Chapter 273: The Ninja Cats
Chapter 273: The Ninja Cats
Tonari firmly dragged Uchiha Fire Island, the elder of the Uchiha clan, into a so-called "friendly conversation."
As soon as they entered the room, Fire Island was immediately released and, moving far faster than before, scrambled to the corner like a frightened child.
"Cough, cough... Fourth Hokage... Lord Fourth, may I ask what exactly you wish to discuss with me?"
Tonari maintained a smile, but unlike his previous, insincere expressions, this one carried a hint of amusement.
His left eye's Mangekyō Sharingan rotated slowly.
Within the Uchiha clan, the suppression exerted by Sharingan was undeniable.
Though Tonari was not of Uchiha blood, the presence of his Mangekyō Sharingan was enough to make Fire Island feel his breath hitch.
However, beneath his initial shock, a flicker of greed flashed across the old man's eyes.
Although he quickly concealed it, Tonari caught it without fail.
Fire Island had once seen Uchiha Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan firsthand. More than anyone else in the Uchiha clan, he understood the power and significance of this evolved eye.
Yet despite his entire lifetime of effort, he had never managed to awaken his own.
With his generation long gone, he was now the only one who knew the true nature of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
For this reason, he had deliberately kept its existence a secret, never mentioning it to the rest of the clan.
There were two reasons for this:
One, he feared the emergence of another Mangekyō wielder, as it would threaten the elders' authority and shake the foundation of their control.
Two, he was terrified that another Uchiha Madara might rise.
Out of selfishness, they had erased the knowledge of the Mangekyō Sharingan from their clan's teachings.
But now, seeing those swirling tomoe once again, Fire Island couldn't help but feel an insatiable greed.
"I hear... you wanted my disciple, Shisui, to enter the Anbu as a means for the Uchiha to gain a foothold within Konoha's leadership?" Tonari's tone was calm, but to Fire Island, it was akin to thunder booming in his ears.
His body tensed, sweat beading on his forehead.
He knew exactly what kind of person Tonari was, as well as the ruthless methods he had used over the past few days.
Tonari had framed Danzo as a traitor and, at an unimaginable speed, taken over all of Root.
The Uchiha clan had long been aware of how powerful Root was, considering how often Danzo had targeted them.
And yet, Tonari had dismantled it with little effort.
Then, he had orchestrated a coup, cornering Sarutobi Hiruzen into stepping down and installing himself as the Fourth Hokage.
Fire Island had witnessed all of this firsthand.
Now, this ruthless man was standing before him in the dead of night, demanding answers.
"Y-You must be mistaken, Lord Fourth!" Fire Island stammered with a forced smile. "We would never ask Shisui to do such a thing! This is surely some misunderstanding."
Even as he denied it, his mind burned with fury toward Shisui. That boy had actually told Tonari everything.
He knew what this meant—Shisui placed more trust in Tonari than in the Uchiha clan.
"Oh? A misunderstanding, you say?" Tonari feigned disappointment. "What a shame. I had actually considered guiding Shisui into the Anbu myself. After all, my relationship with the Uchiha clan is quite good. But if this was all just a misunderstanding, I suppose there's no need."
Fire Island froze.
That... was it?
This Hokage was this easygoing?
Was the Uchiha's bond with him truly that strong?
Fire Island's mind whirred.
Tonari was newly appointed and didn't yet have full control over the village. His authority and influence weren't entirely solidified.
Perhaps he needed the Uchiha's support to maintain his position.
Yes! That must be it!
In that case, Fire Island could use this to his advantage.
The fear in his eyes quickly faded, replaced by newfound confidence.
"Ahem." Fire Island straightened his back and smiled. "Well, perhaps it's not quite a misunderstanding. We simply recognize Shisui's talents. If you, Lord Fourth, would like to bring him into the Anbu, we would fully support it! The Uchiha clan would be honored to back you."
He even dusted off his robe, attempting to appear composed and friendly.
Tonari watched this transformation with amusement.
Human self-delusion truly was an impressive thing.
"Then, shouldn't the Uchiha clan offer something in return?" Tonari's grin widened.
Fire Island hesitated. "What do you mean?"
"You see," Tonari said, still smiling, "Shisui is not only my student. He is also a member of your Uchiha clan."
"Of course! Of course!" Fire Island laughed. "Since the Hokage and the Uchiha are close allies, we are happy to—"
"Give me one of your Large Summoning Contract Scrolls."
Fire Island's smile froze.
"...Large Summoning Contract Scroll?"
"That's right." Tonari nodded. "You do have one, don't you?"
Fire Island's hands twitched slightly.
A Large Summoning Contract Scroll—this was a priceless heirloom passed down through the Uchiha lineage, allowing them to form bonds with entire species of summonable creatures.
If an Uchiha managed to make full use of it, it would be an invaluable asset.
Unfortunately, their clan had long since squandered the opportunity.
They had given the scroll to a group of ninja cats, hoping to establish a spy network.
Instead, the cats had become arrogant and independent, demanding payment in exchange for information.
Now, that scroll resided in the hands of an elusive feline known as Nekomata.
"Ahem. The scroll is... not in our possession," Fire Island admitted.
"That's fine," Tonari said. "Tell me where it is."
Fire Island hesitated, then sighed and relented.
"The scroll is held by the Nekomata, the leader of a group of ninja cats living in Nekoyou Castle."
These cats were cunning and greedy, skilled in crafting ninja tools, and would only provide intelligence in exchange for valuable goods.
Their presence in Konoha was well-known, particularly through a weapon shop operated by a woman named Granny Cat, who served as the middleman between the Uchiha and the feline clan.
However, the Uchiha had long since lost control over them.
Once Tonari obtained the location, he immediately departed.
---
That night, Tonari finally summoned his long-forgotten friends.
With a flash of chakra, six ninja cats appeared before him.
Each bore the chakra of a different Tailed Beast—Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Goku, Kokuo, and Gyūki.
As soon as they saw him, they pounced, climbing all over him in excitement.
Tonari chuckled.
Originally, these cats had been nothing more than experimental vessels to help him refine Matatabi's power. But over time, they had become more than mere tools.
They had become his companions.
A small, blue flame flickered beside his shoulder.
Matatabi materialized, her two tails swishing.
Seeing her kin, she leapt down from Tonari's shoulder, engaging them in playful roughhousing.
Tonari smiled and allowed them to play for a while before speaking.
"Blue, how is Reika doing?" he asked.
The lead cat, Blue, perked up. "Reika-sama is well, but she asks about you constantly. If we don't have news of you, she won't eat. She's lost weight."
Tonari laughed. "Tell her I'll bring her back soon. Have her prepare."
Blue nodded. "She'll be overjoyed."
Then, Tonari pulled out a small slip of paper.
"Blue, I have a mission for you. There's a place called Nekoyou Castle, ruled by a cat named Nekomata. Teach it some manners, and retrieve the Large Summoning Contract Scroll from its paws. Everything else? Do as you see fit."
Blue snatched the paper with its teeth.
"Consider it done."
With a flash, the six ninja cats vanished into the night.
Matatabi followed them, curiously trailing behind.
Tonari watched them go, his gaze sharp.
"Nekomata, let's see how long you can keep that scroll."
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