Chapter 273: Akatsuki, Action
Konoha.
"Keigo, can you actually understand that?" Tonbo Tobitake sat on the sofa, watching his three-year-old youngest son curiously as the boy flipped through a book.
The book was Advanced Mathematics.
Keigo turned another page and replied, "It's a bit challenging. Compared to intermediate mathematics, the difficulty level of advanced mathematics rises by more than just a single point."
"If you don't understand it, stop looking. Come here and let your old man teach you. Back in the day, I was the one who taught your brother and sister," Tonbo said, tilting his head back with pride.
He was, after all, an all-around top student. Over the years, using his Shadow Clones, he had acquired an immense amount of knowledge—not just in ninjutsu. He could claim to be a professor of ninjutsu, but he could just as easily be a professor in various other academic fields.
"No need. I feel like you wasted my siblings' talent, Dad. This level of difficulty just requires a little more time than intermediate math," Keigo said bluntly.
He didn't sound like a child at all. His eyes shone with a brilliant, piercing light of intelligence.
"...You really know how to hurt your dad's feelings," Tonbo muttered, speechless.
He had wanted to fulfill his fatherly duties once more. He hadn't expected that Keigo would be nothing like Tianyu or Maki. The boy was too smart; he gave his father no sense of participation. Furthermore, he was incredibly well-behaved; whatever he was asked to do, he did perfectly.
His talent was far higher than that of his siblings at that age. Though this was a research-oriented mindset—and might not translate to the same type of IQ as someone like Shikamaru—he hadn't grown up yet, so it was hard to be certain.
However, Tonbo was already sure that his youngest son would likely become a great assistant in the future.
"Just do your own thing and don't worry about me. If there's something I can't understand, I'll find you," Keigo said with a decisive, efficient tone.
He was just a bit of a brat to his father.
"Hmph, so annoying!" Tonbo felt helpless.
Still, looking at the time... Naruto should be returning to the village soon, shouldn't he?
"Pervy Sage, let's go! It's been so long since I've been back to Konoha. When I get back, I'm going to have a massive feast!"
Naruto's voice reached Jiraiya's ears. Naruto was currently wearing the new clothes Jiraiya had bought for him. Dressed as he was, he had the look of a handsome young man. He carried a travel pack on his back.
"I know, I know. Honestly... there was supposed to be a group of girls coming to play by the waterfall this afternoon!" Jiraiya looked back at the stream with a lingering, reluctant gaze. These past few days had brought him many unforgettable memories. Truly beautiful!
Then, his expression shifted, turning solemn. During the time he had taken Naruto out for training, he had never forgotten the existence of the Akatsuki. From the intelligence he had gathered... it was likely that the time for the Akatsuki to begin their large-scale operations was fast approaching.
Jiraiya thought of the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. He shook off his stray thoughts and walked toward Naruto with a smile.
"Naruto, use the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to perform the Harem Jutsu one more time. I need to inspect your progress."
"Pervy Sage, we're going home! Stop playing around!"
"Just once! Just once... Naruto!"
Their silhouettes stretched long as they joked together. Jiraiya looked at Naruto's back, a smile playing on his lips.
He's so similar... will Naruto be the Savior? Or could the prophecy be wrong? After two and a half years of building his foundation, even if something happens to me, Naruto should be able to learn Sage Mode in a short time. He'll significantly increase his strength to face powerful enemies. Oh, right... it's a pity he never learned Tonbo Tobitake's invisibility Genjutsu!
As he thought, Jiraiya's mind began to wander again.
A dark, underground space.
Chirp! Chirp!
The sound of a thousand birds rang out. A spear-like bolt of lightning extended from Uchiha Sasuke's hand, piercing through Orochimaru's chest.
Orochimaru vomited himself out of his own mouth, looking at Sasuke with great satisfaction.
"Excellent. Your body now has a foundation that surpasses Itachi's. When the time comes, I will help you get your revenge."
"I'm going back to rest. Have my secret medicine ready for tomorrow; I don't want a single mistake."
Sasuke's face was no longer childish; he was now a strikingly handsome young man. He didn't show Orochimaru the slightest bit of courtesy, speaking as if he were the master of the hideout. He turned and walked down the corridor, vanishing from Orochimaru's sight.
Whoosh!
"Lord Orochimaru, how can he speak to you in such a tone? He simply has no respect for you," Kabuto said, appearing beside the Sannin with a frown.
"Hehe, it's fine. Before a death row prisoner is executed, shouldn't we satisfy his appetite?" Orochimaru stared in the direction Sasuke had gone, licking his lips. "How is your research? Any results?"
"Yes. Regarding the nerves left behind by Tonbo Tobitake, I've found a way to defend against them. However, I still hope we don't encounter him. After all, that was only one of his abilities."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses with confidence. After over a year of research under Orochimaru's guidance, he had finally cracked the secret of Tonbo's neural strings and developed countermeasures. They had simulated various ways the nerves could be used and created responses for each.
"That's good. For a man as ambitious as that, it's best to have specific countermeasures ready." Orochimaru looked at Kabuto, very pleased. His only dissatisfaction was that Kabuto's own goals were too hollow, preventing him from unleashing his full potential.
Looking back toward where Sasuke had departed, his eyes shone once more with a thirsting light.
It's almost time...
Shish! Shish!
Within the underground space, atop ten fingers, various figures manifested as multicolored light.
"Everyone, the time for the Akatsuki has arrived. Our plan is nearing completion. For our great ideal, give it your all. Next, I will assign the Tailed Beast missions. Deidara, Sasori—the One-Tail of the Hidden Sand is yours. Can you handle it?" Pain spoke.
"The Hidden Sand... it's been a long time. I'll take it," Sasori said.
Deidara added, "No problem."
"Hidan, Kakuzu, your target is the Two-Tails..."
"Itachi, Kisame, your target is the Four-Tails..."
Soon, Pain had finished assigning the capture missions.
"Then, if there is nothing else, depart. We, the Akatsuki, shall ultimately reshape the world..."
"Lord Leader, I have something," Zetsu suddenly spoke. "Take care to avoid that fellow named Tonbo Tobitake. From my intelligence, that man is hiding very deep. He is likely far more than just a Genjutsu-type ninja."
"Why do you say that?"
"Although we have prepared methods to break Genjutsu, the intelligence I've gathered from Konoha suggests he hasn't just mastered Genjutsu. He has likely learned several of Konoha's Forbidden Jutsus. He could be a major problem."
Zetsu shared this with the group. He had heard interesting rumors while lurking near the Shimura clan grounds. During Tonbo's time as Acting Hokage, he had strongly requested to view the Scroll of Seals. It was likely more than just curiosity. Zetsu hated variables like this.
"I will handle the Nine-Tails of Konoha myself when the time comes," Pain declared, taking responsibility for the final hunt. Tonbo Tobitake's strength was more mysterious than even the Kage of the Five Great Villages.
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