Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 98: The Taki Ninja

Having eliminated the Taki ninja captain, Tonari realized something crucial: the importance of a skilled reconnaissance ninja in any team. Often, in battles between evenly matched forces, the side that gains the upper hand through superior information and preparation usually prevails.

The Taki ninjas were far from weak. Their captain, at least, was undoubtedly a competent mid-tier Chunin, if not stronger, while his two subordinates weren't far behind. This encounter had only emphasized the significance of preparation and intelligence in battle.

"Whew—thank goodness for shadow clones," Tonari muttered, patting his chest with an exaggeratedly relieved expression. "If that wind-style Vacuum Sphere had hit me directly, I'd be in a world of pain."

The small Nibi perched on his shoulder regarded him with undisguised disdain.

The two-tailed beast had grown accustomed to Tonari's cautious approach, but it still couldn't help feeling exasperated at how he seemed to avoid tapping into its power—even when doing so would make things considerably easier.

"You're stronger than this," Nibi hissed. "If you borrowed just a fraction of my power, those three would've been no challenge. Instead, you rely on shadow clones and elaborate setups."

Tonari smiled, unperturbed by its criticism. "Tell me, does my reasoning really have flaws? Look, ninja battles aren't just about brute strength. One small mistake can be fatal. On paper, the Taki ninja captain and I were evenly matched. The only reason I won was that I prepared traps beforehand."

Tonari gestured at the empty forest. "And that shadow clone? It served its purpose perfectly, gathering valuable intel while protecting my real body from harm. Why take unnecessary risks?"

He grinned, clearly enjoying his own reasoning. "As a ninja, especially when facing stronger or evenly matched foes, information is everything. Proper planning allows us to outwit even superior opponents. Take Nara Shikamaru, for example—he defeated Hidan, an immortal Akatsuki member, because he understood his enemy's techniques and used clever strategies."

Nibi rolled its eyes, clearly unimpressed. "You're the only ninja I know who can make cowardice sound like wisdom. And why did you have to hide inside a snake? That's disgusting!"

Tonari chuckled, brushing off its complaints. "It worked, didn't it? No one expects an ambush from a snake."

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A Swift Resolution

Satisfied with his victory, Tonari turned his attention to his teammates. He leaped onto a nearby tree branch and swiftly made his way toward their location.

When he arrived, he saw that Yoshinari and Yoshino had already cornered their opponent. Yoshinari's Sharingan allowed him to anticipate the enemy's every move, while Yoshino's shadow techniques kept the Taki ninja pinned and restricted. Adding to the pressure was Tonari's shadow clone, which hurled precise ninjutsu attacks from the rear. Together, they had the Taki ninja in a hopeless position.

Tonari observed the scene briefly before slipping silently into the ground. Moments later, a pair of hands shot up, grabbing the enemy ninja's ankle and dragging him into the earth.

"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!"

Caught off guard, the Taki ninja was buried up to his neck, unable to move.

With the enemy incapacitated, Tonari's shadow clone dispersed in a puff of smoke.

"You know," Yoshinari said, his tone dripping with sarcasm, "we could've handled him without your help."

Tonari smirked, brushing dirt off his hands. "Oh, I'm sure you could have, my brilliant Uchiha friend. But we're on a mission, and efficiency is key. The faster we finish, the better."

Yoshinari grumbled but didn't press the issue. Meanwhile, Yoshino's cheeks flushed slightly at Tonari's compliment, her expression softening.

Tonari understood his teammates well by now. Yoshinari, like many Uchiha, had a proud and competitive streak. Praise and acknowledgment went a long way in smoothing over any tension. Yoshino, on the other hand, was naturally reserved and eager to prove herself.

"Now," Tonari said, turning to the captive Taki ninja. "Let's have a little chat. Who sent you to attack us? Was it Iwagakure?"

The Taki ninja glared at him defiantly, refusing to speak.

Tonari sighed dramatically, then addressed Yoshinari. "Open his skull and pour some mercury in. Let's see if he can survive that."

"What?!" The Taki ninja's eyes widened in panic.

Yoshinari didn't miss a beat, flipping a kunai into his hand. He crouched beside the ninja, ready to act.

"Wait! Wait!" the Taki ninja cried out, his earlier resolve crumbling. "I'll talk! Don't do it!"

Tonari folded his arms, his expression neutral. "Go on, then. Start talking."

"We were hired," the Taki ninja confessed. "Our orders were to intercept this convoy and take its goods. That's all I know. We didn't care who was guarding it—we just needed to complete the mission."

Tonari exchanged a glance with Yoshinari, who nodded subtly. From the ninja's tone and body language, it seemed he was telling the truth—or at least most of it.

"Who hired you?" Tonari pressed.

The Taki ninja hesitated but eventually relented. "We were hired anonymously. Payment was delivered in advance, so we don't know the client's identity."

Tonari narrowed his eyes, pondering the implications. "An anonymous client targeting a convoy heading toward Kusagakure? Interesting."

He turned back to his teammates. "Looks like we'll need to report this to Lady Tsunade. Something bigger might be brewing between Taki and Iwa."

Yoshinari frowned. "You think this is connected to Iwagakure?"

"Possibly," Tonari replied. "Let's not jump to conclusions, but we can't ignore the possibility. Either way, we need to stay on guard."

With that, the team regrouped and resumed their mission, their captive securely bound. The road ahead seemed far more treacherous than any of them had anticipated.

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(Chapter End)

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