Deep in a desolate mountain forest, ancient trees towered all around, their thick trunks standing like giants. Dense branches and leaves intertwined overhead, blocking out the sky and making the forest especially dark and eerie. Thick layers of fallen leaves covered the ground, rustling with every step.
The last Iwa Ninja was covered in blood and dust, his clothes in tatters and his eyes red as burning flames. He glared murderously at Haotian and the others. His chest heaved violently. He could hardly believe that these three "brats" from Konoha had driven a squad of experienced ninja into such a desperate situation.
"Damn it!" He clenched his jaw and forced the words through his teeth, gripping his Kunai so tightly his knuckles turned white. He silently calculated that even if he had to give his life, he'd take a few of them down with him.
Just as he gathered himself to launch one final, all-out attack, a strange sensation surged through him. His body gave a slight shudder, then it felt as though thousands upon thousands of ants were biting him at once. A piercing itch and pain erupted from deep beneath his skin. The sudden agony made his legs buckle, and he could barely stay upright. The Kunai in his hand nearly slipped free.
"What's happening... to my body..." the Iwa Ninja growled in terror, his voice trembling with fear and pain. He stared down at his arm in disbelief. Something seemed to be wriggling beneath his skin, as if it were alive. The bizarre sight sent chills through him and made his hair stand on end.
Before he could recover from his terror, countless tiny black insects burst from every pore in a flood. They swarmed over him in an instant, covering his entire body and turning him into a writhing black monster.
The Iwa Ninja let out a bloodcurdling scream that cut through the silent forest as if it could tear the whole world apart. His body convulsed uncontrollably, and he flailed wildly, trying to brush the insects away, but it was all in vain. His strength gradually drained away amid the endless agony. His legs gave out, and he crashed to the ground, lifeless.
The black swarm rippled over him with a bone-chilling rustle, like the whisper of demons. In mere moments, the insects devoured him completely, leaving only a black stain on the ground, as if to bear witness to the horror that had just taken place.
Just then, Aburame Shimbi emerged slowly from deep within the woods. He wore a black robe whose hem stirred gently in the breeze, and an air of mystery surrounded him. Looking at the stain on the ground, he raised the corners of his mouth in a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"Teacher Zhiwei! When did you get back?" Haotian asked in astonishment, relief at having survived still visible in his eyes.
Zhiwei lifted his head and calmly looked over the three of them. "Just as you were about to run out of strength." His gaze finally settled on Haotian, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Haotian, what kind of ninjutsu did you use just now?" He meant the attack Haotian had used against the Iwa Ninja, which had resembled radiation energy.
Haotian's heart tightened, but he kept his expression composed. He shrugged helplessly and smiled. "Teacher Zhiwei, weren't the opponents you picked for us a little too strong? We nearly lost our lives out here." He neatly sidestepped Zhiwei's question, thinking to himself, I can't let this secret out so soon.
"Heh," Zhiwei chuckled, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Real combat needs to be challenging. Besides, if I'd stepped in, that Jonin from Iwa wouldn't have been so easy to take down. My insects needed some time to prepare to support you." He paused, then added, "Still, you did very well. You exceeded my expectations."
At Zhiwei's praise, bright smiles spread across the faces of Haotian and the others. A sense of accomplishment welled up in Haotian. He knew how hard the journey had been, and to earn his teacher's approval made every bit of effort worthwhile. Meihui's eyes shone with delight, and her cheeks flushed with excitement. Guy pumped his fist enthusiastically and shouted, "Amazing! We did it!"
"All right, we should head back," Zhiwei said, turning toward Konoha. "There's something I need to discuss with Captain Minato." His tone suddenly grew serious, and his gaze turned deep and mysterious, as if he were hiding some important secret.
A strange unease stirred within Haotian. He instinctively looked toward Zhiwei's back, only to see him stop and glance over his shoulder. A meaningful smile appeared on Zhiwei's lips.
Before you continue