"Boom-crack!!!"
A bolt of lightning flashed, lighting up the night as bright as day.
An enormous thunderclap rang out between heaven and earth, startling countless living creatures awake.
Such was the overwhelming might of nature that it left everyone trembling with unease.
Only after a long while did it gradually fade, and peace returned to the surroundings.
Shihōin Naraku sat on a boulder, red lightning flickering as his eyes opened and closed.
But a terrifying aura that was difficult to look directly at still coiled around him. It would take some time for this presence to settle.
"This is a bit much. Anyone could tell something's wrong with me!"
After some thought, Shihōin Naraku placed his right hand at his waist. His Zanpakutō, Kurikara, appeared, and he drew it with a clang.
"In that case, I'll practice my swordsmanship. That should help me rein in this presence."
And so, Kurikara in hand, Shihōin Naraku began practicing his swordsmanship in earnest in the silent forest.
Meanwhile, in corners no one knew about, all the little animals in the forest had completely given up on sleep and were packing their belongings to move out overnight. Birds, beasts, insects, and ants-there were no exceptions!
No one could stand one huge disturbance after another all night long. Were they supposed to get any sleep? Staying up all night could kill you, and animals' lives mattered too!
Move! They had to move!
It took an entire night for Shihōin Naraku to finally settle his wildly surging presence.
"Isn't this the Valley of the End?"
Only after daybreak did Shihōin Naraku discover that his aimless running during the night had actually brought him to the Valley of the End.
No wonder no one else had appeared despite all the commotion he had caused that night.