Chapter 49: Motoyoshi's Acknowledgment, Leaving Konoha
Uchiha Tonan's mission prep lasted nearly until midday. By the time he finished, the sun hung high in the sky. He removed his glasses, carefully wiping them with a soft cloth before setting lunch on the table.
Looking toward Sanbo Motoyoshi, he said warmly, "Let's eat. I'll be heading out right after."
No sooner had they begun eating than Tonan launched into a series of meticulous instructions. "I've stocked rice balls in the icebox—just take them out and warm them up when you're hungry. That should hold you over until I return. Don't forget to heat them, alright? Cold food's harsh on the stomach. I made sure to stuff them with meat and vegetables—don't go picking at your food."
"I…" Motoyoshi suddenly covered his face with his calloused hands. Before Tonan could say another word, the old man's shoulders began to tremble, and he burst into sobs. Tonan froze for a second, then rushed over and gently held him by the shoulders.
"Grandpa Motoyoshi! What's wrong? Did I nag too much?"
Motoyoshi waved a hand, frantically shaking his head. He struggled to catch his breath, voice quivering. "I don't need your money… There's a hidden compartment under my bed—it has my life savings. You'll need it more than I do, especially outside the village. Don't sacrifice your own needs for my comfort. Just… make sure you stay safe, alright?"
His voice broke again, and he cried unabashedly, like a child clinging to his most cherished person. Tonan knelt beside him and tried to calm him.
"But I really do have money," Tonan insisted, half-laughing, half-helpless. "I'm not hurting for it. Plus, the travel expenses are reimbursed by the mission sponsor. You should keep your savings—you always say how much you love saving money, remember?"
"In… in that case… that's… that's fine…"
Motoyoshi's cries quieted to occasional sniffles, but his eyes were still red and misty.
"I've always been stingy, sure, but what good is it if I take the money to the grave? From now on, what's mine is yours. There's about twenty million Ryo in there. And listen—take that tanto in my room with you. It's a chakra-forged blade. Good steel for when you're out in the wild."
Seeing that Motoyoshi had settled, Tonan handed him his rice bowl and chopsticks, gently guiding them into his hands before returning to his seat.
"I appreciate it," Tonan said softly, "but I'll have to refuse the tanto. Chakra blades are too conspicuous. I'm just a genin—carrying something like that would just attract unnecessary attention."
Motoyoshi chewed slowly, eyes on the bowl, and after a pause, nodded. "That's true. Still, a sword isn't more important than your life."
Just then, Tonan heard a familiar chime in his mind.
Ding! Gained Sanbo Motoyoshi's acknowledgment.
His chopsticks paused for the briefest moment before continuing as if nothing had happened.
After they finished eating, Tonan spoke casually while washing the dishes. "Oh, right. I registered your name at the hospital a few days ago."
Motoyoshi frowned, confused. "Why would you do that? I'm perfectly fine."
"It's for a general checkup," Tonan replied while scrubbing a bowl. "Once I return, I'll take you in. If there's anything wrong, it's better to catch it early. If not, then even better. But from now on, you need to go in every six months."
Motoyoshi scoffed. "That's too much. It's stressful. I'm not going. Cancel it."
Tonan froze mid-wash, then slowly turned back to the sink. "I want you to stay with me for a long time… After all… I've never been very lucky."
His quiet voice cut through the room like a kunai through silence. Motoyoshi's lips quivered, his stubbornness melting under Tonan's solemn tone.
"…Alright. I'll go when you get back."
He wheeled himself out into the courtyard, gazing at the freshly trimmed flower beds, his thoughts wandering.
Tonan's departure time was approaching. He slung on his standard-issue shinobi backpack and made his way to the door.
Passing by Motoyoshi, he said over his shoulder, "Put the dirty laundry aside. I'll take care of it when I'm back."
Without waiting for a reply, he stepped outside. Motoyoshi nodded silently, then pursed his lips, watching the boy's retreating figure.
Suddenly, as if compelled by instinct, he rolled his wheelchair forward and shouted after him, "Kid! Watch your back! If anything confuses you, ask your jōnin-sensei! And eat properly, don't go starving yourself!"
But by then, Tonan had already vanished beyond the courtyard walls.
At the village gate—the rendezvous point for Team Nine—Tonan arrived ten minutes early. To his surprise, Namikaze Minato and Hatake Kakashi were already waiting, both looking like they'd been there for a while. Even Uzumaki Kushina had shown up to see them off.
"Apologies for the delay," Tonan said with a polite bow. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."
Minato chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Nah, you're not late at all. No need to apologize."
Kushina strode forward and clapped Tonan on the shoulder with firm affection. "Tonan, don't act so stiff around us. You're part of the team, not some outsider."
Tonan nodded dutifully. "I'll remember that, Kushina-senpai."
She smiled with a mix of warmth and authority, then leaned in slightly. "Alright, squirt—did you pack all the essentials? Kunai? Shuriken? Soldier pills?"
Pushing up his glasses, Tonan nodded. "All packed. I'm ready."
Kushina's eyes gleamed with mischief. She reached behind and swung off her backpack. Unzipping it dramatically, she revealed its contents with a wide grin.
"Ta-da! I made bentos for everyone! It'll take at least two days to reach the Fire Temple, so you'll need something to eat!"
Minato's smile froze. His face twitched as he tried to hide his apprehension. "You… really didn't have to go through the trouble, Kushina…"
Kakashi took two steps back as if the bag held a summoning scroll for death.
Kushina's grin fell flat, her aura turning ominous like a volcano moments from erupting. "Are you saying… my cooking isn't tasty?"
"Of course not!" both Minato and Kakashi stammered in unison, waving their hands wildly.
Truth was, Kushina's cooking had once been so intensely seasoned that even brave shinobi trembled before her dishes. But after learning Tonan preferred lighter food, she'd gone the opposite extreme—no salt at all. The result was a perfectly balanced meal for Tonan… but a flavorless ordeal for the rest.
Food pills may have tasted like chalk, but at least you could swallow them in one gulp. Her bentos required actual chewing—and lots of it.
Just as the atmosphere was about to explode, Tonan's grateful voice rang out.
"Kushina-senpai, thank you so much for preparing all these bentos. I really appreciate it."
The lava threatening to erupt cooled instantly. Kushina beamed and smugly tossed a glance at the others as she handed Tonan her backpack.
"Tonan's the only one who understands me."
Minato smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. "It's getting late. Let's check in at the gate and get moving."
With that, the trio walked to the gate post. After presenting their mission orders and travel passes, they stepped beyond the borders of Konoha.
Behind them, Kushina stood waving, her bright red hair fluttering in the breeze.
"Take care, and come back safe!"