Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 236: It's Close! It's All Close!

As the turbulent sea gradually calmed, Tonari landed gently on the water's surface. However, he did not immediately deactivate the Eight Gates Release.

He reassembled Hiramekarei (Flatfish & Flounder) and secured it onto his back.

"This really is a great weapon. I'm growing more and more fond of it."

Compared to Samehada, Hiramekarei's chakra absorption ability wasn't as strong, but its advantage was clear—it had no consciousness and could never betray him.

If he had freely used the chakra stored in Hiramekarei, the battle would have ended even sooner.

Now, with the sea returning to a deadly silence, charred corpses of Mist ninja floated to the surface—among them, the grotesquely large Fuguki Suikazan.

Unlike the others, his massive body prevented him from sinking. He wasn't quite dead yet, but with his fatal wounds, survival was impossible without immediate medical attention.

His bulging eyes were full of disbelief and unwillingness.

Even at his last breath, he still couldn't understand—

Why had Samehada failed to absorb Tonari's chakra?

Why had Samehada betrayed him?

Tonari approached, looking down at him.

"W...why…?" Fuguki gasped weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Because... this is Taijutsu."

Tonari spoke coldly, watching the light fade from Fuguki's eyes.

Hearing this answer, Fuguki's pupils shrank before slowly dilating—life slipping away.

His mind cleared in his final moments.

Taijutsu!

So that's why Samehada couldn't absorb it.

The flames that had burned him alive weren't fueled by chakra, but by friction and raw energy from high-speed movements.

Samehada's absorption ability was limited to chakra-based techniques—and this wasn't one.

For the first time, Fuguki understood.

But by then, he was already dead.

Tonari gave him a final glance before scanning his surroundings.

With all Mist ninja eradicated, he spoke into the silent sea.

"Come out. Don't make me find you."

His tone was ice cold.

For a moment, there was only silence.

Tonari frowned. He knelt suddenly and thrust his hand into the water—

Snatch!

A rough, scaly surface met his grip.

Tonari hauled Samehada out of the water.

It had been lingering near Fuguki's corpse, hoping to save him, but when its former master died, it had tried to escape.

Caught, Samehada writhed violently, attempting to release its spikes.

It hated Tonari's chakra.

The residual heat from the Eight Gates made it feel uncomfortable—even afraid.

But before it could resist—

"If you dare to defy me, I will destroy you."

Tonari's cold voice carried a chilling authority.

Samehada froze.

It could sense the raw killing intent radiating from him.

Tonari meant every word.

The living blade immediately curled its body, its tongue flicking out submissively.

Tonari let go, and Samehada didn't move an inch.

Instead, it squirmed toward him, flattening its barbs, its tail-like appendage wagging excitedly.

A dog.

Samehada had turned into a groveling, eager-to-please dog.

To show further loyalty, it extended its tail into Tonari's sleeve, pouring chakra into his body.

The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt.

For the first time, Tonari understood why Fuguki never let go of this sword.

The influx of chakra was indescribably pleasurable.

Even with his iron will, he almost groaned.

"So this is what it feels like…"

Satisfied with Samehada's submission, he turned his gaze elsewhere.

"Come out, Kisame. I know you're alive."

He had seen Kisame dive underwater just before the battle's climax.

Kisame was fast. His chakra-molded shark shield had allowed him to escape the worst of the explosion.

There was no way he had died so easily.

Sure enough, a blue-skinned figure emerged from the depths.

Kisame surfaced, revealing his scarred but still functional body.

His eyes were lost, full of uncertainty.

For the first time, Kisame had no idea what to do.

His master was dead.

Fuguki had never been an idol to him, but without orders, Kisame felt directionless.

His entire life had been defined by missions.

But now, with Fuguki gone, his purpose vanished with him.

Who was he?

What was his purpose now?

Where should he go?

Kisame couldn't answer.

He stood motionless, staring at Tonari.

Tonari grinned.

He grabbed Samehada and tossed it—

Straight to Kisame.

Kisame caught it out of instinct.

Samehada did not resist.

Instead, it purred, rubbing against him like an affectionate pet.

The meaning was clear.

Samehada had chosen him.

Tonari spoke softly.

"Follow me, Kisame."

His voice carried a strange weight, as if infused with some hidden power.

"I need you—to be my comrade."

Kisame's eyes trembled.

Comrade?

No one had ever called him that before.

His entire life, he had been a tool.

A killer.

An executioner.

But now—someone wanted him as an equal?

Tonari stepped closer.

"Stay by my side, Kisame."

"And I will give you a reason to live."

Silence.

Then—

For the first time in his life, Kisame found an answer.

"Alright."

His voice was firm.

His purpose was set.

Kisame Hoshigaki had been reborn.

---

Meanwhile, deep within a hidden cavern—

The air was thick with decay.

Faint white lights barely illuminated the craggy walls.

An old man stood beside a makeshift stone bed.

The figure lying on it was wrapped in bandages and strange medical tubes.

The old man's eyes—blood-red Sharingan—gazed down at the figure.

Finally, the boy on the bed stirred.

A single red eye fluttered open.

Two black tomoe spun within it.

The boy muttered—

"Did I… die?"

Then, his gaze shifted, finally noticing the white-haired elder.

"Where… am I?"

The elder smirked.

"Between the real world and the afterlife."

"Welcome back, my dear Uchiha."

The boy blinked.

He finally saw the Sharingan in the elder's eyes.

"Are… are you an Uchiha too, old man?"

The elder chuckled.

"If that's what you wish to believe."

A sense of trust settled in the boy's heart.

"Did you save me?"

The elder nodded.

"Your survival is nothing short of fate."

The boy slowly sat up, gritting his teeth.

He couldn't wait.

He needed to go back.

He needed to find her.

Rin.

A smile formed on his face.

But his happiness was about to shatter.

The reality awaiting Uchiha Obito… was far crueler than death itself.

---

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