Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 219: Change of Leadership

Hearing Tonari's slightly mocking tone, Uchiha Madara did not show any anger.

After all, Tonari was merely stating the truth—and he made a fair point.

If Tonari had simply agreed immediately to join Madara's plan, it would have been suspicious.

That would have either meant he was lying or had his own agenda—

Which would have made Madara less likely to trust him.

"I have looked into your past," Madara began.

"Before becoming the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, you were nothing more than a discarded tool of Konoha's Root Division.

Left to rot at the borders of the Land of Lightning.

No one paid attention to you.

You were nothing more than a spy—sent to gather intelligence until the day you inevitably died.

You were merely an expendable pawn."

Tonari remained silent.

Madara's words—

Were not wrong.

"Though you were young at the time, you had been trained and conditioned by the Root.

They did not break you—

Which means you had something special inside you.

Perhaps that is why—

You were able to withstand the power of the Two-Tails."

Madara's voice was steady, calculating.

"In Konoha, you could only survive by proving your worth.

By demonstrating your loyalty and your potential.

Between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, you played both sides.

Gaining favor—

While never fully committing to either."

Madara's Sharingan gleamed.

"You were their perfect Jinchūriki.

Both Hiruzen and Danzo needed you.

Thus, you survived.

Under Sarutobi's arrangements, you became Orochimaru's apprentice.

You also forged a close bond with Senju Tsunade.

And from her, you secretly learned Medical Ninjutsu."

Madara continued—

"With the Third Shinobi War approaching—

You finally stepped into the light.

Your reputation began to spread across the ninja world.

Had Black Zetsu not noticed you, you might have become a hero of Konoha.

Perhaps even—

A future Hokage.

You could have lived a peaceful life."

Madara finished his assessment with a smirk.

"This—

Was your path under the sunlight."

Tonari exhaled slowly.

"That… sounds like a perfect reason for me to stay in Konoha."

"If my future is so bright, why would I join your plan?"

"You yourself admitted—"

"You are old. You won't live much longer."

Madara laughed softly.

If Tonari's past had been as clean as it appeared—

He might indeed have been Konoha's future.

"That would be true—"

"If you were truly loyal to Konoha."

Madara's gaze sharpened.

"You have hidden yourself well.

Even Hiruzen and Danzo have not discovered it.

But…

You cannot hide from me.

Or from Black Zetsu."

Tonari's muscles tensed.

"Because—"

"You carry the DNA of Senju Hashirama."

Tonari's breath hitched.

His pupils contracted.

—He had been exposed.

Black Zetsu…

That damn thing had noticed.

Madara's clothing tore apart—

Revealing his bare chest.

And embedded on his torso—

Was the grotesque face of Senju Hashirama.

Tonari felt his stomach churn.

A living face, sleeping within Madara's flesh—

It was unnatural.

Horrifying.

"As someone who has completely merged with Hashirama's cells—"

"I can immediately sense their presence in others."

Madara stated this casually, as if discussing the weather.

Tonari clenched his fists.

—There was no denying it.

Madara had discovered his secret.

Madara continued—

"You should know—

To truly fuse with Hashirama's cells, you must merge Indra's and Asura's chakra.

Only then will you achieve the power of the Sage of Six Paths.

And when an Uchiha reaches that stage—

Their Sharingan will evolve into the Rinnegan."

Tonari said nothing.

Madara smirked.

"You are a collector.

You seek jutsu, kekkei genkai, and even Tailed Beast chakra."

"But Konoha will never give you everything."

"I, on the other hand—"

"I can."

Madara's Sharingan spun.

"If you join me—"

"I will teach you how to perfectly merge Hashirama's cells into your body."

"I will give you access to forbidden knowledge that Konoha hides from you."

"I will show you the true power that lies beyond."

Tonari's heart raced.

Madara's offer—

Was tempting.

Very tempting.

But—

Was it worth the risk?

A partnership with Madara wasn't real.

At best, Tonari would be a pawn.

A disposable piece in Madara's grand plan.

And if even Obito, a Mangekyō wielder, had been manipulated by Madara…

What chance did he have?

Yet—

Refusing outright might lead to battle.

Tonari weighed his options.

After a long pause, he spoke:

"…What do you need me to do?"

Madara's smirk widened.

—He had won.

"This will be simple. You will not need to do much."

…

…

By the time Madara and Black Zetsu left, Tonari was left alone.

Madara had vanished into the sea, riding atop the Three-Tails.

Watching them go, Tonari clenched his fist.

In his palm—

A small sphere of Three-Tails' chakra flickered.

Madara had given it to him—

As a token of trust.

Along with a scroll containing partial knowledge on how to safely merge Hashirama's cells.

The complete method?

Madara promised to share it next time.

—If they ever met again.

Tonari scoffed.

"Next time?"

Would there even be a next time?

Madara wouldn't live forever.

And in a few years—

He would die for real.

Long before he could fulfill his plans.

Until then—

Tonari would bide his time.

And use what he had gained.

…

Meanwhile—

Back at the Konoha camp in the Land of Hot Water.

Minato had just arrived.

But instead of a battle—

He found no fighting had occurred.

With relief, he rushed into Jiraiya's tent.

"Jiraiya-sensei, what's happening? Where's Tonari?"

Jiraiya's face was grim.

Before he could respond—

A new voice cut in.

"You are not allowed to leave."

Minato froze.

Danzo Shimura—

Had just entered the tent.

Behind him—

A group of ANBU from the Root Division stood silently.

Danzo raised a scroll—

Sealed with the Fire Daimyo's authority.

As he unfurled it—

He declared:

"From this moment forward—"

"I am in command of this army."

"The Third Hokage's orders."

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