Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 247: Dog Food

Beneath Konoha's seemingly peaceful surface, the entire ninja world remained turbulent.

Every major force was quietly amassing strength.

After their previous setbacks, Iwagakure and Kumogakure had not abandoned their ambitions.

Only Kirigakure appeared to have officially withdrawn from the Third Shinobi World War. Apart from a few scattered squads, they were practically absent from the battlefield.

But it wasn't just the major villages regrouping in the shadows.

With the rise of the Yellow Flash and Konoha's Cursed Cat, Konoha's dominance in high-level combat had grown undeniable.

And within this deceptive calm, a fierce battle raged in the shadows of the ninja world.

---

Land of Rain.

A group of Iwa-nin, clad in standard Iwagakure uniforms and forehead protectors, clashed with black-robed shinobi.

The difference in strength was glaring.

The Iwa-nin barely held their ground—each exchange ended with another comrade falling lifelessly to the ground.

"Nagato! Don't hold back!" a young man with orange hair barked, his voice sharp. He formed hand seals, unleashing a powerful Water Release jutsu, instantly subduing an Iwa-nin.

"They're invaders! If we can't stop Suna, then at least we, the Akatsuki, must keep Iwagakure out of the Land of Rain!"

These black-robed ninjas were none other than members of the Akatsuki.

After years of development, the Akatsuki had grown into the second-largest faction in the Land of Rain—rivaled only by Amegakure under Hanzo the Salamander.

Though the Akatsuki promoted peace, their rapid rise owed more to their three powerful leaders—especially Yahiko, whose charisma naturally inspired loyalty.

Of course, Kirigakure's focus on Suna had also given the Akatsuki the breathing room they needed to expand.

Now, in the western regions of the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki wielded considerable influence.

Thus, when the Iwa-nin infiltrated the country, the Akatsuki immediately intercepted them—leading to the current battle.

---

"Got it!" responded Nagato, his distinctive red hair gleaming under the rain.

Naturally gentle and averse to violence, Nagato had been subconsciously holding back.

But Yahiko's reminder snapped him into focus.

"They're invaders. If I show mercy, they'll only cause more suffering."

With his Rinnegan gleaming, Nagato unleashed his full strength.

The Iwa-nin, already struggling against the Akatsuki, stood no chance.

Within minutes, the battlefield fell silent.

All Iwa-nin were dead.

---

Yahiko and Nagato exchanged glances, unable to suppress their exhilaration.

"We've finally become strong enough to protect our homeland."

This was the power they'd long yearned for—the power to protect the Land of Rain and, eventually, bring peace to the entire world.

Their mentor Jiraiya's philosophy had profoundly shaped them.

Even after acquiring power, they never resorted to tyranny. Instead, they pursued peace through cooperation and diplomacy.

---

Yahiko turned to a woman with bluish-purple hair.

"Konan, any word from Hanzo? Did he respond to our alliance proposal?"

Konan shook her head.

"No. Still nothing."

Yahiko frowned but quickly regained his optimism.

"Then send another message. Make sure he understands our sincerity."

He clenched his fist with determination.

"We just drove out Iwa-nin. He'll see that we share the same goal—to protect the Land of Rain."

Konan smiled softly.

"Understood. I'll draft the letter immediately."

To her, Yahiko's word was law. She trusted him implicitly.

---

However, while the Akatsuki celebrated their victory, one man was far from pleased.

Danzo Shimura.

His original plan was simple:

Disguise Root operatives as Iwa-nin, stir up chaos in the Land of Rain, and provoke Hanzo into declaring war against the Land of Earth.

Why Hanzo?

Because during the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzo had proven himself impulsive and aggressive.

Danzo aimed to manipulate Hanzo's paranoia, pressuring the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, into negotiating an alliance with Konoha.

But Danzo hadn't foreseen the rise of Akatsuki.

His Root operatives, disguised as Iwa-nin, had been slaughtered by Akatsuki before they could complete their mission.

---

Danzo seethed with frustration.

He clenched his fists in the dimly lit Root headquarters, his one visible eye narrowing.

But the final intel from his dying subordinates presented a new opportunity.

"So, the Akatsuki… an unexpected variable. Even Hanzo seems unaware of their true potential."

After a moment of contemplation, Danzo made a decision.

"Bring me the Shrine Maiden."

A hidden figure in the shadows immediately responded.

"Yes, Danzo-sama."

---

In Root, Danzo's word was absolute.

Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had no authority in these underground chambers.

To Root operatives, Danzo's orders surpassed all else.

It wasn't long before a new figure arrived—clad in black robes and a mask.

This was the Wandering Shrine Maiden, real name Nonō Yakushi—head of a Konoha orphanage and one of Danzo's top intelligence operatives.

Danzo eyed her coldly.

"You completed the last mission flawlessly. I'll grant you some leave."

He tossed a sealed scroll toward her.

But Nonō hesitated, refusing to accept it.

"Can't this… end here?" she asked quietly.

---

Danzo's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"If you want true freedom, accept a new mission.

"Three years of deep-cover infiltration. Do it, and you'll be free.

"But if you abandon the orphanage for three years… well…**"

He leaned forward, voice dripping with menace.

"Without you, the orphanage loses Konoha's funding.

The gifted orphans will be drafted into Root. The weak? Abandoned."

---

Nonō froze.

The orphans were her entire life.

She knew Danzo's ruthlessness. Without her protection, those children were doomed—either to become emotionless Root operatives or be discarded.

Gritting her teeth, Nonō silently accepted the scroll and vanished into the shadows.

---

Watching her leave, Danzo murmured to himself:

"The Akatsuki… such an interesting organization.

Hanzo hasn't realized the threat they pose yet."

Danzo smiled coldly.

"But I will use them… and when they outlive their usefulness, I'll crush them myself."

---

Meanwhile, in Konoha…

"Tonari, what should we do about Kakashi?"

At a secluded training ground near Konoha's outskirts, Tonari, Minato, and Kushina sat beside a small river.

This spot held sentimental value—it was where they'd once trained together.

As their strength grew, so did their responsibilities. Missions piled up, leaving little time for casual reunions like this.

Minato and Kushina sat side by side, while Tonari deliberately sat a few feet away, staring intently at the flowing river.

His reason?

"I don't want to eat dog food… or be a third wheel."

---

To Tonari, few things were more awkward than a "third wheel" situation.

Three friends hanging out was fine—until two became a couple.

Then, the third person inevitably felt out of place and uncomfortable.

It hadn't always been this way.

Back when they were all equals, Tonari had just as much chance of pursuing Kushina as Minato did.

But he never even considered it.

Why?

Because of his "transmigrator mindset."

---

When Tonari first arrived in the Naruto world, everything felt surreal.

Seeing Minato and Kushina in real life was like meeting celebrities.

And in his mind, they were already destined to be together.

Such preconceived notions can be incredibly powerful.

It's the same reason many instinctively fear Orochimaru, even without ever encountering him.

Conditioned fear.

Similarly, Tonari viewed Minato and Kushina as an inseparable couple, right from the start.

---

But time changed everything.

As Tonari adapted to the ninja world, he stopped feeling like an outsider.

He began viewing events from a shinobi's perspective—including Kakashi's current predicament.

After losing Obito and Rin, especially Rin's death at his own hands, Kakashi spiraled into depression.

From a transmigrator's viewpoint, Kakashi should join the Anbu, drown himself in missions, and slowly forget the pain.

But Tonari disagreed.

---

"The Anbu? That's the worst place for him right now."

Kakashi's heart was already shrouded in darkness.

Throwing him into the lightless world of Anbu would deepen his despair—not heal it.

In fact, it was this very path that led to Danzo exploiting Kakashi years later.

Think about it:

How did Masked Man Obito know Kushina's due date during Naruto's birth?

Only Hiruzen, Minato, Kushina, and Kakashi (as her Anbu guard) knew.

Hiruzen and the Uzumakis would never leak it.

So who did?

Danzo.

Through Kakashi.

---

Thus, Tonari spoke firmly:

"Give Kakashi new teammates.

He's lost too much. Time won't heal those wounds.

But new bonds can."

"Assign him a new squad," Tonari continued.

"Don't let him isolate himself. If you push him into Anbu, you're just drowning him in more darkness."

---

Minato nodded thoughtfully.

But after a moment, he hesitated.

"But… he's already a jōnin.

As a jōnin, Kakashi can lead his own team, right?"

Minato's concern was valid.

Kakashi was now a fully-fledged jōnin—technically equal in rank to Minato himself.

It would be awkward to assign him under another jōnin.

Moreover, jōnin missions were often solo assignments. Pairing two jōnin was inefficient.

And following one's former teacher as a jōnin?

It risked making Kakashi look weak and dependent.

---

Tonari sighed.

"This isn't about rank, Minato. It's about mental health."

"Right now, Kakashi needs you—not as a superior, but as a friend and anchor."

"If you abandon him now, no one else will step up."

---

Minato remained conflicted.

Tonari was right—Kakashi was mentally fragile.

But who could pair with him?

His peers couldn't keep up, and his aloof personality pushed people away.

---

At that moment, Kushina, who had been silently listening, spoke up.

"What about Might Guy?

I heard he's one of the few people Kakashi still talks to.

They were school rivals, right? Guy might be the only one Kakashi still tolerates.*"

---

Minato and Tonari exchanged glances.

Their eyes lit up simultaneously.

"Perfect!" they chorused.

"We'll assign Guy to Kakashi's squad!"

---

Kushina blinked, speechless.

"…Seriously? Should I just leave? I feel like the third wheel now."

Minato and Tonari laughed heartily.

Minato reached out and playfully pulled Kushina back as she pretended to leave.

---

Tonari sighed, exasperated.

"Enough already. I'm still here, you know."

He rubbed his temples.

"Guy and Kakashi together?

They'll either kill each other… or become inseparable."

---

Minato smiled warmly, while Kushina's cheeks flushed slightly.

Tonari finally understood something.

"No wonder Kakashi fell for Danzo's manipulation later.

Watching these two flirt every day… while drowning in grief?

Anyone would lose their mind."

---

Kushina, never one to back down, smirked.

"Jealous, Tonari?

Go find someone for yourself!

How about Reika? She always cooks for you, waits for you every night…tsk tsk.*

Where else will you find a girl like that?"

"Yeah! Reika sounds perfect!" Minato chimed in mischievously.

"Shut up. Focus on Kakashi, damn it." Tonari growled.

---

Realizing the conversation had derailed, they quickly sobered.

Minato nodded.

"You're right, Tonari. I'll speak to the Third Hokage.

Either I take Kakashi… or we assign him to you."

Tonari shrugged.

"Fine by me. As long as he stays out of Anbu, I'm satisfied."

---

The trio continued chatting, eventually drifting into lighter topics:

Minato and Kushina's wedding plans.

Their Hokage ambitions.

What Minato would do if Tonari became Hokage first.

Ironically, neither truly craved power.

Even Kushina, once fiercely ambitious, had mellowed.

"Whether it's Minato or Tonari… I'd support either."

After all, she was now the last known Uzumaki—her bloodline and Jinchūriki status made her an unsuitable candidate for leadership.

---

As the sun set, the trio parted ways.

Tonari strolled through Konoha's dimly lit streets, lost in thought.

For all the laughter they'd shared, he couldn't shake the lingering weight of responsibility.

"I've formed too many bonds…"

"Protecting them all… will only get harder."

---

The streets were quiet—war had drained the village's vibrance.

But as the sun dipped below the horizon, Tonari spotted a familiar figure standing outside his home.

Reika.

Her silhouette framed by the golden light, she stood at the Neko Inn's entrance, scanning the street.

The moment she saw him, her face lit up.

"Tonari! Dinner's ready! I made all your favorites."

Tonari's exhaustion melted away.

The weight he carried seemed a little lighter.

---

Smiling, he quickened his pace.

"Reika, you're a lifesaver. I've been starving all day."

Her eyes curved into half-moons as she giggled.

"Well, you'd better hurry, then. It's getting cold!"

---

But just before they entered the inn, Tonari's expression hardened.

He froze in place, gaze darting toward the shadows.

---

"To the cowards spying on us—

"I see you.

"One more time, and you'll never leave this street alive."

His voice was cold as ice.

---

The oppressive sensation of being watched instantly vanished.

Root operatives, no doubt.

"Take that warning to Danzo," Tonari muttered.

"Tell him he gets one last chance."

---

Satisfied, Tonari turned back to Reika.

"Now, about that dinner…"

They stepped inside together, the door quietly closing behind them.

---

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