Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 109: The Rescue

Tonari, with a slightly anxious heart, headed to his lab, organized his tools, packed some life-saving potions, and quickly departed.

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"Orochimaru has been stationed at the Konoha border near the Hidden Rain for some time now. Compared to Jiraiya, who is obsessed with the toad sage's prophecies, Tsunade and Orochimaru seem more reliable for missions like these," Tonari thought as he prepared.

He also summoned the small Nibi, who was teaching Little Blue how to control chakra and speak.

Although Tsunade's earlier comments sounded like she was teasing, Tonari couldn't help but wonder if Hiruzen Sarutobi genuinely intended for him to take on a jinchūriki-level battle.

"By showcasing my compatibility with the Nibi and proving my value, I've earned some resources and trust. But the downside is clear: when a tail-beast-level threat arises, I'll likely be the first choice. After all, Kushina is still struggling with the Nine-Tails."

Tonari sighed, mentally preparing himself.

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When Tonari arrived at the village gates, the others were already there.

"Last again?" he muttered.

The team included Tsunade, Mugime Kodachi, Uchiha Yoshinari, Nara Yoshino, Namikaze Minato, Akimichi Tōdō, Aburame Shibi, and himself—a carefully selected eight-person squad.

"Minato's group just completed their last mission. They've barely had time to restock their gear," Tsunade observed. "Are you ready? You tend to bring unusual tools. I hope you've prepared everything you need this time."

Tonari nodded, but a flicker of pain crossed his face. This mission would cost him a significant amount of supplies.

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Before setting out, Tsunade addressed the group sternly. "This mission is an S-rank operation, and many of you are taking on something of this difficulty for the first time. Let me make this clear:

"All actions must follow orders. I am the commanding officer. If I'm unavailable, Mugime Kodachi will take over. No one is allowed to act independently!"

Tsunade's words carried a heavy weight, especially given the stakes of an S-rank mission. Even for her and Mugime Kodachi, such missions carried immense risk. For the younger members, the danger was even more pronounced.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had selected this group partly due to a lack of available jōnin. Many were already deployed, leaving only a few with the experience to lead such missions.

However, the group of eight was not weak. Each member had been handpicked for their exceptional potential. These were the rising stars of Konoha: geniuses from the Aburame, Akimichi, Nara, and Uchiha clans. And they weren't just prodigies—they were battle-tested. This was their opportunity to prove themselves.

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The team moved swiftly, heading straight for the Konoha outpost in the Land of Rain. Conversations were minimal; the gravity of the mission loomed over them.

Tsunade's demeanor was colder than usual, and even Tonari noticed the shift. Normally approachable, she now wore a stern, unyielding expression that discouraged idle chatter.

Mugime Kodachi, the squad's second leader, was a man of few words, making him hard to approach.

The only real interaction came from Tonari and Minato, who had grown familiar over the past year.

"Minato," Tonari began, "don't you think we should discuss our strengths and roles before combat? Coordination could make all the difference."

Minato nodded thoughtfully. "Agreed. Let's start with us."

Minato introduced his team: himself, Akimichi Tōdō, and Aburame Shibi.

"I'm fairly balanced across most skills, though I excel in speed," Minato explained. "Tōdō handles heavy frontal assaults, while Shibi specializes in tracking and chakra detection."

Tonari followed suit. "Our side includes Uchiha Yoshinari, renowned for his Sharingan and exceptional fire-style techniques. He's a natural for direct combat. Then there's Nara Yoshino, a master of the Shadow Imitation Technique, perfect for controlling enemies from the flanks.

"As for me..." Tonari smirked. "I'm a highly accomplished medical ninja, so don't worry if you get injured. I'll take care of all your 'aftercare'—oops, I mean, healing."

The group laughed at Tonari's quip, easing the tension.

Despite his humor, Yoshinari and Yoshino exchanged knowing looks. They had spent a year with Tonari and knew his skills extended far beyond medical ninjutsu. His habit of underselling himself was equal parts amusing and frustrating.

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As the day wore on, the group's journey was marked by few breaks. They maintained a relentless pace, covering significant ground in record time.

After more than a day of travel, the squad finally reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain.

There, they managed to contact a small team from the Konoha intelligence division stationed in the Land of Rain. These operatives were the first to deliver details about the dire situation at the third outpost.

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(Chapter End)

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