Chapter 66: The Dangerous Tonbo Tobitake
Konoha, Barrier Development Division.
Swoosh, swoosh!
Specialized kunai placed around the perimeter of the field flew back into the hands of Tonbo Tobitake's development team in rapid succession.
"That's enough for today. Off the clock, let's go get some food. We'll pick back up next week," Tonbo said to the three men.
"Yes, Captain," Tetsume Hyuga replied respectfully.
After a month of working together, the level of expertise Tonbo displayed in barrier ninjutsu made these professional members of the Barrier Division feel ashamed. As elites specially trained by Konoha from childhood, their foundation in barrier arts wasn't as strong as Tonbo's, despite him joining halfway through.
When he first started, while Tonbo had deep theoretical insights, there were many technical details he didn't know and had to ask them about. However, with each passing day, they noticed massive leaps in his progress. His development of barrier jutsu became more refined by the hour; it was as if he was advancing through an entire stage of mastery every single day.
Furthermore, they were deeply impressed by the barrier ninjutsu Tonbo had created: the Inverted Golden Bell. In their minds, once this barrier was successfully scaled up, it would be a divine tool for defense. If they ever encountered a rampaging monster like the Nine-Tails again, as long as someone could keep it outside, this barrier would prevent the beast from causing any destruction.
Tonbo nodded to them and checked the time. It was about right.
The work at the Barrier Division didn't occupy too much of Tonbo's time. He only spent two days a week there. Most of his time was spent at the Intelligence Analysis Division handling his duties as Division Head.
His routine consisted of going to work, finishing work, going home to eat, and his daily training. Two weeks ago, he had already mastered the Bringer-of-Darkness.
It was exactly as he had envisioned, though with a slight difference. The technique wasn't just a Genjutsu targeted at an individual's vision; it was a wide-range Genjutsu that affected every ninja within its radius. Once cast, all enemies would find their field of vision plunged into darkness.
Furthermore, it was a continuous-release technique. Even if you disrupted your chakra to break it, you would be hit by the illusion again the very next instant. It could only be countered by completely blocking out the caster's chakra or by killing the caster. For instance, an Uchiha's Susanoo, which completely envelops the user, would likely be able to negate this kind of illusion.
"Today is little Ino's birthday. What should I get her... Hmm, I'll give her a Tonbo Tobitake action figure."
Tonbo smiled, thinking he had come up with the coolest gift ever. He truly was a genius.
The Ninja Academy.
"Iruka-sensei is coming! Sit down, quick!"
"Ah, I can't take it anymore. I'm going to complain to the office. Iruka-sensei uses ninjutsu on students!"
"It's no use. I told my dad, and he actually supported Iruka-sensei."
"Darn it, to think Iruka-sensei developed such a jutsu. It's too despicable."
"I heard his teacher taught it to him."
"Just you wait. You guys can keep the dream of becoming Hokage. My new dream is to beat up Iruka-sensei and his teacher."
"Me too."
In the second-year classroom, the moment they heard it was Iruka-sensei's period, the rowdy kids immediately returned to their seats and behaved. They even shut their mouths quickly. They all looked like they were studying with intense focus.
Even the proud young boys of the Uchiha clan and the nobles of the Hyuga clan looked as if they had just swallowed something foul. Clearly, they had been subjected to some unconventional "discipline."
Tap, tap, tap!
Iruka walked in through the door, clutching his books, a friendly smile on his face. Seeing all the students studying quietly without making a peep, he nodded in satisfaction.
"As expected of me. Even many Seniors can't make the students behave this well, but I fixed it the moment I arrived."
Iruka felt that his teaching career was destiny. His dreams, his abilities, and his personality were all born for the classroom.
Suddenly, he saw a boy from the Uchiha clan raise his hand. He assumed there was a question.
"Uchiha To, do you have a question? I've already told you, you should use the restroom during the break. You can't just decide to go in the middle of class!"
Uchiha To replied, "Teacher, I just wanted to ask who your teacher is. Anyone who could teach a 'great' teacher like you must be an incredible ninja, right?"
The other students pricked up their ears. They had wanted to know the answer to this for a week. Do you know what they had been through this past week? Except for the top scholars, every naughty kid had been taught a lesson. The only ones who hadn't been hit were the a few quiet students who studied diligently, but even they had heard how terrifying Iruka's ninjutsu was and had no desire to become troublemakers.
"Good. Student Uchiha To asked a great question. Everyone should learn from him. This is one method of gathering intelligence: don't ask directly, ask from a side angle."
Since he wasn't asking for a bathroom break and had even complimented him, Iruka was very pleased with the question. It seemed that under his "encouragement," they were all studying hard.
"Teacher, just say it. Who is your teacher? I swear, when I grow up, I'm going to beat him up!" Uchiha To stopped pretending and asked bluntly.
Iruka smiled warmly. "What courage! He's a Jonin, you know. Are you sure you want to fight him?"
"I'll be a Jonin too one day, and I have the Sharingan! I'm definitely going to flatten him."
Uchiha To clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. Growing up in the Uchiha household, when had he ever tasted such disgusting flavors? In his heart, the person who developed this technique was only slightly less hateful than someone who insulted the Uchiha name.
The Hyuga boy sitting next to him nodded, a rare moment of solidarity between the two clans. In fact, the whole class felt the same.
"His name is Tonbo Tobitake. He is currently the Head of the Intelligence Analysis Division. If you guys are capable enough, remember to land a few extra punches for me too."
Iruka encouraged them. That was a thought worth being happy about.
The students were stunned by Iruka's words. Wait, we want to beat him up, why are you including yourself? And shouldn't we beat you up first, Teacher?
Of course, at seven years old, they already had their own little schemes. They only memorized Tonbo Tobitake's name and didn't say anything more about beating Iruka.
"Very well. Tonbo Tobitake, right? Just wait until I grow up. I'll beat him up, steal his ninjutsu, and then feed it back to him!" Uchiha To was full of fighting spirit.
Beside him, the Hyuga boy's Byakugan flickered with a ripple of intent. There were smart kids, and then there were "clever" kids. Some were already preparing to gather intel on Tonbo Tobitake so they could use their advantage as children to act cute, get close to him, and then deliver a punch he'd never see coming. If they didn't land at least one hit, they wouldn't be able to rest easy.
"Alright, small talk is over. Next is math class. Listen carefully. Otherwise, not only will you not be able to beat my teacher, but you'll have to taste another round of my Eight Scents of Fire. But I'm generous—I'll let you pick the flavor."
As soon as Iruka said this, the faces of every student turned dark, and no one dared to speak another word. Their desire to beat him up only grew stronger.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!