Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 213: True Strength

A sharp blade fragment spun rapidly through the air before embedding itself into the ground, half-buried in the dirt.

Nearby, crimson blood stained the grass, pooling around a severed head with lifeless, bewildered eyes.

Even in death, the fallen Kumo jōnin couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Just a moment ago, they had successfully surrounded Tonari.

His partner had even landed a strike, forcing Tonari into a disadvantaged stance.

This was their chance—

Even if they failed to kill him outright, they could have exposed more weaknesses, giving them the upper hand in the battle.

If they kept pressuring him, he should have been defeated.

So why...

Why had it ended like this?

Victory had been right in front of them.

They had executed their plan perfectly.

What happened in that final moment?

Indeed, their plan had successfully pushed Tonari into a dangerous position.

But what this Kumo jōnin had overlooked was—

Those tiny, seemingly insignificant notches that Tonari had carved into his twin blades at the very start of their fight.

Or rather—

He had noticed, but what could he do about it?

The damage was already done.

He had simply underestimated those tiny imperfections.

Yes, he had felt a pang of regret when his blades were nicked—

But he had assumed they could still withstand Tonari's attacks.

Even if the opponent's blade was sharp, it had only left small notches—surely, they wouldn't compromise his swords' integrity?

That was his fatal mistake.

In the blink of an eye, Tonari exploited those weak points.

Using his forward momentum, combined with Chakra-enhanced strength, he unleashed a strike faster and more powerful than anything his enemies had anticipated.

His blade collided with the damaged portion of the Kumo ninja's weapon—

And shattered it instantly.

The shockwave from the impact staggered his remaining opponent.

By the time the jōnin realized what had happened—

His head had already been separated from his body.

---

The last remaining Kumo jōnin stood frozen in shock.

He had not expected his comrade to fall so quickly.

They had sparred countless times—

They were evenly matched in skill.

And yet—

His partner had been cut down in an instant.

It wasn't just the speed of Tonari's attack—

It was the sheer precision.

This wasn't just a skilled swordsman.

This was a true predator.

A killer who had honed his craft to perfection.

A thought crept into his mind—

"I was told this guy was a lightning-style user... Not a swordmaster."

"But his blade techniques are…"

"Unreal."

He recalled what A (the Third Raikage's son) had warned them about—

"Watch out for his ninjutsu. His blade skills aren't his strong suit."

But clearly, that information was dead wrong.

---

Tonari could sense his remaining enemy's hesitation.

And hesitation was deadly in battle.

His heart pounded with excitement.

His entire body felt like it was in perfect harmony—

Every movement sharp, efficient, flawless.

This was the feeling he had been chasing.

The rush of being in total control.

He kicked off the ground—

A blur of lightning surging forward.

The last Kumo jōnin braced himself, assuming a defensive stance.

His long blade gave him an advantage in range—

Tonari would have to enter his attack radius to strike.

And once he did—

"I'll cut him down."

But—

"Too slow."

Tonari's figure vanished.

The jōnin's eyes darted around, tracking his movement.

Then—

CLANG!

The forest momentarily lit up as sparks flew from their clashing blades.

Tonari smirked.

"He's trying to defend instead of attack?"

"Pathetic."

A swordsman who only defends is a dead man walking.

No one could block forever.

Even the best defenses had openings.

And if an opponent refused to create one—

Tonari would force it himself.

---

His blade danced in a brilliant arc, aiming upward.

The jōnin parried—but that was a mistake.

His long sword had length, but now—

It had lost its reach advantage.

Tonari's eyes gleamed.

He angled his blade along the enemy's sword edge, sliding it toward his hand.

The Kumo ninja's eyes widened.

"Shit—"

Too late.

A loud screech echoed as metal ground against metal.

His opponent's grip weakened—

And that was all Tonari needed.

The next slash was unstoppable.

CRACK!

The enemy's blade split in half—

Followed by the sound of tearing flesh.

A clean cut.

The jōnin's body remained upright for a moment—

Then collapsed lifelessly into the dirt.

---

Tonari exhaled slowly, his heartbeat finally calming.

His fingers brushed over his sheath, sliding his blade back into place.

"No Sage Mode."

"No Eight Gates."

"No Two-Tails transformation."

"Just swordsmanship and chakra control."

"And I still took down two jōnin in seconds."

His confidence swelled.

If he had used his other abilities, the battle would have been over immediately.

But—

When he saw that his opponents used swords—

He chose not to.

He wanted to see how far his raw skills could take him.

And he was not disappointed.

"So this is where I stand now…"

"This… feels good."

Satisfied, he began searching the corpses for useful intel.

---

Just as he finished, Minato suddenly appeared beside him.

"!!!"

Tonari instinctively flinched, gripping his blade.

Then he glared at Minato.

"Next time, don't teleport right next to me."

"I might cut you on reflex."

Minato blinked.

Then took a few steps back.

"Uh… got it."

Tonari grinned mischievously.

"Also, never teleport near me while I'm sleeping."

"I tend to kill people in my dreams."

Minato laughed nervously.

"Hah… ha… noted."

Then, more seriously—

"You good?"

Tonari held up sealed scrolls.

"Yeah. Got their bodies for later."

Minato frowned.

"Do I even want to know what you plan to do with them?"

Tonari smirked.

"Nope."

Minato sighed.

"…Just try not to get carried away."

Tonari shrugged.

"No promises."

Then he grinned.

"Ready to turn Lightning Country inside out?"

Minato's blue eyes gleamed.

"Hell yes."

And with that—

They vanished into the night.

---

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