Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 123: Meeting Danzo Again

"At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen still embodies the spirit of a shinobi leader. His grasp of public sentiment is exceptional. By taking a firm stance against Sunagakure, he's bound to win the loyalty of many within Konoha.

And then he dangles the Forbidden Scroll in front of me as bait. Tch… I have to admit, it's tempting."

Tonari, now back in his personal laboratory, mulled over the contents of the "Multi-Faced Suvaha" technique he had recently acquired. Reflecting on his performance during the mission, he realized just how much of his potential he had unleashed.

Typical of him—never truly understanding his limits until they were tested.

Though the power of Matatabi (Two-Tails) played a significant role in his success, he recognized that being a jinchūriki meant counting the tailed beast's abilities as part of his own strength.

Setting aside Matatabi's contributions, Tonari assessed his current power level as hovering between a tokubetsu jōnin (special jōnin) and a full jōnin. However, bridging the gap between these ranks was no easy feat. His recent victory against a Sunagakure jōnin had required a surge of chakra and a full utilization of his abilities.

The leap from tokubetsu jōnin to jōnin wasn't just a matter of raw power—it required finesse, strategy, and mastery over one's techniques.

Tonari decided to prioritize two tasks: studying the Multi-Faced Suvaha technique and fine-tuning his grasp of lightning release chakra.

---

Seated at his workstation, Tonari extracted a vial of his own blood and analyzed it carefully.

He raised his right hand, and a faint thread of lightning danced across his fingers. "It's not my imagination," he muttered. "I really can produce lightning chakra now, even if only in minuscule amounts."

The newfound affinity excited him, though the progress was slow. It took significantly more chakra to generate even basic lightning release techniques compared to other elements.

"For the amount of chakra I expend on a C-rank lightning jutsu, I could easily perform an A-rank earth release technique," he mused.

Despite this inefficiency, it was progress nonetheless. The most challenging hurdle—gaining an initial affinity for a new element—had been overcome. His next step was to refine his lightning chakra and work toward equalizing its power with his other affinities.

Tonari formed the Monkey hand sign—a key gesture in invoking lightning chakra. Slowly, a small orb of crackling energy coalesced between his hands.

"Lightning chakra lives up to its reputation. Its manipulation is incredibly tricky, even in small amounts," he said, observing the unstable sphere of energy.

Still, he guided the lightning chakra into his Thunder Ring.

"Release seal: Thunder Amplification!" he chanted.

As the lightning orb merged with the ring, the previously dim inscription of "雷" (Thunder) began to glow vibrantly. An electric charge coursed through Tonari's body, a familiar sensation he had come to enjoy.

"Ah, nothing beats this. I've gotten so used to the electric stimulation that I can't go a day without it."

Tonari chuckled, noting how his body had adapted to the regimen of daily lightning shocks. With the increased voltage, his cells had become more resilient, enabling him to withstand higher doses of electricity. However, this improvement came at a cost: his Thunder Ring now depleted its energy faster than before.

"Looks like I'll need to replenish this thing every week instead of every two," he sighed, contemplating ways to streamline the recharging process. His current method involved cultivating and harvesting biological cells, a resource-intensive procedure.

---

His musings were interrupted by the arrival of Matatabi in its miniature form. The spectral cat appeared without the need for a summoning jutsu, a sign of the increasing synchronicity between them.

Tonari grinned as he stroked Matatabi's soft fur. The tailed beast turned its head away in mock annoyance, though the contented flick of its tail betrayed its true feelings.

"Guess what, Matatabi? We've finally acquired the technique we've been pursuing all this time!"

Matatabi's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

Tonari continued, "But this isn't something we can rush. Before we dive into the Multi-Faced Suvaha, there's another matter to address—checking on Little Blue's condition."

He looked at the cat with a mix of curiosity and concern. "You're certain that Kato Dan's soul resting within Little Blue won't cause any problems, right? If we have the means, I don't mind reviving him in the future."

---

With a puff, Tonari summoned Little Blue to the laboratory.

The moment the feline appeared, Tonari was taken aback. Its body had grown noticeably larger, and its once-simple eyes now shimmered with human-like intelligence. The blue and yellow hues of its gaze mirrored Tonari's own—a testament to their shared connection with Matatabi.

"Tonari! Matatabi! Meow!" Little Blue meowed cheerfully before leaping into Tonari's arms. Its transformation was more than physical; the creature's speech had become fluent, albeit with an endearing habit of punctuating its sentences with "meow."

"Little Blue, how's Ling Xiang? Is she doing well?" Tonari asked.

Little Blue puffed out its chest proudly. "Ling Xiang-nee is doing great! She's been training hard every day, meow! She even asked me to tell you not to worry about her, meow."

Tonari felt a wave of relief, but his focus quickly shifted back to Little Blue. "How about you? Any issues with Dan's soul?"

Little Blue tilted its head thoughtfully. "He's really quiet, meow. He doesn't talk, but his presence feels warm. And the energy he brings has been amazing! I like him, meow."

Hearing this, Tonari nodded. It seemed the symbiotic relationship between Little Blue and Dan's soul was beneficial. However, he made a mental note to monitor the situation closely.

"Matatabi, see if you can connect with Little Blue," Tonari instructed.

The two felines extended their paws toward each other. As their claws touched, a radiant glow enveloped them, signaling a successful synchronization.

"Perfect," Tonari muttered, his excitement barely contained.

---

Later that evening, as Tonari left the cat shelter, a strange presence brushed against his senses.

He reacted instantly, unsheathing his short sword and swinging it with all his might.

Clang!

Sparks flew as his blade collided with a kunai. Standing before him was a figure clad in black, a white mask obscuring their face.

"Root," Tonari muttered, recognizing the distinct attire and aura. His lips curled into a smirk as he noticed the chipped kunai. "If this is supposed to intimidate me, you'll have to try harder."

The masked shinobi's voice was emotionless. "Tonari of Konoha, Danzo-sama requests your presence."

Tonari's expression darkened. He hadn't heard from Danzo in over a year—not since the fallout from the Nine-Tails kidnapping incident. Sarutobi Hiruzen had warned Danzo to keep his distance, yet here he was, sending his agents directly.

"Lead the way," Tonari said curtly, following the shinobi to the shadowy lair of the Root organization.

---

The Root's headquarters was as cold and lifeless as ever, its oppressive atmosphere a testament to the organization's ethos.

Danzo stood in the dimly lit chamber, his hand gripping his cane. He turned slowly as Tonari entered.

"It's been a while, Tonari," Danzo said, his eyes narrowing. "Your recent achievements against Sunagakure are... impressive."

Tonari kept his head bowed, careful to conceal any trace of defiance. "All thanks to the guidance of my mentors, Orochimaru-sensei and Tsunade-nee."

"And yet, Tsunade has fallen into uselessness," Danzo remarked, his tone dripping with contempt. "Her hemophobia has rendered her incapable. Orochimaru, meanwhile, is preoccupied with border negotiations. Tell me, Tonari—what are your plans now?"

The implication was clear: with his mentors indisposed, Tonari had no one left to rely on but Danzo.

"I heard you gained access to the Book of Seals," Danzo continued, his gaze sharpening. "Which technique did you choose?"

Tonari hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying. "The Multi-Faced Suvaha, created by Uzumaki Mito."

Danzo's expression flickered with intrigue. "A curious choice... but a revealing one. You have ambition, Tonari, and I can offer you the resources to achieve it."

His words were calculated, designed to lure Tonari into his web.

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