Rin reluctantly formed the hand seals and activated the Summoning Technique.
As expected, she sensed another creature connected to her through the Blood Pact - another cat, this one white with a forked tail.
A few seconds later, the White Cat appeared beneath the summoning circle.
It looked around in confusion before recognizing the Nohara Family's home.
Instantly enraged, it stood up and snarled.
"I was almost at the Ninja Cat Castle! Did you summon me back just to mess with me?"
Raj slapped the cat's head with her paw.
"Meow~ Stop whining and behave yourself!"
"So what if you were summoned? You can be sent back later. What's with all the fuss? If you can't be summoned on demand, what kind of Summoned Beast are you?"
"Raj, don't be so rough! Hello, my name is Rin."
Rin immediately scolded Raj and apologized to Nekomata.
For the first time, Nekomata felt that this contract might not be so bad after all.
At least this girl was sensible and would speak up for him, and it seemed he wouldn't be bullied too badly...
'Wait, that damn black cat holds grudges!'
Just as he thought this, he turned to see Raj tilting its head and licking its paw, its expression remarkably intimidating.
"Meow~ He's in a hurry to get home, Rin. You shouldn't keep him."
"No, no, I'm not really in a hurry," Nekomata quickly explained, afraid the girl might actually think he wanted to leave and send him back. That would mean missing a golden opportunity to interact with his new "friends."
"Hahaha, stay for lunch! It's the perfect chance to try our cooking."
Masato Nohara was overjoyed and even added an extra portion of food for the cat - a portion based on what Raj would eat.
However, he doubted the Nekomata would agree to stay for a meal.
"No, no, I need to get going. I can't stay for food, I can't stay..."
Realizing Raj's attitude, every word felt like a thorn in its back.
It had originally planned to put on airs in front of Rin and the Nohara family, but now it dared not do anything.
'Too dangerous, too dangerous.'
"Don't be nervous," Rin said.
"Raj told me I can summon another cat, so I summoned you. Since you need to get going, you should head back now. I wouldn't want to delay your business."
Rin expressed her understanding and even bowed in apology.
Amidst the Nekomata's trembling expression, it was forcibly sent back.
It couldn't tell if Raj wanted it to leave or not, but since the words had been spoken, it had no choice but to go.
After it left, Raj stopped threatening the Nohara Family.
He harbored no real malice toward the Nekomata.
His earlier actions were merely a deliberate threat to scare the foolish cat into contributing some Points.
In just a few minutes, the White Cat had contributed nearly three hundred Points to Raj.
It wasn't a massive amount, but it was easy and risk-free, far better than risking his life to provoke a ruthless figure like Orochimaru.
Raj took a pragmatic view.
Cats had short lifespans, but thanks to his Natural Energy modification, his lifespan would undoubtedly far exceed that of ordinary cats.
If the Old Toad could survive from the era of the Six Paths until now, it wasn't unreasonable to expect Raj, with his System, to live at least half as long.
Life was precious.
Why seek death when you could live?
After seeing the White Cat off, Rin quickly recalled the cat's identity.
They had encountered it once before at the Cat Granny's place.
During their inquiries back then, the Cat Granny had revealed that this Two-Tailed White Cat was the leader of the Castle, the most powerful of all Ninja Cats, and typically resided in the Tenshu Pavilion, rarely venturing out.
'That's the cat!'
Recognizing its identity, Rin couldn't help but feel surprised.
However, with her parents present and the matter involving Uchiha secrets, she couldn't directly ask about it.
She had to suppress her curiosity for the time being.
After chatting for a while, she led Raj out of the house and whispered.
"Raj, was that cat just now from the Uchiha clan?"
"Meow~ No, they have a cooperative relationship with the Uchiha, not a Blood Pact summoning bond. So they don't belong to the Uchiha clan," Raj quickly explained.
He knew Rin's personality well.
If he didn't clarify things, she might think he had stolen the Uchiha's cat and secretly apologize to Obito or even visit their home to apologize.
"But... why would it agree to form a Blood Pact with me?" Rin wondered, still puzzled.
Even the Uchiha hadn't formed a Blood Pact with those cats, yet this one had willingly bonded with her.
It didn't quite make sense.
"Cats can resolve problems that humans can't, meow..."
Raj leaped onto the wall's edge.
Of course, the most important thing wasn't just defeating the White Cat, but making it submit.
Without the System's Cat Food, that proud White Cat would never have surrendered so willingly.
Cats are inherently wild and difficult to train.
To make that creature willingly obey Rin's commands, Raj needed to demonstrate both his strength and offer tangible benefits.
After some persuasion, Rin finally calmed down.
This was the good side of Rin's personality, though it occasionally gave Raj a headache.
Fortunately, it was time for lunch, or he suspected she would have continued fretting.
After lunch, Rin naturally stayed home to keep Masato Nohara company.
Raj, however, had no interest in babysitting.
He lingered for a while after eating before sneaking out of the house.
What else could he do?
How else was he going to earn Points?
Konoha was currently peaceful, but Raj estimated this tranquility wouldn't last long.
By his calculations, the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure - reputed to be the strongest Kazekage in history - was likely nearing his death.
This event would trigger a chain reaction, igniting the Third Shinobi World War.
'Time to farm Points is running out!'
Raj resumed his patrol of Konoha, searching for safe ways to accumulate Points.
He spotted Guy running laps like a fool, but Asuma was nowhere to be found.
Kurenai was at home, but could he really bring himself to mess with such an adorable young woman?
Heh, actually, yes.
Of course, he didn't target Kurenai directly.
Her overprotective father, a notorious daughter-con, would likely beat him to a pulp if he slipped up.
Fortunately, Raj spotted another couple nearby.
Hayate and Yugao Uzuki.
They weren't yet a couple, but they were childhood friends, their close bond immediately apparent.
Coincidentally, they were heading down this street to train in the forest on Konoha's outskirts.
Raj followed them.