Konoha cat Breeder

Chapter 20 : Nara Clan

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Nara Shikashin stepped into the ward again, a look of helplessness and despair etched across his face.

His gaze landed on Tonari, who was curled up tightly in a quilt on the bed.

Yet don't be fooled by Tonari's obedient appearance and the emotionless expression in his eyes; these traits only highlighted his intelligence. What child, after becoming the Jinchūriki of a terrifying tailed beast and finding themselves in a strange place, wouldn't feel fear? The innocence in his eyes was all a facade.

Little fox!

"Ahem, Tonari, is it alright if I call you that?" Shikashin asked, clearing his throat.

Despite his reluctance to "take in" this little guy, he understood the seriousness of the situation. He had just observed the tense exchange between the Third Hokage and Danzo in the office.

As a loyal supporter of the Hokage, the honor and disgrace of the Nara clan had long been intertwined with the Sarutobi clan. A Jinchūriki like Tonari could never end up in Danzo's hands; if that happened, Danzo would gain the confidence to challenge Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Some matters were too troublesome to address, but Nara Shikashin was keenly aware of their implications.

"Yeah, that's fine. You can call me whatever you want, Uncle. Just… could you get me a set of clothes first?" Tonari replied, still wrapped in the quilt.

Nara Shikashin was prepared; he casually tossed a set of his child's clothes to Tonari.

With Nara Shikashin's arrival, Tonari felt his heart begin to settle. For now, at least, he felt safe.

If someone intended to harm him, Nara Shikashin wouldn't be there alone; there would likely be fully armed ANBU elites nearby.

Though he was uncertain of the decisions that Konoha's leaders had made, their initial inaction suggested they were contemplating something significant regarding him.

The most probable consideration was, of course, the connection he held with the Two-Tails. The second possibility was how he might coexist with the beast.

Silently, he crawled out from under the quilt and put on the clothes, his mind racing with thoughts.

Although he had the mind of an adult, his childlike appearance might confuse many, but the leaders of Konoha would not be so easily misled.

He had a sense of self-awareness.

Anyone who truly considered the world as a stage of fools would be the biggest fool of all.

Now fully dressed, Tonari followed Nara Shikashin out of the hospital building.

Along the way, they encountered numerous people. Some greeted Nara Shikashin with cheerful waves, while others bowed respectfully.

Without exception, they cast curious glances at Tonari following closely behind Nara Shikashin, who was clad in clothes much too large for him. He felt like an animal on display in a zoo.

To be honest, Tonari was quite good-looking, and the baggy clothes only added a contrasting charm to his appearance.

Several girls, upon catching sight of him, gasped in surprise.

They walked through the busy streets and entered a residential area surrounded by dense woods—the homeland of the Nara clan.

"Wife—I'm home!" Nara Shikashin exclaimed as he entered the house, instantly transforming his demeanor from lazy to lively.

While they had walked, he had told Tonari about Konoha's basic rules and regulations, adopting an overly serious tone, almost like a strict teacher. Now, however, he was filled with joy.

"Ahem, hello, Auntie! My name is Tonari. I might be bothering you for a while!" Tonari said as he stepped into the house, dutifully bowing at a 90-degree angle to Nara Shikashin's wife, who was busy in the kitchen.

As he stood back up, he caught sight of a woman wielding a spatula and frying pan, ready to confront Nara Shikashin, who stood there grinning sheepishly.

The scene created a moment of stillness.

Behind them, their son, Nara Shikaku, observed their antics with an expression that blended helplessness and amusement.

Ms. Nara dropped the pots and pans she had been holding, shot Nara Shikashin a fierce glare, then walked up to Tonari with a welcoming smile.

Though Tonari was eight or nine years old, he appeared smaller than his peers due to malnutrition, with little flesh on his frame.

"Hello, Tonari! From now on, treat this place as your own home! Tell Auntie what you want to eat, and I'll make it for you!

It's rare to find such a polite child!" Nara Yoshimi said warmly, grasping Tonari's hand.

As she pulled him along, the oversized clothing slipped down one of his shoulders, exposing his little frame.

Ahem...

Nara Yoshimi exchanged a quick glance with Nara Shikashin, who had clearly noticed, but the oversized outfit was still too big for Tonari.

Yet when Tonari tilted his head and looked up at her with shimmering eyes, Nara Yoshimi became aware of something else.

This child was truly handsome!

In fact, he was far more appealing than her husband and son, who bore her husband's less flattering genes.

But when she noticed Tonari's skinny form, especially his pronounced collarbones, her heart ached with maternal instinct.

"Poor child, come on now! Auntie has prepared a table full of delicious food just for you." With gentle affection, she ruffled Tonari's hair and led him toward the dining room.

Meanwhile, Nara Shikaku and Nara Shikashin exchanged bewildered glances, realizing that their place in the family hierarchy was shifting.

...

"Hey, little Tonari, eat slowly. No one is going to snatch the food from you. Take your time and don't choke!" Yoshimi smiled at Tonari, who was eagerly devouring his meal, both elated and concerned.

"Mmmm—Aunti Yoshimi, your cooking is absolutely divine! I've never tasted anything this good in my life!" Tonari exclaimed, his appreciation genuine as he polished off the last of his food.

Compared to Bingliang Pills, this meal was nothing short of a feast.

"Gulp—"

Nara Shikaku, sitting across from Tonari, eyed the now-empty plates and then glanced at his own untouched bowl of rice.

He couldn't quite place it, but watching Tonari eat made him feel inexplicably full.

And… the saddest part of a meal was when the dishes were cleared, but the rice remained—like an unfulfilled promise.

He sought his father's gaze with a pleading look, but found him happily finishing off his minimal leftover soup and rice, giving him a satisfied smile.

Yoshimi was thrilled that Tonari had enjoyed her food so much while her husband and son seemed left in the cold.

"Burp—delicious! Even in the ninja world, this has to be the best meal. Aunt Yoshimi, I'm full! Thank you for the feast!"

After finishing, Tonari let out a burp that echoed triumphantly through the room.

"Hahaha, okay, okay! Little Tonari is such a sweetheart!" Yoshimi laughed delightedly as she began clearing the table.

Noticing Shikaku's full bowl of rice, Tonari felt a pang of sympathy and decided to intervene.

"Shikaku, why aren't you eating? Auntie's food is amazing!"

Click—

Nara Shikaku stiffened at Tonari's words and turned his head slowly. He quickly masked his expression when his mother looked his way.

The sight of white rice made his mouth water.

His mind raced, trying to acknowledge that it probably tasted great.

"Ahem, well, after dinner, I need to talk to both of you, Shikaku and Tonari. Follow me," Nara Shikashin announced, feeling it was time to assert the authority of the family head.

Especially now that Nara Yoshimi had gone to wash the dishes…

Tonari was increasingly convinced of the hereditary traditions held by the Nara clan...

Shikaku silently nodded.

Tonari obediently followed behind them.

In that moment, he understood the Nara clan's attitudes toward him.

He sidled up to Shikaku and whispered in his ear, "Shikaku, you should remember to eat well in the future. I've heard that if you don't eat enough, little Shikaku won't grow up!"

Shikaku: "!!!"

Shikashin: "…"

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