Chapter 33: Returning to the Village
Capital of the Land of Fire.
After Team Tonbo confirmed that Asuma had joined the Guardian Shinobi Twelve and sent the intel back to Konoha, they took a tour of the city.
Tonbo was truly amazed by the technology of the shinobi world. He bought several useful items here—things like radios and telescopes—which were quite practical even for ninjas. Compared to watching the anime, physically interacting with this world allowed him to feel the nuanced differences.
Moreover, there were things the original series never explicitly showed. Audiences often wondered why Konoha, possessing the strongest military force, didn't simply claim kingship. Within Tonbo's sensory range, he detected a massive barrier protecting the Capital.
The power here was significant. Aside from the Daimyo's Guardian Shinobi Twelve, the various noble families maintained their own private ninja corps. Their strength was not to be underestimated. Konoha was the Land of Fire's primary military organ, but it was not the only one.
"Truly an eye-opener."
After wandering for a few days and soaking in the atmosphere of the most prosperous place in the nation, Tonbo and his team set out on the road back to Konoha. They had been out for nearly a month—the longest mission his Genins had ever undertaken. However, the three kids felt a bit of regret that they hadn't had a chance to truly "show off" their skills in a major battle.
Iruka moved with light steps, easily keeping pace behind Tonbo. "Hehe, once we get back, the others won't be able to touch our level of strength."
Mibu Shinobu added, "That's a given. The Captain's teaching ability is just too strong. I feel like I could take on ten of my 'one-month-ago' selves."
Togetake Tetusen said, "With the Captain's guidance, I've finished developing my new technique. I can finally brag to my old man when I get home."
They felt incredibly lucky to have been assigned to Tonbo Tobitake's squad. Where else could you find such a dedicated Captain? In Konoha, most captains didn't go this far; he treated them more like personal disciples than mere subordinates.
The only regret was that they hadn't master the Captain's Secret Technique—even Shinobu, with his talent for Genjutsu, found it impossible. It was simply too perverse; it wasn't something an ordinary person could learn. You needed to master Mind Reading, achieve high-level Genjutsu proficiency, and have a medical-ninja level understanding of the human chakra pathway system.
It was just too demanding.
"Hey, stop chatting," Tonbo called out. "I'm picking up the pace. Use your Body Flicker Technique; this is one of the most useful skills on the battlefield."
Tonbo wove a sign to refine his chakra and instantly accelerated.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Konoha Main Gate.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane were bored out of their minds, occasionally registering ninjas returning from missions.
Izumo sighed. "This is so boring. Why do we have to guard the gate?"
Kotetsu grumbled, "I heard that guy Tonbo Tobitake is already leading a team. Seriously, we've been promoted to Chunin too; why haven't they given us a squad?"
Izumo shrugged. "It's fine. At least Guy is still on missions under Lord Choza and hasn't gone solo yet, otherwise, I'd be dying of envy."
At the mention of "that man," both of them conjured images of green jumpsuits and bowl cuts.
"Ah... my fist is starving for action," Kotetsu said, letting out a sleepy yawn.
"Hmm? Someone's coming."
The two looked toward the road. A familiar figure, followed by three youngsters, was walking toward them.
"Hi, Izumo, Old Kotetsu!" Tonbo greeted them with a wave.
"Hello, seniors," the three Genin added politely.
Kotetsu's eyes narrowed with mock annoyance. "Why do I get treated differently? What's with 'Old Kotetsu'? Am I that old?" He then turned his gaze to the Genin. "So this is your squad? I hope you didn't waste their talent."
He was skeptical. Back in the day, Tonbo's academy grades hadn't even been as good as theirs. Now, the guy was not only a Special Jonin but a team leader.
"Nonsense. I am a man who has inherited the Will of Fire! How could I waste their youth? Hey, you three, tell them—how is it being on my team?" Tonbo glanced at them.
The three Genin spoke in unison: "The Captain is the best! He's amazing! The most dedicated ninja in the world!"
"..." Izumo and Kotetsu stared at Tonbo suspiciously. Had he brainwashed these kids?
"Haha, anyway, I've got to go report the mission. See ya! Let's grab a drink when we have time." After finishing the registration, Tonbo led his team inside.
Watching them leave, Izumo asked, "Did he just say he wanted to drink with us?"
Kotetsu smirked. "Good. Next time, we'll drink him under the table. Special Jonin or not... when it comes to alcohol, I'm not afraid of anyone."
Tonbo and the three Genin parted ways. He went straight to the Hokage's office to submit the full report on Asuma's experiences in the Capital. He had organized the paperwork during the trip back. While he had sent updates via his grass-hawks, the formal village protocol still had to be followed.
"Tonbo, you've done well. Go home and rest," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, giving Tonbo a warm, fatherly smile as he looked over the report.
"Yes, sir." Tonbo exited the office.
Hiruzen looked at the file. "Asuma... I hope you can find your 'King'." He knew there was a generational gap between him and his son; communication was impossible right now. Letting him cool off outside and serving the Daimyo was a good way to keep an eye on him from a distance.
Elsewhere, Togetake Tetusen had returned home but couldn't sit still. After leaving his teammates, he sought out an old classmate, Saisu Kamano.
"You want to spar with me?" Saisu looked at him skeptically.
Tetusen hid his internal excitement and said calmly, "Yeah. I've been training with the Captain, and I've improved a lot. I want to test the waters with you."
Finally, he was going to show off. Saisu was from the Kamano clan; back at the Academy, they were roughly equal in skill, making him the perfect benchmark. Plus, they were good friends, which made the prospect of winning even sweeter. There was nothing better than showing off in front of a friend.
Saisu shrugged. "Alright. Just so happens I've been training with my sensei, and I feel like I've made huge progress too." You think you're the only one who improved? Hmph, wait until I beat you, he thought.
The two headed to Training Ground 45. The sun was beginning to dip, hanging at a 35-degree angle above the horizon, casting a dim yellow light across the field.
"Here I come! Let me show you my results!"
"Who's afraid of you!"
The two formed the Seal of Confrontation, their eyes flashing as they drew their weapons. Tetusen instantly threw several shuriken as a probe.
Clang! Clang!
Two sickles attached to chains appeared in Saisu's hands. He spun them, using the chains to deflect all the shuriken.
Such heavy force, Saisu thought. He felt like the shuriken hitting his blades carried the weight of eighty pounds against his fifty. How is this possible? It's been less than two months since graduation; is the gap already this big? He was from the Kamano clan, after all—he had a heritage.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Clang! Clang!
The two clashed. Tetusen realized immediately that Saisu's combat experience was severely lacking. Despite having his clan's techniques, Saisu seemed clumsy and overwhelmed by Tetusen's movements. The sickle-chain style that used to give Tetusen trouble back at school now seemed full of holes. He could see a dozen ways to break the defense in an instant.
However, to test his own limits, Tetusen didn't use ninjutsu yet. He stuck to close-quarters combat with his kunai.
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