Without needing further instruction, a group of Yamanaka Clan members gathered around.
Extracting information from a dead person's mind was far more challenging than from a living one.
The fragments of memories left behind were fragmented and scattered, with the most deeply buried secrets being the only ones likely to survive death.
Investigators required exceptional skill and expertise to retrieve such data.
They had brought in their best equipment, each device looking bizarre enough to send shivers down one's spine.
Raj certainly felt uneasy.
The cellar was thick with ghostly energy, and the Yamanaka Clan's ability to enter others' bodies was downright unsettling.
What if someone took an interest in him?
Even though he was just a cat, there was no telling if some pervert from the Yamanaka Clan might want to experience life as a feline.
'No way. I can't stay in this creepy place.'
The
Little Black Cat quietly slipped out of the cellar.
Minato and Akimichi Choza were too focused on the corpse to notice his departure, while the others knew Raj was associated with Minato and wouldn't stop him from leaving.
Once outside the tent, he let out a long sigh of relief.
'This place is way too scary for a cat! From now on, I'm giving the Yamanaka Clan a wide berth!'
Raj vowed inwardly.
Moments later, a series of footsteps approached from behind.
"Your teacher likely has business with the Yamanaka Clan. Jonin and above are the only ones allowed inside, so you'll have to wait outside."
Gaku Inuzuka hadn't even arrived yet, but a glance at Raj's location told him exactly what Minato was up to.
"Thank you, Lord Inuzuka."
Kakashi bowed politely.
Beside him, Obito also bowed in thanks, but his hands seemed to be making subtle movements, and his chakra flow never ceased, as if he were experimenting with some kind of chakra nature transformation.
Raj knew exactly what he was doing.
Ever since their encounter with the Iwa Ninja, Obito had been frustrated by his inability to contribute underground.
This had only intensified his desire to master Earth Release ninjutsu, and he had recently been delving into the nature transformation of earth-attribute chakra.
What Raj didn't know was Obito's true ambition: to learn Iwagakure's combined Taijutsu and Ninjutsu techniques and adapt them for Konoha!
"Lord Inuzuka, if you have urgent matters, please don't worry about us. We won't wander off," Rin said kindly.
"Very well. You'll likely be staying here for a while. I'll have a team member show you to your quarters. It's getting late, so get a good night's rest. You'll receive your mission orders tomorrow."
Gaku Inuzuka smiled.
The young girl was remarkably perceptive.
As the Jonin of the reconnaissance and tracking team, he was indeed pressed for time, but finding someone to guide them was a simple matter.
He sniffed the air and called out.
"Shizhen, take them to an empty tent to settle in. We'll discuss their assignments tomorrow."
"Understood!"
Insects materialized before their eyes, but the next moment, they recoiled in fear from Rin and her companions.
This sudden shift caused Shibi Aburame, the insect user, to stumble during his Shunshin, nearly throwing out his back.
Shibi Aburame was momentarily stunned, but after recognizing the group before him, he exclaimed, "Ah, it's you guys! No wonder."
"Meow~ Chunin Ninja!"
Chunin Ninja?
Shibi Aburame's expression froze.
He didn't quite understand the meaning of "treasure." Did it mean he possessed something the cat particularly liked or valued?
After a moment's thought, he realized he wasn't carrying anything cats typically favored.
The only thing he had were the insects that made up his body.
It couldn't possibly be interested in the insects... could it?!
Shibi Aburame adjusted his black glasses, noticing Raj's delighted expression.
This only reinforced his suspicions.
He quickly concealed his shock behind his collar.
"Lord Inuzuka, I was just about to..."
"I know you've just returned from patrol and were heading to rest. But could you do me a favor and lead the way? I'd appreciate it, Shizhen."
Gaku Inuzuka clapped him on the shoulder before mounting the Big Brown Dog.
The dog immediately bolted forward without hesitation, its eagerness almost as if a bone were dangling just out of reach.
Shibi Aburame fell silent, turning his head to find Raj's gaze burning even more intensely.
'This is bad. My insects...'
'Meeting him earns nearly 400 Points. Truly a Chunin Ninja.'
'If you're coming, just come. No need to bring gifts.'
'How thoughtful...'
Raj felt a surge of delight.
It was like meeting an old friend in a foreign land.
He had initially expected his time at the front lines to be dull, but after thoroughly milking Gamabunta dry, he now encountered another familiar Chunin Ninja.
It couldn't get any better.
For Shibi Aburame, however, this was far from a pleasant reunion.
The cat had grown even stronger than before.
The proof lay in how much more terrified his insects were of it.
To be fair, cats aren't natural enemies of insects.
They don't prey on them; to cats, insects are merely amusing toys, like energetic mice.
The difference was that rats were edible.
Shibi Aburame remained unaware that Raj's increasingly fervent gaze was solely due to his ability to continuously provide valuable Points, not because the cat had taken a liking to his insects.
It doesn't lust after human bodies.
It's not that depraved.
"Then, everyone, please follow me."
Shibi Aburame wiped a bead of cold sweat from his collar and led Rin and the others to find empty tents.
Resources were scarce on the warfront, so tents weren't exactly vacant.
Most were used in shifts, with everyone taking turns to maximize resource and space efficiency.
Thus, Shibi Aburame had to consider how to allocate the three of them.
'Three nine-year-old children... Since one of them is a girl, should I take them to the female Ninja's tent? There seems to be some extra space there.'
'The female Ninja were somewhat wary of men, but children were generally harmless. In fact, they might even trigger the women's maternal instincts.'
After a moment's thought, Shibi Aburame abandoned this suicidal idea.
While it was technically feasible, if any trouble arose, the senior Ninja would never punish three innocent nine-year-olds.
The blame would inevitably fall on him.
Of course, his apprehension stemmed primarily from his distrust of Raj.
This feline was restless and mischievous, always stirring up trouble.
But if they didn't go there, the only other option was to stay near him.
Tonight, one tent was completely empty - the entire squad was on night patrol and wouldn't be resting inside.
'But... This is going to be a disaster!'