Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 138: The Sacred Grounds

"Danzo established Root with my approval. At the time, when Konoha was weathering turbulent times, Root played a significant role in stabilizing the village. So even if Danzo occasionally oversteps his boundaries, I have tolerated it to an extent.

Initially, Orochimaru and I planned for you to join the Anbu after becoming a Chūnin, to gain experience and polish your skills. But then Tsunade came to me with a recommendation. She recognized her own struggle with hemophobia and inability to continue surgeries, so she suggested you take a more significant role. This showed how highly she regards you.

Coincidentally, Danzo approached me with a similar proposal, suggesting you take advantage of Tsunade's reputation to ascend into a higher position of authority in the medical corps. I weighed the pros and cons and decided to appoint you as the leader of the third division of the Medical Corps. It was a compromise to ensure you have the chance to learn, grow, and earn recognition from your peers."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laid everything out, detailing his, Tsunade's, and Danzo's reasoning.

What was this? A heartfelt confession?

"Third Hokage, I don't know what your intentions are, nor the considerations of the higher-ups. To me, I'm just an ordinary ninja of Konoha. If you entrust me with responsibilities, I will not disappoint you. I'll strive to improve my medical skills and aim to become a medical ninja as accomplished as Tsunade."

Hiruzen stood up, patting Tonari's shoulder in approval.

"You've done well, particularly during the Chūnin Exams. Orochimaru and Sakumo both praised your performance. Especially that technique you used at the end—it was enough to severely wound one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

You've grasped the Second Hokage's water-style techniques quite well. While I'm curious about the source of the power you unleashed, I won't pry. Everyone has their secrets.

As a ninja of Konoha, always remember that this village is your strongest support. Even if your connection to Matatabi becomes known, so what?"

With those words, the imposing presence of the man known as the "Professor" surged. Despite being in the latter stages of his prime, Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength as a super Kage-level ninja was undeniable.

Tonari felt the overwhelming aura emanating from Hiruzen and realized just how powerful this man was—a stark reminder of the sheer disparity in strength.

"Third Hokage, you can trust me," Tonari said sincerely.

"And the young girl you brought today? She seems to have great potential as a medical ninja. If she's as gifted as you suggest, let her assist the Medical Corps and hone her skills there."

"Oh?"

Hiruzen's interest piqued. A strong medical ninja was always a valuable asset, but such talent was rare.

"As the leader of the third division, you have the authority to recruit members. Proceed as you see fit."

"Thank you, Third Hokage."

After further conversation, Tonari left with Reika.

Watching them depart, Hiruzen's face showed a thoughtful smile.

Tonari's willingness to integrate Reika into Konoha was a clear sign of his deepening ties to the village. To Hiruzen, fostering these bonds was the essence of the Will of Fire.

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Back at the soon-to-be-opened cat café:

"Reika, from now on, this will be your home. The first floor will serve as the cat café, where you'll manage the business during the day. The second floor is a living space; your room is there as well.

Apart from Matatabi, we currently don't have any cats. If possible, keep an eye out for stray cats around the village and gradually bring them in for training."

Tonari gestured to the facility, now almost fully equipped.

Reika nodded, clearly understanding her new responsibilities.

"Actually, during our time outside the village, Matatabi and I had already begun gathering stray cats. Thanks to Matatabi's leadership, they've grown remarkably disciplined. With a little training, I believe they can be transformed into excellent companions and even combat partners if necessary."

Tonari's eyes lit up at her words.

If Reika's claim was true, it would save considerable time and effort. Her diligence and foresight were impressive—she'd clearly invested much thought into helping him.

Reika then retrieved several storage scrolls from her bag, unsealing a collection of cat supplies.

The assortment included everything from litter boxes to climbing frames.

"These tools will make caring for the cats much easier and ensure they thrive."

Seeing the array of equipment, Tonari was taken aback by Reika's meticulous preparation.

"Reika, you've truly outdone yourself."

Reika blushed slightly but waved his praise away.

"It's nothing. Matatabi deserves most of the credit. It became a natural leader among the strays, helping to build trust and order. Now, as their figurehead, Matatabi's authority ensures all the cats cooperate."

Hearing this, Tonari picked up Matatabi, gently stroking its silky fur.

Matatabi purred softly, clearly enjoying the affection.

"Matatabi, you've done a fantastic job."

The feline looked up, its mismatched blue and yellow eyes gleaming with pride.

"Now that we have a solid foundation, let's discuss our plans," Tonari began.

"Our short-term goal is to establish this cat café and gain a reputation in Konoha. Once that's secured, we'll move on to the next phase: training cats for various roles, including reconnaissance and combat.

Ultimately, my dream is to create a sanctum for cats—a sacred ground akin to the three great summoning realms!"

Reika's eyes widened at his audacious declaration. Even Matatabi seemed intrigued, its ears perking up.

"A sacred ground for cats?"

"Yes," Tonari confirmed. "Just like Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest, I envision a haven for cats to grow, thrive, and harness their potential."

Reika nodded slowly, still processing his lofty ambition.

While the short- and mid-term plans were feasible, creating a sacred ground rivaling the legendary summoning realms seemed almost impossible.

But Tonari's unwavering confidence left no room for doubt.

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