good morning, Tōma!"
A voice suddenly called out to him.
He paused and turned his head, seeing Yamanaka Ino smiling and waving in his direction.
"Morning, Ino," Tōma replied with a small smile of his own. He liked keeping a low profile, but being acknowledged didn't feel bad either.
A few nearby classmates looked over in mild surprise. Since when were those two on friendly terms? Still, no one made a big deal out of it.
Tōma sat down and glanced at the empty seat beside him, sighing quietly. Naruto would probably greet him too.
There was only one problem.
Could he really expect a chronic latecomer to arrive before him?
As expected, Naruto rushed in right on time, panting slightly. Overslept again.
"Morning," Tōma said without looking up from his book once Naruto sat down.
"Morning!" Naruto replied happily. People greeting him like this were rare. He actually wanted to get closer to Tōma, but every day he saw him buried in books, he never wanted to interrupt.
Classes soon began.
The lessons were things Tōma had already studied on his own, but he still kept half an ear on the lectures. If a teacher explained something differently from his own understanding, he paid attention. If he heard a better explanation, he noted it down.
This was all part of growth.
Knowing the future and powerful techniques meant nothing without a solid foundation. Right now, Tōma was laying the groundwork. Someday, it would support far more than it seemed capable of.
Before he knew it, classes ended and outdoor activities began. Iruka-sensei supervised as usual. Tōma closed his book and stood up.
Naruto followed along instinctively, but soon noticed something was off.
"Tōma, where are you going? Activities are that way," Naruto asked.
"I need the bathroom. Go on ahead," Tōma replied.
It was a bit of a hassle. He couldn't dismiss a shadow clone in front of people. He needed privacy.
"Oh, okay," Naruto said, scratching his head.
Once inside the empty restroom, the shadow clone dispersed into a puff of white smoke.
Meanwhile, the real Tōma slipped back into the school grounds from a more discreet route. He felt great.
Trial run successful.
The clone had lasted longer than expected. He'd actually planned to switch earlier, but after noticing how sweaty he was, he'd gone home first to clean up. No point raising suspicion.
As the memories from the shadow clone flowed back, Tōma absorbed everything it experienced. He'd seen Ino, felt the subtle warmth of being greeted. Whatever the clone felt, he felt too. That was only natural. They were the same person.
In a good mood, Tōma headed toward the training grounds.
Shadow clone usage: confirmed practical.
As for Ino, he had no particular thoughts about her. At least not like that. Mentally, he was well into his twenties. Looking at a six-year-old girl, all he saw was a kid. Nothing more.
And besides, in his previous life, he'd been the type who played games like Azure Lane. A lolicon label clearly didn't apply.
Outdoor training intensity wasn't an issue either. Compared to his own regimen, this barely counted as exercise.
"Tōma, you're finally back. Why'd it take so long?" Naruto asked when he spotted him.
"Stomach trouble," Tōma replied casually, looking away. No way he was telling the truth. Once his switching got smoother, it wouldn't take this long.
"If you're not feeling well, you should rest more," Ino said, popping up nearby.
"I will," Tōma nodded.
"Good," she said, satisfied, before running back to her friend group.
Naruto watched that interaction with open envy.
"No need to envy me," Tōma said, glancing around. "There are plenty of people in class who don't dislike you. You just haven't talked to them."
"Really?" Naruto scratched his head, unsure.
Tōma sighed. It wasn't hatred, but caution. Parents probably warned their kids to keep their distance. Understandable.
If he didn't know the truth, would he let his own child get close to Naruto?
The answer was obvious.
Tōma's gaze landed on a lazy-looking boy nearby. "For example, that guy."
"Him? He sleeps in class all the time," Naruto said.
"Yeah. You could try talking to him," Tōma replied.
Nara Shikamaru saw things clearly. He wouldn't judge Naruto unfairly. He also wasn't the type to cause trouble. The only issue was his laziness. Naruto would have to approach him first.
Once Shikamaru was friendly, Akimichi Chōji would follow naturally. Sasuke was tricky. Shino was quiet but manageable. Kiba wasn't too bad either.
Step by step, it was doable.
As for Tōma himself? He had no interest in building a huge social circle. Being introverted saved time.
After giving Naruto that advice, Tōma returned to his own training. Outdoor activities might feel like rest to him, but even rest could be used efficiently.
Time was too valuable to waste.