Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 76: Going All Out

"Come out!" Tonari shouted into the dark forest.

The sun had already set, and the dim light in the forest cast long shadows.

Despite the darkness, he could feel the danger looming nearby—or rather, it wasn't his own senses but the Two-Tails giving him a warning.

"Are all Cloud shinobi this cowardly?" Tonari taunted, hoping to provoke a response.

"Hm? Kid, how did you know I was here?"

A deep, unfamiliar voice echoed through the woods.

"Hah, you're here, targeting me. If it's not the Cloud Village, who else would it be? If you've already spoken, why not show yourself? In my impression, Cloud shinobi aren't this timid," Tonari continued to provoke the hidden foe.

He was at a disadvantage, standing in the open while the enemy lurked in the shadows. He didn't know their numbers or exact location, so rushing in recklessly would be a bad idea.

The wind rustled through the trees, making the forest sound like a vast, whispering ocean.

After a brief silence, the voice spoke again. "I've been in front of you this whole time… Is your eyesight bad, kid?"

Tonari squinted. Finally, in the shadows where the moonlight couldn't reach, he noticed a pair of bright, white eyes and the glint of teeth.

"..."

So, Cloud shinobi had a natural advantage in nighttime ambushes, huh?

But that wasn't the main issue. Tonari steadied himself and responded in a serious tone. "So, it was you who abducted Kushina? Now you're targeting me as well? Aren't you afraid of Konoha's retaliation?"

"Hah, you're sharper than I expected. The potential both of you possess is worth the risk," the voice said, a hint of excitement in the tone.

The figure emerged from the shadows, drawing a short blade from his side. His demeanor shifted, exuding a cold, menacing energy.

Seeing the drawn weapon and the man's change in aura, Tonari's expression turned grave.

"This isn't a regular shinobi… Could he be a jonin?" Tonari asked, almost to himself.

If the enemy was truly a jonin, he might not even have the chance to fight back—unless he let the Two-Tails take over completely.

Jonin were high-level operatives in any village. Even in the Five Great Shinobi Nations, they were rare and valuable assets.

Despite his earlier impressive performance, Tonari knew that not even most chunin could stand against a jonin. And he wasn't even a chunin yet.

The Cloud ninja, whose name was Yoruichi, noticed Tonari's hesitation and smirked. "Oh? You're sharper than I thought, but smarts alone won't save you."

He stepped off the tree he was perched on, the movement so swift that the branch splintered and fell.

Tonari's pupils shrank as his heart raced. The speed was beyond anything he had encountered before.

"I can still see him. I still have a chance!"

If the opponent was as fast as Orochimaru or Tsunade—so fast he couldn't even perceive their movements—he might as well surrender. But as long as he could see, he could fight.

Gripping his short blade tightly in his right hand, Tonari steadied his left hand to support his wrist.

A sharp metallic clang echoed through the forest, followed by sparks that lit up the dark woods.

Tonari managed to block the attack, but the sheer force of the blow sent him hurtling down from the tree, his back slamming against another trunk before he came to a halt.

"Not bad," Yoruichi remarked, clearly not upset that Tonari had blocked his strike.

It was precisely because Tonari was so capable that Yoruichi was determined to kill him. A prodigy like this was a threat that couldn't be allowed to grow.

"Today, I'll put an end to you, even if it costs me my life," Yoruichi thought, his resolve firm.

Tonari's arm trembled from the force of the clash, and his grip on the blade felt weak. The weapon, once light and maneuverable, now felt like a lead weight.

"He's strong!"

Instinctively, Tonari considered running.

But reason prevailed. Turning his back to someone this strong would only hasten his death.

He couldn't unleash the Two-Tails' power now, either. If Yoruichi escaped or relayed any information, it would spell disaster.

No, he needed to wait for the right moment—to unleash everything in a decisive, all-or-nothing attack.

Tonari shifted his stance, readying himself.

The night grew quieter. The eerie calls of forest owls echoed through the trees.

Suddenly, a gleam of light sliced through the shadows—a blade aimed directly at Tonari.

Clang!

Tonari blocked the strike again, but his arms trembled under the force. Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth as he gritted his teeth.

"Still standing? Impressive," Yoruichi remarked, a mix of admiration and disdain in his voice.

But Tonari could feel his body breaking down. His arms were numb, and his hands were slick with blood. He wouldn't last much longer.

His eyes narrowed. If this kept up, he'd lose.

He had to gamble.

"Now or never!" Tonari thought, summoning every ounce of resolve.

Yoruichi sensed the shift in Tonari's aura and instinctively prepared himself.

With a sudden burst of movement, Tonari switched the blade to his left hand, using his injured right hand to press against Yoruichi's weapon.

"Clang!"

The sound of steel meeting bone echoed through the forest.

Blood spattered the ground as Tonari's right hand was impaled by the enemy's blade.

But Tonari's expression didn't waver. His eyes burned with determination.

If he had to lose a hand to win, so be it.

The gamble had begun.

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