Chapter 293: Emotions
As it turned out, once Tianyu explained the sequence of events, it was exactly as Tonbo had expected.
In this single battle, millions of Ryo had been literally thrown away. Fortunately, the core components of the Proxy Licenses were still intact; he could simply restock them with ninjutsu. Otherwise, the financial loss would have been devastating.
But that guy Obito actually dared to lay a hand on my children. Just you wait. Next time we meet, I'll give you a taste of true social death, Tonbo thought resentfully.
He knew that the "Madara" Zetsu referred to was definitely Obito... well, maybe not. In a real world, perhaps it actually was Madara? The probability was low, but not zero.
Regardless, whether it was Madara or Obito, he would make sure they experienced a level of public humiliation beyond imagination during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Tonbo wouldn't interfere with the main plot—Naruto and Sasuke needed to follow their destined paths since they were the protagonists—but in the process, he could certainly have some "fun" with the two big bosses to show them the fury of a father.
"Dad, isn't Madara supposed to be long dead? How is he still in this world?" Tianyu asked aloud.
In the distance, Hayama and the others watched Tianyu talking to himself with expressions of surprise. They wondered if Tianyu had fallen under a Genjutsu; after all, the enemy was a Sharingan user.
"What's wrong with Big Brother?" Maki asked, puzzled.
Wataru scratched his head. "I thought I dispelled the Genjutsu for him earlier?"
Tianyu noticed their reactions. "It's Dad. He placed a surveillance seal on us. He's talking to me mentally right now!" His face carried a hint of teenage impatience.
"Wow! We aren't three-year-olds anymore, Dad!" Maki shouted angrily when she heard this.
An ethereal, translucent image of Tonbo's head drifted out from Tianyu's shoulder. He didn't dare manifest his full body.
"Hey there, Wataru. Hi, Hayama," Tonbo gave an awkward smile. "Tianyu told me what happened. There is a possibility that the masked man is Madara. He was likely trying to capture Tianyu and Maki to use them as leverage against me."
Hayama asked seriously, "Tonbo, do you also believe he might still be alive?"
"Fifty-fifty. After all, there are plenty of ninjutsu in the world for longevity or resurrection, aren't there?" Tonbo shrugged. "Anyway, since you guys are fine, I'm heading out. I have a mission on my end too!"
Seeing that they were safe, Tonbo didn't plan to linger. Before they could protest further, he vanished. He had already scanned the area; there were no other enemies nearby.
"Stupid Dad! He didn't even say how to remove the surveillance! When we get back, I'm definitely telling Mom to beat him up. A girl needs her privacy!" Maki puffed out her cheeks.
Tianyu nodded. "True. Also, what is this move called? He never taught it to us." Being able to communicate across such a vast distance was incredibly impressive.
"As expected of Captain Tonbo. So amazing," Wataru said, his eyes full of admiration. They were at the border, a massive distance away from Konoha.
Hayama Shirakumo simply smiled. It wasn't strange at all for a father to go to such lengths. If he had the ability, he'd do the same for his own. It wasn't about invading privacy; it was purely about protection.
In fact, Tonbo had been proven right. If Tianyu and Maki hadn't used those countless scrolls, the masked man probably would have succeeded. But to think someone would try to threaten Tonbo Tobitake by using his children—was he truly that powerful of a threat to them?
Screech!
High in the sky, Tonbo's figure re-emerged from the summoned bird.
"Hm? Naruto and Sasuke are about to clash!"
He steered the bird to accelerate. As for his family's safety, he had left enough contingencies to hold out until his true body could arrive. For now, he was focused on his new plan to make Obito or Madara look ridiculous later on. He had a great idea.
Chirp! Chirp!
In a valley formed by a sinkhole, Sasuke used Chidori to coat his Kusanagi sword, suppressing Naruto, Yamato, and Sai simultaneously. Even Sakura, who had forcibly used her "Instant Release" Taijutsu, was being pushed back by Sasuke.
However, the disheveled look on Sasuke's face showed he had been genuinely surprised by Sakura's speed and had even taken a solid punch from her.
Kabuto and Orochimaru stood above on a ledge, watching with amused smiles, showing no intention of intervening.
"Sakura, you've grown stronger. But... it's not enough."
Sasuke's Sharingan tracked Sakura's speed, and he delivered a sharp kick that sent her flying.
Bang!
Sakura smashed into the cliffside, creating a crater. The black markings on her skin gradually faded. Already weakened from the prior fight, she couldn't maintain "Instant Release" for long.
"Sasuke..."
Naruto's blue eyes changed color again, but he quickly suppressed the urge. Captain Yamato had told him he needed to rely on his own strength.
Thump, thump, thump!
The four-man squad had been completely neutralized. Sasuke gave a deep look at Naruto, who was struggling to suppress the Nine-Tails' power, and turned to walk toward Orochimaru.
"Sasuke... come back! Come back to how things were... don't let hatred blind you anymore!" Naruto roared, his voice cracking. His eyes welled up, and tears began to spill over.
Sasuke turned back slightly, his gaze cold and indifferent. "I told you before, you were my best friend. If I killed you, I could have gained greater power. I only spared you to avoid doing exactly what that man wanted. But I won't look back. All I have left... is hatred. Don't follow me again, or I really will kill you."
Tap. Tap. Tap. He turned away.
"Sasuke, I won't let you leave! I promised Sakura—!"
Naruto forced himself up and charged straight ahead. He had worked so hard for years just for this moment, just to bring Sasuke back. How could he fall here?
"The Sharingan... the power of emotion. I truly wonder how much stronger he would become if he actually killed Naruto," Kabuto mused, pushing up his glasses.
Orochimaru licked his lips. "The Mangekyo Sharingan would make him significantly stronger than he is now, but even that wouldn't be enough..."
"Oh? Why is that?" Kabuto asked. According to Orochimaru's research, the Sharingan reaches unprecedented levels of power when subjected to massive emotional trauma. He couldn't imagine a power greater than what Sasuke currently displayed.
"Emotions are tricky things," Orochimaru said meaningfully. "The bond between Sasuke and Naruto is strong, but because of Sasuke's temperament, he cannot fully develop the Sharingan's total potential yet."
Kabuto looked at the interaction below. "Based on my deductions, female Uchiha are actually better at developing the Sharingan's power. But it doesn't matter. Once Lord Orochimaru's reincarnation is complete, we can simply modify Sasuke's body. By shifting the male, logic-oriented mindset toward a more female-centric emotional sensitivity, we might unlock even greater power."
"Kabuto, I truly have nothing left to teach you," Orochimaru chuckled. Kabuto really was a gift from the heavens.
Chirp! Chirp!
Facing Naruto's charge, Sasuke's face darkened with impatience. Lightning flickered in his hand as he aimed a concentrated current straight for Naruto. It looked as though it would pierce right through Naruto's weakened chest.
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