The Uchiha's Path to the Top, Starting from Konoha

Chapter 25 The Majestic Orange Lord

"Greetings, Lord Orange, this is a catnip drink, please enjoy, meow."

"Greetings, Lord Orange, this is freshly grilled fish, please enjoy it, meow."

"Meow, work hard, and one day you will be able to tame the Mangekyou Sharingan of the Uchiha clan and become the best of the best, just like me."

The ruins and empty area, just like its name suggests, is a place without humans, belonging to no country or village, but to the Ninja Cat Clan.

The large orange cat with yellow and white stripes was now dressed in a red, form-fitting outfit, looking quite human-like. There was a circle on the back of the outfit with a cool "武" (martial) character written inside. Paired with the smug cat face of the orange cat, it made the nearby ninja cats envious and jealous, yet they had no choice but to put on a respectful appearance.

Since Uchiha Muan awakened his Mangekyou Sharingan and became the young lord of the Uchiha clan, the previously relatively unknown Tachibana no Tachibana's status within the Ninja Cat Clan has skyrocketed, and he has quickly become the clan's rising star and hotshot.

Although this orange cat has a big belly and short legs, looks pitiful and helpless with a big mouth, is timid and fearful yet very curious, it has a powerful owner.

"I initially thought that Uchiha Takeo would die out there soon after being listed as a rogue ninja, but I never expected that this fat cat would turn the tables, meow."

Watching Orange Saga stroll away with a drink in one hand and grilled fish in the other, the few close-knit ninja cats whispered among themselves in the corner.

"What bad luck! I even made a few sarcastic remarks back then, saying that a useless cat was following a loser. Sigh, I hope you don't hold it against me, meow."

"Everyone's the same, otherwise I wouldn't have been assigned to the gatekeeper position, meow."

"What a different fate for cats, meow."

"We still need to find a way to keep sending gifts, otherwise our cat lives will be tough, meow."

The ninja cats exchanged glances and decided to have a good chat with the contracted Uchiha—look at Uchiha Muan, he awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan at sixteen, you better do better!

The easygoing and chubby orange tabby didn't dwell on the past. As a brave orange tabby cat who looks forward, difficulties are just minor episodes in its life.

(It's decided, I'll go to Tian Huo's house tomorrow. That guy said bad things about Lord Wu'an, and it definitely wasn't because his food was good.)

Wanting to seek justice for its owner, Orange Taro wagged its little tail, wiped its shiny mouth, and walked deep into the wasteland, where it met the ninja cat clan leader, Nekomata.

The fierce cat had a scar on its face, which made the previously imposing orange tabby cat a little scared.

"Meow, Chief Nekomata, what can I do for you?"

Orange-seat obediently squatted on the soft cushion in front of the cat-like creature. This was her first time in the clan leader's room.

Feeling both curious and uneasy, Orange couldn't help but roll its lively cat eyes and survey the room.

The room was filled with catnip, which cats love, and even the air smelled sweet and delicious.

(As expected of the cat demon clan leader, he really knows how to enjoy life.)

"I have some good news that I need you to pass on to Young Master Wu'an, meow."

After first showing concern for the orange cat and easing its anxiety and tension, the cat chieftain got straight to the point.

"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire has sent an envoy to Konoha, including the Daimyo's heir, Prince Minamoto no Kazuhiko, and the most beautiful princess, Princess Minamoto no Kaori. According to the ninja cats stationed there, the Daimyo seems to want to marry Princess Minamoto no Kaori to the young lord of Muan, and at the same time intends to bestow the title of Princess of the Land of Fire upon Tsunade Senju."

Orange-Clad Cat tilted its head, its whiskers twitching, its eyes filled with confusion. "Meow, why would a high-ranking figure like a daimyo marry his daughter to Lord Wu'an?"

"There could be many reasons."

The cat poured another cup of catnip drink for the two of them. After taking a small sip, a happy smile appeared on the cat's face, and its voice was a little ethereal, "But in the end, it's still the Daimyo who's afraid of the Uchiha."

"Just like you and me right now."

The cat looked at the thoughtful orange-seat and chuckled, "Whether it's between people or between ninja cats, things can be quite realistic sometimes."

"So, Orange Cat, cherish your bond with Young Master Wu'an. It's a precious connection that many Ninja Cats can only dream of, a bond that has accompanied you from weakness to strength!"

"Clan Chief Nekomata, Orange-sama understands."

Looking at Orange, who seemed to understand or not, the cat remained noncommittal. As long as Orange maintained this temperament, his relationship with Uchiha Takeo wouldn't be too bad.

"Then tomorrow morning..."

Before the cat could finish speaking, it saw Orange disappear with a bang. The cat blinked helplessly, reached out and took the unfinished catnip drink from Orange, smelled it with a blissful expression, and then drank it with relish.

"Lord Wu'an! Great news!"

A ripple of teleportation energy spread through the air, and Uchiha Wu'an, who had just finished taking a bath, saw Tachibana no Satoshi jump out of the void ahead, meowing loudly.

Four fleshy, white hands clung to Uchiha Takeo's yukata and darted up to his shoulder in a flash. Uchiha Takeo moved swiftly, capturing Tachibana in his arms with a single hand.

"Sister Orange, I've told you so many times, don't panic when something happens."

"Meow, Orange King isn't panicking, he's just happy for Lord Wu'an! Lord Wu'an is about to have a wife, meow!"

"..."

Uchiha Takeo, who was about to pet the cat, stopped and looked at Tachibana with a surprised expression. He reached out and pinched Tachibana's cat face. "You lazy, gluttonous cat, where did you hear this gossip?"

Orange cats' personalities don't match their steady weight at all, but cats don't just say things they don't mean.

"It was Chief Nekomata who told me."

After organizing his thoughts, Tachibana relayed the cat clan leader's words to Uchiha Takeosu in detail. In terms of relaying messages, Tachibana was still a trustworthy ninja cat.

During World War I, there were several times when, if it weren't for Tachibana's timely messages, Uchiha Takeo would have been left to die in the wilderness, and he wouldn't be as carefree and composed as he is now.

"The Genji of the Land of Fire".

Uchiha Muan gently stroked Tachibana's soft fur, his eyes slightly upturned. "It seems our Fire Country Daimyo isn't a complete fool after all."

For royalty and nobility, marriage was the lowest-cost and most effective way to form alliances.

On one hand, by marrying the princess into the Uchiha clan, the political status of the Uchiha clan is elevated; on the other hand, the Uchiha clan can be easily brought onto the war chariot of the Land of Fire.

If it were an ordinary young Uchiha lord, faced with the daimyo's "sincere" attempts to win him over, he might very well have displayed the traditional Uchiha skill of being unable to think straight and willingly being driven by the daimyo.

Unfortunately, he encountered an ambitious transmigrator. Uchiha Muan's short-term goal was to become the Third Hokage. If he succeeded, his next target would be the entire Land of Fire.

"Tachibana-za, keep a close eye on the Daimyo's delegation. I want Minamoto Kaori, the apple of the eye of the Land of Fire."

A calm voice, carrying an unquestionable tone, entered the cat's ears. Orange's cat face showed a solemn expression, and its tail stood up. "Lord Wu'an, Meow Meow understands. The rest of the intelligence will be handed over to Meow Meow."

"Please, Orange."

Wherever you are, you must not entrust your name or your position to others.

Faced with a title offered to him, how could Uchiha Takeo refuse? After becoming the Third Hokage, the future Land of Fire would surely be a country where the military and government were united!

(End of this chapter)