Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 176: Asuma's Confusion

Since refusing wasn't an option, Tonari decided he might as well enjoy the experience.

After all, at least he didn't have to exert much effort, right?

On second thought, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. There was something oddly satisfying about being allowed to punch Hiruzen Sarutobi's son without consequences. Every punch felt like striking a fat stack of ryo bills.

Tonari glanced at the still-dazed Asuma after delivering his punch. Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't bat an eye. Clearly, the Third Hokage was resolute in his decision.

"Follow me," Tonari ordered curtly.

Might Guy, ever the obedient one, immediately trailed after him. Yūhi Kurenai hesitated, glancing at the stunned Asuma, before following as well.

Asuma, still processing what had happened, cast a pleading look at his father, only to find Hiruzen immersed in his paperwork. Left with no choice, he reluctantly followed after the others, grumbling under his breath.

---

The group arrived at one of Tonari's usual training grounds. Without a word, he found a spot, sat down, and started flipping through the team's files.

Guy and Kurenai followed suit, sitting cross-legged nearby. Asuma, however, stood with his arms crossed, gazing defiantly at the sky.

Tonari noticed and casually cracked his knuckles.

Crack.

Asuma froze, the threatening sound sending a shiver down his spine. But he was a proud Sarutobi and refused to yield.

Face flushing red, he stubbornly kept staring at the clouds, even as he frantically tried to come up with a way to de-escalate the situation.

Luckily, Kurenai tugged lightly at Asuma's pants leg, silently urging him to sit. Grateful for the intervention, Asuma reluctantly sat down, shooting her a quick appreciative look.

Thwack!

Before he could settle in, Tonari kicked him squarely in the chest, sending him tumbling backward.

Tonari's mastery over his strength ensured that the blow, while painful, wouldn't cause serious harm. It was just enough to get the point across.

Asuma returned moments later, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger. He sat down without a word, glaring at Tonari.

In Asuma's mind, Tonari was nothing more than a lackey his father had assigned to keep him in check. Twice now, he'd been humiliated in front of the girl he liked. The rage in his heart was almost too much to contain.

Every time he considered retaliating, however, Tonari's calm demeanor and mocking gaze stopped him. It was as if Tonari was daring him to act out, just so he could have another excuse to put him in his place.

With great difficulty, Asuma suppressed his anger. A wise man knows when to retreat.

Tonari, noticing Asuma's restraint, raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "At least the kid knows his limits," he thought.

---

The small team sat quietly in a corner of the training field. Guy and Kurenai exchanged nervous glances, while Asuma sulked. Tonari, meanwhile, continued reading through their files.

The breeze rustled gently through the training ground, and Tonari's tied-back black hair swayed lightly in the wind.

At that moment, to the three Genin, Tonari seemed to merge with the natural world around him. His presence exuded an indescribable serenity, putting even the skeptical Asuma at ease.

For Kurenai, who had been feeling shy and tense, the sight was especially comforting.

This ability to attune with nature was a result of Tonari's ongoing efforts to master Sage Mode. Unlike most who relied entirely on external sources for natural energy, Tonari was training to harness the faint natural energy that permeated the environment on his own.

Although it was a slow and challenging process, it allowed him to reduce his dependence on external aids, such as his feline companions.

Interestingly, Tonari's left arm, infused with cells from Hashirama Senju, had started showing peculiar reactions during his training. The cells seemed to enhance his ability to absorb natural energy, offering him a glimmer of hope for further development.

Lost in thought, Tonari eventually put down the files and turned his attention to his new students.

"Two specialists and one all-rounder," he mused. "This should be interesting."

Specialists like Guy and Kurenai thrived when allowed to focus on their strengths. Tonari had no intention of forcing them into a balanced mold; their natural talents deserved to be honed to the fullest.

As for Asuma, his mediocrity across all fields presented a unique challenge.

"Alright," Tonari finally said, addressing the group. "I'm Tonari, your Jonin instructor. You may have heard of me or visited my cat shelter before. If not, feel free to drop by someday."

He cleared his throat. "Anyway, we'll be conducting your graduation test tomorrow. Same time, same place. If you fail, you'll be sent back to the Academy for another year."

Before anyone could react, Tonari's figure vanished, leaving behind a cloud of dust.

---

"What?! That's it?!" Asuma exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "Aren't we supposed to introduce ourselves or something? Talk about our goals and skills? Isn't that how it's done?"

Kurenai hesitated. "Maybe Sensei already knows everything about us. He was reading our files earlier, after all."

"But we know nothing about him!" Asuma retorted. "What kind of sensei acts like he's some legendary figure we should all know?"

"I've heard of him," Kurenai admitted softly. "My family bought our cats from his shelter. My father also spoke highly of him, saying he's an exceptional ninja—someone he'd trust with his life."

Guy chimed in enthusiastically. "My father praises him, too! He says Sensei has a strong will and works harder than anyone else, even though he's a genius. That's true youthfulness!"

Asuma frowned, feeling increasingly out of place.

---

Meanwhile, back at the cat shelter, Tonari was greeted by Reika.

"I need to test something," he informed her.

Reika nodded, understanding the gravity of his experiments. After locking the door and putting up the "Closed" sign, the two descended into the underground lab.

Tonari had long been experimenting with the Hashirama cells in his left arm. While they enhanced his vitality, they also posed challenges, requiring constant suppression with yin-nature chakra.

However, during his recent Sage Mode training, the cells had shown unexpected synergy with natural energy, potentially opening new avenues for experimentation.

Deep in the lab, Tonari and Reika delved into their work.

---

Later that night, in the Sarutobi clan's residence, the atmosphere was far from peaceful.

Over dinner, Asuma sat sullenly, his frustration evident. Hiruzen, sensing his son's inner turmoil, waited patiently.

Finally, Asuma spoke up. "Why him? Couldn't you have chosen someone else to lead our team? Anyone else would've been better!"

Hiruzen took a slow puff from his pipe, the rich scent of tobacco filling the air. He set it down, meeting Asuma's gaze with calm resolve.

"You only see a fraction of who Tonari is," Hiruzen said. "Did you know he graduated from the Academy after just six months? Or that he became a Jonin in four years?

"He's completed every ANBU mission I've assigned him, from B-rank to S-rank, without a single failure. Do you know who the last person with such a record was? The White Fang of Konoha."

Asuma's eyes widened in shock.

Hiruzen leaned forward. "I chose Tonari because he's the best possible mentor for you. He's skilled in nearly every field, from combat to sealing techniques. If you follow his guidance, you'll surpass even your own expectations."

After a pause, Hiruzen added, "If I were to step down as Hokage, Tonari would be among my top three candidates to succeed me."

Asuma was left speechless, the weight of his father's words reshaping his perception of his new teacher.

(End of Chapter)

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