Chapter 362: Warmth
The war was over.
Every shinobi was busy tying up loose ends on the battlefield. In truth, there weren't many "ends" left to tie up; under the world-shaking power of the Ten-Tails, the terrain had been destroyed beyond recognition.
The ninjas of the various villages followed their respective Kage back to their own nations.
Snap!
Finally, Tonbo Tobitake captured the sight of everyone's relieved expressions with his camera.
Konoha.
Inside the Hokage's Office.
"What? You still want me to be Hokage? No way, not doing it! I'm retiring! It's the era of the youth now."
Facing Tsunade and the two consultants, Tonbo Tobitake waved his hands frantically in refusal. What are they thinking? He was thirty-one years old now; it was time to step aside and hand the position over to the younger generation.
Tsunade frowned. "The Shinobi Union has just been established. Konoha needs an experienced and powerful ninja to serve as Hokage and handle the aftermath of the Fourth War. The ninjas of the entire village believe you are the most suitable candidate. After all, you already have the experience."
She couldn't understand why Tonbo always shirked responsibility when he was clearly so capable.
Mitokado Homura added, "That's right. A new era needs a new look. Tsunade is getting older; we need young people like you to take control..."
Before he could finish, Tsunade glared at him with murderous intent.
"Ahem. Generally speaking, Tsunade has done a great job as Hokage, but you must shoulder this responsibility," Homura coughed, quickly changing the subject.
Tonbo curled his lip. "Talk about letting the youth take control... Homura-senpai, Koharu-senpai, you two are even older than Lady Tsunade, aren't you? Why haven't you retired?"
The idea of them talking about the youth controlling the new era was simply hilarious to him.
Utatane Koharu scolded, "Don't think that just because you've become one of the heroes who ended the war, you can be disrespectful. We only remain to ensure Konoha doesn't head down the wrong path. We haven't retired so that the younger generation can grow up and inherit our positions. But now, even you don't want to take responsibility, setting a bad example for everyone else. You are a hero; you must step up."
"...To hell with you."
Tonbo's eyes flashed. The two old fogies' vision immediately blurred, and they slumped over, fast asleep.
He didn't want to hear it. He was powerful enough now, the war was over, and he wasn't going to pamper them anymore.
"Hey, Tonbo... sigh, fine!" Tsunade looked at the two consultants caught in the Genjutsu and sighed helplessly. "I'll let Kakashi do it then. He's lazy too, but he's still more diligent than you in these matters."
She had wanted Tonbo to serve as Hokage because of his unparalleled experience and ability. However, she also knew that unless it was something he was personally interested in, Tonbo was quite the slacker—especially when it came to internal administration. Even during his time as Acting Hokage, he had dumped most of the work on Shikaku.
Since he was this resistant, there was nothing she could do. Who would have thought there were people who genuinely didn't want to be Hokage?
"That's more like it! Kakashi is great—strong, young, experienced, diligent, and has a wide social circle. He's simply the perfect candidate for Hokage," Tonbo nodded with satisfaction.
"Honestly, I never see you praising Kakashi this much normally!" Tsunade was speechless.
In truth, her thoughts were aligned with Tonbo's: she wanted to throw the position of Hokage to someone else as quickly as possible. Let whoever wants it take it. However, she had a bottom line—she felt a sense of responsibility to ensure the person who took over could handle Konoha's affairs well. Fortunately, both Tonbo and Kakashi were suitable.
"Heh, Lady Tsunade, our thoughts are pretty much the same, aren't they? Hehe. Oh, by the way, I heard from Shizune that you plan to travel the world later. If you leave the heavy burden to Kakashi, I'm afraid he won't have time for a love life. Should we come up with a plan to set up Shizune and Kakashi? They're the same age; I think they're a good match."
Having finished the official business, Tonbo's mischievous side took over.
Tsunade's lips curled into a smirk. "Hmph, I've already thought of that. Shizune will be Kakashi's assistant. Feelings develop over time through work; it's already been arranged."
"What? And you still tried to make me Hokage?"
"Tch, I knew you wouldn't want to. I was just testing you."
"By the way, I'm not sure about that arrangement. I don't think it'll work. They're both workaholics; how are they going to find time to fall in love?"
"What do you know? Back then, I was also at work... You brat, are you questioning my judgment as Hokage?"
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving. My three boys want me to tell them the legendary stories of my time on the battlefield."
Swoosh!
"Dad, who wants to hear your 'legendary' stories? Just tell me more about chakra nature transformation."
Keigo listened to Tonbo's bragging until he was nearly asleep. Compared to stories of fighting, Keigo was much more interested in the theory of chakra. Besides, he knew that whenever his dad taught him something, he would inevitably include his "glorious deeds" anyway. He'd find out one way or another.
Tianyu pushed his brother's head aside, his eyes shining as he looked at his father. "So you're saying, at the most critical moment, you sliced off the arm of the Progenitor of Chakra with one strike, and then used a Genjutsu to decide the final victory?"
"Child's play, child's play. For your old man, that was just a minor achievement," Tonbo replied, tilting his head back at a 45-degree angle, unable to suppress the grin on his face.
Maki asked, "Once our Genjutsu gets stronger, will we be able to do what you did, Dad?"
"Aren't you guys already very impressive? You're both Chunin now; after gaining a bit more experience, you'll be ready for a promotion to Jonin," Tonbo Tobitake said proudly.
To him, nothing felt more like true happiness than the admiration of his children. His only headache was Keigo, who was perhaps a bit too clever for his own good.
"But we want to be even stronger! Dad, give us your ninja tools," Tenyu and Maki said, flanking him on both sides and acting spoiled.
They had heard the rumors. On the battlefield, their father had used musical ninja tools to lead the Allied Forces and significantly reduce casualties. Now, those five items had become legendary tools among Genjutsu-type ninjas. It was widely believed that those tools were the secret behind Tonbo's divine display of power during the war.
Tonbo replied, "Do you two even know how to play music? Why do you want them?"
"Tonbo, if my grandson and granddaughter ask for something, you give it to them. Stop talking so much. Even if you've become a hero of the Shinobi world, you're still my son."
Tosei Tobitake walked out of the room and gave the order.
"Dad, I'm trying to educate my children. Why are you jumping in? You never treated me like this back in the day," Tonbo said, exasperated. So, love really does just transfer to the next generation, doesn't it?
"I'm also educating my son," Tosei retorted.
He then turned to his grandchildren with a warm smile. "Don't worry. As long as Grandpa is here, he will definitely give them to you. If you don't know how to use them, you'll just have to learn."
"Dad, they're already Chunin. Stop treating them like toddlers..."
"Step aside! My grandson and granddaughter are still so young; to me, they are just children."
"Grandpa, you're the best!"
"Haha, of course! Who else would be good to you if not your Grandpa?"
The interaction between the three generations left three-year-old Keigo Tobitake in a state of quiet disdain. His older brother and sister were already so big, yet they were acting like babies. They had no shame.
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