Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 172: Blue Cat

"Orochimaru-sensei."

"You're here."

Tonari put on a white lab coat with practiced ease.

It had been a while since he had visited Orochimaru's laboratory, and he quickly noticed that his mentor's research topics had shifted again.

Tonari didn't bother asking why the rest of Konoha remained unaware of his survival. With Hatake Sakumo already buried, any discussion on this subject seemed moot.

Still, the event had left a profound impact on both Tonari and Orochimaru.

Neither spoke of it, but they shared an unspoken understanding: the pace of their research accelerated.

Tonari could clearly feel Orochimaru's increasing focus on biological studies, hinting that he might have already begun delving into human experimentation—though nothing concrete had yet been revealed.

For a long while, the two worked in silence, immersed in their respective tasks.

Eventually, sensing the atmosphere had ripened, Tonari broke the silence:

"Orochimaru-sensei, why do you think humans are so fragile?"

Orochimaru's movements stilled. The question seemed to strike a nerve, touching upon a deeply personal subject.

"Tonari-kun, do you feel the same?" Orochimaru's raspy voice carried an edge of curiosity.

"Whether it's Dan-san, Sakumo-ojisan, or any of the countless others who have died across the hidden villages—they all seem so delicate. A single injury, untreated, and their deaths feel almost inevitable."

Tonari's words weren't just meant to curry favor with Orochimaru. They reflected his own genuine thoughts after experiencing so much.

"This is humanity, Tonari," Orochimaru replied, licking his lips with a serpentine tongue.

Tonari hesitated, as if debating whether to say more. His expression suggested there was something he wanted to add but couldn't.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.

"A while back, when I was in the Land of Iron looking for a famous blacksmith, I overheard a tale near the border with the Land of Waterfalls.

"Decades ago, there was a powerful ninja in Takigakure who, due to some conflict, fell out with the village's leadership. In retaliation, he massacred the entire upper echelon of the village. Using an ancient secret technique passed down in Takigakure, he harvested their hearts.

"This technique is said to allow its user to house five hearts within their body. As long as one heart remains, they cannot die.

"In theory, mastering this technique grants eternal life."

The Takigakure ninja Tonari mentioned, of course, was Kakuzu—the partner he had recruited and the second key member of his secret organization, Cat's Haven.

The technique in question was none other than the infamous Earth Grudge Fear.

"You're talking about the technique known as Earth Grudge Fear, aren't you?" Orochimaru's lips curled into a knowing smile as he spoke.

Tonari's eyebrows rose in surprise. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to recognize the name.

"I've come across mentions of this technique in some of the old archives Sarutobi-sensei keeps. I even conducted some preliminary investigations, but the lack of information eventually forced me to abandon it.

"Though I did hear that the person you're describing once challenged the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and managed to leave the encounter alive."

Orochimaru's fascination with techniques—especially forbidden and secret jutsu—was well known. The promise of immortality offered by Earth Grudge Fear had undoubtedly caught his attention.

"Earth Grudge Fear," Tonari echoed thoughtfully.

"If the technique works as described, it could indeed provide eternal life. But such a method also imposes limits.

"The user's potential ceiling would depend entirely on the hearts they acquire. While stronger hearts might increase their power, the overall limit would still be fixed by the technique itself."

Orochimaru's analytical insight was sharp. From Tonari's brief description and his own research, he had already discerned the fundamental flaw of Earth Grudge Fear: its finite potential.

For most ninjas, a cap at Kage-level power might be considered an incredible achievement. But for Orochimaru and Tonari, whose ambitions reached far beyond, such limitations were unacceptable.

Of course, Tonari had no intention of delving too deeply into the topic of Kakuzu or Earth Grudge Fear. Kakuzu was, after all, his subordinate—albeit an expensive one.

Tonari's real objective was to steer the conversation toward Orochimaru's favorite subject: immortality.

Sure enough, Orochimaru's interest was piqued.

"Using the vitality of hearts to sustain life has its merits, but the limitations are significant. The user's growth would forever depend on others.

"However, if one could anchor their existence to the soul instead…" Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with unbridled desire.

Tonari seized the moment. "Sensei, speaking of souls, one of Matatabi's innate abilities allows me to perceive and, to some extent, manipulate souls."

Orochimaru's eyes widened with excitement.

"Matatabi can perceive souls? Fascinating…"

His voice trailed off as his mind raced with possibilities.

Tonari knew that Orochimaru's obsession with souls had led him to study Edo Tensei, the Second Hokage's forbidden technique.

However, acquiring such a technique would have required Orochimaru to deal with Danzo, the one person in Konoha with access to it.

Tonari wasn't sure if Orochimaru had succeeded, but he knew the potential of Edo Tensei.

In the right hands, the technique could accomplish incredible feats. Orochimaru himself might not have pushed Edo Tensei to its limits, but his protégé, Kabuto, would one day turn it into an unparalleled weapon.

While Orochimaru saw Edo Tensei as a stepping stone to understanding souls, Tonari viewed it as an essential tool to master.

---

Seven Days Later

A week after Hatake Sakumo's funeral, most of Konoha had moved on.

For the majority of villagers, Sakumo's legacy had already begun fading into the past.

This ephemeral nature of memory—the ease with which people forgot even the most significant sacrifices—was the greatest tragedy of all.

Seven days after the funeral, Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Tonari to his office.

The familiar space now felt markedly different. To Tonari, it was as oppressive as Danzo's underground lair.

Hiruzen looked visibly aged and weary, his guilt over Sakumo's death etched into his features.

"You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?" Tonari asked, maintaining a polite yet distant tone.

Hiruzen exhaled a long sigh, setting his pipe aside.

"Tonari, I imagine you're angry with me."

Tonari hesitated. Denying it outright would seem disingenuous. His silence spoke volumes.

Hiruzen nodded. "Jiraiya feels the same. He's asked for permission to take Minato on a journey for training. I've granted his request."

Tonari raised an eyebrow. Jiraiya leaving again?

This meant Konoha had not only lost Sakumo but would also temporarily lose Jiraiya—a significant blow to the village's strength.

Hiruzen continued, "Tonari, I want you to join the ANBU. With Sakumo gone and Root currently disbanded, the ANBU is under considerable strain.

"With your abilities, you could contribute greatly to Konoha's stability."

After a brief pause, Tonari nodded. "Fine, but I'll work solo."

Hiruzen agreed without hesitation. "Done. You'll operate independently and report directly to me."

He handed Tonari a set of ANBU gear and a white cat mask, devoid of any markings.

Tonari accepted them silently and left the office.

Watching him go, Hiruzen muttered to himself, "Have I truly grown so old?"

---

A Year and a Half Later

The desert wind howled through the vast expanse of the Land of Wind.

Amidst the relentless sandstorm, a lone figure emerged—a man in a black uniform, with a short blade at his waist and a white cat mask concealing his face.

This was Tonari, now known as "Aonoko" (Blue Cat), his ANBU codename.

He had earned a reputation across the ninja world for his swift movements, sharp blade, and deadly precision.

Standing across from him was a young man with sandy blond hair, clad in the garb of Sunagakure. His eyes, ringed with dark circles, betrayed a sharp focus.

"Blue Cat of Konoha," the man said coldly.

This was Rasa, a rising star in Sunagakure and future Fourth Kazekage.

Tonari's gaze remained steady. Suppressing the surge of anger he felt toward Rasa, he spoke evenly:

"I'm here to collect Konoha's share."

Rasa smirked and produced a scroll from his pouch. "Here it is—if you can take it from me."

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Tonari's blade was already drawn.

(End of Chapter)

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