Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 120: "I Am Called Matatabi"

The enormous serpent, Manda, initially intended to object. The enemy force before it was clearly formidable and not an easy meal. But before it could voice its discontent, the attacks from the Sand ninja landed on its massive body.

Manda was not a creature to be trifled with. Roaring in anger, it retaliated with swift and violent strikes, leaving the lesser Sand ninja scrambling to evade.

Leaving Manda to cover their retreat, Tonari regrouped with Tsunade and the others, and they pressed on, aiming to escape the forest.

After witnessing Tonari summon Manda, the group began to reassess his capabilities. If he could summon the great serpent, his chakra reserves alone were comparable to those of a jonin.

However, the relentless pursuit of the Sand ninja made retreat increasingly difficult. Among them, the figure of Chiyo emerged, her fingers deftly controlling the famed Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu.

Tsunade's face hardened as she turned to face Chiyo.

"We can't keep running. If anyone stays back, it has to be me. I have the best chances of surviving," Tsunade stated, her voice steady.

"No, I should stay," Kato Dan immediately countered. "They're after the scroll, and I'm the one who's been in contact with it. Their target is me."

"No time for arguments," interjected Akimichi Daoto, his voice calm but firm. "Let's face them head-on. With Tsunade and Dan, we have a chance."

Amid the tense exchange, Tonari stepped forward.

"I have a plan," he said, his tone resolute.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "You're planning to...?"

Tonari gave a silent nod. Tsunade's expression softened, and after a moment of thought, she outlined a strategy to complement his plan.

While the others held the line, Tonari retreated a short distance into the forest. Closing his eyes, he entered the sealed space within him.

"Matatabi," he called out, his voice unwavering. "Give me all of your power!"

The two-tailed beast, Matatabi, stirred, its dual-colored eyes locking onto Tonari's determined expression.

"You realize the risks?" Matatabi asked cautiously. "If you can't withstand the malice within my chakra, you may lose yourself entirely."

Tonari nodded. "I trust you to help me."

After a moment's hesitation, Matatabi relented.

As Tonari extended his arms, embracing the massive beast, Matatabi's fur brushed against him with surprising softness.

In the real world, the small, cat-like form of Matatabi perched on Tonari's shoulder dissipated.

Tonari's closed eyes began to darken, black markings spreading from his eyelids. The air around him thickened with chakra, a pale blue energy pouring from his body like a flood.

The energy condensed, forming a dark red shroud around him. His posture shifted, his back arching, and a long tail sprouted from his chakra cloak.

Meanwhile, Tsunade activated her Strength of a Hundred Seal. The black lines of the seal extended across her body, enhancing her already formidable healing abilities and physical strength.

Her fist slammed into the ground, shattering it and forcing Chiyo to momentarily step back.

"Tsunade, I didn't expect you to go all out this quickly," Chiyo remarked, her voice laced with venom.

Nearby, Kato Dan activated his Spirit Transformation Technique, his soul leaving his body and moving with ethereal speed.

"Let's finish this," Dan said as his spirit targeted one of the Sand jonin.

Akimichi Daoto invoked the clan's secret techniques, consuming two pills simultaneously despite the strain it placed on his body.

"Partial Expansion Jutsu!"

His massive arm swelled to several times its normal size, and with a mighty swing, he sent several enemies flying.

The remaining Leaf ninja fought with precision, buying Tonari the time he needed.

Back in the sealed space, Tonari stood atop Matatabi's head, the two bathed in a shared glow of chakra.

"You've finally accepted me completely," Matatabi said, its tone carrying both approval and relief.

"Yes," Tonari replied, a smile tugging at his lips.

Matatabi's eyes softened. "Then remember this: my name is Matatabi. Few humans have earned the right to know it."

Tonari chuckled. "Understood, Big Fluffy."

Matatabi sighed in exasperation.

In the real world, Tonari emerged from the trees, his body now fully enveloped in Matatabi's chakra. His cloak resembled a ceremonial robe, its edges glowing faintly with black flames. Two blue flames danced atop the feline ears formed by the chakra shroud.

"Let's show them what we're made of," he murmured.

With newfound power, Tonari charged into the fray. His movements were faster, his strikes more devastating. A Sand chunin barely had time to react before Tonari's blade, now enhanced by the cloak's energy, struck true.

"Dan, let's work together!" Tonari called out.

Dan's spirit zipped toward an enemy, immobilizing them long enough for Tonari to land a fatal blow.

The two moved in perfect synchrony, each compensating for the other's weaknesses. Their teamwork inspired the other Leaf ninja, who rallied behind them.

As the battle reached its climax, a massive Tailed Beast Bomb erupted from Tonari's location, obliterating a significant portion of the Sand forces.

Even Chiyo faltered momentarily, her puppets forced to defend against the onslaught.

In the aftermath, Tonari stood tall, his chakra cloak flickering slightly but still holding firm.

"Tsunade, let's end this," he said, his voice steady.

Tsunade nodded, her fists tightening. Together, they prepared to face Chiyo and her remaining forces.

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(Chapter End)

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