Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 225: Roshi

Tonari and Kakuzu returned to the Kagero Organization's base in Tano Country.

This trip had been quite profitable.

Not only had Tonari secured a legitimate excuse to go after Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, but he had also earned a substantial sum of money—a perfect win-win situation.

Most importantly—

Normally, attacking an Iwagakure Jinchuriki would have severe consequences, potentially triggering a full-scale retaliation from the village.

But now—

With Onoki himself commissioning the job, Tonari had obtained an irrefutable justification.

Tonari turned to Kakuzu with a smirk.

"How was it? Going back to Taki no Kuni. Did it make you feel nostalgic?"

Kakuzu rolled his eyes.

"Taki no Kuni has nothing to do with me anymore. There's no one left I care about."

Tonari chuckled and let the conversation drop.

Instead, he took out a scroll marked with the kanji for "Three", pressing his hand against it.

Poof—!

A human puppet appeared—the Third Kazekage.

Despite his skills, Tonari knew his craftsmanship couldn't compare to Sasori's.

Still, he had his own unique advantages.

Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with interest.

"So, you really managed to refine it? That means the person Hanzo was raging about the other day—was you, wasn't it?"

Tonari smirked but didn't answer.

Kakuzu immediately pieced it together.

"You framed Suna, making it look like they attacked Hanzo. That must've really pissed off Rasa."

Kakuzu gave him a knowing glance.

Tonari didn't confirm or deny it—he simply smiled.

"Anyway," Tonari said, "this puppet still isn't perfect. It's missing something."

Kakuzu raised an eyebrow.

"And what would that be?"

"Your help."

Tonari gestured at the black threads emerging from Kakuzu's arms.

"You've used Earth Grudge Fear to stitch yourself back together countless times. Why not use it to refine this puppet's structure?"

Kakuzu's eye twitched.

"...You're saying my ability is better suited for this than Sasori's craftsmanship?"

Tonari nodded.

"Your Earth Grudge Fear isn't just for stitching wounds—it strengthens the internal framework. Right now, this puppet feels stiff when I control it. But with your help, it'll be far more responsive."

Kakuzu stared at him for a long time.

Then, with a reluctant sigh, he stepped forward.

"Fine."

Thin, writhing black threads slithered out from Kakuzu's body, weaving themselves into the puppet's joints.

They enhanced mobility, strengthened chakra circulation, and reinforced weak points in the puppet's design.

After about half an hour, Kakuzu finally stepped back.

"Done."

Tonari flexed his fingers, activating the puppet.

Its movements were noticeably smoother.

"How is it?" he asked.

Kakuzu snorted.

"This puppet's construction is crude compared to Sasori's work. If the original Third Kazekage had a power level of ten, your version was barely a five or six before my modifications."

He crossed his arms.

"Now? You should be able to bring out at least eighty to ninety percent of its original power."

Tonari grinned.

"Good enough."

Although chakra consumption would increase, that wasn't a problem—Tonari had more than enough chakra to spare.

Meanwhile, in Kawa no Kuni (River Country), deep within the mountain villages—

A wandering monk had recently arrived.

He lived in a small hut built for him by the grateful villagers, offering them protection from bandits and rogue ninja.

Ever since he appeared, crime had disappeared from the region.

The villagers believed it was because of his divine blessings.

Little did they know—

Their guardian monk was actually Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.

He had abandoned Iwagakure, choosing to live in peace instead of fighting in the war.

But today—

Two figures approached the village.

Both cloaked in black, their high collars hiding their faces.

Tonari and Kakuzu.

"According to the intel," Tonari murmured, "he should be here."

Kakuzu nodded.

"This is the place."

The two of them soon reached the mountains behind the village.

There—

A lone figure sat on a cliffside, eyes closed, deep in meditation.

Roshi.

His violet robes flowed in the wind. His long red beard made him look like a fierce monk-warrior.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Then—

Without hesitation—

He clapped his hands together in a prayer stance and declared:

"Forgive me—"

"But I must kill you."

A massive fireball of molten lava erupted between his palms.

Tonari grinned.

"A direct attack, huh?"

His hands blurred through seals.

"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!"

Vines exploded forward, rushing toward Roshi.

At the same time—

Kakuzu's two masks detached, charging forward.

"Water Release: Water Curtain Prison!"

The battle had begun.

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