Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 233: Kisame Hoshigaki

Two hours later, just as agreed, Fuguki Suikazan arrived with forty-nine Kirigakure shinobi at the designated location.

The betrayal scenario that Tonari had feared from the Third Mizukage never came to pass. Kaguya Kurosawa and Mei Terumi—who had been secretly prepared—weren't even needed.

However, this whole process confirmed Kurosawa's determination to change Kirigakure.

Truthfully, Tonari hadn't expected things to go this smoothly.

Uchiha Madara's name carried more weight than he had anticipated.

He had worried that Madara might have been present, forcing him to negotiate with him instead of the Mizukage. But it seemed Madara was busy elsewhere.

As Tonari scanned the fifty shinobi brought by Fuguki Suikazan, he confirmed that the Third Mizukage had kept his word—

20 Genin

20 Chunin

10 Jonin (including Fuguki Suikazan)

For the Third Mizukage, this was likely the largest force he could spare.

With this squad, they could wipe out an entire small hidden village with ease.

Despite their official ranks, these shinobi weren't limited by those labels.

And above all, Tonari noticed something immediately—

None of these Genin and Chunin had the naïve aura of ordinary ninjas.

Instead, a faint bloodlust radiated from each of them.

This was the difference between "Blood Mist" shinobi and normal ones.

In Konoha, newly graduated Genin started with D-rank missions under their squad leader's guidance.

After a month of D-rank tasks, they could attempt C-rank ones.

They rarely saw real combat before B-rank missions.

But Blood Mist Genin?

The moment they graduated, they killed their classmates in a blood-soaked test.

Friendship didn't exist—only survival mattered.

This forged them into warriors from day one.

For them, calling themselves "Blood Mist Shinobi" was a source of immense pride.

Aside from the lower-ranked shinobi, the ten Jonin were the true core force of this unit.

Among them, one stood out the most—a figure standing silently behind Fuguki Suikazan.

Dressed in Kirigakure's ANBU combat uniform, carrying a standard long blade, with deep blue hair, golden eyes, and shark-like facial features…

Kisame Hoshigaki.

Though still young, he had already become a Jonin, personally trained by Fuguki Suikazan.

His massive chakra reserves and combat talent made him one of Kirigakure's rising stars.

But from the disdainful glances of other shinobi, Tonari could tell—Kisame was not well-liked.

Noticed Tonari's gaze, Fuguki Suikazan's expression stiffened slightly before forcing a smile.

The hulking man, standing nearly 2.5 meters tall, towered over everyone.

Even Tonari (1.8m) and Kisame (2m) looked dwarfed beside him.

With a polite but subtly menacing tone, Fuguki Suikazan spoke first—

"Sir, how should we address you?"

Tonari casually responded, "Sanzo."

He had picked a random alias on the spot.

Fuguki grinned, placing his hand over his chest.

"Sanzo-sama, by the Mizukage's orders, my fifty shinobi and I are under your command."

"Sanzo-sama!" The other shinobi echoed his words, bowing slightly.

Tonari nodded, then pointed at Kisame.

"What's your name?"

Kisame, who had already sensed Tonari's lingering gaze, wasn't surprised.

He bowed respectfully.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, Sanzo-sama."

"From today onward, you'll follow me."

A moment of silence.

Kisame's instinctive reaction was to look at Fuguki Suikazan for approval.

After all, he was Fuguki's personal subordinate—he couldn't just switch masters on his own.

Fuguki's smile faded into a scowl.

For a moment, his large fists clenched tightly, and murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

But it vanished just as quickly, replaced with a grin.

"Of course! If Sanzo-sama desires Kisame, then by all means, he shall protect you."

"Understood."

With that, Kisame stepped forward, now standing behind Tonari.

But Tonari knew—Kisame wasn't truly his yet.

With just one word from Fuguki Suikazan, Kisame would turn on him instantly.

"But what if… Fuguki Suikazan dies?"

Tonari's smile deepened.

They were both plotting against each other.

Given enough time, Tonari was confident in manipulating Kisame—not through lies, but through carefully chosen words.

After all—

Fuguki Suikazan only saw Kisame as a disposable tool.

Whenever a mission failed, Kisame's job was to eliminate his own allies to prevent leaks.

It was no wonder that so many in Kirigakure hated him.

Isolation.

Rejection.

Disdain.

This was the only treatment Kisame had ever known.

Tonari was the first person to treat him as valuable.

Even if Kisame didn't fully trust him yet, he had already begun paying attention to Tonari's words.

With their crew assembled, they finally set sail from Water Country.

Since he had come alone, Tonari had previously run across the sea using chakra.

But with fifty shinobi accompanying him, they had to take a boat.

Fortunately, Kirigakure shinobi were expert sailors, using Water Release to accelerate their ship's speed.

Since Tonari was now leading the mission, he was given his own cabin—the same privilege as Fuguki Suikazan.

Though he had failed to deliver Sarutobi Hiruzen's letter and couldn't convince the Third Mizukage to openly declare war, securing fifty elite Kirigakure shinobi was still a massive success.

Once aboard, Tonari's first order of business was to send intelligence back to Konoha.

He informed Hiruzen and Jiraiya of the developments.

He outlined the new battlefield strategy.

Meanwhile, outside his door, Kisame stood like an unmoving guardian.

Since his mission was to protect Tonari, he would not leave his side unless absolutely necessary.

After completing his message to Konoha, Tonari called Kisame inside.

As Kisame entered, Tonari examined him closely.

"Sit."

For a moment, Kisame hesitated.

He wasn't used to casual conversations.

Normally, if someone called him over, it was for strict orders or reprimands.

But after a brief pause, he obediently sat down.

Tonari leaned back, smiling.

"Kisame, you seem… lost."

The question struck Kisame harder than expected.

His eyes flickered as he listened.

Tonari continued, his tone impossibly calm.

"You've killed many, haven't you? But tell me—what is a comrade?"

"A comrade?" Kisame repeated, confused.

Tonari smirked.

"You recognize others. But do they recognize you?"

Kisame fell silent.

The words sank deep.

His entire life, he had never considered whether anyone truly recognized him.

That moment, something in him changed.

Tonari's smile grew.

He had planted the seed.

Now, he just had to wait for it to grow.

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