This was a forest within the Land of Rain.
Deep within it—
Lurked countless ferocious beasts and venomous insects.
The locals called it—
"A forbidden zone for humans."
Anyone who ventured too deep—
Never returned alive.
"Izawa Yūki-sama."
And yet—
Within this deadly place, a voice rang out.
A Sand ninja approached a pale-faced man in his thirties and spoke respectfully.
"We ambushed another Konoha squad. They likely won't survive much longer."
A smile crept onto Izawa Yūki's pale face.
"Haha! With Lady Chiyo's poison, Konoha ninjas are nothing but trash before us!"
"Nonsense! It's clearly all thanks to Lord Izawa Yūki!"
"Your puppet techniques are mesmerizing to watch, my lord!"
"Indeed! Controlling three puppets at once—truly incredible!"
The surrounding Sand ninjas hurried to flatter him.
Watching the smile on Izawa Yūki's face grow wider—
They all secretly let out a breath of relief.
Izawa Yūki was cruel and extremely petty.
Anyone who dared speak ill of him—
Had long since died in agony from his poison.
Originally, there had been fifty Sand ninjas here.
Now—
Only forty remained.
Five had died fighting Konoha.
The other five—
Had been killed by Izawa Yūki himself.
So these Sand ninjas lived in constant fear.
"What did you just say?"
After laughing, Izawa Yūki suddenly turned to the first ninja who had praised Chiyo's poison.
"I—I didn't say anything, Lord Izawa Yūki!" The man broke into a cold sweat, realizing too late the trouble he'd caused.
"Oh? Is that so?" A strange flush appeared on Izawa Yūki's pale face.
"Lord Izawa Yūki! Please spare me!"
The Sand ninja dropped to his knees, begging desperately.
He remembered that expression—
It was the same one Izawa Yūki had worn when killing the previous five.
Pfft!
A purple-glowing projectile pierced his chest.
"Ahhh!"
An unimaginable pain erupted.
The neurotoxin rapidly ravaged his nervous system.
Within moments—
He fell unconscious.
Yet even in that state, his body trembled violently, drenched in cold sweat.
The agony was beyond words.
"Hmph."
Izawa Yūki snorted coldly.
What he hated most—
Was when others credited their success to Chiyo's poison.
His puppet mastery—
Reduced to nothing?
Unacceptable!
Even if Chiyo was his superior—
He would not tolerate it.
Around him, the remaining Sand ninjas lowered their heads, trembling in silence.
Izawa Yūki looked at their fear—
And a twisted satisfaction flashed across his face.
"How entertaining."
Suddenly—
A mocking voice echoed through the forest.
"Who's there?!"
Izawa Yūki sprang to his feet, shouting toward the source.
"As expected of Sunagakure—the village famed for poison," the voice continued. "Even your own comrades aren't spared."
Yoru stood calmly in the distance.
The sarcasm in his tone was unmistakable.
Izawa Yūki's expression darkened.
"A Konoha rat? And you came alone to challenge us?"
"What a joke!"
"Looking to die, are you?"
"Before the great puppet master Izawa Yūki-sama, you should kneel and beg for mercy! Maybe he'll grant you a swift death!"
Some Sand ninjas quickly joined in the mockery.
When they saw Izawa Yūki's expression ease slightly—
They finally relaxed.
At the same time, they cursed the Konoha intruder in their hearts for nearly getting them killed.
They completely failed to notice—
That some of their companions had turned pale with terror.
As if they had seen something horrifying.
"K-Konoha Crimson Demon!"
One Sand ninja pointed at Yoru, his voice trembling.
"What?! The Crimson Demon?!"
"That monster?!"
"How is he here?!"
The others looked closely—
And instantly—
Several collapsed to the ground in fear.
It was him.
The infamous killer of the shinobi world.
The nightmare of the Rain Village.
Yoru.
Despair filled their hearts.
They didn't believe—
They stood any chance against him.
Izawa Yūki's expression stiffened for a moment.
Then—
Excitement took over.
There were always fools in this world—
Who refused to back down until death stood before them.
Clearly—
He was one of them.
His thoughts were simple—
Kill Yoru.
Gain instant fame.
Rise to power in Sunagakure.
Perhaps even replace Chiyo as the front-line commander!
Imagining Chiyo kneeling before him—
A flush of madness spread across his pale face.
"Hey… hey…"
Yoru couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"You're not seriously thinking of defeating me, are you?"
Izawa Yūki trembled with anger.
"So you're Yoru of Konoha? Meeting me is your misfortune! Prepare to die!"
The surrounding Sand ninjas stared at him in horror.
He's insane!
That was the only thought in their minds.
This lunatic—
Actually wanted to fight the Crimson Demon?!
Izawa Yūki might be strong—
But against Yoru?
Not even close.
That name—
Had been forged through endless slaughter.
A legend built on blood.
Seeing the smile on Yoru's face deepen—
Then break into laughter—
Despair washed over the Sand ninjas.
It's over…
That idiot has completely enraged him.
They wanted nothing more—
Than to tear Izawa Yūki apart.
At first, they had hoped—
Maybe some of them could escape.
After all—
Why would someone like the Crimson Demon bother chasing small fry?
But now—
All hope was gone.
Izawa Yūki's stupidity had sealed their fate.
In that moment—
All they could think of—
Were their families back in Sunagakure.
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