Chapter 200: It's All Your Fault
The journey to the Land of Hot Springs came to an end.
Having obtained some information about the Jashin Cult, Tonbo Tobitake didn't linger in the Hidden Hot Springs Village. Instead, he headed straight back to Konoha.
Gazing at the receding landscape of the Land of Hot Springs, Tonbo wore a faint smile. This trip had yielded great rewards. Next, he could proceed with the third stage of his secret technique.
Though it would be difficult, who was he? The genius, Tonbo Tobitake.
Whoosh!
The flying eagle beneath him carried him up toward the boundless sky.
Konoha Village. School Training Ground.
"Dragon-Ascending Sword!"
Boom!
As Wataru brandished his tachi, a yellow divine dragon spiraled around him. In an instant, he bypassed his opponent, Udon, and rested the blade against Udon's neck.
"Udon, you lose," Wataru declared.
Phew...
Iruka, who had been about to step in to stop the match, let out a sigh of relief. This child integrated Genjutsu and Kenjutsu so well! His talent was far better than Iruka's own; he was another promising sprout for a powerful future ninja. To think he developed such a technique just by studying Tonbo's notes—he was even more remarkable than Iruka, who had actually studied directly under the teacher.
Iruka then looked toward Tianyu, Maki, Konohamaru, and the others. The children of this generation were generally much more talented.
"Next: Kotaro Fuma versus Ichinose."
As the sparring continued, Wataru returned to the group.
"Tianyu, when is your dad coming back? I want to show him my new ultimate move."
"...Why do you want him back so soon? Besides, didn't you just use your 'new move' on Udon?" Tianyu muttered.
Maki chimed in: "Exactly. I'm afraid he'll come back and start whipping us again. It's terrible. Though, I have to admit, that Dragon-Ascending Sword was pretty cool!"
"Captain Tonbo is such a gentle person; how could he ever whip you? I don't believe it."
Despite Tianyu and Maki repeatedly emphasizing that Tonbo liked to use a whip on them, Wataru simply refused to believe it. To him, his idol was the epitome of gentleness and consideration. Even as a fan, he could feel that boundless warmth. As Captain Tonbo's own children, how could Tianyu and Maki possibly be beaten?
"...Anyway, I don't want him back yet, otherwise I feel like I'm going to get a thrashing." Tianyu pointed at the bruised and swollen Konohamaru.
Just before the practical combat class started, Tianyu had used Genjutsu to mess with Konohamaru, causing him to trip over his own feet. Konohamaru seemed to sense the gaze and glared back fiercely; even if he wasn't the smartest, he knew Tianyu was behind it.
"It hurts..." He clutched his face, fuming with rage.
Just you wait. I'm definitely telling Grandpa when I get home.
His grandfather had let it slip once—apparently, every time Konohamaru complained, Tianyu and Maki's dad would give them a talking-to (and a Whipping). Konohamaru didn't think tattling was shameful. According to Ninja Rule No. 12: Collect intelligence and utilize the power of information. This was a professional ninja skill, not a childish complaint. Yes, that was it.
Hokage's Office.
Poof!
Tonbo Tobitake appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"You're back. How was the mission?" Hiruzen asked.
Tonbo handed over a scroll. "Perfectly completed. This is the intelligence Itachi Uchiha gave me regarding the abilities of several Akatsuki members."
Since some members hadn't revealed their powers yet, Itachi's intel was limited to a specific few that were relatively clear. Hiruzen took the scroll but didn't open it immediately.
Instead, he looked at Tonbo and said, "Do not disclose this information to anyone else. We must prevent leaks to the Akatsuki, or Itachi's cover will be blown."
"Understood."
"One more thing. In three months, we will hold a Joint Chunin Exam with the Hidden Sand and several smaller villages. We need to prepare our defenses to prevent any enemies from causing trouble," Hiruzen stated.
Unlike a standard Chunin Exam, a joint exam put more pressure on the village. Preparations had to begin well in advance.
"Understood," Tonbo nodded.
So, the big event was coming. He wondered how the "Konoha 12," who had all become stronger, would change the course of this event. Change was certain. Since they were all stronger, the other villages were going to have a hard time.
He wondered if he could collect some biological data from the other villages' participants. Although he didn't lack much now except for time, perhaps the data from others could provide a spark of inspiration to develop even more outrageous ninjutsu.
After Tonbo left, Hiruzen opened the scroll. His expression grew increasingly grave. He already had many wrinkles, and now he seemed to have more. According to the intelligence, every single member of the Akatsuki possessed unique and powerful abilities. They were all exceptionally dangerous ninjas.
"The storm is coming..."
The scroll also contained crucial intel from Itachi: The Akatsuki's goal was to collect all the Tailed Beasts to complete a plan called "Project Tsuki no Me" (Eye of the Moon). The exact implementation was unknown, but once completed, it would revolutionize the entire shinobi world.
This reminded him of Jiraiya's words: "I am going to search for the Child of Prophecy who will bring change to the ninja world..."
Those were some of the most significant words Jiraiya had ever spoken. Was the Great Toad Sage's prophecy intended to deal with this?
"It seems I need to notify Jiraiya to gather more related information."
"Honey, I'm home!"
Tonbo Tobitake had changed back into his normal casual clothes, looking handsome as ever. He returned home carrying a bouquet of lilacs. His steps were light and quick. When there is a dance in your heart, every place is a stage.
"Hubby, you're back!"
The door opened, and Ayame rushed out the moment she saw him, leaping into his arms.
"Uh, what happened?" Tonbo held her, looking at his two children who were standing there meekly.
"These two! I told them not to forget to hang the laundry when they got home, and they forgot again," Ayame said crossly as she hopped down.
Indeed, because Tonbo's thinking differed from that of ordinary ninjas, he had long noticed the technological development of the world. He had purchased a washing machine—a very novel item for the shinobi world—from the Land of Fire's largest tech company, along with several other gadgets. This way, when Tonbo was busy, Ayame and the others could use it themselves. Previously, he or his father would handle it using the Eye of the Creator Technique.
"We were training! We want to become ninjas like Dad!" Tianyu and Maki said in unison.
"...Oh? So now you're turning the blame on me? When I was washing clothes, doing dishes, sweeping, and cooking by hand, why didn't you learn that? Now that I've bought nice things so you don't have to work, you dare to talk back? It seems my whip hasn't been used in too long..."
Tonbo didn't expect these two little ones to use such rhetoric. "Become a ninja like him"? Were they saying that because he made them become ninjas, it interfered with their laundry duties, so it was his fault?
A supple bamboo switch immediately appeared in his hand—the kind that stung the skin without hurting the bone. He had used it for years and highly recommended it.
"...Then why don't you teach us the Eye of the Creator Technique!" Tianyu and Maki stared at the switch and gulped.
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