With Mao You confirmed as the leader of the Cat Castle, the so-called "dark ninja cat world"—including that foolish ninja cat stronghold—lost all reason to exist.
Hundreds of ninja cats returned to the Cat Castle.
Their movement inevitably exposed its location among the various ninja beast clans.
But at the same time—
The wolf clan, the monkey clan, the giant insect swarm, and the hawk clan had all sensed it.
The aura of two Sage Cats.
…
The leader of the monkey clan, Enma, let out a sigh.
"Not a cold-blooded Sage… a pity it wasn't me. But appearing among the ninja cats is… the least bad outcome."
Beside him, the white monkey smiled. "This is a good thing. With a warm-blooded Sage appearing, our own path becomes clearer."
"And I think… we should ask whether the Cat Sage is willing to teach us senjutsu."
Enma's eyes lit up.
"You're right."
"A lone Sage facing the cold-blooded Sages of the three sacred lands… the pressure and danger are far too great."
"Whether it's the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku, or the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave…"
"Neither are kind."
The white monkey nodded with emotion. "Exactly. Don't be fooled by how fiercely the toads and snakes fight, or how they speak of destroying each other."
"Whenever a new enemy appears…"
"They always unite."
"Advance together. Retreat together."
"The Cat Sage needs allies."
"Only by forming a warm-blooded Sage alliance…"
"Can we avoid falling into Gamamaru's schemes."
…
"Based on your information, the giant insect swarm can be ignored."
"They don't possess intelligence. They're just a collective that breeds the strongest and most numerous insects through survival of the fittest."
As Yoru spoke, both Mao You and Granny Cat nodded repeatedly.
No objections.
Yoru rested his hand on the head of a ninja cat, guiding it to draw in earth-aspected natural energy, combining it with chakra to form senjutsu chakra and continue the process of transforming its body.
Because he directly controlled earth-aspected natural energy, the process required almost no effort.
Which allowed him to think about the future of the Cat Castle at the same time.
…
As leader, Mao You was indeed more suitable than Miwa Masayo or Granny Cat.
Only he understood the broader situation among ninja beasts.
Though even his knowledge was limited.
After all—
The ninja cat clan had always been considered weak among the ninja beasts.
Despised by the monkey clan and hawk clan.
Bullied by the wolf clan.
Because they lacked a firm foothold, the ninja cats had been forced to integrate more deeply with human society.
Dealing in weapons.
Trading intelligence.
Earning profits to sustain the entire clan.
And secretly forming ties with the Uchiha.
Because the Cat Castle had always adopted an avoidance strategy, neither Mao You nor Granny Cat had much experience dealing with other ninja beast clans.
That was why—
They sought Yoru's advice.
…
Mao You's fur had grown even longer.
Especially around his neck, where the white fur thickened into something resembling a lion's mane.
Strangely—
As his majestic, king-like presence grew stronger—
So did an almost ethereal, transcendent aura.
Mao You asked again, "Aside from the giant insects… which clans should the Cat Castle establish contact with?"
Yoru answered without hesitation.
"All of them."
"…All of them?"
"Yes."
"Every ninja beast faction should be contacted."
"And alliances should be attempted."
"We establish a unified ninja beast alliance."
"One led by the Cat Castle."
Mao You frowned.
"Why? The hawk clan and the wolf clan have both bullied us!"
He even pointed at the scars on his body.
"Look! These are from the hawks. These are from the wolves!"
"And we're supposed to ally with them?"
"Yes."
Yoru's voice remained calm.
Emotionless.
"As the leader of the Cat Castle, you must prioritize the interests of the ninja cat clan."
"If the Cat Castle were strong enough to crush the wolf clan and hawk clan, and unafraid of Mount Myoboku and Ryūchi Cave…"
"Then you'd have the right to act on personal grudges."
"But right now—"
"You don't."
Mao You fell silent.
Granny Cat remained quiet for a long moment, then gently patted his paw.
"This is the burden of leadership… and its responsibility."
"You've worked hard, Mao You."
Mao You lowered his head at last.
"…Fine. We'll form alliances."
"But alliances are always directed at an enemy."
"Who is the Cat Castle's enemy?"
Yoru replied calmly.
"I already told you."
"Ryūchi Cave."
"And Mount Myoboku."
"…Two of the Three Great Sacred Lands?"
"Why? We've never had conflict with them. No hatred at all."
"You and Miwa Masayo became Sages."
"That alone creates the conflict."
Mao You couldn't understand.
"Why?"
"The three sacred lands are effectively only two."
"Shikkotsu Forest has only one being—the Slug Sage. It has no desire for competition or resources."
"But Ryūchi Cave and Mount Myoboku…"
"They're large factions."
"Many Sages. Countless offspring."
"They have massive material needs."
"Toads and snakes don't produce anything themselves."
"They don't run businesses like the ninja cats."
"So where do their resources come from?"
"From humans."
"They sign contracts."
"Exchange their strength for resources."
"With the prestige of a sacred land… and the power of Sages…"
"They became the strongest summons."
"What should be a hired contract—"
"Turned into something humans beg for."
"To gain their favor, humans offer more and more."
"They give one unit of effort…"
"And receive twelve units in return."
"They're powerful, yes."
"Few shinobi can match them."
"And even when they encounter someone stronger…"
"They won't be killed—because no one wants to become the enemy of a sacred land."
"So they reached a tacit understanding."
"When they fight each other, they hold back."
"No real risk of death."
"A leisurely life. Abundant resources."
Yoru paused.
Then continued.
"But now…"
"A new quasi-sacred land has appeared."
"A new Sage."
"Their monopoly…"
"Is breaking."
"And with it…"
"A massive share of their profits."
"Do you think they'll accept that?"
"…They'll eliminate us."
Mao You's eyes widened.
"I see."
"But if it's that dangerous… why would the monkey clan, wolf clan, and hawk clan be willing to ally with us?"
"Because of profit."
"The monkey clan has a contract with the Sarutobi clan."
"They've fought diligently for years."
"Acted as weapons."
"Risked their lives."
"And yet…"
"Their returns aren't even a fraction of Mount Myoboku's."
"Why?"
"Because they lack the title of 'Sage.'"
"With the sacred lands as precedent…"
"They want the same."
"To become Sages."
"To build their own sacred land."
"To work less…"
"And earn more."
"…So they want to learn senjutsu from me?"
"Yes."
"And they'll also rely on you to resist pressure from Mount Myoboku and Ryūchi Cave."
"Until they produce their own Sage…"
"They'll firmly support your alliance."
"The Warm-Blooded Sage Alliance."
"…Warm-blooded Sage Alliance?"
"I just came up with it."
Yoru shrugged slightly.
"The Sages of the three sacred lands are all cold-blooded creatures."
"But the Cat Castle, the monkey clan, the wolf clan, the hawk clan—"
"All warm-blooded."
"So naturally…"
"That's your alliance."
Mao You's expression turned strange.
"…That name is really… casual."
At that moment—
A ninja cat rushed into the room.
"Lord Mao You!"
"A representative from the monkey clan—the white monkey—requests an audience."
Everyone froze.
…Those monkeys moved fast.
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