Resolution

"Release."

Having found the key, Shisui instantly broke Tobitake Tonbo's Genjutsu with a targeted countermeasure.

But as he looked at Tobitake Tonbo, there was no longer a trace of contempt in his eyes. This man's Genjutsu was even more terrifying than he had imagined.

Not only was he exceptionally skilled at dispelling Genjutsu, but the Genjutsu he cast was also first-rate and extremely difficult to break. If the other man had attacked while he was trying to dispel it...

Then he probably would not have come out unscathed.

"Do you still want to continue?" Tobitake Tonbo asked, spreading his hands.

Shisui opened his eyes. His Sharingan had reverted to the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

He stared fixedly at Tobitake Tonbo.

Just as he hesitated over whether to strike again, a figure appeared.

"Enough. The fight ends here. He is not a spy."

The three members of the Military Police Force looked over and were immediately startled. "Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing at first, merely telling them, "Tonbo is a captain under Inoichi of the Analysis Division. He is a trustworthy comrade. There is no need to turn blades on one another."

"Lord Hokage, you came way too late. I almost couldn't hold back!" Tobitake Tonbo complained.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave an embarrassed cough. "There have been a lot of documents lately. I came as soon as I received your message, but these old bones aren't what they used to be!"

In truth, he had been observing the battle between the two from the shadows, wanting to see how Konoha's two future talents performed.

His gaze swept over Tobitake Tonbo. He had never expected Tobitake Tonbo to stand against Shisui, even gaining the upper hand for a time. It seemed he already had the qualifications to remove the "Special" from Special Jōnin.

And that Genjutsu just now had actually caught an Uchiha. Its level was already comparable to his teacher's Genjutsu.

As Shisui and the other two watched the pair chatting, they exchanged baffled looks. When had Tobitake Tonbo sent word?

Shisui said, "Lord Hokage, since he is not an enemy, we will continue our patrol."

"Mm, go on. Remember to submit a written report on what happened just now." Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

Regardless of why they had started fighting, he still needed to understand the whole matter.

Whoosh, whoosh!

The three Uchiha immediately vanished. Only the fat and thin men wore sour expressions. They had actually been looked down upon by a civilian.

After the three left, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally looked toward the sky. "Let her come down. It is not good for her to be up there in the wind."

"Yes."

Tobitake Tonbo controlled the hawk to bring Ayame down. After carrying Ayame down from its back, the hawk turned back into a figurine.

"What a useful Secret Technique. You have improved faster and faster. I vaguely remember that the first time we met, you were frightened by me!

"And now you already possess such strength."

Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him.

It had been this Secret Technique just now—a tiny messenger bird—that had delivered the message to him.

It seemed Tobitake Tonbo was not only deeply accomplished in the Mind Reading Technique; he had also fully reached Jōnin level in every other area.

"Ahahaha, it is all thanks to Director Inoichi's guidance." Tobitake Tonbo said, scratching his head.

"Lord Hokage." Ayame also bowed to him at that moment.

She finally relaxed as well. Tonbo was indeed the best.

"So this is your wife. What a pity. I was too busy with official business to attend your wedding." Hiruzen Sarutobi said regretfully.

Holding Ayame, Tobitake Tonbo smiled. "Konoha's official business comes first. There is nothing regrettable about missing my wedding, but for the next happy occasion, Lord Hokage must come!"

"Certainly, certainly."

"Enough small talk for now. Can you tell me why you clashed with the Military Police Force just now?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked seriously.

The Uchiha problem had been escalating lately, and he feared someone might be stirring up trouble.

Although he had spies among them, he could not neglect other precautions.

"Well, it was just a misunderstanding caused by testing a new ninjutsu. I will definitely be more mindful of this next time."

"Can you tell me about your new ninjutsu? Perhaps I can offer you some guidance."

"Really? That would be wonderful."

Tobitake Tonbo then explained what had happened, as well as the matter of the Barrier Technique, and gave a detailed account of the conflict with the Uchiha.

"A Barrier Technique?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised.

Had Tobitake Tonbo not always been studying the Mind Reading Technique and Genjutsu?

Why had he suddenly switched to learning Barrier Techniques?

He could not understand it.

He acknowledged Tobitake Tonbo's strength in Genjutsu, but honestly, Barrier Techniques were not something ordinary people could learn.

According to his intelligence, Tobitake Tonbo lived a very regular life. He completed village missions every day, then spent his free time researching Genjutsu, Secret Techniques, and the like.

Although the ANBU reports said he was often seen reading books on Sealing Jutsu and Barrier Techniques, he did not believe Tobitake Tonbo had the energy to devote to them as well.

"Yes. Two years ago, the Nine-Tails Incident made me realize that when facing such a colossal creature, even a slight spillover could harm countless civilians.

"So two years ago, I began thinking about how to prevent such a situation. That was when I thought of Barrier Techniques.

"Today, the small-scale Barrier Technique was finally completed, so I tested it out and caused a little misunderstanding."

Tobitake Tonbo spoke honestly.

Originally, he had not wanted to reveal this technique. Given the Third's personality, information could easily be leaked to a certain Pot Kage.

That would have an immeasurable impact on his life, and it was not what he wanted.

But since things had already reached this point, there was no harm in saying it.

Then, under Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ayame's watchful eyes, he let them experience the Barrier Technique for themselves. Training Ground No. 98 vanished once more.

"What an incredible Barrier Technique!

"But it still cannot protect Konoha, can it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, looking at the changes around him in disbelief.

What an imaginative idea.

"Of course. This is only a small-scale version. There are too many variables for a large-scale one. For now, I am developing it gradually from the small-scale Barrier Technique, hoping to eventually place all of Konoha beneath the barrier."

"Excellent. As expected of someone who inherited the Will of Fire. Your thoughts and ambitions have such scope!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was very pleased.

If Tobitake Tonbo could one day complete this large-scale barrier, Konoha's level of danger would be greatly reduced.

"Since you are working so hard, I must support you. From now on, every week, I will send a squad from the Barrier Team to study Barrier Techniques with you. You must develop this Barrier Technique successfully."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Tobitake Tonbo no room to refuse. Clearly, he too had realized how useful this Barrier Technique would be to Konoha.

"Yes."

Tobitake Tonbo was helpless. Was this not forcing him to work overtime?

He should have known better and gone somewhere farther away and more remote to test his ninjutsu.

But he had no way to refuse. The Hokage was like an emperor—once he assigned you a task, you simply completed it. You could not hold things back.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and vanished before him.

"Are you all right, husband?" Ayame hurriedly brushed the dust from his body.

"I'm fine. It is just that I will have to work overtime one day every week from now on. I'm sorry."

"It is fine as long as you are all right. Working overtime and all that, you are doing it for Konoha!" Ayame said proudly.

"As expected of my wife. Today, we are going out for a feast."