At precisely one in the afternoon, a heavy silence loomed over the meeting point. The trio stood in wait, their shadows stretching long over the stones. Suddenly, the silence broke as Itchi entered the city, greeted by the raucous cheers of the unsuspecting crowds.
"Begin, Nao," Jinoko commanded.
Nao raised his rifle, aiming with lethal focus. A single shot rang out, striking the massive bell. The resulting chime resonated through every corner of the city—a funeral toll for those about to fall.
"I am leaving now," Jinoko said, looking at his comrades. "The mission is in your hands."
"Do not worry," Yue Ming and Nao replied in unison, their voices devoid of doubt.
Yue Ming vanished toward the western district, moving like a phantom. Near the gates, the traitorous soldier approached Itchi, bowing low.
"Lord Itchi, the King requests your presence immediately. Please, follow me."
"Very well," Itchi replied. "My generals will accompany me."
"Forgive me, my lord," the soldier said, masking his malice. "The King insisted on a private audience. Those were his strict orders."
Itchi turned to his men. "Wait here for a moment."
A sinister smirk tugged at the soldier's lips. "Thank you for your cooperation."
Meanwhile, Nao approached the remaining generals with an air of cold professionalism. "While the King is occupied, allow me to give you a tour of the city."
"Fine," one of the generals grunted.
(How pathetic. Fools,) Nao thought to himself.
He led them deep into the city's labyrinth until they reached a desolate, abandoned sector where the air felt dead.
"What is this?" a general asked, his hand drifting to his hilt. "Have you lost your way?"
Suddenly, a distraction from a hidden soldier forced them to turn. In that split second, Nao leveled his rifle and fired. The bullet tore through the air, obliterating the hand of the lead general, severing it completely.
An ear-shattering scream erupted, a sound so primal it seemed to vibrate the very stones.
"So incredibly stupid," Nao spat.
The remaining generals unsheathed their blades, charging at Nao in a blind rage.
In the western district, the soldier had vanished from Itchi's side.
"Where did he go?" Itchi muttered, a chill running down his spine.
Suddenly, a voice like a freezing wind whispered from the darkness behind him: "Turn around... Turn around!"
As Itchi spun, Yue Ming struck. His blade moved in a blur of silver, ruthlessly severing Itchi's fingers in a single, treacherous arc.
"What have you done?!" Itchi screamed, clutching his mangled hand.
Yue Ming looked down at him with hollow, merciless eyes. "You are weak," he stated flatly. "And today, you die."