Tomaru was still grappling with the sensation of being in this world when a soft knock interrupted his spiraling thoughts. It was gentle but insistent, accompanied by a cheerful voice calling his name.
He froze for a moment, a flicker of recognition dancing at the edge of his memory, but he couldn't quite grasp it. He crossed the small room and opened the door, squinting as morning sunlight spilled in.
Standing there, framed by the warm glow, was a girl with short blonde hair that shimmered like gold. It framed her face perfectly, highlighting her bright blue eyes and confident expression. She looked familiar, but something about her felt different.
Tomaru's breath caught as realization hit him.
Ino Yamanaka.
But this wasn't the Ino he remembered from countless episodes of the anime. Her shorter hair gave her a vibrant, youthful charm, making her seem even more full of life.
For a moment, he just stared.
She's beautiful. The thought came unbidden, startling him, her skin glowing, her movements fluid, her presence so real it made his chest ache. There was no uncanny valley here, no hint of artifice. Every detail was flawless.
"Good morning, Tomaru," she said, tilting her head slightly as her smile wavered. "Are you okay? You look… a little out of it."
Tomaru blinked, forcing himself to focus. She knows my name. She knows me. His mind raced. Did this body—did Tomaru—have some kind of relationship with her?
"I'm fine," he said quickly, his voice sounding alien even to himself.
Ino studied him for a moment, then her smile brightened again. "Good! Because I was worried when you didn't show up at the academy yesterday." She held up a neatly wrapped bento box, extending it toward him. "Here! I thought you might skip breakfast again, so I made you this."
Tomaru hesitated, staring at the box as if it might bite him. She made me a bento? Why? Slowly, he reached out and took it, the warmth of her gesture hitting him like a wave.
"Thanks," he said awkwardly.
Ino laughed softly. "Don't mention it. You always forget to take care of yourself. Come on, eat up before we're late!"
Tomaru sat on the step outside the door and unwrapped the bento. Inside, it was simple yet thoughtfully prepared—rice, tamagoyaki, and fresh vegetables arranged neatly. The smell alone made his stomach rumble, reminding him of how hungry he was. He took a bite of the tamagoyaki, the sweetness melting on his tongue, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away.
"It's good," he murmured, more to himself than to her.
Ino beamed. "You really like it? That's a first! You're usually so grumpy in the mornings."
Tomaru glanced at her, trying to hide his shock. Grumpy? The pieces weren't adding up. Did the owner of this body—this Tomaru—have some sort of bond with Ino? Were they friends?
He finished the bento quietly, handing it back with a small, "Thank you."
"Wow, you're being polite today," Ino teased, tucking the empty box under her arm. "Come on, we've got to get moving. The academy's not going to wait for us!"
As they walked through the bustling village streets, Tomaru struggled to keep his composure. Every step felt like stepping deeper into the surreal.
The streets were alive with chatter, the smells of freshly baked bread mingling with the scent of wood smoke and blooming flowers. People passed by, each one vivid and unmistakably alive.
And Ino—walking beside him, her voice flowing with cheerful chatter—was so lifelike it was dizzying. Her movements were natural, her expressions shifting with an ease that no cosplayer or actor could mimic.
This isn't a dream, he realized with growing dread and wonder. This is real. This is actually happening.
Tomaru's mind raced, barely registering Ino's cheerful chatter as she walked beside him. Words about academy gossip and her plans for the day blurred into the background. He was too consumed by the enormity of what surrounded him.
How did I end up here? What does this mean? Who was Tomaru in this world?
As they approached the academy gates, Tomaru slowed, his breath catching in his throat. The building stood tall and familiar, yet entirely different from what he'd seen on his screen. The world seemed more alive—colors sharper, sounds richer, even the faint scent of blooming flowers in the air more vivid.
He could feel it in his bones, a hum of energy that wasn't just external. It pulsed through him, mingling with his racing thoughts.
Ino stopped a few steps ahead, turning to face him. Her hands rested on her hips, and she gave him a playful look. "You're acting weird today, Tomaru. Snap out of it, okay?"
Her blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight as she grinned, then bounded ahead toward the entrance.
Tomaru stood frozen for a moment, staring after her. The vastness of this world overwhelmed him, but for the first time since waking up here, he didn't feel entirely lost.
"This is real," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the buzz of his thoughts. "And I have no idea what to do next."
By the time they reached the academy doors, Tomaru could hear the lively hum of conversation from inside. Naruto's loud, unmistakable voice echoed through the halls, and a surreal chill ran down Tomaru's spine.
This can't be happening. But it is.
He stopped just outside the door, his fingers brushing against the wooden frame. Ino paused and turned to look at him, her expression equal parts teasing and encouraging.
"What are you waiting for? Come on," she said, her tone light, her blue eyes sparkling with familiarity.
Tomaru took a deep breath, forcing his legs to move. This is real. I'm here now. For better or worse.
He stepped into the classroom, and the lively noise hit him like a wave. Faces turned toward him—Naruto's bright grin, Sasuke's sharp and brooding gaze, Shikamaru's lazy glance, and Hinata's shy but curious expression.
Each face was more vivid, more alive than he ever could have imagined. They weren't characters anymore; they were people.
The chatter in the room quieted briefly as Tomaru entered, curious eyes lingering on him for a moment too long.
"Hey, Tomaru! You finally showed up!" Naruto's voice broke the silence, his energy as infectious as ever.
Tomaru blinked, caught off guard. He raised a hand in an awkward wave, unsure of what to say. The room seemed to accept his silent greeting, and the buzz of conversation resumed.
At the front of the class, Iruka-sensei glanced up from his notes, his expression softening as he caught sight of Tomaru.
"Good to see you back, Tomaru. Find your seat—we're starting soon."
Back? The word hit him like a stone, heavy with implications he couldn't yet comprehend. Iruka's tone wasn't accusatory; it carried the weight of expectation, of belonging.
Tomaru forced himself to move, walking toward an empty seat near the window. Ino waved him over, her spot conveniently next to the one left unoccupied.
As he slid into the chair, Ino nudged him lightly, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You're lucky Iruka-sensei's nice," she whispered. "Most teachers would've made you run laps for skipping."
Tomaru gave her a faint smile, the expression feeling both foreign and natural. Lucky? Maybe. If only I knew the rules of this game.
He turned his gaze out the window, the view of the bustling village below a stark reminder of just how far he was from home.
---
The morning passed in a blur of lessons. Iruka stood at the front of the class, explaining the fundamentals of chakra control with a patient authority. He demonstrated the proper sequence of hand seals, his movements fluid and practiced. For Tomaru, it was an odd mix of the familiar and the foreign. His hands mimicked the seals with ease, as if his body remembered something his mind couldn't quite grasp.
When it came time to practice throwing kunai, Tomaru felt a flicker of unease. *How skilled am I supposed to be?*
He stepped to the throwing line, picking up a kunai and feeling its weight. The first throw was clumsy, veering off target and embedding itself in the wooden frame of the target. A few quiet snickers reached his ears, but he ignored them, adjusting his grip. This time, he took a deep breath and threw again. His arm moved instinctively, the kunai slicing through the air and hitting dead center.
A brief silence followed before Naruto's voice rang out.
"Nice shot, Tomaru!"
Tomaru stepped back, his hand tingling with an unfamiliar sensation. *That wasn't me. It felt like… someone else's memory.*
The unsettling thought lingered as he returned to his seat, but he pushed it aside. For now, he had more immediate challenges to focus on.
At lunchtime, Ino dragged Tomaru outside to a quiet spot under a sprawling tree. She handed him a neatly packed bento, and he realized with a pang that she'd made an extra meal for him.
"You've been acting weird today," she said, watching him carefully as he opened the box. "More… expressive, I guess. Usually, you're quieter."
Tomaru hesitated, taking a bite of the tamagoyaki. The sweet, delicate flavor made him smile despite the storm of thoughts in his head.
"Maybe I'm just trying something new," he said lightly.
Ino raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sly grin. "You even laughed earlier. That's new. You should do it more often. It suits you."
Her words caught Tomaru off guard, and he looked down at the bento, the warmth of her kindness seeping into him. "Thanks for the food," he said softly.
Ino's expression softened. "Anytime."
---
The next day, Tomaru lingered outside the classroom door, the hum of voices reaching his ears. He could hear bursts of laughter, Naruto's exuberant tones cutting through the din. He took a steadying breath. *They don't know how lost I feel. Better keep it that way.*
Pushing the door open, he was met with the usual chorus of chatter. A few heads turned, whispering briefly before returning to their conversations. Tomaru made his way to his seat by the window, ignoring the curious glances.
Iruka's voice soon brought the room to order.
"Alright, class, today we're focusing on chakra control. Remember, this isn't just about power; it's about precision. Watch closely."
The class watched as Iruka balanced a kunai on his fingertip using a delicate thread of chakra. "Your turn," he said, stepping back. "Pair up and take it slow. Control is key."
Tomaru hesitated, unsure of who to approach, but Ino waved him over with a grin. "Need a partner?"
He nodded, grateful for her easy confidence. Ino demonstrated first, her chakra glowing faintly as she balanced the kunai effortlessly. "See? Simple," she teased, handing the kunai to him. "Your turn, show-off."
Tomaru smirked. "Show-off? Me?"
He focused, forming the seals and channeling his chakra. His first attempt was shaky, the kunai wobbling before falling to the ground. Ino gave him an encouraging smile.
"Not bad. Better than Naruto's first try."
Tomaru chuckled softly. "That's a low bar."
His second attempt was steadier, the kunai holding for a moment before toppling. Iruka nodded approvingly. "Good progress, Tomaru. Keep practicing."
As the class ended, students broke into groups, the room filling with chatter. Sasuke was immediately surrounded by admirers, his natural talent drawing attention. Shikamaru leaned lazily against the wall, his kunai balanced perfectly despite his apparent disinterest.
"Troublesome," he muttered, though a faint smile betrayed his amusement.
Kiba caught Tomaru's eye, grinning. "You're getting better, Tomaru. Maybe one day you'll catch up to me."
Tomaru smirked. "Or maybe I'll leave you in the dust."
"Ha! Dream on," Kiba laughed, ruffling Akamaru's fur.
Ino joined Tomaru as he packed his things, giving him a playful nudge. "Not bad today," she said. "You're not as hopeless as you look."
"Thanks… I think," Tomaru replied, shaking his head with a smile.