We've reached 100 Power stones, so here..
Chapter 48: Looking Strong
"...This can't be a dream, right? Ember actually came to attack our Kusagakure..."
The Kusa-nin's voices trembled as cold sweat seeped from their weapon-gripping palms. Someone viciously pinched themselves, hoping to wake from this nightmare.
"Don't, don't panic! Maybe it's just a fake using transformation jutsu!"
"But that ninjutsu... it's identical to the technique rumored to have destroyed Konoha's gates..."
Fear spread through the crowd, followed by doubt. After all, why would that legendary existence appear in such a small village?
The leading jounin swallowed hard and forced himself forward a step. His legs were going weak, but he had no choice but to steel himself and speak.
"Your, Your Excellency, who exactly are you? Why invade Kusagakure? This is an act of war!"
He prayed desperately in his heart: Please, it has to be a fake... or even a hallucination or nightmare would be fine! Why do I have to encounter something like this?!
"Ember Menma."
Those simple two words made the lead shinobi's knees buckle, nearly collapsing to the ground. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to continue negotiating.
"I, I understand... but... as far as I know, Ember's goal is to prevent war through force deterrence... Our Kusagakure hasn't been involved in any diplomatic conflicts recently..."
Menma slightly tilted his head, his gaze beneath the mask coldly sweeping over everyone. "...Of course. If you want to provoke war... you should know the precedent."
The threat in his words was obvious. Everyone remembered the rumored intelligence—the fate of the Kumogakure delegation.
"So this is just a warning intimidation." Menma slowly raised his hand. "At least... I haven't taken anyone's life yet."
"Then... what exactly is Your Excellency's purpose..."
The lead jounin's voice was dry as sandpaper scraping.
"Uzumaki bloodline."
This answer made the air instantly freeze. The jounin's face drained of all color.
"...What?"
"Your village is hiding a pair of Uzumaki mother and daughter." Menma's voice came through the mask with unquestionable pressure. "Hand them over. Do as I say, and no one needs to die today."
Uzumaki bloodline?! The jounin's mind raced frantically. How could such secret information leak? Had Ember's agents already infiltrated the village?
He suddenly recalled that rumor—Ember had taken away Hyuuga clan shinobi during their first appearance. Now they were targeting Uzumaki clan members... was this organization collecting kekkei genkai?
Unrest began among the Kusa-nin crowd. Whispers spread like plague.
"Are you kidding..."
"That's our medical kit..."
"Without them, what do we do when injured on missions..."
Every face showed resistance. Since obtaining that mother-daughter pair, Kusa-nin executed missions without worry—get injured, take a bite, and instantly heal. This convenience had spoiled them.
Give it up now? Cutting off someone's livelihood was like killing their parents.
Gradually, some Kusa-nin's eyes began changing. Seeds of doubt, once planted, would take root and sprout.
"Maybe..."
"What if it's fake..."
"Anyone can wear that mask..."
They exchanged glances, reaching consensus through silence. Perhaps... this "Menma" before them was just a counterfeit coveting Uzumaki bloodline?
Menma quietly observed the agitated Kusa-nin before him. Those whispered consultations, those gradually fierce looks—they were using greed to convince themselves, using profit to numb their fear.
"It seems... some people don't want things to end simply."
The Kusa-nin were stunned, before they could react—
A tangible killing intent suddenly erupted, pouring out from Menma like black tide, instantly flooding the entire space. The air seemed to freeze, making even breathing a luxury.
Fear had arrived.
The Kusa-nin in the front row suddenly went weak-kneed and collapsed directly to the ground. His pupils contracted to pinpoint size as the scene before his eyes began distorting—he saw himself pierced through the chest by a black spiral, organs shredded, blood gushing from his mouth.
"Ugh... ughhh..."
He wanted to scream, but his throat felt gripped by invisible hands, only able to emit choking whimpers.
The shinobi beside him was even worse—his crotch suddenly became wet as warm liquid ran down his thighs, but he had no time to worry about such humiliation because his vision kept flashing images of his own beheading, his head rolling on the ground while still able to see his headless body slowly falling.
"No... don't..."
Someone began uncontrollably dry-heaving, others frantically clawed at their faces trying to wake from the hallucination.
Even the lead jounin froze in place, his teeth chattering violently with clicking sounds. His rational mind told him this was all illusion, but his body believed it completely.
If we fight... we'll die... really die...
His knees crashed heavily to the ground as he gasped violently like a dying fish. Cold sweat soaked his back while his heart pounded frantically, ready to explode.
Under this killing intent's shroud, everyone saw their own most miserable deaths. Some burned to charcoal, others torn to pieces, still others drained of chakra alive and turned to mummies...
Most terrifying was they could clearly feel—this probably wasn't threat or intimidation, but prophecy.
Menma slowly stepped forward, and the Kusa-nin retreated frantically like disturbed ants, some even rolling to the ground from weak legs.
"Now." His voice was particularly clear in the deathly silence. "No one wants meaningless sacrifice, right?"
No one dared answer.
No one dared breathe.
Before this absolute fear, even thinking became luxury.
This skill is really useful.
Menma secretly praised the system's reward. "Supreme Intimidation's" effect far exceeded expectations—the Kusa-nin who had been restless moments ago now all had unusually "clear" eyes.
However, the act still needed to be performed completely.
He slowly raised his hand, palm upward. Black chakra seeped out like viscous liquid, twisting and coiling in the air, gradually condensing into a hair-raising sphere.
Rasengan.
The sphere's surface flowed with ominous dark light while surrounding air crackled faintly from energy overload. Occasional chakra sparks that splattered onto the ground instantly burned honeycomb-like holes.
"Ten minutes."
Menma's voice was terrifyingly calm.
"Bring the Uzumaki clan members here. Otherwise..."
He slightly tilted his palm, letting the black sphere slowly rotate at his fingertips.
"When I go find them myself—Kusagakure will permanently disappear from the map."
These words were like ice water awakening the stunned Kusa-nin. They looked in terror at that light-devouring sphere, finally completely recognizing reality.
"Quick! Quickly bring that woman and her daughter!"
The lead jounin screamed hoarsely, his voice completely changed.
"Now! Immediately! Right away! Everyone move!"
***
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