The air in the valley changed.
It was no longer the deathly stench of despair and rot. Instead, it was like a powder keg doused in hot oil, permeated by a twisted, frenzied, dangerously explosive atmosphere.
"Revenge!"
Red Blood was the first to drop to one knee. In his eyes, oversized from long-term malnutrition, terrifying flames burned. He was not making an oath so much as offering a sacrifice, betting everything he had on the man before him.
"Revenge!"
Behind him, the young clansmen, their arms still marked with needle holes, all dropped to their knees. Their voices were hoarse and dry, yet they merged into a torrent powerful enough to shake the mountains. They looked toward the capital of the Land of Hot Water, their eyes no longer filled with fear, but with the greed of starving wolves spotting prey.
Naruto did not let them repeat it too many times.
He merely looked calmly at these clansmen who had just risen from "livestock" to "enemies" and nodded as though it were only natural.
Hatred was the best catalyst, but also the most unstable fuel. It could make cowards pick up blades, and it could make warriors lose their minds. Right now, they were only lit fuses. They were still far from becoming weapons he could use.
"Nara Shikage." Naruto issued the order without turning around.
"Here."
"I need the exact location, numbers, and route of the first batch of 'guests.' Half an hour."
"Yes." Deer Shadow's figure quickly vanished.
Sasuke stood at Naruto's side, watching the fanatical scene before him with a faint frown. He understood Naruto's approach and even agreed with its efficiency to some extent. But could these people really be used? They looked more like mad dogs ready to bite their master at any moment.
"They're