Konoha Year 31.
Since the end of the First Great Ninja War, the ninja world had enjoyed decades of relative peace.
Thanks to the overwhelming strength of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha—
The Konoha they built stood upon the most fertile land in the Land of Fire, blessed with the best resources.
Meanwhile—
The Lands of Lightning, Earth, Wind, and Water—
Home to Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure—
Faced far harsher environments.
Especially the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.
One was endless sand—
The other, barren rock.
Even food had to be imported from other nations.
And in recent years—
The situation had only worsened.
The Daimyo of the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind had grown increasingly dissatisfied, repeatedly issuing orders questioning the Tsuchikage and Kazekage.
If things didn't improve—
They would reduce the resources supplied to their villages.
Faced with this—
The Tsuchikage and Kazekage had no choice.
With no internal resources to rely on—
They began preparing for war.
…
As usual—
Hoshino Yoru walked Kushina and Mikoto home after class.
Konoha remained lively and prosperous—
Completely untouched by the tension brewing outside.
"I—I'm going home now!"
Uzumaki Kushina said.
Smack—
Yoru suddenly grabbed her hand, his expression turning serious.
"W-What's wrong?"
Kushina had initially thought he was about to tease her again—
But seeing his face—
She immediately realized something was wrong.
"What is it, Yoru-kun?"
Uchiha Mikoto also sensed the change.
"…Something's off."
Yoru's gaze fixed on Kushina's house.
"It's too quiet."
Kushina and Mikoto looked carefully—
And realized he was right.
Normally—
Kushina kept small animals in the yard—cats, dogs—
There was always some noise.
But today—
The silence was suffocating.
Both girls' expressions grew serious.
"Should we notify the police force?" Mikoto suggested.
"No need."
Yoru had already guessed the situation.
Three Kumogakure ninja…
One of them—
A sensory-type.
After detecting Kushina's abnormal chakra—
They had set up an ambush here—
Planning to abduct her.
Yoru's expression turned cold.
Daring to lay a hand on my woman…
You vermin will pay dearly.
After telling the two girls to wait—
He stepped alone into the courtyard.
…
"Damn it! Have we been discovered?!"
On a tree within the yard—
Three Kumogakure shinobi crouched, their expressions grim.
"What do we do? If they alert Konoha, we're finished! Let's strike now!"
"Idiot!"
The team leader snapped.
"That's Konoha's main street outside! Do you want to die?!"
"…Captain, that boy came in alone."
"…Tch. Then we kill him first."
Decision made—
They moved.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three figures shot toward Yoru.
"Die, brat!"
"—The ones dying… are you."
A cold glint flashed in Yoru's eyes.
Sizzle—
His right hand opened—
Transforming instantly into molten magma.
Terrifying heat surged outward—
Warping the air itself.
"Wh-What is that?!"
One of the Kumogakure ninja's eyes widened in horror.
"Something's wrong with this kid—kill him now!"
"Experience hell."
Yoru's voice fell like a death sentence.
"Magma—Infernal Flame Bullets!"
His magma-coated palm erupted—
Dark crimson light bursting forth!
A suffocating aura of death filled the entire space.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Like a volcanic eruption—
Countless magma projectiles blasted forward!
They tore through the air—
Crashing toward the three Kumogakure shinobi.
"AAAAH—!"
The terrifying heat—
Combined with explosive force—
Instantly shredded their bodies.
They were riddled with holes—
Charred black wounds smoking—
The stench of burnt flesh filling the air.
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