"Takeshi Sensei... when we get back to the village, are we getting a new sensei?" Guy sounded hesitant, reluctant.
Before Takeshi had arrived, Guy had been the only one training relentlessly every day. His teammates sometimes called him a blockhead behind his back, thinking his obsessive training was pointless. Guy knew they said it, but he just grit his teeth and kept going.
Then the black cat showed up, and suddenly, Guy felt like his approach was validated. Takeshi hadn't said anything outright, but making Genma and Ebisu train just as hard alongside him? That was support, wasn't it? At least, that's how Guy saw it.
He didn't want Takeshi to leave. He felt like Takeshi was the only one who truly understood him. He'd felt that way almost from the start, so much so that he'd nearly cancelled his summoning contract with the turtles over it, earning himself a scolding from both the Boss Turtle and his father.
"I can't lead the team forever. You'll definitely get a new jonin leader," Takeshi replied, tail twitching slightly. "Meow. Anyway, what makes you think Furukawa-sensei isn't coming back?" he asked, curious.
Genma and Ebisu glanced over too. Guy was usually oblivious, a total blockhead, but he'd actually figured out that Furukawa wouldn't be leading them anymore. Impressive.
"Furukawa-sensei... he said he wasn't capable enough," Guy mumbled, his usual energy gone. "Said he didn't deserve to be our teacher. He wanted to quit back when we lost those two teammates on that mission."
"Meow..."
The mood turned heavy. Takeshi wasn't sure how to respond. Seeing the usually optimistic, fiery Guy this downcast was... unexpected.
He pondered for a long moment.
Finally, he had to be blunt. "Meow... Look, I can't be your team's Jonin Leader permanently. I'm just a cat. Besides," he added, stretching lazily, "with my skills, staying cooped up in the village leading a genin team isn't exactly the best use of my talents."
"..."
'I know you're telling the truth, but man, I really want to smack you right now,' Genma thought wryly. He'd gotten quite good at internal complaining, thanks entirely to Takeshi's demanding leadership. Without the cat around, he probably would have just said it out loud.
They were all ninja, no need to stick to roads like a caravan. Cutting across the mountains and ridges, they made good time.
By that night, they were back in Konoha. The team members split off, heading to their respective homes.
The Nohara house was dark and quiet, everyone already asleep. Takeshi didn't bother knocking, simply using the Flying Thunder God to teleport straight to the Ninja Cat Fortress. It took a fair bit of chakra.
His main reason for visiting the Fortress was to dispatch some trusted cats to Amegakure. While the Konoha ninja had been fighting in the East, the New Year had passed. Based on the timeline, this was around the year Danzo would likely make his move, conspiring with Hanzo. Nagato and the others didn't have Flying Thunder God, they couldn't possibly send word to Takeshi proactively.
Going himself wouldn't take too long. With Kanna there, he wouldn't have to waste time arguing with that Nekomata idiot. Just explain the situation clearly, then head back.
Returning from the fortress to his own little bed, Takeshi crashed, falling asleep almost instantly.
He had planned on sleeping in, letting himself wake naturally, but...
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Sensei! Time to get up! We've got missions!" That was Ebisu.
Then, louder voice chimed in, "My youth is burning! Takeshi Sensei, come out quickly! Let's go on a mission or train together!" Guy, of course.
Genma glanced left, then right. 'These two are practically begging for trouble,' he thought, silently taking a step back. He wanted to put some distance between himself and his teammates before the black cat inevitably lost his temper, just in case he got caught in the crossfire.
A moment later, a black tail whipped out from inside the house.
*WHAM!*
It caught Guy, the loudest one, square in the chest, sending him flying backwards. The tail then shot out, pinning Guy against the opposite wall, rendering him immobile.
Ebisu's face went pale.
The next second, a single strand of hair detached itself from the tip of the tail. *Slap!* It cracked through the air like a whip, laced with frost, and struck Ebisu hard. Even just a hair carried a surprising amount of force, he crumpled to the ground.
Genma held his breath, not daring to move or speak. He braced himself for his own punishment, but after several tense seconds, nothing happened. The tail simply retracted back inside.
Genma let out his breath slowly. He got the message. He hauled the unconscious Guy and groaning Ebisu to their feet and started dragging them down the street, away from Takeshi's place. Best to make a strategic retreat while they could.
This was not a place to linger. It was better to escape.
A full hour passed before Takeshi emerged from his den, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Yesterday, he'd felt a flicker of sentimentality, thinking that since he was free anyway, maybe leading them a while longer wouldn't hurt. Now? Now he was convinced he needed to find the Hokage and unload this burden as soon as possible. Otherwise, these three would drive him insane sooner rather than later.
Takeshi meticulously rinsed his mouth, refilled his food bowl to replenish his energy, and then left without a word. Since his promotion to Jonin, the Nohara family rarely pried into his affairs. They were always happy when he was home, and understanding when he wasn't. Wasn't that how it always was for the families of Jonin, constantly out on missions?
"You again," Sandaime sighed as the black cat appeared in his office. There was a hint of weary resignation in his voice. A second later, though, his expression shifted slightly as he seemed to guess Takeshi's purpose. He didn't speak immediately, instead taking a moment to light his pipe.
"When is Might Duy taking over? Meow?" Takeshi hopped onto the Hokage's desk, tail twitching impatiently. "I'm busy. I've got a ton of things to deal with, the front line needs me..."
*Cough, cough,* Sandaime took a slow drag from his pipe. "Well, you know Duy was primarily handling Genin-level missions before. Even if we've recognized his strength and potential for some Jonin tasks, he still lacks... experience." He exhaled a cloud of smoke, partially obscuring his face.
Takeshi narrowed his eyes. Judging by that tone, Sandaime planned on dragging this out indefinitely.
"Meow... So, you were lying to me before?" Takeshi lowered his head, feigning hurt. Looked like he'd have to play hardball today.
"Now, don't use such harsh words," Sandaime countered, setting down his pipe. "Look, there truly isn't a suitable replacement available right now. Furukawa tried leading a team, but the loss of those two students hit him hard. He's hesitant to even take genin outside the village walls anymore." He laid out the situation, trying to sound reasonable.
"Meow! So you were lying!" Takeshi yowled, his feline face a mask of indignation and sadness. 'I've been tricked!'
"Cough, no, no," Sandaime backtracked quickly. "Once Duy gains sufficient experience, we absolutely intend for him to take over. Before that... wait, don't- Careful! That's precious!"
Sandaime practically leaped from his chair as Takeshi casually lifted the Hokage's crystal ball with one paw, balancing it precariously. The lit pipe clattered to the floor, forgotten. The look on the old man's face was pure panic, like watching his own child teetering on a cliff edge.
"Meow?" Takeshi tilted his head innocently.
"Alas," Sandaime sighed, rubbing his temples. "The village is short-handed. The more capable must bear the heavier burdens." He knew he was in the wrong for misleading Takeshi. He'd suspected Takeshi wouldn't agree initially, so he'd used the promise of a replacement to get him on board, planning to stall later. But... plans change.
'Come to think of it,' Sandaime mused, 'when they returned yesterday, the four of them seemed quite cohesive. Why is this cat suddenly so determined to quit today? Something's not right. Did those three stir up trouble again?'
Takeshi, meanwhile, was calculating what concessions he could demand. Just ditching the team felt irresponsible, despite the early morning disturbance.
This was an opportunity to secure some privileges. Mission preferences, perhaps? Or maybe... a helper? If it hadn't been for dragging Naoki over to watch Kakashi's team, Takeshi would still be stuck babysitting them in that mountain village.
Naoki had been his scapegoat, his ticket out. Meeting Tsunade later had just been a lucky break.
He mulled it over. "Meow! Fine. But I need a helper," he declared. "I can't teach them alone. You have to assign someone."
'You need another person, and you think you can just demand one?' Sandaime internally groaned. This was going to be a headache. He considered it for a long moment, then tapped the desk. "Alright. Tell me who you want. But if it's a Special Jonin or higher, forget it. The village truly doesn't have the manpower right now."
"I'm very reasonable. I won't make things difficult for you, meow," Takeshi said smoothly. "Just transfer Kakashi over. Let him help me lead the team." As he spoke, his paw gave a little shake, making the crystal ball wobble.
Sandaime eyed the crystal ball nervously. He picked up his fallen pipe, brushed it off, then spoke, the reluctance clear in his voice. "Kakashi? Fine. I agree. It's probably safer for him back here than waving that Lightning Blade around on the Kiri borders anyway."
"Also," Takeshi pressed, "you need to find a way to sort out Genma and Ebisu's... issues. Meow!"
"Alright, alright! Just put it down! Put the crystal ball down!"
Takeshi complied, setting the sphere gently back on the desk. The terms were agreed upon, no need to actually smash the Hokage's prized possession. If he really broke it, Sandaime might actually try to kill him.
Sure, there were probably replacements, but this one was familiar, convenient. As Takeshi placed it down, Sandaime coughed lightly and carefully tucked it away underneath the desk. A wise man doesn't make the same mistake twice.
"Meow! Then it's settled. Get Kakashi back here to help me as soon as possible." Having gotten what he wanted, Takeshi turned and bolted from the office. Best to make a quick getaway before Hokage changed his mind or decided to retaliate with that pipe.
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