Naruto: One Eye Tenseigan

The sun climbed higher into the clear morning sky, casting a golden hue over the quiet training grounds. Dew clung to the grass, shimmering under the sunlight before vanishing into the crisp morning air. A soft breeze rustled through the surrounding pine trees, carrying the faint hum of village life in the distance. 

Tomaru stood at the center of the clearing, stretching his arms high above his head. His muscles groaned in protest, remnants of yesterday's rigorous drills, but the ache was familiar—comforting, even. He rolled his shoulders and flexed his fingers, feeling the tension ebb away. 

The stillness of the early morning suited him. Here, with only the chirping of birds to break the silence, he could focus entirely on himself. 

---

Tomaru began with a series of taijutsu drills. His punches sliced through the air, each movement deliberate and precise. The sharp *whish* of his fists echoed faintly, blending with the gentle rustling of leaves overhead. He stepped into each strike, his body grounded yet fluid, delivering enough force to leave the nearby foliage quivering. 

His kicks followed in rhythm. Pivoting smoothly on his heel, he lashed out, his strikes connecting with the wooden post he had secured earlier. Each impact sent satisfying vibrations up his leg, sharpening his focus and grounding his movements in a steady rhythm. 

It felt natural now, as though his body was reclaiming a forgotten rhythm. Each punch, kick, and pivot flowed seamlessly into the next, his movements a dance of precision and purpose. Without meaning to, he had slipped into a state of flow.

---

To challenge himself further, Tomaru set up a series of swinging wooden pendulums tied to nearby branches. The irregular motion of the pendulums mirrored the unpredictable chaos of battle, forcing him to read their swings and adjust his movements in real time. 

He took a deep breath, letting the rhythm of the swinging wood fill his senses. The first pendulum swung toward him, and he stepped aside with fluid precision, the air brushing past his cheek. The second came from his left, prompting a quick twist of his body. 

The sound of wood slicing through the air mingled with the rush of wind as he ducked, sidestepped, and weaved through the pendulums. Sweat beaded on his brow, and his breathing quickened, but his focus never wavered. This wasn't about strength—it was about instinct, reaction, and rhythm. 

---

After a brief pause to catch his breath, Tomaru strapped on ankle weights he had fashioned from old training materials. The added weight slowed his movements, forcing him to put greater effort into each punch and kick. 

The strain was immediate. His legs burned with every step, his muscles protesting the added resistance. But Tomaru grit his teeth and pushed forward. He knew the discomfort was temporary—a necessary hurdle on the path to true strength. 

Next, he hung a series of wooden hoops at varying heights around the clearing. The hoops swayed gently in the breeze, their unpredictable motion adding an extra layer of difficulty to the exercise. 

Tomaru leaped toward the first hoop, twisting his body mid-air to pass through its center. His landing was soft, barely disturbing the grass beneath his feet. Without pausing, he launched himself toward the next hoop, his movements growing more fluid with each pass. 

By the time he reached the final hoop, his body moved on instinct alone. The hoops felt less like obstacles and more like extensions of his training, guiding him into a steady rhythm. 

---

As the sun climbed higher, Tomaru's training began to shift. What had started as deliberate, mechanical drills evolved into something almost meditative. His body and mind moved as one, each strike and dodge flowing effortlessly into the next. 

When he finally paused, his chest heaved, his heartbeat echoing in his ears like a steady drumbeat. The training grounds were still again, the pendulums swaying lazily and the wooden hoops rocking gently in the breeze. 

He wiped the sweat from his brow, allowing himself a rare moment of satisfaction. There was still a long road ahead, but for now, he was content. 

*Step by step,* he thought, reaching for the water bottle resting on the grass. He took a long sip, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. 

Then, out of nowhere, a familiar melody surfaced in his mind. The rhythm of his training, the steady pulse of his heartbeat, and the stillness of the clearing seemed to pull it to the forefront. 

Tomaru smirked, setting the bottle aside.

"Why not?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. 

---

He started softly, his voice hesitant at first but growing steadier with each word. 

I'm walking alone, the streets are empty…

The sound of his own singing filled the clearing, blending with the natural hum of the forest. 

The only thing I can see is my own silhouette… 

I'm getting stronger, step by step… 

The clock is ticking but there's no time for regrets…

He chuckled at the absurdity of the moment but continued nonetheless, his voice carrying a strange mix of determination and amusement. 

I've been flying…

--- 

Tomaru leaned against the sturdy oak at the edge of the training grounds, the coarse bark pressing against his back as he surveyed the bustling village below. The early morning sun bathed Konoha in a golden glow, casting long shadows over the rooftops. The village was alive, a tapestry of motion and sound that felt strangely intimate despite its unfamiliarity.

The clang of a blacksmith's hammer rang out from a shop across the square, sharp and rhythmic. Nearby, the sing-song calls of vendors setting up their stalls blended with the laughter of children darting between the market stands. The scents of the village carried on the breeze—freshly baked bread mingling with the floral perfume of blooming chrysanthemums.

Tomaru inhaled deeply, feeling a strange sense of peace amidst the lively chaos. Despite the unfamiliarity, there was something comforting about the village's morning routine.

—

The academy classroom was a familiar cacophony of noise when Tomaru entered. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden floor. He slid into his seat by the window, taking a moment to observe his classmates. Naruto was, as always, loud and energetic, leaning back in his chair while trying to catch the attention of Sakura, who seemed more interested in Sasuke's brooding silence.

"Oi, Tomaru!" 

Ino's voice was as bright as the sunlight reflecting off her blonde hair. She plopped into the seat next to him with a confident grin, her presence commanding attention. Her azure eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned closer.

"So," she began, leaning in just enough to invade his personal space,

"which girl caught your eye today? Don't tell me it's one of Sasuke's fangirls."

Tomaru chuckled, glancing at her.

"How did you know?"

"What?" Ino said, her face suddenly serious.

"You're kidding, right? Tell me it's not Sakura."

"Well," Tomaru began, drawing out his words,

"Yeah, she's kind of cute, don't you think?her hair color is really interesting. It kind of reminds me of flowers."

Ino's eyes widened, her voice rising a notch.

"Flowers? Are you serious? What's so interesting about that broad-forehead girl?"

Tomaru shrugged with a playful smile.

"You have to admit, her hair's a pretty unique shade of pink."

Ino's cheeks puffed in indignation as she crossed her arms, her eyebrows knitting together in frustration.

"T-Tomaru, are you seriously interested in Sakura?" 

Tomaru tilted his head slightly, feigning deep thought. His lips curled into a mischievous smile as he tapped his chin with one finger.

"Hmm… maybe. But," he added, his voice dropping just enough to sound serious,

"there's another girl I'm more interested in." 

Ino's posture straightened immediately, her curiosity written all over her face. She leaned in slightly, unable to hide her intrigue.

"W-who?" she stammered, her usual composure faltering for the first time. 

Tomaru chuckled softly, the sound low and teasing, drawing out the tension in the moment.

"Oh, you're very curious, aren't you?" 

Ino blinked, her cheeks tinged with a faint pink as she quickly retorted,

"What's so funny?" Her voice was sharp, but there was a hint of nervousness in her tone. 

"Oh, nothing," Tomaru replied, drawing out the words with an infuriatingly calm tone that only heightened her suspicion.

"Just thinking about someone in class." 

Her curiosity flared into full suspicion, her eyes narrowing as she leaned closer.

"Someone? Who?" 

Tomaru leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as if weighing his next words. His smile remained playful as he pretended to search for the perfect description.

"Well… let's just say she's got a certain presence. The type of girl who can turn heads without even trying. Smart, confident… maybe a little too confident sometimes." 

Ino's suspicion deepened as she raised an eyebrow.

"Really? And what else?" 

Tomaru leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice just enough to add a touch of mystery.

"Hmm… well, she's got this sharp gaze—like she can see through your excuses. Short blonde hair, moves like she owns the place. You know, that kind of girl." 

Ino blinked, her face growing noticeably warm as his description hit too close to home. She instinctively tucked a strand of her short hair behind her ear, her mind racing.

"And what's so interesting about her?" she asked, her tone feigning disinterest but betraying a genuine curiosity. 

Tomaru shrugged, his voice casual but deliberate.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe it's the way she commands attention without even trying. Or the way her hair catches the light—it's like gold, you know?" 

Ino opened her mouth to respond, but Tomaru wasn't done. 

"Or," he added with a smirk, locking eyes with her and leaning in just enough to invade her personal space,

"maybe it's the fact that she's standing a little too close right now." 

Ino froze, her mouth opening and closing as realization dawned. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she instinctively stepped back, nearly knocking over her notebook in the process. 

"You…!" she stammered, her voice caught between indignation and embarrassment.

"You're messing with me!" 

Tomaru chuckled, leaning back against his chair with a relaxed demeanor.

"You're fun to tease," he said, his grin widening. 

Ino glared at him, though her lips twitched upward despite herself. For a moment, it seemed as if she would unleash her frustration, but then her expression shifted into one of sly determination. 

"Oh, you think you're clever, don't you?" she said, crossing her arms and leaning closer again, her smirk returning with full force.

"Just wait, Tomaru. Payback's coming." 

Tomaru raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden boldness.

"Looking forward to it," he replied smoothly, meeting her gaze without flinching. 

For a moment, their eyes locked, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air before Ino huffed and turned back to her notes. She buried her face in her book, though her flushed cheeks betrayed that she wasn't entirely composed. 

Tomaru's gaze lingered on her for a second longer, watching as she scribbled furiously, likely to distract herself. He leaned back in his chair, a quiet satisfaction settling over him. 

*I could get used to this,* he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he turned his attention back to the front of the classroom.