Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 241: Uchiha Madara's Move

Tonari and Danzō faced off directly in the Hokage's office—this was their first open and unrestrained confrontation.

Sitting at his desk, Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling an impending headache.

He hadn't expected the situation to escalate like this. Danzō had once highly valued Tonari, yet now the two regarded each other as enemies.

Hiruzen could guess the reason—this probably stemmed from Sakumo Hatake's downfall.

"Enough. Tonari, Danzō isn't targeting you personally. The truth is, Konoha can't afford another war. If you truly have all three swords, just hand them over for now. I'll make it up to you later." Hiruzen sighed.

Tonari loosened his grip on Hiramekarei and slung it onto his back, locking eyes with Hiruzen.

"Hokage-sama, I've said it before—this is just an excuse. Even if I don't have all three swords, they will still find a reason to fight."

"Even if I hand over the only sword I have, do you really think they'll stop? No—they'll just appoint new wielders for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and continue their assault."

Hiruzen fell silent.

Because he knew Tonari's words were highly probable.

"Hmph! Then tell us—what's your plan? If Kiri attacks, the Third Raikage will undoubtedly return to the battlefield. We'll be facing four major villages at once! We're already at the breaking point—yet your so-called 'diplomatic mission' to Kiri has only brought us more trouble!" Danzō's words were harsh.

Even Hiruzen frowned at his tone.

He turned to Tonari, concerned.

Tonari was not the type to accept humiliation easily—and if he lashed out at Danzō now, it could spiral into an even bigger crisis.

But to his relief, Tonari remained composed.

He simply furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

"Danzō! That's enough!" Hiruzen snapped. "I was the one who sent Tonari to Kiri. He completed the mission as ordered. We could not have predicted this escalation—the responsibility falls on all of us."

"On you. Not me." Danzō replied coldly.

"Fine. It's my responsibility." Hiruzen relented. "But right now, our priority is dealing with this crisis."

"Hmph."

"No need to argue." Tonari stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We're talking about a disorganized Kiri force. I'll handle them myself."

Hiruzen raised a hand to caution him. "Don't be reckless. This isn't your burden alone. Ignore Danzō—this is Konoha's problem."

Tonari simply waved him off. "Hokage-sama, I'm not joking. If I fail, you can send reinforcements later."

With that, he turned and left without another word.

"Are you sure you don't need support?"

"No."

Hiruzen sighed and let him go.

He trusted Tonari's capabilities.

Even if he couldn't defeat them, he could retreat safely.

As Tonari left, Hiruzen watched through his crystal ball, feeling guilty.

Moments ago, he had allowed Danzō's words to plant doubts in his mind—yet Tonari had never once betrayed Konoha.

Danzō, meanwhile, narrowed his eyes as Tonari left the village. Without a word, he turned and exited the office.

At Root Headquarters, he issued orders for surveillance and covert actions.

---

Outside Konoha—Tonari's Journey

Tonari didn't waste time.

On his way, he sent word through summons, gathering intelligence even as he traveled.

Arriving at Fire Country's eastern coast, he summoned a massive crimson serpent.

A one-eyed giant—Akaiba.

The enormous snake coiled before him, its lone eye locked onto him with cold, calculating intent.

"Have you decided, Akaiba?" Tonari asked.

The massive snake stiffened, its body tensing as if preparing to lash out.

For a moment, it seemed it might lose control again—but then, with visible effort, it nodded.

Tonari smirked.

He leapt onto its head and reached between its scales, searching for a specific spot—its inverse scale.

The moment his fingers touched it, Akaiba thrashed wildly, its enormous body flattening the forest around them.

The snake coiled, snapped, and struck at nothing, writhing in agonized fury.

"Endure it."

With a sharp pull—

Rip.

Akaiba howled in pain as Tonari tore out the golden-hued scale, its inverse scale.

The serpent collapsed, panting heavily.

As the pain subsided, a strange phenomenon began—a gust of natural energy surrounded Akaiba, forming a miniature cyclone.

Tonari watched in fascination.

"So much natural energy... It's forming Senjutsu chakra."

Akaiba had been tormented by its own immense chakra.

Now, with the inverse scale removed, it calmed—and its true potential began to surface.

"Come on, Akaiba. It's time for your first battle since regaining your sanity."

Standing atop the serpent's head, Tonari moved toward the sea, intent on striking before Kiri could land.

As Akaiba submerged, it seemed as if Tonari was walking on water.

"Kiri... Madara... I've been waiting for you."

At that moment—

A summon dispelled itself, delivering a message.

They had moved.

---

Meanwhile—Root Operatives in Motion

As soon as Tonari left, a team of Root operatives slipped out of Konoha, heading eastward.

They were unaware that their movements had already been noticed.

A single summoned cat, hidden in the shadows, observed them.

After ensuring the coast was clear, it dispelled itself, relaying the information.

One of the Root agents was carrying an unconscious girl.

Their destination—a secluded island in the sea.

Waiting for them there was a group of Kiri shinobi.

With the war looming, no one was paying attention to unusual sea activity.

But Tonari was.

He followed them, moving silently in the shadows.

And there—on the island—he found her.

Rin Nohara.

His eyes darkened.

"Danzō... you really have no bottom line, do you?"

Seeing the exchange between Root and Kiri, Tonari's expression grew cold and merciless.

"I know what happens to her if I do nothing."

Without hesitation, he moved.

The moonlight reflected off his twin blades, forming arc-like slashes in the darkness.

Blood sprayed.

His first targets were Danzō's men.

Root was trading Rin for intelligence.

Tonari killed them before they could even react.

Then, he found the scroll they had been given.

One glance—and his expression changed.

"Madara."

The information inside was something only Uchiha Madara should know.

Danzō had unknowingly been dealing with him.

Tonari torched the scroll immediately.

"I won't let you pull the strings behind the scenes, old man."

His Sharingan flared red.

Turning to the surviving Kiri agent, Tonari spoke coldly.

"Tell me—where is your army?"

The man clenched his teeth.

Tonari's eyes gleamed.

"Then I'll take the answer from you myself."

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