"What did you say?!"
An enraged roar suddenly echoed through Cloud Village amid the mist-shrouded, sky-piercing mountains of the Land of Lightning.
Having just returned to the village on Crocodile's orders, A received news that left him utterly shocked.
The daimyo of the Land of Lightning was dead!
Moreover, every relative connected to him, the Samurai responsible for his personal protection, and the Cloud Village ninjas sent to guard him had all been slaughtered in a single night.
It was said that every one of them had died after being drained completely of blood.
Most horrifying of all was the daimyo's room, where the entire tatami floor had been soaked in blood.
Even veteran ninjas who had gone to inspect the scene reportedly could not help but vomit.
Some ordinary people who witnessed it, including maids and officials, had even been frightened completely out of their minds.
"Cough, cough, Lord A, according to our investigation, the Chinoike Clan was likely responsible."
"However, we still do not know how they bypassed the outer ninjas and infiltrated the palace."
"Because we discovered that the daimyo and his wife were the first to die, followed by his children and relatives."
"Only afterward did the Samurai and ninjas notice something was wrong because of the overpowering smell of blood."
The Cloud Village Jonin, who had personally traveled to the Land of Lightning's capital to investigate, solemnly explained the situation to A and the still-young Killer B beside him.
"The Chinoike Clan."
A murmured thoughtfully, trying hard to recall what he knew about them.
Unfortunately, they were a ninja clan from several centuries ago.
He was not the type to enjoy reading historical records, so he simply could not remember.
Fortunately, the Cloud Village Jonin before him had done his homework.
"Lord A, during the