FLASHBACK
6 years old.
That park has always been the legacy of this village. Absolutely everyone was proud of this sight. Everyone loved and honoured this place because it was always possible to find new friends and like-minded people. This park could bring together completely different people in spirit.
People say that this park bring the true Will of stone. It was only after seeing this wasteland with a few rocks the first Tsuchikage decided to build a new village here. All of this was considered as Iwagakure heart. A heart that gave birth to a character that could not be broken.
And now when several playgrounds were appeared here, the park has become even more lively than ever. That is why on this holiday day, here was filled with a big count of joyful families who celebrated village birthday.
The remnants of the old, those who were born during its creation, shared with the younger generation how much this place has changed over the years.
Many children didn't get enthusiasm of listening to such boring stories and instead explored the nearby territory.
None of them were calm and careful. They did what they thought was fun.
And only one child was different from all the others and wasn't interested in fun. He preferred to sit near to playground where there was a sand and draw something incomprehensible with a stick.
"Happy birthday, Anthony. You've been live here for 6 years. Amazing, isn't it? You've always liked thrill and that's why you got BASE jumping. Are you pleased by adrenaline feeling that you experience living in this world? Do you enjoy to wait moment when your father returns from a dangerous mission?" - Tobio said, continuing to sneer at his situation. He set palms together and prayed to Kami as soon as finished drawings cake with six candles.
He was focused on the drawing, not paying attention to how children got to make noise behind him. He only made a note to himself that children were doing dangerous things running around structure which made of 2 tall logs and a long board.
'I certainly regret that got here. Why this green blob couldnt send me somewhere where people don't want to kill each other? If I had known, I would have chosen other abilities rather than those based on treatment.' - he let a heavy sigh in defeat and ran hands through hair, which fell over his shoulders.
He was a doctor in a previous life. In early childhood, he enrolled in fencing and was very successful at it. In late teens, began to practice base jumping. Adored travelling and photographing interesting species of animals.
He really liked his life even more because a week before his trip to Dubai, he asked to marry to girlfriend.
Unfortunately for him, his whole life was cut off like a thin white thread.
One day, he and a friends went to the tallest building in Dubai for another one jump.
'Well, I really thought that this would be my last jump.' - with a sad smile, Tobio erased drawn cake and looked at the blue sky, which began to be covered with dark clouds.
Everything was fine with equipment. He clearly remembered his jump. His parachute definitely opened, but after that there was only fog and a white wasteland.
After that, he met something that looked like a gaseous being. It reminded him of the infinity Stone from Thor 2.
Creature offered him to choose one ability and reincarnate in any world. It answering this question, took a few minutes to ponder about it and after that brazenly stated that was doing it only for fun.
'Positive energy. Hm. It would be the right choice for another universe. Fortunately, I am still glad that this ability has adapted here, turning into kekkei-genkai, which includes Yin and Yang chakra. However, my chakra control is crap and I'm able to use Hanten once a day. Even if my chakra reserves are large enough for a child in my age.' - Tobio praised himself for being too reasonable.
In the background, children's screams began to bother him, but boy didn't care and continued to assume about the future.
"However, I'm definitely not gonna be the one who gets in the spotlight. I should just sit in the village and use my "gift" for the Iwagakure benefit" - clenched his fists tightly as going to home direction, assuming that parents had finished preparing for a festive dinner for his birthday, but suddenly heard an adult high-pitched scream.
With a heavy sigh, he remembered with a smile his working days in a previous life. He absolutely didn't want to know what was going on there, Tobio couldn't ignore someone who probably needed medical help.
'As I thought, this log couldn't stand these worrisome children. Why couldn't they run on the ground. It's much safer.' - boy cursed inwardly, but put hands in pockets and walked quickly to big crowd
Under loud shouts, Tobio getting closer to large crowd with a measured pace. He felt sick when heard plaintive crying sounds that this child was creating. This crying was constantly changing volume and sobs frequency.
He was very lucky in one thing. After working as a pediatric for around six months in practice, he learned how to recognize how old his patient could be just by the sound of crying.
In a past life, he promised himself that while he would work as a pediatrician, none of his patients will be left without help and will bring every effort to cure any child.
'Okay, this child is around 4-5 years old. From how loudly kid crying now, pain shock has gone and now baby has fully begun to get all consequences of injury.' - he deduced and finally reaching a big crowd who reassured their children.
Keeping hands in his pockets, Tobio clenched it in annoyance at got of one terrible fact.
Boy slowly and imperceptibly tried to walk through the crowd to finally get to child and at the same time, was wondering why ninja medics hadn't arrived here yet.
"Almost certainly they don't want to waste time on this. I guess they only focused on work with shinobi. Well, or I just overthink a lot and the hospital is far from this place, which is located on the outskirts of the village" -
Tobio muttered to himself with a grim smile, kicking bottle lying which on the ground.
It was hard for him, but he finally managed to get past the last row of onlookers which he would have called how "the Chinese wall" because they were very high and it was impossible to move them.
The worst part was that he was to short and adults didn't even pay attention to a kid like him, assuming that he shouldn't have to face such horror.
As soon as he saw childish figure who lying on the ground and shouting in an unintelligible language that he could not feel legs, and his parents sat next to him and tried to calm boy, the last remnants of a smile faded from Tobio face.
'Don't tell me it's a spinal injury. Ouuu yeep I'm a fool. That's the only reason why they're not trying to get him to the hospital on their own.' - he nodded to himself after making this conclusion and pulling hands out of pockets moved forward.
These actions definitely managed to attract crowd attention and also such condemnatory words, which mostly consisted of pleas not to go there.
Tobio was unable to notice how a tall shinobi in a jounin vest appeared near to him and softly grabbed his arm.
"Stay here baby, you'll only prevent medics to do their works." - man said in a calm voice, trying to get Tobio out of there as gently as possible.
"I'm gonna be useful there. Unlike these doctors" - brunette only smirked childishly and roughly jerked hand free from the grip.
Firstly his words made crowd laugh, because to them this child looked like a fool who wanted more attention.
They would have continued joking further if boy hadn't released purple chakra from right hand.
It is worth noting that this move stirred up crowd, forcing everyone to hold their breath in a daze because color of this chakra was unusual for any shinobi.
Reached now calmed down child, he noticed how little boy with short red hair and dirt on face, watched at him and holding parents hand.
Tobio might be wrong, but could see a small piece hope in child eyes that he would help him.
He gently placed palm one of ninja medics shoulder, who used mystical palm. This woman turned her head, but didn't stop working.
"Yes? Huh? What idiot let a kid in here! Get him out of here." - this woman screamed loudly, slightly scaring Tobio with her tone, but he restrained trembling and sat down near, carefully looking into her eyes.
"Medic-san, please listen to me. I'll be..."
"No, you listen, you don't understand. We still have a minimal chance to save a child from disability, so leave..." -
"You are yourself wasting necessary time. I need your help because as soon as I'm done with it, I'm definitely gonna faint, so you need to remember my name. You'll must to tell my parents where I am. I am Tobio Tendo and my kasan works as a secretary for Tsuchikage-sama." - he said in a rude tone and the older woman saw child's eyes flash with resolve.
The woman gave a command to her companion and as soon they stopped treatment, Tobio stretched out hand and stopping palm right on the red-haired child chest.
"Yo, boy, chill, everything's gonna be cool, you can still run with your friends." = he winked at him and prepared Hanten.
"Do you promise?" - he asked in a childish voice.
"Sure. We also can seal this agreement with pinky promises." - Tobio stretched out his pinky.
'He looks like a Hoheto age.'
The kid immediately responded to this gesture confirming their agreement. After that, child's eyes start to run over Tobio's figure, but he did not pay attention and took a deep breath, cracked his neck.
"Hanten" - as soon as Tobio uttered these words, a purple cloud covered little kid.
Such an event made surrounding crowd excitement and come closer.
In return brunette immediately began to feel how his disgusting chakra control completely drained his chakra reserves.
It was new for Tobio, but he didnt imagine that chakra exhaustion to be so agonizing and sick.
His stomach and lungs squeezed so hard that he had to cover mouth so that his breakfast would not vomit.
'Haa, it's working..' - Tobio mentally grinned at his success at winked to red-haired boy.
"It's impossible. Miroku-san... this.. take a look" - muttered on a shocked tone medic who sitting on the other side.
Tobio's eyes began to slowly close and the last thing he felt before lost consciousness there were strong female medic hands on his shoulders, which held him in place.?
8 years old.
Lonely boy figure with a backpack stood on the edge of a high mountain and looked at village as if this place was in his palm.
The boy's long hair, blown by wind, was in good harmony with his current condition. Just as his hair was developing chaotically, as Tobio's thoughts were diffused in different places. The most absurd thing was that he was thinking about it all at the same time.
'So It's been 2 years since I revealed my kekkei-genkai. I didn't have to do that. Now I regret it because this is not that world where need to show new bloodlines' - that brunette gathered hair into a ponytail and took off backpack, reflecting on his an old deed.
Since that day, everything has changed and for one month he was subjected to various type of questions and practically experiments on how his kekkei-genkai works. Then his theoretical and practical training hours has doubled. The Iwagakure Council wanted to teach Tobio elementary chakra control as soon as possible so that Hanten would serve for village benefit.
He actually knew that Tsuchikage was against such radical training methods, but even as a village leader, the old man couldn't do anything with it because most of votes were in favor of boy training.
"This old bastards. This sodding world. The elders wanted me to develop very quickly, strengthening this with professional growth. They've already think off my future and how I must use my bloodline promoting it with an idiotic the Will of Stone. I detest and damn them." - Tobio suppressed a sad laugh and walked a little closer to the cliff, spreading his arms to different sides.
Indeed he for a long time reproached himself for letting his "old self" take over sanity and In front of many people gaze, brag with kekkei-genkai. The day after kid treatment, Tsuchikage came to his home with intending to discover all secrets from him.
''Even I, an ordinary child, am already being used as a tool in the Elders hand. I'm not even a shinobi, but already feel so much attention on me. I wonder, once I become useless, how quickly they will forget about me and throw in the trash?'
Tobio was tough readjusting to rules of this universe from birth because everything here was different from his old life.
At first, it was difficult to take seriously what was happening around him. Probably because his brain perceived people around as ordinary 2D characters. Eventually this feeling paused due to the incident when his "father" came back from one of missions with severe serious injuries.
Exactly in that days his body experienced the greatest amount of stress. In those three days, Tobio didnot leave wounded father's, not wanting to leave him alone.
'I guess this is another reason why I endure all these trainings. I just don't wanna disappoint parents, who have so much faith in me' - Tobio clicked tongue in annoyance at responsibility that now rested on his shoulders.
And also before his eyes was Tsuchikage figure, who restrained the Elders council from active moves towards Tobio. It seemed to Onoki that such hard attitude to child direction would only degrade the whole situation. He got quite many punches because he shielded boy from all issues.
Jiji even constantly gave him advice on how to most easily learn chakra control. Tobio greatly appreciated such self-care and tried not to embarrass this old man in front of the village council.
'Damn, it would be a waste of such kindness from an old man if I really decided to jump off this cliff and suicide. I should avoid such frightening thoughts from now on.' - Tobio shook head and a cute smile appeared on his face as he stepped closer to the cliff.
This things led to fact that behind him in the bushes his stalker completely forgot about caution and attracted attention.
He certainly knew who it was.
That boy could only slap himself for the stupidity which he had made 2 years ago. What was his surprise when one day family of child which he treat came to their house with intend give their gratitude. And little boy with short hair was a girl.
"Ah, nevermind, if she wants to, she'll stop hiding. Now I wanna test technique that Jiji taught me. EARTH RELEASE: Light-weight rock technique." - he quickly ran through on hand seals and a second later, soared above the ground, losing gravity around him.
Unbeknownst to himself, he spread arms to different sides, pretending to looks like enlightenment, and after that, giggled excitedly realizing success of learning his first technique in this world.
If Tobio had known that from the side, his laughter was similar to cliched killer maniacs from movies in his past life, he wouldn't hesitate to stop behaving like that.
He was always interested case what it would be like to be a bird and fly without thinking about anything except what would be further.
'1-0 old man, I'm lead. It took me only 6 months to learn this. Now I have chance to demand something else from you.'
10 years old.
"Ease Akio, it's actually just me. Sorry, I'm a few minutes late." - Tobio tried to calm his friend whom met on first day academy.
On the first day, he noticed that atmosphere around Akio was very heavy and sadly. It looked as if aura of the silver-haired child was repulsed anyone who intended to approach him.
In return, Tobio, possess great enthusiasm, tried luck by sitting near to Akio and subsequently did not regret about this decision.
Eventually, they became friends and created a place that only they knew about.
"Honestly, I came by myself a few minutes ago. The caretaker of the shelter was celebrating birthday and I with guys congratulations her. Anyway, who is this?" - Akio asked in surprise, raising an eyebrow and pointing behind his friend's back.
At that moment, a sense of guilt engulfed brunette because he had brought an unknown to their secret place. Behind was a child whom he had opportunity to treat for a terrible injury several years ago.
Unfortunately, he couldn't refuse parents request and not take this shrimp for a walk. If he had done it, Tobio would have been punished by the complete lack of training sessions in which father taught him in kenjutsu.
'Stupid tousan and ridiculously bossy women who can't be denied. I don't wanna quote Shikamaru, but...What a drag..' - Tobio mentally slapped himself a few times because he lost so easily in this argue without showing perseverance.
"Meet each other. Akio - Tayuya. Tayuya - Akio. So why she is here? Because our parents became quite close after one day a few years ago. And now they're busy with some important and I just didn't have a choice. You really shouldn't worry. She won't tell anyone about this place." - Tobio said with a laugh, hoping to defuse heavy atmosphere, which suddenly became very tense after 2 other kid crossed glance.
That situation was not improved by the fact that red-headed girl hid behind Tobio back, grabbing his T-shirt as a lifeline.
"Why? Why are you be friends with him?" - She said in a trembling voice, earning a searching look from Tobio, who at the same time noticed how Akio shoulders trembled and lowered head, refusing look into his friend's eyes.
"What are you talking about, Tayuya-chan. Akio is my best friend, why shouldn't I be friends with him? Do you have any problems with that?" - Tobio gently grabbed girl and carried her to Akio, who start panick like a scared puppy when saw how distance between them began to shrink.
Inwardly Tobio known reason for the behavior change in both friends, but couldn't just reveal secret which found out a few years ago.
A few years ago, he was astonished by turn of events, because Tobio clearly remembered that in the original plot, Akio status was belong by a completely different person.
"My kasan told me that he is dangerous. Don't you know that he..." - Tayuya replied with fear, but Tobio did not let her finish this and gently covering her mouth with palm. After that, he let a heavy sigh and looked at upset Akio, who threw a backpack on back, intending to leave this place.
"What is he Jinchuuriki? Yes I do. So I don't know if it changes anything." - he shrugged lazily as if nothing had happened.
From his past life, Tobio knew about all jinchuriki, who have been ostracized based on stupid opinion and erroneous assumptions.
The doctor work also let him to see such cases in real life. So after found about Akio's status, he did not change opinion in any way about that shy boy who was subjected to some ridicule and looked like a black sheep in their class.
He was not at all surprised by Akio and Tayuya childish reaction whose eyes were like big saucers, but for different reasons for themselves.
""HUH? YOU KNOW THAT HOW?""
"Uh, does it really matter? Although if it calms both you, after we met at school I told parents about impressions about academy and mentioned Akio. Then kasan told me about your secret." - Tobio replied by tilting head and putting a chocolate candy in mouth, looking as a stunned Akio fell on his ass and pointed finger in his direction.
"Why did you keep friends with me? For pity?"
Taking advantage chance, Tokio brought Tayuya close to Akio and crossed his arms.
"Because if I seal kunai in a scroll, it will no longer be dangerous for me. Besides, people are sheep, and I don't consider myself a stupid. And now that I've answered all your questions, we should shake hands." - that brunette tried to say this in the most serious tone what can he imagined, but from outside looked like a child who had a very crooked face.?
11 years old.
A happy child in a white T-shirt was going directly to the Tsuchikage office to witness that he had again learned another jutsu whom Onoki was shown him.
The proof was that there was a stone toy in his hands, which early been plush, which underlined how good he had done in learning a jutsu that could turn everything its owner touched with into stone.
That brunette clicked tongue in disappointment because learning it took him much longer than he expected. Tobio Tendo was annoyed because he had lost 3 months more. He was sure that there would be a huge irritating smile on Jiji face.
Opening door with a bang, he was gonna burst into Tsuchikage office, but his eyes widened when not only old man appeared in front of him, but also one of his favorite characters of this anime.
Blonde teen with Bakuton.
Deidara.
'Well, so he's already a chunin and hasn't deserted yet.' - Tobio made a small note and raised hand with a stone figure. He greeted the leader of his village.
"Hey Frodo. It took longer than I expected, but now I'm REALLY done. You better teach me something cooler than it!" - he declared in a cheeky tone, throwing his creation at Onoki to Deidara chuckle, who found this behavior funny.
Tobio's smile stretched too wide as Deidara's loud laughter filled the room, after that, he gave that brunette a thumbs-up as if encouraging such a deed.
"Wonderful. You've finally learned it. However, I will be busy in a few next months and thus Deidara will teach you Iwa bunshin no Jutsu instead of me. From now on, you have to treat to him for every little thing." - declared dwarf with a huge grin, jerking head in blonde teenager, forcing still laughing Deidara to instantly stop and narrow eyes on old man.
From how Deidara body tremble, Tobio concluded that blonde gonna justify status as a Bakuha Butai member and explode in front of Onoki face. He was obviously furious with this decision and barely holding himself from lashing out at Tsuchikage, whose eyes were flashing with satisfaction.
Tobio involuntarily let out a laugh when two people in front of him were fighting like as if they were kin. There were no barriers or walls in front of them that might be a barrier to others people.
'Well, at least Deidara is still hothead. He is no different from what I've seen in canon. I wonder what obliged him desert?'
Tobio always liked this character and he was really disappointed when Kishimoto give Uchiha Sasuke a lot of plot armor. In his savvy, it was absolutely absurd that Sasuke was being exhausted and without chakra, was able to summon a Manda. Sasuke literally could activate sharingan without chakra and take control of big snake.
"Look, it's not up for discussion. You didn't think that you'd get away with incident when you destroyed 2 of our best training grounds, did you? I suggest you no infuriating, you've got off easy yet." - Onoki muttered stoically, looking from little boy to explosive blond.
Tobio did not miss moment when tension in this room increased to such level that he clearly saw lightning flashing between Jiji and sculptor.
After that, having finished silent dialogue, Deidara gave Tendo an appraising look and stopped at brunette long hair, which was very long.
Boy glad Deidara an embarrassed look while rubbing chin and pull out hand in a welcoming gesture, wishing to make a good impression.
"A-yo Deidara-senpai. Im Tobio Tendo. I've heard a lot about you from old fart. I hope we be friends." - he introduced in as polite a voice as he could and felt Deidara squeeze his hand back with a little bit strength.
It became quite obvious to Tobio that at that moment BakutonMAN has no desire to take care of a child like him.
"Unless you ask to my question, you have no chance to call me as your senpai. Boke." - Deidara chirped with a grin and ruffling his hair.
Tobio looked at Tsuchikage in disbelief who just shrugged. And after that, to Deidara, who created clay little bird.
"Okay, Deidara-sempai" - brunette smirked to blond.
Tobio looked with admiration at him and remembered how Kishimoto had humiliated Deidara in War arch.
That brunette shuddered at thought that Deidara could single-handedly end shinobi war when was summon as a walking and self-healing corpse. Edo Tensei + C4 / С0 would be a rattling mixture.
"What is true art to you?" - Deidara revived clay figure and made it fly around Tobio, who was immersed in watching this creature.
After that his eyes widened. He began to look around, trying not to let emotions run wild because he already knew how to answer to this question.
"Uh, I prefer to think that art is short-lived and we are supposed to enjoy the one moment when it happens?"
12 years old.
"Hai-yo Touka-san. Im hope Im not too late. I was in a meeting with Deidara-senpai before he went on mission!" - Tobio said apologetically and walked past the kitchen window which faced into the courtyard where a many children were already playing.
His eyes stopped on one certain child, who was unusually tall and large for his age. That brunette mentally slapped himself for such a big mistake in the past, because he really forgot about these characters.
'I shouldn't had focused only on Shippuden. I ignored knowledge and forgot about the first season. There, both Jirobo and Tayuya were Otogakure ninja. Were there any words in canon of which village they were from and how did they got under sannin wing?' - pulling out a chair, Tobio sat down at the table and carefully stretched hair, trying to got what to do next.
Near a year and a half ago, he attempted to minimize interaction with them. Much to kasan disapproval. In time when he got who their characters were, Tobio was unable to think straight a few moments fearing that Orochimaru was already watching and intending to grab him with own hands.
However he wondered if it really was so necessary to interrupt friendship without a good reason? Clearly he liked being friends with them and they lightened his gray days.
"Tobio-kun" - a female voice attracted boy attention, forcing him to stop suppose about the past and return to reality
"My bad Touka-san. I floated in the clouds. Could you repeat your question again, please?" - brunette put palms together in a prayer and had show a very sweet smile on face.
Old woman gave him a genuinely smile. After she crossed her arms and flashed her eyes.
"I wanna know, are you ready for your graduation? Do you have any presumptions for who will be in your team?" - to her question, Tobio simply rubbed chin as if considering such question, although had already made the only one decision on this issue a long time ago.
Actually Tobio was not initiator of this thing, but partially agreed with Tsuchikage-sama decision.
"Im dont care about it. I have agreement with the old man that I will sabotage team so that I have neither teammates nor sensei. Honestly Jiji give me such idea himself. He assume that I'll be more useful to the hospital than on active duty. I'll just combine work there and do missions with genin corps." - Tobio found brave to wink playfully at her and put the aquamarine earrings.
Tobio with gloomy face accepted such conditions from Tsuchikage. Also there was one issue that annoyed him the most. He didn't like proposal, according to which he will be obliged to train newbies medic ninja 2 times a week. However, he stopped whole disputes when heard that, financially, these lessons were equal to ordinary C missions.
These words excited woman and she could barely hold dessert in hands from this turn of events, but ninja's past helped handle with body.
However, after handling these words for a while, she understood this intentions and nodded affirmatively towards child who had saved her daughter six years ago.
"And you really okay with this?" - she asked kindly, looking at Tobio, who touched diamond-shaped seal on palm and smiled slightly because of this.
'At least in some supports of these elders have been useful to me. The stolen Uzumaki scrolls came in handy. I suppose I've managed to recreate my own version of the byakugou seal. Only instead of the usual chakra, Hanten chakra gathering in it'
"Oya-oya-oya, Touka-san you know me very well, I'm a pacifist to the core. I know in heart that sooner or later such mentality will play a cruel trick on me, but I can't help myself. So I wanna be as useful to Iwa as possible and keep distance from missions in which I need to leaving village."
Sure, there was another reason why he was doing this. Everything was based on the fact that such a promotion would only add superiors to Tobio, who will definitely try to show one of Tsuchikage's favorites their superiority over Tobio.
'While I am an usually genin who working in a hospital, only Miroku-sensei, the head of the hospital and Jiji will be above me. Bring it to me. I'll take it like a new PS5' - Tobio nodded confidently to himself as if agreeing with such interesting thoughts
Using such methods, Tobio desperately tried to avoid meetings with smelly elders, who, taking advantage of their position, deprived boy of his childhood and tried to mold into a future Yellow flash for Iwa. Or rather an analogue of Tsunade Senju
Then he suddenly remembered truly purpose of visit here and took out a well-packaged gift that ordered from a special place.
'It's terrible ironic. Should I feel weird after giving her this flute?'
This is not the first time Tobio has faced such a funny situation. It is similar to the one when, on Jirobo birthday, Tobio gift him the earth release technique, which red-haired used in episode when he caught Konoha rescue squad.
Examining flute, he frowned in disappointment. He wasn't as good at genjutsu as he would have want. Probably because of this Tobio has been creating a single genjutsu for about 5 years. And so far, everything has been failed. He was not even close to approaching middle of this project in which boy used mixed Yin-Yang chakras as a fuel for genjutsu, which affected the human brain.
'Oh, I shouldn't have taken inspiration from Satoru Gojo. I dunno. What if I'm not inclined to genjutsu at all, even with my colossal Yin chakra volume'
"Anyway, I assume I've found a solve to Ta-chan's problem with her genjutsu. It's strange that you, as a sound genjutsu specialist, didn't notice this. I wanna believe that it will help. She just needs to focus on one thing. I guess this will be a good chance to find out." - he lied confidently and rolled oblong object in hand. He didnot know how to solve problems, but simply used knowledge from canon and not noticing such an object from his friend, decided to give it as a gift.
Her flashng eyes and energetic applause, really surprised him. Brunette was already thinking about asking her why she reacted like that, but didn't have time because someone jumped on his back.