That's why he didn't want Raj to leave, even feeling that Raj was the only one who truly understood him.
"Hmm, I've thought so from the start," Raj said.
He had nearly broken his contract with the Turtle over it, earning a stern scolding from the Ninja Turtle and the Old Man.
"I can't lead the team forever. New Jonin will definitely come, meow. By the way, why do you think Jonin Furukawa won't return?" Raj asked, genuinely curious.
Genma Shiranui and Ebisu also turned to look.
Guy, usually as dense as iron, actually believed Furukawa Makoto wouldn't come back to lead them.
How strange.
"Teacher said he lacked the ability and wasn't qualified to be our teacher," Guy said, his voice heavy with emotion.
"He wanted to leave after we lost two comrades on our last mission."
"Meow~"
This was a truly somber topic.
Raj didn't know how to respond.
Even the ever-optimistic and passionate Guy had moments of despair...
He pondered for a long time.
Finally, he said bluntly, "Meow~ I can't be your Jonin leader forever. I'm just a cat, after all.
Besides, my abilities would be wasted leading a team in the village."
'I know you're telling the truth, but I still want to punch you so badly,' Genma Shiranui thought to himself.
He had honed the skill of mentally complaining thanks to Raj's iron-fisted rule.
Without Raj's influence, he would have blurted out his thoughts immediately.
As ninjas, they didn't need to take the winding paths used by merchant caravans.
They traversed mountains and valleys with remarkable speed.
That night, the team returned to the village, each member heading home.
The Nohara Family was already asleep.
Raj didn't bother knocking; he simply used the Flying Thunder God technique to teleport to the Ninja Cat Castle.
The teleportation consumed a significant amount of Chakra.
The primary purpose of this trip to the castle was to dispatch a trusted Ninja Cat to Amegakure.
During the recent eastern campaign, Konoha had already celebrated the New Year.
Based on the timeline, this year would likely be when Danzo and Hanzo launched their joint operation.
Nagato and the others lacked the Flying Thunder God technique, making it impossible for them to proactively warn Raj.
The mission wouldn't take long.
With Ori present, the messenger wouldn't need to waste time arguing with the foolish Matatabi.
They simply needed to deliver the message clearly and return.
After returning to his small den from the Ninja Cat Castle, Raj lay down and quickly fell asleep.
He had intended to wake up naturally, but...
"Teacher, time to get up and do missions!"
"My youth is burning! Raj, come out and join us for missions or training!"
"..."
Genma Shiranui glanced left and right, convinced his teammates were courting disaster.
He subtly took a step back, eager to distance himself before Raj's wrath erupted.
He wanted to avoid being collateral damage.
Moments later, a black tail suddenly lashed out from inside the room, sending Guy flying.
The tail extended, pinning Guy against the wall, completely immobilized.
Ebisu's face paled instantly.
In the next instant, a single hair detached from the tail.
With a sharp snap, it struck Ebisu.
Though just a hair, it was encrusted with frost and lashed out like a whip, knocking him to the ground in the blink of an eye.
"..."
Genma Shiranui took a deep breath, daring neither to speak nor move.
He braced himself for a beating, but after holding his breath for several seconds, the anticipated attack never came.
Instead, the tail retracted.
Genma paused for several breaths, finally realizing what Raj wanted him to do.
He pulled the unconscious Guy and Ebisu to their feet and hurried down the main street, away from Raj.
This was no place to linger; they needed to escape quickly.
A full hour passed before Raj finally emerged from his lair, looking thoroughly annoyed.
He'd been somewhat touched the previous day, thinking he might as well stay a bit longer since he had nothing else to do.
But now he realized he should have handed this troublesome burden over to the Third Hokage sooner.
Otherwise, he'd be worked to death sooner or later.
Raj dutifully rinsed his mouth, replenished his energy with cat food, and left without a word.
Since his promotion to Jonin, the Nohara Family rarely questioned his activities.
They were always happy when he returned, but equally understanding when he was away - after all, what Jonin wasn't constantly on missions?
"You're here again? Not taking on any missions? What brings you?"
The Third Hokage's tone carried a hint of helpless exasperation as he addressed Raj.
After a moment's contemplation, he understood the cat's purpose.
Instead of speaking directly, the Third Hokage lit his pipe first.
"When will Senior Guy take office, meow? I'm very busy, with a ton of things to do, and the front lines need me too..."
Raj jumped onto the table.
"Ahem, well, you know Guy has always been assigned Genin missions. Even though we've recognized his strength and believe he could handle some Jonin-level tasks, he still lacks experience."
The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke, using it to obscure his expression.
But from his tone, Raj sensed he was trying to delay this indefinitely...
"Meow~ So you were lying to me all along?"
Raj lowered his head.
'Looks like I'll have to play Lin Xiangru today.'
"Don't put it so harshly. Look, there really aren't any suitable candidates in the village right now. Furukawa Makoto used to lead a team, but the deaths of two students hit him hard, and he's too afraid to take them out of Konoha now."
The Third Hokage set down his pipe and began rambling excuses.
"Meow! So you were lying to me!"
Raj yowled, his feline face contorted with anger and sorrow.
'This cat's been played!'
"Ahem, no, no, it's not like that. Once Guy gains some experience, we'll have him take over. Until then... wait, don't smash that! Be careful, that's a precious artifact!"
The Third Hokage watched Black Cat cradle the crystal ball in its paw and dropped his lit pipe to the ground, his anxiety as palpable as if his own son had been dropped.
"Meow?"
"Ah, the village is indeed short-handed. You're capable, so you'll have to shoulder the burden," the Third Hokage sighed, rubbing his temples.
He knew he was in the wrong for deceiving Raj.
He'd used this trick to secure Raj's initial agreement, planning to stall later.
But... plans rarely survive contact with reality.
Come to think of it, the four of them had seemed quite united yesterday.
Why was Black Cat so determined to retire today?
Something's off.
Did those three stir up trouble?
The Third Hokage pondered inwardly.
"Meow~"
Raj was also mulling over what benefits to demand.
It would be irresponsible for the trio to simply abandon their duties.