Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 106: Pseudo Two-Tails

A year of training and change had transformed Tonari significantly.

Most obvious was his physical growth. Previously short and slight, his relentless appetite and robust meals had triggered a growth spurt. Though still younger than most of his peers, his appearance now concealed his true age, leaving many guessing about his real years.

Not just his height but also his looks had matured. Tonari was growing into someone undeniably handsome, his sharp features and confident demeanor drawing attention.

But what truly set him apart was not his appearance—it was the respect he garnered from others.

"A truly promising young ninja."

"A hard-working and reliable teammate."

"An admirable shinobi."

These were the whispers that followed him as his presence in Konoha grew stronger.

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Deep beneath Ichiraku Ramen, within Tonari's private laboratory, several figures dressed in white lab coats bustled about. The once-cramped lab had expanded significantly over the past year to accommodate new equipment and resources for his growing experiments.

Of course, the "people" working so diligently were none other than his shadow clones. To Tonari, there was no greater satisfaction than conducting experiments entirely on his own—even if it meant relying on dozens of clones.

The laboratory hummed with activity as Tonari's real self descended into the lab.

His footsteps echoed softly on the specially reinforced stone flooring. Surveying the clones busily working, he couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.

"It seems everything is going smoothly. Orochimaru-sensei's research really is exceptional. These enhanced shadow clones can operate autonomously for extended periods, with their chakra self-circulating to sustain them.

"At this point, they're more than mere shadow clones. They're practically... physical clones," Tonari mused.

This experiment had allowed his clones to continue their work seamlessly even during his ten-day mission. Though their chakra was nearly depleted, the clones had avoided wasting chakra on unnecessary actions, extending their lifespans considerably.

"Still, Orochimaru's design, as brilliant as it is, falls just short of my ultimate goal."

If Tonari could create clones indistinguishable from his true self, capable of independent combat, he could minimize the risks he faced. Everything he did was in pursuit of one guiding principle: self-preservation.

"Shadow Clone Technique—release!"

With a sharp command, the busy clones disappeared one by one.

To avoid overwhelming himself with the sudden influx of memories, Tonari released the clones gradually, processing their accumulated knowledge and experiences in manageable bursts.

Each time a clone vanished, a serpentine creature—a snake—was left behind, its thickness and length varying slightly.

"Tch, Orochimaru-sensei's methods for these physical clones resemble the Inuzuka Clan's Beast Clone technique more than traditional ninjutsu," Tonari remarked as he crouched to inspect one of the snakes.

The snakes obediently slithered up his arm, disappearing into the sleeves of his robe.

Indeed, the "physical clones" Orochimaru had pioneered were not purely human replicas. They were created by imbuing ordinary creatures, such as snakes, with chakra using advanced ninjutsu techniques.

The result was a blend of summoning and cloning: semi-autonomous entities capable of carrying out complex tasks.

Processing the influx of memories, Tonari's face lit up with delight.

"So that's it. The missing piece of my research... finally complete?"

Excitement bubbled within him as he absorbed the new insights. The experiment he had been stuck on for months now felt within reach.

Turning to the meticulously arranged equipment and materials on his workbench, Tonari reviewed everything he needed for his next step.

"The key ingredient is Molten Grass, which enhances cellular compatibility with chakra. Then there's the extract from Ironbark Tree bark, which stabilizes cellular activity while boosting resilience against external forces.

"Even if I don't succeed today, these findings alone make the entire effort worthwhile."

Donning a white lab coat and tying back his hair, Tonari prepared for the next stage. His hands moved in a blur, forming seals with remarkable speed.

"Summoning Technique!"

This time, what emerged was not a snake but a sleek, blue-white cat.

Its soft, snow-colored fur shimmered faintly in the dim lab lighting, with a gradient of pale blue marking its back—a pattern reminiscent of a rare shaded coat.

Upon being summoned, the cat immediately leapt into Tonari's arms, purring affectionately as it rolled over and exposed its belly.

On Tonari's shoulder, the tiny Two-Tails stirred, extending a paw to greet the cat. The two creatures seemed well acquainted and began to play together, weaving between Tonari's arms and shoulders.

With a gentle smile, Tonari petted the larger cat. This was the very same kitten he had saved from Grass Village a year ago.

Thanks to Tonari's careful nurturing and Reika's attentive care, the cat had grown into a magnificent creature. Its intelligence was evident in its every movement, though it lacked the chakra or speech capabilities of more advanced summon beasts.

Yet Tonari had plans for this feline.

He had learned from Orochimaru how to infuse ordinary animals with chakra, though success rates varied. Orochimaru had eventually abandoned this line of research, but Tonari continued, refining and expanding upon his mentor's work.

His goal was ambitious: to create a summoning beast infused with the chakra of the Two-Tails.

If successful, this cat would become a "pseudo Two-Tails," a powerful ally for combat and reconnaissance.

Tonari chuckled softly as he scratched the cat's chin.

"This is it. The culmination of my research... and the start of something entirely new."

With the materials prepared and his resolve firm, Tonari was ready to take the next step in his groundbreaking experiment.

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Author's Note:

The story is heating up, and Tonari's experiments are leading to unprecedented breakthroughs! Stay tuned as his research takes him further into uncharted territory.

(Chapter End)

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