"Hey, folks, ganging up on one guy isn't exactly fair, is it?"
Yoru Ryo's voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.
The group attacking Chojuro tensed, instantly on guard—until they saw it was Yoru Ryo. Their wariness melted into scornful laughter.
"Who's this now? The class loser himself? What, you playing hero?"
"Out of respect for your sister, scram, and we'll let you live. Otherwise, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"
Yoru Ryo smirked. "And if I insist on stepping in?"
With so many kills up for grabs, walking away would be a waste.
He'd come specifically to rack up heads.
"You reject the toast, and drink the forfeit— Then die!"
Infuriated, four of the attackers charged at him.
Sending four at once was already giving Yoru Ryo more credit than he deserved.
But his strength far exceeded their expectations.
His swordsmanship was ferocious, forcing all four back in just two seconds.
One even sported a fresh gash on their hand.
"What's this? All that big talk, and this is the best you've got?" Yoru Ryo taunted, his voice dripping with provocation.
"Damn you, don't get cocky!"
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
The four roared in fury, unleashing a massive fog that swallowed Yoru Ryo whole.
"Jie jie jie! Loser, tremble in fear!"
A chilling voice echoed from all directions, sinister and omnipresent.
"Tremble in fear? That's hilarious!"
Yoru Ryo's lips curled into a disdainful smirk. He lunged forward, slashing with his Tachi. A shocked cry followed: "You can see me?!"
The other three froze, stunned.
Their combined Hidden Mist Jutsu was their ultimate trump card.
How could it fail?
"This flimsy mist, so thin I can see my hand in front of my face? You call that a barrier? You guys must be joking!"
"Let me show you what a real Hidden Mist Jutsu looks like!"
The moment he spoke, the air turned icy.
The four attackers' five senses were sealed, the world plunging into eerie silence.
Panic gripped them.
Gulp!
One swallowed hard, clutching their kunai with trembling hands.
This suffocating sensation—everything stripped away—was terrifying.
It was as if an invisible hand squeezed their hearts, choking their breath.
"Feels pretty bad, doesn't it?"
Yoru Ryo's voice slithered from behind one of them.
The ninja swung their kunai desperately, but it sliced through empty air.
Nothing!
"Right in front of you!"
Yoru Ryo's voice shifted, prompting another frantic stab forward.
Still nothing.
"Behind you now!"
His voice rang out again, like a demon's whisper.
The ninja whirled, striking wildly, but hit only mist.
They were on the verge of collapse.
Then, in the split second they let their guard down—
A pale blade pierced their heart, snuffing out their life.
"Aaagh!"
A scream tore through the fog, chilling the remaining three to the core.
"Don't worry, you're next!"
Yoru Ryo's voice echoed in all three ears simultaneously, their bodies tensing like taut bowstrings.
"Here I come!"
His devilish tone resounded, putting them on high alert.
But ten seconds passed. Twenty. No attack came.
Their throats tightened, fear swelling with each silent moment.
"Got you!"
A voice suddenly sounded from behind. The three spun, lashing out—
But they hit nothing.
Instead, a flash of cold steel streaked from their rear like a startled swan.
Agony erupted in their necks.
Blood sprayed like a fountain as they clutched their wounds, trying in vain to stem the flow.
It was futile.
"Impossible… you… distorted… the sound's direction…"
"Your Hidden Mist Jutsu… how is it… this strong?!" one gasped, face twisted with resentment.
The voices they'd heard came from the front, yet the attack struck from behind.
This wasn't scientific!
"Nothing to be shocked about. Just because no one's done it before doesn't mean I can't," Yoru Ryo said coolly.
As the fog cleared, the five remaining attackers ganging up on Chojuro stood dumbfounded.
So did the Mist ninjas watching from the observation platform.
Four enemies—wiped out!
"In just one minute, he took down four coordinated foes!"
"This guy's strength is unreal!"
This wasn't Genin-level.
Even a Chunin might struggle to pull that off!
Yoru Ryo, this strong? They couldn't believe it!
Inside the Forest
"Looks like your buddies weren't up to snuff!"
Yoru Ryo glanced at the shocked remaining five, a faint smile curling his lips.
"Scatter!"
Without hesitation, the five split up.
If sticking together meant defeat, they'd deny Yoru Ryo the chance.
"Water Style: Cannonball Jutsu!"
"Water Style: Water Surge Wave!"
"Earth Style: Earth Spike Jutsu!"
All five attacked at once—three unleashing ninjutsu, two hurling projectiles.
But—
"Too slow, guys!"
Yoru Ryo dodged every single jutsu with ease. As he closed in, the five simultaneously threw kunai rigged with explosive tags.
"Boom!"
The explosion engulfed Yoru Ryo before he could react, a deafening blast shaking the forest.
"Yoshi! Got him!"
The group grinned, triumphant.
"Even if he dodged, there's no way he's unscathed!" one declared.
"Oh, really? A bit careless, don't you think?"
Yoru Ryo's ghostly voice whispered in their ears.
"Impossible!" The five recoiled in shock.
"Hawk Flash!"
All they saw was a glint of steel and a searing pain in their necks.
At the explosion's epicenter, only a puddle of water remained.
"A… Water Clone?!"
The five collapsed in a pool of blood, their eyes dimming with bitter disbelief.
"Thanks for saving me!"
Chojuro approached, voice heavy with gratitude.
"No need. I was just hunting prey. Saving you was a side effect," Yoru Ryo said flatly.
"If you weren't so weak, I'd have no interest in sparing you. You'd be dead."
"Don't get it twisted—I didn't come to rescue you."
With that, he walked off.
Chojuro stood frozen, stung by the brutal honesty.
But Yoru Ryo's stunning performance set the observation platform ablaze with excitement.
"This guy's Water Clone is lightning-fast, and his swordsmanship is terrifying! Just how strong is he?!"
"He's already killed thirteen! How many more is he aiming for?"
"Wait… he's not pulling a Zabuza, is he? Taking out everyone?!"
The thought sent a shiver through the crowd, their composure crumbling.