Chapter 40: Resolution
"Release."
Having found the key, Shisui cut off the abnormal flow of chakra with perfect precision. The ruined Konoha vanished, and the real Training Ground 98 returned.
He regarded Tonbo without a trace of his earlier contempt.
The bandaged shinobi was not merely skilled at breaking genjutsu. His own illusions were powerful, subtle, and exceedingly difficult to escape. Had Tonbo attacked while Shisui struggled with the repeating cycle, even the Sharingan might not have saved him from injury.
Tonbo spread his hands. "Do you want to continue?"
Shisui opened his eyes. The hidden change within them had receded, leaving the familiar three tomoe.
Before he could answer, another figure appeared at the edge of the field.
"That is enough. He is not a spy."
All three Uchiha stiffened.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked between the two combatants. "Tonbo is a captain in Inoichi's Analysis Team and a trusted comrade of the village. There is no reason for Konoha shinobi to cross blades."
"You arrived rather late," Tonbo complained. "I nearly stopped holding back."
Hiruzen coughed. "The paperwork in my office has multiplied lately. I came as soon as I received your message, but I am no longer young."
In truth, the woven messenger had reached him early enough to observe much of the duel from concealment. He had wanted to measure two of Konoha's most promising young shinobi.
The result surprised him. Tonbo had matched Shisui's speed and forced him onto the defensive. His genjutsu had affected even a three-tomoe Sharingan. Tonbo was ready to lose the word *special* from his jōnin rank; in illusion techniques, he was approaching the level once demonstrated by Hiruzen's own teacher.
More important than the outcome was Tonbo's restraint. He had several opportunities to injure Shisui while the illusion held him, yet he had simply waited. Whatever insults passed between them, neither young man had truly intended to kill a comrade.
The Uchiha exchanged glances. None had noticed Tonbo send a message.
"Since he is not an enemy, we will resume our patrol," Shisui said.
"Do so. Submit a written report describing everything that happened here."
Hiruzen still needed to know why the encounter had escalated. With tension surrounding the Uchiha clan worsening, no clash involving the Police Force could be dismissed without investigation.
The three officers disappeared. The heavier and thinner men looked particularly displeased at being overruled after a confrontation with someone they had assumed was an ordinary civilian-born shinobi.
Hiruzen looked into the sky.
"You may bring her down now. It is cold up there."
Tonbo guided the woven eagle to the ground and helped Ayame from its back. Once she was safe, the large bird contracted into a small figurine.
This text was taken from NovelPhoenix. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"A useful secret technique," Hiruzen said. "You improve faster every year. When we first met, I seem to remember you being frightened of me. Now you possess strength like this."
The same technique had carried Tonbo's warning to the Hokage.
His skill clearly extended far beyond Psycho Mind Transmission. Taijutsu, sensory ability, ninjutsu, and genjutsu had all reached or surpassed ordinary jōnin standards.
"It is all thanks to Department Head Inoichi's guidance," Tonbo said, scratching his head.
Ayame bowed. "Hokage-sama."
"So this is your wife. I regret that village duties kept me from your wedding."
Tonbo put an arm around her. "Konoha's work comes first. But you must attend our next happy occasion."
"I will," Hiruzen promised. "Now, explain why you fought the Police Force."
His tone became serious. Someone might be exploiting the growing conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha. The spies already watching the clan were not sufficient reason to ignore other warning signs.
"It began as a misunderstanding during a test of new ninjutsu," Tonbo said. "I will choose a less disruptive location next time."
"What kind of technique? Perhaps I can offer advice."
"That would be extremely helpful."
Tonbo described the Sealed Horizon Barrier, the disappearance of the training ground, Ayame's arrival, and the Police Force's response. He did not conceal the first officer's use of genjutsu or his own Return Mirror.
Hiruzen listened without interruption, separating the original misunderstanding from the choices that had escalated it. Tonbo should have reported a spatial experiment in advance. The officers, however, had threatened a civilian, dismissed valid identification, and initiated mental force before establishing a crime. Their written report would need to address that.
"A barrier technique?" Hiruzen asked.
Tonbo's known specialties were Psycho Mind Transmission and genjutsu. Barrier ninjutsu demanded an entirely different body of knowledge, and mastering it was notoriously difficult. ANBU reports had mentioned his regular study of fūinjutsu and barrier texts, but Hiruzen had not believed he possessed enough spare time to achieve anything this advanced.
"The Nine-Tails' attack taught me that a creature of that scale can kill civilians with the aftermath of a single movement," Tonbo explained. "I began searching for a way to prevent that. Barrier ninjutsu offered the best possibility. After two years, I finally completed a small-scale version suitable for testing."
He had never intended to reveal the technique this early. Information shared with Hiruzen had an unfortunate chance of reaching Danzō, whose interference could transform a private safeguard into a danger to Tonbo's family and freedom.
The secret was already exposed, however. Concealment now offered less protection than demonstrating its legitimate purpose.
Tonbo reset the six anchors and activated Sealed Horizon Barrier again.
Training Ground 98 disappeared around Hiruzen and Ayame, separated from the visible landscape while remaining intact inside the spatial boundary.
Ayame reached instinctively for Tonbo's hand. This time she knew he was beside her, and wonder quickly overcame alarm. Within the barrier, sunlight, air, and water behaved normally. Only Tonbo's awareness of the barrier revealed that the space had been cut away from its surroundings.
The Hokage examined the flowing river and the distant edge of the barrier.
"Extraordinary. But this cannot protect all of Konoha yet."
"No. This formation covers only a small area. A village-scale barrier introduces far more variables. I intend to expand it gradually until enclosing Konoha becomes possible."
The chakra cost, anchor placement, evacuation routes, and interaction with Konoha's existing defenses would all require solutions. Tonbo had proved the central principle, not completed the final system.
Hiruzen's expression warmed.
"A grand ambition, and one worthy of the Will of Fire. If you complete it, the village will be far safer against another attack."
Tonbo recognized the danger in that approval a moment too late.
"Work this important deserves support," Hiruzen continued. "Beginning next week, I will assign members of the Barrier Team to study and develop the technique with you. You will meet once each week until a village-scale formation becomes viable."
The decision allowed no refusal.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Tonbo suppressed a sigh. He had just earned himself mandatory overtime. Testing the technique somewhere more remote would have been wiser.
Once the Hokage assigned a mission, a Konoha shinobi completed it. Hiruzen nodded and departed.
Ayame hurried to brush dust from Tonbo's clothes.
"Are you hurt?"
"Not at all. I only lost one free day each week. I'm sorry."
"You are doing it to protect Konoha." Pride replaced the last of her worry. "A little overtime does not matter."
Tonbo smiled. "That is my wife. Tonight, we are having a proper feast."