Naruto: Paws and Whiskers

Having given his orders, Hiashi left with **swoosh**.

Rescuing people is like putting out a fire.

Kami knows if the Branch members were injured under such a rough rescue method, there's also Kiri shinobi who might wake up soon...'Cannot allow that to happen.'

Everyone's mood was a bit conflicted, especially the four survivors who were in the same team as Hyuga Masashi and two Branch members, but upon careful thought they accepted this as a win, if Takeshi hadn't arrived, those two would have been more than just knocked away, they might have even caused the four of them to die here.

So...

One of the survivors, a young man with a hesitant but sincere voice, stepped forward. He bowed deeply, his companions mirroring his action. "Thank you for saving us," he said with genuine gratitude. "If it weren't for you, we might have all perished."

The weight of such a profound act of kindness hung in the air. They weren't ungrateful fools. They understood the magnitude of being spared from death. But repaying such a debt immediately felt impossible, so they simply remember the favor in their hearts and will think of ways to repay Takeshi or the Nohara Family after returning to Konohagakure.

"Meow~ It's nothing," Takeshi purred, his tail swishing with deliberate slowness. "I'm very good friends with Hizashi-senpai, you know." He paused dramatically, chest puffed out. "In fact, just last month, he personally thanked me for my invaluable advice on a mission. We're practically brothers-in-arms. We're all on the same side, aren't we?"

He strutted in a small circle before them, one paw raised as if lecturing to students. "The Hyuga clan is fortunate to have allies like me. Perhaps you could mention to Hizashi-senpai how I saved his precious Branch members when you see him? Just a casual mention, nothing formal."

Takeshi, basking in the warmth of their gratitude, waved a dismissive paw, amplifying his usual air of casual seniority.

The Branch House people were silent for a few seconds.

'This cat...' one thought, sharing a weary look with his comrade. 'He's name-dropping Hizashi-sama like they're drinking buddies. I've never even heard Hizashi-sama mention this cat.'

'So humble,' another sarcastically thought, rolling his eyes. 'Next he'll be claiming he taught the First Hokage how to use Wood Style. Forget it. Just ignore him before he starts asking for a written testimonial.'

The third Branch member suppressed a groan as Takeshi began grooming himself with exaggerated care, making sure they all noticed how impeccably clean his fur was despite the recent battle.

Apart from the four Branch house members, the others secretly complained in their hearts, then they moved slightly further away, lifting Masashi and Ao, planning to walk toward the Camp.

Takeshi noticed his Points had increased by more than 500 in just a short while—not substantial, but still the sincere gratitude from the Hyuga clan members was deeply gratifying.

Now a dilemma presented itself: should he follow them or return to Tsunade's side to report the situation? Going with the Hyuga clan might earn him more Points, but considering Tsunade's temperament... 'Can't afford to provoke her, but the points...' shaking his head, he started walking towards camp, 'Really cannot afford to provoke her since she now knows I am more durable.'

It was unexpected that a simple stroll would lead to this. The information about the Kiri shinobi and the Hozuki Clan was critical. It would be best to immediately return to Camp and report to Tsunade.

If he lingered here too long, he might face Tsunade's merciless fist upon return. Takeshi stretched his body and addressed the four ahead. "Meow~ I'm returning to Tsunade-sama's side first. This news needs to be reported. Ao, keep an eye on him and don't let him escape."

"Tsunade-sama?"

"Tsunade-sama has returned. She's now our commander," Takeshi explained. "Unfortunately, Masashi's injuries were too severe. He didn't survive long enough to be taken for treatment..."

The Branch members sighed, though clearly they weren't deeply saddened by Masashi's death. Instead, they grew tense at the consequence of Masashi's carelessness. The harsh treatment from Main house to Branch house would be quite severe. 'Hopefully Hiashi-sama wouldn't let us die...'

These political tensions meant nothing to Takeshi; he was merely a bystander collecting Points. If he didn't need to deliver the news to Tsunade urgently, he would certainly have explored the Hyuga Clan's Camp further.

A pity, really.

'I could've made new friends.' Takeshi waved his paw, then quickly darted into the forest and ran towards the Uchiha Camp.

Masashi hadn't survived. Had he lived for couple more minutes when Hyuga reinforcements came, Takeshi might have used Flying Thunder God to transport him to Tsunade for emergency treatment. Though Tsunade feared blood, she could have guided others in treatment or performed it with her eyes covered... But nothing could be done now.

Based on the earlier situation, if Takeshi hadn't acted to scatter that Hozuki ninja, Masashi would likely have been captured already. His Byakugan would have been harvested by the Kiri shinobi sooner. Along with torture to extract any valuable information from him, likely Hyuga secret techniques.

Takeshi ran a short distance, then used *Flying Thunder God* to send a twig back. Rin immediately understood and summoned him with her *Summoning Jutsu*.

"Eh..."

"It was Summoning Jutsu, right? Rin Nohara's summon? What exactly happened before?" Other Branch members started asking the 4 survivors.

"Takeshi's strength is really impressive..."

The four who had witnessed the battle began recounting the events. Such combat experiences were rare topics of conversation on the front lines as they knew how difficult it was to survive against Kiri squads with Hozuki ninjas on water, and everyone was curious about the black cat.

As they carried their injured comrades and explained the details, the others' expressions shifted to disbelief. Though Takeshi sounded formidable, it still seemed strange to them—a cat with such power? 

Although cats mature faster than humans, with a year-old cat roughly equivalent to an adult, this level of strength seemed exaggerated.

--

Meanwhile, Takeshi was summoned directly to the Uchiha Camp.

"Takeshi, are you injured? Let me heal you..." Rin, ever the medic-nin, immediately detected the strong scent of blood when Takeshi appeared.

'He experienced a battle!' Kakashi couldn't help but envy the cat. Going out meant action, far better than being trapped with boredom in camp. Unfortunately, given his special situation, he knew it was impossible for him to leave for a while.

Obito felt the same way. Though surrounded by his clansmen, he'd already offended them by withholding information about Takeshi. Now, none of them looked at him kindly. Staying here was truly like sitting on pins and needles, as he was back to being an outcast.

Takeshi shook his head. "No need. I want to see Tsunade-sensei, meow."

Following the scent, he located Tsunade's tent with Rin and the others hurrying after him. Soon, the three people and one cat entered Tsunade's tent together.

As they lifted the tent flap—

"Lost again, damn it!" 

Tsunade punched the ground. Hearing their approach, she hurriedly tried to hide her gambling paraphernalia, but upon seeing it was just Takeshi, Rin, and the others, she carelessly tossed the dice back onto the ground.

She glanced at Takeshi, then frowned slightly. "Stay there. Speak from further away."

The scent of blood was detectable even from several steps away.

Takeshi glanced down at his body, tucked his tail behind him, and squatted down with a discontented expression. "Meow~ I fought a battle without rest and came back to deliver intelligence, and this is the treatment I get?"

"Alright, alright, whatever you want. Just tell me what the intelligence is."

Tsunade understood immediately that this matter was significant. Otherwise, knowing this black cat's personality, he wouldn't have returned so quickly.

The black cat nodded slightly. "Meow~ I went out on patrol and discovered Kiri shinobi disguised as Uchiha heading toward the Hyuga side. I followed them, and then..."

Takeshi explained everything from beginning to end.

Tsunade appeared nonchalant at first, but within seconds her expression grew serious. When she heard that Masashi Hyuga was nearly captured, she stood up abruptly.

At this moment, Takeshi clapped his paw. "If you want to know what happens next, I want..."

Tsunade froze for a moment, then clenched her fist, her eyebrows twitching with anger.

Takeshi, seeing the three hundred plus Points that appeared, chuckled inwardly and hurriedly continued, "Meow~ Ninjas from the Hozuki Clan used their Kekkei Genkai. I could only use Super Strength to scatter them and rescue him. In the end, the person was saved, and I captured two Kiri shinobi."

"He's dead! You call that saving someone?"

Tsunade angrily tapped his head, but she knew Takeshi's approach had been the best choice. If not for his intervention, the Hozuki Clan would have used sea to transport the captive away.

The enemy didn't need a living Masashi—they only wanted his eyes. But if they had captured him alive then things would've been even worse.

If Kiri shinobi obtained the Byakugan, consequences would be severe. Not only would there be Kekkei Genkai leakage, but future battles would become even more difficult. As other villages would also try to do the same which would lead to Hyuga clan being barred from frontlines, maybe except only Branch house.

Takeshi had made a significant contribution, and he'd captured two enemies...

Tsunade pondered for a moment, then gave a thumbs up. "You've made a great contribution. After this incident, both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans will cooperate with me to complete the mixed unit formation, and your situation will be resolved."

"Meow~"

The black cat meowed softly.

Takeshi understood Tsunade's meaning—she planned to elevate him to the same status as Minato. Without such achievements, many ninjas would have been unconvinced, but now it was different. Facing three elite squads, he had not only rescued the captive but also captured two ninjas. This accomplishment was enough to convince everyone.

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