Chapter 158: Cheating
"What? You want to learn one-handed seals?"
Tonbo Tobitake was dumbfounded by his father's request.
Don't you have any idea what your talent level is? Even a genius like Kakashi can't do one-handed seals, yet you're dreaming quite a beautiful dream, aren't you?
"You can do it, can't you? Since I'm your father, I definitely can too," Tosei Tobitake declared, puffing out his chest. You're my kid. If you're capable, so am I.
He had seen Tonbo performing one-handed seals long ago, and he had been stunned at the time. Whether it was the Washer Puppet Technique or the Broom Puppet Technique, Tonbo always used one-handed seals for daily chores. Back then, Tosei was shocked and thought his son was simply extraordinary.
At that time, he was just a retired ninja longing for the shinobi life. But as the years passed, he even had grandchildren now. Seeing his son use one-handed seals became as common as eating or drinking. He figured that as the father of Tonbo Tobitake, he must have that talent too. He completely forgot the reality of his actual skills back when he was an active ninja.
Tonbo rubbed his chin. "Well, I suppose it's not impossible."
In the past, considering his father's missing hand, he had thought about using Eye of the Creator to give him a prosthetic. However, he had refrained from doing so, fearing his father might want to return to active duty.
After years of deep research into chakra, he realized a prosthetic was actually a bad idea. At its core, Eye of the Creator is a ninjutsu that requires a constant expenditure of chakra. Tonbo couldn't maintain the chakra for him forever. If his father had to maintain it himself, it would be like Kakashi's Sharingan—constantly draining his reserves.
Tosei hadn't been a ninja for over a decade. His spiritual and physical energies had declined; their family didn't have the genes for massive chakra reserves. Maintaining a prosthetic would place a heavy burden on his body. Tosei was already 45 years old. If Tonbo hadn't used his research into "Phantasm-Taijutsu" and secret medicinal tonics to maintain his family's health, Tosei probably wouldn't even have the energy to work in the shop.
"Then it's settled! Let's start now," Tosei said, full of ambition. For his grandchildren, he would endure a bit of fatigue and relive the feeling of being a ninja.
"Alright, let me prepare," Tonbo said. If he could teach the young, he could teach the old.
Leaving a Shadow Clone to help at the shop, Tonbo took his father and the kids away. Atop a giant eagle, three generations of the Tobitake family flew toward a mountain peak.
They landed slowly. It was a serene mountain peak where a gentle evening breeze blew, bringing a sense of peace. On the other side of the peak was a sheer cliff.
"Hey, I'm just learning seals and some jutsu. Why did you bring me all the way out here?" Tosei looked at the scenery, feeling quite pleased. He had even brought his two grandkids along.
"Is Grandpa going to learn ninjutsu too?" Tianyu asked.
Tosei raised his head high. "What, looking down on your Grandpa? Back in the day, I was classmates with the White Fang of the Leaf! If I hadn't been careless and taken a blade, I might have earned the title 'Green Fang of the Leaf'!" He shot a look at Tonbo, silently telling him not to ruin his reputation.
"Yes, yes, you almost became the Green Fang," Tonbo said, speechless. So my love for bragging was inherited from you. Green Fang? Why not the Green Flash while you're at it?
"Grandpa is so amazing!" Tianyu and Maki looked at each other and praised him.
Essential Ninja Manual, page 102: Child Psychology.
The manual noted that there is no specific "Men's Psychology"—Child Psychology is Men's Psychology. It stated that as long as you praise them, regardless of whether it's true or false, they will be very happy. At home, the only people who could "handle" Dad were Mom and Grandpa, so they studied this part very carefully.
"That's right!" Tosei beamed with joy. He knew his decision was correct. "Start quickly, I can't wait!"
The thought of using ninjutsu to wash dishes and sweep the floor... why hadn't he thought of this sooner?
"Okay. First, a task for Tianyu and Maki."
Tonbo could see right through his kids. Even without a mind-reading jutsu, he knew their temperaments well. However, this curiosity was important for children, so he didn't force them into a specific path. If they couldn't be ninjas, they could always inherit Ichiraku Ramen. They were already training staff and looking for new locations.
He assigned the kids the same training he once gave to the Genin: balancing leaves on their heads to concentrate chakra, training control and focus. He avoided doing anything that looked dangerous in front of his father.
Then, Tonbo formed hand seals. Branch-like neural threads flickered in his hand as he placed a seal on Tosei.
Rumble!
He set up a specialized transmission barrier around them.
"Alright, Dad. Just focus on recalling all the ninja knowledge you used to have. Go through the jutsu one by one. I'll assist you."
Tonbo sat in the center of the barrier, hands maintaining a seal. This technique was a direct application of his "Proxy License" research—but clearer and more sophisticated. Combined with the barrier, the effect was amplified. Unlike the version that took ten days to create and could only be used once, this method could last until either his or Tosei's chakra ran out.
"I told you to teach me one-handed seals, what are you doing?" Tosei was confused, but he followed his son's instructions anyway.
Ah, how do you even form seals with one hand?
He tried to imagine the days he used to form seals. Suddenly, the familiar Transformation Jutsu flooded his mind. The jutsu he had almost entirely forgotten was now vivid, accompanied by various analytical breakdowns. The logic of two-handed seals and the theories behind one-handed execution began pouring out of his subconscious.
"This is...?" Tosei was shocked. I really am a genius! I didn't even need to be taught to think of all this. I actually have talent!
"Dad, stop daydreaming. Actually practice!" Tonbo sensed his father's emotions and was beyond speechless. At your age, have some self-awareness, please.
"Hmph, I know! Don't treat me like a kid."
Tosei instantly realized this was the effect of his son's ninjutsu. Aside from the shock, he felt immense pride. To develop a jutsu like this... as expected of my seed.
He immediately began the grueling training for one-handed seals.
Drip.
Chakra continuously flowed out of Tonbo's body, and insights from his own mind were transmitted over. Sweat dripped down his face. Unlike the first version of the Proxy License, which only provided combat experience in a mental space that vanished afterward, this jutsu was actually transmitting "realization" through his new neural research.
To make another person gain a permanent realization, one had to understand every aspect of their body and nervous system. During the process, Tosei's brain was directly linked to Tonbo's nerves. The pressure on Tonbo was immense. He had to process Tosei's own thoughts as they formed, refine them, and feed them back into his father's mind so they became Tosei's own permanent insights. Temporary insights don't grant permanent experience points.
"Damn... 'preparing on the fly' is definitely not how a ninja should act."
Tonbo regretted it. This was way too exhausting.
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