Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 78: The Most Poisonous is a Woman's Heart

Having barely won his fight against the Cloud ninja with the help of the Two-Tails' power, Tonari couldn't ignore the fact that whoever had abducted Kushina would likely be even stronger.

Propping himself up on shaky legs, he gritted his teeth. While his wounds were healing, the pain lingered, sharp and unrelenting.

"Can Minato handle this?" Tonari wondered to himself.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, he dismissed it.

He had barely managed to defeat his opponent through a mix of desperation, strategy, and borrowed power. Minato, talented as he was, hadn't yet mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. Talent alone wasn't enough in a life-or-death battle against experienced foes.

Tonari weighed his options. Should he return to the village and focus on recovering? That would ensure his safety and avoid becoming a liability to Minato. Or should he chase after him, knowing that Kushina and Minato might both need his help?

Caught between the two, he clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him.

"Dammit..."

After a long pause, he let out a weary sigh.

"Looks like I'm already playing into the Third's hands. As much as Danzo schemes to control the Tailed Beasts, he's got nothing on Hiruzen Sarutobi when it comes to manipulation.

The so-called 'Will of Fire'—it's the most potent genjutsu in the entire ninja world. Even compared to Kotoamatsukami, it's terrifying. One works on a single target, but the other influences an entire village."

Tonari's lips curled into a bitter smile.

"Even I've been caught in it without realizing it. The bonds, the responsibility—this village knows how to tie people down with invisible chains. And now, here I am, chasing after my so-called 'comrades.'"

Despite his grumbling, Tonari couldn't shake the guilt of leaving Minato and Kushina to fend for themselves.

Shaking off the thought, Tonari quickly dug a shallow grave for the defeated Cloud ninja. He placed a summoning scroll marker nearby and left one of his snakes to guard the site.

"For now, I'll hide this mess. I'll come back to loot the body later—can't let anything useful go to waste. Besides, this corpse will be a useful bargaining chip against the Cloud Village."

With that settled, he leapt into the trees, sprinting toward the direction Minato had gone.

Inside the Hidden Leaf Village

Tonari's shadow clone reached the Hokage's office, only to be informed that Hiruzen Sarutobi was in the central conference hall.

The Third Hokage and his advisors were engaged in critical negotiations with the Cloud delegation, represented by Dodai, to solidify their alliance.

Hearing this, Tonari realized that the Cloud ninja had meticulously planned everything.

Their delegates were keeping Hiruzen and his inner circle occupied, ensuring they couldn't intervene in the village's day-to-day operations. At the same time, Danzo likely had his hand in this, working behind the scenes to allow the abduction to proceed without interference.

Tonari's clone adjusted course, heading toward the Leaf Hospital instead.

"If the Hokage can't be reached, Tsunade should still be available. And if anyone can crash that meeting, it's her."

In the Forest

Nightfall shrouded the woods as Yoruichi's partner, Yoruji, escorted Kushina toward the Fire Country's border.

Kushina, pale and exhausted, stumbled along as her captors forced her to keep moving. Though her energy was almost depleted, she clung to the faint hope of rescue.

Subtly, she plucked strands of her vibrant red hair, letting them fall behind her as a trail.

"Not much farther," Yoruji said, slowing his pace slightly.

"Let's rest here for a moment," Yoruichi ordered, his tone cold and commanding. "We're close to the border, but we can't afford to be careless. The Hidden Leaf might have something waiting for us at the edge of their territory."

Yoruji nodded, grateful for the reprieve. Traveling at such high speed had drained even him.

Kushina, too exhausted to celebrate the pause, collapsed against a tree. As her vision blurred, she thought she saw a flicker of gold and blue moving in the shadows.

"Minato… Tonari..." she whispered weakly, hope flickering in her heart.

Her vision sharpened briefly, and she saw two figures approaching.

One was Minato, his golden hair gleaming even in the dim light. Behind him was another figure, moving with a predatory grace, his face partially obscured by shadows.

"Someone's coming!" Yoruichi barked, snapping his partner to attention.

Yoruji immediately took a defensive stance, his eyes scanning the forest. The faint sound of rustling leaves reached his ears, and a shadowed figure darted between the trees before coming to a stop nearby.

"It's that brat from the exams!" Yoruichi growled as Tonari stepped into view.

"Finally caught up," Tonari muttered, catching his breath. His gaze swept over Yoruichi, Yoruji, and Kushina, quickly assessing the situation.

Before the Cloud ninjas could react further, Minato launched three kunai, their trajectories seemingly direct and unthreatening.

"Hah! Is that all?" Yoruji sneered, sidestepping the projectiles with ease.

"Be careful!" Yoruichi warned, his voice sharp with urgency.

Too late.

One of the kunai transformed mid-air with a puff of smoke, revealing Tonari's figure.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Venomous serpents erupted from Tonari's sleeves, lashing out at Yoruji. The snakes coiled around him with lightning speed, their fangs sinking into his flesh.

"Argh—!" Yoruji's cry of pain was cut short as his body began to convulse.

"Damn it!" Yoruichi swiftly slashed through the snakes, severing their heads, but the damage was done.

Yoruji's face turned purple as venom coursed through his veins. His body twitched violently before collapsing from the tree, lifeless.

Tonari smirked, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Orochimaru's snake venom never disappoints. Truly, the deadliest poison comes from a woman's heart."

He neglected to mention that the venom was one he had developed alongside Tsunade—a blend of their combined expertise in toxicology.

Now, only Yoruichi remained.

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