The demon's body began to dissipate before everyone's eyes. All those present were jōnin, and they clearly saw that the Lightning Release ninjutsu that struck the demon came from Uzumaki Raiden's hand.
Moreover, many had witnessed Raiden's combat style before, and they were all aware of the power behind his Thunder Arrow.
However, the current state of the demon did not resemble the usual effects of a Lightning Arrow at all. Uzumaki Raiden's Thunder Arrow was a Muji ninjutsu that he had personally developed. In terms of power, it was merely a standard offensive B-rank Lightning Release technique, despite its complexity in learning. Typically, those struck by this technique would suffer trauma in addition to the paralysis effect caused by Lightning Release.
Yet, the entire body of the demon that had been hit was beginning to disintegrate into nothingness—clearly, an abnormal phenomenon.
"Has Master Raiden's Thunder Arrow become stronger?"
"Or..."
The jōnin silently analyzed the situation while those who had been observing the battle moved toward the location where the demon had vanished, inspecting the traces of the fight.
"It has completely disappeared? The body has vanished, but the blood it spat out when struck by Lord Hizashi is still here. What kind of creature is this?"
As everyone continued investigating, Uzumaki Raiden slowly approached, looked down at the empty ground, and muttered:
"This must be a characteristic of demons."
"Lightning Release ninjutsu may have different effects on these creatures, but we need to verify this. For now, it would be best for Fire Release and Lightning Release users to handle them."
"I received information stating that these creatures fear sunlight. Under the scorching sun, demons will dissolve."
"Things like this don't just appear out of nowhere—there must be a source. If my guess is correct, the location where the first of these attacks occurred is the most suspicious!"
Raiden furrowed his brow. The world seemed to be undergoing strange changes, and things that should not exist had now appeared. While demons did not currently seem too powerful and were relatively easy to eliminate, if they were to evolve further, they could become formidable foes.
The demon he had just encountered had been an ordinary person before its transformation, yet its physical abilities had nearly reached the level of a standard chūnin. Raiden found it difficult to imagine what kind of monstrosity might emerge if they continued to grow stronger.
What intrigued Uzumaki Raiden the most, however, was whether the so-called Blood Demon Art also existed!
"You mean the Daimyō's Mansion in the Land of Fire?"
Minato stroked his chin upon hearing Raiden's words and spoke softly.
"Yes! The activities surrounding the Daimyō's Mansion are highly suspicious. Based on the intelligence you provided earlier, the Guardian Twelve Ninja should have noticed these abnormalities as early as four years ago."
"Although they have no obligation to report to us, such a bizarre creature should have drawn their attention."
"Yet, judging from all indications, not only did they fail to address the matter, but they actively concealed the existence of these demons!"
"Dispatch a team to investigate. The Daimyō's Mansion may be harboring secrets unknown to us!"
As Raiden spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression shifted multiple times—first contemplative, then shocked, and finally deeply worried. Raiden's reasoning made sense, but what troubled Sarutobi most was the fact that his son, Asuma Sarutobi, was currently one of the Guardian Twelve Ninja serving the Daimyō.
Hiruzen fully understood the terror of these creatures. They fed on humans, possessed intelligence, and wielded formidable strength. Since even a newly transformed demon had chūnin-level physical abilities, Hiruzen couldn't help but grow concerned for his son's safety.
Thus, the meeting that night ended abruptly. Minato had gathered all the jōnin primarily to ensure they understood that an unfamiliar enemy now existed in the ninja world—one that required their vigilance.
After dismissing the jōnin, Minato kept Uzumaki Raiden, the Third Hokage, and a few high-ranking officials behind for further discussion in the conference room.
Only a select few had the authority to partake in the true decision-making.
"Raiden, what do you think? I'd like to hear your opinion first."
In the conference room, everyone took their seats. Hiruzen Sarutobi turned toward Uzumaki Raiden and asked. Few people participated in the high-level discussion—Minato, Raiden, Hiruzen, two advisors, and Hokage's assistant Nara Shikaku, making six in total.
As Sarutobi spoke, all eyes shifted toward Uzumaki Raiden.
"There is too little information available at the moment. Our top priority must be intelligence gathering."
"Deploy Anbu squads in teams of four—each consisting of a medical ninja, a sealing technique specialist, and two ninjas proficient in elemental combat, preferably Lightning Release and Fire Release."
"Start from the Daimyō's Mansion in the Land of Fire and expand outward."
"Capture if possible. If capture fails, eliminate on sight."
Raiden stroked his chin as he spoke, but just as he finished, Nara Shikaku's face twisted into an uncomfortable expression.
"Shikaku, what's wrong?" Raiden noticed his reaction and asked curiously.
"Uh… Anbu lacks the manpower for a large-scale search."
"Many Anbu members specialize in intelligence gathering rather than direct combat. Furthermore, both medical ninjas and sealing specialists are rare. Even in Konoha, forming multiple teams of this caliber is unrealistic."
"If you want to conduct a large-scale search and capture operation, you'll need to mobilize elite jōnin, chūnin, and even some genin."
"However, if we do that, the village's ability to take on outside missions will decrease significantly."
"You may not be aware, but due to the prolonged peace, the Daimyō reduced his financial support to Konoha years ago. The village's monetary reserves are dwindling."
"If we commit a significant number of shinobi to a mission without financial returns, Konoha's finances will suffer greatly."
"As it stands, we've already begun downsizing, persuading older veterans to retire."
Raiden frowned upon hearing Shikaku's words. He had not foreseen this issue. Since he was not currently in power, he rarely involved himself in administrative matters. He had assumed that financial cutbacks from the Daimyō were only an issue in the Land of Earth, but it seemed that the Land of Fire was affected as well.
"In that case, we can only deploy a small elite force for reconnaissance."
"But if we do that, efficiency cannot be guaranteed. By the time we locate the source, the enemy's strength may have already grown exponentially."
"This is a deadlock!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi furrowed his brows, realizing the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, Mitokadu Homura, one of the village advisors, adjusted his glasses and suggested:
"Not necessarily. First, send a small elite force to investigate the Daimyō's Mansion. If the enemy has been operating for four years, their power must have grown."
"But they have yet to make any large-scale moves, which suggests they haven't reached an overwhelming level of strength yet."
"As long as we can pinpoint the source, all problems will be solvable."
"Raiden, I heard you have a secret force under your command—an army of highly skilled elites. Send them to the Daimyō's Mansion!"
"For the Fifth Division, assign Hatake Sakumo to oversee the operation, while Anbu infiltrates the Daimyō's Mansion for an in-depth investigation."
"If the Guardian Twelve Ninja are compromised, it won't be an issue!"
Mitokadu Homura's proposal was logical. After a moment of contemplation, everyone turned their gaze toward Uzumaki Raiden. Realizing that the situation was critical, he knew now was not the time to continue monitoring Akatsuki, so he nodded in agreement.
The team then meticulously discussed the operation's details before adjourning the meeting. Upon returning home, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately wrote a letter and sent it to Asuma Sarutobi using a secret technique.
Eternal life creates demons, and death gives rise to gods!
While Konoha was preparing to investigate the Daimyō's Mansion, the mansion, now shrouded in darkness, had already become a paradise for demons.
Unlike its past prosperity, the nighttime streets of the Daimyō's Mansion in the Land of Fire were eerily silent. The hazy moonlight cast a dim glow, while faint starlight scattered across the ground.
In the middle of the deserted street, a large sedan chair slowly advanced, carried by sixteen warriors.
Leading the procession was a handsome, black-haired young man clad in a white kimono. His long hair concealed the right side of his face, but as the wind gently lifted his bangs, it revealed an unusual eye beneath.
His right eye was entirely different from those of ordinary people. While others had pupils, his eye displayed a distinct "two."
"Master Tonggu, where shall we go for entertainment tonight?"
The black-haired youth brushed his bangs aside with one hand, turned toward the sedan chair, and asked with a smile.
A moment later, a delicate hand lifted the front curtain slightly, and a crisp female voice emerged from within.
"Let's visit the family we marked this morning. The little boy in that household is quite... exceptional."
Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it sent chills down the spines of those who heard it.
Upon hearing her words, the black-haired youth leading the procession bowed slightly before continuing forward.
However, before long, the group came to a sudden halt. At the far end of the road, two figures blocked their path.
"Why have we stopped?"
The woman inside the sedan chair noticed the delay and asked softly.
The black-haired youth at the front of the group looked at the two figures standing in their way. A smile appeared on his face as he reassured her:
"Master Tonggu, I've encountered two acquaintances. Please wait a moment while I persuade them to leave."
With that, he slowly stepped forward, crossing his arms over his chest, and addressed the two figures before him with a grin:
"I never expected to run into you again, Chiriku, Asuma."
"To be honest, I admire both of you greatly."
"With your talents, if you were to receive the blessing of our master, you would undoubtedly become unparalleled warriors!"
"Asuma, haven't you always wished to surpass your Hokage father? This is your chance!"
"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"All it takes is a simple nod, and power—eternal life—will be yours!"
The black-haired young man extended his hand in a welcoming gesture.
Standing before him were none other than two of the Daimyō's Guardian Twelve Ninja—Chiriku and Sarutobi Asuma.
"Kuroma! You, who have willingly fallen into darkness, have no right to speak the words 'Hokage' so casually!"
"You don't even understand what it means to be Hokage!"
"Blessing?"
"Look at yourself—you are no longer even human!"
Asuma gazed at his former comrade with sorrow and fury, his voice laced with grief.
Hearing his words, the expression on the black-haired youth's face turned cold.
"Human? And what of it?"
"Demon? And what of that?"
"What matters is strength!"
"Asuma, let me tell you this—even if your Hokage father were here, he wouldn't be able to defeat me!"
"Wufang City is already under our master's control. Even if you wish to leave, it is impossible!"
"Before you stand only two choices: surrender or death!"
"You were my brothers-in-arms once—I don't want to kill you!"
Kuroma's expression briefly showed a trace of sorrow. But in the next instant, his features twisted into a feral grin, his gaze fixed on Chiriku and Asuma as an eerie, demonic aura surged from his body.
A powerful gust of wind suddenly erupted, sweeping toward the two.
"The Guardian Twelve Ninja... After your fall, that title has long lost its meaning!"
"Asuma, I'll cover you—go and eliminate whatever is in that sedan chair!"
Chiriku closed his eyes briefly before swiftly stepping in front of Asuma. Chakra flared violently around him, manifesting as a towering golden Buddha, shielding them from the oncoming wind.
Seizing the opportunity, Asuma swiftly retrieved two tiger-head-shaped chakra blades from his pouch and gripped them tightly. At the same time, he flicked a kunai, piercing through the wind barrier as he dashed toward Kuroma.
"A mere jōnin... resorting to such petty tricks?"
Kuroma smirked as he watched the kunai hurtling toward him. He made no effort to dodge, allowing the weapon to pierce his chest.
Blood immediately gushed from the wound.
Lowering his head slightly, Kuroma raised a hand to touch the wound, rubbing his fingers together to feel the sticky blood. He then opened his mouth and licked it.
A moment later, the muscles at the wound squirmed, expelling the kunai effortlessly before the weapon clattered to the ground.
For a demon of his level, mere physical attacks were useless.
"Asuma, Chiriku... You two are so ignorant."
A murderous glint flickered in Kuroma's eyes. Without any visible movement, a sudden sonic boom echoed through the air.
Two razor-sharp wind blades materialized before him, slashing toward Asuma and Chiriku with terrifying speed.
Chiriku frowned. The Chakra Golden Buddha swung its massive palm, intercepting the wind blades and dispersing the attack.
**"Come forth—Thousand Hands Kill!"
Bringing his hands together in a prayer-like stance, Chiriku slightly parted them into a lotus shape. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight.
The Chakra Golden Buddha followed suit, disappearing as well.
In the next instant, Chiriku reappeared directly in front of Kuroma.
The Golden Buddha's massive palm struck Kuroma's body, and within seconds, the entire area was bathed in golden light. Kuroma's figure was tossed between the golden palms, completely unable to retaliate.
Seeing this, Asuma wasted no time. He quickly formed hand seals, then exhaled a thick, dark mist that rapidly enveloped the distant sedan chair and its bearers.
"Fire Release: Burning Ash!"
(End of Chapter)