Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 122: The Book of Seals?

Tonari led Tsunade and the others as they hurried to escape.

Perhaps it was thanks to Mokumegonko and the others drawing away the Sand shinobi, or perhaps it was Chiyo's order for them to retreat. Either way, their escape route was less obstructed than anticipated.

Still, Tonari didn't want to take any chances. He was wary of Chiyo potentially regrouping and launching a counterattack. It was crucial to put as much distance as possible between them and the battlefield.

As Tsunade gradually regained her senses, she became aware of their precarious situation. Suppressing her distress, she insisted on taking Ito Mirai off Tonari's hands. However, when she saw Mirai's injuries and the blood covering him, her legs nearly gave out.

Tonari noticed her condition but chose not to intervene. He didn't offer to help either. As a medical ninja and one of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade being afraid of blood was a glaring contradiction to her reputation and skills.

He couldn't stop Kato Dan's death, but he hoped Tsunade could overcome her hemophobia.

Compared to how he understood hemophobia, Tsunade was already showing significant improvement. She was clearly afraid but was managing to suppress her discomfort. Clenching her teeth, she trudged along behind Tonari.

"Tonari…"

Tsunade's raspy voice startled him. It was the first time she had spoken since Kato Dan's death. Her tone was rough, like a blade scraping against stone.

Tonari slowed his pace and stepped to her side, his expression lightening with surprise.

"Tsunade-nee... you—"

He stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to proceed. Any attempt to console her might have the opposite effect.

Her gaze lingered on the green pendant now hanging from Tonari's neck. Her emotions flickered across her face before she tore herself from the memory.

"They won't make it back to Konoha in this condition," she rasped, "especially Daoto. The pill he took has caused massive damage. If we don't stabilize him soon…"

Tonari nodded. As someone who had studied medical ninjutsu for over a year, he understood the gravity of their situation.

But treating them here, in such unsafe territory, was far from ideal. He glanced at the unconscious figures of Ito Mirai and Akimichi Daoto, his mind racing.

"I'm not in the state to perform the treatment myself," Tsunade admitted, her voice trembling. "But I can guide you through it."

"Me?" Tonari was taken aback.

Although he had some experience with medical ninjutsu, the injuries before him—especially Daoto's—were outside his expertise.

"Stop wasting time," Tsunade snapped. "Find a secure location, treat them as best as you can, and alert Mokumegonko to regroup with us. Once we stabilize them, we'll head back to Konoha."

Her usual commanding tone was returning, though it carried a tinge of fragility.

Tonari carried the injured to a hidden cave. Using a small slug summon to contact Mokumegonko, he began treating Ito Mirai's injuries. After administering some specialized restorative pills, he managed to stabilize Mirai's condition.

The real challenge, however, was Akimichi Daoto.

The once round and robust man was now gaunt, his body entirely drained of fat. His loose skin hung from his frame like a deflated balloon, though his angular features hinted at a handsome visage beneath.

"So it's true what they say," Tonari murmured. "A slim Akimichi is a different person altogether."

His amusement faded as he turned to Tsunade. "What now, Tsunade-nee?"

"Listen closely…"

An hour later, drenched in sweat and thoroughly exhausted, Tonari finally stabilized Daoto's condition.

"Finally," he sighed, wiping his brow.

The effort had taxed his chakra reserves significantly. It was then that he fully understood why Tsunade had developed her Yin Seal technique—complex surgeries often required more chakra than any individual could naturally possess.

Tsunade watched him, her gaze distant. For the first time, she noticed how far Tonari had come.

Today, he had achieved incredible feats: defeating a Sand Jonin in single combat, using a Tailed Beast Ball to decimate entire swaths of enemies, and coordinating perfectly with Kato Dan to eliminate countless shinobi.

Her student, her younger brother figure, had grown immensely.

As they rested, Mokumegonko and his team arrived. The state of the team was grim; everyone bore injuries. Mokumegonko, Namikaze Minato, Akimichi Daoto, and Aburame Shibi all showed varying degrees of wear and tear, evidence of the fierce battles they had endured.

But when Tonari's gaze fell on Nara Yoshino, who was supporting an unconscious Uchiha Yoshinari, his expression darkened.

"What happened to Yoshinari?"

Mokumegonko hesitated, his face tense. "We were ambushed. Yoshinari shielded us, taking injuries that…"

He trailed off, unable to finish.

Tonari's fists clenched, but before he could voice his anger, Tsunade spoke.

"Save the blame for later," she said sharply. "Focus on stabilizing Yoshinari."

Suppressing his frustration, Tonari knelt to assess Yoshinari's condition. His medical training kicked in, and soon he was working methodically to save his teammate.

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Returning to Konoha was bittersweet.

The mission could be seen as both a success and a failure. They had retrieved the Book of Puppetry but at a great cost: Kato Dan had died, and Tsunade, one of Konoha's greatest assets, had developed hemophobia.

The village had lost more than a promising Jonin; it had nearly lost Tsunade as well.

In the Hokage's office, Tonari and Mokumegonko reported their mission's outcome to Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Third Hokage sat in silence, his face a mask of deep contemplation.

After hearing their account, Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe before exhaling slowly.

"I underestimated the Sand Village's resolve," he admitted gravely. "Their losses may have been greater than ours, but our wounds are deeper."

He rose, his gaze resolute.

"If they refuse to provide a satisfactory explanation for their actions," he declared, "then we will prepare for war. Konoha does not seek conflict, but we will not shy away from it."

Turning to Tonari, he added, "You've done well. If there's anything you want as a reward, name it."

Tonari's response was immediate.

"I want access to the Book of Seals."

The Hokage froze, his pipe hovering mid-air. Slowly, he set it down.

"The Book of Seals is not to be taken lightly," Sarutobi warned.

"I understand," Tonari replied, meeting his gaze steadily.

After a long pause, the Hokage relented. Summoning the ancient chest that contained the book, he retrieved a smaller scroll from within.

"You may study this list of techniques recorded in the book," he said. "Choose one."

Tonari unrolled the scroll and scanned its contents.

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, created by Second Hokage Senju Tobirama."

"Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, created by Senju Tobirama."

His eyes widened as he read further.

"Flying Thunder God Technique, created by Senju Tobirama."

"Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu), created by Senju Tobirama."

Nearly seventy percent of the listed techniques were attributed to the Second Hokage, further solidifying Tobirama's legacy as a genius innovator.

But Tonari wasn't searching for fame or power. His eyes settled on a specific entry.

"Summoning: Multi-Faced Subjugation (Suvaha), created by Uzumaki Mito."

The Hokage's brows raised in mild surprise. "An unusual choice. Are you certain?"

"Yes."

The technique resonated with Tonari's goals. It was a perfect match for his unique abilities.

The Hokage nodded. "Very well. Record it carefully and use it wisely. Techniques are neither inherently good nor evil—it's how you wield them that matters."

Tonari bowed deeply.

As he left the office, clutching the scroll, a new determination burned within him. The losses they had endured would not be in vain.

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(Chapter End)

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