Chapter 101: The Near-Guard Agency Team
Learning always makes time fly.
Akimichi Choza's family secret techniques belonged to a branch of Yang Release nature transformation. Although they were vastly different from Tonbo Tobitake's Yin Release, they provided him with ample inspiration. This played a crucial role in his subsequent ninjutsu development.
It had to be said—Choza was a true veteran and the 15th head of the Akimichi clan for a reason. Once again, Tonbo was shaken by the depth of a Great Clan's heritage. Whether it was Yamanaka Inoichi's guidance during the development of "Eye of the Creator" or Akimichi Choza's advice now, both were incredibly practical.
There was a reason these Great Clans never lacked Jonin. Small families like the Izuno or Fuma clans had secret techniques, but their foundational knowledge and intellectual depth couldn't compare. Tonbo felt his mind was sharp enough, and he had read the memories of many enemies, yet in certain foundational aspects, he still lagged behind these clans.
It came down to inheritance. If Tonbo passed down his own methods, unless his descendants were super-geniuses, they would end up like other small families—possessing a secret technique but struggling to produce even a single Jonin. He lacked the systematic knowledge required to build strength from the ground up; or rather, he simply hadn't had the time to organize it yet. For now, his primary mission was to get stronger himself. No matter how talented his descendants might be, they wouldn't surpass his own strength.
Tonbo Tobitake's House.
"Do you just not want to help with the kids? You're always getting yourself injured..."
Ayame held the baby, looking at him with a resentful gaze. Tonbo's arm was in a sling. Hearing his wife's grievances, he rubbed his nose with his left hand.
It was indeed a bit poor of him. Since returning, he hadn't spent much "quality time" with Ayame before injuring himself in the pursuit of jutsu development.
"Wa-ee~!" The two toddlers also let out "ying-ying" shouts at him, seemingly joining their mother in scolding him.
"Almost there. Once the first stage is complete, I won't be hurting myself anymore," Tonbo chuckled in the face of his family's accusations.
Genjutsu: Self-Healing consumed a massive amount of physical energy. Since he wasn't in active combat, there was no need to force a rapid recovery. Forcing the process would accelerate cell division and shorten his lifespan, so he refrained. He had to admit that in terms of medical ninjutsu talent, there was still a gap between him and the likes of Tsunade or Kabuto.
He had originally wanted to develop a cell-creation technique. He thought it wouldn't take long, but he had overestimated his talent in this field. In the original story, Tsunade had only heard of Kabuto's Yin Healing Wound Destruction before creating a jutsu that used chakra to create cells—allowing her to use Creation Rebirth without worrying about the limit of cell division. Tonbo thought he could do the same.
Now it seemed he couldn't even match Sakura in medical talent. He was better than average, but far from the peak.
"In the coming days, spend more time with the children. Didn't you say you have a mission starting soon?" Ayame asked.
"Understood. That mission won't require leaving the village. It's inside Konoha, basically like going to the office," Tonbo replied.
"Wa-ee~!"
Over the next few days, Tonbo used his "Eye of the Creator" to create special illusory beasts. Like robots, they carried the two children, following him as he strolled around. Occasionally, he took them to see their grandfather, Teuchi; sometimes, he took them soaring through the sky to look down at the scenery of Konoha.
Naruto would also visit occasionally to see the two babies. Every time, he arrived full of joy and left with a look of envy and a longing for affection. Since learning where Tonbo lived, Naruto ran over every two or three days. The ANBU following him were speechless. If Tonbo weren't a high-ranking member of Konoha and a recognized successor of the Will of Fire, they would have suspected him of having ulterior motives toward the Nine-Tails.
Tap, tap, tap!
Outside the main gates of Konoha, a team slowly appeared. The man in the lead was smoking a cigarette, a sash signifying his status as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja hanging at his waist. Behind him was a ten-man squad. Each wore the armband of the Land of Fire's Near-Guard Agency. However, they were all sporting various injuries, looking as though they had fought a fierce battle on the road.
"Hmm? The Near-Guard team has arrived. The one in the lead... isn't that the Hokage's son, Asuma?" Izumo Kamizuki noted as he was registering arrivals.
Kotetsu Hagane: "Incredible. It looks like they were ambushed; they're all injured. Go notify Lord Hokage immediately."
Another ninja nearby nodded and vanished with a swish. Izumo and Kotetsu stepped forward to greet them.
"Asuma, long time no see! You actually became a Guardian Ninja. I'm so jealous!" Izumo said, eyeing the waist sash.
"Yeah, well, this job isn't easy either," Asuma laughed, seeing familiar faces. He handed over the credentials for the Near-Guard Agency.
"Verified. Were you attacked by someone?"
"A group of rogue ninjas."
Asuma was actually puzzled. Who had sent assassins capable of nearly taking out several members of a Near-Guard squad and a Guardian Ninja?
"Lord Hokage has already made arrangements for you. But given the situation, you should take them to the Konoha Hospital for treatment first," Kotetsu said, looking at the men behind Asuma with bandaged limbs.
Asuma nodded. That was the only option for now.
The Hokage's Office.
"Understood. You may leave. I will send someone to handle it," Hiruzen Sarutobi said to the reporting ninja.
Swish!
As the ninja vanished, a smile touched Hiruzen's lips. "Asuma, let me see how much you've grown."
He then ordered the ANBU to investigate the ambush on the Near-Guard Agency to see who was bold enough to strike them.
Konoha Hospital.
A ninja from the Near-Guard Agency sincerely thanked a medical ninja. Once the room was empty, his pupils shifted slightly, and a cunning smile appeared on his face.
"Konoha is nothing special."
Zetsu felt that infiltrating Konoha was far too easy.
"Tonbo, the Land of Fire's Near-Guard Agency has arrived. Be prepared."
As soon as Tonbo entered the Hokage's office, he received the news from Hiruzen.
"I've been ready. I'll make sure they experience first-hand that Konoha's Genjutsu isn't just for show. I'll let the Daimyo know his military funding isn't being wasted," Tonbo nodded.
He was a veteran at teaching. Having taught so many people, he was more than proficient—it was second nature. Furthermore, he didn't need to teach any secret techniques; he was just teaching Genjutsu dispelling, a field he knew better than anyone. To guard against the broken abilities of the Mangekyo Sharingan, he, as a Genjutsu Master, had already prepared various countermeasures. Dispelling Genjutsu was his specialty.
As for Kotoamatsukami... he hadn't tried it yet, so he wasn't sure if he could handle it.
Hiruzen: "Watch their attitude. If they get too arrogant, don't be polite. Show them your true strength."
Tonbo raised an eyebrow. "Understood."
The meaning is clear: if they dare to act out, I can put them in their place.
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