Chapter 163: Ordinary People
In the end, Tonbo Tobitake explained his combat logic.
"Unlimited Void... I see. I understand now. What a truly remarkable ninjutsu."
Hearing the mechanics of the technique, Jiraiya was filled with admiration. Just hearing about the effects upon activation gave him a sense of overwhelming pressure. Even for someone of his caliber, if he were caught in it without prior intelligence, it would likely be a "one-hit-KO."
It seemed Konoha had truly produced an extraordinary shinobi.
"Actually, the flaws are quite significant," Tonbo smiled. "But it's more than enough to deal with ordinary people."
"Ordinary people?"
Several question marks popped up in Jiraiya's mind. The owner of the Rinnegan is an 'ordinary person'? You're just using me to show off now, aren't you?
"I've gathered the intelligence I needed. It seems that before I'm fully prepared, I shouldn't go looking for trouble. This person's abilities are far too perverse, and there's still information on several other members that hasn't been uncovered," Jiraiya mused.
During the battle with Pain, there were many techniques Pain never used that Tonbo hadn't mentioned to the Third or Jiraiya.
Tonbo said, "Well then, I'll be heading off. I have to go home and cook for the kids."
Because his brain was so efficient, he wasn't just limited to ninjutsu; his cooking was actually quite good. He was the best chef in the family, his skills surpassing even Teuchi's decades of experience.
"I heard you have two children already. Truly impressive. Are you sure you don't want to trade your genjutsu with me? I have many unique ninjutsu to offer," Jiraiya said, shifting from his serious purpose back to his less-than-reputable motives.
Whether it was the Presence-Concealing Illusion or those moves from earlier, his heart was itching to learn them! Especially that entrance genjutsu—it suited his "Toad Sage" status perfectly.
"Let's skip that. Your ninjutsu are useless to me," Tonbo replied.
Mostly, he didn't want his techniques used by Jiraiya for "indecent" activities. It would be a disgrace to the craft.
"Goodbye."
Poof!
Forming a seal, he vanished from before Jiraiya's eyes.
"Tch! Dammit! How dare he look down on me? I'm a Sage! I know Sage Mode!" Jiraiya shouted at the air, fuming.
He said it, but he never actually considered trading Sage Mode to Tonbo. Tonbo had no affinity with the toads, and Sage Mode required a massive chakra reserve—even Jiraiya barely qualified to enter it. It simply wasn't a fit.
This left him scratching his head. My beloved jutsu... I didn't get to learn it! Argh!
Another ten or so days passed. Jiraiya vanished once again, disappearing from within Konoha. Every ninja remained at their post, steadfast.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi, returned to the village—this time for good.
Yakiniku Q (BBQ Restaurant).
"Yo, isn't this our young master of the Hokage household, Asuma Sarutobi? Truly rare. After being a rebel for so many years, you finally got homesick?" Tonbo popped his head out of a window to tease him.
He then glanced at Kurenai sitting opposite Asuma. "Oh, so it's not that you missed your dad, you missed a woman! I'm telling you, Kurenai, this guy is a real handful. You'd better get to know him well before you commit. Who knows if he was out picking flowers in the Capital?"
Twitch—
"Dammit! Why are you everywhere?!" Asuma gritted his teeth at the sudden appearance and the stinging words. He thought his time with the Guardian Shinobi Twelve had made him steady and mature, but seeing Tonbo still made him want to throw a punch. Especially with those provocative lines.
"Kurenai, don't listen to him. I was working diligently on my protection duties in the Capital, just like how you protect the village," Asuma added quickly to Kurenai.
Yuhi Kurenai smiled. "Tonbo, do you want to join us?"
Asuma's heart shattered. He felt Tonbo would definitely ruin their "two-person world." He'd only been back a few days and had just summoned the courage to ask Kurenai out; now this guy was going to meddle.
"No thanks, I don't want to be a third wheel. Besides, I brought the kids. Tianyu, Maki, say hello to Uncle Asuma and Big Sister Kurenai."
Two more heads popped out on either side of Tonbo. "Hello, Uncle Asuma! Hello, Big Sister Kurenai!" they chirped, looking like the picture of innocence.
"Don't call me Uncle! Call me Big Brother! I'll treat you to BBQ!" Asuma was immediately displeased. Normally he didn't mind kids calling him Uncle—Konohamaru did it, after all. But calling Kurenai "Big Sister" while calling him "Uncle"? That completely messed up the seniority!
"Uncle, look at your big scruffy beard. Stop pretending to be young," Tianyu exposed him without mercy.
Smack!
Tonbo patted Tianyu's head and "educated" him: "What did I teach you? Be polite. Although Asuma looks a bit old, he's actually the same age as your Dad. You aren't wrong—he did grow up a bit too 'hurriedly'—but you shouldn't say it out loud in public."
"Yes, Dad!" the two kids said in unison.
Crunch!
Asuma's knuckles cracked as he balled his fists. If Kurenai weren't there, he would have sent Tonbo flying. "Get lost!"
"I'm going, I'm going. Tianyu, Maki, let's go see a movie. I heard the famous star Fujikaze Yukie is starring in Princess Fuun Episode 1, and it just released. Uncle Asuma probably didn't buy tickets, which is why he's only treating a girl to BBQ. I remember Big Sister Kurenai likes shochu; he's so clumsy. Let's go!"
Tonbo chuckled, threw in one last jab, and led the kids away.
"Kurenai, wait, no... I just got back and didn't know the movie was out. Otherwise, I definitely would have invited you to see that instead," Asuma said awkwardly. He truly didn't know, nor did he know Kurenai liked shochu.
"It's fine. I actually quite like BBQ," Kurenai smiled, genuinely not minding.
Ninja Academy.
"Naruto! Another 'F' on the Clone Jutsu! If this continues, you won't even become a Genin! You spend all your time pulling pranks instead of working hard. If you don't improve, you'll just have to repeat the year!" Iruka shouted, exasperated.
Naruto had failed the Substitution and Clone portions of the Three Basic Jutsu once again.
"Dammit! I clearly practiced hard!" Naruto pouted. Although he was a prankster, he did practice in secret. He didn't want to be left too far behind by Sasuke and the others. But the Clone and Substitution jutsu always felt off; his chakra simply wouldn't listen to him.
"Hmph, still making excuses. Next! Sasuke."
Poof!
"Very good. Form and posture are perfect. Pass."
"Next, Kiba."
Poof!
"Not bad, not bad. Pass."
"Idiot Kiba, stop transforming into me and mimicking my voice!" Naruto shouted.
Naruto watched as everyone completed the test, his pout growing deeper. He could accept Sasuke and Kiba passing, but why was even Choji so good at it?
That damn Choji, he must have been practicing in secret at home too. He said he'd be my strategist, but he didn't tell me he was getting ahead!
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