Team

Konoha.

Hokage Office.

"Tonbo, I'm assigning this mission to you." Hiruzen Sarutobi handed him a file.

Tobitake Tonbo accepted the file and opened it for a look.

It contained a string of intelligence reports.

ANBU had discovered activity by Land of Lightning ninja at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron. The scale was considerable; they appeared to be probing something.

The detailed intelligence had been obtained by an ANBU ninja who had investigated it at death's door.

For this intelligence, Konoha had also lost several elite spies.

"The village suspects that the Land of Lightning intends to cut off the cooperation between the Land of Fire and the Land of Iron, severing Konoha's largest supply route for ninja tools. Therefore, I want you to lead a team to strengthen patrols along the Land of Fire's border.

"You are a sensory-type ninja. I have confidence in your sensing abilities."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke solemnly.

A ninja's strength was built from ninjutsu, Genjutsu, Taijutsu, intelligence, and more. Whether Genin, Chunin, or even Jōnin, the vast majority relied heavily on ninja tools. If supplies were cut off and Konoha lacked ninja tools, its strength would be weakened. He could not allow that to happen.

Most of the ore needed for ninja tools depended on cooperation with the Land of Iron. This was a serious matter.

"Um... what about teaching Barrier Technique...?"

Tobitake Tonbo scratched his head. Not long ago, they had asked him to teach the Barrier Team, and now they were sending him on another mission. Seriously, this was throwing off his whole rhythm of life.

Besides, conflict with the Land of Lightning was incredibly dangerous—and exhausting.

On top of that, after his hard work these past few days, Ayame was already pregnant. He did not want to leave Konoha; he wanted to spend more time with her.

"Set the Barrier Technique lessons aside for now. The border incident is the top priority, and this matter is especially important. I have also arranged several assistants to form a team with you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi made the decision.

"Assistants?"

"Yes, three assistants. The four of you will form a patrol squad. You know the captain as well—Hayama Shirakumo," Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

"As for the other two, you'll find out when you assemble." He smiled.

No, those were my teammates. Was it really okay to keep me in suspense like this?

Was that something a ninja should do?

Didn't he know that inaccurate intelligence could affect a mission?

Tobitake Tonbo fired off three complaints in his heart.

"Fine, but Lord Hokage, remember to help me find someone to replace me!" he said.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback. "If you have something to take care of, I can have them leave first while you depart a few days later."

What was going on? This kid didn't seem like the sort to refuse a mission.

"Ha ha, it's not that. My wife is pregnant, and I don't want her to worry too much. You know how it is—the ninja profession has never been safe.

"I'm afraid she'll worry herself sick."

Tobitake Tonbo smiled.

Hearing that, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as well. "All right. I'll do my best to find someone to replace you, so you can come back and accompany your wife. I understand how you feel."

Back then, hadn't he been the same? Even now, he still worried whether Asuma could handle that position in the Land of Fire.

He feared that Asuma might die in the Land of Fire Capital.

Only now that his eldest daughter-in-law was pregnant had his old heart found some comfort.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage..."

Whoosh!

With nothing else to discuss, Tobitake Tonbo vanished from the Hokage Office.

Walking through Konoha's streets, Tobitake Tonbo felt miserable.

He had thought working overtime was miserable enough, but there was something even worse.

Guarding the border was, aside from spy missions, the most exhausting work there was—and dangerous too.

"Other than Hayama, who are the other two teammates?" Tobitake Tonbo speculated about the possible ninja.

Kakashi, Shisui, Yamato...?

When he returned home and saw Ayame basking in the sun by the entrance, guilt appeared on his face.

Seriously, his wife was pregnant at home, yet he could not stay with her. What a hateful ninja world.

"Honey, I'm back."

"It's good that you're back. Dad went out to buy groceries. He said he was going to make something super delicious to nourish me." Ayame smiled.

She stroked her belly, her eyes full of love.

"I see. When Dad gets back, there's something I need to tell you both."

"What? You're going to guard the border?

"That's wonderful! This is Lord Hokage recognizing my son." Tobitake Kosei had just returned from buying groceries when Tobitake Tonbo told him about the mission. Upon hearing it, he was overjoyed.

What did that mean? It meant his son had become far more promising than he was, actually undertaking such a difficult mission.

A flash of worry passed through Ayame's eyes as well, but she forced a smile. "That's right. Don't worry, we'll support you. But you absolutely have to be careful."

"Yeah. I'll definitely finish the border mission as soon as possible." Tobitake Tonbo nodded.

Sensing Ayame's change, he felt a little upset too. But work still had to be done, for the sake of peace.

After dinner, before leaving, he spent more time with Ayame.

He carefully accompanied her around the streets, occasionally telling her cheesy love lines from his previous life to make her laugh.

According to Konoha's traditions, the border guards rotated every three months. That meant he would not see his wife for quite some time, so Tobitake Tonbo put extra care into it.

Gradually easing Ayame's worries.

The next day.

Morning.

Sunlight spilled over Konoha's main gate, where the two gate guards were already on duty.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Tobitake Tonbo landed outside the gate and looked around. A figure entered his view: a high ponytail and a tachi strapped across his back.

Under the morning light, that figure's back appeared especially steady and composed.

"Captain Hayama, long time no see."

Tobitake Tonbo spoke.

Hayama Shirakumo turned around. When he saw him, he smiled. "Tonbo, long time no see. You're still looking full of energy!"

"Ha ha, I'll be in your care for this mission."

Aside from school and the Nine-Tails Incident, Tobitake Tonbo had not seen Hayama Shirakumo in a long time. Looking at him now, he had only become more handsome.

He also had the steadiness of a mature man.

Compared with Kakashi and himself, his features looked much more mature.

"Where are the others? Lord Hokage really is something. He refused to tell me the names of my other two teammates and even made me guess. What an old rascal." Tobitake Tonbo complained.

Suddenly.

Behind him.

"Hey, talking about Lord Hokage like that, be careful or he'll make things difficult for you, kid." A purple-haired girl with grayish-brown eyes appeared behind him. She wore fishnet beneath her ninja vest, and her ample figure was obvious at a glance.

She was even blowing a bubblegum bubble.

Pop!

He turned around.

"I should be two years older than you, little miss." Tobitake Tonbo recognized her. Orochimaru's little follower—she probably had not yet become a Special Jonin.

"What did you say? You called me little miss? Do you know who I am?" Mitaraishi Anko's eyes widened, her brows knitting in anger.

Tobitake Tonbo laughed. "The little follower of one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru. Also, I'm married, and I'm about to have a child. You could even call me uncle—I wouldn't mind."

At the mention of Orochimaru, the brightness on Mitaraishi Anko's face suddenly darkened. Her hands clenched into fists, but when she heard the rest of his words, she snapped.

She examined the person before her closely. Bandages covered his face, leaving only his forehead protector and mouth visible, while his body was tall and slender.

"Hmph, marriage only holds you back and affects a ninja's path. Yet you're actually happy about it?"