Chapter 244: The Second Child
Swish!
An ethereal figure surged out from Tonbo Tobitake's forehead and began soaring toward the horizon.
"This feeling... isn't bad at all."
Tonbo flew through the sky, looking down at his own stationary body. His perception had fundamentally shifted. In the Spirit Transformation state, he felt his sensory range expanding significantly.
Still in spirit form, Tonbo wove hand signs and released his sensory field. It swept through the streets of Konoha and surged past the village gates. His previously linear perception had transformed into something far more powerful—his awareness of the environment had become incredibly sharp.
"In the spirit state, it really is possible to weave signs and refine chakra. Some ninjutsu can be used as well."
However, looking at his motionless body below, he felt this technique wasn't without its drawbacks. Tonbo tested a few more maneuvers. He could weave signs to perform various abilities, including sensory ninjutsu, and could even "lend" chakra to others.
This is a good ability.
He lowered his spirit form onto a wild boar outside the village.
Oink! Oink!
The wild boar's feral eyes suddenly flickered with intelligence. It even let out two sharp grunts.
"The control capability of the Spirit Transformation state is excellent. For an enemy, this is a terrifying trump card."
Controlling an enemy's body and using it to cut down their unsuspecting comrades was a top-tier assassin's technique. For Tonbo, it was also vital research material for soul energy—material he needed for the evolution of the "HeartSteel." Soul and physical power had always been the twin pillars of a ninja's foundation. Now that he finally had full access to the Scroll of Seals, he had enough material to delve deep into the mysteries of the soul.
Eventually, he left the boar and returned to his physical body.
"How can I integrate the capabilities of Spirit Transformation into other ninjutsu?"
This was the question Tonbo pondered, and it was a difficult point in ninjutsu development. The nature transformation of Spirit Transformation was Yin Release. Combining that specific nature transformation with others was incredibly difficult—almost like developing a Bloodline Limit.
The reconstruction of Konoha continued.
Thud, thud, thud!
It wasn't just the residents; students like Konohamaru helped build the school and other facilities in between their training sessions. In the residential area, Ichiraku Ramen had spent the money to get their storefront back up and running first. Tonbo didn't even need to use his Hokage authority to pull resources for them. Despite the hardships of reconstruction, Ichiraku Ramen never lacked customers. Even the branch stores were the same.
"Hey, since Tonbo became the Hokage, he's certainly been much busier!" Teuchi commented to Ayame.
"It's fine. He's just the Acting Hokage," Ayame replied with a smile. "Once the real Fifth returns, he can go back to his relaxed life."
She didn't complain about her husband being busy; instead, she was proud. Furthermore, Tonbo still made plenty of time for the family. Even as Acting Hokage, he checked in daily on the shop, the children, and her. It was only slightly less frequent than before.
"Tonbo mentioned that you two are preparing for a second pregnancy?" Teuchi teased.
Ayame blushed as she looked at the customers eating their noodles. "Dad, I'm working! But yes, we are preparing for a second one. He always said he wanted several children, and I feel the same way."
Tonbo had once mentioned wanting at least four children. Recently, they had revisited the topic. Since Tianyu and Maki were growing up and only needed supervision with their studies, they actually had the time and energy to raise another one or two. She saw no reason not to; it wasn't like they couldn't afford it.
"Haha, as long as you've decided. I'd love to have more grandkids," Teuchi laughed as he prepared a bowl of ramen.
Tonbo's decision to have a second pregnancy now was partly because he suspected that with Tsunade's personality, she might try to shirk her responsibilities. Having more "bargaining chips" for a stable family life made things easier. Plus, having four kids had always been a personal goal. He was just going with the flow.
"Report! Lord Sato Nojiri, a high minister of the Land of Fire, has been assassinated. The squad responsible for his protection has also been wiped out. According to headquarters intelligence, it is suspected to be internal family infighting."
As Tonbo was processing files, an Intelligence Division ninja rushed in to report the critical situation. Tonbo took the report. It detailed the background of the minister, the identities of the fallen Konoha guards, and other relevant data.
"Have we identified which faction is responsible?" Tonbo asked.
To successfully assassinate a high minister of the Land of Fire required significant capability. The minister had private soldiers as well as Konoha guards; they were a formidable force. Could it be Akatsuki again?
"We haven't found much. From the scene investigation, there appear to have been two assailants. There are traces of ninjutsu, but they mostly belong to the minister's guards. We haven't collected any information suggesting other hidden villages were involved."
Just two people. As soon as that detail surfaced, Tonbo knew it was Akatsuki. Their current goal was to accumulate funds, and the internal disputes within nations provided the perfect vacuum. Generally, the major hidden villages wouldn't accept missions to assassinate the ministers of other nations to avoid triggering a war. Without profit or political gain, they stayed away. Konoha, for instance, wouldn't normally accept a mission to kill a Daimyo's official in the Land of Water.
"Order Hinata Tokuma's squad to investigate. They must find the culprits, but warn them that the enemies are likely very strong. Their goal is intelligence only—no combat."
Akatsuki was quite clever at finding loopholes. They had discovered the "gray zones" between the hidden villages.
"Also, issue a warning to all bounty stations within the Land of Fire. Any station that dares to post assassination missions targeting the high-level officials of the Land of Fire will be shut down."
While there were powerful rogue ninjas outside the villages, the Five Great Nations remained the ultimate authorities. The bounty stations were no exception. Akatsuki used these channels to pick up high-paying, illicit tasks. Tonbo knew it was impossible to eliminate them entirely—there was a reason they were called "underground" bounty stations—but tightening the noose on their funding sources was a logical move.
While Tonbo was methodically managing Konoha's internal affairs, the scene shifted to Tanzaku Quarters.
Swish!
Kabuto Yakushi used a chakra scalpel to stop Tsunade, who was pretending to treat Orochimaru.
"Kabuto, give me a reason," Orochimaru said, his voice showing no anger, only curiosity.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses, his eyes fixed on the retreating Tsunade. "I am also a medical ninja. When a medical ninja treats a patient, they don't leak killing intent."
Orochimaru turned his gaze toward Tsunade. "Tsunade... we were once teammates. I even offered to revive Dan and Nawaki for you. I didn't expect you to be so ruthless."
Hearing Kabuto's words, he understood immediately. He had been too desperate; otherwise, he would have noticed the killing intent himself.
Tsunade trembled, her face masked with murderous intent. "I want them back more than anything, but they would never want to return like this. So..."
Her eyes erupted with a ferocious light.
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