The Kage of Grass stood by the window, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape.
He was at a loss regarding the sudden change that had befallen Kusagakure.
Outside the window, the sky above Kusagakure was densely packed with strange-looking... monsters?
The most striking among them was a somewhat plump... Orange-Haired Monster?
Standing on the head of the Orange-Haired Monster was a man with long, light-gold hair and deep purple eyes.
A man who was elegant and handsome, wearing a unicorn-like mask on the top left side of his head.
As if sensing the Kage of Grass's gaze, the man grinned in his direction and shouted, "Let the feast begin, brothers!"
The monsters simultaneously let out a strange cry and swooped down violently.
They charged towards the villagers and Shinobi who were frozen in place and bewildered.
Soon, people lost their lives to the mouths of the Hollow, letting out screams.
Only then did the people of Kusagakure react.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!!"
"Ahhh, don't eat me! Don't eat me!"
"Monsters! They're monsters!!"
The peaceful Shinobi Village instantly turned into Hell on Earth!
Seeing this scene, the Kage of Grass's eyes nearly split from their sockets. He burst through the window and roared, "Stop!"
But clearly, no Hollow paid attention to his rage.
"Don't be so angry, brother. They'll stop naturally once my brothers are full."
Ilfort Glanz spoke in a comforting tone, but it clearly had no effect, only making the Kage of Grass even angrier!
Kage of Grass Style: Hair Breaking Palm!
The Kage of Grass suddenly attacked, his form like an unstable wind, slapping a palm towards Ilfort Glanz!
Success!
Seeing that Ilfort Glanz showed no intention of dodging, the Kage of Grass rejoiced inwardly, simultaneously mocking his arrogance.
Bang!
A dull, heavy thud sounded, but the Kage of Grass's heart sank along with it.
It felt like hitting a steel plate, leaving his palm numb.
Ilfort Glanz tilted his head and said, "Brother, are you giving me a massage?"
"Damn it!"
The Kage of Grass flew into a rage out of humiliation, striking Ilfort Glanz countless times with the Hair Breaking Palm.
"A little more to the right, yes, a little more to the right. Your technique is quite good. Interested in taking a job in Hueco Mundo, brother?"
"Hoo hoo~"
The Kage of Grass was gasping for breath, staring blankly at Ilfort Glanz, whose skin wasn't even scratched. A sense of frustration welled up in his heart.
"Are you done?"
Ilfort Glanz stretched his body. "Hmm, I feel average."
That force couldn't even break his Steel Skin.
"Now it's my turn to serve you, brother."
"Smash him! Azure Horn Prince!"
Ilfort's body instantly grew larger, his upper body covered in white armor, and the mask covering his head transformed into a bull's head!
The Kage of Grass's pupils suddenly contracted. Before he could react to the transformation, he felt a sharp pain in his chest as a pair of bull horns pierced straight through him!
The immense impact shattered his internal organs, and he was driven headfirst into the Kage of Grass Building behind him!
Boom!!
The building instantly collapsed, kicking up a cloud of dust!
Ilfort retracted his horns. Seeing the dying Kage of Grass lying beneath the collapsed building, he complained, "So weak..."
Although the Kage of Grass was called a Kage, as the Kage of a small Shinobi Village, his strength was, at best, only that of an Elite Jonin.
Naturally, he couldn't withstand Ilfort's utterly unreasonable attack.
"W-why..."
The Kage of Grass's eyes were unfocused. He couldn't understand how Kusagakure had been targeted by this group of non-human creatures.
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something. His pupils instantly widened, and he stammered, "Land... of Whirlpools!"
Recently, the only faction related to Kusagakure that had the power to destroy them was the Uzushigakure!
But he had clearly agreed to the Uzushigakure' terms. Why... could it be... that he was exposed?
"Huh?"
When Ilfort heard the words Uzushigakure, his expression darkened, recalling the scene where he was surrounded by Shinigami right after being recruited by the King.
He said exasperatedly, "Huh? Those Shinigami from the Uzushigakure? I'll blast all their heads off eventually!"
Although their King was the same person, it didn't affect the hostile relationship between the Hollow and the Shinigami.
Wait, it wasn't them?
The Kage of Grass died with lingering doubt, unable to rest in peace.
"Tch, boring."
Ilfort had thought he was in for some fun, but the fun turned out to be so weak.
Kusagakure, a certain corner.
Shihōin Yoruichi, who had put her orange outer garment back on, quickly carried Uzumaki Haruna away from the Land of Grass.
Uzumaki Haruna said, her face full of terror, "Sister Yoruichi, what are those monsters!"
After spending a short time together, Uzumaki Haruna had gained some understanding of the older sister who had suddenly appeared before her.
According to the older sister's introduction, she was from the Uzushigakure and was there to take her home.
Although she had never seen anyone like this Big Sister in the Uzushigakure before, Big Sister also carried a token from the Uzushigakure.
Furthermore, she really wanted to go home, so with a 'what if' mindset, she agreed to leave Kusagakure with this Big Sister named Shihōin Yoruichi.
What's more, she didn't like this place at all, because once, after saving a Kusagakure Shinobi, she exposed her special abilities, and everyone there wanted to devour her.
That feeling was terrifying, but she couldn't escape, so she could only live in constant fear.
She didn't even dare to sleep too deeply.
Rather than waiting for death in Kusagakure, she might as well take a gamble.
Shihōin Yoruichi said with a solemn expression, "Those are Hollows."
She couldn't understand why these Hollows suddenly appeared in Kusagakure... Wait, her eyes suddenly widened.
She seemed to actually know.
She remembered Lord Soul King seemed to have said before that he would send people to deal with the matters in Kusagakure.
But... these aren't people, are they Hollows?
Although she understood that these Hollows also worked for Lord Soul King.
However, as Shinigami, the inherent hostility towards Hollows would not decrease one bit.
Besides, Lord Soul King had them, the Shinigami, which was enough; mere Hollows were not worthy of working for Lord Soul King!
"Hollows?"
Uzumaki Haruna heard this name for the first time, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Shihōin Yoruichi said earnestly, "Hollows are evil spirits that feed on human Souls. Haruna, remember to stay far away from them in the future."
"So scary!"
Uzumaki Haruna's eyes widened. She hadn't expected such terrifying monsters to exist in the Ninja World.
Seeing her reaction, Shihōin Yoruichi comforted her, "Don't worry, since there are evil spirits that devour human Souls, there will naturally be heroes who protect humans."
"We Shinigami of the Uzushigakure are those kinds of people!"
"So, so amazing!" Uzumaki Haruna's eyes sparkled, "Sister Yoruichi, are you a hero!"
Hmm... Shihōin Yoruichi thought for a moment about how her intelligence had led to Kusagakure's destruction... "Yes, we Shinigami are heroes who purify Hollows and protect humans!"
Shihōin Yoruichi looked serious.
Hollows destroyed Kusagakure; what did that have to do with them, the Shinigami?
Besides, this Kusagakure dared to scheme against Lord Soul King, so they deserved to die!
"That's great! Then Haruna wants to become a Shinigami too when we return to the Uzushigakure!"
Shihōin Yoruichi: "..."
This truly stumped her. A living person wanting to become a Shinigami... Forget it, let Lord Soul King worry about it.
"Let's go, we're returning to the Uzushigakure."
"Okay!"
Uzumaki Haruna nodded vigorously.
Just then, a voice rang out from behind them.
"It really is the Uzumaki Clan!"
"Hey, you little wench, put down the Uzumaki Clan member in your hands!"
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