"Hurry, over there!"
Dark silhouettes darted across the rooftops—Grass shinobi, closing in on Kamihi and Mako.
"We're missing one. Who hasn't caught up?"
The captain glanced back. One man was gone.
"Here, here~"
The missing Grass ninja suddenly rejoined them, acting casual, bowing and scraping. It was the same one Sasuke had knocked out earlier—though now, disguised as him, Sasuke blended in smoothly.
"Watch yourself next time."
The captain didn't question it. That one was always cautious and lagged behind.
"Just now there was a big Katon (Fire Style) blast. Must be Kamihi. Stay sharp—don't shame Grass Village."
The captain's voice was grim.
When Kamihi defected five years ago, his power already rivaled a captain—elite jōnin level. Even outnumbered, he and that experiment could slaughter them all.
"Yes, sir!"
They all chorused—including Sasuke, hidden in plain sight.
—
In the alley, Kamihi scowled at the three battered kids.
"Why won't you brats just let yourselves be eaten?"
"What? You call that human talk? We're not food!"
Supported by Danzo, Hiruzen rolled his eyes with exaggerated contempt.
"Shhk!"
Kunai whistled toward their faces. But miraculously, all three twisted aside like seasoned veterans.
"…Huh? How'd we dodge that?"
Startled, they stared at the kunai quivering in the wall.
Unaware of the glowing veil beneath their feet, they felt lighter, faster, as though they'd awakened hidden power.
[Veil of the Banshee: Grants the user and allies a shield that blocks one enemy technique and increases movement speed by 25%. (Cooldown: 30s)]
"Eat…"
Mako's eyes burned crimson, saliva dripping. Her clawed hands stretched for them.
"What even is she?" Danzo muttered, still shaken from her earlier grip.
"Mako is no 'thing.' She is my wife!"
Kamihi's voice flared with fury.
The three froze. Then their gazes turned mocking, filled with unspoken meaning.
Bro… you married a cannibal? Aren't you afraid she'll turn the bed into an all-you-can-eat buffet?
"Don't look at us like that!" Kamihi roared, throwing his palms forward.
"Shhk, shhk, shhk!"
Suddenly, dozens of poisoned kunai flew from the shadows, targeting his exposed back.
"Eat."
Before he could react, Mako flashed in front of him, her pale body soaking the kunai.
"Damn—!"
Kamihi turned defensive, abandoning his pursuit of the three.
"Traitor Kamihi! Surrender!"
From the darkness, a Grass squad emerged, their captain's eyes wary.
"Well, well… fellow countrymen."
Kamihi smirked. Small fry.
"Perfect chance. Let's slip away!" Danzo whispered.
"Agreed!"
Hiruzen and Kagami nodded. The three crept backward silently.
"Eat…"
But Mako blurred ahead, cutting them off.
The captain's gaze locked on her, his face twisting.
"She's still like this… I said we should've destroyed her back then."
"You dare?!" Kamihi's rage exploded. His fists clenched, his killing intent scorching the air.
"It was your cowardice that ruined her!"
"Calm yourself. The village has new progress with the box. Come back—maybe we can heal her."
The captain's voice softened, baiting him.
"…Really?"
Kamihi's eyes flickered with desperate hope.
"We're your comrades. We wouldn't lie."
Encouraged, Kamihi stumbled forward, shoulders slumped, harmless. The squad relaxed.
"See? Trust the orga—"
The captain's words froze as he saw Kamihi's lips twist into a sneer.
"Get back—!"
Too late. Two Grass shinobi collapsed headless, Kamihi's sword dripping red.
"You bastard!" the captain howled, realizing his mistake.
Kamihi spun his blade, smiling coldly. "You thought I'd believe you? I cut ties long ago. Now—become Mako's meal."
"Attack!"
The captain rallied his men. Weapons flew.
"Clang! Boom!"
Kamihi moved like a storm, weaving through attacks, his blade reaping lives one after another.
"Damn you!"
Rage contorting his face, the captain's hands blurred seals.
"Fuuton: Reppuu Shou (Wind Style: Violent Wind Palm)!"
His palms howled with compressed wind as he lunged for Kamihi's exposed back.
"Die!"
Kamihi spun, slamming his own Grass-style Happou Shou against it.
"BOOM!"
The shockwave rattled the whole street. Civilians cowered under blankets, praying for salvation.
When the dust cleared, the captain lay screaming, one arm twisted grotesquely, fingers severed.
Kamihi staggered too, his own arm ruined—skin peeled, muscles quivering.
"Heh… looks like I won."
He grinned through the pain. His foes were butchered, the captain crippled.
"Mako, dinner's ready!"
"Eat."
Her red eyes gleamed. She drifted to the broken captain.
"Stay back!" he shrieked, crawling.
Black mist seeped from her mouth. His terror was like spice, drawing her in.
"Mercy! I'll never tell anyone!"
"Mercy? Did anyone spare Mako back then?" Kamihi said coldly.
The black fog swallowed him whole. His screams echoed, then silenced. One by one, the mist drifted toward the fallen Grass shinobi.
"Eat, my little glutton. They're all yours."
Kamihi stroked her hair gently as she fed.
"Eat…"
Her face softened with eerie bliss.
"Shit! Let's get out of here!" Hiruzen cursed. Even the Grass captain was nothing before them. Staying meant death.
"Run!"
They bolted into the alleys—only for Kamihi's voice to drift ahead of them.
"Going somewhere, my little snacks?"
He was already waiting in their path, smirking.
"Who the hell are you?" Hiruzen demanded, stalling, hoping for Sasuke's arrival.
"My name is Kamihi. Once Grass shinobi. Now a traitor."
To kill time, he humored them.
"Why defect? With your strength?" Kagami pressed, voice shaky but buying time.
"Heh. I was once a renowned warrior of Grass." His eyes softened at a memory—then hardened. "But those bastards wronged us. Turning Mako into this… I'll never forgive them."
"Wait—Mako? You mean the… uh, pretty lady?" Hiruzen asked carefully.
Kamihi chuckled. "Clever brat. Yes. She is Mako. My beloved wife."
Bro, really? Respect for not being picky, the three thought.
"Why did she become like this?"
"That's a long story…" He hesitated. Pain shadowed his eyes.
"Ah!"
The kids panicked, rifling their packs. No bribes—until Kagami dumped snacks and juice at his feet.
Danzo and Hiruzen nearly wept. Father Kagami saves us again!
Kamihi's expression softened. "Fine. For sincerity's sake, I'll tell you."
He cracked open a sweet drink, his mind drifting back.
"It began twenty years ago. Mako and I were orphans, wandering Grass. One day, we were taken in by a noble-looking elder. We thought we'd found salvation…"
In a shabby house, the elder smiled kindly.
"Children, what are your names?"
Young Kamihi shielded Mako, eyes wary.
"Don't be afraid. I'm a good man."
The elder's eyes glinted briefly, but his voice stayed gentle.
"Grrr…"
Mako's stomach growled. She clutched Kamihi's ragged clothes, cheeks flushed with shame.
"Hungry? Come eat."
He revealed a table of simple food. To starving children, it was heaven.
Kamihi swallowed hard, still suspicious. He'd heard stories of predators who lured children.
"Food, Kamihi! Food!"
Mako's eyes sparkled. Drool dripped down her dirty chin.
Kamihi's heart ached. At last, he tore off his torn pants, turned his filthy butt toward the elder, and clenched his teeth.
"If you must, take me. Just don't hurt Mako."
(End of Chapter)
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