Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 240: Confrontation

"Sensei!" Shisui called out excitedly.

Itachi hesitated for a moment. Seeing Shisui's enthusiasm, he followed suit, though his voice was softer and still carried the tone of a child.

"S-Sensei…"

Tonari nodded in satisfaction.

"Fugaku, they're in my hands now."

"Good."

As Tonari led the two boys away, Fugaku watched them leave, still a little worried. When Tonari passed by, he whispered in a low voice:

"Tonari, Itachi is still very young. Go easy on him."

Tonari waved a hand dismissively, unfazed. Teaching was nothing new to him.

Taking the two boys away from the Uchiha compound, Tonari decided to test them a little.

Leading the way, he increased his pace, keenly observing how the two followed.

Shisui, being older and having already graduated from the academy, was agile and well-trained.

But Itachi was still too young.

Though he had already learned the Great Fireball Technique, his movement was unrefined, and he struggled to keep up.

Noticing this, Shisui immediately adjusted his speed to run beside Itachi, patiently teaching him how to run efficiently as a shinobi.

"You need to adjust your center of gravity, Itachi. Step lightly but steadily. If you have enough control, apply chakra to your soles."

Then, to Tonari's surprise—

Itachi adapted almost instantly.

His speed steadily increased, not yet on par with Shisui, but significantly faster than before.

Tonari had to admit—there were differences in talent.

Some needed months or years of effort to master something, while others grasped it in minutes.

The last time he had seen such raw genius was in Hatake Kakashi.

Seeing how quickly Itachi caught on, Tonari abandoned his test and slowed down, running beside them instead.

He began explaining the fundamentals of shinobi movement, and the two absorbed the knowledge effortlessly.

Both boys were incredibly bright—quick learners with sharp instincts.

More notably, Shisui had a remarkable gift for speed and movement techniques, particularly the Body Flicker Technique.

Even at such a young age, his talent in instantaneous movement was already far beyond his peers.

Tonari finally understood why Hiruzen favored Orochimaru among the Sannin.

Teaching a genius was effortless.

When comparing Shisui and Itachi to his previous students, the difference was obvious.

Asuma was decent, but his talent wasn't extraordinary.

Might Guy and Kurenai, on the other hand, were extreme specialists—one excelling in taijutsu, the other in genjutsu.

Trying to teach them outside their strengths would be pointless.

Some shinobi were meant to specialize, while others could master everything.

Shisui and Itachi clearly belonged to the latter category.

Arriving at the training field, Itachi bent over, panting heavily.

Despite his remarkable abilities, he was still just a child—barely old enough to be running around like a trained soldier.

Tonari saw the exhaustion in his tiny frame and felt a pang of sympathy.

Itachi was far too mature for his age.

After resting briefly, Itachi forced himself to straighten up, trying to suppress his fatigue.

Seeing this, Tonari suddenly felt unwilling to continue.

He didn't want to force a three-year-old into training like an adult.

Fugaku was a strict father, but more than that—he was an ambitious man.

His son was destined to be exceptional, but never truly happy.

Tonari recalled the future Uchiha Itachi—a boy who slaughtered his clan to protect his brother, a man who sacrificed everything for his younger sibling's future.

A prodigy burdened with tragedy.

"What a waste…"

Tonari took a deep breath and smiled.

"Alright! As your sensei, I've decided! Today's training session will be… Dango!"

"Great!! …Wait, what?" Shisui cheered, only to pause in confusion.

Hearing the word "Dango," Itachi's normally stoic eyes lit up with excitement.

A rare sight—a genuine childlike reaction.

Itachi had only tasted dango once, during a shopping trip with his mother.

He had loved it, but being the mature child he was, he never asked for more.

"Sensei…" Shisui hesitated.

Tonari grinned, scooping up Itachi in his arms.

"I'm the teacher, and I say we eat first! Follow me!"

Holding the surprised boy, Tonari dashed away.

Shisui instinctively followed, still puzzled.

Itachi fidgeted in his grasp, trying to break free.

But he was too small and weak to escape Tonari's hold.

This was the first time anyone had carried him like this since he was a baby.

His father, Fugaku, never held him, and only his mother ever showed him physical affection.

Men and women's embraces felt different, and this warmth was… unfamiliar.

After struggling for a moment, Itachi gave up.

The three soon arrived at Konoha's most famous dango shop.

"Owner! Twenty skewers of three-color dango! And ten skewers of brown sugar dango!"

Tonari ordered enthusiastically, sparing no expense.

Sitting at the table, Itachi fidgeted nervously, though he tried to mask his excitement.

---

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched through his crystal ball, observing Tonari, Shisui, and Itachi.

His hands rested under his chin, deep in thought.

Beside him, Shimura Danzō stood with his cane, also watching.

It was Danzō who had come to him today, claiming that Tonari was getting too close to the Uchiha.

As one of the leading Hokage candidates, every political move Tonari made was under scrutiny.

Though others might not see it, Hiruzen and Danzō knew—

The moment this war ends, the Fourth Hokage will be chosen.

Danzō had been negotiating with Onoki, the Tsuchikage.

If Iwagakure withdrew from the war, Konoha could focus on Suna and Kumo, effectively bringing the Third Shinobi War to a close.

But if peace was to be achieved, Hiruzen would have to step down as Hokage.

And that meant choosing his successor.

Currently, both Tonari and Minato were in the running.

So when Danzō learned that Tonari had visited the Uchiha compound, he immediately reported it to Hiruzen.

Watching the crystal ball, Hiruzen finally sighed.

"Danzō, not everything is a conspiracy. Shisui is Kagami's descendant and the late Genjo's nephew. He's a loyal Konoha shinobi."

"And Itachi is simply Fugaku's son. You can't blame Tonari for taking care of them."

Danzō remained unconvinced.

"Hiruzen, you know better than anyone the Uchiha's true nature. Have you forgotten what Tobirama-sensei said?"

Hiruzen's expression darkened.

For years, Danzō had used Tobirama's words to justify his prejudice against the Uchiha.

But Hiruzen didn't entirely agree.

"Not all Uchiha are dangerous, Danzō."

Danzō's expression hardened.

"Then let me find proof. Just like I did with Orochimaru."

Hiruzen's fists clenched.

That matter still weighed heavily on him.

Danzō had presented undeniable evidence of Orochimaru's inhumane experiments.

And now he sought to do the same with Tonari.

Hiruzen sighed.

"Very well. Bring me proof."

Danzō smirked, confident.

"I will."

---

A Few Days Later

Danzō stormed into the Hokage's office.

"We have a problem. Kirigakure has declared war on us."

Hiruzen's face fell.

"What?"

Danzō explained:

"They claim Tonari attacked the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and stole their weapons. They demand we return the swords, or they will invade."

Hiruzen grimaced.

Moments later, Tonari was summoned.

Upon arriving, he saw both Hiruzen and Danzō waiting with serious expressions.

"What's going on?" Tonari asked.

Danzō spoke coldly.

"Kirigakure has declared war on us. Because of you."

---

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