Meanwhile.
In a forest where the sounds of battle rang out beneath the night sky.
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"...
As sharp kunai sliced through the air one after another in the forest, they were followed by a series of shrill screams, then the sound of bodies collapsing to the ground.
High in a distant tree, a Rock Ninja hid in the shadows. His face pale with fear, he listened to the screams coming from the forest.
In his eyes, the forest where they were supposed to ambush the Konoha Ninja now seemed like a terrifying beast that devoured everything.
The killing intent lurking in the darkness beneath the night sky filled him with dread.
Anyone caught in there would die without even knowing how!
Just then, the sight before him made his pupils suddenly contract!
"Whoosh!"
Beneath the moonlight, a flash of cold steel shot toward him!
The Rock Ninja's face filled with terror as he abruptly dodged!
"Clang!"
A strangely shaped kunai suddenly struck the thick tree trunk behind the Rock Ninja.
Without warning, a figure appeared on the tree trunk!
His body was parallel to the ground, crouched lightly, his feet resting on the thick, upright trunk as he held his position with ease.
In the pale moonlight, his golden hair hung slightly over his forehead. His calm face was spattered with flecks of blood, utterly unlike his usual warm smile.
It was as if everything had slowed down.
The Rock Ninja's pupils contracted. Terror lingered on his face. The young man's cold expression remained unchanged as he gripped his kunai and swept it through a perfect arc—all of it was clear in that single instant.
"Splurt!"
Bright red blood suddenly sprayed from the Rock Ninja's neck. He clutched at his throat in disbelief, his face filled with terror.