Chapter 161: The Intelligence Network
Analysis Division.
Tonbo Tobitake sifted through report after report, beginning the process of organization.
After several years as the Head of the Analysis Division, he had established an intelligence network of his own within the shinobi world. Beyond the convenient collection methods afforded by his official position in Konoha, he had never neglected his personal data-gathering capabilities during his years of training and research.
As a ninja, it was essential to have a personal network outside the village's official channels. This was something every elite Jonin practiced. Whether built through money or other means, everyone had their own private sources of information.
Leveraging his authority and his formidable genjutsu prowess, Tonbo had placed several "chess pieces" across the land. Although he was a father and a husband, he remained a shinobi at heart when dealing with the outside world. Whenever capable, he didn't mind setting up back-up plans.
He didn't know when they might be needed. Perhaps they would remain untouched even after Naruto and Sasuke defeated Kaguya—but they might prove vital when the Otsutsuki eventually descended or when Isshiki was resurrected. At the very least, they could help him move his descendants out of harm's way.
After all, Konoha was always the primary battlefield.
As the saying goes, "Preparation leads to success, while lack of it leads to failure." Tonbo was no longer just looking out for himself. He hoped he was overthinking things and that the plot wouldn't spiral into the "Unburnable" era (Boruto), but rather enter a period of true peace. Since that future story hadn't concluded in his previous life, his information on it was limited.
"There's no harm in learning from the seniors in this regard."
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Chiyo, Onoki—these old foxes all had tentacles stretching across the entire shinobi world. In terms of breadth, Black Zetsu might not even know as much as these veterans. They were examples worth studying.
Even now, his preparations were paying off. He already had his own sources for information regarding Gato, the Land of Hot Springs, and developments in other nations. As more information flowed in, his mind processed it with increasing efficiency.
For instance, he had just spotted a piece of news within a merchant caravan's report: The Land of Lightning was suspected to be developing Scientific Ninja Tools. It seemed they had already achieved some results.
While this was just an inference drawn from spy reports and various data points, Tonbo didn't doubt his intuition. The Land of Lightning's tool science had always been at the world's leading edge. Even the meteorological instruments he used to study the weather were originally developed there.
"Scientific Ninja Tools... are they already starting to emerge now?"
Scientific Ninja Tools didn't just appear out of thin air in the later era; they were always in development. It was just that they hadn't been deployed in standard warfare yet, and the technology wasn't fully mature. But Tonbo could already feel the wind changing. This technology would eventually allow a ninja's strength to grow exponentially.
He finished his work for the day, submitted the vital intelligence to the Hokage, and closed out his shift.
An unnamed peak outside Konoha.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Tosei Tobitake formed a one-handed seal and spat out a massive ball of fire, startling the birds in the valley below.
"Fantastic! I did it! I really do have talent!" He looked at the fireball and then at his hand, ecstatic.
"Wow, Grandpa is so amazing!" The two children, who were practicing their concentration training nearby, offered timely praise. Privately, they were thinking that it wasn't nearly as cool as their Dad's techniques.
"Of course! I'm your Grandpa; I have to set an example for you. Tonbo, how about that? I told you I had talent. See? I succeeded again." Tosei looked at Tonbo with a face full of pride. He had already mastered the one-handed seals for the Three Basic Jutsu. Now that he had mastered the Great Fireball, he felt like a genius.
Tonbo, meanwhile, looked like he had permanent dark circles under his eyes.
"Dad, who told you to practice the Great Fireball? Do you have any idea how much mental energy that costs me?" He was speechless. Did his father know how hard it was to maintain the neural link for that? Why practice a feint-style ninjutsu like that? Are you actually planning to go back to the front lines?
"Tch, I'm your father. Just tell me—was it cool or not?" Tosei puffed out his chest.
"Stop talking nonsense. Next, we practice Eye of the Creator. You used to be a sensory ninja, so it might be a bit easier for you." Tonbo didn't want to argue. Arguing with a woman was exhausting; arguing with an old man was much the same.
"Understood, understood." Tosei had been eyeing this secret technique for a long time. Since his talent matched his son's as a sensory type, it was a perfect fit.
The two children nearby relaxed upon hearing this, and the leaves balanced on their foreheads fell off. They knew that once Grandpa learned this, he wouldn't have to do any manual labor. Even if Dad wasn't home, they could enjoy an automated life. It was a dream come true.
"Focus! Don't make me say it again," Tonbo snapped, noticing their distraction and pulling out a bamboo switch threateningly.
"Yes, sir!"
Tianyu and Maki became serious again. They knew that only by learning well could they eventually be like their Dad—simply forming a seal to have food brought to their mouths and clothes brought to their hands.
Konoha. Atop the Hokage Rock.
"Lord Jiraiya, why did you ask me here? Don't tell me you want my genjutsu again," Tonbo said, exasperated. He had just brought his family home when he received Jiraiya's invitation. He hadn't expected them to have much interaction, given they weren't close.
"Ahem! Am I that kind of person?" Jiraiya gave a dry cough. "I wanted to ask about your intelligence on Amegakure—the Rinnegan's capabilities, and your thoughts on that unknown ninja who uses space-time ninjutsu."
Am I that kind of person? Who the hell is spreading rumors about my reputation?
"Eh? Did the Third tell you? He told me to keep my mouth shut and not reveal any of that to anyone," Tonbo teased.
"I want to spar with you once to get a feel for that guy's strength through yours," Jiraiya said. He was genuinely concerned about the person suspected to be Nagato. Tonbo was the only person who had actually fought him.
At the same time, he wanted to get to know Tonbo Tobitake—the man known as the strongest of the younger generation alongside Kakashi. Before meeting Tonbo, Jiraiya had already spoken with Kakashi. He knew Kakashi's strength well, and since Kakashi admitted he was no match for Tonbo, Jiraiya was very intrigued.
"That's fine. A brief exchange should be enough. Otherwise, it's too dangerous."
Since Jiraiya wanted to know, Tonbo saw no harm in it. Normally he avoided unnecessary fights, but as the Head of the Analysis Division, he couldn't exactly refuse a senior's request for enemy intel.
Besides, who knows? Maybe he could take Jiraiya down in one move. For those who didn't understand his techniques, his ninjutsu was incredibly "broken"—just as it had been against Orochimaru, though Orochimaru had been prepared for every possibility.
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