Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 220: Underestimated

After leaving the command tent, Jiraiya and Minato walked toward a nearby river.

A well-positioned camp always needed a water source—not just for drinking, but also to prevent fires from spreading.

After all, not every ninja was proficient in Water Release.

Minato's face was grim.

"Jiraiya-sensei, are we really not going after Tonari?!"

"You don't understand how dangerous our situation was.

If he hadn't insisted that I leave, I wouldn't have left him behind.

If something happens to him—"

"I won't be able to forgive myself for the rest of my life."

His voice carried a rare hint of desperation.

Jiraiya remained silent for a moment, gazing at the slowly flowing river.

Then, he gently patted Minato's shoulder.

"Minato, have more faith in your comrades.

I may not know Tonari that well, but from what I've seen—

He's not the type to act without absolute confidence in himself."

"He reminds me a little of Orochimaru—"

"But without Orochimaru's coldness.

He's just as cunning."

"You have to trust him."

Minato hesitated.

Jiraiya continued—

"And while I don't particularly like Danzo, he does have a point."

"The situation here is still unstable.

We don't know what the Mist and Cloud are planning yet."

"You're one of our strongest assets—"

"You can't leave the camp so easily."

Hearing that, Minato suddenly realized something.

His sensei had just been stripped of command—

And he hadn't even protested?!

"Jiraiya-sensei, what about the Third Hokage?!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Jiraiya cut him off.

The Sannin waved dismissively.

"I understand Danzo better than you do, Minato."

"If he's here, it means Hiruzen had to compromise."

"Root's power is something Konoha depends on.

But Danzo's grip on it has become too strong—

Even Hiruzen's orders don't always hold weight with them anymore."

"It's a situation that's gotten out of control.

And with Konoha's current weakened state, every bit of strength matters.

Root is efficient, and they follow orders without question—

Which makes them indispensable in times like these."

Jiraiya sighed.

"This sudden change in Mist's movements probably forced Hiruzen's hand.

Danzo is still acting for Konoha's benefit—

If he weren't, the Hokage wouldn't have handed him command."

Minato frowned.

Something about Jiraiya's words felt wrong to him.

"But… isn't the Hokage supposed to be Konoha's supreme leader?"

"Doesn't everything fall under his authority?"

Minato was struggling to reconcile what he had always believed about Konoha—

With what Jiraiya was implying.

Was Konoha not as unified as it seemed?

Were there power struggles among the higher-ups?

Jiraiya glanced at Minato and sighed again.

—This wasn't something he could ignore forever.

"Minato… one day, you'll understand."

"The Third Hokage will make decisions that you may not agree with—"

"But they will always be what he believes is best for Konoha."

"When people grow older, they become more sentimental.

They lose the decisiveness they once had.

They start making choices that seem weak—

But their intentions remain the same."

Jiraiya's voice softened.

"You don't have to understand it now.

Just remember—"

"Whatever happens, Hiruzen always means well."

Minato nodded firmly.

"I understand, Jiraiya-sensei!

I trust the Hokage!"

Jiraiya smiled wryly.

—He's still too young.

He doesn't realize how complicated things really are.

But that's fine.

He'll learn in time.

Compared to Tonari—

Minato was like a bright, golden sun.

Pure-hearted. Honest.

A good person—

But maybe too good for Konoha's politics.

Tonari, on the other hand—

Was far more cunning.

Jiraiya had a feeling that—

If Tonari ever became Hokage, he would be…

A very different kind of leader.

But that wasn't the concern right now.

Jiraiya shook his head and changed the subject.

"You'll come to understand, Minato.

If you ever feel confused, just ask Tonari for advice."

Minato's eyes lit up.

"That's true! Tonari is really smart!

It's like he can see through everything immediately!"

Jiraiya chuckled.

That kid really was sharp.

In some ways—

Jiraiya actually thought Tonari would make a better Hokage than Minato.

If Hokage only required power and charisma, then Minato would be the obvious choice.

But a true leader needed—

Political cunning. Ruthlessness. The ability to manipulate and deceive.

Tonari had those qualities.

Minato… did not.

Still, none of that mattered yet.

The current war meant that the Hokage position wouldn't change anytime soon.

For now, the next candidate was Orochimaru.

After that, it would be one of their students.

The obvious choice would be Orochimaru's only disciple—

Tonari.

Most of Konoha's high-ranking officials already expected this outcome.

Hiruzen retires → Orochimaru becomes Hokage → Tonari succeeds him.

Minato… wasn't considered a serious candidate yet.

At least, not in Jiraiya's eyes.

But the war wasn't over.

And war had a way of changing everything.

For now—

Merit was the most important thing.

That was why Danzo had come.

Danzo wanted glory.

He wanted to be Hokage.

That was his true goal.

Jiraiya sighed again and turned back to the river.

"Minato—"

"Yes, Sensei?"

"Are you still worried about Tonari?"

Minato hesitated.

"...Yes."

Jiraiya smirked.

"Forget about him."

"That bastard is going to be just fine."

---

Meanwhile, in the Mountains of the Land of Lightning…

"Achoo!"

Tonari rubbed his nose.

Someone must be talking about him.

Danzo?

Probably Danzo.

He looked around his newly constructed makeshift laboratory.

After several hours of work—

He had finally finished setting up.

Tonari clapped his hands.

"Alright—

Time to get started."

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Poof!

A massive cat appeared before him.

Unlike his combat-type cats, this one was a logistics-type.

On its back, it carried sealed scrolls, stacked neatly like a fortress of supplies.

Each scroll contained—

Rare materials. Prohibited substances.

Things Konoha's authorities would never allow him to use.

This cat was his personal vault.

It bowed its head respectfully.

"Lord Tonari."

Tonari took the special key from its neck and unlocked the seals.

One by one—

His forbidden materials were revealed.

"Good."

"Return to base."

The cat nodded and vanished in a puff of smoke.

Tonari smirked.

Now—

It was time to begin.

As he unrolled Madara's secret scroll, he chuckled.

"...Madara, huh?"

"So that's how you plan to use me?"

"Helping Black Zetsu whenever needed?"

"And in return—"

"You'll give me scrolls filled with forbidden techniques?"

Tonari's smile grew wider.

"How convenient."

"But you're underestimating me, Madara."

"I'm not your pawn."

"You're mine."

---

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