Naruto: Paws and Whiskers

"The Hozuki Clan is involved... this is going to be troublesome."

Tsunade massaged her temples, feeling an immense headache settle in.

While Third Mizukage is not from the Hozuki clan, the legacy he inherited from Second Mizukage who was from Hozuki clan, still led it to be top-ranked clan in Kirigakure Village. What made them particularly difficult to deal with was their signature technique—the Hydrification Technique.

Against such an ability, conventional Taijutsu was nearly useless. The Hyuga Clan found them especially difficult to engage, and even the Uchiha had trouble handling them in battle.

The only effective counter them is Lightning Release.

"Meow~ Don't we have Lightning Release users on our side?"

Takeshi didn't quite understand why Tsunade's expression looked so unpleasant. To deal with Hydrafication technique, just deploy ninjas proficient in Lightning Release to handle them.

While Konoha wasn't exactly renowned for its Lightning Release techniques, they still had capable users, didn't they?

"There are," Tsunade admitted, but her expression darkened. "...But not enough."

Her gaze flicked to Kakashi, and the meaning was clear.

While they did have Lightning Release users, none were at the level needed to effectively counter the Hozuki Clan. The strongest among them barely reached Elite Chunin level. At best, Kakashi's combat power was among the top in that category.

But this was war, not a duel.

The Hozuki Clan weren't fools. They wouldn't just stand still and allow themselves to be electrocuted.

Take the current battlefield scenario, for example—four Hozuki Clan members had joined forces with an Elite Squad of Kirigakure ninjas. The squad continuously unleashed large-scale Water Release ninjutsu, providing cover for the Hozuki members to execute quick assassinations before retreating into the water.

If any Lightning Release ninja tried to intervene, the Elite Squad would act as a barrier, ensuring that their precious Hozuki ninjas never faced a direct counter.

"Tsunade-sama, let me join Takeshi on this mission! I definitely won't..."

Kakashi's voice was firm, determined.

But halfway through his sentence, he hesitated. He had been about to say "I definitely won't hold you back," but the intense stare from Takeshi made him pause.

The meaning behind cat's gaze was clear, 'Are you sure about that? Really think it through.'

"Kakashi..." Rin spoke hesitantly, her expression conflicted. "Against them, your Lightning Release would be nearly useless..."

Her words were blunt, but they were true. Although it was horrible thing to say to a teammate, it was for his own good.

Tsunade sighed. "Your talent is undeniable. Give it another two to three years, and you'll be more than capable of handling missions of this level. But for now, you're still too weak. Konoha isn't so desperate that we need children to fight in battles like these."

She didn't say it aloud, but in her heart, she made one exception. 

Takeshi.

Unlike humans, a cat's age couldn't be measured the same way. Even among ninja animals, Takeshi was unique. There was something unusual about it—Tsunade had a strong suspicion that it was capable of absorbing natural energy, possibly even developing Sage Chakra within its body.

Tsunade could conclude that Takeshi possessed his own unique Kekkei genkai, likely a unique mutation.

Compared to this, Kakashi was really far inferior.

"Meow~ I'm going to take a bath first."

Takeshi stretched lazily. The report was over, and it was time to clean up. The smell of blood on his fur was becoming unbearable.

"I'm going out to train." Kakashi's voice was quiet, but there was frustration in it.

This feeling of powerlessness, of being useless, really made him feel extremely frustrated. Ever since he got the Lightning Blade (Kiba blade), he had been pondering how to make good use of this sword, but after so long, he still had no clue...

Takeshi strolled off towards a small river nearby.

As he slipped into the cool water, the ninja cat pondered his earlier battle.

This had been its first real encounter with the Hozuki Clan. It had read about their abilities in manga and knew they were powerful, but experiencing it firsthand had been a different matter entirely.

Hydrification technique was an absolute nightmare to deal with. 'They were so damn slippery!'

Aside from Lightning Release, Takeshi couldn't think of too many viable counters. And that was a problem.

Because if they didn't find a way to deal with the Hozuki Clan soon...

As the next attack by Kiri ninjas would be either recovering or eliminating Ao. Likely before any Yamanaka get their hands on him.

Takeshi knew he had to prepare a countermeasure—whether or not he encountered the Hozuki Clan again, it was only a matter of time before he faced an enemy that required Lightning Release to defeat.

Without it, even taking down a lone Hozuki ninja would be nearly impossible. 'Worse, I wouldn't even be able to earn points!'

However, his talent in Lightning Release...

The lowest level Lightning Release Lightning Ball requires 9,000 points. 

Nine. Thousand.

Just for a low level Lightning Release technique, that mildly electrocutes enemy and pushes them back.

This price is ridiculously outrageous. Even purchasing for Super Strength only cost 5,000 points. If it weren't absolutely necessary, there was no way he would even consider spending that much. This was precisely why he had never bothered looking into Lightning Release before.

Honestly, if he tested his chakra nature with chakra paper, he wouldn't be surprised if Lightning Release didn't even show up.

Spending that much for something he might not even be good at? Total rip-off!

Still, he wasn't ready to give up just yet.

There had to be a way to get a discount.

If he could knock the price down by at least two thousand points, then… maybe, just maybe, he could grit his teeth and buy the damn jutsu.

And for that, he needed Kakashi.

--

Kakashi was sitting in an open area outside the camp.

But unlike usual, he wasn't practicing his swordsmanship or training his ninjutsu.

He just sat there, silent, lost in thought.

Takeshi strolled over, his feline steps light, golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. He flicked his tail, took a glance at Kakashi, and lazily sat down beside him.

"What are you doing just sitting here?"

Kakashi barely reacted. He cast a cold glance at Takeshi, his expression unreadable behind his mask. But the annoyance in his eyes? That was easy to see.

'Wow. That serious, huh?'

Takeshi resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He knew Kakashi had a lot on his mind lately, but still—wasn't he overthinking things a bit? Sure, Takeshi's primary goal was earning points, but now Kakashi don't have many points left on him.

He flicked his ear, feigning disinterest. "Meow~ I was going to help you, but if you don't appreciate it, forget it."

"...Help me?"

For a split second, Kakashi's eyes lit up. But just as quickly, the hope faded.

Takeshi could **see** the thought crossing his mind—'this damn cat is just messing with me again.'

Honestly? Fair assumption.

"Forget it, Takeshi," Kakashi muttered, his voice unusually tired. "I'm not in the mood for games. I'm trying to figure out how to become stronger."

"Becoming stronger also depends on the method, meow!"

Takeshi shook off some stray water from his fur, then, with a smug flick of his tail, swaggered away back to camp.

Kakashi wasn't the only one around. He could always find someone else to give him tops on learning Lightning Release at a lower cost. It wasn't some high-level forbidden technique—just a standard jutsu.

With the right war merits and his rank, he could negotiate a better deal.

But for Kakashi...

"Wait!"

Takeshi paused mid-step.

Kakashi had hesitated for a few seconds, then finally called out. "What do you want to know?"

'Meow? Tsk, as expected of Kakashi, a bit difficult to deal with.' Takeshi sharpened his claws and finally decided to get straight to the point, "Meow~ I want to train my Lightning Release chakra transformation, Thought I'd get a little help from you."

Kakashi blinked.

"...Lightning Release?"

He sounded genuinely baffled.

A cat. Learning Lightning Release? While still learning Wind Release?

This was a new level of ridiculous.

Takeshi nodded, then opened his mouth and spat out *Water Release Toad Gun* a jet of water—a controlled Water Release Jutsu, propelled with piercing of Wind Release, a clear demonstration of his mastery over two elements.

He didn't use much chakra, so the power wasn't anything special, but the technique itself was what mattered.

Kakashi, to his credit, didn't dismiss it outright. He pondered for a moment before speaking. "...So you're asking if I can help you combine techniques and other methods together? Like how I use my sword—"

'Bro, what?' Takeshi's eye twitched, 'I'm talking about MY problem! Not YOUR damn sword techniques!'

For a brief moment, he seriously considered slapping Kakashi across the face to make him focus.

But then he remembered—Kakashi was already in a sad mood.

...Fine.

He swallowed his frustration this time.

But next time?

Next time, Kakashi is getting smacked for sure.

Kakashi's gaze flickered, momentarily absent-minded, before he refocused.

"Oh, right… You want to incorporate Lightning Release into this jutsu?" He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "It's certainly feasible, but… ninja beasts refine chakra differently from humans. I can't guarantee my advice will be useful to you."

"It's alright, meow."

Takeshi shook his head.

He wasn't expecting miracles. If it worked, great. If not, no big deal.

Kakashi considered his words for a moment before beginning to explain his insights into Lightning Release ninjutsu—everything from the basic to more advanced Lightning Release techniques.

He spoke clearly and thoroughly, though he deliberately avoided detailing the specific hand seals involved.

"Meow~ Tell me about Lightning Release Lightning Ball Jutsu."

Takeshi interjected at just the right moment.

Kakashi nodded and explained the jutsu in greater detail, including its mechanics, chakra control, and—most importantly—the necessary hand seals.

Lightning Ball was a relatively basic Lightning Release jutsu. Since Takeshi was part of the team, there was no reason to keep something like this a secret.

Takeshi listened attentively, then glanced at his system panel.

Eight thousand points.

'I worked my ass off, spent hours learning theory behind lightning release, and in the end it only reduced it by a thousand points? Go fuck yourself!'

Takeshi had initially planned to exchange his points for Lightning Release, but at this moment, he completely abandoned the idea of getting Lightning Ball.

With this level of ability, even if he exchanged for it, he probably wouldn't be able to unleash much power without pumping too much chakra which could be more effectively used in other places. It's better to think about other options.

His golden eyes flickered as he lazily responded to Kakashi.

"Minato-sensei's Rasengan is a Shape Transformation of chakra, meow… Lightning Release can also undergo Shape Transformation, right?"

"Shape Transformation?"

Kakashi's brows furrowed as he pondered Takeshi's words.

His gaze slowly lowered to the **blade** in his hand.

A spark of **realization** flashed across his mind—an idea so close, yet just out of reach.

He stood there, deep in thought, while Takeshi casually browsed his system shop, occasionally glancing around Kakashi to make sure no one disturbed him.

After scanning the available options, Takeshi's eyes suddenly widened-Ice Release.

He stared at the words on the panel, his mind racing.

'The Hozuki Clan's Hydrafication Technique… Wouldn't it be the same if I used Ice Release to freeze all the water? Wouldn't Ice Release be the perfect counter? If I freeze all the water… wouldn't that render Hydrafication useless? Or better yet—freeze them completely.'

The more he thought about it, the **more perfect** the idea seemed.

And the best part?

It only costs 10,000 points.

That was **ridiculously cheap** for a Kekkei Genkai.

Even if Ice Release wasn't a perfect counter to the Hozuki Clan, it was still an incredibly versatile ability. It wouldn't be a waste.

Ice Release works against most enemies.

Takeshi's tail flicked as he made his decision.

He didn't hesitate.

With a single thought, he bought it directly.

After all, he still had 24,000 points.

Even after spending 10,000 on Ice Release, he would still have 14,000 left—and after digesting that luxury cat food, the price of Sage Mode had already dropped to a little over 13,000.

14,000 points was more than enough.

A small, satisfied smirk curled on Takeshi's lips.

-------------------

Dear Readers and Fans,

For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further. 

https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8

(no space)

You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.