Black Liquid

"The weather today is fantastic, bright and sunny, truly perfect for an outing!"

"Yes, indeed, and with so much delicious food in front of us, we're finally in for a treat today."

Flower Dance and Spirit Grass were chatting happily together with the other girls.

Uchiha Matsuzaki also loved this kind of life; being with his friends was truly carefree, with nothing at all to worry about.

"Everyone, let's start eating. It's exactly noon now."

Uchiha Matsuzaki said this to the group with a smile on his face.

And just like that, the group spent a joyful afternoon, finishing off a large portion of the food.

"Matsuzaki, where did you buy the things you brought? Or were they made at home?"

Chestnut Snow asked with great curiosity at that moment.

"Oh, you mean this? My mother made it, why do you ask?"

"It's nothing, I was just asking because it tastes so delicious. This is the first time I've ever eaten such tasty food; I have to say, your mother's cooking skills are truly amazing."

"Yes, yes, we felt the same way when we were eating it just now."

"Since it's good, you should eat more. Whenever you want to eat it again, just let me know. And if there's a chance in the future, you can come to my house and have my mother prepare a whole table full of delicious food for you."

The group spoke happily at that moment.

Uchiha Matsuzaki, in particular, never expected that their tastes would be so similar to his own.

Bright and sunny.

The sun was shining brightly.

A gentle breeze was blowing.

Such an environment made everyone feel very happy and in a great mood.

Just as they were talking, Uchiha Matsuzaki suddenly sensed something unusual.

"Do you guys smell a foul, fishy odor?"

Uchiha Matsuzaki asked the group, his brow furrowed.

All four of them sniffed the air and nodded.

"It seems the situation is a bit ominous. Everyone, stay alert. I'm going to take a look around."

"Yamamoto, keep an eye on the surroundings here. If anything happens, call me immediately."

Uchiha Matsuzaki stood up, drew his weapon, and said in a low voice.

The others also put down the food in their hands and looked around nervously.

"It's getting stronger; it's becoming truly unbearable."

Uchiha Matsuzaki covered his nose and mouth with one hand, held his weapon with the other, and slowly moved toward the perimeter.

He soon disappeared from the others' sight, heading toward the edge of the forest.

"What is this?"

Beside a patch of grass, Uchiha Matsuzaki discovered a pool of black, viscous liquid that reeked intensely.

He walked over slowly and used a wooden stick to poke at it, wanting to see what it was.

"What on earth is this? Why do I have such an ominous feeling?"

Uchiha Matsuzaki said, staring at the liquid before him.

"Ah! Help me!"

Just as he was struggling to figure out what it was, he suddenly heard a cry for help coming from where they had just been eating.

"Not good!"

Uchiha Matsuzaki immediately dropped the stick and rushed back toward Chestnut Snow and the others.

Back at the spot where Chestnut Snow and the others were.

Less than two minutes after Uchiha Matsuzaki had left, a creature covered in black suddenly appeared before them.

The monster had a human-like physique, but its mouth was full of fangs, and its hands were like sharp claws. It stared straight at the four of them, slowly advancing.