Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 165: Assassination

Tonari blended into the crowd and entered the grand courtyard of the Daimyo's palace.

The dawn was still breaking, but the excitement among the gathered people was palpable. It was as if they were the ones about to ascend to the position of Daimyo.

Tonari's team of four Root operatives remained anonymous, even to one another. Only Akagane, the team leader, knew their true identities and roles.

Tonari had only just entered the courtyard when a ninja wearing the headband of Iwagakure approached him.

The sight of the Iwa-nin immediately made Tonari tense up, though he tried to maintain his composure.

As the ninja moved closer, Tonari discreetly flipped a kunai into his sleeve, ready to strike or defend if necessary.

"Have I been discovered?" Tonari thought, his mind racing.

He was using the Facial Transformation Technique, a jutsu so effective that even powerful sensory ninjas couldn't easily detect it without direct contact.

When the Iwa-nin was just two steps away, he suddenly formed a strange hand signal.

Tonari froze.

It was a signal known only to the four Root operatives, something they had agreed upon before the mission to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

"Has someone infiltrated the Iwa forces?" Tonari wondered, his assessment of his teammates' skills shifting upward.

Relaxing slightly, Tonari withdrew his kunai and followed the Iwa-nin quietly as they moved towards a secluded corner.

Once they were alone, Tonari asked in a low voice, "Who are you?"

The Iwa-nin's expression shifted from friendly to cold. His voice was flat as he responded:

"Tonari—your current task is to impersonate this Iwa-nin and get close to the target. Do not act on your own. Wait for my signal. The moment chaos erupts will be the optimal time to strike."

The tone and choice of words were enough for Tonari to recognize the speaker.

"Akagane?" Tonari asked cautiously.

The Iwa-nin hesitated briefly before nodding. "Yes, it's me."

Without further explanation, Akagane handed Tonari a hastily scrawled scroll. "This contains information I extracted from his mind. It should help you maintain your cover."

Tonari accepted the scroll, but before he could ask further questions, Akagane pulled a kunai from his pouch and placed it against his own throat.

"Remember to clean this up properly," Akagane instructed coldly.

There was no hesitation in his voice, but his trembling hand betrayed the conflict within.

The kunai sliced across his throat, and blood spurted out in a crimson arc.

The Iwa-nin's cold gaze shattered into one of terror and despair. His hands instinctively clutched at his throat, as if trying to stop the flow of blood, but it was futile.

Tonari caught the body as it fell, gently laying it down to avoid making noise.

"Mind Transfer Jutsu," Tonari deduced, understanding what had happened.

This confirmed Akagane's identity as a member of the Yamanaka Clan, specialists in mental manipulation and control. No wonder his role in the mission revolved around disruption and control.

Following Akagane's instructions, Tonari used the Facial Transformation Technique to take on the Iwa-nin's appearance. He quickly scanned the scroll, memorizing the key details about his new persona, including his name, jutsu preferences, and role in the ceremony.

Once he finished preparing, Tonari emerged from the shadows, looking indistinguishable from the slain Iwa-nin.

---

As soon as Tonari stepped back into the open, another Iwa-nin rushed over.

"Yanjiu! Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you! The ceremony is about to start, and Lord Han wants us all in position," the ninja scolded.

Feigning a sheepish grin, Tonari scratched the back of his head, imitating the persona Akagane had described. "Oh, it's you! Sorry about that. My stomach was acting up, so I had to find a spot to relieve myself. Please don't tell Lord Han, or he'll have my head!"

The other Iwa-nin laughed. "I figured as much. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Just get back to your post before someone else notices!"

Tonari followed the ninja to the platform where the ceremony would take place.

---

Tonari's assigned role placed him at a critical point on the ceremonial platform—one of the corners, tasked with guarding its perimeter. Three other Iwa-nin shared similar roles, including the one who had just spoken to him.

From this vantage point, Tonari could clearly see Han, the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails, standing at the center of the platform.

Dressed in his signature crimson armor, Han exuded an aura of calm authority. His demeanor seemed to reassure the Iwa-nin around him, as if his mere presence guaranteed success.

Beside Han stood the mission target: a middle-aged man in elegant black robes, the eldest son of the late Daimyo and the first in line to inherit the title. Once the ceremony concluded, he would officially become the new Daimyo of the Land of Fields, putting him beyond the reach of Konoha's operatives.

Tonari scrutinized Han and the target, searching for a feasible way to carry out the assassination.

"How can I kill him with Han right there? And even if I succeed, who will stop Han's inevitable rampage?"

Akagane had assured them that someone would deal with Han, but no such ally had appeared yet.

As the ceremony began, Tonari decided to bide his time, awaiting Akagane's signal.

---

The ceremony proceeded with solemn grandeur. Priests and attendants performed a series of elaborate rituals, culminating in the presentation of the Daimyo's Crown.

The crown, a symbol of authority, was placed on a tray and brought forward by the chief priest.

The target's hands trembled with anticipation as he reached for the crown.

Just as the crown neared his head, a thunderous explosion erupted nearby.

Boom!

The ground shook, and screams echoed as chaos engulfed the courtyard.

Tonari's heart raced. "It's starting."

Han's expression darkened as he surveyed the chaos. "So, they've finally made their move."

Amid the commotion, Tonari seized his opportunity.

---

The explosion was a signal for the Root operatives to act.

While Akagane and the others engaged the Iwa-nin in combat, Tonari ascended the platform, his disguise and timing perfect.

In a flash, his blade sliced through the target's neck.

Blood sprayed as the target's head fell to the ground, his wide-eyed expression frozen in shock.

The remaining guards stared at Tonari in disbelief.

"You—Yanjiu—what are you doing?!" one of them stammered.

Tonari didn't respond. His movements were swift and lethal. Before the guards could react, two more fell to his blade.

The last guard managed to block Tonari's attack with a kunai, but he was no match for the Root operative.

A burst of lightning chakra shot through Tonari's blade, electrocuting the guard and ending the fight.

Breathing heavily, Tonari turned to the chief priest. "The crown wasn't placed on his head, was it?"

The trembling priest shook his head. "N-no… not yet…"

Satisfied, Tonari smiled faintly. "Good."

He prepared to retreat, but a sudden rush of steam and a deep growl froze him in place.

Han had noticed the assassination.

Fueled by rage, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki leapt onto the platform, his crimson armor hissing with steam.

"Traitor!" Han roared, his fist surging toward Tonari with terrifying speed.

Tonari barely managed to raise his blade to block.

The force of Han's punch sent shockwaves rippling through the platform, and Tonari felt his arms nearly buckle under the strain.

(End of Chapter)

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