Naruto: Sovereign of Genjutsu Chapter 289 289: Secretly Watching

Bang!

The ground split apart.

Kabuto reacted with extre speed, leaping out of the attack range. It was clear that Kabuto's strength was far from simple.

"Truly... this power is even greater than Lady Tsunade's!" Kabuto marveled at Sakura's physical strength. He was also impressed by her chakra control; she could move a ninja's body using pure chakra threads—precision that rivaled his own Chakra Scalpel.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Beside her, Yamato moved in tandem with Sakura, desperate to capture Kabuto and secure intelligence regarding Orochimaru.

Thump! Bang!

Clang!

Kabuto's superior reaction ti, coupled with years of training under Orochimaru, allowed him to dodge their coordinated assaults with fluid grace. By researching Tonbo Tobitake's neural ninjutsu and replicating parts of that capability, he had enhanced his own neural responses. Naturally, the duo's purely training-honed speed struggled to keep up with his modified reflexes.

"Damn it, what kind of reaction speed is this?" Yamato muttered, using Wood Style to support Sakura's heavy hits. Facing Kabuto's agility was an ordeal, especially since the man didn't seem to be using his full strength—he was rely stalling them.

Rembering the rampaging Naruto, Yamato didn't lose focus; he sent a Wood Clone to pursue the boy. Simultaneously, he noted Sakura's performance. Is this the result of training under both Lady Tsunade and Lord Tonbo?

Hokage's Office.

"Tonbo, I want you to go support Yamato's team. I'll handle things here in Konoha," Tsunade said after long deliberation. Despite her trust in Naruto, she felt an underlying unease.

"Eh? Will those two stubborn old geezers actually agree to this?" Tonbo asked, puzzled. It was rare. Usually, the two advisors didn't rescind their decisions so easily.

"This is my personal decision; I haven't told them. I am the Hokage, after all, am I not?" A slight smile played on Tsunade's lips.

"The Hokage is right. In that case, I'll be off. I'll leave the safety of Konoha in your hands, Lady Hokage." Tonbo didn't mind. He could continue his ninjutsu research through Shadow Clones anyway. Having a "Chakra Battery" for a body allowed him to be that reckless.

Besides, it would be nice to witness a famous scene in person. He wondered if Sakura would still get injured like in the original story given her current strength.

"I'll have soone disguise themselves as you to avoid the elders' prying eyes," Tsunade added. This was exactly why she hated being Hokage—it was too restrictive. If not for her sense of duty, she'd rather spend her life in a casino.

"No need. I can handle the disguise myself. Don't underestimate my basic ninja skills," Tonbo declined. If she sent a random person to pretend to be him, he doubted they'd even get past his third son.

"Fine, I trust your abilities." Tsunade reached her goal and didn't push further.

"I'm off." Tonbo ford a seal and vanished from the office.

Tsunade watched the spot where he stood, whispering to herself, "Please, let there be no accidents..."

After leaving the office and leaving a Shadow Clone behind to maintain the facade, Tonbo Tobitake flew toward Tenchi Bridge in the Land of Grass.

"Looking at these kids who used to be so small, now all grown up and fighting to the death... it's a bit lancholic," he mused, standing atop a summoned hawk as Konoha receded into the distance.

But there was no helping it. If they didn't fight to the death, he would have to work like a dog, so it was better that they handled the heavy lifting. He would just watch over them.

The Fourth Great Ninja War was coming; it was only a few months away. In a short ti, he too would have to step onto the battlefield. Tonbo was already contemplating how to minimize casualties while displaying Kage-level power—all without disrupting the essential growth of Naruto and Sasuke.

Border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.

Hayama Shirakumo held a pair of binoculars, scouting the distance. Behind him, the Tianyu trio followed closely.

"Teacher, any news? We haven't sensed anything out of the ordinary," Tianyu asked, reporting his own sensory findings. This entire squad consisted of sensory-type ninjas. Even their captain, Hayama, though a specialist in sword arts, possessed strong perception. However, the trio was more specialized.

"Nothing yet. The Hidden Rain has been quiet for months. I don't know if they are plotting sothing, but the situation Lord Jiraiya warned us about hasn't happened yet," Hayama said.

"I see. What exactly is Lord Jiraiya worried about? Is there an enemy in the Rain?" Tianyu asked.

Hayama explained, "Tonbo once served as a long-term spy in the Rain Village. According to intelligence gathered by Jiraiya, their leader is likely a mber of the Akatsuki—the organization stirring up trouble in various nations. Even if it seems quiet, we cannot be negligent. Stay alert."

Maki asked, "Lord Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin, right? Why would a ninja that strong be worried?"

Wataru added, "Teacher Tonbo said: 'People die if they are killed.' Even ninjas have monts of laxity. Lord Jiraiya's concern is justified."

"Exactly. The Akatsuki has beco active recently; even the Kazekage of the Sand was captured. We must be extra vigilant so no one finds an opening," Hayama reminded them.

Wataru drew the katana from his back. "I really want to test my sword skills against them."

Their current mission was to guard the border alongside Hayama. Spending every day on high alert made them long for a proper battle. Because of the Akatsuki's activity, they didn't dare conduct their usual heavy training while on guard duty; wasting chakra could be disastrous if an enemy struck. It was a lesson they had learned: a ninja must always have chakra ready for the unexpected.

Hayama smiled. "Don't be in such a hurry. You're still young. You're already doing better than Konohamaru and the others, aren't you?"

"That's true! Konohamaru is still in the village doing simple tasks while we're already guarding the border. Hahaha, they'll be so jealous when we get back." At this, Tianyu beca exceptionally excited. Since Konohamaru had joined Tonbo's training sessions, his progress had been imnse. Eventually, the trio couldn't beat him in one-on-one duels; they could only make Konohamaru's team taste defeat in three-on-three matches.

While they were analyzing the situation, two figures were watching them from the darkness of the forest, hiding their presence.

"Those brats... should we notify Pain and take them out?" Zetsu suggested to the masked man.

The masked man stared at the children. "Those two little ones... they are Tonbo Tobitake's children, aren't they? To think they've grown this much already. If only..." He thought of his own past.

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