Hmph. What a scumbag cat.
Forget it… once I capture the Two-Tails in the future and make Big Orange its jinchūriki… I'm really curious what Ayan will do then.
After a brief moment of thought, Uchiha Anlan had already formed a plan.
His gaze shifted toward the silver-striped cat.
"Ayan, how is the situation on the frontlines?"
The silver cat did not answer immediately.
Instead, she stepped forward gracefully, lowered her head, and picked up a berry that Big Orange had carefully selected.
Only after savoring it slowly did she reply.
"Young Master, the situation is developing largely as you predicted."
"Sunagakure has fallen into chaos due to the disappearance of the Third Kazekage."
"Several of the village elders intend to seize resources from smaller nations to redirect their internal conflicts into shared profit."
"They are even trying to ignite a full-scale war—tempting other nations to invade the Land of Fire and divide portions of Konoha's territory."
"Small groups of Sand ninja have already begun raiding villages along the border."
Anlan nodded slightly.
In the original Naruto anime, the main storyline was filled with love and justice, passion and bonds.
But real ninja were nothing more than professional killers.
Even Konoha ninja—who lived relatively comfortable lives—had once killed civilians from other nations simply to survive.
Just like the parents of Uzumaki Nagato.
As for the moral standards of ninja from other villages?
You couldn't say they had none.
But you could certainly say they were painfully low.
Helpless elders, women, and children—
Were often the favorite targets of many ninja.
Seeing Anlan remain silent, the cat continued.
"Kumogakure intends to take advantage of Sunagakure's leaderless state by invading the Land of Wind."
At this point, Ayan's feline face showed an almost human-like confusion.
"The Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning are separated by thousands of miles."
"In between lie the Land of Moon, the Land of Hot Water, the entire Land of Fire, and even the Land of Rain beyond."
"For such a difficult expedition with almost no benefit… aren't they afraid their supply lines will be cut?"
"Or are they planning to take an even longer route through seven minor nations, risking attacks from both the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire?"
The cat shook her head.
"This kind of ridiculous invasion…"
"Even Big Orange wouldn't do something so stupid."
She flicked her tail slightly, her tone carrying faint ridicule.
"Kumo ninja are idiots."
"They're not worthy of serving Lady Two-Tails!"
Her emerald pupils shrank.
Sharp claws extended from between her paw pads as she growled angrily.
"They imprison such a noble being and treat her as a mere jinchūriki tool."
"The Ninja Cat Clan will never forgive them!"
Watching Ayan grind her teeth in anger, Anlan casually flicked her forehead with a water-damp finger.
"Meow!"
The cat stumbled backward from the edge of the bathtub.
Her tail flailed wildly as she tried to maintain balance.
But in the end—
Thump.
She fell straight onto the floor.
"When working, you can't mix in personal emotions."
Anlan deliberately dragged out his tone while looking at the fluffy ball on the ground.
"If it happens again…"
Ayan's ears instantly perked up.
"I'll shave all your fur off."
The cat froze.
Her fur exploded outward instantly.
"Young Master! That's cruel!"
She flipped upright and sat properly.
Her tail nervously wrapped around her front paws.
"Then behave."
To be honest, most ninja cats had the bad habit of pushing their luck once given an inch.
Normally, Anlan could treat Ayan's occasional willfulness as something cute.
But sometimes—
This silver cat surrounded by countless admirers still forgot her place.
And needed a proper reminder.
Seeing her master's stern attitude, Ayan obediently calmed down.
She lightly jumped back onto the edge of the bathtub.
Tilting her head slightly, her emerald eyes shimmered softly.
Then she let out a long, lingering—
"Meow~"
The sound was sweet like honey.
It carried just the right nasal softness.
The seductive tone sent a shiver down Anlan's spine, as if a faint electric current had run through his body.
The sensation was far more intoxicating than any ASMR experience from his previous life.
Big Orange had once heard this voice.
He immediately collapsed onto the ground, wearing the most shameless lovestruck expression imaginable.
Truly a specialist in her field.
No wonder she was known as the "Liu Ruyan of cats."
And honestly…
Kumo being this stupid is really Kishimoto's fault.
He's a manga artist—what does he know about ninja warfare?
Anlan muttered inwardly before snorting.
"So… what happened next?"
Ayan blinked.
Seeing her master relax again, her tension eased.
Her voice grew softer.
"Young Master, as you instructed…"
"Kakuzu disguised himself as a Konoha ninja and assassinated several Kumo ninja."
"Now Kumogakure believes Konoha is responsible."
She tilted her head slightly.
The soft fur at the tips of her ears trembled.
"But Young Master…"
"Why would you do that?"
"Isn't the Uchiha clan part of Konoha too?"
"Now Kumo is preparing to invade the Land of Fire."
"And there's also the scheming Sunagakure…"
"Plus Iwagakure, eager to take a bite out of Konoha…"
"And Kirigakure, which is beginning to stir as well."
Ayan elegantly raised her paw, counting each threat.
Her voice carried clear worry.
"Four great villages attacking at once…"
"Will Konoha really be alright, meow?"
"The survival of Konoha…"
"Is something the man sitting in the Hokage's office should worry about."
Anlan chuckled and rose from the bath.
Water droplets rolled down the lines of his muscles.
"They have nothing to do with the Uchiha clan."
He took the towel Ayan handed him and casually dried his black hair.
"If we don't increase the pressure on the Hokage…"
"How can our clan gain greater autonomy?"
Ayan nodded vaguely, still not fully understanding.
She then leaped onto a nearby shelf and fetched a dark-colored bathrobe.
Anlan casually put it on.
The moment he stepped forward, the bathroom door was pushed open by the cat's paw.
The silver figure leaped into the air—
Landing perfectly in his arms.
"But what if Konoha can't withstand it?" Ayan asked.
"Konoha's foundations are far deeper than they appear."
Anlan gently stroked the cat's soft ears.
"They won't collapse easily."
"And besides…"
"The survival of Konoha is tied to the dignity of the Land of Fire."
"With the intricate web of marriages among the daimyō and nobles…"
"The rulers behind the four great villages will never allow Konoha to truly disappear."
He pushed open the corridor door.
The night wind carried falling leaves across the courtyard.
"Because if Konoha disappears, the Land of Fire collapses."
"And if the Land of Fire collapses…"
"The nobles' sacred bloodline ideology will be trampled into the mud by lowly ninja."
Anlan tapped the cat's nose lightly.
His voice lowered.
"So the so-called Ninja World Wars…"
"Aren't just about profit."
"In some ways…"
"They also serve to reduce the number of ninja."
Ayan stared at him in shock.
"If they want to reduce the ninja population…"
"They don't need such a cruel method as war!"
"Having a sword but choosing not to use it…"
"And having no sword at all…"
"Are two completely different things."
Anlan smiled faintly.
His gaze lifted toward the night sky.
"And besides…"
"The daimyō of each nation aren't exactly united either."
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