Chapter 249: The Weather is Turning Cold
The surgery for Rock Lee was not destined to be performed immediately. Not only did Tsunade want them to take more time to consider the risks, but the inauguration ceremony for the Fifth Hokage was also fast approaching.
"The Fifth Hokage has returned!"
"The Fifth? I thought it was Captain Tonbo?"
"Are you a spy? Captain Tonbo was only the Acting Hokage. The person about to take office is Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin."
"I see..."
The villagers were buzzing with excitement. Unlike Tonbo Tobitake's temporary proxy status, the formal appointment of a Hokage had to be proclaimed to the entire village. The news spread like wildfire. This announcement was a massive boost to the residents' morale; having a Hokage felt like having a pillar of strength, making their hearts feel more secure. This was the true role of a Hokage.
A certain training ground.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A massive sphere of chakra spun rapidly, repelling every ninja tool that dared to approach. Once the technique ceased, a giant crater was revealed in the earth. A sea of kunai, shuriken, and various other weapons lay scattered around its rim.
"Neji, that's incredible!" Tenten praised him sincerely. Neji's Rotation was far too powerful; he had blocked her ultimate move with a single technique. Through their daily training, Tenten could sense Neji's immense progress.
"This move is sufficient for defense, but it's still sorely lacking in offense. The weaknesses are too obvious," Neji remarked.
After training under Tonbo Tobitake, he had long ago come to understand the flaws of the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist: it lacked a powerful long-range attack.
"I believe you'll definitely be able to bridge that gap, Neji," Tenten said confidently. With Neji's talent, success was inevitable. Even she had managed to overcome many of her own flaws recently.
"Mhm. I already have an idea. Once that ninjutsu is complete, I won't lack for long-range options anymore," Neji replied. Aside from refining his shuriken and kunai throwing, he had been studying a ninjutsu specifically designed to compensate for the Hyuga clan's lack of range. It was close now.
"Tenten! Lady Tsunade has returned to the village!" Just as they were about to resume training, a voice called out from the distance.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Akamaru!"
"Woof! Woof!"
"Two-Headed Wolf: Fang Passing Fang!"
Shino was busy catching insects when he heard the commotion and looked toward the source. A massive two-headed wolf let out a howl and transformed into a silver tornado, slamming into the mountainside behind them.
Rumble!
The side of the mountain was pierced through in a single strike, sending rubble flying—and scaring away the insect Shino had been trying to catch. Shino's raised hand froze mid-air.
A moment later, Kiba Inuzuka appeared from the distance with Akamaru perched on his head.
"Shino, was that move cool or what? I can only use it three times in a short burst for now, but it's definitely enough to finish off an enemy," Kiba said, flashing a toothy grin.
Woof! Woof!
"You disturbed my insect collecting," Shino said flatly. However, beneath his dark sunglasses, a flash of shock passed through his eyes. Kiba was getting stronger at a terrifying rate. To be able to use a ninjutsu with that much destructive power three times in a row... according to his analysis, it should be impossible for Kiba to have that much stamina at his age.
The only possibility was that Kiba's chakra control had improved again. The stronger the chakra control, the greater the power and the lower the consumption. This was the foundation of Shino's analysis. At their age, they lacked experience and didn't have chakra to waste.
Is Captain Tonbo's basic training really this effective? Shino pondered. According to Kiba, his strength came from Tonbo Tobitake's childhood guidance more than his own daily studies. It seemed truly formidable.
"Shino, Kiba... Lady... Lady Tsunade is back!" Hinata appeared in the distance, panting for breath.
"Really? Dammit! If only I were a little older. When it comes to being Hokage and stabilizing Konoha, I wouldn't hesitate to step up!" Kiba lamented that his father hadn't had him sooner, otherwise he'd be the one going to become Hokage. With his progress, he was becoming increasingly confident in his suitability for the role.
"Lady Tsunade of the Sannin, huh..." Shino murmured.
Boom!
On the mountain behind the Akimichi compound, a giant crater appeared. Choza Akimichi stood holding his staff, watching intently. Soon, a figure flew out of the pit. Choji landed on the ground, looking disheveled and battered, but his eyes were bright.
"Choji, your combat experience is getting higher and higher. It seems Asuma has taught you a lot!" Choza laughed. He was very satisfied with his son's performance during this spar. Choji was no longer the confused boy he once was.
Choji smiled. "Yeah, Asuma-sensei taught me a lot, but Captain Tonbo's training made me realize my own inadequacies even more."
Why? Because during simulated battlefield training, Tonbo Tobitake had used every trick in the book to steal the snacks out of his arms—and "killed" Ino and Shikamaru in the process. It made Choji realize that if he didn't train hard, he wouldn't be able to protect his comrades... or his snacks. Through Tonbo's "acting like an enemy" method, Choji had discovered many of his own flaws. After discussing this with Asuma, his sensei had provided specific training advice. His defeat against Dosu of the Sound had further hammered home his lack of strength. Today, he had finally earned his father's recognition.
"Tonbo, eh? He is indeed remarkable!" Choza chuckled.
"Shikamaru, come with me to meet the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade," Shikaku said to Shikamaru, who was currently lost in a game of Shogi.
"Fifth Hokage?" Shikamaru started, but after a moment's thought, he understood. Tonbo was only a proxy; now the official Fifth had returned. "What a drag."
"Shikamaru, don't be like that. That's Lady Tsunade of the Sannin, one of the top kunoichi in the world."
"Is she tougher than Mom?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Shikaku looked around nervously, only breathing a sigh of relief when he saw no one was there.
"Henpecked," Shikamaru muttered.
"Nonsense, that's love. You'll understand once you find a woman to spend your life with," Shikaku lectured.
"I don't want to. That sounds like too much trouble."
"Hmph, say that now. When you grow up, you'll regret it," Shikaku snorted. He had thought the same thing back then. "Let's go."
Hokage's Office.
"These are the administrative affairs currently being processed, and these are the adjustments I've made to some of Konoha's internal defense mechanisms, as well as the changes to the codes..."
Tonbo Tobitake went over the work he had done, the tasks in progress, and the missions yet to be completed. Tsunade looked utterly impatient, but Shizune was staring at her from behind, forcing her to endure it. She listened to Tonbo's handover bit by bit, with the two advisors assisting on the side. The inauguration was in a few days; she had to have a sufficient understanding of her duties before then.
"Lady Tsunade, don't worry. Senior Shikaku will assist you," Tonbo said, sensing her impatience and casually throwing a "support" buff her way.
Sorry, Senior Shikaku. You're the strategist, you're the glorious one, you're the brain of Konoha...
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