Raj immediately turned to see the boy standing on a tree branch, striking a smug pose.
'Tch.'
"If you think having silver hair makes you anything like me, you're dead wrong. We're completely different," Kakashi continued smugly.
"Excuse me, you are...?" Kabuto adjusted his glasses, glancing nervously upward.
"Meow~ A smug jerk. Ignore him," Raj tested his voice, then spoke in his natural tone, shooting Kakashi a disdainful look.
'You're not me! How would you know I think Kabuto looks like you?!'
Though, deep down, that's exactly what he was thinking.
"Hello, my name is Kabuto," the boy said, bowing respectfully.
"Kakashi," Kakashi arrogantly tossed his hair.
For some reason, Raj always sensed that Kakashi had a strong desire to show off in front of him, especially after the forest incident.
Is "love-hate relationship" his hidden trait?
Raj stared at Kakashi, lost in thought.
Just then, Kabuto finished greeting Kakashi, immediately set his book aside, and eagerly asked, "I didn't realize you could talk... Perfect!
Yesterday, your owner mentioned those things. Could you explain them to me?
Uh, I'm a bit slow, so I didn't quite understand yesterday."
"Pet snacks are just treats pets love to eat. Pet service shops are places where pets get groomed, massaged, and played with. Pet hospitals are where pets get medical treatment."
Raj leaped onto a stool, lazily sprawled out, and stuck his tongue out at Kakashi.
"Hmph, boring," Kakashi scoffed.
"Then what should we do?" Kabuto's eyes lit up.
He had initially thought pet hospitals held the greatest potential, but now he realized that pet service shops were actually the most suitable for immediate development - if these plans were indeed feasible.
"First, give me a massage."
Raj sprawled out on the table.
Kabuto hesitated for a moment.
He'd never owned a cat, but he'd crammed some pet care knowledge the night before.
Maybe he could give it a try.
A minute later, Raj lay on the stool, his eyes half-closed and purring contentedly.
Kabuto's hands were indeed skillful, and his comprehension was remarkable.
With just a few pointers, he immediately understood what to do.
"..."
Perched in a tree, Kakashi recalled Kabuto's earlier words, his expression growing increasingly peculiar.
'Has this boy not realized the cat's been pulling the strings all along? This "money-making scheme" is probably just a lie to trick him into giving massages! Oh, right. I forgot he's just a regular...'
Kakashi pondered how to expose the foolish cat.
After a few seconds, seeing Raj growing increasingly relaxed under Kabuto's massage, he couldn't resist interjecting, "The ninja you encountered yesterday was definitely this cat in disguise. It has that ability."
"What?" Kabuto froze, his massage movements halting abruptly.
"Meow... Kakashi! Yes, that was me yesterday. But my suggestion was sound. Who understands pets' needs better than a cat, right?" Raj hissed angrily at Kakashi before quickly explaining to Kabuto.
Kabuto was sharp. He saw the logic in Raj's words, but... pets don't have money.
Even if he massaged this creature all day, could it pay him? Clearly not.
"Heh, the Inuzuka Clan loves their dogs. They'd never let outsiders massage their ninja dogs. Without that revenue, where would you earn money?" Kakashi countered mercilessly.
"Kakashi, I'll fight you! Meow~" The enraged cat arched its back, fur bristling, and launched itself at Kakashi with a powerful leap.
Kakashi watched coldly. As the cat neared, he tilted his head to dodge, but...
Needle Jizo.
This time, the cat's fur didn't protect itself; instead, under Chakra control, it hardened and lengthened, causing the Black Cat to explode outward like a porcupine.
Kakashi dodged quickly and avoided injury, but his clothes were pierced in numerous places.
"Amazing!" Kabuto's eyes gleamed with excitement.
No wonder they say being a Ninja can make you rich - even a Ninja Cat is this powerful...
"You ruined my clothes!" Kakashi snapped, visibly annoyed.
"You ruined my business! And I wasn't lying. Who said 'service' has to be for Ninja Beasts? The wealthy ladies of Kyoto are where the real money is!" Raj landed on a nearby tree branch, his back arched in a wary posture.
"Wealthy ladies of Kyoto?" Kakashi and Kabuto reacted differently to this revelation.
The former's mind flashed back to the plump, Fire Country noblewomen he'd encountered on past missions, while Kabuto envisioned women draped in gold and jewels.
"Exactly! Ninjas are all broke. Hooking up with rich ladies is the only way to get ahead."
'Rich ladies...'
Kakashi tilted his head, pondering the cat's words for a long moment. He couldn't quite grasp the twisted humor behind them.
If he didn't understand it, Kabuto certainly wouldn't either. After all, he was only a little over three years old.
Kakashi knew Dead Cat's words were never well-intentioned. He shot the cat a cold glance, then rose and vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
He needed to train.
"Come on, keep scratching me."
"Of course," Kabuto said.
Kabuto squatted down with a smile, waiting for Raj to lie down on the bench.
As he scratched, he read a medical text with great interest, absorbing its knowledge.
Hearing the commotion, Nono quietly peeked through the curtains of a nearby room. When she saw it was just the cat, she breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her work.
Kabuto's technique started out clumsy, but soon he seemed to incorporate basic medical techniques.
The areas he scratched felt warm and soothing, like soaking in warm water.
Raj involuntarily let out a few purrs.
'This technique... I hereby declare you Konoha's number one Medical Ninja!'
As Kabuto's medical massage skills reached near perfection, Raj found himself reluctant to leave.
'It's too comfortable!'
Unfortunately, Kabuto had work to do, and Raj needed to return home.
Even at just over three years old, Kabuto had to work.
The orphanage lacked funds, so every child had to contribute from a young age.
After causing a bit of mischief and earning over a hundred Points, Raj set off for home.
His Points panel now showed over four thousand two hundred.
Of these, four hundred had been contributed by Kakashi, who was furious after Raj tore his clothes, leading him to donate a substantial amount.
'Over four thousand Points! Keep it up!'
'But considering the daily consumption of cat food... Sigh, this feels like an endless journey.'
When Raj returned home, Rin hadn't arrived yet. He settled into his little nest as usual, waiting for mealtime.
The exam had only been held in the morning. Rin had gone to the hospital after lunch and still hadn't returned.
The only person at home was the cook, who was busy preparing dinner.
Among the family members, the cook was the one you absolutely couldn't provoke.
Firstly, the rewards were minimal.
Secondly, if you angered them, your dinner portion might be halved - clearly not worth the risk.
Better not cause any trouble at home for now.
When Raj finally returned, Tsume immediately asked about the exam results.
Upon learning that this year's test was a written exam, the housewife was stunned for half the day.
This was the first time in years that the graduation exam had been a written test. It was utterly farcical.
No mother would want her child to graduate at such a critical moment, but there was no choice.
Village policy was paramount, and even the most skilled ninja had to obey orders.
Thank goodness for Raj. Rin's mother secretly rejoiced, knowing that with a Ninja Cat by her side, Rin would be much safer than ordinary ninja.