Recaps

Tobitake Tonbo trained Iruka and the others to focus, testing a Soundless Barrier that improved their concentration. The Third Hokage then tasked Tonbo’s squad with finding Asuma Sarutobi, who had disappeared after leaving the village, and persuading him to return if possible.

• Tobitake Tonbo used the Will of Fire to motivate Iruka, Mibu Shinobu, and the others to practice focusing their chakra.
• Tobitake Tonbo created a Soundless Barrier around the training ground, helping the three boys concentrate without distractions.
• Over the next month, Iruka and the others improved their focus and combat skills, while Tobitake Tonbo set his wedding to Teuchi and Ayame’s daughter for two years later.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Tonbo’s squad and praised Iruka’s progress as a Genin.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered Tobitake Tonbo to locate Asuma Sarutobi, his rebellious son, and bring back intelligence, preferably persuading him to return.

Tobitake Tonbo led Iruka, Mibu Shinobu, and Teksen Shiso to Soul Street to investigate Asuma’s whereabouts. After the team returned with little information, Shiso reported that Asuma had visited a grilled sausage stall, and the others asked what Tonbo had learned.

• Tobitake Tonbo arrived late at Konoha Gate after saying goodbye to his fiancée, then reminded Iruka, Mibu Shinobu, and Teksen Shiso to balance alertness with rest.
• Tobitake Tonbo led the team to Soul Street, where they split up to search for information about Asuma, who had reportedly appeared there two days earlier.
• Tobitake Tonbo sensed Tsunade nearby, recorded the information, and returned to the inn to work on ideas for powerful Genjutsu techniques.
• Iruka and Mibu Shinobu returned without clues, while Teksen Shiso reported that Asuma had eaten many grilled sausages at a stall two days earlier.
• Tobitake Tonbo praised Shiso’s intelligence gathering, and the three asked what information their captain had found.

Tobitake Tonbo led Iruka and the others toward the Land of Fire Capital, using the search for Asuma to train their skills. In Tongzi City, Asuma met the monk Chiriku, whose advice led him to consider joining the Twelve Guardian Ninja.

• Tobitake Tonbo explained how he used psychology and intelligence to predict Asuma’s route toward the Land of Fire Capital, and Iruka and his teammates admired his reasoning.
• Tobitake Tonbo had Iruka, Teksen Shiso, and their teammate gather and analyze intelligence in each town, while he also trained their Taijutsu and chakra control.
• Asuma wondered what the piece in his heart was while drinking alone at an izakaya in Tongzi City.
• Chiriku intervened when several white-suited men threatened Asuma, then told him that he had to experience things to find what he was looking for.
• Chiriku invited Asuma to travel to the Capital and consider joining the Twelve Guardian Ninja to protect the Daimyō.

Asuma and Chiriku fought off an unknown faction’s attackers before Tobitake Tonbo arrived with three young shinobi to bring Asuma back to Konoha. Asuma challenged Tobitake Tonbo, who overwhelmed him with Taijutsu and countered his Fire Release, leaving the fight ongoing.

• Asuma and Chiriku defeated attackers targeting Chiriku, but found no clues to their identities.
• Tobitake Tonbo arrived with three young shinobi and told Asuma that the Third Hokage had sent them to check on him and possibly bring him home.
• Asuma refused to return and threatened to fight, while Chiriku joined him and Tobitake Tonbo mocked Asuma’s attitude.
• Asuma charged Tobitake Tonbo, who suppressed him with Konoha Taijutsu and sent the three young shinobi to move the bodies.
• Asuma used Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning, but Tobitake Tonbo blocked it with Water Release: Water Wall while instructing the young shinobi.

Tobitake Tonbo defeated Asuma with a secret technique and a modified Genjutsu, then explained that his mission was only to report Asuma’s information to the Third Hokage. After Asuma accepted that they need not fight, Tonbo used a technique on the fallen enemies while his students speculated about what he was doing.

• Asuma attacked Tobitake Tonbo with a mass of shuriken, but Tonbo avoided them using a secret technique and a pangolin figurine.
• Tonbo caught Asuma in the Modified Hell Viewing Technique, making him eat asparagus, and used the encounter to teach Iruka, Shiso, and Mibu Shinobu about judging opponents in battle.
• Asuma broke the Genjutsu’s hold but was left with the lingering taste and was dropped from Tonbo’s giant dragonfly.
• Tonbo told Asuma that he had only been ordered to report his information to the Third Hokage, and Asuma gave up on fighting him.
• Chiriku accepted that they did not need to fight, while Tonbo used a technique on the dead enemies and his students guessed that he was reading their minds.

Tobitake Tonbo reported on Asuma and took his team on a trip through the Land of Fire, where he assessed each student's talents. Hiruzen Sarutobi allowed the team to remain away from Konoha, while Tonbo admitted he could teach little beyond Genjutsu.

• Tobitake Tonbo warned Asuma about the dangers surrounding the Twelve Guardian Ninja, then left with Iruka and the others to travel through the Land of Fire.
• On the road, Tonbo sent an intelligence report to Konoha with a Genjutsu-created messenger hawk and told Mibu Shinobu he had Genjutsu talent.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi read Tonbo's report about Asuma and approved the team's sightseeing trip, deciding Konoha had mostly recovered and another mission would be inconvenient.
• At Linchuan Great Falls, Tonbo identified Mibu Shinobu's Genjutsu talent, Iruka's teaching potential, and Teksen Shiso's skill with concealed weapons and space-time techniques.
• Tobitake Tonbo said he was only proficient in a little of those fields and might not be able to teach the team much.

Tobitake Tonbo trained Iruka, Teksen Shiso, and Mibu Shinobu in ninjutsu and ninja fundamentals while pursuing intelligence about Asuma. As the team continued its routine of training and travel, Tobitake Tonbo found that teaching was rapidly improving his own skills as well.

• Iruka, Teksen Shiso, and Mibu Shinobu attacked Tobitake Tonbo with their newly learned ninjutsu, but he evaded them and countered with Earth Release.
• Tobitake Tonbo assessed the three students’ weaknesses and assigned them further practice in chakra shape transformation and nature transformation.
• Tobitake Tonbo took the team to a hot spring inn after training and spent money Ayame had given him for the mission.
• The team followed a daily routine of training, gathering intelligence on Asuma, and traveling at night while Tobitake Tonbo taught them foundational ninja skills.
• Tobitake Tonbo realized that teaching his students was strengthening his own ninjutsu and ninja fundamentals.

Tobitake Tonbo returned to Konoha with his team after confirming Asuma had joined the Twelve Guardian Ninja, then filed his report with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Back in the village, Teksen Shiso challenged his former classmate Kamano Hitoshi to test the skills he had gained under Tonbo’s guidance.

• Tobitake Tonbo and his team left the Land of Fire Capital and used the Body Flicker Technique to speed their return to Konoha.
• Tobitake Tonbo greeted Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki at the gate, then went to the Hokage Office and gave Hiruzen Sarutobi his report about Asuma.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi read the report and hoped Asuma would find his own jewel while working under the daimyo.
• Teksen Shiso challenged Kamano Hitoshi to a spar at Training Ground 45, and they began fighting with their weapons.
• Teksen Shiso recognized openings in Kamano Hitoshi’s scythe-based Taijutsu but chose to test himself in close combat rather than use ninjutsu.

Tobitake Tonbo’s students put their training to use while Iruka struggled with Water Release shape transformation and received encouragement from Hiruzen Sarutobi. After returning to Konoha, Tonbo reunited with Ayame and heard about a two-year-old blond child whom villagers feared as the Demon Fox’s reincarnation.

• Teksen Shiso defeated Kamano Hitoshi and credited Captain Tonbo’s intense combat training for his improved skill.
• Mibu Shinobu beat a classmate with the Modified Hell Viewing Technique but kept Tonbo’s abilities secret.
• Iruka practiced the Water Dragon Bullet Technique, and Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured him that his progress was appropriate for his level and offered to guide him.
• Tobitake Tonbo ate ramen with Ayame, then walked through Konoha with her and shared stories from the Land of Fire.
• Ayame told Tobitake Tonbo that villagers were spreading rumors about a two-year-old blond child they called the Demon Fox’s reincarnation.

Tobitake Tonbo and Ayame comforted a lonely Naruto Uzumaki on the streets of Konoha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi learned of their encounter and discussed Orochimaru and the Uchiha clan with Danzo. Naruto remained in Tobitake Tonbo’s care for the moment, and Hiruzen chose not to act against either Tobitake Tonbo or the Uchiha.

• Ayame and Tobitake Tonbo found Naruto Uzumaki alone and crying as villagers fled from him.
• Tobitake Tonbo picked Naruto up, dismissed the Demon Fox rumors, and let Ayame hold him while they introduced themselves.
• Villagers called Naruto the Demon Fox, upsetting him as he spent time with Tobitake Tonbo and Ayame.
• An ANBU reported Tobitake Tonbo’s encounter with Naruto to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who trusted Tobitake Tonbo and refused Danzo’s demand to investigate him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo discussed Orochimaru’s disappearance and the Uchiha clan’s unusual activity, and Hiruzen chose to keep watching the Uchiha without taking immediate action.

Tobitake Tonbo befriended young Naruto and gave him a happy memory, while Sasuke and Itachi watched them from nearby. Two years later, Tobitake had married Ayame and returned to the Analysis Division, where Sheng Shimon questioned why he had left team leadership despite his former students’ success.

• Tobitake Tonbo played with Naruto in Konoha’s main street, and the ANBU watched nervously while Naruto enjoyed the attention.
• Itachi and Sasuke saw Tobitake toss Naruto into the air, and Sasuke asked Itachi to do the same for him at home.
• Tobitake let Naruto go home and encouraged him to become a ninja, giving Naruto a goal to pursue.
• Two years later, Tobitake and Ayame were married, Tobitake’s missions had increased, and he had returned to the Analysis Division after leading a team of Chunin.
• Sheng Shimon asked Tobitake why he had stopped leading a team, citing Teksen Shiso, Iruka, and Mibu Shinobu as successful former students.

Tobitake Tonbo completed the Reversed Golden Bell, a spatial barrier that hid Training Ground No. 98 from the outside. When Shisui Uchiha and two members of the Military Police Force investigated the vanished training ground, Ayame arrived and feared they had taken her husband.

• Tobitake Tonbo celebrated returning to the Analysis Division with Sheng Shimon, then Ayame took him home, where they continued their bloodline.
• Tobitake Tonbo tested the Reversed Golden Bell and concealed all of Training Ground No. 98 inside a spatial barrier.
• Shisui Uchiha and two Uchiha investigated the empty land, but Shisui's Sharingan could not reveal what had happened.
• Shisui decided to report the mysterious disturbance to the Hokage, despite one clan member arguing that the Uchiha should handle it.
• Ayame brought Tobitake Tonbo lunch, saw the Uchiha at the empty training ground, and tearfully asked where her husband was.

Tobitake Tonbo revealed himself to Ayame and the Uchiha Military Police after restoring the vanished training ground, explaining that he had been testing a new ninjutsu. When one Uchiha used Sharingan Genjutsu on him, Tonbo’s Reversal Mirror reflected it and immobilized the attacker.

• Shisui stopped the two Uchiha from casually arresting Ayame, who was desperately asking where her husband had gone.
• Tobitake Tonbo released his barrier, restored the training ground, and appeared before Ayame and the three Uchiha.
• Tonbo comforted Ayame, identified himself as an Analysis Division Special Jōnin, and said he had lost control while testing a new ninjutsu.
• A plump Uchiha rejected Tonbo’s identification and cast Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique on him.
• Tonbo’s Reversal Mirror disrupted and reflected the Genjutsu, leaving the Uchiha immobilized as Tonbo assessed his new technique.

Tobitake Tonbo fought Shisui Uchiha after reflecting a Uchiha's Genjutsu and refusing to go with Shisui to the Hokage. Tonbo trapped Shisui in a recurring Genjutsu, and Shisui began searching for the technique's weakness.

• Tobitake Tonbo reflected an Uchiha's Genjutsu, and Shisui Uchiha broke the effect on his teammate and warned the others about Tonbo.
• Shisui demanded that Tonbo come see the Hokage, but Tonbo blocked his attack and sent Ayame into the sky on a giant bird.
• Tobitake Tonbo and Shisui Uchiha clashed at high speed until Shisui used the Phantom Body Flicker Technique.
• Tobitake Tonbo cast the Modified Hell Viewing Technique, repeatedly showing Shisui Konoha in ruins whenever Shisui thought he had dispelled it.
• Shisui stopped attacking and examined his chakra, discovering that the Genjutsu used his own chakra to affect him again.

Tobitake Tonbo ended his clash with Shisui after Hiruzen Sarutobi intervened and explained that Tonbo was a trusted comrade. Tonbo demonstrated his new Barrier Technique, and Hiruzen assigned the Barrier Team to work with him weekly, leaving Tonbo facing regular overtime.

• Tobitake Tonbo broke Shisui's Genjutsu and prepared to continue fighting until Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived and stopped the clash.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi identified Tonbo as a trusted captain, and Shisui and the other Uchiha left after agreeing to submit a report.
• Tobitake Tonbo brought Ayame down from the hawk and explained that he had been testing a Barrier Technique inspired by the Nine-Tails Incident.
• Tobitake Tonbo showed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Ayame how the small-scale Barrier Technique made Training Ground No. 98 disappear.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered a Barrier Team squad to study with Tonbo every week, and Tonbo and Ayame planned to celebrate with a feast.

Shisui investigated Tobitake Tonbo after his Genjutsu surprised the Military Police Force, then found records showing Tonbo had earned praise from both the Third and Fourth Hokage. Tonbo spent a cheerful meal with Ayame and Yamanaka Inoichi’s young daughter, Ino, entertaining her with Genjutsu.

• Shisui ordered his subordinates to retrieve Tobitake Tonbo’s records after learning Tonbo had reflected his Genjutsu.
• Shisui read Tonbo’s file, learned of his wartime service and Hokage commendations, and ordered the records kept accessible to the Military Police Force.
• Tobitake Tonbo and Ayame enjoyed a meal together and reassured each other after their encounter with the Uchiha.
• Yamanaka Inoichi arrived at the restaurant with his daughter, Ino, and introduced her to Tonbo and Ayame.
• Tonbo entertained little Ino with flower illusions while the four of them ate and chatted.

Tobitake Tonbo joked with Ayame about having a child, then listened to gossip about Itachi Uchiha awakening his Sharingan and impressed the Analysis Division with a new food-based Genjutsu. He realized Itachi was already being watched by Obito and felt relieved that he was not an Uchiha facing the clan’s coming danger.

• Tobitake Tonbo said goodbye to Ino and joked with Ayame about having a baby who could marry her, then they tried to conceive that night.
• Sheng Shimon told the Analysis Division that Itachi Uchiha had awakened his Sharingan after a teammate was killed.
• Dokuro Kei praised Itachi as a genius who surpassed Kakashi, while the coworkers compared him with Tobitake Tonbo.
• Tobitake Tonbo threatened to use his Hell Viewing Technique 2.0, which made the coworkers flee before they could experience its fermented mung bean juice flavor.
• Tobitake Tonbo recalled that Obito was already watching Itachi and felt grateful he was not an Uchiha.

Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Tobitake Tonbo to lead a patrol squad along the Land of Fire’s border after learning that Land of Lightning ninja were probing the area. Tonbo left his pregnant wife Ayame to prepare for the mission and met Hayama Shirakumo and Mitaraishi Anko at Konoha’s gate.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Tobitake Tonbo intelligence reports about Land of Lightning activity and ordered him to patrol the border with Hayama Shirakumo and two other teammates.
• Tobitake Tonbo asked to delay the mission because Ayame was pregnant, but Hiruzen Sarutobi said he would try to find a replacement so Tonbo could return sooner.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Ayame and Tobitake Kosei about the mission, and Ayame supported him while asking him to be careful.
• Tobitake Tonbo spent the evening with Ayame before leaving Konoha the next morning.
• Tobitake Tonbo met Hayama Shirakumo at the village gate, then encountered Mitaraishi Anko and teased her about being younger and becoming an aunt.

Tobitake Tonbo joined Hayama Shirakumo, Mitaraishi Anko, and the young Itachi Uchiha on a mission to investigate Kumogakure’s incursion and protect the Land of Iron’s mineral trade. The team set out after discussing the possible enemies and causes behind the attacks.

• Itachi Uchiha introduced himself as skilled in analysis, Fire Release, shuriken, and Sharingan perception, while Anko questioned why such a young ninja was on the mission.
• Tobitake Tonbo listed his skills in mind reading, genjutsu, sensory work, and battlefield first aid, then argued with Anko after she doubted him.
• Hayama Shirakumo introduced himself as captain and told the team to check their ninja tools before leaving for the border.
• As they traveled, Itachi and Tonbo proposed reasons Kumogakure, Yugakure, or Kirigakure might target the Land of Iron’s mineral supplies.
• Hayama explained that the Hokage had confirmed attacks on trade routes and that the Land of Iron had requested Konoha’s aid.

At the Land of Fire border, Tobitake Tonbo answered Itachi Uchiha’s questions about the Will of Fire by refusing to choose between village and family. He used Genjutsu to punish Itachi and Mitaraishi Anko for pressing him, then warned them not to ask such questions again.

• After the border handover, Itachi asked Tobitake Tonbo what the Will of Fire meant and whether he would choose the village or his family.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Itachi to stop overthinking and focus on becoming stronger, but Itachi and Mitaraishi Anko kept pressing him.
• Tobitake Tonbo trapped Itachi in a vision of endless grilled meat and Anko in one of devil's horn peppers while he continued guarding the area and sensing his surroundings.
• Itachi recognized the Genjutsu but ate the grilled meat, while Anko endured the peppers and broke free by releasing chakra.
• Anko challenged Tobitake Tonbo over the Genjutsu, and he warned both of them that he would use an even worse one if they asked such questions again.

Tobitake Tonbo, Itachi Uchiha, and Anko patrolled the trade route while searching for clues about attacks on caravans. After spotting a suspicious ore convoy, Tonbo concluded that spies had infiltrated it and predicted an ambush ahead.

• Tobitake Tonbo told Itachi Uchiha that the strong should seek enough power to protect both family and village, while Itachi remained determined to reconcile the clan and village.
• Tobitake Tonbo gave Itachi Uchiha and Anko radios, and the team tested them before splitting up to patrol within range.
• Tobitake Tonbo spotted an ore caravan of about fifty people and more than a dozen carriages on the trade route, then reported it to the others.
• Tobitake Tonbo noticed several travelers had unnatural expressions and secretly watched the escorting ninja, suggesting they were disguised spies.
• Tobitake Tonbo told Hayama Shirakumo, Itachi Uchiha, and Anko that the caravan had likely been targeted and would be attacked at a narrow stretch of road ahead.

Tobitake Tonbo’s team prepared an ambush after sensing eight elite enemies approaching the convoy. The attackers struck first, revealing that members of the convoy had betrayed its guards, while the Land of Iron noble confronted the attackers.

• Tobitake Tonbo, Hayama Shirakumo, Itachi Uchiha, and Mitaraishi Anko set traps and concealed themselves beside the road.
• Tobitake Tonbo sensed eight powerful enemies approaching, and the team planned how to divide their opponents.
• Itachi revealed his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and volunteered to handle the remaining enemies with Mitaraishi Anko.
• Eight attackers ambushed the convoy, and several people within it released lightning against the guards.
• The attackers killed most of the convoy’s guards, and their leader, a lightning-wreathed man, used Lightning Release: Swift Lightning Arrow against the Land of Iron noble.

Konoha ninja led by Tobitake Tonbo attacked the Kumogakure force ambushing a convoy, turning the battle into several fights across the forest. Itachi Uchiha and Mitaraishi Anko remained outnumbered, while the convoy’s guards refused to help.

• Tobitake Tonbo summoned a giant toad to scatter the Kumogakure ninja, and Hayama Shirakumo struck their leader before retreating into the forest.
• Itachi Uchiha and Mitaraishi Anko coordinated to kill one Kumogakure ninja, but the enemy surrounded them and their numbers grew to eleven when five spies emerged from the convoy.
• Tobitake Tonbo used Visual Distance Misalignment Genjutsu against Kawasuke, who recognized and broke it with Lightning Body Charge before they resumed fighting.
• Mitaraishi Anko and Itachi Uchiha retreated toward the forest while exchanging attacks with the Kumogakure ninja.
• The bearded convoy leader refused to send his guards to help, and they agreed to wait rather than risk further losses.

Tobitake Tonbo defeated the Kumogakure Jōnin Kawasuke with a combination of Genjutsu, Wind Release, and a summoned pangolin, then headed to support Itachi Uchiha and Anko. The exhausted pair remained surrounded by six enemies, who began forming seals as the chapter ended.

• Tobitake Tonbo used Genjutsu and Wind Release to draw Kawasuke into a pangolin’s attack, which bit him in half.
• Kawasuke’s final lightning strike charred the pangolin, but Tobitake Tonbo sensed that Kawasuke’s chakra had vanished.
• Tobitake Tonbo reflected on how Kawasuke’s willpower had resisted his Genjutsu and considered ways to improve it.
• Tobitake Tonbo sensed that his captain was close to defeating another enemy and hurried to aid Itachi Uchiha and Anko.
• Itachi Uchiha and Anko, exhausted and wounded after reducing their attackers from eleven to six, watched the remaining Kumogakure ninja begin forming seals.

Tobitake Tonbo rescued Itachi and Anko from the Kumogakure ninjas and used genjutsu and mind reading to defeat and investigate them. He stored the corpses for later use, leaving Anko embarrassed and furious as she blamed Orochimaru for her forgotten knowledge.

• Tobitake Tonbo arrived with Lord Kawasuke's corpse and trapped the four remaining Kumogakure ninjas in Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death.
• Itachi and Anko rested after Tobitake Tonbo praised them for holding out against the enemy.
• Tobitake Tonbo used the Mind Reading Technique on the four captives and Lord Kawasuke's corpse to uncover their mission.
• Itachi explained that corpses were important sources of intelligence, embarrassing Anko when she realized she had forgotten that knowledge.
• Tobitake Tonbo killed the four captives and sealed the corpses in a scroll, then teased Anko about her studies under Orochimaru.
• Anko blamed Orochimaru for sealing her memories and angrily shouted at Tobitake Tonbo.