Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 222: The Mercenary Organization—Kagero

Stepping into this restricted area, Tonari immediately sensed a pair of eyes tracking his movements.

He nodded subtly.

Kakuzu had done well.

Though a money-obsessed miser, the man had undeniable management skills.

While the Kagero Organization was still in its early stages, it was already growing into a formidable force, moving towards becoming a hidden village of its own.

For such an endeavor, strong leadership was crucial—and Kakuzu was an excellent choice.

The fact that Tonari was detected the moment he entered meant the surveillance network was well established.

Whoosh—

A masked ninja with an unmarked forehead protector appeared behind him, pressing a kunai against his neck.

"Who are you?! You dare trespass here?"

The ninja was young, probably a recently promoted Genin.

Tonari narrowed his eyes, amusement flickering across his face.

Instead of answering, he smirked.

The young ninja frowned. Then, without hesitation, he slashed his kunai downward—aiming to kill.

Swift. Decisive.

That was commendable.

However—

Clang!

The kunai struck his neck—but instead of cutting flesh, it hit something hard.

Like wood.

The young ninja's expression changed instantly.

He instinctively leaped backward—but it was already too late.

From the wooden body, several thick vines shot out, entangling him.

"Wood Release: Thorn Bind Technique."

The jutsu generated wooden tendrils, binding the enemy and trapping them inside a wooden cage.

Tonari's real body then emerged from behind a nearby tree, arms crossed, smirking.

"Now," he said calmly, "what exactly is this place? And why did you attack me? Who's in charge here?"

The young ninja glared at him defiantly.

Then—

Without hesitation, he crushed a small scroll in his palm, turning it into powder.

A signaling mechanism.

Tonari allowed it.

He wanted to see how quickly reinforcements would arrive.

Sure enough—

Within seconds, figures began appearing from the trees and shadows.

Ninjas surrounded him from all directions—Genin, Chunin, and even a few Jonin.

All were part of Kagero's growing forces.

Among them were experienced mercenaries and wandering ninja recruits gathered by Kakuzu.

One older Jonin immediately recognized the nature of Tonari's jutsu.

"Wood Release...?!"

His pupils shrank.

The younger ones hadn't realized it yet.

But the veterans knew—

Wood Release was legendary.

The power of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—a force that had once shaped the entire Shinobi world.

Even rumors of someone wielding Wood Release were terrifying.

Many of them had never seen it firsthand—until now.

Originally, a few of the Jonin had been ready to attack—but after seeing Wood Release, they hesitated.

Tonari clicked his tongue.

Too cautious.

That wouldn't do.

His fingers formed a quick sequence of seals.

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

A technique that only Hashirama Senju had been known to use.

Of course—

Tonari was nowhere near that level.

His version was a mere imitation—a small-scale variation.

Instead of a vast forest, he could only create a localized domain of trees.

Still—

The effect was enough.

BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!

The ground shook violently.

Massive tree roots erupted from beneath the soil, stretching upward to ensnare everyone within range.

The once calm surroundings were instantly transformed into a tangled, living forest.

Caught completely off-guard, nearly all the younger ninja were instantly trapped.

Only a handful of Jonin managed to dodge—barely.

The remaining veterans hesitated.

Should they fight back or fall back?

Just then—

A deep, gravelly voice echoed from the shadows.

"Hmph. You call this 'Deep Forest Emergence'? If Hashirama were still alive, he'd die of embarrassment."

The Jonin visibly relaxed.

The younger ninja's faces lit up with relief.

They all recognized that voice.

Kakuzu had arrived.

Tonari grinned.

"Hey, come on," he scoffed. "These trees are big and round! That counts, right?"

With a clap of his hands, the wooden roots vanished, releasing the captured ninja.

From the shadows, Kakuzu emerged—his black cloak billowing slightly.

His green, stitched eyes stared at Tonari intensely.

There was a flicker of something in his gaze—

Not fear.

But wariness.

Despite his mocking words, he had been careful not to step into the jutsu's range.

Tonari noted that.

So even after all these years, Kakuzu still had trauma from his battle with Hashirama.

Interesting.

But he wouldn't say it out loud.

Instead—

He strode forward and wrapped an arm around Kakuzu's shoulder, grinning.

The mercenary leader tensed.

The younger ninja gaped in shock.

They had never seen anyone treat Kakuzu so casually.

He was feared and respected—a man who killed without hesitation.

Yet this stranger had no fear—and Kakuzu wasn't even resisting.

Who the hell was this guy?!

Kakuzu sighed heavily.

"...It's been a long time since someone touched me like this," he muttered.

Tonari chuckled.

"Aww, you missed me, huh?"

The older shinobi shook his head.

"Tch. Don't flatter yourself."

Still, he allowed Tonari to keep his grip.

Eventually, Kakuzu stepped aside, gesturing toward the assembled mercenaries.

"I've told you all before," he announced.

"I'm just the manager here. The real leader of the Kagero Organization has finally arrived."

He turned toward Tonari.

"This is him."

The ninja exchanged uncertain glances.

Then, one by one, they bowed.

"Leader."

Tonari gave a slight nod.

The mercenaries subtly observed him, trying to memorize his face.

Kakuzu clicked his tongue.

"Don't bother trying to remember what he looks like," he told them.

"He never keeps the same face twice."

"If you want to recognize him—remember his presence."

Tonari smirked.

This was how a proper organization operated.

"Alright," he said. "Everyone, back to work."

The ninjas dispersed.

Now alone, Kakuzu and Tonari walked toward the central base.

"So?" Kakuzu asked. "What do you think?"

Tonari stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Not bad," he admitted.

"The recruits are raw, but they'll make a solid foundation."

"Good," Kakuzu nodded.

Then he shot him a glare.

"Now, about this mission. You know how much trouble it is, right?"

Tonari raised an eyebrow.

"You mean the one from Onoki?"

Kakuzu's expression darkened.

"Yes. The Third Tsuchikage wants us to capture his own Jinchuriki, Roshi."

Tonari chuckled.

"A Kage turning on his own Jinchuriki?"

"Now that's interesting."

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