Happy Naruto

Konoha's main street.

"Up you go."

Tobitake Tonbo seemed to have found something fun. He grabbed Naruto under the arms with both hands, tossed him into the sky, then caught him when he came down.

The watching ANBU broke out in a cold sweat.

If the Hokage had not already ordered them not to interfere with Tobitake Tonbo's interaction with the Jinchuriki, they would have stepped in.

Even so, they remained ready to act at any moment, afraid that the Jinchuriki might suddenly break through the seal.

As for Naruto, the main character, he was inexplicably happy at that moment.

This uncle covered in bandages was not so scary after all. He was even a little gentle.

The smile on Tobitake Tonbo's lips affected Naruto as well, allowing him to completely cast aside the emotions he had received from others earlier and enjoy this moment.

He did not understand that, at this moment, his fate had already changed. He was no longer the child everyone feared.

Tobitake Tonbo did not think that much about it. He simply believed that, as long as it did not affect him, he could do whatever he wanted. What was wrong with playing with the Fourth's son? Was the Third going to punish him for it?

Naruto was still young now, which made him more fun.

Once he grew up and obtained Six Paths power, he would not be as fun anymore.

It was also his way of doing what he could for the Fourth's sacrifice, giving a hero's son at least a little warmth.

Of course, he would not go out of his way to do anything for Naruto. His talent did not need to depend entirely on Naruto.

Once Naruto grew up, Tobitake Tonbo estimated from his current progress that his Genjutsu would already be capable of standing atop the throne.

Seeing Tobitake Tonbo having so much fun, Ayame's face grew redder and redder as she kept thinking about having his children.

She would give him a few children as adorable as Naruto.

Little did they know that around the corner, a young man stood holding the hand of a child about Naruto's age, watching the two of them play.

Sasuke watched as Tobitake Tonbo lifted Naruto high and tossed him into the air, and his eyes gradually brightened.

He looked at the young man. "Brother, I want that too."

Itachi Uchiha smiled at his words. "All right. When we get home."

"Mhm." Sasuke's face filled with excitement.

But Itachi Uchiha was thinking about something else.

He looked at Tobitake Tonbo.

This man is strong. He wanted to use his Sharingan to observe Tobitake Tonbo, but a tremor flashed through his heart. If he used the Sharingan to observe him, something bad would happen.

"Let's go. Mom made some delicious sweets."

"Mm-hm, you have to lift me up when we get home." Sasuke did not understand why, but he was still happy. Holding Itachi's hand, he skipped along with light steps.

Tobitake Tonbo did not know that someone had been watching him and had even considered using the Sharingan. If he had known, he would definitely have wanted to see what would happen to Itachi.

As someone who knew this Shinobi World—also known as the legendary world of eyes—he naturally took precautions against extremely dangerous ocular techniques such as the Sharingan and Byakugan.

He had set up an information defense network around himself.

It was specifically designed to counter visual and sensory ninjutsu.

No matter what kind of eyes or sensory abilities were used, anyone who tried to observe him too deeply would be assaulted by the massive amount of chaotic memories he had placed within his body.

It was meant to prevent accidental harm, though it was still unpleasant. That way, the Byakugan could not see through him, and the Sharingan could forget about copying the ninjutsu he used.

"Naruto, my sister and I are heading off now. Where do you live? Do you need me to walk you home?" Tobitake Tonbo glanced at the sky, set Naruto down, and spoke to him.

That one sentence made the surrounding ANBU tense again.

Asking about the Jinchuriki's residence had to mean trouble.

"Eh, forget it. I know you must know the way home, so go back by yourself. Don't get lost." Tobitake Tonbo sensed the movement around him and curled his lip.

What a bunch of cowards.

It was only the Nine-Tails.

Just wait. I'll have it in the palm of my hand someday.

Naruto was reluctant to leave, turning back every few steps. Looking at Tobitake Tonbo, he pouted. "Brother Tonbo, can I see you again later?"

"Go on home. I'm a ninja who protects Konoha. Even if you do not run into me normally, you will definitely see me once you become a ninja." Tobitake Tonbo waved with a smile.

"Good luck!" Ayame encouraged Naruto as well.

Naruto beamed with joy, firmly setting a goal in his heart: to become a ninja.

Two years later.

Tobitake Tonbo and Ayame had already married. They held a modest wedding and invited just the right number of relatives.

The two had finally become a happily married couple.

That day, Tobitake Tonbo was extremely happy. In this world, he had finally become a man.

Ichiraku Ramen had also become more and more popular.

His father's weaving skills had improved as well, and he was already saving money for his future grandson.

However, he had not seen Naruto even once over the past two years. Ayame, on the other hand, had seen him many times, because his missions had begun to increase.

Konoha's strength gradually recovered. The Third once again gained the recognition of the various nations, and more mission resources were invested.

That made Tobitake Tonbo's work increasingly frequent.

Every so often, he led a squad to various places to complete missions, then guided them in further training.

They had all become Chunin now.

The Hokage had recognized them as ninjas capable of leading teams.

Tobitake Tonbo's work had finally returned completely to what it had once been: an intelligence ninja in the Analysis Division.

He still preferred this job.

Leading a team? Those three little brats, Iruka and the others, were not easy to manage!

It had been fine at first, but after they improved and figured out Tobitake Tonbo's situation, they stopped being polite. They were determined to squeeze better things out of their captain.

"Ah, it's finally over!"

Tobitake Tonbo clinked glasses with Sheng Shimon.

"You brat, I'm jealous. You actually got married." Sheng Shimon was full of envy.

Back then, he had sworn that he would flaunt his love life in front of Tobitake Tonbo. Yet before he could do so, Tobitake Tonbo got married first.

Damn it.

"Haha, and not just that. I might even be holding my son next year. You should hurry up too. You're a Chunin, after all." Tobitake Tonbo brightened whenever he mentioned his wife.

The first step of his dream had been to marry a gentle, virtuous, wealthy wife. Now that it was complete, the next step was making children—four or five of them.

They were already preparing. If they were lucky, their children might even end up in the same class as Konohamaru and the others.

"By the way, why did you give up on continuing to lead a team? Doesn't it earn more?" Sheng Shimon asked in confusion.

"Leading one team was enough. They were far from easy to manage. I'm not cut out for it!" Tobitake Tonbo mocked himself.

Some things only needed to be experienced once. Leading new graduates involved too much running around; working in the Analysis Division was better, with less to do and closer to home.

As for money, his wife had it.

"I don't understand. I heard Teksen Shiso, who used to be under you, has become one of Konoha's pillars. He'll probably surpass me soon and become a Jōnin!"

Sheng Shimon sighed. He did not believe Tobitake Tonbo for a second when he said he was not cut out for it.

"And Iruka became a Chunin too. He's teaching at the Ninja Academy now, and he might become a Jōnin someday.

"Then there's Mibu Shinobu. He joined the Torture Division and has made many contributions recently. He has become one of the Torture Division's pillars as well."

That was exactly why he could not understand why someone as outstanding as Tobitake Tonbo still insisted on staying in the Analysis Division.