Chapter 91: Eavesdropping
Konoha Streets.
"Eh? So you came out specifically to buy things?" Tonbo Tobitake walked toward home, feeling helpless as little Naruto practically glued himself to his heels.
"Yeah, the cup ramen at home ran out," Naruto replied, his little feet moving in a quick trot to keep up.
Tonbo asked, "Then instead of buying your groceries, why are you following me?"
"It's been so long since I saw you! I want to play," Naruto said with a wide grin.
"I just got back from a mission. I don't have time to play with a brat like you."
"Eh? Why not?"
"My wife and kids are waiting for me at home. I have to spend time with them, so of course, I can't play with you," Tonbo laughed.
"Kids?"
Naruto instantly thought of himself. He had never seen his own father or mother. Hearing that the "Weird Uncle" actually had children made him look at Tonbo differently. This weird uncle was someone's father... where was his own father?
His dejection was visible to the naked eye.
"Alright, it seems I poked a sore spot. How about this? I invite you to my house to see my babies," Tonbo said, glancing at him. The kid really is sensitive!
"Eh? Really? Is that okay?" Naruto's cerulean eyes went wide. He had only hoped the uncle would play with him; he never expected an invitation to his home.
His face lit up with surprise and joy. This was the first person besides the Third Hokage to ever invite him over.
"Of course."
"Aren't you afraid... that I'm the Demon Fox?" Naruto asked cautiously.
Tonbo said dismissively, "Only the weak fear the Demon Fox. To the strong, pinching it is as easy as me pinching you. Do you think a strong person would be afraid?"
Naruto blinked. "Then... are you a strong person?"
As expected of the Weird Uncle, he talks with such authority!
"Ahem. While I might not be able to beat the Demon Fox, it certainly couldn't catch me if I ran," Tonbo replied.
"..."
The Tobitake House.
"Your daddy is coming home today! Are you happy?" Ayame gently rocked the cradle. Two small infants blinked their large eyes.
Hearing that their father was returning—and perhaps sensing their mother's joyful emotions—both babies broke into happy smiles.
"Wa-ee..."
"Alright, this is my house. Wait for me outside for a second," Tonbo told Naruto.
"Okay," Naruto nodded.
Tonbo began to tidy his appearance. He smoothed his hair which had been tousled by the wind, brushed the dust from his journey off his clothes, and put on his best smile.
He pushed open the door and walked in. "Wife, I'm home!"
Pat-pat-pat!
A moment later, a figure rushed out. Seeing Tonbo, she leaped into a flying hug, burying herself in his chest.
"You're finally back! If it weren't for those occasional messages, I would have thought you'd died in the line of duty," Ayame said, her eyes turning red.
During his undercover mission, whenever Tonbo operated outside as a spy, he would send intelligence to the Third Hokage while also reporting his safety to his family. This was something he insisted on doing. It was the only thing that kept Ayame and his father from worrying themselves to death.
"It's fine. Your husband is very capable. Here, these are Lilacs. I heard they represent 'longing'!" Tonbo held her tight, patting her shoulder to comfort her.
"Thank you." Ayame let go of him and took the bouquet.
"I ran into an old acquaintance on the way, and he followed me here." Tonbo waved at little Naruto, who was peeking in from the doorway.
Naruto walked in with a smile and looked at Ayame. "Hello, Big Sister!"
"Hey, I know you! Back before Tonbo and I were married... your name is Naruto, right?" Ayame recognized him instantly. The legends of the Konoha Demon Fox never stopped, so he was quite easy to remember.
"Yes!"
While the two of them chatted, Tonbo couldn't wait any longer. Sensing the location of the two children, he headed straight for the nursery. Ayame and Naruto followed.
Naruto felt so happy in this moment. Neither the Weird Uncle nor the Big Sister looked at him with those "other" eyes. It was just like before. Naruto might be a bit slow, but he held these kindnesses close to his heart.
Inside the room.
Tobitake Tianyu and Tobitake Maki, babies nearly a year old, were smiling at each other. They didn't cry even though their mother had suddenly left the room. They laughed, their little mouths making "Wa-ee" sounds.
Suddenly, both of them looked toward the bedroom door with sharp gazes. Their eyes were filled with anticipation. They sensed a familiar aura.
"Wa-ee..."
Tonbo opened the door to find his son and daughter staring fixedly at him, their tiny hands waving with smiles.
When Ayame followed him in: "Mama..." the two little ones spoke up.
Though the pronunciation was slurred, Tonbo heard it clearly.
"Whoa! My two treasures can say 'Mama' now? Come on, say 'Papa'!" Tonbo's heart melted. He walked over to the babies and urged them.
"Papa."
"Papa."
The two babies stared at him without blinking.
"Wow, my babies are so smart!"
Tonbo hadn't expected his children to be this intelligent. At only about nine months old, they could not only say "Mama" and "Papa," but they recognized him instantly.
He had noticed the moment he walked in: their sensory talent was exceptionally strong. They had fixed their gaze on the door before he even entered. Furthermore, their physical builds were very sturdy—judging by his perception, they were much stronger than average infants. Their potential as ninjas was clearly high.
"Come here, let Papa hold you."
Tonbo picked up one in each arm. Tianyu and Maki didn't cry; instead, they laughed with "Wa-ee" sounds.
"So these are your babies? They're so cute," Naruto said, looking at them.
Right then, the two little ones saw Naruto. Their smiling faces suddenly twisted, and they burst into tears.
"WAHHHHHHH—!"
This left little Naruto very embarrassed. It was his first time being so close to such small babies. He stood there, flustered and unsure of what to do.
So sharp... could they be sensing the aura of the Nine-Tails inside Naruto? Tonbo wondered as he watched the scene. It seemed the next generation of his family was going to surpass him in sensory talent. As for surpassing him in everything else? Impossible. He was the "traveler" here; he had to maintain that much confidence, even if he secretly hoped his children would eventually outshine him.
"Haha, you're just a stranger to them, so they're a bit scared," he told Naruto.
They kept Naruto for dinner, and then he headed home, not wanting to intrude on their family reunion further. As he left, he kept looking back, his face filled with envy. Family...
Tonbo spent the day playing with his wife and kids. During the day, Tobitake Dongqing returned as well. Seeing Tonbo, he was deeply moved, thinking his "seed" was truly becoming more outstanding by the day.
At night.
The couple waited until the children were fast asleep before sneaking into the bedroom next door. After triple-checking that the babies were out cold, they got down to "business" with the hunger of a long drought meeting rain...
However, while things were getting heated, the two babies opened their eyes. With their keen senses, they heard the noise.
In perfect synchronization, they climbed out of their cradles. Tonbo's feeling had been correct—they were physically strong. They climbed down steadily and then crawled silently together toward the wall.
Reaching the corner, the brother and sister leaned against the wall, perfectly quiet. From time to time, their little faces frowned in confusion.
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