Chapter 60: How Did You Know I'm a Jonin?
Training Ground No. 98.
"Darn it, did Sensei stand me up?"
Iruka, wearing his forehead protector with his hair in a ponytail and a new scar across the bridge of his nose, muttered incessantly. He glanced at the sky every few moments.
Tonbo had said he wanted to test his progress today. Iruka was thrilled and arrived at the training ground early. To his surprise, he had been waiting for half a day, and even though the appointed time had passed, there was no sign of his teacher.
Since becoming a Chunin and a squad leader a year ago, his growth had been visible to the naked eye. Additionally, having received the Third Hokage's approval to become a teacher at the Ninja Academy, he had been studying hard, learning as much as possible. He was just waiting for the chance to show off in front of Tonbo Tobitake.
Screech!
Just as his anxiety was peaking, a hawk's cry rang out from the distance. By the time he looked up, a massive eagle had already appeared above him.
"Darn it, I still haven't learned that move. What a loss."
Iruka knew his teacher had arrived the moment he saw that eagle. It brought back memories of his days training under Tonbo. The secret technique called Eye of the Creator was something he and his two teammates had all tried to learn. Unfortunately, only Mibu Shinobu had a bit of talent for Genjutsu and managed to learn a half-baked version; neither he nor Togeito Tetcho could grasp it.
This was exactly why, in his heart, he called Tonbo Tobitake "Sensei." The man had truly taught them as if they were his own disciples.
Swoosh!
Tonbo leapt down from the sky, and the giant eagle rapidly shrank as he tucked it back into his pouch.
Thud!
He landed lightly on the ground, giving Iruka an awkward smile.
"Haha, looks like I'm a bit late!"
"Yes, Sensei. I remember you aren't usually the type to be late?" Iruka asked curiously. In his eyes, Tonbo was a man who was diligent in everything he did; he had never seen him late before.
Tonbo tilted his head up. Utilizing his newly acquired musical knowledge, he spoke in a low, resonant, yet crystal-clear voice: "Is that so? Then how did you know I was just at Lord Hokage's office receiving my official appointment as a full Jonin and the position of Head of the Intelligence Analysis Division?"
A few imaginary crows flew over Iruka's head. He whispered, "Sensei, I didn't know that."
But inside, he was genuinely happy for him.
"Is that so? Well, do you know now?"
"I know now."
Tonbo nodded with satisfaction. Tactful.
"By the way, I heard you're going to be a teacher at the Academy?"
Iruka nodded, his expression turning excited. "Sensei, you once said my talent wasn't the strongest but that I was meticulous and suited to being a teacher. After leading a squad this past year, I realized you were right. I feel that being a teacher might be a good choice—a way to contribute to Konoha and inherit the Will of Fire from Lord Third and yourself."
"..."
Tonbo really wanted to tell him that the "Will of Fire" was nonsense. It was like worshipping a god: if it works, it's a god; if it doesn't, it's just superstition. But he held his tongue. Explaining that to others wouldn't help them; it would only hurt him.
After all, he was supposed to be a firm executor of the Will of Fire. How could he have such thoughts?
Bah! The Will of Fire was him, and he was the Will of Fire.
"Very good. A Chunin at fourteen, and teaching at the Academy by fifteen. Worthy of being my disciple. Keep it up; the future belongs to you," Tonbo encouraged him, patting his shoulder. Compared to the original timeline, Iruka had become a Chunin two years earlier—certainly a genius among commoners.
"Sensei, you're only two and a half years older than me! Don't talk like you're an old man!" Iruka said, exasperated.
"Enough talk. I didn't call you here for small talk. Let me see how much you've improved. If you embarrass me... hmph, you know my methods," Tonbo threatened.
Gulp!
Hearing those words, Iruka's throat moved. He remembered the punishments for failing training tasks under Tonbo—those "flavors" were scarier than any danger he had faced leading a squad for a year.
However, he quickly regained his confidence. He was a man who became a Chunin at fourteen, only two years behind his teacher, and he had a year of field experience as a leader. What was there to fear?
Iruka looked at Tonbo with fighting spirit. "Bring it on, Sensei! I'm going to be a role model for my students; I won't be frightened by your Genjutsu."
His eyes were burning with determination.
"Oh?"
Tonbo took a serious look at him, observing that confident gaze. "Very well. Worthy of my disciple. You need that confidence. Come, show me your current strength."
Shoo!
Tonbo retreated to a set distance, then wove the Seal of Confrontation. Iruka did the same.
The wind blew... hair fluttered...
Swoosh!
Clang! Clang!
Shuriken collided in mid-air, creating passionate sparks. Kunai clashed in brief exchanges as Iruka displayed impressive taijutsu, engaging Tonbo head-on.
"Iruka, if this is all you've got, it's not enough," Tonbo said, handling all of Iruka's attacks with a single kunai.
Iruka grinned. "Hehe, of course it isn't..."
Yin—Tiger—Rabbit...
Sizzle!
Tonbo expanded his sensory perception. The shuriken and kunai Iruka had thrown earlier had actually formed a massive formation, surrounding him.
"Fire Style: Fire Slicer!"
Every ninja tool emitted a thin wire of flame. With Tonbo at the center, they formed an inverted bowl shape that rapidly contracted.
Rumble!
In Tonbo's perception, even the ground was surrounded by the jutsu. The soil was being sliced into tiny cubes, closing in on him rapidly.
Iruka had closed his eyes by now. "Sensei, I won't let your Genjutsu stop me! Take this! This is a Fire Style jutsu I developed using the fire nature transformation you taught me. Every fire wire carries condensed high temperatures. Its cutting power is even greater than your Wind Style. Be careful!"
There was a hint of pride in Iruka's voice, mixed with a bit of worry—would he actually kill his teacher? That was why he spoke up to explain the jutsu.
Pat!
Suddenly, a hand patted his shoulder.
"Who is it? Don't disturb me, I'm sparring with Sensei!" Iruka tried to brush the hand off.
Then, his eyes snapped open. Standing right in front of him was Tonbo Tobitake, smiling.
"Not bad. You're already developing your own ninjutsu. Impressive."
Iruka looked at him, then back at the spot where the jutsu had just triggered. The ground there was diced up like burnt grass jelly, and in the center sat nothing but a small, shredded reed-woven doll.
"That was a Eye of the Creator substitute?"
Iruka recalled the exchange just now—Tonbo hadn't used ninjutsu or Genjutsu; he had used only taijutsu and shuriken. Iruka thought his teacher was going easy on him...
He hadn't expected it to be a substitute. But when? His teacher had been right under his gaze the whole time. Because it was a test, he had predicted Tonbo wouldn't use Genjutsu right at the start, which is why he made those arrangements.
When exactly did he do it?
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