By this time, Sasuke had already followed Granny Cat deep into the hallway. Naruto glanced at Sakura, still playing with the kittens. He flipped the page after the first paw print and found a photo of a strange blue-flamed cat—its entire body ablaze in vivid blue chakra fire.
Immediately, the three tailed beasts inside the seal began to chatter.
"Huh? That old lady actually got both Matatabi's pawprint and a photo? But she doesn't look like someone powerful enough for that."
Kurama sounded confused. From Naruto's earlier perspective, it had been clear to him that Granny Cat was no formidable shinobi.
"Matatabi probably gave it to her willingly. Otherwise, there's no way her pawprint and her jinchūriki's photo would both be in here. It seems like she has a pretty decent relationship with her host."
Isobu's voice even sounded a little wistful.
"Actually, it makes sense," said Matatabi softly. "She's raised so many cats, and back when I lived in the Bamboo Forest, I taught plenty of wildcats how to harness chakra."
Matatabi stared at the photo, visibly distracted. Before being captured, she used to roam freely between her territory and Matatabi's—they had once lived near each other, in the Maple Woods.
Then Kurama spoke up.
"Naruto, think you could ask this old lady for a favor?"
Naruto flipped a few more pages, then shifted his consciousness into the seal.
"You want her to pass along a warning to Matatabi and Gyūki? But Kurama, ever since Akatsuki's target list got exposed, they've been hiding in their villages. According to the info I got from the Third Hokage's memories, they're not in immediate danger."
"Besides, we already know Killer Bee is a perfect jinchūriki. Gyūki's willingly lent him full power for years. Even my father said Bee's combat strength is top-tier. And Yugito Nii—she's able to fully control Matatabi with her own will. Clearly, their bond is solid."
Kurama straightened up. His voice turned serious.
"You're right, but aside from us, only Son Gokū knows the truth about the Ten-Tails."
"And you've seen how dangerous Akatsuki is—especially that immortal zealot. His target is Matatabi. If he gets her jinchūriki's blood, it might be enough for the Ten-Tails to absorb her completely."
"Exactly!" Isobu chimed in. "Especially that masked guy with the Sharingan. It's tailor-made to counter us tailed beasts!"
"Don't forget the Rinnegan," Matatabi added in a grave tone.
Naruto nodded, brows furrowed in thought.
"All true. But the problem is... this isn't an easy thing to pull off."
"Their jinchūriki haven't fled their villages like Han did. I can't intercept them. And unlike Isobu's previous situation, there's no excuse for me to interfere."
"The Third's intel made it clear: both Yugito and Killer Bee live under heavy barrier protection in Kumogakure."
"So what do you want me to do? Slip something marked with my Flying Thunder God seal into a delivery? Or seal a shadow clone in a scroll and have Granny Cat deliver it?"
He shook his head.
"Neither will work. Too risky. The moment I leave a trace, I'll blow my cover. Aside from that old toad, no one in the shinobi world even knows I've made moves. Even my actions in the Forest of Death got pinned on someone else."
"It doesn't have to be that complicated."
Kurama glanced at Isobu and Matatabi, then awkwardly extended his paw.
"I've got a simpler idea."
Naruto blinked.
"You're going to... write a letter?"
A few minutes later, Sasuke returned with a cold aura radiating from his body.
"We can go."
Sakura perked up and reluctantly rubbed two kittens goodbye, then walked toward him.
"Wait a sec," Granny Cat called toward a hanging curtain.
"Xiaohuan, bring them the mission item."
"Coming, Granny!" came a clear voice from behind the curtain. Soon, a brown-haired girl emerged holding three cat-ear-shaped hair clips.
Sakura beamed and quickly clipped hers on.
Sasuke hesitated—but only for a moment—then clipped his on as well.
Naruto, however, narrowed his eyes and didn't accept the accessory.
"I've got something to handle. I won't be joining this mission. I'll wait here for you guys."
With that, he turned and walked off down the corridor.
"Eh?"
Sakura blinked in surprise, but inside, her Inner self was already cheering:
"YES! A chance to be alone with Sasuke-kun!"
As Naruto vanished into the shadows, Sasuke scowled.
"Tch. So Naruto does know this mission was orchestrated by him… Let's see what the hell that man's really planning."
He turned to Sakura.
"You stay here too."
"Huh?"
Sakura froze, instantly crushed.
"Sasuke-kun... you'll be going alone? Isn't that dangerous—"
"Didn't you hear me the first time?"
His glare was icy.
Sakura flinched, then lowered her head.
"I understand…"
Sasuke gave no further words. He stepped into the hallway and disappeared into the same darkness Naruto had.
Granny Cat watched it all, sighing to herself.
"That old Sasuke is gone for good…"
Meanwhile – In the Land of Snow
Naruto sat in a lab chair, tightly gripping a brush, scrawling lines across an open scroll.
"Kurama… maybe you should let Naruto write it instead?"
"Yeah, it's been almost ten minutes and you haven't written a single word."
"Then shut up! If you think you can do better, go ahead! But would they even believe it if it wasn't in my handwriting?"
Naruto looked up—his eyes glowing red, vertical pupils gleaming—and answered in Kurama's booming voice.
Eventually, "Naruto" finally started writing.
Moments later, his own voice returned.
"Huh?"
He stared at the scroll. There were only two short lines:
"The Great Dharma Priest has been released."
"This must be kept secret."
"That's it?"
Kurama nodded.
"Good enough. 'Great Dharma Priest' was the name people used for the Ten-Tails a thousand years ago—back in Sage of Six Paths' time. No one remembers it now."
"And since Matatabi and Gyūki both recognize my handwriting, that second line will remind them not to spill the info to their jinchūriki."
"Just to be safe, leave a mark on the scroll."
Naruto entered the seal, frowning.
"Will they even listen if I don't deliver this personally? I'm still a jinchūriki from Konoha. If they talk, I could be seriously exposed."
"Their bonds with their hosts aren't like yours with Isobu or Matatabi. Those two are close with their jinchūriki."
Kurama grinned and extended a paw. Isobu and Matatabi did the same.
"We believe in you. So believe in us."
Naruto smiled and bumped his fist against theirs.
Back at Cat Castle
"Y-You… how are you this strong?! Itachi said—"
In the palace lit by lanterns, a giant white cat collapsed at the base of the steps. The hall was littered with unconscious cats. The massive feline stared up in disbelief—at Sasuke, standing atop its head.
"What did he say?"
Sasuke's voice was cold, his crimson Sharingan spinning with bloodlust.
"He… he said…"
The cat trembled but couldn't form a sentence.
"Forget it. I'll read it myself—
Sharingan: Genjutsu."
"AAAGHHHH—!"
Moments later, Sasuke was screaming:
"LIES! ITACHI! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Thirty minutes passed. When the illusion wore off, the great cat was left terrified and trembling, stumbling off with Sasuke's completed pawprint in tow.
Back in Granny Cat's home, Naruto returned and casually greeted the waiting Sakura. Then he started browsing the weapons on the wall.
Xiaohuan, ever the salesgirl, eagerly helped him shop. Naruto placed a hefty order—mostly kunai and shuriken.
Just as he was examining a pair of goggles, Sasuke entered, face grim. He ignored Sakura completely and walked straight up to Granny Cat, handing over the folded pawprint.
"Mission complete."
She sighed faintly, put it away, and handed him the reward.
Sasuke didn't take it.
"Keep it. If that man sends another message, tell me first."
He glanced at Naruto, then walked off. Sakura quickly followed.
Naruto smiled and asked Xiaohuan to seal his gear into a scroll, then casually left.
That Night
A cool breeze swept through the night air.
Swoosh!
Sasuke, perched on his window ledge, turned his head.
"What do you want?"
"To talk," Naruto said simply, tossing three objects toward him.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He caught them mid-air—a red scroll, a black scroll, and a Konoha forehead protector.
"The black one is a jutsu you can use to contact me," Naruto said.
"The red one—please ask Granny Cat to deliver it, secretly, to Yugito Nii in Kumogakure."
"Kumo? What's in it?"
"You can open it and see."
Sasuke's expression hardened. He stood up and locked eyes with Naruto.
"You knew from the start this mission was a setup, didn't you?"
"I suspected. Couldn't confirm."
Naruto's tone was calm.
Sasuke stared a moment longer, then asked:
"We leaving the village tomorrow?"
Naruto nodded.
"We can."
"Then let's go."
Sasuke formed a hand seal and created a shadow clone. Then he walked to Naruto's side.
"Aren't you going to ask where Itachi is?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke's face darkened.
"What's the point? I'm not strong enough to beat him yet."
Swoosh!
The two vanished, reappearing just outside Granny Cat's base.
One Month Later – Forests of the Land of Waves
"Fire Style! Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water Style! Water Dragon Bullet!"
A raging water dragon collided with a massive fireball, shrouding the forest in thick smoke.
"Sasuke, you've only just learned to convert your chakra into Water Style. This is a solid start. We should head back."
A calm voice sounded—gentle, with unmistakable smile lines at the corner of his lips.
It was Uchiha Itachi.
"Damn it! When are you going to stop using that face?!"
Sasuke landed beside him, visibly frustrated.
'Itachi' spoke softly,
"As long as you still have room to lose, I'm not changing it."
Sasuke froze for a moment.
"Face or not… I still hate losing."
Authour's Note :
Hey readers,
I've been thinking about dropping this fanfic because there hasn't been any support on P@treon over the past few weeks. I've been releasing chapters daily, and honestly, it hurts to see almost no support after putting in so much effort.
If you're enjoying the fic even a little, your support would truly mean a lot to me. It really helps a student stay independent and continue uploading .
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