Chapter 90: Returning Home
Yamanaka Flowers.
"What? You're actually the 'Weird Uncle'?" Ino stared at the handsome guy in front of her. It was impossible to imagine that the weird uncle with a face full of bandages—the subordinate her father admired so much—was actually this handsome.
She scrutinized him seriously, her small face filled with suspicion. He's not tricking me, is he?
When Ino's mother heard that he was Tonbo Tobitake, her eyes widened. "You... well, I suppose it makes sense why you usually cover your face. Walking around looking like that would be quite a hassle!"
"Haha, it does come with its share of troubles. As a father now, I was just out shopping and already had a few girls approach me. It was a bit embarrassing." Back in the village, Tonbo seemed to radiate the warmth of everyday life.
Ino pouted. "No fair! Why was the birthday present you sent me all wrapped up in bandages, and not like how you look now?"
Recalling that figurine—it was so ugly and awkward. Recently, her father had started teaching her chakra refinement. Although the figurine was ugly, it could talk. Sometimes when she was bored, she would inject chakra into it just to hear it speak. To think the real person was this handsome but gave her such an ugly gift... how annoying!
"I remember that gift. If you talk to the little guy, doesn't it say: 'Uncle Tonbo is the most handsome man in the world'?" Tonbo rubbed his chin with a grin.
"..." A vein popped on Ino's forehead. "Fine, whatever. Why are you at the flower shop anyway? I'm Mommy's best assistant; I know the meaning of every flower!" She spoke with a sense of pride.
Ino's mother smiled. "That's right, Ino is the best. She can help you."
Tonbo scratched his head. He had studied advanced mathematics, biology, geography, and many other subjects, but "The Language of Flowers" was a course he had never taken. Even when reading enemies' memories, his focus was never on flowers, so he was a bit stumped.
"Well, I've been away on a mission for a very long time. I just got back, so I want to bring a bouquet for my wife and my kids."
Hearing this, little Ino tilted her head in thought. After a moment, she had an idea: "Sunflowers: hope, sunshine, representing a positive attitude toward life and a happy mood. Tulips: representing deep affection and sincere emotion. Lilacs: representing 'longing' and 'missing someone'—that's also very suitable..."
Tonbo thought she was going to give a specific recommendation, but she ended up reciting every flower with a good meaning like she was reading from a textbook.
"I'll take a bouquet of Lilacs. 'Longing' sounds perfect." He cut through Ino's chattering and chose the flower representing the distance he had felt.
"Coming right up!"
Short-legged Ino immediately got to work, skillfully wrapping the Lilacs and handing them to Tonbo. At the same time, she held out her small hand, her pale blue eyes looking up at him expectantly.
"Haha." Tonbo chuckled and paid the bill. Little Ino was too cute; looking at her was like seeing what his own daughter might look like in a few years. Wait, Ino eventually becomes a total 'love-brain' for Sasuke... my daughter can't learn that. He was already brainstorming how to educate his daughter to stay far away from "yellow-haired" boys and cool loners.
The Hokage's Office.
"Danzo! You kept such vital intelligence from me for two whole years?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at the reports on the desk, his face flushed with anger.
"I did it for the sake of Konoha. If the existence of the Rinnegan were known by too many, it would no longer be a secret," Danzo replied expressionlessly, glancing at the desk.
He hadn't realized this mission would involve so much. If he had known, he wouldn't have sent such a small force. Beyond the Rinnegan, there was the Sharingan—and someone with the Sharingan who could use Wood Style. It was too unexpected. His mind went straight to Orochimaru. A successful Wood Style experiment, plus a murdered Uchiha... Orochimaru must have created an experimental subject possessing two super powers. That was his deduction.
Bang!
Hiruzen slammed the desk, his cold snort echoing. "Is this for Konoha's sake? You are trying to drag Konoha into war again! According to Tonbo's report, the leader of the Hidden Rain has completely mastered the power of the Rinnegan. Once we go to war with such a person, Konoha will be plunged into agony once more! The power of Root is not for you to use so recklessly."
Konoha had only just emerged from war a few years ago. Their strength was just beginning to recover. Having lived through three Great Ninja Wars, Hiruzen loathed the idea of another one. He was old, and he was tired.
"Such power should not be held by anyone outside of Konoha, Hiruzen," Danzo countered. To him, anyone who posed a threat to the village deserved to die.
"Enough. You are forbidden from taking further action against the Rinnegan wielder. You know as well as I do that Konoha cannot handle more turmoil. We are old, Danzo. We aren't young men anymore!" Hiruzen sighed.
The power of the Rinnegan... Tonbo's report stated the enemy was sealed by his trap and wouldn't get out without special means. However, the report also mentioned a chilling detail: the six enemies were likely puppets. It was impossible for six pairs of the legendary Sage of Six Paths' eyes to exist simultaneously. Furthermore, the enemy's summons also possessed the Rinnegan, confirming the theory.
The enemy could produce a continuous stream of puppets. Even if there were limits, they could clearly maintain at least six. And based on Tonbo's combat data, each puppet possessed rare and devastating powers. Worse, Tonbo's own abilities were now partially known by the enemy; pulling off another successful trap would be nearly impossible.
"Hiruzen, you will regret this." Danzo gave him a dissatisfied look. "Fine. Then let's discuss the Uchiha. To think they have mastered Wood Style... combined with the current ideology of their militant faction, we cannot allow that mindset to spread further."
Hiruzen closed his eyes. The Uchiha...
Konoha Streets.
"Demon fox, get away! I won't sell anything to you."
"It's because of you that my husband is dead."
"Beat it! Don't show your face here again."
"You're not welcome here."
"We don't want to play with you. You're a fox, you'll eat us!"
Tonbo Tobitake was walking home carrying the Lilacs when he heard a commotion and looked over. He saw little Naruto scurrying away, trying to shield himself from the verbal and physical bombardment of the villagers. The boy looked utterly dejected.
A moment later, Naruto ran toward him and accidentally collided with Tonbo's leg, tumbling backward.
"Ow, that hurts..."
Naruto looked up to see a tall figure standing before him. A pair of bright eyes looked down with a warm smile.
"Yo, long time no see, little Naruto."
"Huh? Are you... Uncle Tonbo?" Naruto sensed a very familiar aura, but the handsome face made him doubt his own eyes. He shook his head; he couldn't be wrong. This was Uncle Tonbo. Even after more than a year, he remembered the uncle who didn't look at him with those "other" eyes.
Since the last fishing and singing incident, Naruto had hoped to see him again, but after a year of silence, he had given up. Seeing him now, Naruto's eyes gradually brightened.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!