Chapter 157: The Great Toad Sage
If "willpower" were enough, his father wouldn't have...
Neji clenched his fists tightly upon hearing those words, but he didn't ask anything further.
Tonbo Tobitake sensed the boy's emotional fluctuations and knew he hadn't reached him. He really didn't have the talent for "Talk-no-Jutsu."
Better leave professional matters to the professionals, he thought.
He then moved on to answering questions from the other students. These youngsters had all sorts of dreams, and it allowed Tonbo to feel that vibrant, energetic aura again. This kind of power was truly comforting. No wonder he still preferred hanging out with the youth.
It seems I'm really getting old, reminiscing about youth already! He was only twenty-four, but perhaps having children made him feel more mature.
Mount Myoboku.
A man with long white hair, a forehead protector with the character for "Oil," and wearing traditional wooden sandals stood before a colossal toad. The giant toad wore a necklace with a large bead also inscribed with the character for "Oil."
"Great Gamamaru, may I ask why you summoned me?" Jiraiya looked up at the toad. Every summons from the Great Toad Sage signified that something major was happening.
"I had another dream yesterday. A variable has appeared in the shinobi world. However, it is a good thing for this world; it will help my future prophecies play out more effectively. I summoned you to tell you: do not be troubled by this variable," Gamamaru spoke slowly.
In over a thousand years, this was the first time he had made another prophetic dream in such a short interval. Moreover, this variable hadn't caused destruction; instead, it seemed to be clearing the path for the Child of Prophecy. It brought benefits against the potential threat of the God Tree draining the world's natural energy again. He was in a pleasant mood and eager to share this with Jiraiya.
"Is that so? Well, that's wonderful news," Jiraiya chuckled. The path of the Child of Prophecy becoming smoother was indeed a relief. Nevertheless, the work he had to do still needed to be done.
Hiss, hiss—
In a dark, gloomy base, a blue python was whispering something to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru listened, a grin full of intrigue spreading across his face. "Heh, I'll believe you this once. Otherwise, I'll definitely pull you out of the Pure Land and give you a beating."
He hoped this plan would truly succeed; otherwise, it would be far too boring. He looked back at the experimental subject behind him. His technique was fully formed; he just needed to wait for the right moment. There was no longer a black cloak with red clouds on his body.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several figures appeared atop ten massive fingers, each silhouette distinct.
"Has anyone found Orochimaru?" Pain looked at the others.
"That guy is like a bug. If you blink, he vanishes. Otherwise, he'd make an excellent addition to my collection," a short, hunched figure said in a raspy voice.
"My intelligence network hasn't found him either. He's better at hiding than a grasshopper," a ninja with a Kirigakure protector and a scarred face added.
"Zetsu, do you have any news?" Pain looked at the head of intelligence.
Zetsu shook his head. "As expected of the most cunning of the Sannin. He's likely hiding in some small country conducting experiments."
"Do your best to gather info. He knows too many of Akatsuki's secrets." Pain was concerned about Orochimaru's unpredictable nature; no one knew what he might do next. At the same time, he glanced at Itachi Uchiha. To think the man who once almost killed him was nearly taken down by this newcomer—an impressive ability.
Itachi remained expressionless.
Konoha.
Ichiraku Ramen.
The shop was currently bustling with activity. Teuchi and Ayame were busy serving customers, and even Tosei Tobitake was helping out. The two little ones were acting as assistants.
"This is terrible! Why do we have to work too? Mom, this is child labor, it's not good!" Tonbo Tianyu wailed while washing dishes.
Tonbo Maki was no different, complaining, "It's all your fault for coming up with that bad idea. Now the customers won't stop coming."
Ever since Tonbo Tobitake became a Konoha celebrity, business at Ichiraku Ramen had been booming. Months had passed, and the momentum showed no sign of slowing down.
"Grandson, don't talk nonsense! Tonbo only gave me a bit of fame; my skills are the real reason people can't stop coming. These are all repeat customers, okay? It proves my superb craftsmanship," Teuchi huffed, not wanting to hear his skill being downplayed.
"Haha, true enough," Tosei laughed. The explosion of Ichiraku Ramen was mainly due to the taste. Tonbo's fame was just the catalyst.
"Stop chatting and hurry up! Another pork bone ramen for table five!" Ayame's voice rang out again.
"Coming!"
Tianyu and Maki looked at each other, their eyes filled with despair. At an age where they should be out causing mischief, they were stuck washing dishes—it was too cruel.
"If only we could grow up faster! Then we'd have enough chakra to use the Eye of the Creator Technique!" Tianyu thought of his father. Ninjutsu was so useful! With a bit of chakra, the dishes would practically wash themselves. He had never wanted to be a ninja so badly as he did right now.
Maki puffed out her cheeks. "I want to grow up fast too. Stupid Dad, why didn't he have us sooner? If he had, we'd be big by now and could use ninjutsu."
Tosei took all of this in. The parents had discussed letting the two experience a bit of work every day so they would understand the hardships of life and work harder when they grew up. But as their grandfather, Tosei was already starting to feel bad for them.
That brat Tonbo, coming up with such a stinky idea. Where did all the love I gave you go? Why didn't you pass it on? Why make my grandson and granddaughter suffer?
Suddenly, he had an idea. He was a ninja from the same era as the White Fang; he had just taken a hit to the hand. He could still use chakra. He knew Tonbo could form seals with one hand; maybe he could too. Housework would be so much easier then.
"Tianyu, Maki, go take a break. Let Grandpa handle this." Tosei felt for the kids who had already been "working" for ten whole minutes and sent them off to rest.
Ayame also had some reservations about her husband's idea and nodded to them. They were so young; her husband was being a bit too irresponsible.
"Thank you, Grandpa! Thank you, Mom! Thank you, Grandpa Teuchi!" The two children thanked them politely and scurried to the back of the shop to rest.
Once they confirmed their parents were busy working, they grinned.
"Maki, your idea was awesome! How did you know they'd let us rest if we did that?" Tianyu asked.
"Dummy, Dad's Essential Ninja Manual records many things. I thought it was interesting and tried to learn a bit. Who knew it would actually work? Information gathering and utilizing intel is so powerful!"
Maki was delighted. It really was an essential manual. Naruto was a fool for not taking it seriously back then.
"Is that so? Then I guess I have to learn it too. It looks pretty simple anyway." Tianyu decided he needed to study it as well—specifically to use it against their dad.
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