Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 121: Is Fate Unchangeable?

Clang!

Amid the chaos and as everyone's attention was drawn to Tonari and Kato Dan's coordination, a long blade suddenly pierced through the chest of the elder Leaf ninja standing near Kato Dan.

The man's eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn't even realized how the enemy managed to approach him.

Turning slowly, he saw sand rising from the ground, gradually forming a humanoid figure. The long blade, held by this figure, was the weapon that had taken his life.

"W-when…?"

But he couldn't finish his sentence. His strength drained as blood poured from his chest, and he crumpled to the ground.

The unfolding scene caught the attention of everyone nearby.

Thinking back, they realized that during the large-scale Sand Manipulation Jutsu earlier, one figure had likely vanished into the sand unnoticed. The assassin must have used that opportunity to blend in and approach his target unseen.

The Sand ninja's blade was aimed at Kato Dan next. As Tonari and others raced back, it was clear they wouldn't make it in time. The attacker smirked, confident in his victory, as the blade drove toward Dan's heart.

Clang!

To his surprise, his attack didn't land. A shorter blade had intercepted his strike.

Standing before him was a younger, smaller figure—Tonari's Earth Clone.

"You had a clone?" the Sand ninja muttered, slightly surprised.

Tonari had anticipated potential threats to Kato Dan and had left an Earth Clone behind as a precaution. The gamble paid off as the clone blocked the killing blow.

Relieved, Tsunade's face showed a flicker of hope. However, Tonari's expression remained grim as he rushed forward at full speed.

The Sand ninja, revealed as none other than Rasa, narrowed his eyes. The blade in his hand dissolved into golden sand.

"Magnet Release: Flowing Sand Gold Needles!"

The golden sand enveloped both Tonari's Earth Clone and Kato Dan's body. From the sand emerged countless needles, stabbing relentlessly into Kato Dan.

"No!!!"

Tsunade's anguished scream echoed through the battlefield. Her body trembled as she collapsed to the ground.

Tonari, still rushing forward, froze for a moment. His eyes flickered to Kato Dan's fading spirit, his heart sinking.

Dan's body lay broken, his chest cavity torn apart, his organs destroyed beyond repair. The damage was catastrophic, beyond any medical ninjutsu.

The assassin, Rasa, dissolved into sand and reappeared beside Chiyo, presenting a scroll to her.

"Mission accomplished, Chiyo-sama," he said curtly.

"Excellent work, Rasa," Chiyo replied, her tone laced with satisfaction as she accepted the scroll. However, as she touched it, the scroll disintegrated into dust—a deception by the Leaf ninja.

Tsunade knelt beside Dan's body, her hands trembling as she channeled healing chakra into his shattered form. But no matter how much chakra she used, the injuries were irreversible.

"Dan! Dan! Please, stay with me!" she cried, her voice breaking.

Her desperate attempts were futile. Dan's body showed no signs of recovery.

Nearby, Akimichi Daoto, seething with rage, popped the Red Pepper Pill into his mouth. His once bulky body rapidly thinned as chakra poured from him in torrents, forming ethereal butterfly wings on his back.

"Super Expansion Jutsu!"

Transformed by rage and the pill's immense power, Daoto rampaged through the battlefield, crushing Sand ninja left and right. For a brief moment, he became an unstoppable force.

Tonari, standing a short distance away, clenched his fists as he watched Kato Dan's spirit flicker, growing faint.

Dan's gentle smile turned toward Tonari. Though his lips moved, his voice was inaudible to all but Tonari, who understood the words through his enhanced senses.

"Backup… hidden in… my forehead protector…"

As Dan's spirit grew weaker, Tonari's frustration mounted. He had tried to prevent this outcome, leaving a clone as protection. Yet, Rasa's unexpected skill with Magnet Release had outplayed him.

"Is this fate? Is Dan destined to die no matter what I do?" Tonari muttered bitterly.

But just as despair began to take hold, a thought struck him.

In the sealed space, Tonari turned to Matatabi.

"Is there any way to save him? Any chance at all?"

Matatabi's dual-colored eyes met Tonari's. The beast remained silent for a moment before answering.

"I can't save him… but I may be able to preserve his soul. If we act quickly, we can prevent it from passing to the next world. But it will require your full trust in me."

Tonari's eyes lit up with hope. "Tell me what to do!"

Back on the battlefield, Dan's spirit hovered above his lifeless body, glancing sorrowfully at Tsunade, who sobbed uncontrollably over him.

"Dan!" Tonari called out, his voice piercing through the chaos. "I can preserve your soul and give you a chance at revival, but I need your consent!"

Dan's fading form turned toward Tonari. After a moment's hesitation, he blinked twice in agreement.

"Hold on!"

Tonari performed a Summoning Jutsu, and with a puff of smoke, a small, glowing, cat-like creature appeared.

It was Little Blue, imbued with Matatabi's chakra and attuned to the spiritual plane.

Using dark tendrils formed of Yin Release chakra, Tonari gently grasped Dan's spirit and funneled it into Little Blue.

Dan's spirit settled within the small creature, its aura momentarily stabilizing.

"I'll find a way to bring you back," Tonari vowed. "Rest for now."

Little Blue's form shimmered as it absorbed Dan's essence. Its chakra swelled, briefly enveloping the battlefield in a calming glow.

Tsunade, emotionally shattered, barely registered Tonari's actions. He knelt beside her, gripping her shoulders firmly.

"Snap out of it, Tsunade! We need you! Without you, we're done for!"

Tonari's words finally broke through her despair. She looked up at him, her tear-streaked face filled with a mix of grief and confusion.

"I'll save him," Tonari promised, holding up Dan's pendant. "But we need to survive first!"

As the Sand forces regrouped, their eyes fixed on the weakened Leaf ninja, the tension grew palpable.

"Looks like I'm late to the party," a voice drawled from the shadows.

The ground shifted, and Orochimaru emerged, his piercing gaze sweeping the battlefield.

"D-damn it," Chiyo muttered under her breath. "Orochimaru… here?"

Her confidence wavered as Orochimaru's golden eyes locked onto hers.

"Retreat!" she ordered reluctantly. "We've done enough."

The remaining Sand ninja followed Chiyo's lead, retreating into the forest.

Orochimaru turned to Tonari, his expression unreadable.

"Clean up quickly. We're not out of danger yet," he said, his tone cold.

Tonari nodded, gathering Tsunade and the others. With Orochimaru covering their retreat, they made their way out of the battlefield, leaving behind the wreckage of their desperate stand.

As they disappeared into the forest, Orochimaru's gaze lingered on the spot where Dan's body had fallen. His lips curled into a sly smile.

"Interesting," he murmured.

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(Chapter End)

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