Hearing him, Sosuke merely smiled faintly and said softly,
"Then have the Anbu members stand aside."
Both Shingo and Tatsu, who stood frozen before Sosuke, looked grim.
"Captain Shingo! You can't agree to this! I'd rather die than let a Konoha traitor threaten us!"
Tatsu shouted gravely. Then he turned, ready to strike back at Sosuke.
Sosuke didn't get angry. His expression remained calm. The pale hand resting on Tatsu's back gathered a mass of blazing blue electricity in an instant.
"Crackle!"
"Ah!"
The powerful current instantly paralyzed Tatsu. He let out a scream, then collapsed helplessly to the ground.
He had no obvious injuries. The powerful current had simply left him unable to move. He lay face-down on the ground, as weak as a fish stranded on shore, far from the sea.
Sosuke lowered his eyes and glanced down at him, speaking softly.
"I spared your life so that one day you could see just how glorious the Royal Hall I founded would become."
"Tatsu, cherish the time you have left. Watch closely with that ignorant, hidebound gaze of yours."
Then he looked toward Shingo, who had broken into a cold sweat at Sosuke's earlier actions, and the other Konoha Ninjas. He smiled faintly.
"Well, Captain Shingo? Will you clear the road?"
"If you keep testing my patience, I can't promise I'll continue showing you the same mercy."
Captain Shingo's expression turned grave. A hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, but in the end, he gave a firm order.
"Everyone, stand aside!"
The Konoha Anbu present froze for a moment, then moved to either side, clearing a path for Sosuke and the Rock Ninjas.
Seeing this, the Rock Ninjas behind Sosuke looked pleasantly surprised, unable to suppress their excitement.
Sosuke's lips curved into a slight smile, and he