Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 97: The Serpent

As the kunai neared her, Nara Yoshino held her ground, channeling her fear into resolve as she executed her clan's secret technique: Shadow Imitation Jutsu.

The shadow connecting her and the enemy ninja extended and linked them under the tree's shade. The Taki-nin in front of her froze, his expression contorted with disbelief.

Blood spurted from his neck, warm and vivid, staining Yoshino's clothing.

"Who's there?!"

The Taki-nin team leader bellowed angrily. His gaze swept toward where one of his comrades had fallen, lifeless.

Despite being locked in combat with Tonari's shadow clone, he couldn't hide his frustration. He was the squad's captain, boasting a sharp sensory ability. He had detected only three chakra signatures before the ambush, which was why he had confidently split the battle plan. Yet, a flash of white light had eliminated one of his teammates in an instant, leaving him incensed.

Tonari landed lightly next to Yoshino, his short blade spinning deftly in his hand.

"Yoshino, go assist Yoshinari. I'll handle things here."

Though shaken, Yoshino didn't hesitate. "Understood!" she replied, darting off toward Yoshinari's position.

The Taki-nin leader growled as he batted away Tonari's shadow clone with a powerful strike, finally getting a good look at the person responsible for his teammate's death.

"A shadow clone?" He scowled.

Tonari flashed a grin, his pearly-white teeth gleaming as he made a mocking gesture with his hand, daring the leader to attack.

The Taki-nin captain's face darkened. Losing one teammate was already a setback; now his target had the audacity to taunt him. His rage flared hotter, fueled by the humiliation. Without hesitation, he chased after Tonari, who darted into the depths of the forest.

The shadow clone, meanwhile, altered its path, heading toward Yoshinari.

The captain's expression grew uglier. "Underestimating me, are you?" he muttered.

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Tonari led the captain deeper into the woods, his mind racing. The enemy's growing anger was precisely what he wanted. A ninja blinded by rage was far easier to deal with.

After about a minute of pursuit, Tonari abruptly stopped. The Taki-nin captain halted as well, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings for traps.

Tonari didn't waste time. His hands moved through a series of seals with practiced ease.

"Cat Ninja Technique: Fire Rat Sphere!"

Opening his mouth slightly, Tonari spat out a blue fireball shaped like a scurrying rodent. The flames blazed brightly as they shot toward the Taki-nin captain.

The captain, now confident there were no traps, smirked.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

A barrier of water materialized in front of him, halting the fireball's advance. Tonari followed closely behind his attack, charging at the captain with his blade ready.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"

The Taki-nin unleashed a volley of wind projectiles, sharp as blades, directly at Tonari. The spinning wind blades cut through the forest, reducing branches and tree trunks to shreds.

"Let's see how you handle this, brat!" the captain sneered, confident that his technique would force Tonari into a defensive position.

Yet, Tonari merely shouted a single word:

"Unite!"

The scattered embers left by the fireball in the air and on the ground suddenly coalesced. The flames reignited and surged forward with renewed intensity, streaking toward the captain's face.

"What?!" The captain's eyes widened as the fire closed in.

He abandoned his previous attack, pulling out two kunai to deflect the blazing embers. However, there were too many to counter. Small bursts of fire struck his body, erupting into tiny but intense explosions upon contact.

The Taki-nin gritted his teeth, enduring the searing pain. Though the flames weren't immediately lethal, they disrupted his focus. Desperation turned his attention back to Tonari, who was now directly in the path of his wind blades.

"Got you!" he roared.

But as the projectiles struck, Tonari's form dissipated into a puff of smoke.

"A shadow clone?! Again?!" The captain's blood ran cold. His mind raced, piecing together the realization: he had been fighting clones all along.

Suddenly, a sharp, chilling sensation traveled up his leg. His body froze, and he glanced down to see a small, thin snake slithering away from his ankle.

Panic gripped him. He struggled to move, but his body felt heavy and sluggish. His vision blurred, and his heart pounded irregularly.

Within moments, he collapsed to the ground, his body twitching uncontrollably. His face turned pale, his lips blue, and his breathing labored. Poison had spread rapidly through his system, leaving him helpless.

From the shadows, a larger snake emerged. Its mouth stretched impossibly wide, revealing a human figure stepping out of its maw.

It was Tonari.

"You never even noticed, did you?" Tonari muttered, brushing dirt from his shoulder. "The snake I summoned earlier has a special venom. Paralysis, followed by asphyxiation... quick and efficient."

He stepped closer to the fallen captain, inspecting him with a critical eye. "Impressive chakra reserves, but you let your anger blind you. What a waste."

The forest fell silent. After ensuring the captain was no longer a threat, Tonari straightened and sheathed his blade.

"These snake techniques are gross," he muttered under his breath. "But man, are they effective."

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(Chapter End)

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