In the past, the Ninja Cat Clan prioritized business with the Uchiha Clan, leaving other ninjas to wait their turn. But now, with the Uchiha clan nearly extinct, the Ninja Cat clan couldn't disappear with them. They began accepting many orders from Konohagakure ninjas.
The Ninja Cat Clan had widespread connections and could easily discover secret information. They also maintained excellent relations with the Land of Craftsmen.
The Land of Craftsmen was exceptionally skilled at creating all kinds of ninja tools and accepted custom requests from ninjas for various purposes. Shihouin Naraku's weight-bearing equipment had been handed over to them for manufacturing, with the Ninja Cat Clan handling communication and charging a fee.
This arrangement was quick and convenient. Otherwise, Shihouin Naraku would have used Konohagakure's official channels to request equipment from the Land of Craftsmen.
The Five Great Nations regularly purchased various ninja weapons from the Land of Craftsmen. While not expensive, the process was troublesome and involved large quantities, so Shihouin Naraku avoided that route.
For him, price wasn't an issue—customization and quality were his priorities!
...
After finishing his evening training, Shihouin Naraku left Konohagakure.
The Ninja Cat Clan lived in the Ninja Cat Fortress located in an abandoned area, a ruin that belonged to no country or faction. Anyone seeking ninja tools or information would travel to these ruins to find the Ninja Cat Clan.
"I've arrived," Shihouin Naraku said, looking at the scene before him. A large area of ruins that resembled unfinished buildings came into view.
The sun was setting, and daylight was fading. The ruins surrounded by incomplete structures were eerily silent, creating a frightening first impression.
Walking alone through the silent, abandoned area felt like entering a haunted cavern. As Shihouin Naraku continued, he noticed pairs of strange eyes glowing in the dim, unfinished buildings.
"Meow~"
"You wouldn't even need special effects to film a ghost movie here," Shihouin Naraku muttered, ignoring the strange-looking cats that appeared as he walked quickly toward the Ninja Cat Fortress.
These ninja cats, resembling small tigers and foxes, were not simple creatures. Most possessed strength equal to Genin, and some were even stronger.
"Who are you? Meow~"
"Granny Cat's guest! I'm here to collect something."
A white ninja cat that looked like a small tiger suddenly appeared before Shihouin Naraku. It crouched on the ground like a guard, licking its sharp claws. Though clearly a cat, it spoke human language.
"Sniff..."
The white ninja cat twitched its nose as if catching a familiar scent, then stood and said, "Welcome, guest! Please enter."
Despite the invitation, the white ninja cat showed no intention of moving aside.
Shihouin Naraku took out a scroll from his pocket and tossed it over. "There's a freshly made Catnip Drink inside. Please enjoy it."
"Meow~"
"Thank you for your generosity, guest!"
The white ninja cat jumped up, hugged the scroll with its front paws, and happily ran away.
"Oh, I forgot there are guests at Granny's place. But this is fresh Catnip Drink!"
After a moment's hesitation, the white ninja cat couldn't resist the tempting scent. It threw the scroll onto its back, turned around, and disappeared.
Shihouin Naraku watched the white ninja cat vanish and couldn't help but sigh that cats, regardless of which world they were from, couldn't resist the attraction of catnip.
Having visited the abandoned area several times before, Shihouin Naraku didn't need a guide and walked forward. The ninja cats hiding in the darkness, seeing that the guards hadn't stopped him, realized he wasn't an enemy and gradually disappeared one by one.
"Hmm?"
Just after entering the Ninja Cat Fortress, before stepping into the corridor leading to Granny Cat's residence, Shihouin Naraku heard footsteps approaching.
"Other guests at this hour?"
Shihouin Naraku realized immediately why the white ninja cat guard had mentioned other visitors. It had neglected its duty because of the Catnip Drink he'd provided.
"Two people," he noted.
Shihouin Naraku stood still for a moment, then stepped aside and leaned against a nearby wall.
After all, they were all guests of the Ninja Cat Clan. If they weren't enemies, fighting here would be inappropriate, so he decided not to take action. But as a high-ranking official of Konohagakure, he had no intention of retreating completely, so giving way seemed polite enough.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
The footsteps gradually became clearer, and two figures emerged from around the corner!
"Clang!!!"
Kurikara was suddenly unsheathed, and Shihouin Naraku, holding the pitch-black straight blade, stood in the middle of the path with murderous intent.
His eyes fixed on the two figures that had appeared!
One wore a bamboo hat with wind chimes attached and a black cloak embroidered with red clouds!
Akatsuki organization!
Uchiha Itachi!
Hoshigaki Kisame!
Why were they here?
Regardless of whether they had come to buy information or ninja tools, they had fallen into Shihouin Naraku's hands.
Now, Shihouin Naraku truly wanted to test whether he could defeat these two with his current strength!
As for the original plot development—the fateful battle between Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke—that had nothing to do with him. Who cared?
Since his strength had increased dramatically time after time, Shihouin Naraku's fighting spirit had grown increasingly fierce.
"Crack!"
"Hehehe... Mr. Itachi, it looks like the higher-ups of Konohagakure aren't going to let us leave easily."
Hoshigaki Kisame, who resembled a shark, drew the weapon from his back—the great sword Samehada—and pointed it at Shihouin Naraku.
"There's no need to make a commotion. This place is too close to Konohagakure!"
Uchiha Itachi removed the bamboo hat with the wind chimes. His black pupils had turned scarlet, filled with an ominous aura, and the three tomoe were slowly spinning.
"Oh? It seems Mr. Itachi is ready to take action. Is it because he's seen someone from his hometown? Hehehe..."
Hoshigaki Kisame casually placed the great sword Samehada behind him and relaxed his tense body. He had rarely seen people who could resist those ominous eyes. Since Uchiha Itachi was willing to act, that suited him fine.
Uchiha Itachi said nothing but activated his powerful doujutsu and cast a genjutsu on Shihouin Naraku.
He had no intention of harming Naraku. As a high-ranking official in Konohagakure, Shihouin Naraku was valuable for both his medical ninjutsu and combat abilities. After controlling him with the genjutsu, Itachi planned to leave.
As for what Hoshigaki Kisame thought, that wasn't important.
Under the Sharingan's illusion, all beings were equal!
Hoshigaki Kisame, who often completed missions alone, understood this principle best!
Shihouin Naraku, standing opposite the two, tilted his head and observed Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame's performance. With a whoosh, beautiful flames danced along the black blade.
Are you looking down on me?
Do you just want to use the three-tomoe genjutsu without activating the Mangekyō Sharingan and casting Tsukuyomi?
Feeling the genjutsu descending upon him, Shihouin Naraku's lips curled into a smile.
The next second, Shihouin Naraku, resisting the illusion, appeared before Uchiha Itachi. Kurikara traced an arc through the dim evening, its flames gleaming—beautiful and deadly.
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