Konoha cat Breeder

Chapter 27: Reunited Sarutobi 

In the past two weeks, Tonari had been living a very fulfilling life, with his progress being quite evident.

Although it had only been two weeks, he had greatly benefited from the subtle help of the Two-Tails and his body's exceptional recovery ability. No matter how exhausted he was from training, after a good night's sleep, he would wake up the next morning feeling revitalized.

So, even though his progress was rapid, Tonari was often crawling into bed at night, exhausted.

If an average person trained like he did, they would likely burn out within a few days, even with the help of chakra.

As his physical skills improved, something Tonari had long admired—the technique of moving so fast that one becomes invisible, like the "Body Flicker Technique"—he was now able to perform it himself.

His speed had greatly increased, allowing him to travel much faster.

In the Nara clan's compound, Tonari knew that no one was monitoring him. However, once he left the compound, the ANBU members stationed outside would follow him discreetly.

By now, his changes and progress were no doubt clear to Sarutobi Hiruzen as well.

Tonari had no intention of hiding his efforts at training, though. There was no way to cover it up, and the more he tried, the more suspicious it would seem. Instead, it was better to openly display his hard work and talent.

He wanted to show his effort! Show his talent!

This would surely make the two influential figures take notice, and Tonari felt he would be more firmly established in Konoha.

However, today, his training plans were interrupted.

Just after leaving the Nara clan's compound, the ANBU members, who had been hiding in the shadows, finally appeared before him.

"Tonari, Hokage-sama requests your presence!" The cold voice came from under a pale mask.

The icy tone carried an undeniable authority, as if suggesting that any refusal would be met with force.

Tonari's expression froze briefly before he nodded silently.

Having been in Konoha for some time now, he could spot the giant and majestic Hokage Rock from far away, along with the Hokage's office building in front of it.

But as for entering the Hokage Building, this was Tonari's first time.

Led by the ANBU ninja, Tonari had no trouble making his way straight to the top floor of the Hokage Building, to the Hokage's office.

Knock knock—

After guiding Tonari into the office, the ANBU ninja immediately vanished outside the door.

As for whether Tonari would pose a threat to the Third Hokage, that was a joke. The Hokage's office was, by far, the safest place in all of Konoha.

The name of the ninja legend Sarutobi Hiruzen echoed throughout the entire ninja world.

Upon seeing Tonari walk through the door, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up, and a friendly smile appeared on his face. With a casual wave of his hand across the crystal glass ball on the desk, as if nothing had happened, he spoke.

"Third Uncle!"

When it came to how to address him, Tonari figured calling someone younger wasn't a bad idea.

"Tonari, you've arrived. So, how have you been adjusting to life in Konoha these past few days?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a smile.

Seeing the warm smile on the Hokage's face, Tonari also smiled back and nodded eagerly, "I've gotten used to it, very much! The food made by Aunt Yoshimi is especially delicious, and Uncle Shikaku and Uncle Shikashin have treated me very well, making me feel at home!"

When Sarutobi Hiruzen heard this, his smile deepened.

The more comfortable Tonari felt in Konoha, the closer his relationships with others became, and the stronger his bond with Konoha would grow.

"I heard recently that you've been working on your taijutsu? And it seems like you've made good progress?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, recalling Tonari's daily training and its results, couldn't help but nod in approval.

Whether or not Tonari was naturally gifted was still to be determined, but his level of dedication was something he had rarely seen in his life.

The first time he had seen such effort, it was from someone who was still a genin.

People who worked hard always earned some goodwill.

Though Tonari's progress had been a bit exaggerated, even Sarutobi Hiruzen had to admit it was impressive.

But given Tonari's connection to the Two-Tails, everything seemed to make sense.

"Well! I've been busy with missions recently, but last time, Uncle Shikaku gave me a lot of scrolls and books, and I found a way to get started!" Tonari said excitedly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt like something wasn't quite right. He was a third uncle, and Shikaku was also an uncle. Had he just lowered himself for no reason?

Suppressing the strange thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, "Tonari, you're really working hard, and that's great! I've been very busy lately, but don't worry, we'll get your enrollment at the Ninja Academy done in the next few days."

Sarutobi Hiruzen had indeed been very busy recently.

Though the Hidden Rain Village had allied with Konoha and the Sand and Rock Ninjas were slowly pulling out of the Rain Country, the cleanup, loss assessment, and negotiating with three countries over the division of spoils were time-consuming and mentally exhausting.

However, the idea that he didn't have time to handle Tonari's enrollment was something Tonari couldn't believe.

It was clear that he had been under surveillance for some time, just to see if he was truly willing to integrate into Konoha.

Now that the evaluation was nearly complete, Tonari could finally go to the Ninja Academy.

"Really?"

Tonari's eyes sparkled as he asked. His excitement was genuine, and it showed.

After all, without going to school, his only "tool person" would be Shikaku. But if he went to school, the entire academy would be at his disposal as potential "tools."

Just imagining it made him excited.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and suddenly asked, "Tonari, why do you want to become stronger? What is your reason for learning ninjutsu?"

Here it was!

If he didn't answer this question well, all of his previous efforts could be in vain!

Fortunately, Tonari had already prepared his answer.

"Becoming stronger… Of course, it's to survive, to get enough food, and to make sure the people around me are well-fed!

My ultimate goal is to open a cat shelter in Konoha and live a peaceful life!"

What Tonari said now came from the heart. His words were sincere, and even he believed them.

After all, he was being true to himself, and wasn't it wrong to pursue stability?

If possible, he hoped never to leave Konoha, and he had already picked the location for his future cat shelter—right next to Ichiraku Ramen!

At that point, who would care about Orochimaru, Pain, or the Ōtsutsuki? With Ichiraku Ramen on his side, he wouldn't be afraid of anything!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was momentarily taken aback, then his expression became somewhat complicated.

Was this all just to get enough food?

He thought back to when he first saw Tonari, a sickly, gaunt child, and for some reason, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that treating this little eight- or nine-year-old like a crafty old fox was a little too cruel.

No matter how one looked at it, Tonari had become who he was because of Konoha.

Wasn't it only natural for someone to be a little smarter and more resourceful in a world as chaotic as this?

If a child wasn't clever, how could they survive alone in such a world?

All these traits were forced upon him.

Listening to Tonari's life goal—just wanting to open a cat shelter in Konoha and be able to feed himself—it was so simple, so plain.

A sense of guilt surged in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart, and a soft spot within him was unexpectedly touched.

As people got older, they became more sentimental.

However, he quickly brushed away these feelings, reminding himself of his responsibilities.

As Hokage, some things couldn't be decided just by his own will. He needed to think from Konoha's perspective.

Tonari, the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails, was a source of instability, so he needed to proceed with caution.

"Great goal!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said, offering a compliment before continuing, "Tonari, in the materials Shikaku gave you, did you come across the 'Will of Fire'? What do you think of the Will of Fire?"

This was essentially asking a young student what their opinion was on Marxism-Leninism!

It was way out of his league!

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