Several kiloters from the town lay a mass graveyard. In the chaotic Warring States era, it was the resting place of naless dead. With peace, the site was forgotten, ignored by nearby residents.
Yet deep within the eerie graveyard was an unnatural burrow, faint light leaking out—proof of life inside.
"Hiss… hiss…"
Rustling echoed as two figures erged. First was a gaunt youth in a dark red shirt, his hair tied into a limp ponytail, eyes lifeless and cold.
Trailing him was a plain-looking young woman. Her tattered robe exposed pale skin drained of blood. Her black eyes were void of spirit, like a doll.
"Eat… eat…"
Her rasping whisper only added dread to the graveyard.
"Mako, just endure. Soon, you'll eat your fill."
The youth turned, cold eyes softening with tenderness as he gazed at her, voice as gentle as a lover.
"Eat… eat…"
She gave no reply. He simply embraced her, ignoring the stench from her body.
"Mako, I'll always stay with you. You and our…"
"Lord Shinkami…"
For a fleeting mont, sorrow flickered in her empty eyes before darkness reclaid them.
anwhile in town—
Sarutobi Sasuke perched atop a roof, scanning. He stiffened when several shady figures slipped through alleys.
Out at night? Suspicious. Definitely them.
He cloaked himself in shadow, tailing them.
"Captain, no sign of them."
The group gathered in an alley. Their leader scowled.
"That monster needs fresh flesh monthly. In all Fire Country, only this town matches the rumors. It must be here."
Moonlight revealed their forehead protectors—engraved with grass.
Grass ninja? Why here?
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Grass ninja sneaking into Fire Country was no simple matter. Best to follow.
"Captain, intel says Konoha ninja are here too. Took a commission."
The leader frowned. Konoha's territory already. If we're discovered, it's trouble.
"Details?"
"A middle-aged shinobi with six kids. Looks like a picnic, not a mission."
"…If it's just old and young, ignore them. If they interfere—kill them. Leave no trace."
"Yes, sir!"
Hmph, bold for a weakling.
Sasuke smirked silently.
The leader waved, and the team dispersed. Sasuke's eyes lit. He shadowed one alone.
"Damn… hope I don't run into the monster."
A burly Grass ninja muttered, hugging himself against the damp air.
"Monster? Care to explain?"
A hand touched his shoulder. He whirled, stabbing back—
"Clink."
His kunai was easily blocked, wrist twisted until he dropped it. He inhaled to shout—but Sasuke chopped him unconscious.
Later, inside an abandoned house, Sasuke woke him with stinging slaps.
"Ungh… I'm a proud Gra—"
Seeing Sasuke's Leaf forehead protector, the prisoner instantly wilted.
"Grass what?" Sasuke smirked.
"N-Nothing."
"Why are Grass ninja here?"
The captive trembled, staring at the kunai leveled between his legs.
"W-we're just passing through…"
"Passing through my ass. Answer properly—or lose your manhood."
The kunai lowered ominously.
"No! I'll talk!"
"…Then talk."
"We ca searching for a traitor. A Grass shinobi, fled even before Grass Village was founded."
"Just one traitor, and you send squads?" Sasuke pressed.
The captive paled, recalling sothing horrific.
"He… took with him a monster. A devil returned from hell."
Five years ago, the shinobi absconded with a vital experintal subject. They scoured Grass Country, failed, then buried the matter. Only recently, restarting experints, did they recall him. Orders were given to hunt the traitor and his prize.
"His na?"
"Kamihi. The traitor was Kamihi."
"Kamihi… Fire God?"
The na clicked. Sasuke rembered Kagami's report—five years ago, a wandering ninja nad Hoshin supposedly perished here.
"And the subject?"
"I don't know. Only that she's a monster. Without flesh, she goes mad. Eats people."
Sasuke's stomach sank. The culprit was no beast but Grass Village's escaped experint.
The kids… they might face this thing!
"Damn!"
He bolted, abandoning the prisoner.
"W-wait! Let out!"
Alone in the doorless ruin, the Grass ninja despaired.
"Tap… tap…"
Footsteps. He rejoiced—then froze at a raspy whisper.
"Eat… eat…"
Terror. He knew that voice. The monster.
Relief washed over him when the sound faded—until a shadow blocked the doorway.
"Well, a familiar face."
It was Hoshin—no, Kamihi. The man smiled kindly, stepping closer.
"S-Shinkami! We have no quarrel! Go, I'll pretend I never saw you—"
"How thoughtful."
Kamihi's grin broadened.
"Yes, yes, I'm all heart—"
"Mako's stomach aches lately. She needs sothing warm to ease it."
The Grass ninja's soul froze. Behind Kamihi, the woman stirred, eyes glowing red.
"No, please—"
"Eat…"
Her pale hands cupped his face. Her mouth yawned wide, darkness spilling forth, swallowing him whole.
"Burp… eat… eat…"
"Still hungry?"
Kamihi sighed, stroking her hair. Her appetite had grown worse.
"No matter. Many 'old friends' are here tonight. You'll feast."
Elsewhere—
At the gate, Hiruzen's squad flagged, so they decided on shifts.
"I'll go first. You two rest."
Danzo and Kagami agreed, leaning back.
"Cold… damn cold…"
Even Danzo's thick rump couldn't keep out the chill.
"Danzo, you're a ninja, not a noble. Adapt. Look at Kagami—"
But Hiruzen froze. Kagami was radiating warmth, a heated blanket draped over him.
"…If you're cold, I have extras."
Kagami sheepishly pulled out another.
"Hmph! Such luxury!" Danzo sneered.
"Kagami… so thorough! No wonder sensei values you!"
Hiruzen bead, snatching the blanket.
"…Huh?!" Danzo gawked, betrayed.
"Learn from Kagami, Danzo. Be a complete ninja."
As warmth wrapped him, Hiruzen felt blessed to have Kagami as his sworn father. Unlike Danzo—useless drinking buddy.
Danzo sulked, heartbroken. It should've been …
"Danzo, your turn."
Hiruzen switched shifts.
"…Fine."
Danzo stood guard, but his heart was colder than the wind. Sleep soon claid him.
"Tap… tap…"
Two figures approached. Kamihi noticed Danzo slumped, eyes narrowing.
"Eat…"
"Mako, not kids. They need fattening first. Too scrawny."
"…Eat… butt."
"…Huh?"
Kamihi blinked. For once, she said sothing new. He looked—Danzo had rolled over, revealing his abnormally massive round butt.
Mako's eyes glead, drool at her lips. She shoved Kamihi aside, creeping toward Danzo.
"Tch."
Kamihi sighed. The Leaf forehead protector marked him a Konoha shinobi. Trouble. But he couldn't stop her hunger.
"…After this, we'll leave town."
"Eat… butt…"
Her hands reached out. Just before they closed—
"Thwack!"
A banana peel smacked her face.
"…?"
Kamihi turned. From the shadows, a small monkey in a tiger-skin skirt grinned.
"A ninja beast…"
With a slash, Kamihi's palm wind obliterated it in smoke.
"Damn, a summoning beast. This complicates things. Hurry, Mako!"
"Eat!"
Ignoring him, she lunged for Danzo's rear.
But shuriken whistled, sinking into her chest. She paused, staring blankly at the weapons lodged in her body.
"Swish!"
Two figures dashed out. Kagami, blades ready, glared at the strangers. Hiruzen dragged Danzo back.
The sudden jerk woke Danzo. Seeing Hiruzen clutching him protectively, he instinctively shielded his massive rump.
"Monkey… I thought we were brothers…"
(End of Chapter)
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