The sudden reversal of the situation left the scar-faced Sunagakure shinobi momentarily stunned.
“…When?” His expression changed.
His eyes swept over the body of his companion—who had been swaggering with complete confidence only seconds ago, only to be beheaded in an instant—before shifting to the other corpse that had been lying in the alley all along.
That kid…
Had he been waiting here the entire time?
Using the dead shinobi as bait while treating himself as the hunter—and them as the prey?
But that idiot had been a genuine Chunin, a shinobi with the potential to become a Jonin someday, not some disposable cannon fodder.
At that distance, no matter how careless he had been, he should have heard an extra heartbeat or even another person’s breathing.
Unless…
Unless that kid had synchronized his breathing and heartbeat with one of them so perfectly that they were indistinguishable.
The thought made the scar-faced shinobi’s expression darken.
“…Someone from Kirigakure?” The boy’s methods immediately reminded him of Kirigakure’s infamous Silent Killing Technique.
But hadn’t the Hidden Mist decided to stay out of the war?
“…Hm?” His brows suddenly knit together.
As he scrutinized the boy’s face, an inexplicable sense of familiarity surfaced.
“Have we…
met somewhere before?” Unfortunately, his question received no answer.
The boy never even turned around.
Instead, he continued looking at the two stunned children, as though they deserved far more of his attention than the enemy standing behind him.
“Most people in this world are like fallen leaves.
They drift helplessly through the wind, tossed about until they finally settle upon the earth and become nourishment for the next generation…” Still dazed, Yahiko asked, “So…
you’re saying…
the people who turned the Land of Rain into this…
they weren’t acting of their own free will?
They had no choice?” Again, there was no direct reply.
Only a quiet chuckle.
The young man crouched down, holding his umbrella so that he was at eye level with the two children sitting on the ground.
Behind him, moonlight tinged red by blood cast a faint glow over his youthful profile.
A gentle smile rested at the corner of his lips.
Only now did Konan get a proper look at him.
He appeared to be around ten years old.
His appearance matched his voice—calm, refined, and surprisingly gentle.
…If one ignored the razor-sharp short sword at his waist, the very blade that had just cleanly severed a man’s head and was still dripping with blood.
“Oh?” “Sorry.” “Did I scare you?” Noticing where Konan was looking, the boy blinked.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he shook the blood from the blade.
A crimson arc scattered through the air like a crescent moon before he smoothly returned the weapon to its sheath.
“My name is Yamasato Unkawa.” Smiling meaningfully at the two children, he asked, “Would you mind telling me your names?” The surname Yamasato (山里) literally means “mountain village.” However, the name spoken here is 月见里 (Yamasato)—an uncommon surname whose characters literally mean “a place where the moon can be seen.” Its hidden meaning is ‘without mountains’, because only where there are no mountains can the moon be seen clearly.
Combined with the given name Unkawa (云川)—”River of Clouds”—the full name evokes the image of a broad river reflecting both drifting clouds and moonlight.
Under that warm gaze, Yahiko still hesitated.
Konan answered almost instinctively.
“I…
I’m Konan.” “Konan…” A smile spread across Unkawa’s face.
He gently ruffled the girl’s slightly messy bluish-purple hair.
“You’ve come a long way, haven’t you?” Feeling the warmth of the hand resting on her head, Konan froze for a moment before quietly nodding.
“I see.” Amused by her reaction, Unkawa withdrew his hand before turning toward the still-dumbfounded Yahiko with even greater interest.
Bzzzt!
Bzzzt!
The sharp hum of spinning steel suddenly cut through the rain.
Yahiko felt a chill between his brows.
Several shuriken reflected in his widening pupils as they shot toward them from behind Unkawa.
The murderous intent was so overwhelming that even his heart seemed to stop.
The surviving Sunagakure shinobi had chosen what he believed to be the perfect opportunity, attempting to break the fragile balance between himself and Unkawa.
“B-Behind you…” The words caught in Yahiko’s throat.
His body refused to move before death could reach him.
Yet before he could even finish speaking— The short sword flashed from its sheath.
Its blade, as clear as autumn water, carved brilliant arcs through the air.
Flash Draw: Eight-Point Rush!
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
The clear ring of steel echoed through the rain.
Brilliant sparks burst to life before Yahiko, illuminating the dim alley.
The poison-coated shuriken, launched without a sound, were all cut from the air.
Fragments of stone exploded where they struck the ground behind him and at his feet.
One grazed past his forehead, carrying away a bead of cold sweat that had yet to fall.
Tiny chips of rock struck his cheek with a burning sting.
“…” Only then did Yahiko come back to his senses.
The lingering hum of the blade still echoed in his ears.
His unfocused eyes gradually widened as he stared at the short sword protecting him.
Unkawa had done nothing more than extend his blade.
Yet that single motion had changed the ending that awaited Yahiko beneath the rain tonight.
“You just asked whether they had no choice.” Unkawa withdrew the sword into a reverse grip.
His voice sounded almost like he was speaking to himself, yet at the same time answering Yahiko’s question.
“People who are deceived aren’t fooled simply because they’re foolish.” “They’re fooled because they choose to believe.” “So rather than saying they had no choice…” “I’d say they brought it upon themselves.” “What I’m trying to say is this.” “In many situations, the deciding factor isn’t the event itself.” “It’s everything outside the event.” For reasons she couldn’t explain, Konan sensed genuine empathy hidden within his words.
“…I don’t understand.” Yahiko slowly shook his head.
Perhaps…
These thoughts were still too difficult for a child to grasp.
Even one with the makings of a leader.
“Then remember just one thing.” Unkawa let out a quiet sigh.
“Strength needs no excuses.” “Weakness is excuse enough.” “When you’re weak…” “Even struggling to survive becomes a crime.” In this world…
Weakness itself was the original sin.
Clack…
Clack…
Clack…
The familiar mechanical sound echoed once more.
Another figure had silently appeared beside the scar-faced Sunagakure shinobi.
The newcomer’s entire body was concealed beneath a black cloak, making it impossible to discern their appearance.
“Kid…” His fingers curled slightly.
Threads of chakra extended from his fingertips, linking themselves to the black-cloaked puppet.
Veins bulged across his forehead as he glared at the figure standing in the alley.
“I’m talking to you.” “Are you deaf?” The killing intent in his icy voice sent a shiver through Yahiko and Konan.
The moment they saw the puppet, fear welled up inside them once again.
Among the great villages participating in the war, Sunagakure possessed the weakest overall military strength.
Yet its Puppet Brigade had become a nightmare for shinobi from every other village.
Puppet Masters specialized in poison and concealed weapons.
Their puppets were packed with countless hidden mechanisms, each one capable of launching blades, senbon, or other deadly projectiles—most of them coated with lethal toxins.
The civilians of the Land of Rain unfortunate enough to be caught by them seldom died cleanly.
Their corpses decayed into such horrific states that even stray dogs refused to approach them.
“That’s quite an intimidating aura.” Unkawa raised an eyebrow.
With a thought, a translucent panel appeared in his mind.
Aside from a single character card glowing with faint white light, the interface was otherwise empty.
Villain Template System Sub-Template (1/4) Name: Shiki Nanaya [Murderer] World: TYPE-MOON Universe Rarity: White Upgradeable: Shiki Tohno [Mystic Eyes of Death Perception] (Gold) Abilities: ① Presence Concealment — Exceptional stealth.
It erases the user’s presence, allowing them to lurk within darkness like a cold-blooded serpent stalking its prey.
② Pure Eyes — A low-grade Mystic Eye that grants extraordinary perception and dynamic vision.
It allows the user to distinguish humans from non-humans, perceive the instant abilities are activated, and react several times faster than an ordinary person.
③ Nanaya Assassination Arts — A martial art refined through training beyond human limits.
It features inhuman speed, unpredictable movement, spider-like footwork, and swift, unconventional assassination techniques.
④ Mystic Eyes of Death Perception (Locked) — Everything originates from the Root.
Whatever is born must one day end.
That end is called “death.” These Mystic Eyes perceive the death of all things by connecting to the Root.
Upgrade Requirements: Mission Points: 0 / 100,000Establish a connection with the Root and comprehend the nature of “death.” (Completed) Current Mission Points: 210 This was the foundation of Unkawa’s strength.
It was the reason he had silently eliminated the two Sunagakure shinobi—and how he had managed to establish himself in this dangerous, unfamiliar world.
The Villain Template System had appeared one year earlier, shortly after he arrived in this world.
Whenever he defeated or killed someone possessing distinctive traits, there was a chance of obtaining a Template sharing similar characteristics.
As the name implied, every Template belonged to a “villain.” They could originate from any world.
With enough luck, he might someday obtain a Template capable of destroying planets.
With bad luck…
He might end up drawing some nameless blond thug from an adult visual novel.
Shiki Nanaya [Murderer] had been the reward from his beginner’s gift package.
For ordinary people, darkness made every step perilous.
For someone possessing Presence Concealment and the Nanaya Assassination Arts, however…
Darkness was the perfect hunting ground.
Given sufficient preparation, eliminating a Chunin was a simple matter.
Even so…
He was still human.
He couldn’t summon lightning.
He couldn’t breathe fire or water.
He couldn’t casually unleash sword beams.
Not unless he fulfilled the Template’s evolution requirements.
Looking once more at the conditions for upgrading Shiki Nanaya, Unkawa couldn’t help feeling speechless.
Establishing a connection with the Root and comprehending the essence of death should have been the hardest requirement imaginable.
“And yet…” “For someone who’s already died once…” “It was the easiest condition to fulfill.” “The thing stopping me is the upgrade points.” The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception elevated the Template’s potential to an unimaginable level.
It skipped directly from White all the way to Gold, bypassing Gray, Green, Blue, and Purple entirely.
Naturally, the required points weren’t something he could obtain anytime soon.
As he was now, Shiki Nanaya simply wasn’t strong enough to confront a poison-filled puppet head-on.
After all…
An obvious attack could be avoided.
A hidden one rarely could.
When fighting a Puppet Master, there was no telling whether an ordinary-looking puppet might suddenly sprout another arm and nick you with a poisoned blade.
One careless mistake…
One tiny scratch…
The specially formulated poison would seep through the wound and spread through the body, robbing its victim of the ability to resist within moments.
That was precisely why Sunagakure’s Puppet Masters were so troublesome.
“Fortunately…” “I’ve always been lucky.” Unkawa glanced at the gray card that had dropped after killing the blond shinobi.
A curious smile slowly spread across his face.
A shinobi who specialized in projectile weapons dropping that card made perfect sense.
Which meant…
“What will a Puppet Master drop?” The thought alone piqued his interest.
There was something strangely satisfying about opening a mystery box.
“Go hide.” Feeling Konan clutching his sleeve, Unkawa gently patted her head before looking toward the two figures standing beyond the rain.
“The rain’s getting heavier.” “You should hurry home.” “Otherwise…” “Someone will start worrying.” Konan’s blue-violet hair was dry and coarse beneath his hand.
His own palm, despite his youthful appearance, was rough with calluses.
Yet that simple touch finally pulled her from her daze.
“Yahiko!
Hurry!” “Stop spacing out!” She grabbed Yahiko’s arm and dragged him behind a battered trash bin.
Normally he was the quick-thinking one.
What had gotten into him today?
Was it because of everything the mysterious boy had just said?
“W-Wait…” “He’s fighting alone…” Yahiko hurriedly looked up.
The figure standing before them had already disappeared.
Even stranger…
The ninja tool pouch that had been in his own hand was gone.
In its place was a black umbrella.
Unkawa shot forward like a bolt released from a crossbow.
From drawing his blade to accelerating into motion— It all happened within the blink of an eye.
“Hmph.” Watching the charging figure, the scar-faced Sunagakure shinobi sneered.
So…
He wanted to fight at close range?
Click.
Click.
His fingers twitched.
The black-cloaked puppet stirred.
Hidden mechanisms activated.
Several violet spheres shot toward Unkawa.
Poison Technique: Poison Smoke Bombs!
Boom!
They exploded instantly.
A cloud of eerie purple poison swallowed the space between them, completely obscuring Unkawa’s vision.
That wasn’t all.
As the puppet flung back its cloak, countless poisoned senbon burst outward like an endless rainstorm.
Poison Technique: Senbon Rain!
The toxic needles sealed off every possible avenue of escape.
Unkawa merely smiled.
His left hand slipped into the ninja tool pouch at his waist.
Then— Without slowing in the slightest— He plunged straight into the poisonous mist.
“Suicidal fool.” The scar-faced shinobi narrowed his eyes, though he remained vigilant.
Had the boy stayed where he was, his astonishing reflexes might have allowed him to survive.
Instead…
He had chosen the most foolish option imaginable.
Charging blindly into poison he couldn’t even see through.
There was no way he would emerge unscathed.
Anyone poisoned by Lady Chiyo’s toxins would soon lose the ability to fight.
But in the next instant— The entire cloud of poison was torn apart by an overwhelming force.
A figure burst through the divided mist.
He looked nothing like the scar-faced shinobi had expected.
His speed had been so great that vapor curled from his body.
Bathed in pale moonlight, his silhouette appeared almost transparent.
His expression couldn’t be made out.
Only the moon behind him…
And those deep blue eyes.
“…The Body Flicker Technique?” The scar-faced shinobi froze for an instant.
Was that real?
Or merely an afterimage?
He hadn’t even grazed the boy’s clothes.
Had he escaped using the Body Flicker Technique?
But the moment his gaze fell upon the dispersing poison cloud, he discarded the thought.
Poisoned and ordinary senbon alike lay scattered beneath Unkawa’s feet.
Some had been snapped in half.
Others had been cleanly cut apart.
“Don’t misunderstand.” Standing beneath the night sky, Unkawa casually turned his hand over.
Several sharp senbon gleamed between his fingers.
Looking down at the scar-faced shinobi, he smiled faintly.
“I’m not the kind of shinobi you think I am.” What he had relied upon was Pure Eyes…
The Nanaya Assassination Arts: Flash Draw—One-Ri Crossroads…
And— Sub-Template (2/4) Name: Bullseye [Master Assassin] World: Marvel Universe Rarity: White Upgradeable: Bullseye [Adamantium] (Gray) Abilities: ① Deadly Projection — Accuracy and lethality beyond human limits.
Any ordinary object can become a fatal projectile.
Also possesses mastery over firearms and other ranged weapons.
② Master Assassin — Perfect hand-eye coordination, rapid mastery of any weapon, complete knowledge of the human body’s vital points, and the ability to kill silently in an instant.
③ Adamantium Skeleton (Locked) — Most of the skeleton has been fused with Adamantium, rendering the spine, skull, and fists nearly indestructible.
Upgrade Progress: 0 / 10