Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 103: The Assistant and the Cat

"Huh?"

Tonari blinked, unsure if he'd misheard.

She agreed that quickly?

"I'll leave with you," Reika said firmly. "I only came to this village because Grass Hidden was willing to give me a place to stay—this tiny, crumbling hut. But in return, I had to provide chakra recovery services whenever they demanded."

Her sudden decisiveness made her words sharp and to the point.

Despite her frail appearance, Reika wasn't naive. To have survived the destruction of Uzushiogakure and navigated this harsh, predatory world alone, she had to rely on more than just tears. Crying here only invited more abuse. It was why she always tried to suppress her emotions.

Tonari nodded thoughtfully. "Have you really made up your mind? I can't promise you an easy life, at least not in the short term. But I can promise this: I won't let you suffer like this anymore."

He paused, his tone softening. "I'll teach you what it means to be a ninja. You already have a strong foundation, and with your Uzumaki bloodline, becoming a powerful ninja isn't out of reach if you put in the effort."

His honesty was met with Reika's unwavering stare. She had already decided.

"For people like me, survival is already a luxury," she replied, her tone steady but her expression tinged with bitterness.

Tonari sighed, understanding her perspective. In this world, many lived on the edge, where even staying alive was an extraordinary achievement.

---

Just as he was about to respond, a shift in the air caught his attention. The small, furry presence on his shoulder stirred. Nibi—the two-tailed cat—slowly stood, her usual laid-back demeanor replaced with something more serious.

"Something wrong?" Tonari asked, frowning.

Nibi didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leapt gracefully off his shoulder, her lithe body glowing faintly as she moved. Her normally playful aura was replaced with an ominous stillness. Reika, who had barely noticed the feline until now, widened her eyes in surprise.

"She's adorable…" Reika murmured, her voice carrying a rare hint of childlike delight.

But before she could approach, Nibi darted toward the cluster of huts. She disappeared into the shadows, only to return moments later. In her mouth, she carried a small, trembling kitten—its eyes not yet open and its fur matted with debris.

Nibi's aura had returned to normal, but her careful treatment of the kitten spoke volumes. Reika instinctively reached out and took the fragile creature from her.

The kitten was cold, its breaths shallow and weak.

Reika's eyes softened, and she gently stroked its tiny head. "It's just a baby…"

Nibi let out a faint growl, as if emphasizing the kitten's fragility.

Tonari observed the scene with a faint smile. "Well, it seems today is a turning point for more than one life. Not just yours, Reika—this little one's fate has also changed."

Reika held the kitten closer, her expression one of quiet resolve. "Let me take care of it. It's so helpless, just like I was."

The kitten squirmed weakly in her hands, its tiny nose twitching as it sought warmth and safety. It was a simple, instinctive gesture, but it solidified her decision.

Tonari nodded approvingly. "It's yours to care for. But it's in a delicate state, so you'll need to give it extra attention."

Reika's determined expression was answer enough.

Without hesitation, Tonari bit into his thumb, drawing blood. He placed a drop on the kitten's head and began weaving hand signs.

"Summoning Blood Contract!"

With a final gesture, the contract was sealed. Though the kitten was too young to understand, its breathing grew steadier, as if sensing the connection.

"There. It's officially my summon now," Tonari said with a grin. "That means I can summon it anytime, anywhere. But for now, you'll be its caretaker."

He paused, considering something. "Actually, why not build an entire summon clan? A sanctuary for cats… A cat haven?"

The idea seemed to amuse him.

---

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Poof!

A clone of Tonari appeared by his side. He turned to Reika, his expression more serious.

"This is my shadow clone. I've poured a lot of chakra into it, so it should last long enough to keep you safe for now. I can't take you to the Leaf Village—not yet. It would draw too much attention."

Reika nodded silently, understanding the precarious nature of her situation.

"For now, I'll find you a safe place to stay in one of the nearby towns. But first, we need to do something about your hair."

She blinked, confused.

"Your hair," he explained. "It's too distinctive. Bright red like that is bound to attract attention. We need to dye it."

As someone trained by Orochimaru, Tonari was well-versed in disguises and transformations. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a small kit containing basic dyes and tools.

Reika didn't protest. She had no attachment to her hair's color, and if this would make her safer, she was more than willing.

"Good thing I raided Orochimaru's lab before we left," Tonari muttered as he worked.

He deftly applied the dye, transforming her vibrant red hair into a more muted, inconspicuous brown. When he finished, she looked into the small mirror he handed her. Though her reflection was unfamiliar, the practicality of the change outweighed any sentimentality.

---

With Reika's appearance now less conspicuous, Tonari began formulating a plan to sneak her out of the Grass Village. The village's security wasn't particularly tight, so slipping away unnoticed shouldn't pose a problem.

As he finished his preparations, he glanced at the kitten now curled up in Reika's hands.

"Well," he said with a grin, "it looks like my cat sanctuary is finally starting to take shape. I've got Nibi, this little guy… And who knows? Maybe someday, I'll have a whole army of soft, fluffy summons."

Reika smiled faintly, her first genuine smile in a long time. For the first time in years, she felt a flicker of hope.

---

Author's Note:

A kitten and a new companion! The journey continues with more surprises ahead.

(Chapter End)

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