Customized Training Plan

Konoha's Ichiraku Ramen.

"Tonbo, I heard you started leading a team. Isn't that dangerous?" Teuchi asked as he set down a bowl of noodles.

Tobitake Tonbo took the ramen. "I'm just leading a small team, not carrying out some S-rank Mission. It's not difficult."

Teuchi nodded at that.

"Is it really okay for you not to accompany your team?"

"They're just D-rank Missions involving physical labor. A Shadow Clone Technique is enough to watch over them."

Tobitake Tonbo did not mind at all.

He had wanted to see Ayame today, so what was wrong with using a Shadow Clone Technique? It was not as if they would dare complain.

Ayame chuckled from the back. "Big Brother Tonbo, isn't that bad? I see other ninja taking their teams very seriously."

"Haha, I'm serious too. Every mission the village gives me gets done clearly and properly. No one can find fault with me." Tobitake Tonbo slurped up his ramen.

He was not lying. He had put quite a bit of thought into his team members, considering that this was currently his main job.

But those three had remained as enthusiastic as ever for nearly half a month. Even when facing minor D-rank Missions, as long as he said something related to the Will of Fire, they became fired up as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

It was simply ridiculous.

If he had known, he would not have needed to come up with so many ideas to entice them into diligently completing missions. All he had needed to do was talk properly about the Will of Fire.

In order to work steadily and peacefully, he had studied this aspect thoroughly.

After half a month of training through small missions, the three of them had finally consolidated most of what they had learned at the academy.

When he had watched anime in the past, he had not understood why Konoha made graduates start with D-rank Missions. They possessed chakra, after all, and had far more advantages than ordinary people.

Now that he was a team leader and had thought things through from experience, he understood.

These small missions could train a ninja's patience, willpower, tracking, analysis... and comprehensive abilities in all other areas. They were the first practical application of knowledge taught at the academy.

Just like what he had realized for the first time on the battlefield, the most important thing for a ninja was not learning ninjutsu, but abilities such as intelligence gathering and analysis.

And to accomplish such things, using mathematics such as projectile motion during battle was only basic knowledge.

Without that knowledge, it would be hard to hit an opponent when throwing Shuriken or Kunai.

"Hey, Ayame, let's discuss when we should get married. I want to have two big, chubby sons with you. When the time comes, I want to raise them into powerhouses who surpass the God of Shinobi."

His earlier thoughts had lasted only an instant. After shaking them off, Tobitake Tonbo said something important to Ayame.

Swish!

Ayame's working hands froze, and her entire face instantly flushed red. Her rosy face was adorably cute.

"Y-you... what did you say...?" Her lips trembled.

"I said we should discuss getting married!"

Teuchi's gaze sharpened. "No. You're still too young. You need to wait another two years."

"Of course I know we're still young. I just thought we could discuss it first, so I can make preparations!" Tobitake Tonbo scratched his head.

He wanted to handle this matter well, after all. This was his dream.

It was a lifelong matter.

"Mm, I'll help you find an auspicious date. But this is working hours, so don't discuss it here. Come to my house tonight, and we'll talk then." Teuchi glanced at the surrounding customers and spoke when he saw their gossiping expressions.

The flush on Ayame's face faded, though her shyness remained. Her heart felt sweet.

Ah, I'm usually so composed. Why do I become so soft whenever I meet Tonbo?

"Understood." Having received an answer, Tobitake Tonbo grinned so broadly that his teeth nearly showed.

There was no longer any suspense regarding this lifelong matter.

"Hurry and find your teammates. Don't let Lord Hokage see you neglecting your proper duties." Teuchi hurriedly drove him away. It felt strange to let the customers hear them discussing such things.

"Hehe."

After finishing his ramen, Tobitake Tonbo walked out the door.

He headed north.

Clang, clang!

Training Ground No. 98.

"First, never act on impulse.

"Second, never do anything harmful to the village.

"Third, never abandon the belief in carrying on the Will of Fire."

"Yes, Captain."

The moment Tobitake Tonbo's real body arrived, he heard his Shadow Clone Technique using that cringeworthy line to instill ideals into the three little ones, and his toes nearly clawed into the ground.

Wait, did he also have cringeworthy thoughts?

Release!

Iruka and the other two were boiling with passion when the captain before them suddenly disappeared.

Their passion instantly cooled.

"A Shadow Clone?"

"Hahaha, forget everything that Shadow Clone just said. It was only a joke."

Tobitake Tonbo emerged from the shadows with an awkward laugh.

Iruka puffed out his cheeks and clenched his fists. "How can we forget the captain's words? And those definitely weren't a joke. We will remember those three lines forever. I think they are excellent.

"Captain, we understand your determination to carry on the Will of Fire, and we also believe you are a true inheritor of the Will of Fire. We still have a long way to go, but don't underestimate our determination!"

Teksen Shiso and Mibu Shinobu nodded in wholehearted agreement.

How could they fail to sense their captain's blazing Will of Fire?

They had earned excellent grades in Lord Third Hokage's Will of Fire classes. How could they not understand the value of the captain's three statements? They were the captain's own summary!

Though they did not have quite the same flavor as Lord Third Hokage's words, they were genuine. They admired their captain even more now. As expected of their captain.

"..."

Looking at Iruka's expression and listening to his words, Tobitake Tonbo could already imagine what would happen once Iruka became a ninja academy teacher and Naruto started school.

That loudmouthed Naruto might gain another catchphrase, and if Sasuke was influenced as well, it was hard to imagine whether Sasuke would shout...

First, never act on impulse.

Second...

He quickly shook his head, throwing away the thought. He did not dare imagine that style.

"Ahem, it's enough that you understand your captain's will. Do not reveal those words to anyone. Next, I'll teach you something that will improve your strength as ninja."

Tobitake Tonbo hurriedly changed the subject. He did not want to discuss this with them anymore. Anyone who could be forcibly motivated by the Will of Fire to spend half a month doing boring D-rank Missions without losing heart could not be reasoned with.

He could only marvel that the Third had some real skill!

When they heard that their captain was going to teach them something new, the three were indeed distracted.

"Captain, what is it? Is it that True Illusion Technique of yours?"

In truth, they had grown tired of it as well. They had merely believed that carrying out D-rank Missions would help them understand the Will of Fire, so they had persevered.

"Over this half month, you have accumulated a certain amount of spiritual energy. You have also gained some practical experience in ninja intelligence gathering, and your patience has improved more and more...

"Overall, your qualities in every aspect as ninja have improved rapidly.

"However,

"Besides intelligence gathering and unwavering willpower, ninja must also improve their individual strength in order to fully utilize intelligence.

"So,

"I have customized a step-by-step training program for you, one that will make you outstanding ninja."

Upon hearing their captain's recognition, the three immediately felt that their half month of effort had found a resting place.

What came afterward made them even happier.

"As for the True Illusion Technique, that isn't something little brats who have just stepped through the door of ninjutsu can learn. Remember not to aim too high."