Konoha, Entrance.
Early in the morning, the Gate of Meeting opened.
Ninjas and civilians came and went.
There were even foreign vegetable merchants and others entering and leaving.
The sky had only just begun to brighten.
Some people were still asleep when they were suddenly jolted awake by a rumbling vibration.
"What's going on?"
"Did something happen?"
Just as the ninjas were looking toward the outskirts...
A huge black-and-purple figure suddenly came rushing over.
Amid the flying sand and stones, several ordinary people were directly knocked to the ground by the fierce wind.
When the wind subsided, they took a closer look...
Expressions of utter horror rose in their eyes.
It was an eighteen-meter-tall, dragon-shaped demon with purple-black flames burning all over its body.
"A-a monster!"
"Help!"
Some people fell to the ground, while others ran around in terror.
Still others were so frightened that they could not get back up.
"Hiss~~~~~!"
Mōryō opened its enormous bloody maw and stuck out its tongue at the crowd.
A hint of arrogance flashed in its eyes.
It really wanted to crush these little ants to death.
Of course, swallowing them would work too.
They simply did not taste as good as the miko.
"Enough. Quiet."
Hyuga Sho, standing atop Mōryō's head, lightly stomped once.
Mōryō lowered its head.
Its terrifying demonic face immediately changed into an expression like that of a goofy husky.
"M-my lord..."
A young member of the Hyuga Clan standing at the crossroads immediately called out.
"You're back?"
Hyuga Sho lowered his gaze and stared at the Hyuga ninja standing on the ground.
He realized that it was an acquaintance.
The next moment.
Mōryō lowered its head, allowing Hyuga Sho to descend and approach the other man.
"Hyuga Sho, what are you doing here?"
At the same time, the