Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 267: Seizing the Root

"You fools! Do you have any idea who we are? How dare you ignore our orders and listen to that brat instead?"

Before even reaching the depths of Konoha's high-security prison, the sharp and aged voice of an irate woman echoed through the corridors.

If this weren't the most secure facility in Konoha, one might have thought some street hag was ranting in the marketplace.

"Who is making such a commotion in the high-security detention area?"

Accompanied by Yakushi Nono and Aburame Torikage, Tonari intentionally made his voice stern as they approached.

Soon, they arrived at a sealed entrance where two squads of ANBU operatives stood silently, unmoved by the furious shouts.

Standing in front of them were two elderly figures—none other than Konoha's so-called "advisors," Mitokado Homura and Utata Koharu.

The previous outburst had clearly come from Koharu, and the "brat" she referred to was undoubtedly the young man now approaching them with an infuriatingly calm smile—Tonari.

"Azure Cat, sir!"

The ANBU operatives immediately straightened and saluted upon seeing Tonari.

Though he had only served in ANBU for two years, he had made quite the impression. His 100% mission success rate had earned him silent respect among the ranks.

And now, as a contender for the title of Hokage, many within ANBU supported him.

While ANBU was supposed to remain neutral, his reputation, experience, and network had given him an undeniable influence.

This was why the operatives here had ignored the orders of the two advisors—unless Tonari or Hiruzen Sarutobi himself gave the word, they would not move.

Koharu's face twisted in rage as she prepared to scold Tonari, but Homura, the more level-headed of the two, quickly held her back.

They weren't dealing with just any shinobi.

This was the same young man who had just publicly exposed Danzo, the most ruthless of their trio. And Hiruzen had done nothing to stop it.

They had tried to meet Hiruzen earlier that morning, only to be denied entry.

Realizing that things were no longer in their control, they had come here hoping to at least meet with Danzo.

But now, even that was proving impossible.

Homura forced a stiff smile and stepped forward.

"Haha… Tonari, my boy, look—Danzo was once an important Hokage advisor. Keeping him locked up here… don't you think that's a bit inappropriate?"

Tonari smirked.

"Oh? You mean keeping a convicted traitor here? A criminal who conducted illegal human experiments on his own allies? The man who repeatedly tried to eliminate Konoha's own shinobi for his own agenda?"

His voice was dripping with sarcasm as he emphasized the word 'advisor' mockingly.

"You—!" Homura's face darkened in anger, his finger trembling as he pointed at Tonari.

Koharu's temper flared up again.

"We are your elders! You dare to speak to us—"

Tonari's smile vanished.

"Oh, please—spare me the 'elders' nonsense."

His tone dropped to an icy chill.

"Hokage advisors? That's a title given to you by the Hokage. If the Hokage decides otherwise, then you are nothing but two ordinary shinobi."

His gaze sharpened as he took a step forward.

"Do you really think the next Hokage will keep you as advisors?"

The air in the room suddenly became heavy, as if the very temperature had dropped.

The ANBU operatives standing nearby tensed, their hands instinctively moving toward their weapons.

The message was clear.

Tonari was not asking for permission.

He was warning them.

"Now tell me—are you trying to cover up Danzo's crimes? Or perhaps you intended to help him escape?"

Homura and Koharu paled as they suddenly realized just how dangerous this situation had become.

They were outnumbered. Outpowered.

And Tonari's eyes… they were the eyes of a predator staring at prey.

"...Hmph!"

With a huff of indignation, the two elders turned and stormed away, retreating as quickly as their aged legs could carry them.

As they passed Tonari, his voice—barely more than a whisper—slipped into their ears:

"Konoha has no problem sending elders into retirement… nor does it mind sending high-ranking shinobi to the front lines."

Their faces turned purple with fury, but they did not stop walking.

Watching them disappear, Tonari let out a soft chuckle.

Some people really overestimated their worth.

Now that they were gone, he turned back to the ANBU guards.

"I'll be entering. Make sure no one else comes through."

"Yes, sir!"

The heavy metal doors groaned open, allowing Tonari and Yakushi Nono to step inside.

Then, with a dull thud, the doors sealed behind them.

"Tonari-sama is so polite."

Aburame Torikage muttered under his breath as he turned to resume his post.

The ANBU operatives around him nodded in agreement.

Compared to the two condescending elders, Tonari's direct, confident, and efficient approach was far more respectable.

The deepest cell of Konoha's prison was damp and eerily silent.

Every inch of the chamber was lined with chakra-reinforced metal, making it impossible for Earth Release jutsu to be used.

It was designed specifically to hold the most dangerous criminals.

And in the center of this bleak room—

Danzo Shimura.

He was barely conscious, his body still wrapped in Tonari's Wood Release bindings. His head hung low, and his breathing was ragged.

Yakushi Nono tensed the moment she saw him.

Even now, despite everything, she instinctively feared him.

Tonari observed this and chuckled softly.

"Relax, Nono. This man is nothing now."

She hesitated… but then took a deep breath and nodded.

Yes.

Danzo was powerless now.

Tonari's Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life, piercing into Danzo's subconscious.

"Let's begin."

A low, pained groan escaped Danzo's lips as the illusionary world of the Mangekyō engulfed him.

Yakushi Nono stepped forward, pressing her fingers against Danzo's temple.

Time to break the final seal on his mind.

Danzo screamed.

His voice, raw and agonized, echoed through the chamber.

Three hours later.

Tonari and Yakushi Nono emerged from the prison.

The ANBU guards at the entrance immediately straightened.

Tonari waved a hand dismissively.

"The prisoner is gone. No need to guard this cell anymore."

The ANBU nodded without hesitation.

"Understood, sir!"

Yakushi Nono turned to Tonari, her expression unreadable.

"...What will you do next?"

Tonari gave her a wolfish grin.

"I'm going to seize the Root."

That night, deep within Konoha's ANBU headquarters…

A metal door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber filled with rows upon rows of shinobi in Root uniforms.

These silent warriors knelt before Tonari, their heads bowed.

Then—

Danzo's figure stepped forward.

"Rise."

At his command, every single Root shinobi stood in unison.

Tonari stepped from the shadows, his Mangekyō Sharingan glowing ominously.

"From now on…"

His smile was as cold as steel.

"You belong to me."

"Yes, sir!"

The Root was his.

And with it—his path to power was complete.

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