Chunin

"Hello, this is intelligence on Iwagakure."

Tobitake Tonbo handed a scroll to the white-haired man before him.

"Mm."

Kakashi said nothing more, took the intelligence, and left.

Not a single word of nonsense.

"Come on, seriously? He's really so cold. Looks like my Tobi and Rin still haven't warmed him up!"

Tobitake Tonbo shook his head as he watched Kakashi's retreating back.

Delivering intelligence this time had been a task assigned to him by Yamanaka Inoichi.

There was no other reason. He had done such an excellent job reading memories that Yamanaka Inoichi felt making him continue would cause his memories to become scrambled.

But during wartime, aside from necessary rest, manpower could not be wasted.

So he had been sent out to deliver the intelligence obtained by the Analysis Division to the Yellow Flash's disciple.

At this point, Kakashi was already a Jōnin.

Only because of that could he operate independently on missions during the war.

"Communication between the front lines and the Analysis Division is getting more frequent.

Looks like the Battle of Kannabi Bridge is about to begin."

Tobitake Tonbo made his assessment based on the intelligence he had received.

Just as he had expected.

Half a month later, news arrived from the front. The surprise attack force led by the Yellow Flash had successfully cut off Iwagakure's supply route at Kannabi Bridge.

For a time, the Yellow Flash's reputation became even more illustrious.

At the same time, Konoha began its counteroffensive and drove Iwagakure's forces back.

Even Analysis Division ninjas like Tobitake Tonbo had been pulled onto the battlefield, relying on their exceptional sensory abilities to track down enemies.

All to settle Iwagakure's problem as quickly as possible and deal with the other ninja villages.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Aahhh~~~

"Pain."

Tobitake Tonbo formed hand seals and cast his technique. Across from him, a Chunin squad twisted their faces in agony and let out pained screams.

Sheng Shimon seized the opening as well, driving kunai through their chests.

The corpses fell from the tree trunks.

"Haha, Tonbo, your Genjutsu is getting more and more monstrous!"

Sheng Shimon still felt lingering fear as he looked at Tobitake Tonbo's ninjutsu.

"Don't waste time. Another squad is coming from the three o'clock direction."

Tobitake Tonbo said.

Wartime was no time for idle chatter.

"Got it."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Although he had only experienced a brief aftershock from the main force, it had left Tobitake Tonbo physically and mentally exhausted.

These ninjas were merely small fry after the major battle.

Yet they still kept him on high alert and wore him out completely.

Damn it, why did the Analysis Division have to fight in person too? I was like a brick—moved wherever I was needed.

The battle was only a minor interruption for Tobitake Tonbo.

His main job was still as an Analysis Division ninja, working under one of the Intelligence Division's big shots.

So he rarely fought. He only clashed with enemies during unexpected encounters.

"Tobitake Tonbo truly is a genius ninja.

At such a young age, his skills in reading memories and even combat have already reached perfection!"

Dokuro Kei reported to Yamanaka Inoichi.

After three months together, Tobitake Tonbo had entered their sights as well.

Yamanaka Inoichi pondered for a moment, then smiled. "This is the Third's will. Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, the fire burns on without end.

I've already submitted an application. Tobitake Tonbo has performed exceptionally over these past few months. I believe he is ready to be promoted to Chunin."

"Yes." Dokuro Kei was happy for his subordinate as well.

"What? I've been promoted to Chunin?"

A startling piece of news reached Tobitake Tonbo's ears.

Dokuro Kei said, "That's right. Your performance has been excellent. Lord Third Hokage has promoted you to Chunin as an exception."

Was it really that easy? Tobitake Tonbo thought.

"Oh, right. The fighting with Iwagakure is over. In a few days, we'll be heading back to the village."

Dokuro Kei added at last.

"Ahh, I can finally return to the village. Those damned memories have put me through hell."

Tobitake Tonbo let out a long, heavy breath.

His talent was indeed excellent, but he was still reading other people's memories. That was not something just anyone could do.

Ninjas really had to know how to endure.

It was different from the anime. None of a ninja's duties were easy.

For an Analysis Division like theirs, whenever they had an enemy's brain, they had to read its memories. During downtime... there was no downtime during war.

They had to help with patrols instead.

Right then, he truly envied transmigrators with systems. Why did they not only have systems, but also transmigrate into peaceful times?

By his estimate, there were still roughly six months to a year before the war ended.

Minato had probably already gotten Kushina pregnant by now.

Obito Uchiha should also be under Madara's tutelage at this point, gradually making his way toward becoming a boss.

Crack!

On Yellow Earth Avenue.

Carriages rolled by one after another, surrounded by ninjas wearing Konoha forehead protectors.

Ninjas patrolled nearby from time to time.

"Thanks to the Yellow Flash, we were able to deal with Iwagakure so quickly!"

"True, and there's also a member of his squad—White Fang's son, Kakashi.

I heard he's already a Jōnin and has even developed his own original ninjutsu!"

"What a pity. I heard one of his teammates died."

"Sigh, there's nothing to be done about that. How could a war go without casualties?

I've gone through several batches of teammates already."

Tobitake Tonbo walked with the group, overhearing plenty of ninja chatter.

So he really died.

Kakashi had probably already had his Sharingan implanted by now.

It was truly enviable, getting a Kekkei Genkai for free.

Of course, he had no desire to graft someone else's Kekkei Genkai onto his own body.

He gnawed on his rations as he thought.

If a ready-made Sharingan really appeared before him, what would he do?

He would most likely hand it over in exchange for a few Genjutsu created by the Second.

Since Tobirama Senju could create Genjutsu that blocked the Sharingan, how could Tobitake Tonbo possibly remain beneath others?

A Kekkei Genkai like that was simply a collection of troubles.

Since he knew the rough plot, he might as well stay tucked away in the Analysis Division, wait for the protagonists to grow up, and let them handle things.

According to the original story, Tobitake Tonbo, Sheng Shimon, and their captain Dokuro Kei were all characters who survived until the end.

The end...

Wait, didn't the Ten-Tails later blast the command headquarters with a Tailed Beast Ball...?

Tobitake Tonbo instantly became tense.

He still had to work hard and grow stronger. When the final battle against the Ten-Tails came, he could not let its Tailed Beast Ball attack the command headquarters.

"Captain Tonbo, what are you thinking about?"

Sheng Shimon patted his shoulder and teased him.

Tobitake Tonbo said, "Please call me Tobitake Tonbo, or just Tonbo. Don't call me Captain. Thank you."

"Why not? I think it rolls off the tongue," Sheng Shimon asked.

Tobitake Tonbo's face darkened. There was no other reason—it felt embarrassingly cringe.

It reminded him of that chuunibyou robot.

Ever since learning that he had been promoted to Chunin, Sheng Shimon had kept calling him that. It was seriously annoying.

"Pay attention to the patrol. Don't get distracted."

"What's there to worry about? The battle with Iwagakure is over. Things should be about wrapped up on Lord Orochimaru's side too," Sheng Shimon said.