Demon?

Medical Department.

"So, you successfully joined the Combat Unit?" Tsunade absentmindedly ate from her bowl as she listened to Yūske recount the meeting's events. "Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

"But, sis, facing all the Puppet forces alone... Lord Sakumo thinks too highly of me." Yūske gave a bitter smile, groaning inwardly. How had he even come up with such a mission?

Tsunade picked up her chopsticks in displeasure and lightly tapped Yūske on the head. "Who's your sister?"

She fell silent for a moment, then analyzed thoughtfully, "Sakumo has always been cautious. Since he trusts you and believes you have the strength to hold back the Puppet forces, he must have his reasons. Still, he probably won't place all his hopes on you alone.

"If the first battle goes badly, he definitely has other contingencies. So you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. If you can't hold them back, no one will blame you. But if you succeed, this achievement will surpass that of most people right now."

"Alright, I understand." After hearing her out, Yūske nodded solemnly.

"After dinner, I'll give you a few antidotes. Keep them on you during battle, just in case."

After quickly finishing dinner, Yūske watched Tsunade leave the table, presumably to retrieve the antidotes.

Taking the opportunity, Yūske pulled out the Eight Inner Gates scroll that Might Duy had given him when they parted earlier that day and began considering how he should train next.

There was too little time. Yūske could not help sighing. Even with the scroll in hand, he simply did not have time to train with it.

Yet at that moment, something unexpected happened.

Countless thin threads suddenly emerged from Yūske's hand on their own. As though they possessed minds of their own, they swiftly dragged the scroll into his body.

Bang! Yūske sprang to his feet in alarm. Rising too abruptly, he slammed into the dining table, making a loud noise.

Ignoring the strange looks from those around him, Yūske stared fixedly at the hand that had just been holding the scroll.

"Yūske, what happened?" After hearing her subordinates' report, Tsunade hurried over, only to find Yūske standing motionless with one hand raised, its palm transformed into a claw.

Yūske came back to his senses and looked at Tsunade, but the shock in his eyes had not faded in the slightest.

Yūske was too stunned to explain this inconceivable scene to Tsunade.

His heart was filled with confusion and fear. This sudden change had left him completely at a loss.

Yūske had no idea why the scroll had suddenly vanished. What was going on? He asked himself that question countless times. He tried to calm down and find a reasonable explanation, but his mind was in complete chaos.

"I... I'm fine. Don't worry."

Only after quite a while did Yūske gradually calm himself. However, he no longer had any desire to remain in the Medical Department. He desperately needed to find a secluded place and figure out exactly what had happened.

The moment he finished speaking, Yūske hurried out of the Medical Department without looking back. Tsunade watched his retreating figure with worry written all over her face, the antidotes in her hand still undelivered.

After leaving the Medical Department, Yūske quickened his pace and swiftly left the camp, heading straight for the Seventh Patrol Squad's campsite.

"Shiho, I'm going somewhere ahead to train for a while. Keep an eye on this area for me."

After quickly giving his instructions, Yūske turned and left without giving them a chance to respond.

Yūske arrived at an open area and quietly sat down, beginning to ponder the strange phenomenon that had just occurred.

As he sank into thought, countless thin threads suddenly surged from his body, spreading rapidly like a tide. As though they had minds of their own, the threads intertwined and coiled around one another, quickly enveloping Yūske.

"Don't bother looking." A voice suddenly sounded beside Yūske's ear.

The sudden voice startled him. Before he could react, he felt his consciousness gradually growing hazy, as though it were being swallowed by some mysterious force.

Then he completely lost consciousness. All the strength drained from his body, and he collapsed to the ground. His world instantly plunged into darkness, as though he had been dragged into a bottomless abyss.

"Ugh... where is this?"

Yūske gradually woke from his unconsciousness. Rubbing his heavy head, he looked around the utterly unfamiliar surroundings in confusion, his heart filled with doubt.

He found himself seemingly inside an ancient, mysterious castle. Unable to help himself, he kept walking forward, as though some invisible force were drawing him onward.

Yūske realized he could not control his own body and could only passively allow himself to be led forward.

When he reached a room at the deepest part of the castle, he slowly pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit chamber.

"Who are you?"

Through the haze, Yūske vaguely saw a figure seated in a large chair. As he approached for a closer look, he immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

The figure had skin like glowing charcoal, marked with evil patterns resembling a plague. Curved horns atop his head glinted coldly in the darkness, as though warning others away.

His claw-like, razor-sharp hand was flipping through the Eight Inner Gates scroll, while a wicked smile hung on his face.

Could this be Demon? Yūske's eyes widened in disbelief. This appearance perfectly matched the image of a demon in his mind.

"This thing is quite good. Do you want to learn it?" A deep voice echoed through the room.

"That was mine to begin with!" Yūske replied, forcing himself to sound less frightened than he was.

"Kehehehe!"

Demon let out an eerie, hair-raising laugh.

"You ate my thing, yet you're still asking who I am?" Demon's voice was full of mockery and ridicule.

"You're the String-String Fruit?"