Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 256: Master and Disciple

"What do you two think you're doing? Attacking fellow Konoha shinobi—are you planning to betray the village?"

Danzo slammed his cane against the ground, his voice sharp with accusation.

Tonari simply dismissed Shinya back to Ryuchi Cave, then cast a fleeting glance at Danzo—without saying a word.

It was Orochimaru, slowly rising from the ground, who answered in his hoarse voice:

"My student and I were merely sparring. How does that concern you?"

"You—!" Danzo's single eye widened in rage.

If only he had dozens of Root operatives here, he would have ordered them to capture both Orochimaru and Tonari on the spot.

But alone, he wasn't so foolish as to believe he could take them down himself.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was equally grim, but he had already figured out their intentions.

He had already received reports from Danzo about Orochimaru's actions.

But Hiruzen hadn't blindly trusted them—he had sent his own men to investigate, and the findings… had left him heartbroken.

For years, he had hoped that Orochimaru—his most prized disciple—would succeed him as Hokage.

But what he discovered forced him to reconsider.

Both Danzo's reports and his own investigation painted an unsettling picture.

And so, Hiruzen made his final decision—

To remove Orochimaru from the list of Hokage successors.

Most people in Konoha were unaware of this.

They only noticed that Tonari and Minato were rising stars, frequently leading major battles and achieving great victories, while Orochimaru faded from the spotlight.

Some shrewder individuals, however, saw the pattern.

Among them was Uchiha Fugaku, who quickly sought out Tonari, hoping to form an alliance.

The Uchiha recognized that Orochimaru had lost favor and saw Tonari as a more favorable bet.

Only a handful of people knew the truth—

Orochimaru's experiments had crossed a forbidden line, prompting Hiruzen to eliminate him from the race.

Sending Minato to the Rain Country wasn't just about searching for Tonari—it was also to recall Orochimaru, keeping him under surveillance.

Orochimaru had already seen through Hiruzen's plan.

Yet his biggest concern wasn't himself—it was Tonari's future.

He would not allow his downfall to drag Tonari down with him.

This wasn't something Orochimaru would normally do—but some things had already set themselves in motion.

And Tonari had his own reasons for fighting this battle.

This was a warning to Konoha's leadership:

"Do not push too hard—otherwise, the consequences won't be in your favor."

This battle between master and disciple held far more meaning than just a sparring match.

Orochimaru's mind was as meticulous as ever.

He had accomplished multiple objectives with a single fight:

He allowed Tonari to gain prestige, using the reputation of a Legendary Sannin to elevate him.

He publicly severed ties with Tonari, ensuring that Danzo could never use his downfall against him.

He forced Konoha into a difficult position—either they accepted him, or they risked losing two Kage-level shinobi.

The message was clear.

And Sarutobi Hiruzen understood all of it.

That was why his expression darkened, weighed down by this realization.

"Orochimaru, come with me."

Hiruzen's voice was low but firm.

Orochimaru gave a casual shrug and flashed over to Hiruzen's side.

No ANBU followed.

No one else was present—except for Tonari and Danzo.

Once Hiruzen and Orochimaru were gone, Danzo turned to Tonari.

His single eye gleamed with sharp intensity.

"I must admit, I never expected you to return alive. The Akatsuki have gone completely silent since your mission. Don't tell me… that has nothing to do with you?"

Tonari smirked, speaking in a low voice only Danzo could hear:

"If you made it back, how could I possibly have been left behind? Besides, Danzo-sama, you seem rather displeased that I returned safely… How disappointing for you."

Danzo's glare intensified.

He lowered his voice even further, until only a whisper remained:

**"Do you really think I don't know what you've been up to?

You've experimented with Hashirama's cells.

You've studied Wood Release.

You've conducted human experiments.

The moment any of this comes to light, your dream of becoming Hokage is over."**

Tonari's eyes narrowed slightly.

He arched an eyebrow in amusement.

**"Oh? Is that so?

Then by all means, Danzo-sama, please present your evidence."**

With a chilling smile, Tonari took a step forward, brushing past Danzo's shoulder.

Then, he suddenly paused and added softly:

**"And do be quick about it.

You'll need to move before I become Hokage.

Because the moment I take office—

Root will be the first thing I destroy.

So hurry up, Danzo-sama. I insist."**

He sneered, then turned to leave.

Danzo, however, spoke one last time.

"That girl from your cat shelter… She isn't just an ordinary civilian, is she?"

Clang!

Steel whispered against flesh.

Danzo could feel the razor-sharp blade pressing against his throat.

A chill ran down his spine.

Tonari's voice was cold—deadly cold.

"Try touching her. I dare you."

Lightning flickered along the edge of the blade.

Blue sparks danced as chakra surged through the Round Dance Blade.

Danzo was momentarily startled—but then, he did something unexpected.

He relaxed.

"Go ahead."

His voice was eerily calm.

"Kill me."

Tonari stared at him for a long time.

Then, slowly…

He chuckled.

**"Not yet. You're still useful.

…But not for much longer."**

Then, without another word—

Tonari vanished into the darkness.

He had to leave immediately.

Because if he stayed any longer—

He wouldn't be able to stop himself from killing Danzo on the spot.

**"It's time to make preparations.

The next time an opportunity like this arises…

I won't hold back."**

At the same time…

Two figures traveled under the moonlight, arriving at Hokage Rock.

Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen stood atop the great monument, gazing down at all of Konoha.

Hiruzen's voice was heavy with nostalgia.

**"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, once stood here, looking over the endless forests.

It was here that he envisioned and planned the foundation of Konoha."**

Orochimaru's golden eyes glimmered.

His voice was low, almost unreadable.

"Sensei… What are you really thinking?"

Hiruzen turned to face him.

His gaze was filled with emotion.

**"Orochimaru… you were like this village itself.

I laid the foundation for you, just as I did for Konoha.

I wanted to see you flourish into something I could be proud of."**

Orochimaru smiled faintly.

"Sensei… haven't I already made you proud?"

Hiruzen sighed, weary.

"You were once my proudest student… You must have felt it, too."

Orochimaru fell silent.

He had felt it.

He had always known.

But some things could not be changed.

"It's too late, Sensei."

And both of them knew it.

End of Chapter.

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*